It’s always a pleasure to welcome Laura Briggs as my guest – and today I’m joining the publication day blog blitz for A Stargazy Night Sky, the seventh book in her series A Little Hotel in Cornwall. Thank you to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me (and for her support).
I’m so sorry I haven’t been able to read and share reviews for every part in this series – it was just a bit too much of a commitment when there are so many others authors that I have yet to discover. But I really enjoyed the first book in this series, also called A Little Hotel in Cornwall – you’ll find my review here. I sadly couldn’t manage to fit in the next two parts – A Spirited Girl on Cornish Shores and Sea Holly and Mistletoe Kisses – but was really delighted to revisit the series with The Cornish Secret of Summer’s Promise (you’ll find my review here). And I’ve had the pleasure of Laura’s company twice more – a guest post as part of the publication day push for Train from Penzance to Paris (you’ll find it here), and another on publication of A Cornish Daisy’s Kiss (here).
So, let’s see what’s happening at the Penmarrow…
Starry autumn nights are bringing a rare celestial event and exciting new guests to the shores of the sleepy hotel Penmarrow.
Maisie is happy to be back among its staff, even with the question of its future ownership still in the air and the fate of her unpublished manuscript soon to be in the hands of London acquisitions editors. More than anything else, she’s happy to finally be in a relationship with Sidney Daniels, the sparks between them no longer denied. She’s excited for the future and things couldn’t be better with regards to romance … except for those lingering little questions about Sidney’s uncertain past, that is.
Meanwhile, the staff at the Penmarrow is tasked with hosting a special celestial conference where stargazers are gathering for a glimpse of the much-anticipated comet. The ever-timid maid Molly is flustered by the return of charming astronomer George and seems to need a little advice on how to rekindle the spark they shared last autumn. Hotel porters Gomez and Riley vie for the attentions of a mysterious female guest, the eccentric ‘Megs’ Buntly pays another visit, and a dramatic revelation about someone on staff will leave Maisie and everyone else reeling from the unexpected news.
Is this the moment for the revelation Maisie has been waiting for since her Cornish journey began?
Brimming with humor, romance, and the kind of surprises its fans have come to expect, the seventh book in the series brings a twist at the end that’s sure to leave readers excited – and anxious – for the conclusion of Maisie’s original gorgeous Cornish adventure.
Let me hand over to Laura…
Thank you so much to Anne for letting me share an excerpt from my new book with her lovely readers. Titled A Stargazy Night Sky, it is the seventh installment in my series about aspiring author Maisie Clark, who finds herself entangled with secrets, romance, and surprises as a maid at the seaside hotel Penmarrow. In the following extract, Maisie is present for a somewhat awkward reunion between her friend Molly, a shy chambermaid, and a rather attractive guest named George.
I cleared away an empty coffee mug at the elbow of a man hunkered seriously over an academic journal filled with complicated-looking maths and a photo of a black hole. At the desk, Brigette was attending to a new guest, who turned away as I was passing by in order to collect his things. That heavy-looking hard case was familiar, as was the man lifting it.
“George?”
He looked up, and the piercing blue of those eyes was unmistakable. “Hello,” he answered, in a friendly way that tipped me off instantly that he didn’t remember me from his last stay.
“I was a maid here when you came before,” I said. “You were testing out a new telescope? Around last Christmas?”
“Right. Yes. I was here then,” he said.
“You must be here for the big astronomy banquet,” I said, to which George blushed slightly.
“For the presentations and lectures, but not the dinner,” he answered. “I’m not celebrity enough to be invited to the table, since I’m just an entry-level member. Mostly I’m here in hopes of a clear night in which to view the comet.” He patted his telescope’s case.
Just then, Molly appeared from the parlor. She saw George standing there, and a deep rose blush immediately filled her cheeks. “George,” she said. The stars in Molly’s eyes were as bright as the ones anticipated by the astronomer’s society.
“Molly.” He smiled in greeting. “How are you?” He set down his bags again. “I was hoping you’d be around when I arrived.”
“I’m … I’m well … I – I was just hoovering the parlor.” Her face was crimson, her voice fluttering. I think it was the crinkles at the corners of George’s eyes that were to blame. “I thought – I mean, I’m glad – that is, I remember you said you’d be here this week.”
“Did you reserve my old room for me?” he asked. “I can’t very well stay without a good view of the night sky, can I?”
“No! Oh – that is – well, that would be Brigette. Who reserved it, I mean. I remember which one – that is, I know which one -” Molly’s words tripped over each other. “I mean … I hope you really enjoy your stay.”
“I’m sure I’ll see you around often,” he said, smiling. “We’ll have to do some more stargazing.”
Molly looked as if words would be completely impossible at this point. “We will,” she managed to answer. “I – I should probably -” She fumbled with her duster, then hurried away, glancing back shyly at George. He stared after her, a look of slight confusion on his face despite his smile.
Isn’t that just lovely? And the final instalment – The Cornish Key to Happiness – will follow on 21st October, and is available to preorder.
About the author
Laura Briggs is the author of several feel-good romance reads, including the Top 100 Amazon UK seller A Wedding in Cornwall. She has a fondness for vintage style dresses (especially ones with polka dots), and reads everything from Jane Austen to modern day mysteries. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, caring for her pets, gardening, and seeing the occasional movie or play.