Synopsis
A gorgeous Christmas story from the author of best selling novel Little Pink Taxi
A flick of a feather duster and a sprinkle of Christmas magic …
Cassie Bell is used to mess. Her cleaning business, Bluebell Cleaning, is well known in the Cumbrian village of Red Moss. However, now it’s almost Christmas and Cassie has a slightly messier situation to deal with than she’s used to.
She’s been hired to help Stefan Lambert, an injured army helicopter pilot who’s staying at the local Belthorn Manor whilst he recovers. Stefan resents Cassie’s interference and is definitely not looking for Christmas cheer. But Cassie prides herself on sparkling surfaces – so, can she bring some festive sparkle to Stefan’s life too?
Marie Laval
Originally from Lyon in France, Marie now lives in Lancashire with her family. She works full-time as a modern languages teacher, and in her spare times loves writing romance and dreaming about romantic heroes. She writes both historical and contemporary romance, and her historical romance The Lion’s Embrace won the Gold Medal at the Global eBook Awards 2015 (category Historical Romance). She is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and the Society of Authors. Her native France, as well as her passion for history and research, very much influences her writing, and all her novels have what she likes to call ‘a French twist’!
 |
 |
 |
 |
|---|
FREE Audio Story
Listen to a fabulous, heart-warming FREE short story from Marie Laval.
Message on a Pebble by Marie Laval narrated by Gordon Griffin. Click the play button to listen.
Feather dusters at the ready readers
This had me chuckling to myself (on the train I might add) and wasn’t at all what I expected.
Cassie is a little bundle of energy and her mission as a professional cleaner is to spread happiness and joy to all her clients. She loves to spread (and spray) a little bit of magic everywhere she goes.
Although, this proves to be more challenging when she has to return to Belthorn Manor – to a place that haunts her.
She has been asked to clean Belthorn Manor as Stefan Lambert is residing there, taking time out and to try and recover from his injuries whilst on tour with the Army.
He is also carrying around a lot of demons and sadness and just wants to be left alone.
As Cassie tries to find the correct key, the door of the Manor is opened and she is greeted by a rude and grumpy man giving her the shock of her life. Her first thought is – BURGLAR … and so brandishing her weapon (a feather duster) she screams and starts waving it in front of her like a sword.
Turns out the grumpy man is also a bah humbug when it comes to Christmas as well and barely cracks a smile.
Not to be put off, Cassie dusts and hoovers and polishes, cleans and cooks her way into Stefan’s life (aka Mr Grumpy) and they both get into a routine of visits.
There are a lot of strange things happening in the town and Cassie finds herself at the centre of malicious gossip. Her world is turned upside down and spun around – and even worse, Stefan seems to believe the ugly rumours being spread – which hurts her even more.
Cassie is a little gem and I would love her energy and enthusiasm (as well as the affectionate and caring man she unexpectedly finds herself falling for).
I don’t want to give too much away as this is a lovely book with some unexpected surprises and outcomes.
Happy reading
A wonderful story, full of romance, drama, tension, mystery, and a dash of spookiness. Skilfully evoking both past and present, the writing draws you into the characters and their stories, and conjures up their ghosts as an almost sensory experience. Add a bit of Christmas sparkle and it’s a festive treat to be savoured.
This is a modern take on the beauty and the beast story. When Stefan comes to Cassie’s town to recover from an horrific helicopter accident alone he is met by a good fairy in the guise of Cassie. As Christmas approaches she is determined to help Stefan despite the difficulties and problems that keep cropping up. A good romance with a Christmas setting. OK, I could have guessed the end but the route was very winding and made this a good book to curl up with beside the fire, perhaps even with your own Stefan by your side.
I loved this book from start to finish. A bubbly heroine and a wounded hero – can they get past their fears and history to actually find love? Supported by a great cast of characters from local villagers, to a loving family and from some shady guys to a possible ghost! A wonderful story, highly recommend!
This story is a bit of a take on the Beauty and the Beast. Cassie’s cleaning company has been hired to look after a temporary visitor to Belthorn Manor, a place she is reluctant to be in, but she has to fulfill her obligations, despite the reluctance of the visitor! However, Stefan is drawn in against his wishes, throw in a few villains, some historical background and events, a good resolution, and there you have an enjoyable read (for any time of year really). Sit back, put your feet up, and prepare to be entertained.
This festive story has it all! Cassie, an aspiring interior designer, has ended up taking over her mothers cleaning company after being told she wasn’t good enough to do her dream job. Stefan is a recovering ‘war hero’ and the two collide when Cassie is entrusted to ensure the Frenchman is looked after during his recuperative stay.
What you don’t expect with this story is the depth of underlying dark stories that are interwoven to create a captivating story set in a beautiful innocent part of the UK. There is the forever ‘helpful’ Darren and Cassie’s ‘friendly’ boss, Piers…
I have read a couple of the authors books before and she has a clear talent for discussing serious topics without the drama, all wrapped up within a fun, light-hearted story. A must read for the festive season.
Having read and enjoyed two other books by this author I enthusiastically snatched this up as soon as it became available. I wasn’t disappointed, Bluebell’s Christmas Magic is lighthearted and fun.
Cassie Bell has taken over her Mother’s cleaning service and cares for most of the elderly people in her village. Her most recent job at Belthorn Manor is a challenge, acting as housekeeper and generally looking after Stefan Lambert, a French soldier, who’s escaping from the horrors of war and requires utter peace and quiet to recover. He doesn’t want her in the house, her sunny sense of humour and encouraging Stefan to acquire some Christmas spirit, is driving him mad. He can’t persuade her leave as she was employed by the Manor’s owner to look after Stefan and she continues to appear every day always ignoring his bad temper. It takes a near tragedy before Stefan begins to relax and realise Cassie could be his Christmas present and future.
An absorbing and intriguing read, recommended.