Blog Tour: The Oyster Catcher by Jo Thomas

Happy Wednesday! I am really pleased to be part of the blog tour promoting the fabulous book The Oyster Catcher by Jo Thomas, published by Headline. I am hearing so many readers and bloggers raving about this book.

I dont know about you, but as the weather is turning colder I am reaching for warm comfort foods such as soup and stews. It is therefore very exciting that Jo has shared two recipes created by Mairin and Kevin in her book, The first is for mushroom and oyster pie as created by Mairin. The second is for oyster and Guiness beef pie as made by Kevin. I have never tried oysters but will be attempting to make these recipes in the near future. My mouth is watering just at the thought!

I have also included some details about The Oyster Catcher which is highly recommended as a warm and lovely read.

Enjoy and I would love to hear if you try the recipes for the soup or pie.

Synopsis

Kindle Bestseller and RNA Joan Hessayon Award Winner The Oyster Catcher is Jo Thomas's irresistibly feel-good Irish novel of facing the past, finding your feet and falling in love.

Dooleybridge, County Galway. Population: 482 (or thereabouts). The last place Fiona Clutterbuck expects to end up, alone, on her wedding night.

But after the words 'I do' have barely left her mouth, that's exactly where she is - with only her sequined shoes and a crashed camper van for company.

One thing is certain: Fi can't go back. So when the opportunity arises to work for Sean Thornton, the local oyster farmer, she jumps at the chance. Now Fi must navigate suspicious locals, jealous rivals and a wild, unpredictable boss if she's to find a new life, and love, on the Irish coast. And nothing - not even a chronic fear of water - is going to hold her back.

Join Fi on her romantic, unpredictable adventure as she learns the rules of the ocean - and picks up a few pearls of Irish wisdom along the way...

You can purchase The Oyster Catcher from Amazon here

Mairin and Kevin's recipes for mushroom and oyster soup

In The Oyster Catcher my heroine Fi makes a mushroom and oyster soup. This is Mairin’s recipe;

Ingredients

12-18 oysters , shells removed, juices strained and reserved.

25g/1oz butter

225g/8oz onions, grated

2 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into small pieces

225g/8oz button mushrooms, chopped

225 ml/8fl oz milk

225 ml/8 fl oz cream

Dash of Tabasco

Salt, freshly ground black pepper

Paprika to garnish and fingers of hot buttered toast.

Instructions

Melt the butter in the saucepan. Saute the onions over a moderate heat. Add potatoes and mushrooms until tender. Pour in the milk and mix well. Add the cream and carefully bring to the boil, mixing gently.

Reduce the heat. Add the oysters, juices, Tabasco, and seasoning and heat for 4-5 minutes.

Serve in warm bowls, sprinkle with paprika and serve with toast.

(Mairin says you can add a little white wine if the soup is too thick).

Or how about trying Kevin’s oyster pie (oyster and Guinness beef pie)

Ingredients

12 oysters, shells removed, juices strained and reserved.

2 tablespoons plain flour

Salt and freshly ground pepper

700g/1 ½ lb rib beef, cubed

2 tablespoons sunflower oil

1-2 onions, finely chopped

225g/8oz mushrooms, chopped

423 ml/15 fl oz Guinness

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

200g/7oz ready-made puff pastry

Serve with green salad or baked potatoes

Instructions:

Season the flour and toss the beef in it. Heat the oil and when hot, add the beef to seal it. Remove the beef and fry the onions and mushrooms and then return the beef to the pan. Add the Guinness, Worcestershire sauce and oyster juices and season. Cover and simmer for about 1 ½ hours and then remove and allow to cool. Add the oysters.

Preheat the oven to 200 C/400 F/gas mark 6. Grease a deep pie dish. Pour in the mixture and cover with pastry. Crimp the edges and cut an air vent in the centre.

Bake for 15 minutes in centre of oven and then reduce heat to 180 C/350 F/gas mark 4 and bake for a further 30 minutes until the meat is heated through.

The Perfect Christmas by Kate Forster

Out now
Published by Harlequin UK, Mira
Purchase from Amazon here

The Blurb:

A holiday short story that proves that true love is forever, not just for Christmas…
Hollywood movie star Maggie and friend and manager Zoe need an escape from their complicated star-studded lives in LA. With its history and Christmas charm, London feels like the perfect getaway.

But can they truly leave their realities behind?

In their luxurious quarters, the girls meet Holly who is ideal at showing Maggie and Zoe the sumptuous sights and sounds of London in their most glittering light. But behind her bright façade, Holly is hiding a secret: suffering from unrequited love, she’s looking for a Christmas miracle. Desperate to see an unattainable love story for Holly come together, will our LA starlets succeed in providing a Hollywood ending before the dawn of Christmas Day?

Packed to the brim with festive cheer, this is the only story you’ll need this Christmas…


My Review:

The Perfect Christmas is a short story that has already got me into the festive spirit. I'm sitting her humming carols to myself as I type! At 78 pages this novella is a great way of dipping into the Christmas period when you have some spare time.

I loved the two main characters. Maggie is married to Will and  has a step son who is waiting for a heart transplant. They usually spend Christmas at home together and Maggie is shocked when Will announces that they are off to Mexico for Christmas this year, without Maggie.

Zoe is Maggies friend and manager. They haven't seen eachother in a couple of months, but when Maggie hears about Wills plans she heads straight over to see Zoe. With neither having any plans they decide that they will escape all the madness and head to London. Zoe is always on the go working and it is Maggies intention for her to stop for a few days.

We follow them over to London where they check into The Dorchester hotel and the fun begins. Here we meet Holly who is assigned to look after them during their stay. Maggie spots that Holly has a, how shall I say....soft spot for Jack who is the hotel manager, and decides to take it upon herself to play Cupid. The rest of the story follows their trips out, and also their attempt to bring Holly and Jack together.

I really enjoyed this novella and read it all in one sitting. The characters are bought to life very quickly and I felt able to connect with them. The story felt like a great adventure which made me laugh and smirk almost all the way through. Maggie and Zoe are very likeable and I really wanted them to go out and have fun, so was willing them on. It was a bit like hanging out with a couple of friends. There is an air of naughtiness and mischievousness in Maggie which made me smile throughout.  I enjoyed the dynamics of their friendship, and seeing Zoe being forced to lighten up and let go. It also wouldn't be Christmas without a budding romance and the novella ticked that box for me.

A fun easy read, full of festive spirit. It even got me in the mood to think about my Christmas shopping and the smell of winter in the air without dread. I love Christmas time and this novella created a feeling of happiness and joy in me, and has me reaching for the mince pies!

Thank you to Harlequin UK, Mira who provided a copy in return for an honest review.

Home for the Holidays by Ellen Faith

Out now
Purchase on Amazon here


The Blurb:

When Lexi and Ryan make the decision to venture home for the Christmas holidays, neither of them can wait to catch up with their families. What the pair don’t anticipate is the series of life changing events their families have been going through while they’ve been continuing with their American adventure, including a newly nudist father.

As they try to weather the storm, they discover that being back in the UK is creating more questions than answers for them as a couple and their American dream is beginning to fade. Fast.

*This novel can be read as a follow on from The Story of Us or as a standalone*


My Review:

Home for the Holidays is the first book I have read by Ellen Faith and the first time I have met Lexi and Ryan. If you haven't read The Story of Us then don't worry, this book can easily be read as a standalone.

Lexi and Ryan are an engaged British couple living and working in America where they met. They are heading home to the UK for Christmas, to meet up and introduce eachother to family and friends, and also to consider wedding venues. It is no secret that Ryan has quite a bit of money and connections. I was jealous when they boarded a private jet to fly over to London. I have always wanted to fly like that....maybe one day!

Their first stop is to heavily pregnant Rosie and her husband Jason. We meet Rosie in a flustered and moody state and this hilariously continues throughout the book. The woes of being a 9 month pregnant lady are so funny, even when they probably shouldn't be! However Rosie and Jason are a wonderful couple and I loved them. They are so warm and just the sort of friends you can imagine hanging out with. It is apparent how much they care about eachother, and just how much Lexi fits in to that too. As well providing warmth, humour and affection there is a real heart stopping moment in the book when there is a complication with Rosie's pregnancy. Because of how well the book is written and the way I connected with the characters this really got to me. I was reaching for the tissues and frantically reading on.

We also meet Luke who grew up with Lexi, Rosie and Jason and was Lexi's boyfriend until a move of France at 17  tore them apart. He has since married and has a baby. It is clear that he was an integral part of their group, but moving and then his marriage has distanced this. His wife is a piece of work and I really disliked her. She doesnt appear to want Luke to have anything to do with Lexi or the friendship group. This makes it all rather awkward when they are invited to, and attend Lukes babys christening. His wife and her friends are just awful to them all and I was livid with them.

Throughout the story we also meet both sets of families. A special mention for Ryan's Dad who since he saw his son last has dispensed to wearing clothes around the house, hilarious! Again, they are all loving and warm characters in their own way and meeting them felt like a real pleasure.

We also got to tour some potential wedding venues both in the UK and America. I am an old romantic at heart so love building up an image of beautiful weddings. One venue in particular had me getting goosebumps at the thought of it. I could conjure up an image of me walking down the aisle to the man of my dreams. I will let you guess which venue if you read the book.

Being reunited with family and friends gets Lexi and Ryan thinking about the future, and you see them start to question their decision to live in America, so far way from their family and friends......will events make them reconsider and move home again? I was rooting for home all the way, perhaps because I couldnt imagine not being on the doorstep to Rosie every day.

I really enjoyed reading this book, and it was the characters that made it so fabulous. They are all so well written, and so strong in the way Ellen portrays their characteristics. Lexi and Ryan are at times nauseatingly loved up (I'm not jealous...honest!!!), but it isn't offputting because of the humour in the book. But they literally cant keep their hands off eachother. Oh to have a romance like that!! Rosie is wonderful and my favourite. She brings another dynamic to the story with her pregnancy, grumpiness, but also funny and loving side. It is clear that she and Lexi are friend for life and she is like a sister. I adored the scenes where they are up with Lexi's family and all so together and happy. That is what christmas is all about, not presents and all the stress, about being together and sharing special times.

The book wasnt all laughter though. A couple of events were far more serious and evoked both anger and also fear in me. Luke's wife could definitely be nick named the wicked witch of the west with her frostiness and nasty side. I couldnt stand her or her nasty friends at all, and the scenes at the christening party made me really cross (yep, I was totally engrossed by this point). I won't tell you what happens and spoil it for you, but she is vile!

I was almost in bits towards the end of the book, and on the edge of my seat when there are some complications with Rosie's pregnancy. You might want to have some tissues and chocolate handy. It was late at night when I got to that bit but I knew I just couldnt stop until I found out what was going to happen.

I will have to look out for a copy of The Story of Us now as I need another fix of Lexi and Ryan, and to find out how they met etc. I have really loved this book and would love to read more of Ellens work. I think she is a talent to keep our eyes peeled for in the future.

I hope you enjoy this book as much as I have. It's full of fun, love, friendship, family and Christmas. Happy reading!



 

Secret Santa by Scarlett Bailey

Out now
Published by Ebury
Purchase from Amazon here


The Blurb:

A self-confessed Christmas queen, Sue Montaigne prides herself on organising the annual nativity pageant in her small Cornish village of Poldore.

But this year, what with having to deal with the repairs on Castle House after it was wrecked by a terrible storm, training a new – and frankly flighty – Virgin Mary and managing a Joseph who is allergic to sheep, she is distinctly lacking a little bit of ‘me time’.

And then there are the auditions for the new Santa. But nothing prepares her for the beautiful man who turns up, a twinkle in his eye and a promise to make her Christmas dreams come true…


My Review:

I'm sat here typing and humming 'Santa Claus is coming to town' thanks to Scarlett Bailey and Secret Santa! This novella is a fun festive read with some romance that I really enjoyed.

We meet Sue, the village do-er in the build up to Christmas. Sue is the centre of village life and is taking the lead on organising all the village festivities. When we meet her she is desperately trying to convince one of the locals to don his Santa suit for the annual Christmas pageant and grotto....without much success!

Sue seems to operate on one speed.....full throttle! I was exhausted thinking about her juggling her big house, children, and being centre of the community. But I also recognised that I like to be just as busy and thrive on it. We soon find out that Sue's husband Rory has left her after yet another affair, but she is trying to keep it all together and hide it from her kids and everyone else until after Christmas. Her life is not easy and she could do with financial help and support, but is more concerned about others than herself.

The book is a bit like a panto in so much that we have the baddie I wanted to boo and hiss at every time they are mentioned, and we have a Prince Charming who I wanted our heroine, Sue, to live happily ever after with. There was also magical mystery in Nick who takes on the role of Santa. Where did he appear from and how is he so special?

In her quest to find a Santa, Sue approaches famous actor Blake who lives in the village. He agrees to help her audition for the part, and it leads to them becoming friends. Could there be more to it? I liked Blake. Quiet and unassuming he would be lovely to be around, and I was willing Sue to spot this and for them to come together and be happy.

I also loved her friends. They rallied round her when they found out that Rory had left her and the advise and some scenes made me laugh out loud. I felt a real affinity to Sue and wanted to tell her what for and that life is too short to look after everyone else all the time. There is great support to be had from your girlfriends and this novella showcases it brilliantly.

The story is a mix of lighthearted fun as well as some pull at the heart string moments which I really enjoyed. I loved moving towards Christmas with the culmination on Christmas Eve when we get to see how it all comes together. My daughter is 21 now so Christmas is very different to when she was younger. This story has me hankering after the days of grottos, stockings and snowmen. I hope you enjoy this story as much as I have.

I spotted the name of a fabulous book blogger amongst the characters. I hope she sees it. What an honour to be cast in a story by such a great author!

Thank you to Ebury who provided a copy in return for an honest review.

The Broken String by Diane Chamberlain

Publication date: 6 November 
Published by: St Martins Press / Panmacmillan
Purchase from Amazon here

The Blurb:

A short story from Diane Chamberlain, the bestselling author of The Midwife's Confession and Necessary Lies.

Some secrets need to be told . . . As a child, Riley always suspected there was a secret her parents and brother protected her from, a secret that ruined the bond between her and her brother and threatened to tear her family apart. Now seventeen years old, Riley is flying out to visit her brother Danny who has been wounded whilst fighting in Iraq. And she's is determined to find out what this secret is. But will uncovering the truth bring her and her brother together again and give her the answers she craves, or will it simply lead to more questions . . .

The Broken String is perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty and Jodi Picoult.


My Review:

The Broken String is a short story of 48 pages where we get to meet Riley, who I believe is one of the main characters from Diane's forthcoming book The Silent Sister. Whilst short I did really enjoy it and will be reading The Silent Sister as soon as I can. I like novellas that give us a taste for characters.

Riley is seventeen and we meet her as she gets on a flight. She is sitting beside two children on a flight that is a bit turbulent. She reassures the children that the plane will be ok. Whilst on the flight she flashes back to younger memories with her brother. Those aboard become aware of the reason she is travelling and many come over to speak to her during the flight. This helps us as readers become aware of her back story.

Her brother Danny has been injured whilst with the army in Iraq and she is flying over to see him. She doesn't know his condition and it is a very stressful time for her. It was intriguing that given she is only seventeen it is her and not her parents flying over to be with him. The reason for this comes out as the story unfolds........

I thought this was a riveting short story. As I said, we get an introduction to Riley and her brother and also get to delve into the background of their family life and some of their secrets. There is a darker side to them and I am sure there is more to be revealed.  It has certainly whetted my appetite for the full book and I think I am going to really like Riley. I warmed to her and felt empathy for her childhood. I am also intrigued to see what character her brother has and the family dynamic.

A riveting short read that packs a punch.

Thank you to St Martins Press who provided a copy in return for an honest review.

One Hundred Christmas Proposals by Holly Martin

Out now

Published by Carina

Purchase from Amazon here

The Blurb:

The eagerly anticipated follow-up to One Hundred Proposals.

If you thought Harry & Suzie’s life couldn't get anymore sweepingly romantic than Harry asking her to marry him at the end of One Hundred Proposals – think again!

It’s Christmas in a snow-kissed London, and the.PerfectProposal.com have vowed to carry out one hundred proposals in December. No easy task at the best of times - made even more complicated by Harry & Suzie trying to plan their first Christmas and a visit from the dreaded in-laws. But one hundred deliciously Christmassy proposals later they find themselves asking if everything is still perfect in their own relationship….

Welcome back to the divinely warm world of One Hundred Proposals – with a sprinkling of pure, joyful, festive magic.

Have yourself a very merry Christmas indeed with Holly Martin’s Christmas novella.

My Review:

Ahhhh what a wonderfully romantic, funny read, perfect for any time if year, but even better with Christmas approaching. I loved it. It had the perfect festive feel to it. Infact I am humming Christmas carols as I am writing this.

If you haven't read One Hundred Proposals yet then I really recommend you do before reading this novella, as it takes up where the first book left off. I love Harry and Suzie. They are a gorgeous couple, so in love and unable to keep their hands off eachother (oh, I remember those days, many moons ago). I will keep this brief as I don't want to spoil the storyline for you.....but we rejoin Harry and Suzie in the lead up to Christmas. They are madly in love and the world looks good. The only frustration appears to be Harrys reluctance to set a date and walk up the aisle, much to Suzie's dismay. Their business is booming, and Harry has come up with an idea to offer a one hundred Christmas proposal service to clients.

As with the first book, we get to hear some of the proposal ideas and they are so beautifully romantic. I would love it to happen to me one day (well a girl can dream can't they!!!). We read about proposals on the Thames, whilst ice skating and other such settings. However the biggest proposal they are working is for a client who really wants to push the boat about and propose on New Year's Eve. It melted my heart reading about the plans, but there could be more to it than meets the eye........

We once again meet Suzie's close friends Jules and Badger. They are still together and very happy. I love these two. They paint a picture of love, but in a more routine day to day way.

We are introduced to Suzie's parents who are flying over from Australia for Christmas and New Year. I would quite willingly have punched her Mum at times in the story. What an obnoxious and rude woman!  The opposite of her husband who is adorable. This also causes a potential problem when they want to see their grandchild. If you didnt know. Jules was married to their son (Suzie's brother) until he passed away a couple of years ago. They had a child together. Badger was their sons close friend and so it's all very complicated. But as a reader I can see how happy they are, and how lovely they are and so want them to be happy. They didnt set out to hurt anyone, and can't help that they fell in love.

Whilst it is obvious that Suzie and Harry are still crazy in love with each other Harry is acting a bit strangely which leads to some tension between the couple. And events occur which will change their relationship forever. There is so much pressure to have a 'perfect' family Christmas Day that I really enjoyed reading about theirs. It sounded wonderful to me. Perhaps I will get curry on Christmas Eve this year and just reheat it and slob out in front of the tv on Christmas Day. I wonder how many that would upset!!!

This is the third time I have picked up work by Holly Martin, and as with the previous two occasions I am not disappointed. It is beautifully written with such thought wnd feeling that comes through and brings the world and the proposals to life. It is filled with love and romance and it is a feel good read. I loved it and felt totally festive after the final page. I could just imagine One Hundred Proposals and this being snapped up and made into a film for the big screen, it would be wonderful viewing, particularly around valentines day.

I also just wanted to mention the cover...it is gorgeous! Carina have a knack of coming up with eye catching covers and this one is wonderful.

Ivy Lane (Part 4) - Winter by Cathy Bramley

Release date: 6 November 2014
Published by Transworld
Purchase from Amazon here
The Blurb:

Hope thrives at Ivy Lane . . .

As winter descends on Ivy Lane, the frost sparkles and icy winds flurry – but Tilly is still reeling from the events of the Hallowe’en party. Only the die-hard plot holders brave the cold weather, and Tilly fears the loneliness that gripped her a year ago will return.

Resolute to stay cheerful, she throws herself into organizing both the inaugural Ivy Lane Great Cake Competition and the Christmas Party, and even squeezes in a little match-making along the way.

Surrounded by her friends at the Christmas Party, Tilly has come a long way in a year. She can feel her own heart slowly melting, but who will be waiting under the mistletoe?

Ivy Lane is a serialized novel told in four parts – taking you through a year in the life of Tilly Parker – ending with Winter.

Each part of Ivy Lane is approx. 10 chapters.


My Review:

After waiting with baited breath for the last two months it was fantastic to catch up with Tilly and the gang again. If you have read part three (autumn), you will know that it ended with a massive cliffhanger. I was dying to know what happened and if all was ok and couldn't get started soon enough. As soon as it had finished downloading to my Kindle I was stuck straight in,

This fourth and final installment does not disappoint! It is so beautifully written, I defy you not to fall in love with Ivy Lane and it's residents. As winter descends upon the allotment things wind down, and it almost feels like it's time to hibernate until the spring.

When we last saw the residents in Autumn there was alot happening. Tilly was slowly starting to emerge from her chrysalis and coming back to life after the devastating accident that tore her life apart. Her friends also have much going on for them. Gemma's pregnancy is progressing and her due date is looming ever closer. Charlie is still reeling from Tilly rejecting his advances, and decides he wants to take a step back from their friendship. There has been no word from TV Producer Aidan and Tilly is devastated, as she realises how  much she likes him.

However, in good old Tilly fashion, rather than curl up and feel sorry of herself she throws herself full force with the allotment committee. When the roof is blown off and needs repairs the costs threaten to empty the already depleted allotment coffers and leave them with no Christmas party, Tilly jumps to the rescue and organises a cake baking competition at the allotment. The thought of all the cakes had me drooling!! She then goes on to be master organiser by taking on the Christmas party.

Will Gemma's baby arrive safely? Will Charlie get over his disappointment and become friends with Tilly? Will Aidan ride back into Tilly's life and bring her happiness? You will just have to read it and find out for yourselves!!!!

I have absolutely adored reading this series and will miss Tilly and the characters now that the series has ended. Cathy has written this is such a way that I felt connected with the characters right from the start. I love Tilly. She is a strong, resilient woman, with a massive heart. Her past is tragic, but we don't find out why until quite late into the series. Despite not knowing what has happened, Cathy's skill at writing enabled me to empathise with her and get totally drawn into just knowing that she was heartbroken, and needed nurturing and the chance to blossom once more. I was willing her to find happiness and contentment  all the way through.

I also loved every other one of the characters in their own way. Gemma is a great friend who helps Tilly to learn to trust again and to smile. I am lucky to have a Gemma in my life too. I of course love a bit of romance and I spent alot of the series torn between Charlie and Aidan. I won't ruin the surprise but I wasn't devastated at the end!

The series is currently available on kindle in 4 parts, but will also be released in its entirety in spring next year, and will be available in paperback. I will be re-reading it again then I am sure.  It has been torture only getting part of the story at a time, but in other ways I have also enjoyed the suspense that went with it. I think I have said it before but this series made Cathy Bramley into the queen of cliffhangers. Each season ending with another!

You may have realised by now just how much I have enjoyed Ivy Lane. It has made me laugh, made me cry, feel frustration but never fails to make me smile. It is perfect and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

It has also bought out the gardener in me. I finished ready the summer part and got planting my first ever seeds. They are pansies, the flower of remembrance and were given out at my boyfriends fathers funeral earlier this year, so are very special to me. Thanks to Tilly and the gang I planted them and look, they have grown. I am shocked and delighted. I now really really want an allotment of my own and have started looking in my local area.

My Ivy Lane inspired pansies grown in love for John 

A massive thank you to Cathy Bramley for giving me such reading enjoyment and for finding my inner gardener. I will miss the Ivy Lane gang, but am counting down until 5th February and the new Appleby Farm series.