Book Review, Giveaway: A Spirited Girl on Cornish Shores (A Little Hotel in Cornwall Book 2) by Laura Briggs

A Spirited Girl on Cornish Shores

 (A Little Hotel in Cornwall Book 2)

by Laura Briggs

Amazon US / UK / AU / CA 

It looks like a perfect Cornish autumn, with aspiring novelist Maisie Clark still finding inspiration as a maid at the historic Penmarrow Hotel. Between the staff of quirky co-workers, glamorous and unusual guests, and her growing friendship with the charming but mysterious Sidney Daniels, Maisie is living out adventures instead of just penning them in the pages of her would-be novel's growing number of chapters.

And then there's the slight problem of keeping the balance between friendship and 'something more' with Sidney, who's helping introduce her to the village's version of a Cornish Halloween, and has recently taken an interest in Maisie's secret that may change things between them. But even Maisie’s imagination can't conjure the unusual event this Halloween brings to the Penmarrow. An eccentric earl has chosen this site to host his lavish birthday celebration that includes a pretty (and perceptive) young psychic whose predictions seem to have everyone on edge — and, to Maisie's delight, the elusive novelist Alistair Davies is rumored to be part of the guest list! But with the earl's bickering relatives and illustrious friends on hand— and more than one ghost of the past waiting to be revealed — it’s anyone’s guess what the festivities will bring before the party is over.


Will the psychic foretell doom for the earl's gathering—and is her ‘gift’ as genuine as it seems? Will Maisie finally meet her favorite author face to face? And, more importantly, what about the romantic sparks that fly between Maisie and Sidney?



My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:


He's got a bit of crazy in his eyes, like all the ex-officers with one too many parades in their past. Guess being rich wasn't exciting enough, so he went off to war a few times. Probably to cool his homicidal tendencies.


But it's his smile that possesses the magic, not his sense of fashion. Sidney Daniels has an irresistible smile, and he bestowed it on me today as we met. Those hazel brown eyes with sparks of green and gold were alight with unquestionable good humor and playfulness ... maybe a little mystery also, if you looked closely...


I was going to grow hot, and flustered, and desperately happy if I wasn't very careful.




My Review:

Maisie’s story is advancing ever so slowly while she is living and working under an alias as her duplicity has yet to be revealed to all, although she is constantly concerned with exposure. Her friendships seem to be progressing with her co-workers while her relationship with Sidney appears to be growing more dear and sweet. Riley’s flirting has landed him in a prickly mess with possible dire consequences from a trigger-happy and eccentric village resident.


An interesting and well-heeled family booked the entire hotel for an elaborate one-hundredth-year-birthday celebration of an ancient earl who brought his own medium along as part of his entourage. The wealthy old man's toady family members appear to be a useless pack of jackals who are as worthless and corrupt as they are skeptical. However, a few revelations left them shaken, was it real or a parlor trick? Everyone has secrets to sweat, lazy sycophants most of all.

About The Author

Author Bio – Laura Briggs is the author of several feel-good romance reads, including the Top 100 Amazon UK seller 'A Wedding in Cornwall'. She has a fondness for vintage-style dresses (especially ones with polka dots) and reads everything from Jane Austen to modern-day mysteries. When she's not writing, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, caring for her pets, gardening, and seeing the occasional movie or play.

Social Media Links 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaperDollWrites 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorlaurabriggs/ 

Giveaway 

 Win one of 3 Cornish themed prizes 

(Open Internationally)

1st Prize: A Ross Poldark collectible Knitdark character doll (Open Internationally) –1 winner

Perfect for fans of all-things Cornwall, this Ross Poldark doll with tricorn hat is made by Angela Blay, whose popular Knitdark creations have been featured on The Graham Norton Show. Since each doll is hand made, the Ross the winner receives may vary slightly in appearance from the one in the picture. Readers can learn more about the Knitdarks at Angela's Twitter page @kwerkyknits as well as her Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/kwerkyknits

2nd Prize: A decorative tin T.A.R.D.I.S (Open Internationally) –1 winner

A tin T.A.R.D.I.S similar to the keepsake Maisie is gifted by Sidney in Book 1, A Little Hotel in Cornwall. Designed by Etsy artist KittyConduitt81 and perfect for fans of Doctor Who! Being a unique, hand made item, the final design may vary slightly in appearance from the one pictured. Learn about KittyConduittDesigns on Etsy at
 https://www.etsy.com/shop/KittyConduittDesigns

3rd Prize: A Kindle/Tablet case featuring cover art from A Little Hotel in Cornwall (Open Internationally) –1 winner

A specially designed case for a Kindle or Tablet featuring the cover art for Book 1 in the series A Little Hotel in Cornwall. The final product's size, texture, and color will depend on the winner's device.

*All 3 winners will also receive a digital copy of Book 1 in the series, A Little Hotel in Cornwall.

*Terms and Conditions 

Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will be passed to the giveaway organizer and used only for the fulfillment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data. I am not responsible for dispatch or delivery of the prize.

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Book Review: A Little Hotel in Cornwall by Laura Briggs

A Little Hotel in Cornwall 

by Laura Briggs

Amazon US / UK / AU / CA

Struggling American waitress and aspiring novelist Maisie Clark dreams of becoming a full-time writer — even though in real life she's just lost her chance at an exclusive writer's mentorship program that would give her novel its big break. Desperate, she decides to take a chance and ask her favorite writer, a celebrated but reclusive English novelist, to help her find a second chance.

When she receives the author's reply in an envelope with a Cornish postmark, Maisie decides not to take the writer's half-hearted 'no' for an answer. With nothing to lose, she takes off for the author's last known location, a beautiful hotel on Cornwall's western coast. But when the hotel mistakes her for the latest applicant for a maid's position, Maisie finds herself given an opportunity too good to lose ... and a chance for a summer adventure far bigger than she ever imagined.

Surrounded by breathtaking Cornwall and working in an elegant hotel, Maisie's world becomes one of secret identities, quirky friends, and unintentional mishaps — and despite reminders of past relationship disasters, a certain handsome, charming local resident Sidney Daniels has her conflicted about her heart's desires, too.

Will Maisie find the chance she's been waiting for — and a possible new romance — in her perfect Cornish summer?

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:


And when I opened its cover and read the first page, I began a passionate love affair with its words. I fell into that story and didn't come up for air. I drowned in its world for three whole days and came back to life after the last sentence, a little part of me wishing I was still there.


He pretended to flex his muscles beneath the sleeves of his jacket. "Please, I haven't eaten lunch yet," said the other one. "Your muscles will remind me of hard-boiled eggs."


I was going to have to ring the antique bell on the desk, which I hated doing — there's something so impatient about ringing service bells. That annoying little peal that has two tones — 'come now' and 'still waiting.'


My Review:


This quick and wryly written novella starts off a twisty new Laura Briggs Cornwall rom-com series. I’m curious to see where this story goes as I’ve already started postulating theories. Ms. Briggs introduces a colorful cast of quirky characters on both continents. The main character of Maisie’s situation has become rather dire and she has turned into a total fraud, which gave me pause but the deception wasn’t her initial intention, although she did conveniently step right into it without much hesitation.  Maisie had moxie – I’ll give her that.

Empress DJ

About The Author

Laura Briggs is the author of several chick lit and romance stories, including the Top 100 Amazon UK seller 'A Wedding in Cornwall'. She has a fondness for vintage style dresses (especially ones with polka dots), and reads everything from Jane Austen to modern-day mysteries. When she's not writing, she enjoys spending time with family, caring for her pets, going to movies and plays, and trying new restaurants.

Social Media Links – 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaperDollWrites
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/authorlaurabriggs/

Book Review, Giveaway: A Wedding in Cornwall by Laura Briggs

A Wedding in Cornwall 

(Books 7—12)

by Laura Briggs

Goodreads / Amazon 

The last six novellas in the UK bestselling series A WEDDING IN CORNWALL are now available in one collection! Join American event planner Julianne in her final set of adventures 'across the pond' in beautiful Cornwall. From celebrity sightings to a local talent show, from a charming village fete to a secret Cornish garden, there's never a dull moment for Julianne and her Poldark-esque true love Matthew in the quaint village of Ceffylgwyn.

This collection contains A Romance in Cornwall, A Star in Cornwall, A Sewing Circle in Cornwall, A Talent Show in Cornwall, An American in Cornwall, and A Garden in Cornwall. Exclusive bonus materials include a sneak peek of the author's all-new 2019 Cornish romance series!


My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

Book 7 - A Romance in Cornwall

The catch in her voice gave her away. I couldn't help but smile. It was proof how far Kitty had come that we hugged goodbye, a brief one, but a warm one. She was far from the prickly girl who had stormed out of my office two years ago, when I suggested she was a diamond in the rough, who would have died rather than admit how much she wanted that job at the manor.

I was thinking it could be fun to be a writer. All that money and loads of spare time when your book is finished. No more dusting knickknacks and cleaning drapes for me.

He's a dishy one, as sweet as chocolate and as brainy as Sherlock. Many a heart was broken in the village when he finally fell in love. If I'd been ten years younger, I'd have chased him up the nearest tree in haste to catch him.

"She hasn't been out in the daylight for two days now," said Dovie, keeping her voice low in the Fisherman's Rest. "Only comes out in the evenings. Like a vampire, she is. I'd no idea writers were like that."

Book 8 - A Star in Cornwall

Edwin has the makings of an excellent actor… At least I've never seen a child so young be quite so artful at thinking up stories. Did you know that he blamed a 'piskie' for the disappearance of all my chocolate-covered marshmallow puffs in my desk drawer?

I did Shakespeare in high school a couple of times. Basically, people just expect the usual hallmarks. Two people in love, a swordfight ... like The Princess Bride with 'thee' and 'thou.'

I wish I could act… Andy has loads of fun with the society. I tried to join once, but I was so awful they would only let me help move the furniture about.

Book 9 - A Sewing Circle in Cornwall 

His glance landed on the fabric pieces in my hands, and the tangle of sewing supplies that appeared to be having a terrible brawl amongst themselves in my workbasket.

How such a stupid argument could turn into such a personal philosophical dilemma was staggering my imagination at this point.

Your own head can be your worst enemy when you've let one little mistake become a chain reaction of them, after all.

I knew Michael was wrong. Never trust the opinion of somebody whose tattoos look like a Russian prisoner's.

Book 10 - A Talent Show in Cornwall

Colin was the 'serious musician' type, who seemed in his own world while playing, as if the guitar and his body had melded together and every molecule of his being was focused on the mellow, complex riff serenading the mostly-unappreciative patrons of the bar. Excepting, of course, the female ones.

I call it shyness — but others tended to call it rudeness, since Nikki was 'different' and among the typical number of teenagers set apart by their peers to be socially ostracized and mocked.

… he didn't even have the decency to tell me first when he took the job on that drilling crew… I had to hear about it from Jenny Bryce's niece, who looked proper smug about telling me ... stupid little cow, crushing on someone like him. He's ten years older than her.

Never a 'congratulations, Kitty' or 'oh, joy, my daughter's getting married' just a 'what's all this about?" Like you caught me stealing sweets from the grocer's jar.

I felt a sudden rush of indignation and anger that the sneer in their voices could make me see her that way, bringing me back to my school days of popularity versus obscurity.

It was like a scene out of a movie — things that never happen to real people, those impetuous moments of passion that evade real life for ninety-nine percent of us. From the corner of my eye, I saw Rosie's jaw drop, as mine was doing the same.

Book 11 - An American in Cornwall

These days, anything looked like a crowd compared to my village's version of High Street, where a traffic obstruction consisted of a produce truck and a motorbike both trying for a narrow turn at once.

A rich Cornish accent with a touch of something else in it —Irish, Scottish, a Celtic brogue of another kind —that would make any woman shiver just a little. A strong voice like black coffee laced with something gentler, it matched the creases at the corners of his eyes when he smiled.

How could Aimee be immune to this? It was impossible — he was good-looking, had swoon-worthy quiet, rugged charm, and that accent was making even me fantasize about romantic Cornish sea captains and rugged, sea-salted fishermen.

You're right that some secrets — some feelings — are bigger than the two of us… But I respect that some things can't be shared, so keep them private as long as you want. Even if that happens to be forever…

Book 12 - A Garden in Cornwall

Mrs. Norbit's reign of terror continued... she continued to swipe fingers along the bottom of every portrait's frame and the surface of every stick of furnishing; and appear suddenly and silently, like a Gestapo agent emerging from the shadows, if you happened to be an offender with a saucerless cup of tea or a trail of crumbs on your desk.

Nothing alive is ever the same from moment to moment, I thought, remembering Matt's words about changes in a garden's life. My arms tightened around him as I reminded myself that it was true about a human's life, too.

Sometimes a place in your mind is all you have... For some people, a memory becomes a place in itself — bigger and better than just pictures or reminders.

Heavens, I've seen hens in a coop bicker less over one nesting box than the two of you over some insignificant point of conversation. It's enough to make an army general cry surrender and crawl under his bunker.


My Review:



I had mistakenly started this series with book number twelve several months ago, which only served to whet my appetite to go back to read the previous installments of this sweet and engaging series. The characters were quirky and endearing, the villains were expertly cast, and the writing was easy to follow, had a smooth and gentle flow and contained an amusingly insightful and observantly descriptive style. I gleaned several new additions to my Brit Vocabulary List with my favorite being “spit spot” – which Mr. Google informed me was frequently used by Mary Poppins to mean hurry up. I have been using and abusing it with regularity, though I am a bit concerned some uninformed person may take me literally...

Empress DJ

Author Bio 

Laura Briggs is the author of several lighthearted romance novels and novellas, including the bestselling Amazon UK series A Wedding in Cornwall. She has a fondness for vintage-style dresses (especially ones with polka dots), and reads everything from Jane Austen to modern-day mysteries. When she's not writing, she enjoys spending time with family, caring for her pets, going to movies and plays, and trying new restaurants.

Social Media Links –

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaperDollWrites

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorlaurabriggs/

Website: https://paperdollwrites.blogspot.com/

Giveaway to Win A Wedding in Cornwall 

 3 different prizes 

(Open Internationally) 

1st Name Drawn will win - A paperback copy of the anthology to be shipped to the winner by the author via Amazon 

2nd Name Drawn will win - A digital/eBook copy of the anthology to be sent via email

3rd Name Drawn will win - A Smashwords coupon code good for a free download of 1 ‘Surprise eBook’ from the Cornwall series of novellas

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will be passed to the giveaway organizer and used only for the fulfillment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

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Book Review, Giveaway: A Garden in Cornwall (A Wedding in Cornwall Book 12) by Laura Briggs

A Garden in Cornwall 

(A Wedding in Cornwall Book 12)

by Laura Briggs

Goodreads

Amazon US / UK

With their lives exactly what they've always dreamed, Matt and Julianne await the arrival of the third member of their family — but their happiness is threatened when their landlady Mathilda announces her intention to sell their beloved Rosemoor Cottage for an impossible value. Devastated, Julianne struggles to accept the cold reality of her and Matt making their home elsewhere.

Matt's life has taken a new turn as he finally puts aside his academic work to pursue his gardening hobby as a career: his first new job as a landscape designer involves neglected Penwill Hall's 'lost' garden — one with a truly romantic Cornish past. But the task of restoring its legendary beauty from nearly seventy years ago proves difficult among the ruins lost in weeds and wilderness.

With notions of secret gardens and wartime stories echoing in her thoughts, Julianne is determined to help Matt and the estate’s new owner after the discovery of a hidden mural in the hall itself, depicting a breathtaking garden that may well be the lost one. Her efforts to uncover the past lead her to a curmudgeonly local gardener who just may hold the knowledge that would restore the 'lost garden' to its former glory. Will Julianne's quest help her find a way to deal with losing the home she loves?

Hellos and farewells abound as Dinah returns to lend a helping hand at Cliffs House and Julianne relives her favorite memories of her and Matt's beloved cottage in Book Twelve — the final installment in the bestselling series A WEDDING IN CORNWALL.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

Mrs. Norbit's reign of terror continued... she continued to swipe fingers along the bottom of every portrait's frame and the surface of every stick of furnishing; and appear suddenly and silently, like a Gestapo agent emerging from the shadows, if you happened to be an offender with a saucerless cup of tea or a trail of crumbs on your desk.

Nothing alive is ever the same from moment to moment, I thought, remembering Matt's words about changes in a garden's life. My arms tightened around him as I reminded myself that it was true about a human's life, too.

Sometimes a place in your mind is all you have... For some people, a memory becomes a place in itself — bigger and better than just pictures or reminders.

Heavens, I've seen hens in a coop bicker less over one nesting box than the two of you over some insignificant point of conversation. It's enough to make an army general cry surrender and crawl under his bunker.

My Review:

I knew I would be at a disadvantage in picking up a series at book number twelve, and I probably didn’t have the investment in the characters or their backstories as a devoted follower would, but that doesn’t mean the story was difficult to follow.  What it does mean, is I now need to go backward and read the other eleven installments to this pleasant and sweetly entertaining series.  I enjoyed the likable characters and Ms. Brigg’s amusingly insightful and observantly descriptive writing style.   And I have a new addition to my Brit Vocabulary List with “spit spot” – which Mr. Google informed me was frequently used by Mary Poppins to mean hurry up.  I cannot wait to start using and abusing it, though I am a bit concerned some uninformed person may take me literally... 

Empress DJ

Author Bio 

Laura Briggs is the author of several lighthearted romance novels and novellas, including the bestselling Amazon UK series A Wedding in Cornwall. She has a fondness for vintage-style dresses (especially ones with polka dots) and reads everything from Jane Austen to modern-day mysteries. When she's not writing, she enjoys spending time with family, caring for her pets, going to movies and plays, and trying new restaurants.

Social Media Links –

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorlaurabriggs/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaperDollWrites

Giveaway 

Win an e-copy of A Garden In Cornwall (Open Internationally)

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will be passed to the giveaway organizer and used only for the fulfillment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

a Rafflecopter giveaway