About the book...
Curl up with this feel-good short story, full of romance, surprises and a sprinkling of Christmas magic…!
It’s been a busy year for Verity Bloom at the Plumberry School of Comfort Food, but Christmas Eve is finally here. With delicious treats all wrapped up and the ingredients packed away, Verity is looking forward to a relaxing few days with her new boyfriend.
Good food, family and friends – it’s a simple recipe for true comfort and joy, and all Verity’s friends in the village are full of excitement about the holidays too.
But the weather has other plans in store… Relentless rain leads to a power cut that spells disaster for many of Plumberry’s residents. It’s starting to look like this year’s celebrations could be a total washout.
With dreams of a perfect Christmas dashed, will the last of the festive cheer be swept away in the downpour? Or can the cookery school create a Christmas miracle for everyone Verity holds dear?
About the author...
Cathy is the author of the best-selling romantic comedies Ivy Lane, Appleby farm, Conditional Love, Wickham Hall and The Plumberry School Of Comfort Food. She lives in a small Nottinghamshire village with her family and Pearl, the Cockerpoo.
Her recent career as a full-time writer of light-hearted romantic fiction has come as somewhat of a lovely surprise after spending eighteen years running her own marketing agency. However, she has always been an avid reader, hiding her book under the duvet and reading by torchlight.
Cathy loves to hear from her readers. You can get in touch via her Facebook page or on Twitter.
My thoughts...
I received an email asking if I'd like to read Comfort and Joy ahead of it's publication day 13th October. Hell yes, for two reasons - one it's written by Cathy Bramley an author I don't think I'll ever tire of reading and two it's a christmas book. Yes, it's a short story which I find can sometimes leave me feeling short changed - often short stories aren't long enough o give enough details and background but in this case the way has already been paved. The starring cast are from the Plumberry School of Comfort Food.
The story begins on Christmas Eve and ends on Christmas Day - Plumberry is full of new romances, most made through the Cookery School and as we meet each couple on Christmas Eve the excitement is palpable. They are all headed home, loaded down with food for Christmas day ready to enjoy their time away from work, each looking forward to spending their Christmas break with loved ones and family.
It may only be October but Cathy has got me drooling at the mouth wishing it was Christmas Eve already - I love everything about Christmas. The preparation, the food, spending time with friends and family, the decorations and chilling with a glass of something white and fizzy in front of the fire. This book sets the scene perfectly.
Imagine everything good about christmas - friends, family, kindness, love, laughter and generosity. Add a touch of Christmas magic and you have Comfort and Joy - a perfect read that'll get you in the mood counting down the days until it really is Christmas. I loved this book - a bite sized taster to get you in the mood. Cathy Bramley knows how to pack it all in. Just 120 pages that won't fail to touch your heart. What could have been a miserable Christmas for many is transformed when Verity and Tom give up their plans for a quiet first Christmas together in order to open up a haven to the community in the form of The Cookery School.
There is drama aplenty, sadness and serious moments but these are counter balanced by many uplifting, happy moments that had me smiling and laughing out loud. Imagine twenty plus ovens all cooking delicious christmas fare - the smell was divine. You can smell through a kindle can't you? I could literally taste my Christmas dinner whilst reading this book, it's a real drool worthy read. If I didn't love Verity before I definitely do know - if I could pick a new best friend it would be her - her generosity and kindness shines through, putting others before herself - her own happiness sparkling like a shiny star when she is helping others. If I could step into the pages of this book I would - I so want to live in Plumbery, a village that opens its arms to newcomers and when needed closes them tight to look after them - just perfect.
Imagine everything good about christmas - friends, family, kindness, love, laughter and generosity. Add a touch of Christmas magic and you have Comfort and Joy - a perfect read that'll get you in the mood counting down the days until it really is Christmas. I loved this book - a bite sized taster to get you in the mood. Cathy Bramley knows how to pack it all in. Just 120 pages that won't fail to touch your heart. What could have been a miserable Christmas for many is transformed when Verity and Tom give up their plans for a quiet first Christmas together in order to open up a haven to the community in the form of The Cookery School.
There is drama aplenty, sadness and serious moments but these are counter balanced by many uplifting, happy moments that had me smiling and laughing out loud. Imagine twenty plus ovens all cooking delicious christmas fare - the smell was divine. You can smell through a kindle can't you? I could literally taste my Christmas dinner whilst reading this book, it's a real drool worthy read. If I didn't love Verity before I definitely do know - if I could pick a new best friend it would be her - her generosity and kindness shines through, putting others before herself - her own happiness sparkling like a shiny star when she is helping others. If I could step into the pages of this book I would - I so want to live in Plumbery, a village that opens its arms to newcomers and when needed closes them tight to look after them - just perfect.
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