The Book Bubble - Christmas edition with bumper book reviews

ISSUE NUMBER:3

MONTH: December

The

YEAR: 2020

BOOK BUBBLE Author of the Month Meet Daisy James and her wonderful books

NEW to the book bubble, tea and beer reviews.

Many Book reviews from Booktube, book bloggers and bookstagram in this festive edition

Tutorials on xmas cakes and xmas garlands for you to try out

EDITORIAL

It’s Christmas!!!!!!!!!

You can hear Noddy Holder on the radio now, shouting at the top of his lungs, yes it’s Christmas and we are still here, edition number three is upon us.

Thanks for all the feedback on the Halloween edition, hopefully we are listening, hopefully we are getting better and hopefully you are all still enjoying what our contributors have to offer.

What a year, I bet none of us thought this time last year that we would all, everyone of us be affected by “you know what.”

I guess it makes you appreciate every day, just that little bit more and the ones you love, well, how about you tell them more often, I know I will.

Enough doom and gloom, what’s happening this month?

The usual bumper review edition, full of booktube, bookstagram and bloggers filling us in on their latest reads.

Oh and again listening to you all, we are renaming slightly, going a bit more bookish, The Book Bubble, nice ring to it I know, thanks Terry off Twitter, we are trying to appeal to book lovers and quite simply the title could have been about anything.

Enough from me, as always please let us know what you think and if you are reading this right now, why not follow us on twitter at least. Links at the bottom of every odd page number.

Thanks again, stay safe everyone

Trev Lince 2

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’jolabokaflod’

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AUTHOR OF THE MONTH

Daisy James

Christmas book flood

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Bookstagram GROTTO

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Make your Own GARLAND

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Booktube ‘A Chillin’

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Maria’s Christmas CAKE

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Tobloggerning SANTA

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Fancy a Brew TEA REVIEW

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Fancy a Brew BEER REVIEW

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’JOL ABOKAFLOD’ CHRISTMAS BOOK FLOOD

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ookworms worldwide may want to consider adopting an Icelandic Christmas tradition this year. Every Christmas Eve, the Icelandic people practice something called ‘jolabokaflod,’ which translates to ‘Christmas book flood.’Jolabokaflod involves giving books as presents on Christmas Eve, so that friends and family can spend the cozy night in curled up with a good story.

Jolabokaflod which translates roughly into English as ‘the Christmas book flood’. This tradition began during World War II once Iceland had gained its independence from Denmark in 1944. Paper was one of the few commodities not rationed during the war, so Icelanders shared their love of books even more as other types of gifts were in short supply. This increase in giving books as presents reinforced Iceland’s culture as a nation of bookaholics – a study conducted by Bifröst University in 2013 found that half the country’s population read at least eight books a year.

“Wow, 50% read 8 books a year?”

Every year since 1944, the Icelandic book trade has published a catalogue – called Bókatíðindi (‘Book Bulletin’, in English) – that is sent to every household in the country in mid-November during the Reykjavik Book Fair. People use the catalogue to order books to give friends and family for Christmas.

During the festive season, gifts are opened on 24 December and, by tradition, everyone reads the books they have been given straight away, often while drinking hot chocolate or alcohol-free Christmas ale called jólabland.

“So what’s stopping you joining in?”

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hy not gift each other a book and snuggle up on Christmas Eve with chocolate and your book that has been gifted to you which you can open as an early prezzie. The non-alcahol bit might have to go on hold this year, I think we all deserve that, so start your engines, pick your lucky recipient and get wrapping.

One thing that might help and allow you to be a bit anonymous is to add books to your wishlist on Amazon, then we will at the book bubble put a tweet out, so make sure you’re following. Simply add your Amazon name to the comments and buy someone else in the comments a book off their wishlist. We can have our very own Icelandic ‘jolabokaflod’

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2020 BOOK CHARTS AMAZON UK Did your favourite book of the year make the list? How many have you read?

Taken from Amazon Uk 2020 best sellers list on 25 Nov 2020 17:00hrs GMT Key - #Position - Book - Author - Rating - Reviews #1 - The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse - Charlie Mackesy - 4.9 out of 5 stars 29,448 #2 - Pinch of Nom Everyday Light: 100 Tasty,… - Kay Featherstone - 4.8 out of 5 stars 17,672 #3 - Where the Crawdads Sing - Delia Owens - 4.7 out of 5 stars 111,181 #4 - Pinch of Nom: 100 Slimming, Home-style Recipes - 4.8 out of 5 stars 31,892 - #5 #5 - Mrs Hinch: The Little Book of Lists - Mrs Hinch - 4.8 out of 5 stars 10,132 #6 - The Thursday Murder Club: The Record-Breaking… - Richard Osman - 4.4 out of 5 stars 13,185 #7 - Slime: The new children’s book from No. 1… - David Walliams - 4.8 out of 5 stars 6,579 #8 - Girl, Woman, Other: WINNER OF THE BOOKER… - Bernardine Evaristo - 4.5 out of 5 stars 6,355 #9 - The Mirror and the Light: Longlisted for the… - Hilary Mantel - 4.6 out of 5 stars 5,911 #10 - Normal People - Sally Rooney - 4.4 out of 5 stars 13,641 #11 - This Is Me: The Sunday Times No 1 Bestseller 2020 - 4.8 out of 5 stars 5,774 - 8.49 #12 - Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People… - Reni Eddo-Lodge - 4.7 out of 5 stars 7,245 #13 - Good Vibes, Good Life: How Self-Love Is the Key… - Vex King - 4.7 out of 5 stars 7,967 #14 - The World’s Worst Parents - 4.8 out of 5 stars 5,485 - 6.5 #15 - 7 Ways: Easy Ideas for Every Day of the Week - Jamie Oliver - 4.7 out of 5 stars 5,092 #16 - Wean in 15: Up-to-date Advice and 100 Quick… - Joe Wicks - 4.6 out of 5 stars 4,707 #17 - Code Name Bananas: The hilarious and epic new… - 4.9 out of 5 stars 972 - #18 #18 - The Silent Patient: The Richard and Judy… - Alex Michaelides - 4.4 out of 5 stars 39,471 #19 - Midnight Sun (Twilight series) - Stephenie Meyer - 4.6 out of 5 stars 68,390 #20 - Skincare: The ultimate no-nonsense guide and… - Caroline Hirons - 4.8 out of 5 stars 5,376 #21 - The Fast 800 Recipe Book: Low-carb,… - Dr Clare Bailey - 4.7 out of 5 stars 5,584 #22 - The Beekeeper of Aleppo: The Sunday Times… - Christy Lefteri - 4.5 out of 5 stars 6,521 #23 - The Family Upstairs: The #1 bestseller and… - Lisa Jewell - 4.5 out of 5 stars 10,444 #24 - The Official DVSA Highway Code - Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency - 4.7 out of 5 stars 10,030 #25 - This is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior… - Adam Kay - 4.7 out of 5 stars 22,666 #26 - Giraffes Can’t Dance - Giles Andreae - 4.8 out of 5 stars 24,515 #27 - Writing Workbook Ages 3-5: Prepare for… - Collins Easy Learning - 4.7 out of 5 stars 5,437 #28 - Untamed: Stop Pleasing, Start Living: THE NO.1… - Glennon Doyle - 4.5 out of 5 stars 25,379 #29 - Happy: Finding joy in every day and letting go of… - Fearne Cotton - 4.6 out of 5 stars 5,020 #30 - Mary Berry’s Simple Comforts - Mary Berry - 4.8 out of 5 stars 2,138 #31 - Women Don’t Owe You Pretty: The debut book… - Florence Given - 4.8 out of 5 stars 3,209 #32 - The Boy At the Back of the Class - Onjali Rauf - 4.8 out of 5 stars 3,246 #33 - Telling the Time Ages 5-7: Ideal for home… - 4.7 out of 5 stars 3,459 - 3.76 #34 - What Mummy Makes: Cook just once for you and… - Rebecca Wilson - 4.8 out of 5 stars 4,237 #35 - A Swear Word Coloring Book for Adults: Sweary… - Honey Badger Coloring - 4.7 out of 5 stars 9,011 #36 - Troubled Blood (Cormoran Strike 5) - Robert Galbraith - 4.7 out of 5 stars 21,122 #37 - Hinch Yourself Happy: All The Best Cleaning Tips… - 4.7 out of 5 stars 12,991 - 6.49 #38 - Blood Orange: The gripping, bestselling Richard… - Harriet Tyce - 4.3 out of 5 stars 10,096 #39 - The Fast 800: How to combine rapid weight loss… - Michael Mosley - 4.6 out of 5 stars 6,157 #40 - Mrs Hinch: The Activity Journal - 4.8 out of 5 stars 10,954 - #41 #41 - Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Deep End (Book 15) - Jeff Kinney - 4.8 out of 5 stars 5,211 #42 - Guinness World Records 2021 - Guinness World Records - 4.8 out of 5 stars 1,082 #43 - Pinch of Nom Quick & Easy: 100 Delicious,… - #44 - BOSH!: Simple recipes. Unbelievable results. All… #44 - BOSH!: Simple recipes. Unbelievable results. All… - Henry Firth - 4.6 out of 5 stars 6,724 #45 - A Promised Land - Barack Obama - 4.9 out of 5 stars 2,350 #46 - The Green Roasting Tin: Vegan and Vegetarian… - Rukmini Iyer - 4.7 out of 5 stars 2,932 #47 - Nadiya Bakes: Includes all the delicious recipes… - Nadiya Hussain - 4.7 out of 5 stars 2,237 #48 - First Words (Brighter Child Flash Cards) - Brighter Child - 4.7 out of 5 stars 22,637 #49 - Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire… - Akala - 4.8 out of 5 stars 4,294 #50 - The Flatshare - Beth O’Leary - 4.5 out of 5 stars 10,215

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Bookstagram Grotto

o, what festive treats do we have in store for you lovely readers this month? Bookstagram is a great community and here at the Book Bubble we have been scouring the Bookstagram community for some of the best reviews on the planet.

So let’s take a look at this month’s offerings, I am sure you will not be disappointed, not only do they provide great reviews and engagement, they are also the arty ones, they support their reviews with fabulous artwork. So go take a look and it only takes a click to follow these amazing people, follow us while you’re there; https://www.instagram.com/thebookbubblemag/

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Verity- Colleen Hoover Synopsis

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owen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish.

Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity’s notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started.

What Lowen doesn’t expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read. Page after page of bone-chilling admissions, including Verity’s recollection of what really happened the day her daughter died.

Lowen decides to keep the manuscript hidden from Jeremy, knowing its contents would devastate the already grieving father. But as Lowen’s feelings for Jeremy begin to intensify, she recognizes all the ways she could benefit if he were to read his wife’s words. After all, no matter how devoted Jeremy is to his injured wife, a truth this horrifying would make it impossible for him to continue to love her.

Toniandherbooks Rating - 5 Shiney STARS Goodreads Rating - 4.32 Stars

Review

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his book is exceptional. I am almost at a loss for words and that never happens. The plot; the characters; the nail biting final sentences of each chapter; Colleen Hoover’s thrilling writing style - everything about this book is spellbinding. I devoured this book across two nights.

I was more than willing to give up sleep to know what Lowen would uncover next and if/how she would choose to act on it.

You are constantly being taken into the darkest parts of Verity’s mind, consistently questioning her motives and in disgust and disbelief at how her brain functions. But whatever way I had tried to piece the puzzle together throughout, I did NOT see that ending coming. I couldn’t sleep for a while afterwards just trying to process the phenomenon I had read. This book makes ‘Gone Girl’ seem tame.

This book is completely captivating and I was mesmerised from the first page. The pace at which Colleen Hoover writes keeps the reader completely hypnotised and desperate to know what will happen next. I need more Colleen Hoover thrillers in my life. This book is the definition of unputdownable. Such an original concept for a book and truly like nothing I’ve ever read before.

Move over ‘The Roanoke Girls’, this has become my new favourite read of 2020.

Bookstagrammer - Toniandherbooks Link to follow - https://www.instagram.com/toniandherbooks/

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The Silent Patient - Alex Michaelides Synopsis

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licia Berenson’s life is seemingly perfect. A famous painter married to an in-demand fashion photographer, she lives in a grand house with big windows overlooking a park in one of London’s most desirable areas. One evening her husband Gabriel returns home late from a fashion shoot, and Alicia shoots him five times in the face, and then never speaks another word.

Alicia’s refusal to talk, or give any kind of explanation, turns a domestic tragedy into something far grander, a mystery that captures the public imagination and casts Alicia into notoriety. The price of her art skyrockets, and she, the silent patient, is hidden away from the tabloids and spotlight at the Grove, a secure forensic unit in North London.

Theo Faber is a criminal psychotherapist who has waited a long time for the opportunity to work with Alicia. His determination to get her to talk and unravel the mystery of why she shot her husband takes him down a twisting path into his own motivations—a search for the truth that threatens to consume him.... myshelf.and.me - 4 Shiney STARS Goodreads Rating - 4.09 Stars

Review “I mustn’t put strangeness where there’s nothing. I think that is the danger of keeping a diary: you exaggerate everything, you are on the lookout, and you continually stretch the truth.�

JEAN-PAUL SARTRE

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his book was a whole lot of mystery stricken creepy kinda read, which I thought was a perfect pick for the month.

It has elements that have you shocked and scratching your head at times but after reading it and giving in time to think over it, I would say that it is a tiny bit overhyped.

I being a mystery and psychological thriller fanatic, had figured out the plot twist to some extent, but this in no way lessens how witty this one was and I just can’t get enough of it!

It’s such a satisfying read because whatever is building up during the course meets full justice at the end as the incidents fall in place and you are able to join the dots.

Recommended for anyone looking for a spooky, chilling read with unexpected plot twists đ&#x;‘ť.

Bookstagrammer - myshelf.and.me Link to follow - https://www.instagram.com/myshelf.and.me/

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Beyond the Point - Claire Gibson Synopsis

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hree women are brought together in an enthralling story of friendship, heartbreak, and resilience. Set at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, this is an amazing debut

novel.

Duty. Honor. Country. That’s West Point’s motto, and every cadet who passes through its stone gates vows to live it. But on the eve of 9/11, as Dani, Hannah and Avery face four grueling years ahead, they realize they’ll only survive if they do it together.

Everyone knows Dani is going places. With athletic talent and a brilliant mind, she navigates West Point’s predominantly male environment with wit and confidence, breaking stereotypes and embracing new friends.

Hannah’s grandfather, a legendary Army general, offers a stark warning about the dangers that lie ahead, but she moves forward anyway, letting faith guide her path.

When she meets her soul mate at West Point, the future looks perfect, just as planned.

Wild child Avery moves fast and doesn’t mind breaking a few rules (and hearts) along the way. But she can’t outpace her self-doubt, and the harder she tries, the further it leads her down a treacherous path.

The world—of business, of love, and of war—awaits Dani, Hannah, and Avery beyond the gates of West Point. These three women know that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. But soon, that adage no longer rings true—for their future, or their friendship. As they’re pulled in different directions, will their hard-forged bond prevail or shatter?

Beyond the Point is a heartfelt look at how our closest friends can become our fiercest battle buddies. After all, the greatest battles we fight rarely require a uniform. the.rach.reviews - 5 Shiney STARS Goodreads Rating - 4.14 Stars

Review

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his one is going on my list of top favorites for so many reasons. I am naturally drawn to books about 9/11, that’s how this one ended up on my list. It’s crazy how even 19 years later I can still remember everything about that day. This book celebrates strong women trying to break into a male dominated world.

It shows the strong bond of three best friends, that stands the tests of time, distance and selfishness. Dani’s story shines a light on racial injustice and what happens when all of a sudden your dreams are no longer attainable.

Avery’s story shows how your environment growing up can greatly impact you without you realizing it, I loved her growth but hated what she went through to grow. Hannah shows us that bad things happen to good people and sometimes life just simply sucks.

I loved the glimpse into life at West Point and how that experience was so different for each girl and very much helped shape them into the people they became.

Bookstagrammer - the.rach.reviews Link to follow - https://www.instagram.com/the.rach.reviews/

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Piranesi - Susanna Clarke Synopsis

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iranesi has lived in the House for as long as he can remember. In fact, it is his entire world; he knows nothing beyond its walls. His House is no ordinary building though: its rooms are vast, its corridors labyrinthine, its walls lined with thousands and thousands of classical Statues.

The Lower Halls hold a raging ocean, the Upper Halls a cloud-filled atmosphere. Piranesi lives in reverence of the House, exploring it and documenting his findings in his journals.

He has but one companion: a man called The Other, who visits him to discuss A Great and Secret Knowledge. But as Piranesi learns more about the House, he begins to uncover evidence of other people, and other places, beyond what he has always known. localgoddesslit - 5 Shiney STARS Goodreads Rating - 4.37 Stars

Review

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his is it; this is my favorite book of 2020. Originally, lyrically, and masterfully written, it had me dreaming of oceans and clouds all week. To give anything else away would be a disservice because half of the beauty of this story lies in unraveling it for yourself.

“Trust me, you’ll love this one.”

Bookstagrammer - localgoddesslit Link to follow - https://www.instagram.com/localgoddesslit/

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Ragdoll - Daniel Cole

Synopsis

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illiam Fawkes, a controversial detective known as The Wolf, has just been reinstated to his post after he was suspended for assaulting a vindicated suspect. Still under psychological evaluation, Fawkes returns to the force eager for a big case. When his former partner and friend, Detective Emily Baxter, calls him to a crime scene, he’s sure this is it: the body is made of the dismembered parts of six victims, sewn together like a puppet--a corpse that becomes known as “The Ragdoll.”

Fawkes is tasked with identifying the six victims, but that gets dicey when his reporter ex-wife anonymously receives photographs from the crime scene, along with a list of six names, and the dates on which the Ragdoll Killer plans to murder them.

The final name on the list is Fawkes.

Baxter and her trainee partner, Alex Edmunds, hone in on figuring out what links the victims together before the killer strikes again. But for Fawkes, seeing his name on the list sparks a dark memory, and he fears that the catalyst for these killings has more to do with him--and his past-than anyone realizes. pawswithprose- 5 Shiney STARS Goodreads Rating - 3.88 Stars

Review

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agdoll by Daniel Cole is one of my favourite thrillers and I need more people to talk about it with. Fawkes, a troubled detective is called to a crime scene where a ragdoll consisting of six different victims was found.

This murder is like nothing Fawkes has come across before. With a killer always three steps ahead, the police are struggling to protect the potential victims named in a kill list.

The writing is compelling, descriptive and highly engaging. I read this book at least once a year, possibly twice because if it’s complex, flawed but incredibly real characters. I’m stunned that more people don’t talk about this book because the plot is so complex and multi layered.

As dark as the story is it’s perfectly balanced with real depth and very numerous moments that had me laughing out loud. If you get the chance to read this please do because it’s incredible.

Bookstagrammer - pawswithprose Link to follow - https://www.instagram.com/pawswithprose/

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25 Days til Christmas - Poppy Alexander Synopsis

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ate Potter used to love Christmas. A few years ago, shewould have been wrapping her presents in September and baking mince pies on Halloween, counting down the days and hours to Christmas. But that was before Kate’s husband left for the army and never came home.

Now she can hardly stand December at all.

Kate can’t deny she’s lonely, yet she doesn’t think she’s ready for romance. She knows that her son, Jack, needs a Christmas to remember—just like Kate needs a miracle to help her finally move forward with her life. So she’s decided if there isn’t a miracle on its way, she’ll just have to make her own.

As Kate’s advent countdown to the best Christmas ever begins, she soon realizes that even with the best laid plans, you can’t plan for the unexpected. For when the path of the loneliest woman in town crosses with that of the loneliest man, these two destined hearts might find a way to save the holiday for both of them. bookishandlegal- Not rated Goodreads Rating - 3.53 Stars

Review

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book.

his was the October pick for my #SeasonsReadings book club! Whew…ya’ll this was the saddest holiday book I have ever read. Truly I kept thinking the book would get happier and it just kept getting sadder! So be prepared going in that this is a sad sad

The was essentially reading a Hallmark movie…and while I absolutely love watching cheesy holiday Hallmark movies I’m beginning to realize I don’t enjoy reading them as much as watching them. I knew from about a quarter or so into this one exactly how it was going to end.

There are a few other trip ups that happen throughout, so the ending had some surprises in it…but for the most part I could have stopped reading around page 100 and still known how it would end. Even knowing basically how it was going to end I still found the book enjoyable and the build up throughout was fun to see how everything would fall together.

The romance was also sloooowwww, which I’m okay with just wasn’t expecting here. I really expected the two characters to meet around day 20 or so before Christmas and spend the whole month dating and making cute Christmas memories. They only spent time together a handful of days and really only ever went on like 1, maybe 2, dates. The relationship building was really each of the main characters with themselves and getting ready to move on to a new chapter of their lives. If you’re looking for a steamy romance keep walking…this is about as closed door as it gets (tbh there was really nothing to even close the door on).

If you like cute, easy holiday reads check this one out!

If you prefer to watch your Hallmark movies instead of read them maybe skip this one.

Bookstagrammer - bookishandlegal Link to follow - https://www.instagram.com/bookishandlegal/ 12

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In a Holidaze - Christina Lauren Synopsis

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t’s the most wonderful time of the year…but not for Maelyn Jones. She’s living with her parents, hates her going-nowhere job, and has just made a romantic error of epic proportions.

But perhaps worst of all, this is the last Christmas Mae will be at her favorite place in the world—the snowy Utah cabin where she and her family have spent every holiday since she was born, along with two other beloved families. Mentally melting down as she drives away from the cabin for the final time, Mae throws out what she thinks is a simple plea to the universe: Please. Show me what will make me happy.

The next thing she knows, tires screech and metal collides, everything goes black. But when Mae gasps awake…she’s on an airplane bound for Utah, where she begins the same holiday all over again. With one hilarious disaster after another sending her back to the plane, Mae must figure out how to break free of the strange time loop—and finally get her true love under the mistletoe. bookishandlegal - Not rated Goodreads Rating - 3.87 Stars

Review

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hhh…finally a holiday book that I really really liked! I don’t know if I’m just more in the holiday spirit or if this book is just better written than other holiday ones I’ve read but I enjoyed this one so much more than other books of this genre that I’ve read! It’s got the “get sent back in time to fix my life” holiday trope that I absolutely love (looking at you 12 Dates of Christmas on Freeform).

This was such a sweet, but also quite steamy, holiday read and I loved all of it! Watching Mae and Andrew’s relationship grow and develop was so nice and I was really rooting for them the entire time. It was also really nice to see Mae work through her own personal life/work problems and figure out what would make her happy in all aspects of her life instead of having her relationship with a man magically fix all her problems. Love a good full rounded romance where it’s acknowledged that finding love doesn’t automatically make someone happy.

There are a lot of characters in this book and I don’t think they were ever fully introduced or developed enough for me to remember who was who. Often I found myself forgetting who was married to who or who was whose parent and got confused a lot, especially at the beginning. For the most part though it didn’t really matter too much to the story who the side characters were. I also wish there had been a little bit more going back in time to relive the same day to the story. Mae only went back in time like 3 times and I wish there had been just a few more times that she had to start over. But, again my favorite of this trope is 12 Dates of Christmas…so maybe I was expecting too much.

Bookstagrammer - bookishandlegal Link to follow - https://www.instagram.com/bookishandlegal/ The Book Bubble

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Make your very own Christmas Garland “Here’s how”

1. Oasis

2. Foliage/Greenery

3. Chosen decoration

Requirements 1. Oasis Foam Ring - Can be bought at many haberdashery stores 2. Foliage:- e.g. Ivy, Eucalyptus, Spruce (all of this was foraged from mum’s garden.)

3. Decoration:- Flowers or xmas baubles/decorations of your choice

Step 1 Soak the Oasis ring in water until it is completely soaked. You will know when it is ready as it will be a lot heavier than when it was dry (this can take upto 30 minutes)

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Step 2 Start greening up the garland ring with your choice of foliage by pushing the stalks in to the Oasis foam. Work around the ring covering the inner and outer areas until the ring foam is no longer visible. (It needs to be quite full, see picture above.)

Step 3 Now you can add flowers or xmas decorations of your choice to finish off the design. I have chosen to group my flowers, but please have fun creating your own style.

The garland can be hung on a door or looks lovely as a table centrepiece.

Have fun making your garland Merry Christmas Claire

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Author of the Month Daisy James We’re delighted to welcome fabulously festive Daisy James to the Christmas edition of The Social Bubble. To date, Daisy has published a massive 17 books over the last 5 years with 4 of them being Christmas themed. Welcome, Daisy and thank you for joining us!

Hi Michelle and Trevor, thank you for inviting me, it’s great to be here.

Your 2020 Christmas book is Christmas at the Cornish Confetti Agency, book 3 of the Cornish Confetti Agency series. Can you tell our readers a bit about the book and the series?

I’m having so much fun writing these stories! The Cornish Confetti Agency is a romantic comedy series set in the gorgeous village of Pengarth just outside St Ives, and centres around a wedding planning agency that is run by Lexie Harrington, a former events organiser for a celebrity fashion designer, Pierre Fontaine.

She adores her job creating glittering catwalk shows, until she’s unceremoniously fired for presiding over an unfortunate twist on the ice-bucket challenge, and then stumbles on her fiancé cosied up with an attractive blonde. Desperate to escape her heartbreak, she flees home to hold the fort at the wedding agency for her best friend Freya, leader of the yummy mummy network and a firm believer in ‘happily ever afters’. Little did she know that delivering hassle-free weddings in sunny Cornwall would rival the fashion industry for drama, tantrums and mysterious goings-on.

Each book in the series follows a differently themed wedding – a English village fête wedding, a snowy Christmas wedding, a tropical Caribbean wedding, a beautiful Tuscan wedding – and there’s lots of romance, comedic capers and a twist of mystery, too. Who filled the bridesmaid’s hairdryer with glitter, who switched the groom’s expensive cologne for toilet cleaner, and who stuffed anchovies into the air-con of the best man’s beloved scarlet Porsche?

So, Lexie and Theo find themselves having to don their metaphorical deerstalkers to sniff out the culprit before the wedding is ruined, along with The Cornish Confetti Agency’s reputation.

My hope is that each book raises a smile, perhaps a few giggles even, and that the reader enjoys their trip to gorgeous Cornwall and being a guest at the various wedding celebrations.

You’re a Yorkshire girl living in North East England so why did you choose Cornwall for the setting of your latest series?

I was fortunate enough to spend a few childhood holidays at Perranporth on the north coast of Cornwall, and the place stole a piece of my heart straightaway. It was a very long drive from Yorkshire where I grew up, but it was so worth it when we arrived to see the glorious expanses of golden sand that seemed to stretch as far as the eye could see. I remember running along the beach with a kite in my hand, happy and care-free – it’s an enduring memory.

Also, I credit my love of Afternoon Tea to a trip to a tiny café in one of the nearby villages when the rain lashed down – as it does – and we escaped the storm clouds to dry off with a cup of tea - in real The Book Bubble

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china teacups - and indulge in one of the world-famous Cornish cream teas. Of course, it was jam first, then clotted cream.

Needless to say, I absolutely loved doing all the research for The Cornish Confetti Agency series, especially as we’ve been unable to take holidays this summer, and I have a stunning photograph of a pretty Cornish seaside village on my wall as inspiration, which raises my spirits every time I looked at it.

With mouth-watering descriptions of baked goods, your books can be described as a feast for the senses and I was convinced I could smell gingerbread when I was reading Christmas at the Cornish Confetti Agency. Do you enjoy baking and what special treats do you make for Christmas?

I love baking! I try to practice every recipe I include in my stories for authenticity purposes, especially the Christmas recipes in Christmas at the Cornish Confetti Agency because I was writing the story in the blazing hot summer months! The house was filled with the delicious aroma of baked gingerbread, which I cut into all sorts of different shapes and decorated with summer flavours – rosewater icing, lavender buttercream, sliced strawberries – and which were devoured before they even had time to cool.

I also made several batches of mince pies with St Clement’s pastry because, in the story, Theo has an annual competition with his family to see who can produce the best festive treats. I was very popular with my neighbours that week because there was no way our family could consume over four dozen mince pies on scorching hot day in June.

One of our family’s favourite Christmas bakes has to be orange and lemon drizzle cake. You might think it strange, but we’re not great lovers of chocolate, so I try to use other ingredients; cranberries, cherries, and apricots in cookies, vanilla, peppermint and almond essence in cupcakes, and we all love blackberry and apple crumble which we have instead of Christmas pudding – but with brandy sauce. I also absolutely love lemon meringue roulade, but I don’t make that!

Christmas at the Cornish Confetti Agency was released in August this year. As you wrote it in the summer, how did you conjure the Christmas spirit required to write a festive novel?

As I mentioned earlier, I wrote this story when the sun was shining and the temperature soared. So, to get into the festive spirit, I put on a few of my favourite Christmas songs. I love Driving Home for Christmas by Chris Rea, Walking in a Winter Wonderland by Dean Martin and Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee – they’re all such happy and uplifting songs.

Another thing that really helped get me in the mood to write about snowy treehouses, and log fires, and Christmas tree decorating competitions, was a gorgeous Frankincense & Myrrh candle my sister bought for me which I would light whenever I sat down to type. Our sense of smell is very proficient at invoking a certain atmosphere, or hidden memories, so I also added a bowl of Christmas pot pourri which I would stir up whenever I needed a blast of inspiration.

You’re continuing the Cornish Confetti Agency series with another two books; taking readers on trips to St. Lucia and Tuscany in Tropical Skies at the Cornish Confetti Agency (out now) and Tuscan Dreams at the Cornish Confetti Agency due to be published on 7 January 2021. Can you share anything about what you’re currently working on?

That’s right; the Cornish Confetti Agency is diversifying into destination weddings! I loved writing Tropical Skies, which is set on the stunningly beautiful island of St Lucia, with swaying palm trees, sparkling swimming pools and wonderfully weird but delicious cocktails. I admit to spending a few very pleasant hours creating the recipes for the various cocktails that appear in that story – just for research purposes, of course.

I’m currently just about to start the planning process for the next book in the Cornish Confetti Agency series – Summer Kisses at the Cornish Confetti Agency – which will take us back to Cornwall and which I hope will be filled with sunshine, tasty summer treats, and involve a spectacular beachside wedding.

As I’ll be writing this throughout the winter months – and a second lockdown – I’m really looking forward to escaping into a world of floral fabulousness, courtesy of Pengarth’s quirky florist, Jasper, of light-as-air strawberry millefeuille from Scarlet’s village bakery, and lots of wedding chaos and confusion that hopefully will bring a smile to everyone’s faces.

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In 2019 we packed our passport and visited Tuscany in Christmas Secrets at Villa Limoncello, book 3 of the Tuscan Trilogy. Can you tell us what this book is about?

I really enjoyed writing this book which features interior designer Izzie Jenkins who has been engaged to help run a ‘Snowflakes & Christmas Cakes’ course – a mixture of traditional English Christmas desserts and Italian festive treats – alongside handsome chef Luca at the gorgeous Villa Limoncello in San Vivaldi. The story is filled with Tuscan charm; from the ancient architecture of Florence and Siena, to the delicious food and confectionery and the famous Chianti wine, but it’s also a love story, with Izzie facing the difficult decision whether to return home to her old life in the UK or to take a leap of faith and stay on in Tuscany with Luca at her side.

I was fortunate enough to be able to take a short research trip to Florence at the end of 2018, and I absolutely fell in love with the city. It seemed that around every corner, through every archway, and in every shady courtyard, there was a piece of history just waiting to be discovered. I gaped in wonder at Il Duomo, drooled over the spectacularly expensive gold jewellery in the shops on the Ponte Vecchio, and devoured way too much gelato whilst wondering around the narrow, cobbled streets soaking up the atmosphere in the hope I’d be able to recreate it in my stories when I got back home. I had an amazing time and would love to return when we’re allowed to travel freely again.

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You include several recipes at the end of Christmas Secrets at Villa Limoncello, including a fabulous recipe for homemade limoncello that sounds amazing. Seriously, it’s worth buying the book just for that recipe, although we haven’t tried making it...yet! Thinking of more traditional winter beverages, what is your favourite Christmas tipple?

I can tell you that homemade limoncello is absolutely delicious, perfect for long summer nights with a splash of sparkling water and lots and lots of ice.

You know, one drink that always reminds me of Christmas is Advocat – that bright yellow beverage made from eggs, sugar and brandy. My mum, who is sadly no longer with us, didn’t drink, but she liked to partake in a tiny glass of Advocat at Christmas. So, every year, in her honour, I buy a small bottle and enjoy a glass by the fire while I contemplate all the Christmases past.

I think if I had to choose a favourite tipple, though, it would have to be warm, spiced mulled wine, with all the Christmassy flavours of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, star anise, that are certain to send the taste-buds tingling and create a warm fuzzy feeling inside.

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Your 2018 Christmas novel, Mistletoe & Mystery is set in the Cotswolds. This sounds so sparkly and festive. What can readers expect to find between the pages?

Mistletoe & Mystery is the third book in the Paradise Cookery School series and centres around Millie Harper who is engaged to assist Claudia Croft, a celebrity cookery book writer, run a Festive Feast Cookery Course at her Cotswold manor house after she breaks her leg. It’s a romantic comedy so there’s lots of fun and comedic shenanigans going on, but at the same time it’s a love story at heart and Millie finds herself growing close to Zach, Claudia’s hunky estate manager. However, there’s something else going on at the manor which Millie is desperate to uncover, and when she does, wants to rectify.

I hope the story is filled with just as much fun and friendship, and love and laughter, as all the other books I’ve written because it’s important to me that at the end of every story my readers are left with a smile on their faces and a song on their hearts – especially at Christmas time.

As we can tell from the title of Mistletoe & Mystery, you like to inject some mystery, intrigue and a little skullduggery into your novels that sets your books apart from traditional romantic fiction. What made you decide to add a little mystery element to your novels?

That’s true, I do like to add a twist of mystery in all my stories. Like lots of authors, when I was growing up I loved to read, and I devoured every book written by Agatha Christie, so I suppose her fabulous whodunnits must have rubbed off on my own storytelling. I suppose I like to inject a sprinkle of intrigue, a dollop of disaster, and maybe a little bit of mayhem, just to see how my characters react when dropped into those scenarios. Will they take it in their stride? Will they ignore it? Or will they be forced to turn detective?

I hope that the reader will jump on board, too, and try to work out who’s responsible for throwing a spanner in the works. I do get some wonderful comments in the reviews from readers who say they’ve been kept guessing right until the end – which I’m thrilled about and which makes all the plotting and the planning worthwhile.

Your first Christmas book, released in 2017, is Christmas at the Dancing Duck. Tell us a little bit about this book.

Christmas at the Dancing Duck holds a special place in my heart because it was the first Christmas-themed book I wrote. It followed Kirstie Harrison, the presenter of Kirstie’s Christmas Kitchen, a day-time TV show, who loathes everything to do with Christmas, but she especially hates mince pies which just happen to be the focus of that morning’s show and which she’s expected to taste-test live on air.

When she thinks the microphone is switched off, she inadvertently regales her whole Christmas-loving audience with a long list of things she hates about Christmas - chocolate yule logs, iced cinnamon rolls, sherry trifle, brandy butter, Christmas cookies, gingerbread houses, and is fired from her post for her grave misdemeanour. Kirstie has no alternative but to go home to Devon where her sister runs the Dancing Duck pub, having taken over its custodianship from their late parents.

As with all of my books, Christmas at the Dancing Duck is a romantic comedy with a heart-warming love story at its heart, and so over the course of the story Kirstie finds herself reconnecting with her sister, the wider community of Cranbury, and with Josh, the man she left behind when she escaped the tragedy of losing her parents for the bright lights of London, and morning TV stardom.

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Your love of Christmas comes through in your writing so how difficult was it to create a character who didn’t like Christmas?

I loved creating Kirstie as a character. There is a painful reason why she doesn’t like Christmas and why she avoids the festivities as much as she can, but with the help of her sister - and being careful not to forget her past - she learns how to stitch her grief into the fabric of her life and move on to a place where she can be happy, with people who love her, and to fall in love with Christmas once again.

Christmas is a difficult time for many people; it can evoke painful memories of loved ones who are no longer around to share in the festivities. I hope I’ve dealt with Kirstie’s issues about losing her parents with sensitivity and understanding, because I know from personal experience that such a tragic event effects people in different ways, and what works to soften the sharp edges of grief for one person, may not do so for someone else.

You’ve published an amazing number of books over the last 5 years. How do you find the time to write so prolifically? Do you have strict targets and writing routines?

You’re right! When I look at the covers of my books side-by-side I can hardly believe that I’ve written eighteen! I do try to have a routine, but sometimes life pokes its nose into the carefully crafted plan, doesn’t it? I’m a full-time author, which means it’s my job to turn up at my desk every day and at least attempt to add a few words to the story I’m working on. Sometimes that’s easy and the words fly off my keyboard; other times it’s like squeezing a tube of toothpaste and I end up deleting everything I’ve written. Like most authors, there’s a kaleidoscope of stories flowing through my mind at any given moment, so I really want to get them down on paper before they melt away into the blue yonder.

I love writing series, though. I’ve written two trilogies – Villa Limoncello and the Paradise Cookery School - which I thoroughly enjoyed, and which made it a pleasure to turn up to work every day because I got to spend time with a bunch of characters who have become friends. I also try to set my stories in wonderfully scenic places, like the Caribbean, Tuscany, Cornwall, Corfu, the South of France, and there’s nothing I like better than spending a few moments staring at photographs of these amazing countries to get the creative juices flowing.

And, of course, experimenting with the local recipes from those places helps, too. Not all of them provide the hoped-for inspiration, though. You should have seen the mess I made of an attempt to make a batch of Italian cannoli. My family are usually up for eating most of my creations – no matter how weird - but they didn’t want to risk taste-testing those for some reason!

We’ve included an article in this issue on Jólabókaflóðið, the Icelandic Book Flood, which is a tradition that is rapidly being adopted by booklovers who are looking forward to receiving a beautifully wrapped book to read on Christmas Eve. Do you have any special Christmas traditions that you’re looking forward to?

I love that tradition, and we’ve started to take part recently with my sister’s family. I really enjoy mooching around the local bookshops in December, taking my time to select the perfect book for my family and friends, who all have very different tastes. There’s nothing I like better than unwrapping a book on Christmas Eve – and if it happens to be a travel book, even better – and then spending the rest of the evening, curled up in a chair with a mug of hot chocolate losing myself in the glossy pages.

One of my favourite Christmas traditions is decorating the tree. Over the years we’ve collected an eclectic selection of ornaments, all of which feature on our tree, which means that whilst it might

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look a bit mismatched, it’s filled with memories of where and when we bought that glass bauble, or made that paper decoration, or painted that ceramic snowflake, or stitched that felt elf with the cotton wool hat.

We always make some kind of gingerbread structure, too – it’s usually the traditional alpine-esque chalet with snow icing on the roof and lots of multi-coloured sweets as decoration - but when we’re feeling more creative, we’ve tried castles, boats and even trains. One year we attempted to recreate the Angel of the North, and that turned out surprisingly well. Just don’t ask about the “snowy windmill” project which was a disaster – although it was still delicious!

If you could ask Santa for one thing this year, what would it be?

Well, I think that would be the same thing that everyone else is putting at the top of their Santa Claus Wish List this year – a safe and healthy world. After that, though, it has to be a lovely stack of books, and if there’s Nigella’s new cookery book amongst them, I’ll be a happy bunny. I also love travel memoirs, so anything from Ben Fogle, or Simon Reeve, or Annie Hawes will be met with a smile of delight.

Thank you so much to Daisy James for agreeing to be interviewed; we hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Thank you so much for having me, and a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you too, and to all your readers.

Click here to Enter GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY Are you looking for a Christmassy book for your own Jólabókaflóðið? Daisy has very generously offered a signed copy of Mistletoe & Mystery for one of our readers to win. Just click the link to send us an email to enter. Entries close 31 December 2020 The Book Bubble

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Booktube Chillin!

“So you wanna build a snowman”

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ooktube will keep you warm as we step outside and join the booktubers and they give us what they’ve got. We have an assortment of reviews ready for you to watch. So put on your Christmas jumper, hop on the sleigh and see what we have in store this month.

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i, I’m Sammy the snowmaan, my icicled friends and I will be your guides, slipping and sliding through the booktube section, stopping to watch the many reviews we have for you along the way. Be sure to click the link and subscribe to our lovely contributors using the links provided. an anyone smell carrots? Or is it just me? It’s making me feel hungry and I’m not joking, we like a good joke here in snowman land. See if you can guess the punchlines along the way

Guess the punchline game Here’s your first...Answers, somewhere, not sure where you might have to find them, they might even be in the nexty edition after I have melted away, I’m a snowman not the editor I don’t know where they are.

1. What do they sing at a snowman’s birthday party?

A1. Freeze a jolly good fellow (you get the idea, warning Dad jokes alert)

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wa sno s s o r c n you ? e h w re et y o u g t h a va m p i o d t i a 2. Wh man w 3. W ha t do sn ow m en w ea r on th ei r he ad s?

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5. W hy di d th e sn ow m an go to th e m id dl e of th e la ke ?

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7. Where do snowmen put their webpages?

8. H ow do sn ow m en ge t arou nd to w n?

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The Midnight Library - Matt Haig Synopsis

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“Between life and death there is a library.”

When Nora Seed finds herself in the Midnight Library, she has a chance to make things right. Up until now, her life has been full of misery and regret. She feels she has let everyone down, including herself. But things are about to change.

The books in the Midnight Library enable Nora to live as if she had done things differently. With the help of an old friend, she can now undo every one of her regrets as she tries to work out her perfect life. But things aren’t always what she imagined they’d be, and soon her choices place the library and herself in extreme danger.

Before time runs out, she must answer the ultimate question: what is the best way to live?

n oma w w o he sn wman? t n e d wh h the sno e n e p it t ha p m e n t w a h 1 0. W a n a rg u ha d

_beautyandthebooks_ - Rating - Watch above Goodreads Rating - 4.27 Stars

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at d sa id th yt o t e sn he ow s ca m a rf? n’s h

at

Review

Booktube Channel - _beautyandthebooks_ Link to follow - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc_84TY1WUiNnw5ouljJEDw

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The Keeper of Lost Things - Ruth Hogan Synopsis

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Anthony Peardew is the keeper of lost things. Forty years ago, he carelessly lost a keepsake from his beloved fiancée, Therese. That very same day, she died unexpectedly. Brokenhearted, Anthony sought consolation in rescuing lost objects—the things others have dropped, misplaced, or accidentally left behind—and writing stories about them. Now, in the twilight of his life, Anthony worries that he has not fully discharged his duty to reconcile all the lost things with their owners. As the end nears, he bequeaths his secret life’s mission to his unsuspecting assistant, Laura, leaving her his house and and all its lost treasures, including an irritable ghost.

Recovering from a bad divorce, Laura, in some ways, is one of Anthony’s lost things. But when the lonely woman moves into his mansion, her life begins to change. She finds a new friend in the neighbor’s quirky daughter, Sunshine, and a welcome distraction in Freddy, the rugged gardener. As the dark cloud engulfing her lifts, Laura, accompanied by her new companions, sets out to realize Anthony’s last wish: reuniting his cherished lost objects with their owners.

Long ago, Eunice found a trinket on the London pavement and kept it through the years. Now, with her own end drawing near, she has lost something precious—a tragic twist of fate that forces her to break a promise she once made.

ha t ite ’s a M sno ex w i ca m n an’ fo s od fa ? vou

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Review

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As the Keeper of Lost Objects, Laura holds the key to Anthony and Eunice’s redemption. But can she unlock the past and make the connections that will lay their spirits to rest?

Hayley’s Bite-Size Reviews Rating - Watch above Goodreads Rating - 3.81 Stars

Booktube Channel - Hayley’s Bite-Size Reviews Link to follow - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKaG2vF1fs50DtONtzRh5nA

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The Inheritance Games - Jennifer Lynn Barnes Synopsis

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he came from nothing.

Avery has a plan: keep her head down, work hard for a better future.

Then an eccentric billionaire dies, leaving her almost his entire fortune. And no one, least of all Avery, knows why. They had everything.

Now she must move into the mansion she’s inherited. It’s filled with secrets and codes, and the old man’s surviving relatives -a family hell-bent on discovering why Avery got ‘their’ money.

Now there’s only one rule: winner takes all.

Soon she is caught in a deadly game that everyone in this strange family is playing.

But just how far will they go to keep their fortune?

en a e w t e nce b man? e r e f o if he d a snow w t s ’ ha t nd 1 3. Wo w m a n a 14 . W sn ha t d o you c s i x -p a n a S n o wma ack a Review n wit bs? h

Books of Amber - Rating - Watch above Goodreads Rating - 4.16 Stars

Booktube Channel - Books of Amber Link to follow - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjzHl5uRG2nnm5KgCKq4WQw 28

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The Hunting Party - Lucy Foley Synopsis

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“All of them are friends. One of them is a killer.

uring the languid days of the Christmas break, a group of thirtysomething friends from Oxford meet to welcome in the New Year together, a tradition they began as students ten years ago. For this vacation, they’ve chosen an idyllic and isolated estate in the Scottish Highlands— the perfect place to get away and unwind by themselves.

They arrive on December 30th, just before a historic blizzard seals the lodge off from the outside world.

Two days later, on New Year’s Day, one of them is dead.

The trip began innocently enough: admiring the stunning if foreboding scenery, champagne in front of a crackling fire, and reminiscences about the past. But after a decade, the weight of secret resentments has grown too heavy for the group’s tenuous nostalgia to bear. Amid the boisterous revelry of New Year’s Eve, the cord holding them together snaps.

Now one of them is dead . . . and another of them did it.

Keep your friends close, the old adage goes. But just how close is too close?

Review

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all a

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s dog

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Sabrina Cox- Rating - Watch above Goodreads Rating - 3.65 Stars

Booktube Channel - Sabrina Cox

Link to follow - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvdRgQzJGpCKEkUDje3DVVQ

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Maria’s Christmas Cake STIR-UP SUNDAY Stir-up Sunday is regarded as the last Sunday before Advent and is traditionally the time when families get together to prepare Christmas puddings and cakes. This year, Stir-up Sunday falls on 22nd November, 2020, so get your aprons out and have some fun with the family in the run-up to Christmas, and end of second lockdown!

Soaking Time 2 - 4 days Cooking Time 3

30

1/4

hours

Ingredients for 9 inch Round Tin

Stage One - The Soak

Currants. 450gr/1lb Sultanas.

200gr/7oz Raisins.

200gr/7oz Glacé Cherries.

100gr/4oz Mixed peel, chopped.

75gr/3oz Ground cinnamon.

1 teaspoon 3/4 Ground mixed spice. teaspoon 3/4 Ground nutmeg. teaspoon Butter. 275gr/10oz Soft brown sugar.

275gr/10oz Ground Almonds 75gr Eggs (Large). Five Black treacle (optional). 1 x tablespoon Brandy.

4 x tablespoons Plain flour. 350gr/12oz Juice and Zest 1 Large Orange

In an airtight container.

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Soak the currants, sultanas, raisins, mixed peel and chopped glacé cherries along with the brandy and juice and zest of one orange.

Leave aside for 2 - 4 days, stirring occasionally.

Soaking Time 2 - 4 days

Stage Two - The Bake Method - On the day of baking 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

Grease and line a 9 inch (23cm) deep cake tin with non-stick baking parchment.

Preheat oven to, gas mark 1/130 c/250 f Cream butter and sugar in a large bowl until soft and fluffy, using a wooden spoon, or in a stand-mixer.

Add treacle, eggs and spices. Mix well.

Add almonds.

Stir in fruit and any remaining juices from container.

Hand-stir sifted flour into the mixing bowl until well blended.

The mixture should drop slowly from the wooden spoon. If too wet, add an additional spoon of flour at a time until the required consistency.

Tip the mixture into the cake tin, levelling the top.

Bake in the middle of the oven for 3 1/4 hours.

Test by inserting a skewer into the centre of the cake. It should come out clean.

If not done, test again after a further 15 minutes.

When cooked, remove from oven and cool in tin.

Remove from tin and store wrapped in double wrapped greaseproof or parchment paper, then foil.

Store in a cool dark place until required.

NB, Black Tea, or extra 4 tablespoons of orange juice make a suitable alternative to brandy for soaking.

If you want to try your hand at decorating, then supermarket pre-rolled marzipan and fondant icing can be used. Just follow the instructions on the packs.

MERRY CHRISTMAS. Ps. Don’t forget to make a wish.

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Congratulations to last months giveaway wiinner.

UNA WILLERS Wins a signed copy of Sunwise by Helen Steadman

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Toblogganing into a Winter Wonderland ast up with their reviews are our wounderful blogging community, the ‘book magnet’ has lived up to her word and managed to get another crop of lovely bloggers to give us their reviews. All have a seasonal theme, so if you’re looking for your next festive read, then go and check these out. As always please follow the links, the book bubble is all about following each other and growing stronger together.

Next month we will be looking for a couple of things.

Point us to the best book of 2020, it’s not been the best of years outside of books, but we hope you managed to escape between the covers while the world was frantically trying to regain some balance.

So what was your best book of 2020, tag us in on twitter or get in touch via email if you want your review to be considered.

The second thing is, well, what’s next, what are you looking forward to, what’s your reading goal, what new releases are you dying to get your hands on.

Ladies and gentlemen, we give you the book bloggers tobloggoning with santa down the icy slopes. We were that proud of toblogganing we had to mention it again, oh, and again. Enough, enjoy this month’s reviews from our lovely blogging communty and as always, go give them a follow.

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Feral Snow - Mark Lowes

Synopsis

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lone and stranded in the Arctic wasteland, would you risk your life to save a stranger or try to get home?

Paul is a father-to-be; traumatised by his past, he’s terrified of becoming a father after his own beat him until he was unilaterally deaf. While working as a freelance cameraman in the Arctic, he’s caught in a blizzard, separated from his crew, and falls into a chasm. Alone, and waiting for death to come, personal demons plague his mind.

When a young native girl falls into the chasm with him, Paul must learn how to accept responsibility and what it takes to give your life for a child.

Nicki`s Life of Crime- 5 Shiney STARS Goodreads Rating - 4.50 Stars BookBlog Link -http://nickislifeofcrime.blogspot.com/

Review

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mg, this is a breath taking, intense thriller about the bond that develops between two strangers and their struggle for survival after they find themselves trapped in a chasm deep below the surface of the arctic wasteland. How they learn to rely on each other as they battle freezing temperatures, hypothermia, lack of food and drink,rapidly decreasing energy levels and spirits as they try to figure out a way to escape their freezing prison. At the beginning of their ordeal, the two diverse individuals had personalities that were polar opposites, the adult character Paul started off as apparently a rather weak individual,a bit of a coward who had ran away to the arctic as a way to escape from his responsibilities. But as his tragic back story was revealed it became apparent that there was reasons behind his behaviour and character traits. It was fascinating to witness how Paul’s character and personality grew and evolved as the story unfolded and he faced numerous life threatening situations and decisions.

I really really loved the young girl Nanny, I thought she was a fantastic character,a fiery, gutsy, outspoken individual who had grown up in a loving home and who’s childhood was the polar opposite to Paul’s. She was spirited and knew how to take care of herself having grown up in the isolated wilderness and been taught how to hunt by her father. But does she have enough strength and willpower to keep Paul’s spirits up and will they both survive the ultimate battle against the elements and the wilderness?

The setting for this book was a character in its own right with its own personal character traits.

The contrast between the beauty of the northern lights, the ghostly silence and muffled atmosphere after a heavy snowfall, the colours caused by the sun rays reflecting off the walls of ice and the dangers that come with the freezing temperatures, wildlife and the various other threats that are prevalent to that environment.

Wow....Just wow, this is a extremely well written,fast paced, roller coaster ride that hardly gives the reader a opportunity to breath as you,Paul and Nanny are launched from one life threatening situation to another. It’s a intense, thrilling page turner that is packed full of danger, had me glued to my kindle and frantically turning the pages. The secondary characters were a mixed bag of diverse, realistic individuals who each had their own unique personalities and the story that covers a wide range of emotions and issues had a heart breaking conclusion. I would love to watch a film adaptation of this outstanding debut that is worth far more than five stars and very very highly recommended. This is definitely going to be one of my favourite reads of this year.

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The Winter Garden - Heidi Swain Synopsis

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reya Fuller is estranged from her parents and has been following her childhood dream of becoming a gardener ever since.

When an opportunity to design a winter garden opens up at a Victorian property in Nightingale Square, Freya jumps at the chance to make a fresh start.

But while the majority of the residents are welcoming, local artist Finn seems determined to shut her out, and when Freya’s family make a surprise appearance, it seems that her new life is about to come crashing down . . .

Gin-

gerbread Book Reviews- 5 Shiney STARS Goodreads Rating - 4.50 Stars BookBlog Link - https://gingerbreadbookreviews.wordpress.com/

Review Perfect for lovers of: cosy village community vibes, nature and sweet romance.

This is a wonderfully gentle and engaging festive read, that will draw you in to the beautiful community of Nightingale Square and keep you snug for a little while.

We join Freya as she moves to the Square, tasked with creating a winter garden in time for Christmas. Designed as an aid to tackle those suffering with SAD disorder, it needs to be full of colour and life and she doesn’t have much time to do it! She’s joined by the lovely volunteer Chloe and enigmatic artist Finn, who is creating the sculptures to complement Freya’s work in the garden. They clash from very early on, although you absolutely know/hope that more will happen between them!

Almost my entire family are gardeners, so I find the smell of soil and garden centres brings me back home. This meant that I LOVED the garden setting, and felt like the book was a literal breath of fresh air. This is so important at the moment, and I know that getting outside is a daily tonic I’ve come to rely on. The progress in the garden is also peppered with lovely festive surprises such as Winterfest, the Christmas festival of workshops that Luke suggests. From wreath making to nature journals, I would absolutely attend Winterfest and I loved seeing what the residents of Nightingale Square got up to.

The two things that I really look for in a book (Christmas or not) is a connection to the main character and a genuine romance. Freya absolutely felt like my kind of person: independent, compassionate, lovely and willing to put a lot into a project to get to where she wants to be. Then there’s Freya and Finn: initially off to a rocky start with their friendship, this blossoms into a much deeper connection and seeing their love for each grow is my favourite part of any romance.

I loved so many things about this book, but my favourite was the genuine warmth. There’s community, love and friendship, gently surrounded by a festive cheer.

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The Christmas Killer - Alex Pine Synopsis

A

s the snow begins to fall, the body count begins to climb…

DI James Walker is ready for a quiet family Christmas in the sleepy village of Kirkby Abbey.

But when he opens an early Christmas present left on his doorstep, he soon realises it is no gift. Inside is a gruesome surprise, and a promise – twelve days, twelve murders. Not long after, the first body is found, half frozen in the snow.

As the blizzards descend, panic spreads through the remote Cumbrian village – there’s a killer amongst them, and with eleven more victims to go, anyone could be next….Can James stop the killer before they strike again?

Over the Rainbow Book Blog- Not Rated

Goodreads Rating - 3.70 Stars BookBlog Link - https://overtherainbowbookblog.wordpress.com/

Review

O

oh I do like a thriller set at Christmas time.

The expectation of it being a happy occasion always makes the book more atmospheric and the crimes extra chilling. This book was no exception and I liked the added twist that the snow falling created a locked room scenario where the killer was trapped in the village alongside everyone.

The mention of 12 murders helps give an ominous countdown to Christmas and one that I’d prefer not to have.

This did ensure I kept reading as I wanted to see when the next letter would show up and where.

The characters were all very interesting creations and I enjoyed following them throughout the book. The setting of a small, gossipy village was fantastically done and I did so enjoy finding out about all the residents little secrets.

There were some characters who I warmed to instantly but others who I loved to hate which always makes a story more fun to read.

I did like DI Walker and found his constant surprise about the snow quite amusing, however I found his wife very annoying. She seemed really needy and quite nosey as she always had to know everything that was happening in the investigation. I’m not sure if a DI would be able to discuss the case with his partner in real life but his recaps did help me keep up to date with everything that was going on.

The book does start off quite slowly and I did guess who the murderer was fairly early on However I did so enjoy trying to figure out their motives and who they were going to target next. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes their crime fiction with a bit of a slower pace so that it allows them to become more absorbed in the story. It will be great for curling up with this winter!

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The Unwrapping of Theodora Quirke - Caroline Smailes Synopsis

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heodora Quirke has no reason to be merry. It’s bad enough that she has to work on Christmas Eve but now there’s a drunk bloke dressed as Santa and claiming to be St Nick hanging around outside her flat. Given he’s professing to be the giver of Christmas miracles and nearly 2000 years old, she’s wary.

Things get even more weird when St Nick insists he’s there to save Theo. And with the next St Nicholas Day somehow fast approaching, he’s even got a plan that’ll change her life forever.

It all seems pretty straightforward, apart for one awkward fact: Theodora Quirke doesn’t actually need saving.

ShortBookandScribes - Not Rated Goodreads Rating - 4.52 Stars BookBlog Link - https://shortbookandscribes.uk/

Review

H

aving read Caroline Smailes’ work before, I knew not to expect a typical fluffy Christmas story when I started The Unwrapping of Theodora Quirke. What this is is a quirky (no pun intended) yet heart-warming story of a young woman who has lost everything she loves and who finds a way to live again.

Theo is 19 and already has suffered so much loss and upheaval in her life so when St Nick turns up on her doorstep she’s understandably sceptical. Here’s where it gets unusual, a little bit bonkers, and really rather lovely. St Nick is out to save her and even if she doesn’t think she needs it, the journey ahead is destined to change her life.

I loved the way Smailes brought Theo and St Nick to life in such a glorious fashion. The book is set in Liverpool and there’s a very down to earth feel about it that is characteristic of that city. It’s also full of dry humour which had me smiling a lot. St Nick is quite a character and the descriptions of what he was wearing (or not, as was often the case) and his dubious cleanliness was fantastic and so funny.

I don’t know how the author came up with such an original idea for a story but coupled with her trademark brilliant and sweary voice it makes for a winning combination.

This is a great book for this time of year as Christmas approaches, and if you like something that isn’t saccharine but is still a feel-good story then look no further. It was an absolute pleasure to spend a couple of days in the company of Theo and St Nick in a world of miracles, the unexpected, friendship, loss and love.

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I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every DayMilly Johnson Synopsis

I

t’s nearly Christmas and it’s snowing, hard. Deep in the Yorkshire Moors nestles a tiny hamlet, with a pub at its heart. As the snow falls, the inn will become an unexpected haven for six people forced to seek shelter there…

Mary has been trying to get her boss Jack to notice her for four years, but he can only see the efficient PA she is at work. Will being holed up with him finally give her the chance she has been waiting for?

Bridge and Luke were meeting for five minutes to set their divorce in motion. But will getting trapped with each other reignite too many fond memories – and love?

Charlie and Robin were on their way to a luxury hotel in Scotland for a very special Christmas. But will the inn give them everything they were hoping to find – and much more besides?

A story of knowing when to hold on and when to let go, of pushing limits and acceptance, of friendship, love, laughter, mince pies and the magic of Christmas.

Stacy is Reading- Not Rated Goodreads Rating - 4.71 Stars BookBlog Link - http://stacyisreading.blogspot.com/

Review

M

y enjoyment for reading this year has really taken a back seat. No matter how hard I’ve tried my concentration levels have gone right out of the window. But I was adamant to read the new festive offering from the wonderful Milly Johnson and I can’t begin to tell you how glad I am that I did.

I don’t know where to start in describing how it felt to read this book, but I do know that I sat and cuddled my copy when I closed the final chapter in a bid to keep the characters close for just a few moments longer. One thing I know for sure is that there is magic between those pages....the journey I have just been on is one I shall cherish and take with me forever.

I could go on here to describe each of the fabulous ‘Figgy Six’ characters, who grace the pages of this book, in great detail. But I do believe that that will only spoil the magic that is to be found as the story unfurls. I do however have to mention Charlie, because for me, he is an unforgettable character that has already laid down roots in my heart. His tenacity and penchant for life is second to none, backed up with decades of life experience that are whipped up into insightful pearls of wisdom and delivered as gifts. He truly is a work of art and one of the best characters I have come to meet.

I cannot complete this review without commenting on the narrative as a whole. The way in which Milly has crafted this story is pure class. Each element unfolds to perfection and it was an utter joy to experience the story come to life before my very eyes. I honestly felt that as an author, Milly poured her heart and soul into these pages and I, as a reader, am changed by the experience. So thank you from the bottom of my heart for this beautiful gift. I shall treasure these memories and take all that I have learned with me as I go through life.

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A Little Christmas Hope - Kathryn Freeman Synopsis

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Newly promoted head teacher Anna Dalton needs a Christmas miracle – and fast! After years of sitting through excruciatingly dull Christmas productions, complete with crying children and sleeping parents, she’s determined Riddlescomb Primary School will put on a Nativity to remember.

Enter bad boy actor Dan Ramsey, recently axed from the lead role in a TV drama and in desperate need of cleaning up his image or he’ll never work again.

Dan can flash those heart-stopping dimples all he likes, Ann tells herself she isn’t going to fall for them. She knows why he’s decided to volunteer at the school, and it’s for the good of his bank balance…not his soul.

But as Anna and Dan are forced to work together for the sake of a truly magical Christmas for the children, sparks fly and they can’t help but wonder what will happen once the festive season is over…

Beauty Addict Rating - 5 Shiney STARS Goodreads Rating - 4.30 Stars BookBlog Link - https://beautyaddict32.co.uk/

Review I knew I was going to love this book – Kathryn Freeman has fast become one of my favourite authors. Having read Up Close and Personal, The New Guy and Strictly Come Dating, and LOVED them all, I just knew that A Little Christmas Hope was going to be amazing – and I wasn’t wrong!

Actor, Dan Ramsey has just been axed from the long running TV drama he has become famous for. He need to clean up his act and his reputation, or he knows he will never find another role again. His agent, and good friend, Pete, comes up with an idea that he hopes will help.

He wants Dan to give acting lessons to students at Riddlescomb Primary School – that will score home browns points on the reputation front surely.

There maybe just one small problem with the plan – headteacher Anna Dalton. Anna is not a fool and she knows that Dan is only volunteering to help his career – its going to take a lot to win her over. As the two of them start getting to know each other, the chemistry between them is electric. Soon enough Dan has not only agreed to give acting lessons, but also agreed to write and help put on the school Nativity play. Anna is a widow with a beautiful young daughter. Dan has recently gone through a divorce and sadly doesn’t have a very good relationship with his younger son.

“WILL THERE BE CHRISTMAS CHEMISTRY?” As the Nativity play preparations gather pace, so too does the chemistry between Anna and Dan. Can their relationship stay professional, or will they both give into the obvious temptation of each other? I did not want this story to end. I loved everything about A Little Christmas Hope – Kathryn Freeman really is such an incredible writer.

A Little Christmas Hope is probably my favourite book I have read this year. Heartwarming, funny, emotional, packed full of love, fun and chemistry. Oh, and a real-life sheep called Shaun in the Nativity play! Festive reading perfection.

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Fancy a brew?

When you’ve chosen your festive read, put the kettle on and relax with a cup of Tea’s the Season, a flavoured black tea with cinnamon, from Leafy Bean Company. If you need some inspiration, have a look at the seasonal display of books in our photo.

A box costs £5 for 15 pyramid tea bags and delivery is free when you spend over £15, which is so easy to do as Leafy Bean Co have such a fantastic range of black, green, rooibos and herbal teas.

Leafy Bean Co have crammed so many ingredients into each tea bag, filling them with Sri Lankan black tea (59%), cinnamon, hibiscus, apple pieces, cloves, rosehip, orange peel, cranberry, vanilla pieces, morello cherries, blackberry leaves, lime leaves and flavouring.

After brewing for 4-5 minutes, I had a beautiful amber coloured tea in my cup and the kitchen was filled with the aroma of cinnamon, orange peel and cloves. It really made me feel Christmassy and it’s amazing how festive smells can conjure treasured memories of Christmases past.

Time for a sip and oh my giddy aunt, what an absolutely fantastic flavour! The well chosen ingredients are blended perfectly to give a well-balanced sweet/spicy tea. The sweet orange citrus coupled with spicy cinnamon is the first thing I noticed but as you drink it, you start to experience the other flavours especially apple, cranberry and cloves.

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So easy to drink, it’s not bitter or dry and can be enjoyed with or without milk. I like to drink flavoured tea black but it can sometimes be a bit harsh if you leave it for the time it suggests, however, I made a perfect cup of Tea’s the Season by brewing for 4-5 minutes as per the instructions on the packet.

Tea’s the Season is Christmas in a cup, but of course it’s not just for Christmas so enjoy it all year round to remember the most wonderful time of the year.

About Tea’s the Season: Put a little jingle in your step with our whole leaf seasonal blend - a taste of Christmas cheer throughout the year. Sweet spicy cinnamon, aromatic cloves, zesty mandarin and real fruity pieces. So ho-ho-wholesome.

About Leafy Bean Company: Caffeine crazy and born to brew, at Leafy Bean Co we to-tea-lly love all things tea and coffee.

Founded in 2016 by a tea aficionado who wanted more fun with her cuppa, Leafy Bean Co, creates quality blends bursting with wholesome joy.

We don’t take life too seriously - but we ARE serious about what you drink!

To discover more about our products, cafe venues and events, and for our online shop, visit http://www.leafybeancompany.com The Book Bubble

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Fancy a different kind of brew?

I A

f beer is more your tipple when you’re reading, how about a festive bottle of Howay in a Manger from North East brewers Mordue? This is an outstanding winter ale with a huge malty kick.

beauty to behold, Howay in a Manger is a nutty brown colour with a HUGE frothy Mr Whippy style head. It was quite excitable on opening and came whooshing out of the bottle but I was ready for it and didn’t spill a drop. As Yoda would say, ‘Lively one, this is’.

T

he aroma is deliciously malty with a hint of sweet caramel, spice, fruity orange and hops. The smell seems to evolve as it smells of sweet malt and caramel at first, followed by a whiff of slight citrus bitterness and then another hit of malt.

I couldn’t wait to dive in for a sip.

W

ow! My eyes closed in ecstasy when I took my first sip and it felt like there was a Christmas party in my mouth as flavours of malt, sweet spice, toffee and dark fruit combine to create a taste explosion. It’s quite fizzy with a decent body and has a lovely creamy mouthfeel. This really is an amazing winter ale, and just like Wizzard, I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day so I could have a pint of this delicious ale.

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ore malty than a bag of Maltesers, I hope Santa M puts a bottle of Howay in a Manger in my stocking this Christmas. Although, just like a puppy, Howay in a

Manger isn’t just for Christmas and I could happily drink this all year round. They don’t come any better than this so fill your boots from Mordue Brewery while they have this seasonal favourite in stock. There’s even free local delivery if you live within 20 miles of the brewery!

Brewed by Mordue Brewery, North Shields 4.3% ABV Review by - Ale be seeing you Website - http://www.alebeseeingyou.co.uk/ My rating: My Untappd score: 4.75/5 Find out more at Mordue Brewery https://morduebrewery.com/ The Book Bubble

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Thank you from The Book Bubble Having being booted off Amazon’s affiliate program, for not having a website and linking via Issuu, we are officially now doing all this for nothing.

“Free for all” We will keep The Book Bubble electronic edition free for all as long as we can, hopefully forever and ever...

If you do want to make a contribution to help with the Issuu subscription costs, the software required, adobe stok membership and the time it takes to put all of this together then great, if not, that’s ok too.

Donate as little as 50p/50c every little helps.

Thank you all

Donate via Paypal

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Editor’s note (and shameless plug) It would not be an edition of the Book Bubble unless I managed to sneak in a link to the books I have written. I am slowly (mainly due to all my time being speant creating this) nearing completion of my third book.

I see it as my duty to squeeze them in, just like Alfred Hitchcock used to make cameos in his films just because he could. I feel if I am spending 20 hours building this then it’s the least I can do.

Also a massive thanks to The Book Magnet for all of her help and providing tea and beer reviews, and also to my lovely wife Claire for the tutorial on making a Christmas Wreath and lastly to all the reviewers who kindly offered their reviews for this edition.

So here is a link to my first two books, they are 99p/99c until the end of November, you never know if I sell a few I might just leave it at that price.

Thanks again everyone.

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Twenty Twenty Vision Things seemed quite normal, one year ago today We’re thinking of putting the tree up, but it’s too early they would say We were planning on saying goodbye to good ole twenty nineteen We had our twenty twenty vision, the best year we’ve ever seen In January were the first signs that things were not all that At the end of the news they talked of a ‘virus’ that came from a Whuhan bat “Well China is a million miles away” there’s no need to cause distress A week later in Japan they quarantined cruise ship named “The Diamond Princess.”

February came along, and our virus got its name Corona virus or COVID 19 that was surely its claim to fame “Nothing to worry about” would say the experts, making claims that were outrageous “It’s a long way from our shores, we’re not even sure it’s that contagious.”

COVID was getting more air time, becoming famous in its own right There was a daily briefing at number 10, which the prime minister held every night It was then we all took notice, we watched the death toll spiral Family, friends and loved ones, taken too early, it had gone viral Stay alert, control the virus and save lives, invented a government slogan man He soon added ‘protect the NHS’ as it was being drastically over ran Then live from number 10, the PM said with a frown The virus is out of control, the country is in lock-down So gyms, pubs and restaurants shut their doors for the first time since the war Thursday’s we’d clap the NHS & emergency services from our very own front door And remember Captain Tom, 99 years young, showing us all the way Raising 32 million for the NHS before his 100th birthday So lock-down number two is in full flow and seems to have been quite effective We’ve all missed friends and family, but gained a little perspective There’s more to life than the daily routine with all that pushing and shoving There’s been amazing acts of kindness, so slow down and show some loving It’s November 2020 now and I remember one year ago today We’re thinking of putting the tree up, but it’s too early they would say Early or not the tree is up with its lights shining oh so bright So let’s raise a glass and say a prayer, for the ones who lost their fight T F Lince November 2020

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Before we say goodbye from edition 3 Did you see our previous 2 editions, the giveaways may be closed but they are chockerblock full of reviews.

Click on the covers to take a look

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This cover was second in the cover war vote

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