NEW RELEASE
Miracle on Regent Street - Ali Harris (2011)
Evie Taylor has always been invisible. Whether it be at home or at work, Evie could be found behind the scenes, quietly and unassumingly doing what was asked of her. However, when her beloved department store, Hardy's, is threatened with closure, Evie has to step up and take action. So begins the mission to makeover the outdated store with vintage treasures and glittering baubles from a Christmas past. Her work pays off as people begin raving about the new look but Evie doesn't come forward to take the credit, preferring to keep herself invisible all while pretending to be someone else in order to date a hot American named Joel. When push comes to shove, however, Evie must step up to the plate and let it be known that she is a wonderful, creative and deserving person. Filled with Christmas magic and vintage treasures, this is a story that will warm your heart and soul. It's guaranteed to get even the biggest Scrooge into the Christmas spirit while delivering a sweet and romantic story to captivate readers. (AS)
Miracle on Regent Street is the debut novel by magazine journalist Ali Harris. The summary says: "Evie Taylor, a girl with a big heart, gets lost in the big city. For the past two years, Evie has lived an invisible life in London. Her neighbours think she's just moved in, her sister mistakes her for a live-in nanny, and even Evie's manager at work can't remember her name. But all that is about to change ... this Christmas has brought a flurry of snow and unimaginable possibilities into town. Evie works in the stockroom of an old-fashioned, family-run, London fashion department store. Hardy's is a beautiful, wood-panelled jewellery box of a building, but it's in dire need of a makeover. One day Evie overhears that if the entire store's takings don't turn round by December 26 - three weeks time - the family who own it will be forced to sell to one of the big chains. Hardy's is in need of a Christmas miracle. Determined to save her beloved store, Evie hatches a plan to secretly transform it into a magical place to shop again. But has the time come for her to be noticed too? When an accidental romantic encounter with handsome, enigmatic Joel gives her the chance of a whole new identity, she takes it." Miracle on Regent Street is out in November. You can read the first chapter at the publisher's website.