Thursday 2 April 2020

New Release Spotlight with Extract: The Gift of Cockleberry Bay by Nicola May



The Gift of Cockleberry Bay by Nicola May

From the author of the #1 BESTSELLING The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay

All of our favourite characters from Cockleberry Bay are back in this final, heart warming story in the series. Including Hot, Rosa Smith's adorable dachshund and his new-born puppies.

Now successfully running the Cockleberry Café and wishing to start a family herself, Rosa feels the time is right to let her inherited Corner Shop go. However, her benefactor left one important legal proviso: that the shop cannot be sold, only passed on to somebody who really deserves it.

Rosa is torn. How can she make such a huge decision? And will it be the right one? Once the news gets out and goes public, untrustworthy newcomers appear in the Bay . . . their motives uncertain. With the revelation of more secrets from Rosa's family heritage, a new journey of unpredictable and life-changing events begins to unfold.

The Gift of Cockleberry Bay concludes this phenomenally successful series in typically brisk and bolshy style and will delight the many thousands of Rosa's fans



Extract from The Gift of Cockleberry Bay where we see Rosa meeting Hot’s puppies for the first time
Ciao-ciao!’ The chiselled Italian called Raffaele air-kissed both Josh and Rosa three times before telling them: ‘I must get on, sorry.’ He pointed to his chef’s whites. ‘We are very busy with lunchtime bookings today. His Lordship is upstairs with Her Ladyship, the Duchess.’ He waved his arms around animatedly, his accent becoming more pronounced. ‘I tell you – he is obsessed with those little cuties. Per favore – go on up.’ And then Raff hurried back into the pub kitchen.
Josh and Rosa raced each other up the stairs to the swish private quarters above the pub where Jacob and Raff stayed when away from their beautiful home in Polhampton Sands. Tiptoeing now, Rosa opened the sitting-room door and peeped in.
Oh, my goodness!’ she cried quietly, without even greeting Jacob. She gave a little gasp. ‘Just look at them!’
‘Don’t mind me, love. I’ve only been up all night playing nanny to this lot.’ The smart publican camply flicked his hand at Rosa, then reached for Josh’s hand and shook it firmly.
Rosa crouched down to take a better peek in the Duchess’s comfy blanket-laden dog crate. ‘Aw, they are miniature Hots,’ she whispered. ‘They are so cute! Just two?’
‘Yes, two little boys, thank goodness. One bitch in this household is quite enough.’ As Josh shook with laughter, Jacob continued, ‘I’m surprised she could fit any in that tiny little belly of hers – thanks to your dirty dog taking advantage of her when she was so young.’
Josh then thought back to when Jacob and Raff had introduced the Duchess as Lady Dolce Vita Petunia Duchess Barkley. ‘Have you thought of any names yet?’ he enquired, bracing himself, wondering what the couple had come up with this time.
‘Well, I dare say we should really let the future owners decide on their pups’ names,’ Jacob said reluctantly, adding, ‘And with a pending last name of Rogers, I perish to think what Titty Titch will come out with for hers.’
‘Has she met them yet?’
‘No, I wanted you as the other grandparents to see them first. When are Titch and Ritchie getting married, anyway?’
They haven’t set a date yet, but she was hoping Christmas-time this year, I think.’ Rosa gently stroked the exhausted Duchess.
Exciting – I love a wedding. And where exactly is the absent father today?’ Jacob asked, looking around for Hot. ‘Trust that naughty dog not to be at the birth, or here now. A typical man.’
‘What are you like?’ Rosa smirked. ‘He’s with Mary, much to Merlin’s disgust.’ Merlin lived at Seaspray Cottage with Rosa’s mother Mary; he was a huge, rather scary black cat with yellow fog-lamp eyes and too much attitude. ‘Who’s having the other puppy, anyway?’ Rosa asked, and looked directly at Josh, who immediately put his palm up and out flat.
No, no and no. Hot would hate not being the centre of attention and we’ve got enough to do with the shop and the café, without taking into consideration puppy training and raising a potential brood ourselves.’
‘You’re a miserable one today, aren’t you?’ Jacob tutted. ‘I have to say that Raff and I are quite smitten with the smaller cherub, and with three already, what difference is a fourth really?’
At that moment, as if on cue, the couple’s pugs Ugly and Pongo came running in and started play-fighting by the side of the crate. Whining softly, the Duchess watched them with interest and a degree of scorn.
‘That’s what I’ve been saying to Rosa. The bigger the family, the better.’ Josh winked at his wife. ‘And not through want of trying.’
‘Ew.’ Their host grimaced. ‘It was bad enough being at the business end of a puppy birth, let alone hearing about you two at it like rabbits, or should I say dachshunds, in the circumstances.’

Nicola May lives in the UK, five miles from the Queen’s castle in Windsor, with her black-and-white rescue cat, Stan. Her hobbies include watching films that involve a lot of swooning, crabbing in South Devon and devouring cream teas.
Her bestselling The Corner Shop in Cockleberry, the 1st book in the Cockleberry Bay series, went to #1 on Amazon and stayed there for an unprecedented 6 weeks.
She classes her novels as ‘chicklit with a kick,’ writing about love, life and friendships in a real, not fluffy kind of way. She likes burgers, mince pies, clocks, birds, bubble baths and facials - but is not so keen on aubergines.

Website - www.nicolamay.com

Giveaway to Win a signed copy of The Gift of Cockleberry Bay (Open INT)
*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 Rachel’s Random Resources reserves 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 passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

Double Cover Reveal: Josie James Series by Lily Mae Walters


Josie James and The Teardrops of Summer by Lily Mae Walters
Genre - MG/YA Urban Fantasy (Ages 8 - 12)
Standalone First book in Josie James series


Josie James is an ordinary 13 year old until something extraordinary happens during her summer holidays.Whilst staying at her Great Grandmother’s cottage in the country she finds herself swept into the cursed world of Suncroft where it is perpetual winter.Her new friends believe she could be the Chosen One who it is foretold will lift the curse, but there are more pressing matters.
 
The Teardrops of Summer – magical crystals that render the owner immortal – have been stolen. Along with her telepathic husky-dog Protector Asher and her new friends, Josie must race to find the Teardrops and prevent catastrophe for their world.



**********

Josie James and The Velvet Knife by Lily Mae Walters
Genre - MG/YA Urban Fantasy (Ages 8 - 12)
Standalone Second book in Josie James series


For you to find the Velvet Knife, you must solve the riddles thrice.” A mysterious hooded figure, known only as the Velvet Knife has appeared in the cursed village of Suncroft. No one knows who he is or what he wants but when he starts leaving riddles around the village, it is time for Josie to return to Suncroft for a second time.

With Asher, her faithful husky Protector by her side, Filan, a half elf, and her great grandad, will they be able to solve the clues in time and discover his identity? The Velvet Knife is not the only one causing problems for Josie. Her rival for the position of the ‘Chosen One’ continues to grow stronger, and now he has a Protector of his own.



Lily Mae Walters chose her pen name in honour of her beloved grandparents who also stare in the Josie James series.

She is married with two teenage children, and two huskies that are the inspiration behind Murphy and Asher in the books.

Lily Mae lives in Nuneaton, England and finds herself using local  places and even her old school in her stories.

Family and friends mean the world to Lily Mae and many will find themselves popping up throughout the series.

Lily Mae also writes for adults under the name of Florence Keeling.

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