Showing posts with label Bake Off. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bake Off. Show all posts
Cherry Pie Island Blog Tour ~ The Grand Reopening of Dandelion Cafe by Jenny Oliver
Wednesday, 8 April 2015
Title: The Grand Reopening of Dandelion Cafe
Author: Jenny Oliver
Publishers: Carina UK
Available: Kindle
Publication Date : 27th march 2015
A Page of Love Rating: BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Welcome to Jenny Oliver’s brand new Cherry Pie Island series!
There’s nowhere more deliciously welcoming
When Annie White steps back onto Cherry Pie Island, it’s safe to say Dandelion Café has definitely seen better days! Her childhood home on the Thames-side island idyll is exactly the same retreat from the urban bustle of London as she remembers - but Annie’s not convinced that new owner of The Dandelion Cafe is a title she’s thrilled about.
One (shoestring budget) makeover, a few delightful additions to the somewhat retro menu and a lot of cherry pie tastings later, The Dandelion Café is ready for its grand reopening! But however delicious the legendary cherry pie, that’s definitely not enough to make her come home for good. However, the islanders themselves are a different story – but is Annie ready to let the island, and all those that live there, become her recipe for true happiness?
The Grand Reopening of Dandelion Café is Book 1 in The Cherry Pie Island series. Each part of Cherry Pie Island can be read and enjoyed as a standalone story – or as part of the utterly delightful series.
DAWNS THOUGHTS:
I only blogged about this in Book News the other day, and I was around halfway through then. Well, I couldn't leave it there and let the deliciousness hover. I needed to read it and know what happens. So here I am, back here sharing with you just how bloody brilliant it is!
I love Jenny Oliver and didn't think she she'd be able to top The Parisian Christmas Bake Off- I love that back so much - but I should have more faith in Jenny, and Jenny I promise you, I do now! I know that Jenny is uber talented and will continue for a long time to provide us book lovers and fans with delicious, fun, laugh-out-loud and romantic stories to come.
So, Cherry Pie Island... is swoon worthy, and reading the description of the Island make me want to visit there... and the sweet little cafe, Dandelion Cafe (Could the name get any cuter...? Seriously??? I think not!), is truly the perfect setting for this new series. I love how Annie really didn't think she could renovate the cafe on such a small budget, but the locals are like family and they all dig in with the renovations.
I have to say that I found this book to be the perfect blend of; Carole Matthews' Cake Shop in the Garden, mixed with Rebecca Raisin's Gingerbread Cafe, and true Jenny Oliver, Parisian Bake Off - yet with a NEW, DELICIOUS taste to it. So, if you're a fan of any or all of those books... YOU - NEED - TO - READ - THIS!!!
The characters are fun, beleivable and realistic, and the dishy one - Matt - well, I actually highlighted and made a note on my kindle when I read a certain description of him...yum...MEEE!! Oh, you want me to share?! Oh, OK, seeing as it's you, but keep this strictly between You and Me, OK? There is this one point in the book where Matt is wearing... a black shirt (Oh dear goodness... i'm swooning already) and dark low slung jeans like a cowboy.... (OK, that just made my tummy do cartwheels!) I am a sucker for black shirts and pair them with dark jeans and I swear, I'll agree to anything...
Ok, so back with everyone here now, THE GRAND REOPENING OF DANDELION CAFE is heart warming too, as you see Annie almost fight for the approval of her family. She still thinks that no one takes her seriously because of ONE mistake she made when she was 21... we ALL make mistakes at that age ... I still do and that was 5 years ago that I was 21. Anyway, Annie's Dad passed away and she finally inherited this Cafe, after Enid passed on too, and now it all rests on her shoulders to keep it going for the community - and maybe for herself. No pressure?!
I loved Annie's personality, sweet, friendly, terribly caring and just the right dose of fun - Silver sequined leggings - You can thank me when you read it! And, the chemistry between Matt and Annie is so terribly sweet, that I simply cannot wait for part 2 to be released... I have to wait a whole month before I can get my hands on that... or do I? ... Hmmm I really don't know, but what I do know is that I will be reading it the second I can!
So, go... shoo.... get on Amazon and pre-order this delight for your Kindle.... You deserve a treat and so does your beloved Kindle! ....
Before you go, there is just time to share with you that there is a BAKE OFF - yes I did just say BAKE OFF - in honour of Cherry Pie Island. All the details are below!
You're still here?!!! Seriously GO NOW!!! Get your copy pre-ordered! But come back soon? Pretty Please? xx
Love
Title: Summer at the Little Beach Street Bakery
Author: Jenny Colgan
Publishers: Sphere
Publication Date: 26th February 2015
Source: Netgalley - eBook ARC
Buy Via Amazon: Kindle or Paperback
A Page of Love Rating: BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Summer has arrived in the Cornish town of Mount Polbearne and Polly Waterford couldn't be happier. Because Polly is in love: she's in love with the beautiful seaside town she calls home, she's in love with running the bakery on Beach Street, and she's in love with her boyfriend, Huckle.
And yet there's something unsettling about the gentle summer breeze that's floating through town. Selina, recently widowed, hopes that moving to Mount Polbearne will ease her grief, but Polly has a secret that could destroy her friend's fragile recovery. Responsibilities that Huckle thought he'd left behind are back and Polly finds it hard to cope with his increasingly long periods of absence.
Polly sifts flour, kneads dough and bakes bread, but nothing can calm the storm she knows is coming: is Polly about to lose everything she loves?
DAWNS THOUGHTS:
Jenny Colgan has done it again! She has written a book highly, and undoubtedly worthy of being a Bestseller!
I couldn't wait to curl up and read this summer based novel in the midst of winter. It was the perfect companion as I sat dreaming of warmer, brighter days, and a little beach side town complete with bakery seemed like the perfect location to dream.
Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery is a continuation of Polly's story from Little Beach Street Bakery. However I believe that you can read this even if you haven't read the first book because, Jenny, as always ever thoughtful to her audience and readers introduces Polly and quickly catches us up with what has been occurring in Polly's life and the lighthouse and that ever so handsome Huckle.
Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery sounds perfect, and idyllic but with all the twists, turns and tears as Polly navigates her way through the ever so adorable Puffin and has to make some very huge and tear jerking decisions about where he should live, then she has to carry on whilst Huckle flies off to America to help out his brothers partner who is struggling to keep the farm going whilst his brother gallivants around without a care in the world. This may not seem much to contend with, but Polly could be about to lose the bakery, and if she does, what will she do next? Will the people of Mount Polbearne stick by her and help her in her hour of need, or will she always be seen as an outsider? Then there is the personal matter of friendships, Polly is friendly with everyone, and the fishermen regularly stop by for food and advice, but with the town still grieving from the last drama, can Mount Polbearne really cope with another storm heaving their way? Will a falling out between friends mean that some innocent family pay the ultimate price amongst crashing waves and a lighthouse without light? Surely Summer should be bringing happiness, fun and love?
Whilst I loved this book utterly, and would easily re-read this again because the story and characters are so lovable, I have to admit that I shed tears at one distinct point in the book which unearthed my level of sensitivity emotionally.
"Oh my gosh. I actually cried #puffinsanctuary tears. I hope things get better for Polly, Huckle and Neil... love Neil! He's the puffing equivalent to Oleg the meerkat!! "I found myself getting through the book rather rapidly because I couldn't wait to find out what happened next, it is an utterly transfixing novel because you simply struggle to put it down. Polly comes face to face with her fears - plural - and her strength, determination and love shine through without a doubt. I loved Polly, and that cute puffin, Neil (whom I can report has a little children's book out very soon), and was delighted when happy surprises came her way because she truly deserved it.
"omg beautiful book! tears all round, happiness and cheers!!! "
There was so much action in this book that there is no time to get bored with the story line, every single page in the book is action packed, emotionally charging, and mentally stimulating.
I can't wait to find out what happens next in Polly's life and in the Bakery. And, that cute Puffin Neil... I want more of him! He may have led me to shed tears more than once throughout this book, but he will forever stay in my heart.
WATCH OUT FOR:
Polly heard a CRASH downstairs. Was it a monster? NO! Was it a spider alien? NO!
It was a little puffin with a broken wing...
When Polly discovers an injured puffin, she and her mummy look after him in their cottage by the sea.
Slowly, Neil's wing heals and Polly must prepare herself to say goodbye to her new friend. Will she ever see him again?
Perfect for bedtime stories and early readers. From the author of The Little Beach Street Bakery.
Contains recipies, activities and jokes in addition to the story.
Publisher: Carina
RRP: £7.99
A Page of Love Rating:
Book Description:
Welcome to the most celebrated patisserie competition in Paris – ready, steady, bake!
Dawn's Thoughts:
Oh my Christmas was saved!!! I thought that I had found ALL the puddings worth reading this festive season, and I was starting to feel glum and had that "is it really all over?" feeling in the pit of my stomach. But thank goodness for Jenny Oliver and her masterpiece The Parisian Christmas Bake Off!
I devoured this book in less than 24 hours as I literally - COULD. NOT. PUT. IT. DOWN. I just don't know what my hands are going to do now!
The book begins with a scene that is familiar to me - the nativity being rehearsed in the school hall and the teachers hoping they can pull it out of the bag... even if One Direction are going to be making an appearance... But one of the teachers, Rachel, has recently lost her mother and Christmas is going to be a painful time, understandably. The fellow staff rally round and with the help of the adorable children announce to Rachel (Miss Smithson) that she is going to PARIS for Christmas, and she is going to be having baking lessons as part of a competition with the one and only Super-Chef; Henri Salernes.
At first, Rachel is adamant that she is not going... but then the children of her class hold up a banner for her, and who can say no to them? (I know I couldn't... I've been in a similar situation myself, and it's just impossible I tell you!). She doesn't think she can cope with baking again, not without her Mum, and her father is still grieving. Her grandmother (who would love it if she called her Julie and not Gran!) urges her to go, and so, she finds herself catching the Eurostar to Paris.
When Rachel turns up for her first day of the competition training with Henri, it seems that he has a touch of Gordon Ramsay in him when it comes to his temper... but he used to be so famous, with his brother and they collected Michelin stars... until they lost them all and no one really knew why. Still, Rachel knew the basics... her mother had taught her, her mother had had her very own bakery. But somehow, Rachel and Henri don't seem to hit it off, well not in the way she'd like to. He doesn't seem to understand why baking is special for her. Or why it's difficult for her.
There are others in the competition... Abby, Marcel, Ali, Lacey, George, and Tony. Soon they all become friends, but one has to remember... it's a competition and surely friends wouldn't play dirty would they? Or would they? When soufflé's fall, and over whisking occurs, flour gets everywhere, and chocolate éclairs from Henri's patisserie downstairs is the only answer, will Rachel run back to England, or will she stick it out in Paris, and give it one more try... for her Mum?
While she decides, she bumps into the most handsome guy you have ever seen... I should know... he's been in my dreams for YEARS! I thought he was Italian, I've always thought he would be Italian, but it turns out he's French.... Oh, I'm going off track aren't I? Sorry.
Anyway, Rachel bumps into this handsome French guy, dark hair, a 1940s vibe about him, wool coat, smart suit, .... oh damn,.. I'm drooling again! Philippe is his name... Philippe... such a heroic name don't you think, passionate, sensual.... Philippe... I could say his name all day... Damn, I'm channelling Miranda again... can you guess who's been watching more Miranda over the festive season? Miranda would LOVE Philippe.
Well, Philippe, I fell in love with him, and Rachel has a soft spot for him too... he's handsome in a non obvious way. Apparently. Ahem. :) Well, it seems that Philippe is Henri's brother... yes, the brother whom Henri used to be famous for co-owning a restaurant with. But Philippe doesn't cook anymore. He revolutionised the way we cook, but he doesn't cook anymore. Why? Well he does tell Rachel, but you'll have to find out for yourself!
I loved the chemistry between Rachel and Philippe, even if Marcel did play dirty with the females in the baking competition.... but Abby did it for the girls when she got pay back for herself and Rachel. In fact, Abby gave me my favourite quote of the YEAR with;
"C'est tres petit. Tres, tres petit. Oui. Comprende?" she sneered, brandishing her little inch long pickled cucumber.
Oh I laughed and laughed for a good time with that one. Don't you just adore the French language? I know it's reignited a passion for it in me, and I actually really would love to visit Paris in time for Christmas... maybe one day I will and I'll do it with Rachel and Philippe in mind.
Anyway, the competition slowly comes to an end, before you know it, there are two contestants left, and it's the BAKE OFF! One wins, and gets to be Henri's apprentice for a month, and the other... well doesn't get nagged so much! But one thing that does happen, is that Rachel discovers that everyone back home in her village have got together and managed to get her an abandoned shop and are determined for her to open it up as a new bakery... they even get stuck in bringing down ceilings, chandeliers, discovering tile flooring and putting together a Parisian inspired décor that will remind Rachel of her time in Paris. I can promise you it looks amazing and breath-takingly stunning! I've seen it! in my mind... and it is a treat! But when everyone turns up for the grand opening, will the one person Rachel want be there actually be there and if not, will she ever see them again?
I honestly, absolutely LOVED this book, and had to give it an OFFICIAL Page of Love 5 heart rating! I would love to read more about Rachel and Philippe, (obvious reasons right?) and I'd love to lose the weight I gained whilst reading it.... seriously I HAD to devour chocolate éclairs, and cake and gorgeous pastry whilst reading it... it was only right to get into the Parisian Bakery atmosphere... it had to be done, and this book HAS to be read, so scoot... go on, head to the bookstore, amazon, get it in paperback, get it on your kindle.... and go read it... with a delicious treat of course. And don't blame me for the weight you gain!
Oh, is that Pains au Chocolat I see? ......
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