Katie Fforde

1963. Alexandra arrives at a chateau in Provence: old, substantial, its four large towers seeming to grow out of the soil. It is, she thinks, reassuring in its permanence and solidity. Less reassuring are the three silent children waiting for her inside, her charges for a month: a boy and two girls badly in need of some love, attention, and an English education. Fresh from London and a recent cookery course, Alexandra has always loved a challenge...

Gina and Sally Makepiece have inherited a stall in the French House, an antiques centre. Gina is determined to drag the French House and its grumpy owner into the 21st century. Matthew Ballinger is not happy with the whirlwind that has arrived on his doorstep. The last thing either of them want is to fall in love. But will a trip to France change their minds?

Your cosiest Christmas yet - this collection will contain six delightfully festive Katie Fforde short stories.

When Cass is asked by her father to take on an unusual photography project in the Caribbean Island of Dominica, she really can't see a reason to say no. But the remote island has just been hit be a severe hurricane, leaving destruction in its wake. Cass is travelling with Ranulph who is searching for the rare stone carvings her father wants her to photograph. Their hunt leads Cass down a path of bravery and self-discovery, and she soon falls for Ranulph,...

Beth, Rachel and Lindy are looking for new beginnings. Beth is planning her sister's wedding via Skype in order to avoid their domineering mother. Rachel has decided to get on with her new life in the country post-divorce, and has just finished decorating her new home. And single-mother Lindy is looking for something creative to do with her time now that her young sons don't need her quite so much. They find themselves living in the same village in...

When enthusiastic amateur Zoe Harper wins a coveted place in a televised cookery competition, she's thrilled. The first task has hardly begun when she finds herself with more than she bargained for. Not only does she have to contend with the fiercely competitive Cher, but she's fast developing a crush on one of the judges.

Lorna is a talented gardener and Philly is a plantswoman. Together they work in the grounds of a beautiful manor house in the Cotswolds. They enjoy their jobs and are surrounded by family and friends. But for them both the door to true love remains resolutely closed. So when Lorna is introduced to Jack at a dinner party and Lucien catches Philly's eye at the local farmers market, it seems that dreams really can come true and happy endings lie just...

Three years ago Bella Castle left her home town nursing a broken heart over Dominic Thane, the man she fell in love with but couldn't have. Now she's made a new life for herself in the country, working as an estate agent. Bella loves her job and she loves her boyfriend Nevil. But recently he's been preoccupied, and she's starting to question if his future hopes and dreams are a perfect match for hers. And when Dominic turns up unexpectedly in search...