When someone says Cornwall, what do you think of? Sandy beaches, hidden coves and ice creams in the summer? As an American, when I think of Cornwall, I think of author Daphne DuMaurier.
Not surprisingly there are a lot of books set in Cornwall, the landscape just cries out for summer stories and historical tales of pirates and Poldark.
Today, we are not thinking about Manderly, instead we are going to visit a charming hotel in Cornwall. And we will be meeting author Laura Briggs. Like many other British authors captivated by Cornwall, Ms. Briggs has created a wistful, dreamy, haunting story.
Struggling American waitress and aspiring novelist Maisie Clark dreams of becoming a full-time writer — even though in real life she’s just lost her chance at an exclusive writer’s mentorship program that would give her novel its big break. Desperate, she decides to take a chance and ask her favourite writer, a celebrated but reclusive English novelist, to help her find a second chance.
When she receives the author’s reply in an envelope with a Cornish postmark, Maisie decides not to take the writer’s half-hearted ‘no’ for an answer. With nothing to lose, she takes off for the author’s last known location, a beautiful hotel on Cornwall’s western coast. But when the hotel mistakes her for the latest applicant for a maid’s position, Maisie finds herself given an opportunity too good to lose … and a chance for a summer adventure far bigger than she ever imagined.
Surrounded by breathtaking Cornwall and working in an elegant hotel, Maisie’s world becomes one of secret identities, quirky friends, and unintentional mishaps — and despite reminders of past relationship disasters, a certain handsome, charming local resident Sidney Daniels has her conflicted about her heart’s desires, too.
Will Maisie find the chance she’s been waiting for — and a possible new romance — in her perfect Cornish summer?
Purchase Link: http://smarturl.it/alittlehotelbook1
JENA’S REVIEW
A Little Hotel in Cornwall: An utterly feel-good, uplifting romantic read by Laura Briggs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Adorable cover meets quirky and whimsical characters in this “utterly feel-good, uplifting romantic read”. The author has finished her series about an American in Cornwall and now gives us this little cupcake of a book, which promises to be another charming series. At only 117 pages, this is a spring breeze of a read, and readers will find it just as sunny and friendly as the loveliest day in Cornwall.
Perhaps you can relate to the main character, Maisie. Maisie is a struggling American waitress and also a struggling writer. She has done her best at an exclusive writer’s workshop but has come up short. Her current WIP seems to encompass many genres, which may have led to its rejection. There will be no prestigious mentoring program for her, unless she can find a prominent author to review her manuscript.
Perhaps her favorite author would check her writing? She discovers he is a reclusive fellow, who may be staying at an iconic hotel in Cornwall. Deciding to seize the day, she troupes off to Cornwall. Through a series of comical misunderstandings, she is hired as a maid at the hotel.
Written in a dreamy, almost allegorical style, Maisie will enchant you as she searches for the key to her dreams. She makes several new engaging friends along the way, including a fellow-sojourner on the path to dreams, Sidney.
Most of the time, this book delights with charming and heart-warming scenes that will make you smile. Occasionally, the plot drifts away, and we have to wait until Maisie picks up the thread again. Maisie is a sweet girl, who I wanted to hug and protect. But the one thing that confused me about her, was that she did not seem American, especially in her speech which used many British versions of words.
All in all, a delightful book, with beautiful descriptions of Cornwall, which promises to be a good series. Fellow writers- you will relate to poor Maisie’s travails. Thanks to the publisher and Rachel’s Random Resources for a review copy. This is my honest review.
Author Bio –
Laura Briggs is the author of several chick lit and romance stories, including the Top 100 Amazon UK seller ‘A Wedding in Cornwall’. She has a fondness for vintage style dresses (especially ones with polka dots), and reads everything from Jane Austen to modern day mysteries. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with family, caring for her pets, going to movies and plays, and trying new restaurants.
Social Media Links –
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaperDollWrites
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/authorlaurabriggs/
I am a writer, blogger, book reviewer, and bon vivant and encourager. I have lived my entire life in Tropical Ohio. My goal is to make friends with everyone in the world. I wrote a fiction series, The Golden Age of Charli, that presents the problems and praises, and the love and laughter of family life and retirement. My passions are blogging, reading and reviewing, and writing. My life is a WIP.