Book Extract: The Gift of Cockleberry Bay by Nicola May

I am very happy to be welcoming Nicola May back to Novel Kicks. She joins me today with the blog tour for her latest novel, The Gift of Cockleberry Bay. 

Here’s a little about the book…

From the author of the #1 BESTSELLING The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay

All of our favourite characters from Cockleberry Bay are back in this final, heart warming story in the series. Including Hot, Rosa Smith’s adorable dachshund and his new-born puppies.

Now successfully running the Cockleberry Café and wishing to start a family herself, Rosa feels the time is right to let her inherited Corner Shop go. However, her benefactor left one important legal proviso: that the shop cannot be sold, only passed on to somebody who really deserves it.

Rosa is torn. How can she make such a huge decision? And will it be the right one? Once the news gets out and goes public, untrustworthy newcomers appear in the Bay . . . their motives uncertain. With the revelation of more secrets from Rosa’s family heritage, a new journey of unpredictable and life-changing events begins to unfold.

The Gift of Cockleberry Bay concludes this phenomenally successful series in typically brisk and bolshy style and will delight the many thousands of Rosa’s fans

Nicola has shared an extract with us today. Enjoy. 

(Language warning.)

*****beginning of extract*****

Extract from The Gift of Cockleberry Bay where we see Rosa and Titch discussing Titch’ upcoming wedding

Titch appeared from the back kitchen with Theo in her arms. ‘Shit! They don’t tell you how much babies do that, either. I’ve put his stinky nappy in the bin, Rose, so the flies don’t get at it.’

Relieved that there were no customers within earshot, Rosa took Theo’s little hand in hers. He gripped it tightly, then smiled gummily at her.

‘He’s a bloody flirt already, too,’ his mother said proudly. ‘Right, I’m off. Did the interview go OK?’

‘Yes, fine, thanks.’

‘Good, good. I sold two flamingo inflatables so you’ll need to put some more out. And it looks like you are getting low on the big bags of the posh dried dog-food.’ Titch started loading stuff into the bottom of the pushchair. ‘Now, what did I want to ask you? There was a reason for me popping in earlier. Oh yeah. Can we have the wedding reception in the café, do you think?’ Before Rosa could answer, Titch added hurriedly, ‘We will pay you and everything, as we realise we will need it exclusively. We were thinking the day after Boxing Day if that’s OK?’

‘What a fantastic idea. We can decorate it beautifully and make it look all lovely and wedding-y, as well as Christmassy. I’ll have to run it by Sara, but I’m sure she’ll be fine about it.’ Rosa picked up Theo’s bottle, which he had just thrown to the floor. ‘And if it suits, well then – that can be my and Josh’s wedding present to you.’

‘That would be amazing. Thanks, Rose. We were just going to do a fish-and-chip supper for everyone. That’s Ritchie’s mum and dad’s present to us, seeing as they own the fish-and-chip shop and all that.’

Rosa bent down to Hot’s basket to gently play with the snoozing hound’s floppy ears. ‘So, my wanderer husband did return?’

‘Yes, he’s just gone upstairs to put some shorts on.’

‘Have you thought about your dress yet?’

‘Yeah. It’ll Just be simple, like me.’ Titch grinned. ‘I actually saw one on eBay that I loved, so I bought it. It’s designer and I could no way afford it normally, so it’s a win-win really. I’m not bothered it’s second-hand – it just needs a clean. I was thinking of a powder blue for you, if that’s OK? I obviously want Theo to be a page boy, so he can wear a blue bow-tie then. Choose whatever you want online, up to one hundred pounds, and we will give you the money.’

‘How exciting! Show me a pic of your dress. And don’t be silly, I can buy my own outfit.’

At that moment, Theo launched his bottle again and started to wail, causing Hot to wake up and dart from his bed in the corner and start barking.

‘Here we go again,’ Titch grumbled. ‘I’d better take him home and feed him properly. Hot – shut it! I’ll send you the link to the dress, Rose. Oh, and I’ve put your post on the stairs.’

‘Don’t forget, you’ll soon be having one of these too,’ Rosa reminded her friend, picking her noisy dachshund up from the floor to quieten him. He immediately began licking her face.

‘Hmm. “Too” and “soon” being the operative words.’ Titch bit her lip. ‘I need to speak to Jacob, as I think I may have been a bit rash in my decision. A ten-month-old, a tiny new puppy and a wedding to plan might be just a wee bit too much all at once.

***** end of extract*****

About Nicola: 

Nicola May lives in the UK, five miles from the Queen’s castle in Windsor, with her black-and-white rescue cat, Stan. Her hobbies include watching films that involve a lot of swooning, crabbing in South Devon and devouring cream teas.

Her bestselling The Corner Shop in Cockleberry, the 1^st book in the Cockleberry Bay series, went to #1 on Amazon and stayed there for an unprecedented 6 weeks.

She classes her novels as ‘chicklit with a kick,’ writing about love, life and friendships in a real, not fluffy kind of way. She likes burgers, mince pies, clocks, birds, bubble baths and facials – but is not so keen on aubergines.

Say hi to Nicola via her website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The Gift of Cockleberry Bay was released by Lightning Books on 1st April. Click to view on Amazon UK and Amazon US. 

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.