Ruby Oldbridge needs to learn to take her own advice. A brilliant counsellor at work in York, she is however floundering in her own life. Her romantic track record is woeful, her finances are in a pickle, and she's back in a house-share after splitting up with her useless ex.But one thing Ruby is brilliant at, is helping other people find a way through their problems, and she excels at the job she loves, doing just that. Happy-go-lucky, Mr Positivity, Zac Drewe also loves his job – the trouble is, it's the same as Ruby's, and the management have decided to 'rationalise' their department. There's only room for one of them.As the snow and winter close in on York, Ruby and Zac have everything to lose, and Ruby starts to wonder if the happy face Zac shows the world, might be disguising a sadder secret. Set against one another, they are unlikely friends. But perhaps, if they could take the time to understand each other, they might...

'Beautifully written and both heartbreaking and heartwarming' Jessica RedlandIsabel, Izzy to her friends, has got nothing left to lose when she makes the bravest decision of her life. A month living under canvas on the Yorkshire Moors with five strangers wouldn't normally be her idea of a good time, even if there is prize money to be won at the end of it, but she's all out of options.Joining her in this wild goose chase, being filmed for a TV show, are farmer Seb, whose marriage is creaking but who is desperate not to lose his family. Sheltered Ruth who needs an opportunity to show she can make her own decisions. Glamorous socialite Kanga, who has been living a lie. American Junior who has his own secret that has led him there. And last but not least, mysterious and brooding Mac, who Izzy can't help but be drawn to.As the fickleness of nature tests them all to their limits, this disparate group come together to face the challenge. But when...

Do you want to write Romantic Comedy, but struggle with the comedy element of it? Are you stumped by how inject more humour into your novel? Do you want to know how story structure is just like telling a joke? Do you want to learn these things whilst being lightly entertained and given a giggle or two?Then you've come to the right place.Award winning authors Jane Lovering and Rhoda Baxter have over twenty books between them (where they make a great defensive wall) and extensive experience of cramming laughter into literature. They will show you how to put comedy into your romances, and make you laugh while they do so.This book will teach you:The different types of comedyThe anatomy of a jokeHow to make things funnierDifferent uses for comedy in a novelA simple trick to translate timing onto the pageEmphasis explained via an incontinent dog If you're looking for an easy, accessible How-To guide to writing romantic comedy* then this is the book for you.*Contains confectionery. Bring tea.

Heartwarming, escapist, page-turning and just the tonic for a dreary day.Rowan Thorpe can be forgiven for living with one foot in the past.Since having to say goodbye far too young to the future she had planned, moving on still feels a daunting task. So, when historian Connor O'Keefe strides purposefully into her office and life, looking far too handsome for his own good and threatening to undermine the local legends she holds close to her heart, she is more than a little unsettled.Connor has a past too, and his own reasons to keep his heart under wraps. But when a combination of fate and an unexpected snowstorm mean that Rowan and Connor have all the time in the world to swap stories, it may finally be time for an end and a new beginning.Perfect for fans of Jessica Redland, Beth Moran and Jo Barlett.What readers are saying about Jane Lovering:'Full of interesting characters with Lovering's...

A wish to turn back time comes true for two archaeologists in the Yorkshire moors in this time-slip romance by the award-winning author of Hubble Bubble. The loss of the love her life is just one reason that history teacher Grace Nicholls would love to turn back the clock. It's just that an archaeological dig at a Bronze Age settlement isn't what she had in mind. But, encouraged by her best friend Tabitha, that's exactly where she finds herself—in the wind, rain, and sleet of the muddy moors. Professor Duncan McDonald is the site director, and his earnest pursuit of ancient artifacts makes him appear single-minded and unreachable. He has his reasons. But when a woman on the site goes missing, it seems that Duncan's own distant history might be coming back to haunt him. As they dig deeper, Duncan and Grace get more than they bargained for—and come to realize that the past is much closer than either of them ever...

'Beautifully written and both heartbreaking and heartwarming' Jessica RedlandWhen Seren's brother Andrew signs her up to Yorkshire Dating, only for them to recommend that she 'gets a life' before they find her a match, Seren has to admit that they may have a point. She loves her job cooking at an elder day centre and her little flat, but it's fair to say her life is a little short of hobbies and friends. Since she was young Seren has felt safer close to home, but now she's a thirty-something divorcee, it's time for a change. Change arrives in the shape of alarmingly clever collie Kez, who Seren offers to take in 'temporarily', and kind but mysterious new colleague Ned. But as Ned and Kez tempt Seren out of her shell, it means facing her fears. And when Andrew finally reveals the secrets of their childhood, Seren's need for safety suddenly makes sense.A problem shared is a problem halved, and with friends by her side, Seren might be able to get a life that...

Welcome to the idyllic country retreat of Christmas Steepleton, and let Jane Lovering whisk you away with the most heart-warming, romantic and comforting read of the year.Leaving London and her ex-husband Luc behind, Katie and her 14-year-old daughter Poppy move into their very own, very ramshackle cottage near the village of Christmas Steepleton on the Dorset coast. Harvest Cottage has been unloved for many years, so the job of bringing it back to life is a slow and expensive one. So, with funds running low, Katie jumps at the chance when a film company asks to use the cottage as a location. But even as things are looking up, as harvest time passes and autumn chill starts to bite, the prospect of a cold winter in the country is daunting.Some light relief comes from new friend Gabriel, so different from Katie's exuberant but arrogant ex Luc. Will their friendship blossom into something more romantic, or will the reality of a tough country winter send...

Mystery, mayhem, a manor house and a generous serving of romance... When police knock on Alice Donaldson's door at 4am, she knows the news won't be good. There's been an accident involving her ex-husband Grant, and as his existing next of kin, they need her help.Grant is missing up on the North York moors, but the Grant Alice knew could barely be persuaded out on a walk around the block. What on earth possessed him to go on a hike in the middle of the night? Alice soon finds herself working with Grant's girlfriend Jenna and Jenna's gorgeous 'Lord of the family Manor' brother Max, to find out what has happened, and what caused Grant's accident at The Fortune House – the spooky house out on the moors. The locals tell all manner of ghoulish stories about The Fortune House, which Alice is not minded to listen to. But before long, things take a turn for the strange and Max and Alice have a new mystery to solve. While all the while Alice can't help...

When Brid Harcus is sent to the Orkney Islands, in the far reaches of Scotland, she has high hopes for her trip being short, straightforward and lucrative.Her mother has inherited a cottage from her Great Aunt Jennet which has been unlived in and unloved for decades, and the time has come to make it habitable and saleable. Easy, right?But Midness Cottage has other ideas. For one thing it's rather more 'fixer upper' than Country Living, with a resident goose and her goslings who have made themselves at home. And Brid definitely hadn't planned for the strongly-held local belief that the cottage is meant to be the home of the Orkney Witch, and whomever lives in it must fulfil this role. Not the best message for the estate agent brochure and of course Brid doesn't believe in magic, let alone have healing powers.But Orkney does have healing powers. Its beauty and peace are enchanting, its people welcoming, and Brid's handsome new friend Magnus...