Sunday, January 4, 2015

Aloha to Michele Gorman and THE RELUCTANT ELF - Novella Review

23301389

My final holiday review ... meet Britain's Worst Innkeeper:

 Single mother and extremely undomestic goddess, Lottie, has five days to become the ultimate B&B hostess to save her beloved Aunt Kate’s livelihood.

 When Aunt Kate ends up in the hospital, Lottie and her seven-year-old daughter are called to rural Wales to stand in at the B&B. Without the faintest idea how to run a hotel (she can barely run her own life), Lottie must impress the picky hotel reviewer and his dysfunctional family who are coming to stay over Christmas. Without the rating only he can bestow, Aunt Kate will lose her livelihood.

 But will Danny, the local taxi driver who she hires to help her, really be Santa’s little helper, or the Grinch who stole Christmas?


Christmas without elves isn't a Christmas at all. - Anonymous

Lottie is reluctant to step outside of her orderly life where she programs video games by day and cares for Mabel at night. Her predictable routine comes to a screeching halt when her only relative, Aunt Kate, lands in the intestive care after a car accident.   Lottie and Mabel rush to her bedside in remote Wales, only to learn that a hotel reviewer descending upon Aunt Kate's B&B - a reviewer who can make or break the business so precious to Kate.  Lottie breaks out of her shell and takes on the role of the B&B's proprietor, no realizing she would also have to perform last minute restoration. Along the way, she hires an budding artist-turned-taxi driver who is willing to shop, renovate, and cook, too. The end result is a comedy of errors ala I Love Lucy in this holiday novella.   

Recommended read for fans of humor laced women's fiction. 

 I purchased THE RELUCTANT ELF as I am a fan of Michele Gorman.

I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about B&Bs versus hotels - do you perfer cozy quaintness or gorgeous luxary?

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, January 11, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, January 12.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Michele and her books at michelegormanwriter.blogspot.com.

21421861
Posted by at
Labels: , ,

20 comments:

  1. DanielleJanuary 4, 2015 at 11:29 AM

    I've never stayed at a B&B! But I would love to one day.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jo's DaughterJanuary 4, 2015 at 11:35 AM

    Cozy quaintness is my thing :D

    ReplyDelete
  3. catsladyJanuary 4, 2015 at 1:09 PM

    I've never stayed at a B&B but I would love to. We just haven't traveled in quite a while but I would love for that to change!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mary KirklandJanuary 4, 2015 at 1:20 PM

    I've never stayed at a B&B but I do like larger hotels and their rooms.

    ReplyDelete
  5. bn100January 4, 2015 at 2:19 PM

    prefer hotels

    ReplyDelete
  6. JaneJanuary 4, 2015 at 4:43 PM

    I've never had a chance to stay at a B&B, but would love to.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Barbara E.January 4, 2015 at 6:07 PM

    I prefer cozy quaintness over gorgeous luxury, even though I haven't had much chance to experience either one. :D

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousJanuary 4, 2015 at 6:26 PM

    B&B all the way ... rooms are always comfy and breakfast is delicous!

    Dorothy

    ReplyDelete
  9. BubeJanuary 4, 2015 at 8:41 PM

    I prefer cozy quaintness :)
    This book sounds really great :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. LexiJanuary 4, 2015 at 9:52 PM

    A cute review!

    I enjoy B&B stays, my mom, sister and sister-in-law make sure to do a girls weekend once a year and we always pick a new B&B to try. We have so many great memories that are attached to these quaint places to stay.

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousJanuary 5, 2015 at 12:44 AM

    I like both
    Kimh

    ReplyDelete
  12. Mary PrestonJanuary 5, 2015 at 2:09 AM

    I have never stayed at a B&B and the only hotels I have stayed at were not luxurious at all. I could stand great luxury I think.

    ReplyDelete
  13. MaureenJanuary 5, 2015 at 6:15 AM

    They both sound good to me but I think I would pick the luxury.

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousJanuary 5, 2015 at 8:05 AM

    I have stayed in both and like both - the food at b&b's are excellent but the luxury is something to really enjoy.
    Patoct

    ReplyDelete
  15. Helen L.January 5, 2015 at 3:02 PM

    I would prefer the quaintness.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Linda McDonaldJanuary 5, 2015 at 5:50 PM

    I like going to both, though you can't beat the breakfasts and the B & Bs.

    ReplyDelete
  17. DiJanuary 5, 2015 at 9:33 PM

    they both have their good points - B&B's can be very unusual, but I love the pools at hotels.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Diane D - FloridaJanuary 6, 2015 at 9:49 AM

    Whilst I enjoy "quaintness", I'm of the mind that if I'm going on holiday, then I want to stay somewhere where I can be pampered. Therefore, I choose to stay at a luxury hotel.

    ReplyDelete
  19. AnonymousJanuary 7, 2015 at 11:26 AM

    I love them both the simpleness and good eats at the B&B and the fancier places where I can have all the amenities.
    pattyb43

    ReplyDelete
  20. Chelsea B.January 10, 2015 at 4:14 AM

    I have actually never stayed at a B&B! I think it would be fun though.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)