Title: A Taste of Home

Blurb: Fliss Brown has grown up living with her mother on the Rossi family’s Italian fruit farm. But when her mother dies, Fliss finds out she has a family of her own, and heads back to England with Nonna Rossi’s recipe for cherry and almond tart and a piece of advice: connect with your family before it is too late…

Fliss discovers that her estranged grandfather owns a fruit farm himself, on the outskirts of Wynbridge, and she arrives to find a farm that has fallen into disrepair. Using her knowledge gleaned from working on the Rossi farm and her desire to find out more about her past, Fliss rolls her sleeves up and gets stuck in. But what will she discover, and can she resurrect the farm’s glory days and find a taste of home…

Review: What a wonderful story! There are many things I loved in this book, but first of all I wanted to mention the wonderful setting: a fruit farm (in the lovely Wynbridge).  I had such a blast following Fliss around the farm and with Heidi Swain rich description I could completely picture the juicy strawberries and the very special cherries. I definitely recommend picked a few strawberries to munch on while reading this. Plus, I was completely invested in Fliss' plans of making the farm a success and loved all her bright ideas. 

Another strength point in the story were the characters and their connections. I fell like Fliss' relationship with his newly discovered grandfather was adorable. Their chemistry and banter was fantastic. I also loved the sense of community and it reminded me how important it is to take care of your loved ones and remember to tell them how much you love them often. 

And of course, with several previous books of Heidi Swain set in Wynbridge, we got to catch up with some favorite characters from the past. I always enjoy recognizing old friends and I even realized that I haven't read a couple of the previous books yet, so they have been bumped to the top of my reading list.

Perfect escapism, wonderful characters, delicious treats (I need Italian restaurants to open up asap now) and real connections. The perfect ingredients for this wonderful story. 

Today is my stop in the fantastic Blog Tour for The Winter Garden, the sparkling new Christmas novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author Heidi Swain. And I am sharing my thoughts on this festive read here!

Title: The Winter Garden (Nightingale Square #3)

Author: Heidi Swain

Published: October 4th 2020 by Simon & Schuster

Review: After reading and loving Sunshine and Sweetpeas at Nightingale Square and Poppy’s Recipe for Life, I was really looking forward to going back to Nightingale Square, especially with a festive story, as I was sure that this lovely place would be perfect for a cosy and very special Christmas. And I was not wrong at all! 

This time we discover Freya’s story, who after losing her close friend and employer is not sure what to do next in her life. A bit by chance and a bit by magic, she ends up being employed as the gardener in Prosperous Place. The job comes with a place to live at the Square too so she soon finds herself involved in all the activitats organised by the lovely community. 

Once again, I really enjoyed reading about the sense of community in the square and how they all come together to make their shared space a better place, where everyone is welcomed. Freya couldn't have landed at a better place and it was a great pleasure to get to catch up with this bunch of lovely people. I wish Prosperous Place was real and I could attend some of the sessions they organise for their Winterfest, they sounded so original and fun!

Also a big thumps up from me for the love story! Great chemistry between the characters and perfect amount of will-they or will-they-not. I finished this book with a huge smile in my face!

Heidi Swain's new festive book, Snowflakes and Cinnamon Swirls at the Winter Wonderland, is the perfect read this Christmas, promising snowfall, warm fires and breath-taking seasonal romance. Perfect for fans of Milly Johnson, Carole Matthews and Cathy Bramley.

Title: Snowflakes and Cinnamon Swirls at the Winter Wonderland

Author: Heidi Swain

Published: November 1st 2018 by Simon & Schuster

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: After calling of her engagement, Hayley, the Wynthorpe Hall housekeeper, wants nothing more than to return to her no-strings fun-loving self, avoiding any chance of future heartbreak. Little does she know, Wynbridge’s latest arrival is about to throw her plan entirely off course...

Moving into Wynthorpe Hall to escape the town’s gossip, Hayley finds herself immersed in the eccentric Connelly family’s festive activities as they plan to host their first ever Winter Wonderland. But Hayley isn’t the only new resident at the hall. Gabe, a friend of the Connelly’s son Jamie, has also taken up residence, moving into Gatekeeper’s Cottage, and he quickly makes an impression on Wynbridge’s reformed good-girl.

As preparations commence for the biggest event of the season, the pair find themselves drawn ever closer to one another, but unbeknownst to Hayley, Gabe, too, has a reason for turning his back on love, one that seems intent on keeping them apart. Under the starry winter skies, will Gabe convince Hayley to open her heart again once more? And in doing so, will he convince himself?

Review: I have read and enjoyed several books by Heidi Swain, but I didn't read Sleigh Rides and Silver Bells at the Christmas Fair (her first book set in Wynthorpe Hall) last Christmas. So for me, all the characters in Snowflakes and Cinnamon Swirls were completely new.

At the beginning, I struggled a bit with so many of them. But Heidi Swain made a great job of explaining who was who and pretty quickly, I was completely immersed in their story. Wynthorpe Hall is quite a pretty special setting and I completely understand now why so many people fell in love with this place with the last book. And its inhabitants are just as special.

This story focuses in the housekeeper of the Hall, Hayley. Inspired by the love of her friends Anna and Jamie, she has fallen in love herself and is about to celebrate her engagement party. But she (and we) soon realize that her Prince Charming is a bit too charming with other girls...

I loved getting to know Hayley. She wanted to present herself as this tough girl who doesn't care about love and is not hurt by the actions or the comments of other people. But under this façade, she has a huge heart and is ready to help her friends with everything she's got. She was a really complex characters that felt very real.

Title: Sunshine and Sweet Peas in Nightingale Square 

Author: Heidi Swain

Published: May 31st 2018 by Simon & Schuster

Amazon | Amazon UK

Blurb: The heart-warming new novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author, perfect for fans of Carole Matthews, Milly Johnson and Cathy Bramley

Kate is on the run from her almost-divorced husband who is determined to have her back, and she has found the perfect place to hide... a little cottage on Nightingale Square in Norwich, far away from her old life in London. But the residents of Nightingale Square don't take no for an answer, and Kate soon finds herself pulled into a friendship with Lisa, her bossy but lovely new neighbour.

Within a matter of days Kate is landed with the job of campaigning the council to turn the green into a community garden, meanwhile all the residents of Nightingale Square are horrified to discover that the Victorian mansion house on the other side of the square has been bought by developers. But when all hope is lost, the arrival of a handsome stranger is sure to turn things around! 

Heidi Swain is the perfect summer read - you'll want to find your own green space, stretch out in the sun and dive into life at Nightingale Square.

Review: Sunshine and Sweet Peas in Nightingale Square is such a warm and up-lifting summer story! Definitely perfect to get lost during a few hours in the sun. 

We follow Kate from her busy life in London to Norfolk, where she is planning to hide from everyone and forget about her failed marriage. But as soon as she moves to Nightingale Square, she is in for a quite a surprise, the residents of the square are like a little family and are determined to include her in all their comings and going. From that moment, Heidi Swain keeps us in our toes, with several unexpected twits and surprises in store for these characters. 

I really enjoyed reading about the sense of community in the square and how they all came together to defend their square and their space. Kate couldn't have landed at a better place and it was a great pleasure to get to meet this bunch of lovely people.

I also loved that there was this mystery about the history of the square going on too. I especially enjoyed reading about how residents of the square had lived there in the past and how it was related to the present story-line. And it was also great to catch with The Cherry Tree Cafe characters, as Kate is actually related to them. 

All in all, a very entertaining and up-lifting story with fantastic characters and lots of gardening tips! 

Rating: 4 stars

Follow the Blog Tour for more interesting content and reviews for this lovely story:

Summer is around the corner and we've had some really nice weather lately in Munich, so I've been really looking forward to reading some summery and holiday reads. Luckily for me, May is coming packed with amazing books! Here are the ones I am most excited about:

Riya and Abby are:

Best friends.

Complete opposites.

Living on different continents.

Currently mad at each other.

About to travel around Europe. 

Riya moved to Berlin, Germany, with her family for junior year, while Abby stayed behind in their small California town. They thought it would be easy to keep up their friendship, it's only a year and they've been best friends since preschool. But instead, they ended up fighting and not being there for the other. So Riya proposes an epic adventure to fix their friendship. Two weeks, six countries, unimaginable fun. But two small catches:

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the Spring Blogger Evening, organised by Books and the City. I'd attended a couple of their events so I knew it is always a great opportunity to hear about new books, chat with authors and bloggers and of course, eat all the cupcakes, but what made this event so special was the panel of authors. There were 10 authors invited! It was amazing to hear really well-known authors talk about their new books but also discover new talents and their debuts. 

The first thing that caught my attention when I first arrived at the brand new offices of Simon & Schuster were the beautiful cupcakes. Restoration Cakes had designed a cupcake for each book and they really looked like a work or art. 

The event was chaired by editor Jo Dickinson and she had the most interesting questions for our authors. Here's a little information in each of the 10 books presented:

Random Acts of Kindness - Part 3: Crossroads by Victoria Walters 

Victoria Walkers' new book is a serialised enovel and Crossroads (the third installment) is out on April 2nd. This story is all about kindness and during her turn, Victoria shared with us how she felt when she herself experienced a random act of kindness from a stranger. It sounds like a lovely read and I am looking forward to discover more about this story. If you are curious too, you can get Part 1 for free here. 

Our House by Louise Candlish 

I've already read and reviewed this one and it left me completely speechless. What a clever and unique story (you can read my review here). It was a real treat to hear Louise talking about it. She basically wanted to write a story about a new crime, not what you usually find in books, and was inspired by an article about a house theft involving mafias. According to her, if you follow the book step by step, you can steal a house for yourself! Our House is out on April 5th and I highly recommend you get a copy of it. 

The Sunday Lunch Club by Juliet Asthon

Next, it was the turn of Juliet Ashton. I got an early review copy of her latest, The Sunday Lunch Club, and devoured it immediately. It was such a warm and funny story and I'm over the moon that they are quoting me on the final book. Juliet talked about the Piper family, the stars of the story, and their love for bickering. And the short extract she read had everyone laughing. An extraordinary story about ordinary story, The Sunday Lunch Club is out on April 19th.

You Me Everything by Catherine Isaac

Catherine Isaac might look familiar to rom-com fans, as she is also the best-selling author Jane Costello (a firm favorite of mine). Catherine talked about her new story and how the more serious and deep tone of it called for a brand new name. She also stressed that You Me Everything is not a story about an illness but a story about love, all kinds of love. I've read this one already and I can tell you that this is, indeed, a very special story, out April 19th.

Starry Skies at Castle Court by Holly Hepburn 

Starry Skies is Part 4 of Holly Hepburn's latest serialized enovel. I haven't read this one yet, but I loved Holly's previous books so it was great to learn a bit more about Castle Court. Holly talked about the research she did for this story: the main characters open a biscuit shop so she made, iced and ate biscuits herself (what hard work researching is!). Also, while writing this story Holly had in mind Kingly Court, in Carnaby Street, so I decided to go there to discover this location the following day. Following Holly's recommendation, I had some chicken and waffles in Dirty Bones, delicious! Now I cannot wait to discover Castle Court. Part 4 is out on May 1st. 

Five Years From Now by Paige Toon

I love Paige Toon's stories, so for me, hearing her talk about her new one was a highlight of the night. Five Years From Now was inspired by en event in her own life, when something went quite wrong and her dad told her that five years from then she'd look back and understand why that happened, and she did! The story follows a couple and their encounters every five years and it sounds amazing. It's out on May 17th. 

Sunshine and Sweet Peas in Nightingale Square by Heidi Swain

During her turn, Heidi talked about her inspiring story. She had always wanted to write but had never really gone for it. But when she finally decided to do so, she entered the one day submission Digital Original scheme organized by Books and the City. And 3 years later, here she is about to publish her 6th book! Sunshine and Sweet Peas in Nightingale Square sounds like a delightful story and it is out on May 31st.

Best Practice by Penny Parkes

Best Practice is the third book the Larkford series. I've loved the previous two books set in this lovely village, with the practice in its centre, and I am really looking forward to catching up with these characters and meeting the new ones. So I had so much fun listening to Penny talk about them! She sometimes forgets that they are not real and was shocked to discover that Elsie's house was being sold. Best Practice is out now in Hardback and will be released in paperback on June 28th. 

The Temptation of Gracie by Santa Montefiore 

I haven't read any books by Santa Montefiore yet, but I have heard great things about her stories. The Temptation of Gracie is her first novel after her latest series and it's set in beautiful Tuscany. Hearing her talk about the castle and the stunning area, I could already picture it in my head, so I cannot wait to be transported there! The Temptations of Gracie is out this summer on July 12th.

The Truths and Triumphs of Grace Atherton by Anstey Harris

And last but not least, it was Anstey Harris' turn. Hers was the only name I didn't recognize when I got the invite, so I was curious to find out more about her and her novel. She was actually not allowed to share a lot about her debut but what she shared had me really excited. Her story has music at its core, so imagine her surprise when she first sat to write and through her window she saw her neighbor playing the cello! The Truths and Triumphs of Grace Atherton isn't out until January next year, but I would definitely recommend pre-ordering it! 

What a panel, right? I am looking forward to discover this amazing stories!

Afterwards, we still had time to keep eating some more cupcakes, chat with the authors and get our booklets signed. All in all, it was a lovely bookish evening and as usual, I was left wishing I lived in London to be able to attend more events like this. But, thanks to SJV, I flew back home with a suitcase full of goodies. Thanks so much to Books and the City for yet another amazing event.

This year, for my Christmas feature, I've invited several authors and book bloggers for a fun Christmas Interview. My first guest is fantastic author Heidi Swain:

Hi Heidi and welcome to Alba in Bookland. First of all, can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Hello Alba! Thank you so much for inviting me along to chat about all things festive and bookish! My name is Heidi Swain and I am an author of ‘feel good fiction’ signed to Simon and Schuster. I live in the lovely county of Norfolk and I’m a huge fan of the festive season.

Your latest book, Sleigh Rides and Silver Bells at the Christmas Fair, is about a girl who is not a big fan of Christmas herself. Tell us a bit more about her and what sparked this idea.

Being such a massive fan of Christmas and having been a part of some beautiful country house celebrations myself, my author brain began to wonder what it would feel like to be excluded from the planning and partying, the present buying and the tree trimming and then, in walked Anna.

Readers of the book will know that Anna has a tragedy in her past which has blighted her ability to want to join in with anything to do with the festive season and I decided I was going to help her. Sending her to Wynthorpe Hall and the welcoming embrace of the eccentric family who live there was my way of, hopefully, giving her the sort of Christmas I love and want everyone to be a part of.

Sleigh Rides and Silver Bells at the Christmas Fair is a Top Ten Sunday Times Bestseller, how did you feel when you found out about this?

Ecstatic, amazed and overwhelmed pretty much sums it up. The week before it made the Top Ten it had reached number 13 but I didn’t allow myself to hope that it would get any higher. The Sunday Times Bestseller list was one of my Top Goals so the thought of reaching it so soon felt impossible really.

I was in Norwich, having coffee with a friend when my phone started going bonkers – emails, messages, texts and missed calls all flooded in and I told myself I wouldn’t look at any of them until I got home. The temptation was too much however, and I was sitting in the gathering darkness in my little Fiat in the park and ride car park when I plucked up the courage to call my lovely editor, Emma. 

She was absolutely over the moon – Sleigh Rides hadn’t only managed to reach the Top Ten, it was number 5! It was the best moment of my career so far!

Now that Christmas is fast approaching, let's talk Christmas presents. Which book is on top of your wish list this year? 

That’s an impossible question to answer, however with so many fabulous festive titles being published this year I wouldn’t mind retreating to a cosy, little cottage in the middle of a wintery landscape to read them all.

But, if you really are going to push me on this, I would definitely be happy to see some new Trisha Ashley books in my stocking and there’s a stunning hardback edition of A Christmas Carol which is part of the Penguin Clothbound Classic series that I wouldn’t mind getting my hands on. I read it every year without fail and this edition is simply divine!

Do you ever make your own gifts for your loved ones? 

Not anymore, I’m afraid. I used to when the kids were younger, but with so many extra things going on now I’ve got out of the habit. I always try to include some locally made crafts and gifts in with my buying but it has been a while since I made anything myself. I sew little projects and bake, make chutney and so on throughout the year, perhaps I should start planning to make a few things well in advance of the big day so I have something truly unique to wrap up? Ask me again next year and I’ll endeavour to have a different answer.

What's your favorite Christmas comfort food?

Another tough question! The list could be long and varied, butI do love it when the stilton and crackers come out. Throw in a nice juicy apple and a glass of port to go with it and I’m one very happy author.

And finally, if you could spend Christmas anywhere in the world, where would you like to go?

I’m a real home bird so my own home suits me fine for Christmas day, but a festive trip to New York in the run up, followed by a grand country house hotel to see in the New Year, would be right up my street. No dishes, no laundry, no stress… wonderful.

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and a relaxing New Year!

July is here! How did this even happen? Oh well, this means that with the new month, new books are coming our way! I have the impression that this month doesn't have that many new releases (probably everyone is on holiday) but there are a few that have me really excited:

The Summer of Serendipity by Ali McNamara - July 13th

You'll find a warm welcome in the latest novel from Ali McNamara, bestselling author of The Little Flower Shop by the Sea and From Notting Hill with Love, Actually

One summer, property seeker, Serendipity Parker finds herself on the beautiful west coast of Ireland, hunting for a home for a wealthy Irish client. But when she finds the perfect house in the small town of Ballykiltara, there's a problem; nobody seems to know who owns it.

'The Welcome House' is a local legend. Its front door is always open for those in need of shelter, and there's always a plentiful supply of food in the cupboards for the hungry or poor. 

While Ren desperately tries to find the owner to see if she can negotiate a sale, she begins to delve deeper into the history and legends that surround the old house and the town. But for a woman who has always been focussed on her work, she's remarkably distracted by Finn, the attractive manager of the local hotel.

But will she ever discover the real truth behind the mysterious 'Welcome House'? Or will the house cast its magical spell over Ren and help her to find true happiness?

Why so excited: well, her Actually series is still one of my favorite series ever, so whenever Ali McNamara releases a new book, I'm always really curious. It sounds like a lovely story.

Order it now!

Coming Home to Cuckoo's Cottage by Heidi Swain - July 13th

From the bestelling author of Mince Pies and Mistletoe at the Christmas Market and The Cherry Tree Café comes a glorious summer treat of glamping, vintage tearooms and love ...

When Lottie Foster’s grandmother’s best friend Gwen dies, she leaves Lottie her lovely home, Cuckoo Cottage.

Lottie loves the cottage but Matt, a charming local builder, points out that beneath its charm it is falling apart. Luckily he is always on hand to help with the problems that somehow seem to keep cropping up. But is he just a bit too good to be true? Certainly Will, Lottie’s closest neighbour, seems to think so.

Lottie plans to set up her own business renovating vintage caravans. She hasn’t told anyone about the project she has cooked up with Jemma from The Cherry Tree Café to repurpose Gwen’s old caravan and turn it into a gorgeous tearoom.

But before she can finally enjoy living with her legacy she must uncover who she can trust, and who to avoid. And with two men vying for her attention, will she also find love?

Why so excited: although I didn't read Heidi Swain's festive book last year, I did enjoy a lot her previous summer reads so I'm really looking forward to discovering Cuckoo Cottage and its lovely characters. 

Order it now!

Together by Julie Cohen - July 13th

Is this a great love story?

Or a story about great love?

You decide.

On a morning that seems just like any other, Robbie wakes in his bed, his wife Emily asleep beside him, as always. He rises and dresses, makes his coffee, feeds his dogs, just as he usually would. But then he leaves Emily a letter and does something that will break her heart. As the years go back all the way to 1962, Robbie's actions become clearer as we discover the story of a couple with a terrible secret - one they will do absolutely anything to protect.

Why so excited: Julie Cohen's stories are always really special and she always surprises me with unexpected twists and fascinating characters and this new book looks and sounds very promising.

Order it now!

A powerfully told story of the love between two brothers in the aftermath of a family tragedy

Griff and Dylan are driving into Manhattan with their parents when the worst happens. There is a terrible car accident and Dylan and Griff¹s parents are killed.

The boys are suddenly orphans with nowhere to go, until a kind aunt and uncle give them a new home in Wales. Now Dylan and Griff have everything they need ­ love, a happy home and a future. But Dylan is worried about Griff: whether he is OK, whether he is coping with his grief. He doesn¹t seem to want to speak about it or really acknowledge the loss of their parents.

But Dylan needs to be even braver than Griff, because there is something very important he needs to face up to before he can move on.

The heartbreaking new novel from award-winning author Hayley Long.

Why so excited: Quite surprisingly I have never read a book by Hayley Long, but given that this year I am enjoying YA immensely and that I have only heard great about this author, I have decided to read this one. Plus, how beautiful is the cover?

Chasing the Sun by Katy Colins - July 27th

Georgia Green is on the conveyor belt to happiness.

Live-in boyfriend, perfect career and great friends, it seems like Georgia is only a Tiffany box away from her happily ever after. But when she arrives in Australia for her best friend’s wedding and is faced with the bridezilla from hell, she starts to realise that she might not want the cookie-cutter ending she thought.

What was meant to be a trip full of sunny days at the beach and wedding planning over cocktails, has turned into another problem for her to fix – just like the ones she’d left behind. With hardly any time for her boyfriend, let alone herself, it feels like there is just too much to juggle. It might be time for Georgia to step off the conveyor belt to find the balance in life and see if she really can have it all…

Why so excited: remember Georgia Green? We followed her to Thailand, India and Chile in The Lonely Hearts Travel Club series and now she is taking us to Australia. Georgia is a character that I love and Katy Colins' fun and fresh style make this the perfect summer read. Who's coming to Australia with us?

Order it now!