Festive-Blog-Athon Day Eight: Author Guest Post: My Favourite Christmas Cocktail by Carole Matthews

My favourite Christmas cocktail by Carole Matthews

A few years ago, instead of having Christmas presents, my partner, Lovely Kev and I treated ourselves to a weekend at the Ritz hotel in London. It was eye-wateringly expensive, but soooo worth it. The whole place is opulent, glamorous and feels wonderfully decadent. We spent more than a few hours in their gorgeous art-deco Rivoli bar sampling their cocktails. By far and away, our favourite was the Ritz 100 - a cocktail created for the centenary celebration of the Ritz. What’s not to love about a drink which is sprinkled with real gold leaf! A bargain at only £20 per glass - ahem. 

So for Christmas, Lovely Kev now creates his own - considerably cheaper and slightly more potent version. Sometimes known affectionately at the Christmas Pistmass - it has a kick like a mule and has been described as a night out in a glass. 

The gold leaf adds nothing at all to the flavour, but it makes it look pretty and, as a bonus, adds no calories whatsoever. It can be bought on eBay for a ridiculous price, but a little goes a long way. 

No respectable festive party should be without one! Enjoy alcohol responsibly! (Hmmm) 

Have a wicked Christmas everyone. Cheers from me!

2.5 cl of Vodka

1 cl Grand Marnier

Dash of Archers

Top up with something fizzy – cava, prosecco or champagne

Optional extra! Sprinkle with edible gold leaf 

To serve, drop one cube of brown sugar into the glass which releases the bubbles in the fizz

If you’re feeling really fancy garnish the glass with a twist of orange

!! FESTIVE GIVEAWAY TIME !!

Carole Is Offering couple of lucky winners a signed copy of her new book The Christmas Party.
ENTER HERE:

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Book News: The Christmas Party by Carole Matthews

Yes..it's coming to that time of year and the festive books are coming out and Guess who is back? Yep you guessed the ever so fabulous Carole Matthews is back with another Christmassy book called The Christmas Party!

Louise Young is a devoted single mother whose only priority is providing for her daughter, Mia. Louise has a good job in a huge international corporation and she's grateful for it. The only problem is her boss who can't keep his hands to himself, but Louise can handle him. What she really doesn't have time for is romance - until she meets the company's rising star, Josh Wallace. 

Louise usually says no to evenings out but she's decided to let her hair down tonight. It's the office Christmas party, she has a pretty dress to wear and she's looking forward to some champagne and fun. She's completely unaware that others around her are too busy playing dangerous games to enjoy the party - until she's pulled into those games herself . . . 

Romance is in the air and secrets are about to be uncovered. It's going to be a night to remember at The Christmas Party.



The Christmas Party is out in paperback on 23rd October
Get Pre-ordering now!

Paperback                Kindle

A Place to Call Home Blog Tour: Q & A with Carole Matthews

Today's blog stop for Carole Matthew's new book A Place To Call Home is heree.
I have the lovely Carole stopped by for an Author Interview with me aka MissBookworm Reviews.

Hi Carole, I am such a fan of your books and love them so much. The covers are always beautiful and the stories always make you laugh, shed a tear and fall in love...

Thank you so much, that’s very kind! Thanks for having me on your blog. 

Q) A Place to Call Home is out this month! Could you tell us a little bit about it?

It’s my twenty-fourth novel and is an uplifting story about a woman who flees an abusive relationship with her small daughter. She finds herself making a new home and family in the most unlikely place. 

Q) What inspired you to start writing?

I’ve always been an avid reader of fiction, but I started out writing factual articles when I was a beauty therapist. The change to fiction came when I entered a short story competition and won it. I did the most sensible thing I’ve ever done in my life and spent the prize money on a writing course. Booking that prompted me to start writing the book that became my first novel, Let’s Meet on Platform 8. 

Q) Out of all your books which did you love writing about the most and why?

I think I always have a soft spot for The Chocolate Lovers’ Club and The Chocolate Lovers’ Diet. They were such fun books to write and, of course, the research was wonderful! I’m always getting asked to do a sequel by my readers and, always happy to oblige, I’m writing a third one now. 

Q) All your covers are beautiful, which one would you say is your favourite?

Thank you. I’m lucky to have a lovely artist called Alice Tait who paints them for me. I love them all but my very, very favourite has to be A Cottage by the Sea. I WANT that cottage!

Q) Which part did you love writing the most about A Place to Call Home and why?

I enjoyed writing it all. It’s very hard to pick a favourite bit, but I did like crafting the developing relationship between Hayden and Ayesha and also her friendship with Crystal. She’s been a lovely character to work with. 

Q) If you had to sum up A Place to Call Home in 5 words..what would you say...

Have the tissues handy. 

Thank you for Popping on my blog Carole, It has been a pleasure.

A Place to Call Home is out in paperback now!!

Buy Now!
Kindle Link - Amazon
Paperback Link - Amazon
Hardback Link - Amazon

Book Review: Calling Mrs Christmas by Carole Matthews

Title: Calling Mrs Christmas

Author: Carole Matthews

Publisher: Sphere

Publication Date: 24th October 2013

Blurb
Cassie Smith has been out of work for a while but she has an idea. Drawing on her love of Christmas, she begins charging for small things: wrapping presents; writing cards; tree-decorating. She's soon in huge demand and Cassie's business, Calling Mrs Christmas, is born.

Carter Randall wants to make Christmas special for his children so he enlists Cassie's help, and his lavish requests start taking up all her time. Thank goodness she can rely on her partner Jim to handle the rest of her clients.

When Carter asks Cassie to join them on a trip to Lapland, she knows she shouldn't go. As much as tries, Cassie can't deny how drawn she is to Carter and everything he has to offer, but she still loves her warm-hearted Jim. Suddenly Cassie finds herself facing a heart-breaking choice that could change her entire life.


Verdict
I Loved this book so much!!! Eeek sorry got carried away there!
First of all I loved the cover of this new Carole Matthews book, It looked all Christmassy and I knew I was just going to love it.

Cassie Smith has been out of work but suddenly she has an idea, Her love for Christmas gives her the idea to charge people for wrapping presents, writing cards, tree decorating, everything that people with full time jobs struggle to get done when its the countdown to Christmas, Cassie's new business Calling Mrs Christmas is born!
She is soon in huge demand and a big customer Carter Randall wants Cassie to organise everything for him including a trip to Lapland with his kids but then suddenly he invites Cassie to come as well as she has done all the hard work for him..

This book was just fabulous! I am always a huge fan of Carole's books and I knew Calling Mrs Christmas wasn't going to disappoint and It really didn't!
I loved the whole idea that Cassie Smith becoming Calling Mrs Christmas, It is a perfect cash earning business and if you love Christmas too then its just wonderful.

I loved reading this book while curled up on the sofa with a good cup of coco as I love Christmas and this really did get you in the mood for Christmas and feel very festive. The Characters in this are brill! I loved Cassie and her husband Jim, I thought they were ever so sweet but you could see their marriage was strained at times and that's why Cassie seems to like the attention she get's off Carter.
I loved what Jim did for the Kids at the prison he worked at, I really thought that was sweet and feel sometimes in real life there needs to be more people who are out there to help ones that generally need it.

For huge fan's of Carole's books are once again going to love this book as it is very festive, also will make you feel warm inside for all the caring things Cassie does. 

A Cottage By The Sea By Carole Matthews

Title: A Cottage By The Sea

Author: Carole Matthews

Publisher: Sphere

Paperback Publication Date: 28th March 2013

Source: The Lovely Jo Wickham from Little Brown

Grace has been best friends with Ella and Flick since university. The late-night chats, shared heartaches and good times have created a bond that has stood the test of time. Now in their thirties, Grace is always a bit disappointed about how little time they get to spend together, so when Ella invites them all to stay for a week in her cottage in South Wales, Grace jumps at the chance to see her old friends. She also hopes that the change in pace will help her reconnect with her husband, Harry.

Unfortunately for her, Harry isn't enamoured with Cwtch Cottage as she is. Then Flick arrives; loveable, bubbly Flick, accompanied by the handsome and charming Noah, and suddenly the week ahead looks as though it may be even more confusing for all the residents of Cwtch Cottage.

Now I've always been a big fan of Carole Matthews books and I especially loved her Christmas book With Love at Christmas last year so when found out Carole was bringing a new book out I just couldn't wait to grab my copy hehe, Luckily Jo Wickham from Little Brown sent me a copy out early. 

I knew when I got my copy of A Cottage By The Sea that I was going to enjoy it so much, give me laughter and tears but also gear me up for the summer, Boy I wasn't wrong either, The cover looked ever so beautiful as well, looked very summery.

So we meet three best friends since Uni Grace, Ella and Flick, as they grow up they don't seem to see each other that much so when Ella suggests they all come to stay with her in the little cottage, they all jump at the chance. Grace comes with her husband Harry, hoping to reconnect while they are away, but will Grace get her wish? or will Harry just carry on fiddling with his mobile? Ella has the rockstar husband Art who doesn't want to settle down and have kids just yet but Ella does. Will she get her wish and have a child? And then we have Flick who arrives with a handsome fella Noah who woos the ladies with his charm and Flick wants to prove to the ladies she can commit to a guy, will it happen?
The ever so charming Noah first meets Grace down at the beach, where he comments on how beautiful the beach is and then Swoon it's soon love at first sight, But will Grace fight for her husband? or chose Noah?

I just loved everything about this book, it was totally amazing, I couldn't put the book down I was so engrossed in the characters and how they all interacted so well with each other. I would have to say my favourite character would be Grace, at some points in the book I did feel a little sorry for her and how her husband treated her at times as well but she is such a strong and independent woman who will do anything for her closest and dearest friends when they need her the most.

A Cottage by the Sea is definitely a book you will be taking away with you on holiday this year, it is a jolly read with plenty of laughter but also a few little tears a long the way also with lots of emotion of friendships. It is a roller coaster of a book but will leave you with like a breathe of fresh air and also wanting your own little cottage down by the sea. Tehe :)

Carole Matthews you are a wonderful author and I love your books time and time again, I just can't get enough of them, Your books always have me laughing and always telling friends about your books and how brilliant they are! I already have your next book on Pre-order already tehe!

Kindle                      Paperback

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

 Well the time has come around again, Yes Christmas has arrived he he! Now I love this time of year its just perfect for sharing and receiving presents but also spreading lots of love to friends and family. 
I wish you all a wonderful and special Merry Christmas, I hope you all have a splendid time and eat and drink lots and spread so much love around.

I have had a fantastic time building up to the festive celebration with some great new books that came out.
Now there has been some wonderful Christmassy reads and I have certainly thoroughly enjoyed them ever so much! I am such a chick-lit fan and I have loved all the Christmassy feel books this year!

Here is my list of perfect Chick-Lit Christmas Books 2012
(They are all a must read and will definitely get you in the festive mood!)

 Belinda Jones - Winter Wonderland
My Review Of Winter Wonderland

Jenny Colgan - Christmas At The Cupcake Cafe
My Review Of Christmas At The Cupcake Cafe

Carole Matthews - With Love At Christmas
My Review Of With Love At Christmas

Milly Johnson - A Winter Flame
My Review Of A Winter Flame

Miranda Dickinson - When I Fall In Love
My Review of When I Fall In Love

Karen Swan - The Perfect Present
Review Soon!
Scarlett Bailey - Married By Christmas
Review Soon!
Julia Williams - A Merry Little Christmas
Abby Clements - Meet Me Under The Mistletoe

I have had such a fantastic day, i have been spoiled so much by friends and family he he I am now a proud owner of an Android tablet :-)  it is the perfect gift ever and was definitely a surprise!!! 

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY
 All the best!!
Xoxoxoxox

With Love At Christmas By Carole Matthews

Can the imperfect family really have the perfect Christmas?

Juliet Joyce adores Christmas. She loves the presents, the tree, the turkey, the tinsel, everything. Already the festive spirit upon her, which is just as well as this Christmas things are starting to get out of hand.
Her son Tom is out of work and bringing home a slew of unsuitable partners; pregnant daughter Chloe and her little boy have moved back in; Juliet's father Frank, is getting over a heartbreak of his own and Rita, her eccentric mother, is behaving more erratically each day. And has the chaos got too much for Juliet's husband Rick?

With the big day fast approaching, Juliet hopes that she can stop everything spiralling out of control, because the only thing she wants is her family all around her and her home to be filled.


I've recently started reading Carole Matthew's Books, first book to read was Summer daydreams and I loved that so I knew with this book I wouldn't be disappointed! With Christmas just around the corner I thought this book would be perfect to get me in the festive spirit and make me very excited.
Straight away the thing i loved the most about the book was the front cover, it was amazingly bright and colourful and was very festive which I just couldn't help but have my own copy!

We meet the lovely Joyce family where Christmas nut Juliet is busy making sure she has everything right and perfect for her family for Christmas.. With this book we follow from the beginning up until Christmas Day with little problems always occurring one way or another. This book does have a lovely big mix of characters but I loved that all the characters linked together but all had their own problems and plans but they all managed to help each other especially in the spirit of Christmas. By the end of the story I actually felt i was part of the family and had been through the same problems with them. My favourite character would have to be Juliet, she is a Christmas nut like myself and I just loved her personality and thought she was full of happiness and caring nature for her family.

Carole Matthews definitely did a splendid job at writing this story it was very creative and soon had you hooked by every chapter. I bow to you Carole you certainly are the Queen of Chick lit in my eyes and are an amazing writer.

This book is a fabulous read and recommend anyone to pick up this book and read! It is a very warm and festive read which will have you laughing, crying and smiling alot but the story also has drama and heartbreak however it really does bring a love of Christmas cheer and a sprinkle of snow to the whole family!

You will definitely feel in the festive mood when you've read this! 

Paperback Version    Kindle Version