Paperback: 288pp
Published: Lightning Books (November 2020)
ISBN: 9781785632204
Christmas in Cockleberry Bay
Nicola May
£9.99
From the author of the BESTSELLING Cockleberry Bay trilogy
Meet old and new characters in the Bay for Christmas fun and frolics.
With both the Corner Shop and Cockleberry Café in safe hands, Rosa turns her attention to Ned’s Gift, the charity set up in memory of the great-grandfather who turned her life around.
Over at the Ship Hotel, Lucas has his work cut out with his devious new girlfriend and the mystery poisoning of an anonymous hotel inspector. Will the hotel still get its 3-star Seaside Rosette?
Will Mary find true love at last? Can Titch cope with the demands of the shop and being heavily pregnant. And can Rosa, with a baby of her own, pull off the Cockleberry Bay Charity Christmas Concert in time?
Christmas in Cockleberry Bay is a festive delight for fans of Rosa and her cheeky mini dachshund Hot, delivering a feast of unpredictable events and surprises.
Extracts
‘Christmas crackers? It’s only October.’ Titch carried on topping up the Corner Shop till with change.
‘Now that I’m a grandmother – even though it makes me feel old, just saying that – I want to get organised early this year.’
‘Well, you’re lucky, Mary, because I have actually just ordered in quite a few boxes. They should be here in the next couple of weeks. I’m also going to set up a Christmas Corner, just like Rosa used to. I’ve lots of little trinkets coming and special flashing Santa lights for the window. I do love it when it starts to get festive down in the Bay.’
Extracts
‘Christmas crackers? It’s only October.’ Titch carried on topping up the Corner Shop till with change.
‘Now that I’m a grandmother – even though it makes me feel old, just saying that – I want to get organised early this year.’
‘Well, you’re lucky, Mary, because I have actually just ordered in quite a few boxes. They should be here in the next couple of weeks. I’m also going to set up a Christmas Corner, just like Rosa used to. I’ve lots of little trinkets coming and special flashing Santa lights for the window. I do love it when it starts to get festive down in the Bay.’
‘Ooh, me too. Well, save me a box of crackers, love. I want good ones, mind. Decent presents that don’t just get thrown in the bin.’
‘“This is the lovely gift I got from my cracker present last year” – said nobody, ever,’ Titch laughed.
‘Hmm, you’ve got a point there.’ Mary took a puff on her inhaler, waited a few seconds then put it back in her coat pocket. She blew out a long whistling breath before saying, ‘I can’t believe you’ve been in here a year now, duck.’
‘I know – mad, isn’t it?’
‘And you’re nearly cooked with another little one too. Just goes to show – life turns on a sixpence. You never know what’s around the corner.’
Titch rubbed her heavily pregnant belly. ‘In this case the Corner Shop. Did you want anything else while you’re here?’
‘Ah. Yes, I do. Some of those special savoury dog biscuits for Hot Dog please, for when my girl visits. And that reminds me, here’s some cookies for the biscuit tin.’ Mary reached into her bag and handed Titch a plastic container full of scrumptious home-made treats. ‘You don’t want to be getting a sugar lull in your condition, now, do you?’
‘Aw, that’s kind. I’m actually seeing Rosa later; I’ll take some with me.’
‘Perfect. Send her my love.’
‘I will, and have a good day, Mary.’
The older woman went to leave, then turned around to caution Titch. ‘Christmas may be a-coming and I know you’ll be busy, but don’t you be overdoing it with a baby on board, Titch love.’
quotes
‘A sunny, funny, lovely story guaranteed to warm the cockles of your heart’
Milly Johnson
‘Don't dare forget the name of Nicola May’
Anne Diamond
‘I’d be delighted to have Cockleberry Bay on my bookshelf’
Philip Jones, editor of The Bookseller, on Radio 4’s You & Yours
reviews
‘Rosa, Titch, Hot and co are all back in this fabulous new story, written with Nicola May’s typical flair and grit’
‘It’s easy to see why this series is so popular, especially in such an uncertain world. It’s the perfect escapist read, definitely a festive book worth reading’
‘It’s so good to return to the brilliant Cockleberry Bay community to catch up on what all the characters have been up to. There’s a great mix of family drama, friendship, romance, mystery and dastardly deeds’
‘I bloody love this series. I couldn’t resist this beauty and I sure as hell wasn’t disappointed’
‘A book of heart-warming family moments, fun, laughter and plenty of Christmas cheer. An absolute delight’
‘This is a fabulous series and I adored this festive instalment. A wonderful heartwarming read that has some drama, lots of friendships, dogs, babies and all mixed in with a wonderful storyline’
‘The plot is crisp, sharp and well paced. I loved being back in Cockleberry Bay. I would definitely recommend this as a Christmas read’
‘The first standout in this book is the humour. Nicola May knows how to make you laugh. The second is the feeling of community. I love the way she brings this small seaside town to life. Fabulous read!’
‘Dipping back in to see the latest goings on with the characters we know and love is a wonderful treat. If you’re new to this series, you’ll be buying the previous books once you’ve finished this latest instalment’
‘Like coming home and spending time with good friends’
‘I love this series. It’s a charming and comfortable read in front of the fire with a hot chocolate to give you that warm feeling both inside and out’
‘I don’t think I will ever tire of reading about Rosa and her friends. Nicola May has written another fun, flirty, festive and fabulous instalment. I loved Christmas in Cockleberry Bay’
‘A warm and wonderful story seasoned with love and salt air that makes this very atypical December feel a bit brighter’
‘Nicola May has that magical way in her writing that pulls you in and makes you feel like you’re a part of the community. It’s so good to be back in Cockleberry Bay’
‘If you enjoy festive movies with dustings of romance, humour and dachshunds, this is the Christmas novel for you. It leaves you warmed right through like a hot chocolate with marshmallows on a December day’
‘A heartwarming, uplifting, fun, compelling and witty read that will leave you smiling, warm inside and never wanting it to end’
‘I am loving the Cockleberry series and this has been the perfect Christmas read. Wonderful and light-hearted’
‘If you’re looking for a Christmas story with a little mystery, a slight grittiness and sass, and a lot of Christmas spirit, look no further’
extras
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