NEW RELEASE
Mistletoe Mansion - Samantha Tonge (2014)
Kimmy has big dreams of running her own cake baking business. However, her boyfriend Adam thinks it's unrealistic, and urges her to get a proper job. Their disagreement leads to their separation, and Kimmy finds herself suddenly homeless. Along with best friend Jess, they take on a house-sitting job at the magnificent Mistletoe Mansion. Despite having no experience whatsoever, they are confident they can do the job well. But at Mistletoe Mansion they encounter much more than they bargained for! Tonge has a real talent for creating main characters who are charismatic and funny, and Kimmy is no different. She is very likeable, and I became invested in her story from very early on. There was a great supporting cast of characters, neighbours Melissa and Terry being my favourites. The paranormal element to the novel, while not usually my thing, was written in such a way that it was just one aspect of the plot, so I enjoyed it despite not being a believer in these things. Again a very enjoyable book by this author. (LO)
Mistletoe Mansion, by Samantha Tonge, features a wannabe celebrity, a supposedly haunted mansion and a hunky handyman. The summary says: "Kimmy Jones has three loves: cupcakes, gossip magazines and dreaming of getting fit just by owning celeb workouts. When Kimmy's Sensible Boyfriend told her he didn't approve of her longing for the high life or her dream of starting a cupcake company Kimmy thought she could compromise - after all, she did return those five-inch Paris Hilton heels! But asking her to trade in cake-making for a job sorting potatoes is a step too far. So, newly single - and newly homeless - Kimmy needs a dusting of Christmas luck. And, masquerading as a professional house sitter, her new temporary home is the stunning Mistletoe Mansion. Soon she's best buds with glamorous next door golf WAG Melissa, and orders are pouring in for her fabulous Merry Berry cupcakes! The only thorn in her side is handsome handyman Luke, a distraction she definitely doesn't need. And talking of distractions, something very odd is going on at night... Kimmy is finally living the life she's always wanted. But will her glimpse into the glittering lifestyle of the rich and famous be as glamorous as she's always imagined...?" Mistletoe Mansion is out in November.