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I set myself a little challenge last week; to read a Christmas ebook short story or novella each day. I’ve had  a lot of fun with this challenge and the stories below really put me in the Christmas spirit. So if you’re looking for a quick read during the festivities or Santa brings you a lovely new e-reader tomorrow, here are my recommendations for short festive treats!

From Scotland with Love by Katie Fforde

When Daisy travels to Scotland to confront notorious author Rory McAllan, little does she know that within hours she’ll be snowed in with him. But surely she’s not going to have to spend her precious New Year’s Eve with him too?

Put the champagne on ice, get the fireworks ready and step into the wonderfully warm, witty and romantic world of Katie Fforde.

Plus the first chance to read the opening chapter of Katie’s new novel, The Perfect Match, out in March.

This is a gorgeous wintry romance in Katie’s trademark warm and witty style. Set mainly during the period between Christmas and New Year this is perfect festive reading and I loved the Scottish setting. Leading lady Daisy made me smile a lot and this lovely little story kept me guessing right to the end. As with Katie’s last festive short, I found myself wishing/hoping that she will revisit these characters in a future full length novel – brilliant!

A Stocking Full of Romance by Brigid Coady 

A funny, charming and irresistible collection of seasonal short stories.

Perfect for enjoying a little bit of escapism in between last minute Christmas shopping and mince pie making!

I’ve been enjoying Brigid’s ‘Kiss’ series of short stories for mobiles so was excited to see that she has released a short story collection for Christmas. Containing six short stories in total, this is a fab winter collection and each story is a quick twenty minute read ideal for grabbing a quick break from the festivities. My personal favourite wasThree Wise Men which is a wonderfully original story with a country music theme. With magic, romance and humour, there’s something for everyone in this lovely collection!

A Christmas Wish by Carole Matthews

Last year, Hannah’s Christmas was full of love, happiness and romance. Things couldn’t be more different this Christmas. Broken-hearted and lonely, Hannah wishes she could be happy and in love again but she is struggling to find even a glimmer of her old festive spirit. Luckily for her, there’s some Christmas magic in the air . . . 

A Christmas Wish is a heart-warming ebook exclusive short story that will make you a firm believer in the power of Christmas. So take twenty minutes for yourself and indulge yourself in this romantic and festive tale. 

Another excellent festive treat from Carole which is free to download as I write. I loved that this story had more than a little magic in it and it left me with a big smile on my face. There’s also an exerpt from Carole’s fab full length Christmas novel, Calling Mrs Christmas.

Last Christmas by Talli Roland 

For Lucy, the best Christmas present is forgetting the past.

Eager to banish the ghost of Christmas past – when her boyfriend dumped her on the streets of Paris – Lucy is determined to make this the best Christmas ever. She rallies friends and family for an epic celebration that just happens to fall on the same day as her ex’s festive wedding. Furious at how she’s been treated, Lucy can’t help relishing the party v wedding smackdown.

But when the wedding is threatened and only Lucy can help, can she find the spirit inside to save the day, or will this Christmas be even more disastrous than the last?

I always enjoy Talli’s Christmas novellas and this one is a great story about turning your life around and seeing the positive. A modern romance set in London with a fab festive feel.

A Child is Born by Donna Douglas

Christmas Eve, 1936

On a foggy December night, a pregnant woman walks out in front of a trolley bus and is knocked unconscious.

She is rushed to the Nightingale hospital, and a healthy baby is delivered. But the mother claims to have lost her memory, and cannot believe that the child is hers.

It seems that the Nightingale nurses may need to perform a Christmas miracle.

I’ve never watched Call the Midwife but I imagine this novella could fit right in as a festive episode and I’m sure fans will love this. It was lovely to be back with the Nightingale nurses and that fact that this was an historical Christmas novella made a nice change. The story has drama, mystery and a vintage Christmas feel – fab!

Kiss Me on This Cold December Night by Charlotte Phillips 

Christmas in London – a time for late night shopping on Regent’s Street or ice skating at Somerset House under a blanket of twinkling fairy lights, the warming, welcoming aroma of mulled wine in the air…

Or, alternatively, a time for bumping into the ghosts of one night stands past in Ella Scott’s case!

Checking into her boutique hotel for a weekend of Christmas shopping, the last person Ella expects to bump into at reception is Tom bloody Henley – ambitious doctor, highly eligible bachelor and with whom she had the most unbelievable, mind-blowing brief encounter five Christmases ago.

But Ella slipped out quietly the morning after all those years ago for a reason and although Tom’s got a look on his face that suggests Christmas has come early, there’s no way she’s going to be repeating past mistakes… right?

Another great romance novella from Charlotte as part of her Do Not Disturb series. I loved the London setting and thought this was a great twist on ‘ghosts of Christmas past’ as Ella bumps into a one night stand that she ran away from five years earlier! Romantic and sexy, this novella had me gripped and will keep you warm this Christmas!

Happy Christmas reading!

Starting today and through to the 15th December, Notting Hill Press is celebrating the festive season with a sleigh full of eBooks for 99p/99c or less on Amazon.

There are some brilliant festive ebooks in the sale including new Christmas reads from Talli Roland, Michele Gorman, Victoria Connelly, Ruth Saberton, and Chrissie Manby and Belinda Jones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Find out more at: http://www.nottinghillpress.co.uk/NHP/Stocking_stuffers.html

You can also have your ebooks inscribed by the the authors to you, or for your friends as gifts! Go to www.authorgraph.com and type in the author’s name to find out more!

Do you want to see your favourite authors’ books before they’re published?

Award-winning, best-selling chick lit and romantic comedy authors Talli Roland, Belinda Jones, Michele Gorman, Matt Dunn, Nicola May, Scarlett Bailey, Nick Spalding, Sue Welfare, Chrissie Manby, Victoria Connelly and Lucy Robinson have all joined the fab new publishing partnership, Notting Hill Press, and now you can be on the inside track to get freebies, discounts, signed copies and even sneak peeks at some of their books before they’re published!

If you’d like to find out more you can:

• Sign up for the Notting Hill Press newsletter here
• “Like” the
• Follow on Twitter

And to celebrate Notting Hill Press’s launch, 5 lucky winners will each get to choose 5 eBooks by these authors. Enter here by June 13^th for your chance to win.

To get the Countdown to Christmas off to a good start, I thought I do some round up posts of all the lovely Christmas reads being released this winter. And if you are looking for a short(ish) but sweet early Christmas fix, why not try one of these gorgeous Christmas short stories or novellas as a starter?

Santa Maybe by Scarlett Bailey (Novella) Out now as an ebook

Amy Tucker is single. So single in fact she hasn’t had a man in her room for three years and her idea of a good time is buying new kitchenware at Ikea. So when she wakes up on Christmas Eve to find a strange man at the end of her bed, she is more than surprised.

Least of all, when the beautiful man claims to be Santa and has sexy stubble to rival George Clooney.

Santa whisks Amy on an exciting and unforgettable journey around the world through time and space. But can he really make Amy’s Christmas dreams come true?

The Twelve Days to Christmas by Michele Gorman (Novella) Out now 

Playing Santa? Inscribed copies of The Twelve Days to Christmas (paperbacks or eBooks) make perfect stocking stuffers. They can be requested from Michele here: michelegorman.co.uk

What if his proposal had an expiration date?

Hannah’s in a bit of a pickle. In twelve days she flies from Hong Kong to the US with Sam, where he’s finally going to meet her parents… and ask to marry her.
Since overcoming a rather rocky patch in their relationship (which was totally his fault), he really is a new man, and they’re completely in love. The problem is, she feels panicky every time she contemplates matrimony. Which is perfectly normal, isn’t it? Isn’t it?! She has no idea but she’s got to find out before he pops the question… because she’s not 100% sure she’s going to say yes. Which will make for a very uncomfortable family holiday. He’s got to ask her before they go. So Operation Proposal begins.

As time ticks down to their flight, Hannah realizes that her own secrets are threatening their future. Before she can be happy with Sam, she’s got a lot to learn about herself in the twelve days to Christmas.

Christmas with Mr Darcy by Victoria Connelly (Novella) Out now

It wouldn’t be Christmas without a little bit of Jane Austen …

Christmas is being celebrated in style at Purley Hall in Hampshire because renowned actress, Dame Pamela Harcourt, is holding a special Jane Austen Conference. Everybody’s there: Katherine and Warwick, Robyn and Dan, Kay, Adam and Gemma, and Sarah and Mia. Oh, and Mrs Soames.

 

It’s been a while since I did a ‘chick lit’ round up and there are so many lovely reads being released this autumn that I thought I’d share my favourites. As the nights draw in I love nothing more than snuggling up with a good book! I’m not including Christmas reads here – I’ll be doing a separate round up of those next month

Thursdays in the Park by Hilary Boyd (September)

How’s this for an absolutely gorgeous autumnal cover? And I love the sound of this story too. Thursday’s in the Park is out now from Quercus.

What do you do if you’ve been married to a man for half your life and out of nowhere he leaves your bed – permanently? 

When this happens to Jeanie, she’s furious and determined to confront George, her husband of thirty years. Is he in love with someone else? What did she do wrong? He won’t tell her. 

The brightest day of her week is Thursday, the day Jeanie takes her granddaughter to the park. There, one day, she meets Ray, kind, easy to talk to, and gorgeous – he is everything George isn’t. 

But does she have the courage, while facing opposition from all sides, to turn her life upside down for another shot at love?

Uncoupled by Lizzie Enfield (September)

Another cover that I love! This sounds like such an intriguing story. Out now and on my ‘to read’ pile.

‘We are getting early reports of a train crash on the Brighton to London line…Emergency Services are on their way to the scene’. Holly knew that by staying with her he was putting himself at risk. But, as he held her in the darkness, she didn’t want to let him go.

Holly’s a mother with children, a husband she loves and a time-consuming job up in London. She copes, and life is good.

So when she is in a train accident on the London to Brighton line, Holly knows that it’s just a small chapter in her life and nothing has changed. But Holly can’t forget the younger man who comforted her in the chaos of the crash, and when she seems him again on her daily commute up to town, there’s a flash of recognition between them. Is it embarrassment? Curiosity? Or is there something more? And what of Anne-Marie, another passenger who has survived. Just what is her story?

Dearest Rose by Rowan Coleman (September)

I loved Rowan’s last book, Lessons in Laughing Out Loud, and this one sounds like a lovely read too. Dearest Rose is released next week!

‘You are a remarkable woman and you deserve all the happiness, contentment and love in the world. I, for one, know that I have never met anyone quite like you.’

When Rose Pritchard turns up on the doorstep of a Cumbrian B&B it is her last resort. She and her seven-year-old daughter Maddie have left everything behind. And they have come to the village of Millthwaite in search of the person who once offered Rose hope. 

Almost immediately Rose wonders if she’s made a terrible mistake – if she’s chasing a dream – but she knows in her heart that she cannot go back. She’s been given a second chance – at life, and love – but will she have the courage to take it?

Looking For Fireworks by Holly Cavendish (October) 

One of my favourite covers of the year so far and it sounds like a great read to cosy up with!

When her father becomes ill, single city girl Laney Barwell moves to the Cotswolds to look after him. She’s been looking for fireworks in her love life ever since she broke up with her predictable ex-boyfriend Giles, but she has no thoughts of kindling the spark she’s looking for here. If she can’t find love in a big city like London – with all its internet dating, singles nights, and socials – how can she ever hope to meet the man of her dreams in the tiny village of St Pontian? But there are two prospects when she gets there: Martin who can always be depended on for a kind word of advice. And Toby, who is distant, but who sets her heart ablaze. When it comes to love, should Laney trust the logic of her head or the racing of her heart?

 The Vintage Teacup Club by Vanessa Green (October)

I’ve heard lots of good things already about this debut and I love the original premise for it.

At a car boot sale in Sussex, three very different women meet and fall for the same vintage teaset. They decide to share it – and form a friendship that changes their lives . . .

Jenny can’t wait to marry Dan. Then, after years of silence, she hears from the woman who could shatter her dreams.

Maggie has put her broken heart behind her and is gearing up for the biggest event of her career – until she’s forced to confront the past once more.

Alison seems to have it all: married to her childhood sweetheart, with two gorgeous daughters. But as tensions mount, she is pushed to breaking point.

Dream A Little Dream -by Sue Moorcroft  (November)

I really enjoyed Sue’s last book and Choc Lit books are always a romantic treat so I’m looking forward to curling up with this one.

What would you give to make your dreams come true?

Liza Reece has a dream. Working as a reflexologist for a troubled holistic centre isn’t enough. When the opportunity arises to take over the Centre she jumps at it. Problem is, she needs funds, and fast, as she’s not the only one interested.

Dominic Christy has dreams of his own. Diagnosed as suffering from a rare sleep disorder, dumped by his live-in girlfriend and discharged from the job he adored as an Air Traffic Controller, he’s single-minded in his aims. He has money, and plans for the Centre that don’t include Liza and her team. 

But dreams have a way of shifting and changing and Dominic’s growing fascination with Liza threatens to reshape his. And then it’s time to wake up to the truth …

One Hundred Names by Cecelia Ahern (October)

I have to admit that my relationship with Cecelia’s books is a bit hit and miss but I think this one sounds like it has potential to be brilliant!

Journalist Kitty Logan’s career is being destroyed by scandal – and now she faces losing the woman who guided and taught her everything she knew. At her terminally ill friend’s bedside, Kitty asks – what is the one story she always wanted to write?

The answer lies in a file buried in Constance’s office: a list of one hundred names. There is no synopsis, nothing to explain what the story is or who these people are. The list is simply a mystery. But before Kitty can talk to her friend, it is too late.

With everything to prove, Kitty is assigned the most important task of her life: to write the story her mentor never had the opportunity to. Kitty not only has to track down and meet the people on the list, but find out what connects them. And, in the process of hearing ordinary people’s stories, she starts to understand her own.

The Pollyanna Plan by Talli Roland (November)

My mum is a huge Pollyanna fan so the title grabbed my attention immediately. It sounds like another fab read from Talli

Thirty-something Emma Beckett has always looked down on ‘the glass is half full’ optimists, believing it’s better to be realistic than delusional. But when she loses her high-powered job and fiancé in the same week, even Emma has difficulty keeping calm and carrying on.

With her world spinning out of control and bolstered by a challenge from her best friend, Emma makes a radical decision. For the next year, she’ll behave like Pollyanna: attempting to always see the upside, no matter how dire the situation.

Can adopting a positive attitude give Emma the courage to build a new life, or is finding the good in everything a very bad idea?

When I Fall In Love by Miranda Dickinson (November)

I’ve been a fan of Miranda’s books from the start and I’m already very excited about her fourth release. Guaranteed to be a heart-warming romantic read!

What happens when your happy ever after is suddenly and painfully taken away from you?

Elsie Maynard has a whole new life she never expected to have.

From inadvertently founding a choir like no other with former 80s rock star Woody Jensen, to daring to date again, Elsie steps out into an unknown future – a future that could include gorgeous designer Olly Hogarth, a man who seems intent on winning her heart. Overcoming problems, challenges and the occasional frustration – namely overconfident Torin Stewart who seems to be everywhere – Elsie believes she is making the most of her life.

But then a heartfelt request brings her to Paris – and the last item on a very important List.

Can Elsie take the final step and lay her past to rest? Join Elsie as she battles to start again, with the help of a disastrous, newly-formed singing group and her father and sister armed with dating hopefuls.

From Notting Hill to New York… Actually by  Ali McNamara (November)

One of my most anticipated reads of the year – I can’t wait to pick up Scarlett’s story and find out what happens to her in New York!

Scarlett O’Brien, utterly addicted to romantic films, has found her leading man. She’s convinced Sean is Mr Right, but the day-to-day reality of a relationship isn’t quite like the movies. With Sean constantly away on business, Scarlett and her new best friend Oscar decide to head to New York for the holiday of a lifetime. 

From one famous landmark to the next, Scarlett and Oscar make many new friends during their adventure – including sailors in town for Fleet Week, a famous film star, and Jamie & Max, a TV reporter and cameraman. Scarlett finds herself strangely drawn to Jamie, they appear to have much in common: a love of films and Jamie’s search for a parent he never knew. But Scarlett has to ask herself why she is reacting like this to another man when she’s so in love with Sean . . .

It’s going to be an exciting bookish autumn and I can’t wait to add these to my shelves. Which new releases are you most looking forward to this autumn?

One More Page is two years old today! And what a wonderful couple of years it’s been.

A huge ‘thank you’ to all of the bloggers, tweeters, readers, publishers, and authors, who have chatted, commented, recommended books and supported me since I launched One More Page. I love blogging almost as much as I love reading now and to celebrate two of my favourite hobbies I’ve got a fab blogoversary giveaway for you!

The prizes are *drumroll please*…

Two e-copies of Construct a Couple by Talli Roland (International)

Construct a Couple is the sequel to the fab Build A Man  and lovely author Talli has given me two e-copies to give away.

With a great job at a reputable magazine and a man who’s the perfect match, Serenity Holland thinks she’s laid the foundation for an ideal London life. When a routine assignment uncovers a shocking secret threatening her boyfriend’s company, Serenity decides to leave nothing to chance, taking matters into her own hands. Soon, though, she realises keeping secrets isn’t as easy as she thought . . . and the consequences are far worse than she ever imagined.

One paperback copy of The Making of Us by Lisa Jewell (UK only)

I only read this recently when is was released as a paperback with the lovely new cover on the right. It’s a brilliant book – one of my favourite reads so far this year.

Lydia, Robyn and Dean don’t know each other – yet. They live very different lives but each of them, independently, has always felt that something is missing. What they don’t know is that a letter is about to arrive that will turn their lives upside down. It is a letter containing a secret – one that will bind them together, and show them what love and familyand friendship really mean…

One paperback copy of One Perfect Summer by Paige Toon (UK only)

Paige is firmly established as one of my favourite chick lit authors. I haven’t read this one yet but have been lucky enough to end up with two copies so I’m giving one away to a lucky reader

‘Do you still love him?’

Every second of every minute of every hour of every day…

Alice is 18 and about to start university while Joe’s life is seemingly going nowhere. A Dorset summer, a chance meeting, and the two of them fall into step as if they have known each other forever.

But their idyll is shattered, suddenly, unexpectedly. Alice heads off to Cambridge and slowly picks up the pieces of her broken heart. Joe is gone; she cannot find him. When she catches the attention of Lukas – gorgeous, gifted, rich boy Lukas – she is carried along by his charm, swept up in his ambitious plans for a future together.

Then Joe is there, once more, but out of reach in a way that Alice could never have imagined. Life has moved on, the divide between them is now so great. Surely it is far too late to relive those perfect summer days of long ago?

One paperback copy of A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness (UK only)

I love this book and am so excited that the sequel is out soon. If you haven’t read it, this is your chance to win a copy just in time to read it before Shadow of Night is released!

It begins with absence and desire. It begins with blood and fear. It begins with a discovery of witches.

When historian Diana Bishop opens an alchemical manuscript in the Bodleian Library, it’s an unwelcome intrusion of magic into her carefully ordered life. Though Diana is a witch of impeccable lineage, the violent death of her parents while she was still a child convinced her that human fear is more potent than any witchcraft. Now Diana has unwittingly exposed herself to a world she’s kept at bay for years; one of powerful witches, creative, destructive daemons and long-lived vampires. Sensing the significance of Diana’s discovery, the creatures gather in Oxford, among them the enigmatic Matthew Clairmont, a vampire genticist. Diana is inexplicably drawn to Matthew and, in a shadowy world of half-truths and old enmities, ties herself to him without fully understanding the ancient line they are crossing. As they begin to unlock the secrets of the manuscript and their feelings for each other deepen, so the fragile balance of peace unravels…

Entry is simple – just tell me which of the books you’d like to win (you can enter for all if you wish) in the comments box below and I’ll draw the five winners using random.org after the closing date.

Parts of this giveaway are open internationally (please check on the individual item descriptions). The closing date for entries is midnight on Saturday 30th June 2012. Good luck!

Talli Roland’s latest newsletter included very exciting news about a new novel scheduled for release in November. The Pollyanna Plan sounds like another hit for Talli and I love the title and the cover.

Thirty-something Emma Beckett has always looked down on ‘the glass is half full’ optimists, believing it’s better to be realistic than delusional. But when she loses her high-powered job and fiancé in the same week, even Emma has difficulty keeping calm and carrying on.

With her world spinning out of control and bolstered by a challenge from her best friend, Emma makes a radical decision. For the next year, she’ll behave like Pollyanna: attempting to always see the upside, no matter how dire the situation.

Can adopting a positive attitude give Emma the courage to build a new life, or is finding the good in everything a very bad idea?

Thankfully we don’t have to wait until November for more from Talli. Her new novel, Construct a Couple, the sequel to the excellent Build a Man  is out as an ebook in June!

Find out more about Talli and her books at: http://talliroland.blogspot.co.uk

Does every relationship deserve a second chance?

When chief romantic Rose Delaney scores her dream job at London’s quirkiest new attraction, The Museum of Broken Hearts, she thinks she’s got it made. Sure, it’s a little depressing dealing with relics of failed relationships each day, but Rose is determined not to let it break her ‘love conquers all’ spirit. After discovering the museum’s handsome curator is nursing a broken heart of his own, Rose steps in to fix it. Can Rose heal the rift, or will this happy ending go awry?

Regular readers will know that I’m a big fan of Talli Roland’s novels so whilst I’m waiting eagerly for her next book to be released, I thought I’d read her novella Miracle at the Museum of Broken Hearts. For those who haven’t read any of Talli’s writing yet, this novella is the perfect opportunity to get a feel for her books. The story is full of Talli’s trademark warmth, humour and romance and I thought the idea of a Museum of Broken Hearts was quirky and original.

Rose is a hopeless romantic and very much an optimist and was a girl after my own heart from the beginning. As we meet her she’s working in the basement of the British Museum and thoroughly fed up with her fossil cataloguing job so when she sees the advert for a job at The Museum of Broken Hearts she has to apply! Despite the protestations of her best friend Mel who tells it like it is, Rose heads into the job full of enthusiasm and quickly decides that she needs to help her new (and very handsome) boss mend his own broken heart. Talli has created two lovely characters in Rose and Heath and the story is a clever take on both relationships and love with a couple of fab twists in the tale.

Some short stories are just that – a nice quick read but not much to them but I was impressed by the substance of this one. It’s an excellent read and very much worth the pennies that it cost to download.

*STOP PRESS* Miracle at the Museum of Broken Hearts is FREE to download on Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com today so grab it quick!

You can find out more abou Talli and her books at: http://talliroland.blogspot.com/

Slave to the rich and the rude, cosmetic surgery receptionist Serenity Holland longs for the day she’s a high-flying tabloid reporter. When she meets Jeremy Ritchie — the hang-dog man determined to be Britain’s Most Eligible Bachelor by making himself over from head to toe and everything in between — Serenity knows she’s got a story no editor could resist.

With London’s biggest tabloid on board and her very own column tracking Jeremy’s progress from dud to dude, Serenity is determined to be a success. But when Jeremy’s surgery goes drastically wrong and she’s ordered to cover all the car-crash goriness, Serenity must decide how far she really will go for her dream job.

Build A Man is Talli Roland’s third novel and although I’ve enjoyed them all, this is my favourite so far! I said in a previous review that I thought Talli had really found her niche in writing chick lit with an edge that is fun, modern and romantic and Build A Man is another brilliant example of this; the plot is original and fun but still manages to make you think, the hero and heroine are well developed and genuinely likeable but by no means perfect and the romance is spot on and actually believable.

I think Talli’s novels feel very ‘of the moment’ because they look at trends such as reality TV (The Hating Game), YouTube and the cult of celebrity (Watching Willow Watts) and Build A Man continues the theme by focusing on the tabliod press and cosmetic surgery. Leading lady Serenity Holland is the link between the two; she’s desperate to break into tabloid journalism and is handed the perfect story whilst working as a receptionist at the ‘Transforma Harley Street Clinic’.

When Jeremy Richie walks into the clinic determined to turn himself into a prize catch by changing everything about his appearance, Serenity leaps at the chance to make her tabloid dreams come true and unbeknown to Jeremy a tabloid star is born. The lengths Serenity goes to to keep Jeremy and her cosmetic surgeon boyfriend, Peter in the dark whilst gathering her story and juggling her clinic job and her new reporter role are inspired and make for a lot of humour in the early parts of the novel. Coupled with Serenity’s caustic thoughts on the clients at the clinic, Build a Man is a very funny novel.

But as well as fun and humour, there is a serious and as the novel progresses, dramatic darker side to the story. Talli balances the two perfectly resulting in a story that entertains and makes you think. As the drama unfolds, the romantic element to the story steps up a gear too and I found myself completely gripped wondering what the outcome would be. Both Serenity and Jeremy are very believable characters and I genuinely wanted a good outcome for both of them. Talli has also created an excellent supporting cast and the secondary storyline involving Talli’s best friend Kirsty had me just as engrossed as the main plot.

With Build A Man, Talli has firmly established herself as one of my ‘must read’ authors and I’m very much looking forward to the sequel Construct A Couple.

5/5

I’d like to thank Talli for providing a copy of Build A Man for review.

You can find out more about Talli and her novels at: http://www.talliroland.com/

Today I’d like you all to welcome Talli Roland to One More Page and help her to celebrate the official e-book launch of her latest novel Build a Man. Talli has three loves in her life: chick lit, coffee and wine! Talli’s debut novel, The Hating Game was an Amazon Top 100 bestseller and shortlisted for Best Romantic Read at the UK’s Festival of Romance, and her second, Watching Willow Watts was selected as a 2011 Amazon Customer Favourite. Welcome Talli!

In addition to your three novels, you also have a short story published in the Christmas anthology Madness Under the Mistletoe; please could you tell us a little about it?

I was inspired to write my short story ‘Miracle at the Museum of Broken Hearts’ after reading about Zagreb’s Museum of Broken Relationships in the Guardian. I thought it would make a fascinating setting! My story follows chief romantic Rose Delaney, who scores her dream job at the museum. She finds it a little depressing dealing with relics of failed relationships each day, but she’s determined not to let it break her ‘love conquers all’ spirit. After discovering the museum’s handsome curator is nursing a broken heart of his own, Rose steps in to fix it. Can Rose heal the rift in time for the holidays, or will this Christmas crush her fantasies forever?

What is your favourite Christmas tradition?

If I’m in London, my husband and I always take a Christmas stroll along the South Bank, across the Millennium Bridge, and over to St Paul’s, stopping for mulled wine and roasted nuts along the way. If I’m visiting my relatives in Canada, Christmas afternoon is usually spent curled up with a new book in front of the fire. Bliss!

What is or would be the best book-related Christmas gift that Santa could deliver to you?

Oh, I would die for a Kindle Fire. But seeing as how they’re not in the UK yet, that’s probably not going to happen. Failing that, an Amazon gift certificate would be fantastic! My bank account and I would be very grateful.

What is your top tip for a happy Christmas/ for surviving the festive season?

Wine. When you’re feeling stressed, sit down and slurp a glass or three. In fact, that would be my top tip for any season! I’ll make that mulled wine for Christmastime.

Imagine you are settling down with a lovely Christmas read … what is your perfect Christmas reading setting/scenario?

I love reading in my parents’ house in Nova Scotia, in an old armchair right in front of the fire. Looking out onto the quiet street, with snowflakes drifting through the soft glow of the streetlight . . . it really couldn’t get better than that. Now I’m missing home!

Who is your favourite Christmas book/novel character and why?

Hmm, now this is a tough question. Can I cheat and pick a film character? I love Jamie, Colin Firth’s character in Love Actually. He gets kicked in the teeth when it comes to love, but he regroups on Christmas Eve and makes a spontaneous dash to propose to the real love of his life. I’m a giant sap, and that scene gets me in flood of tears every time.

What is your favourite Christmas song?

I love The Pogues’ ‘Fairytale of New York’. It captures Christmas perfectly and you can’t help jigging along to it.

And finally … what can readers look forward to next from Talli Roland?

Up next is Construct A Couple, the sequel to Build A Man. It will be released in Spring 2012, and I can’t wait!

Thank you Talli!

You can find out more about Talli and her novels on her blog at: http://talliroland.blogspot.com/

Talli is very generously providing TWO e-book copies of Build a Man for me to give away!

Slave to the rich, rude and deluded, cosmetic surgery receptionist Serenity Holland longs for the day she’s a high-flying tabloid reporter. Unfortunately, every pitch she sends out disappears like her clients’ liposuctioned fat, never to be seen again. Then she meets Jeremy Ritchie — the hang-dog man determined to be Britain’s Most Eligible Bachelor by making himself over from head to toe and everything in between — giving Serenity a story no editor could resist.

With London’s biggest tabloid on board and her very own column tracking Jeremy’s progress from dud to dude, Serenity is determined to be a success, even going undercover to gain intimate access to Jeremy’s life. But when Jeremy’s surgery goes drastically wrong and Serenity is ordered to cover all the car-crash goriness, she must decide how far she really will go for her dream job.

To enter leave a comment in the box below telling me which celebrity would be your ‘perfect’ man (you can pick different bits of different celebrities if you really want to have fun with this and ‘Build  a Man’ )

I’ll draw two winners using random.org after the closing date.

This giveaway is open internationally. Entries will close at midnight on Friday 9th December. Good luck!