The Seafront Tea Rooms

The Seafront Tea Rooms is a peaceful hideaway, away from the bustle of the seaside, and in this quiet place a group of women find exactly what they've been searching for. Charismatic journalist Charlotte is on a mission to scope out Britain's best tea rooms. She knows she's found something special in the Seafront Tea Rooms but is it a secret she should share? Kathryn, a single mother whose only sanctuary is the 'Seafront', convinces Charlie to keep the place out of her article by agreeing to join her on her search. Together with another regular, Seraphine, a culture-shocked French au pair with a passion for pastry-making, they travel around the country discovering quaint hideaways and hidden gems. But what none of them expect is for their journey to surprise them with discoveries of a different kind . . . Full of romance, tea and cake, The Seafront Tea Rooms is a heart-warming tale about the strength found in true friendship.

From the author of The Vintage Teacup Club The first rule of afternoon tea: never rush. Take time to savor it. Just like friendship… The Seafront Tearoom is an insider secret in small-town Scarborough – a beach-front haven with the best tea and cakes in town – and journalist Charlie Harrison would love to put it on the map with a feature in her magazine. But single mom Kat Murray doesn’t want to see her favorite sanctuary overrun by tourists, and begs Charlie to seek out other options. She offers her help, as a “tea obsessive,” and so does French au pair Séraphine Moreau, whose upbringing makes her a connoisseur of everything sweet and indulgent. Together the three women will scour the countryside for quaint hideaways and hidden gems, sharing along the way their secrets, disappointments, and dreams – and discovering that friendship, like tea, takes time to steep. But learning too that once you open your heart, the possibilities are endless. Reading Guide Included

*A DIGITAL-EXCLUSIVE SHORT STORY* 24-year-old Cally is a receptionist at the South Cliff, a beautiful hotel overlooking the South Bay. She once dreamed of becoming a midwife, but with funds in short supply and her father ill, Cally has abandoned her studies and is rapidly losing her sparkle. Then she meets Liliana, a chambermaid, and the two women strike up an easy friendship. Liliana's stories of the hotel guests provide the light relief Cally desperately needs and soon they're meeting every evening on the balcony of room 14 to feast on eclairs and discuss the latest comings and goings. When Cally catches the eye of charismatic chef Anton, they have even more to talk about on those summer evenings - but then Liliana learns something that could shatter Cally's new-found joy . . . Summer Evenings at the Seafront Hotel is a delightful story from Vanessa Greene, whose sincere and warm-hearted storytelling has won the hearts of many readers. A tale of friendship and summer romance, this short story will leave you with a smile on your face and a desire to phone your best friend immediately! Contains an exclusive extract from Vanessa's new full-length novel The Seafront Tea Rooms.

When Rosa and Bee get together in the run-up to Bee's wedding, they reminisce about the holiday they took together as teenagers to the beautiful Greek island of Paros. They remember the sandy coves, the guest house in the converted windmill where they stayed with their friend Iona, and the gorgeous local men. As memories of that long-forgotten holiday resurface, they are forced to confront the turns their lives have taken - and the guilt they both feel about letting Iona slip away from them. When they learn that the windmill guest house is going bust they form a plan: why not go back to the island and take it over themselves? And so begins a life-changing journey - because it turns out that opening a guest house and reliving their teenage dreams isn't that easy . . . Full of romance and friendship, love and life, laughter and tears, The Beachside Guest House is an uplifting novel about the magic of starting over with friends by your side.

Drawing on the archives of Mary Evans Picture Library, Images of the Past The British Seaside is a nostalgic promenade through the history of Britains seaside resorts from their early genesis as health destinations to their glorious, mid-20th century heyday, subsequent decline and recent regeneration.British coastal resorts developed during a period of vast expansion and social change. Within a century, the bathing phenomenon changed from a cautiously modest immersion in the sea to a pastime that prompted the building of vast art deco temples dedicated to the cult of swimming. Once quiet fishing villages mushroomed into bustling seafronts with every conceivable amusement and facility to entice visitors and secure their loyalty for future visits. Where transport to the coast may have once been via coach and horses or boat, soon thousands of working class day-trippers flooded seaside towns, arriving by the rail network that had so quickly transformed the British landscape. This fascinating book follows these shifts and changes from bathing machines to Butlins holiday camps, told through a compelling mix of photographs, cartoons, illustrations and ephemera with many images previously unpublished.Covering every aspect of the seaside experience whether swimming and sunbathing or sand castles and slot machines The British Seaside reveals the seasides traditions, rich heritage and unique character in all its sandy, sunny, fun-packed glory.

The Rough Guide to Morocco is the ultimate travel guide to this African Kingdom with clear maps and detailed coverage of all the best Moroccan attractions. From the labyrinthine streets of Fes to troupes of barbary apes, striking mosques and vibrant arts and crafts, discover Morocco's highlights inspired by dozens of colour photos. Find detailed coverage of the must-see sights and practical advice on getting around the country whilst relying on up-to-date descriptions of the best bars, clubs, shops and restaurants for all budgets, as well as the best accomodation from cheap hotels, deluxe hotels, riads, quiet hideaways and mountain lodges. The Rough Guide to Morocco includes three full-colour sections on Moroccan architecture, Crafts and souvenirs and Festivals and music and a crucial language section with basic words, phrases and handy tips for pronunciation. You'll find up-to-date information on excursions around the country, from the Saharan oases to the High Atlas mountains. Explore every corner of Morocco with detailed maps and expert background on everything from Moroccan story telling to Moroccan wildlife. Make the most of your holiday with The Rough Guide to Morocco

'You'll laugh as much as you cry at this poignant tale of female friendship, love and loss' Marie Claire A story of friendship, heartbreak and the day that changed two lives forever from the bestselling author of The Vintage Teacup Club. The perfect read for fans of Lucy Diamond and Lucy Dillon. When life as you know it changes, will it define you, destroy you or make you stronger? Best friends Isla and Sophie made each other a promise a long time ago: to never let life pass them by. Years later, Isla is in love, living abroad and fulfilling her dreams. But for Sophie, things haven't turned out the way she was expecting and she hasn't achieved any of the things she and Isla talked about. And then, in one sudden moment, life irrevocably changes for both women. Isla and Sophie have hard decisions to make but above all else they must face up to the uncertainty that lies ahead. It's only when they realise that this is easier together, two friends standing side by side, that each woman can embrace whatever the future holds for them. Emotional, poignant and uplifting, The Little Pieces of You and Me is a story about old friends, new beginnings and what happens when being strong is your only choice. It will take your breath away.

The Rough Guide to the Philippines is the ultimate companion for exploring this stunning Southeast Asian archipelago. Discover the Philippines highlights in full-colour with information on everything from the sun-kissed islands of the Visayas to the lagoons of Palawan and the tribal villages of the northern Cordilleras. This revised 3rd edition includes detailed listings and essential information on where to stay -regardless of budget-, where to eat the best Filipino food, where to see the most exuberant festivals and the best places to drink, dance, surf, trek kayak and sail. You'll find updated in-depth coverage of major destinations and new details on emerging destinations in Mindanao. The Rough Guide to the Philippines offers an informative background on Filipino history, culture, society, music and politics, and comes with new maps and plans for every area, to make sure you don't miss the unmissable. Make the most of your holiday with The Rough Guide to the Philippines.