Blog tour ~ extract: Poppy’s Parisian Patisserie by Daisy James

Genre ~ Clean & Wholesome Romance

Series ~ Blossomwood Bay #6

Publication date ~ June 28, 2024

Extract:

‘How was your date last night, Poppy?’

Poppy scrunched up her nose, warmth filling her cheeks as she averted her eyes from Holly’s enquiry that she would have really preferred not to answer. She tucked the sides of her dark mahogany bob behind her ears and tried to arrange her face into a nonchalant expression that she knew was fooling no one.

‘He… he didn’t turn up.’

‘What!?’

‘It’s fine. He called me later… quite a bit later… to explain.’

‘What about Ryan, the guy who took you to the cinema last week?’ asked Rachel.

Poppy cringed. She knew her friends meant well, but over the last few months it felt as though the landscape of her love life had been strewn with embarrassing encounters and humiliating no-shows, and her date with Ryan had been the most excruciating so far.

‘He left to take a call and… well, he didn’t come back. I ended up watching the movie alone.’

‘Oh, Poppy, I’m so sorry.’

‘Thanks. I’m having a hard time not taking it personally.’

‘Forget about him, he’s not worth a moment more of your time,’ said Rachel, reaching out to lace her fingers through Poppy’s and giving them a squeeze before she pushed back her chair. ‘I’ll go and ask Beckie for another pot of tea and a selection of Kath’s delicious cherry scones.’

‘Thanks, Rach.’

Poppy watched Rachel make her way to the Boathouse Bistro’s counter, surprised to see that whilst she had been chatting to her friends in Beckie’s cosy book nook, the place had emptied of customers. Despite the damp, drizzly weather, there was usually at least a few sturdy dog-walkers prepared to brave the elements for a mug of hot chocolate with lashings of whipped cream and one of her signature red velvet muffins.

‘Isn’t Ryan your brother’s friend?’ asked Holly, her eyes filled with sympathy as she fondled the silky ears of her constant companion, a russet-coloured springer spaniel called Ariel, receiving a lick of gratitude for her solicitude.

‘Yes, he is.’

‘Rugby, cricket or tennis?’

‘Rugby. Actually, when I told Jamie what had happened, he said that Ryan’s just been offered a contract to play for Toulouse next season; that’s the call he got when we were at the cinema. I suppose he was just so excited that he forgot he was on a date with me and rushed off to tell everyone the good news.’

‘Perhaps, but it’s still unforgivably rude.’ Holly paused and met Poppy’s eyes. ‘Maybe next time you should organise your own dates.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Date a guy who hasn’t been vetted and introduced to you by one of your brothers, and who isn’t completely obsessed with every sport known to the universe.’

‘But I love sports, and it means there’s always something to talk about when there’s those inevitable awkward silences on first dates.’

‘Opposites attract, too, you know.’

‘I’m not so sure about that,’ said Poppy, fiddling with the handle of her empty cup. ‘Especially after what happened with… Anyway, I want to be with someone who enjoys my company, someone who’s on the same wavelength as me and who takes me out to romantic places, or who likes spending cosy nights in by the fire. Having common interests is one of the things that makes relationships last; look at my mum and dad, and at Jamie and Alicia, and my other three brothers and their wives. And what about you and Oscar – you bonded over your mutual love of dogs – and Rachel and Leo who both love outdoor activities and are planning to run a retreat business together.’

Holly placed her hand on Poppy’s arm, her expression filled with sympathy. ‘I’m sorry about what happened with Drew, I truly am. What he did was unforgiveable, and you’re right; romance means different things to different people. All I’m saying is that it’s not always going to be like those romcom movies you’re obsessed with. There’s not always going to be a “meet cute”, or an unfortunate accident with a cup of coffee.’

‘How can you say that, Holly!?’ Rachel laughed as she deposited a tray of drinks on the table in front of them. She re-secured her high ponytail, causing her lemon-coloured yoga hoodie to ride up and reveal her toned abdomen, then slid back into her seat next to Poppy. ‘Your “meet cute” with Oscar was straight out of a Hallmark movie.’

Holly giggled and Poppy could see the adoration flood into her friend’s bright blue eyes as she reached down to give Ariel one of the homemade doggie treats that Kath and Beckie kept in a Tupperware box behind the bistro’s counter for their canine visitors.

‘That’s true. I think the look of astonishment on his face when he saw me lying on his bed in his Airstream, wrapped in nothing more than a skimpy towel, will stay with me forever.’ Holly turned back to Poppy. ‘I just want you to keep an open mind, that’s all. Love can be found in the most unexpected of places with the unlikeliest of people – people who aren’t pre-selected and pre-approved by one of your adoring brothers.’

Poppy smiled. She knew Holly was right. Her brothers were overprotective of her when it came to dating, but that was what happened when you were part of a close-knit family with four older brothers – and four wonderful sisters-in-law – who were keen to make sure she didn’t make any more heartbreaking mistakes after the devastation her breakup with Drew had caused.

However, it also meant that she’d had a string of dates that had never progressed beyond the third. Every time she met someone, she found herself hoping that this would be the guy, the one who would sweep her off her feet to live happily ever after, like her parents – who were currently celebrating their fortieth wedding anniversary on a Caribbean cruise – had done, like her brothers had done, and like the two friends who were sitting opposite her were hoping to do. Then she remembered the “Drew nightmare” and her positivity evaporated, replaced with a feeling of doubt that living happily ever after could ever be possible.

Before she’d met Drew, she had been confident, optimistic and determined to forge her way in the world, both professionally and romantically, but his deceitfulness had knocked the stuffing out of her, and she had struggled to come to terms with what he’d done, even though none of it was her fault. Her family had taken the view that the best way to deal with the distressing

situation was for her to get straight back on the dating horse, but with guys who were friends of friends, or friends of her brothers, or friends of their wives, or friends of her cousins. She had been happy to go along with that, but so far the plan hadn’t worked very well, and her non-date with Ryan had made her realise that things had to change.

Book blurb:

Escape to chic and glamorous Paris!

When Poppy Phillipson loses her chocolate-making business in the Blossomwood Bay fire, she’s heart-broken; all her hopes and dreams wiped out in the space of an hour. As if that wasn’t enough, her last three dates were a complete disaster – one two-hour lecture on the intricacies of the off-side rule, one no-show, and an embarrassing abandonment mid-date – and she’s having a hard time not to take it personally.

So, when her brother asks her to come to the rescue of his friend Olivier Bourdain, owner of Pâtisserie Madeliene, following a freak skiing accident, she decides it’s the perfect way to escape the Devonshire drizzle and enjoy a petit sojourn from all-thing romance exploring the boutiques and boulevards of elegant Paris.

However, when she meets handsome French chef Fabien Dumont, with his sexy accent and dark brooding eyes, her determination to take a dating hiatus is severely tested. Should she concentrate on improving her skills as a pâtissière, or should she throw caution to the wind and embrace everything the City of Light has to offer… including the possibility of love?

Join Poppy as she heads to the dazzling city of Paris, and enjoy a story filled with delicious French pâtisserie and a soupçon of heart-warming romance.

Purchase Link – https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0CX9N1JLL

Author Bio –

Daisy James loves writing stories with strong heroines and swift-flowing plotlines. She especially likes to create sunshine-filled settings in exotic locations – the Caribbean, Tuscany, Cornwall, Provence – so she can spend her time envisioning her characters enjoying the fabulous scenery and sampling the local food and drink.

When not scribbling away in her peppermint-and-green summerhouse (garden shed), she spends her time sifting flour and sprinkling sugar and edible glitter. She loves gossiping with friends over a glass of something fizzy or indulging in a spot of afternoon tea – china plates and teacups are a must.

Daisy would love to hear from readers via her website – daisyjames.co.uk, or her Facebook page or you can follow her on Twitter @daisyjamesbooks, or on Instagram @daisyjamesstories.

Social Media Links – https://www.facebook.com/daisyjamesbooks/

https://www.instagram.com/daisyjamesstories

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