The Apple Orchard by Veronica Henry

The Apple Orchard by Veronica Henry
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In the charming town of Peasebrook, there's a place for everyone. War vet Joe has made new friends and a new home for himself here, overlooking a beautiful apple orchard. But when tragedy strikes and Joe is left out in the cold, it will bring them all together in entirely unexpected ways . . .

The Apple Orchard is a truly feel-good short story about friendship and kindness. It's the perfect introduction to Veronica Henry and includes an extract of her upcoming novel The Forever House.


When I downloaded this I am not sure what I was expecting, although reading other Henry novels I thought it would be chick lity and a lovely read. Don't get me wrong this was a lovely read, just not what I was expecting.

This is a very short story, most of it is a sample of her new book which I believe follows on from this. I found this story very moving and it did bring me to tears, I did enjoy the story more than I thought I would, however I think it was almost too short and that the characters were wasted. I would like to have learnt more about Joe and perhaps read about more of his previous life and how he ended up living where he was, perhaps the relationships he had in more detail.

Although these were addressed I would have liked that to have been a full length novel as I really felt connected to him and Digby.

This is a nice short story and worth a read if it is free. I would suggest this is too short to justify purchasing it, however this may encourage you to pre order/buy Henry's new novel. Overall I would give this 3.5*

The One With The Engagement Party by Erin Lawless

The One With The Engagement Party by Erin Lawless
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Save the Date

For fans of romantic comedies like Bridesmaids and Four Weddings & a Funeral, and bestselling authors Mhairi McFarlane and David Nicholls, this is a hilarious new romantic comedy series about one bride and her four best friends.

Nora Dervan is ready for her Happy Ever After. With her darling Harry waiting at the altar, and all her family and friends around her. She is certain that her special day will not be forgotten/will be one to remember…

But with her four bridesmaids hiding more secrets, than bottles of champagne. Will her big day be remembered for all the right reasons?

Bea has barely gotten past the fact that her two best friends are dating, and now they’re engaged, whilst cupid’s arrow points in a forbidden direction for Cleo. She is so distracted by her off limits, hot new colleague that she has forgotten Daisy, who has been left dreading the singles table. There’s more romance in the cheesy pick- up lines than Sarah’s own marriage, which hasn’t turned out as she hoped it would be.

With her wicked sense of humour and refreshingly honest voice, Erin Lawless brings to the life the romance (and horrors!) of wedding season.


This was the first book I have read by Erin Lawless, I knew this was going to be a series of 4 books, which I enjoy so couldn't wait to get started with it.

The book has got a really good premise and I thought it was going to work really well. This story is about the bride and the bridesmaids discussing the wedding and scouting out locations for the big day. There are lots of characters in this novella, obviously the bridesmaids and their partners as well as Nora the bride and Harry her other half. This was an issue I had as I got a little lost in places and couldn't remember who was with who. This could have been done to the fact I was reading it late at night just before sleeping, however this is why I enjoy novellas as I feel I can accomplish something after work.

I did enjoy the novella and I will hopefully continue with the series.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.

The Kiss Before Midnight by Sophie Pembroke

The Kiss Before Midnight by Sophie Pembroke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Heading home to Liverpool for Christmas, Molly Mackenzie isn’t just looking forward to the mulled wine and mince pies – she’s got high hopes for who she’ll find under the mistletoe this year!

Unable to forget the delicious near miss with her brother’s best friend, Jake, last New Year’s Eve, Molly’s got a new resolution at the top of her list: seduce Jake and get this crazy chemistry out the way before it has serious repercussions on the rest of the Mackenzie family.

Only Molly has underestimated the magic of the holiday season… The more stolen moments in the snow that she shares with Jake, the more determined she is to make it a whole lot more than just a kiss before midnight.

It wouldn’t be Christmas without the festive warmth of a heart-meltingly romantic novella from Sophie Pembroke!



I am a sucker for a beautiful cover and when I saw this on Netgalley for review, I knew I had to request it.

Lately I have been in a reading slump. I think my busy life has got to me and I have found it hard to keep my focus when it comes to reading, this is not great when you read lots of books! I have read many stories set at Christmas time this year, but I think this is one of my favourites. What I loved about it is that it is classed as a novella, it is relatively short at just over 120 pages, but I found that helped me keep focus and actually I shouldn't have been worried. I was completely hooked from the beginning.

This story is about Molly, she recently has moved to London, to prove she can stand on her own two feet! It has been going well so far, a flat, job and a friend. However there is one thing she cannot seem to move on from, that kiss with her brothers best friend (and adopted member of the family) Jake, last New Years Eve.

Molly is heading home to Liverpool for the holidays and goaded by her friend and that one New Year's resolution she never managed to tick off is determined to put Jake to bed literally so she can move on with her life back in London.

This is all I want to say about The Kiss Before Midnight as I don't want to spoil it for you. I know the holidays are now over, but that is not a reason to miss this little beauty of a story out. I think no matter what time of year you read it, it will bring you a roller coaster of emotions. Yes, at one point I actually started to dislike Molly!

This is a sweet romance that will have you racing through it. It is told through both Molly's and Jake's perspective, which is something else I feel made this story so perfect, it allowed the reader really get to know both of them. I would recommend this to anyone and everyone who loves a sweet romance.

I would like to thank the publisher for a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.

Guest Post by Julie Shackman

By Julie Shackman

Published by: Not So Noble Books 

Publication Date: 9th Feb 2014

ebook

Blurb:

Ruby Cameron is an ambitious reporter for a local paper where she is fed scraps of news, and lives with a man whose “idea of living dangerously is to leave the heating on when we pop out to the shops”. But after catching her squeaky clean boyfriend in flagrante delicto she ups sticks and moves into her own small home, only to discover the ghostly presence of a cheeky rock star who becomes her confidant as the dynamics of her small town, and her feelings about her dashing new boss, begin to throw up more questions than she can answer. Will Ruby discover who she really is, and perhaps more importantly, who she wants to be?

Guest post - Character post of Steve Vee:

Well Hello!

I’m Stevie Vee, described as Scotland’s answer to Jon Bon Jovi – or at least I was until I died suddenly at the age of 29….

Julie has allowed me to introduce myself to you guys – well, I have a way with the ladies, if you know what I mean!

My band “Legend” were going places. We had adoring fans and groupies. Gorgeous girls gazing at us.

Even some of the blokes come to think of it. Wow, you should’ve seen the talent that would rock up to our gigs – long hair, long legs - and that was just the guys!

There was one beautiful girl in particular – no, I’m not going there. Best forgotten.

All I wanted to do was sing, write music and be on stage. It’s where I felt I belonged. I suppose it felt like me and the other guys in the band would go on forever.

Yeah well. That didn’t exactly go according to plan, did it? All my hopes and dreams up in smoke.

I was going to say at least I’ve still got my health, but that’s not true is it? Good job I’ve still got my sense of humour.

I don’t have the lights, the adoration or the crowds any more but my voice is still as spine-tingling as ever, even if I say so myself.

I’m still a looker too, in a pale ghostly rocker kind of way! It’s just a pity there’s no-one else around to hear me belting out those classic rock anthems.

Oh well, better get back to composing a new ballad.

When you’re a ghostly rock singer, there isn’t a lot else to think about – except how I came to meet my end so suspiciously…

Rock on guys!

Stevie Vee XX

About the Author:

Julie Shackman

I trained as a journalist but writing romance has always been a dream of mine. When I’ve not got my head in a book or drafting one, I write verses and captions for greetings card companies. Writing at home seems to be incredibly difficult for me – I usually require coffee, music and noise.

“Rock My World” is my first contemporary romance novel . I have just finished writing my second novel and am polishing that at the moment whilst beginning to do some research for my third. These are also contemporary romances with a good dose of humour (hopefully!). I’m married, have two sons and live in Scotland.



You can grab yourself a copy of the book here: 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00ICRU3J6/

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ICRU3J6/

Follow Julie on Twitter: https://twitter.com/G13Julie

Follow Julie on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julie.shackman

Julie's Blog: http://julieshackman.wordpress.com/

Publisher - Not So Noble Books http://t.co/RvLGJMdWkr

I would like to thank Julie for taking the time to appear on The Book Corner.

A Christmas Wish - Carole Matthews

A Christmas Wish by Carole Matthews
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

'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.'



I love reading short stories, especially in the run up to Christmas. This story however for me I felt was lacking something.

The story is about Hannah, she goes to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park and she remembers the previous year when she went with her ex Mitchell. Mitchell was the love of Hannah's life and nothing came close to him, however this year they are not together, after Hannah found out what he was like the hard way.

Going to Winter Wonderland brings it all back for Hannah, this is until she meets a jolly guy in a red suit. Maybe Hannah's Christmas wish will come true?

Overall the story is a nice one, but that to me was just it, it was nice. It never gave me the spark which I expected. However this is a quick read and not intending to be too taxing. This passes a break with a coffee, but I was left a little flat by the story.