Just the two releases during December, a new Lucy Dillon as well as a new Julie Highmore and both sound really great reads to curl up with in the run up to Christmas!

Lucy Dillon - Walking Back To Happiness - 9th December 2010

Juliet’s been in hiding. From her family, from her life, but most of all from the fact that Ben’s not around anymore.

Her mother Diane can’t do anything to help. But, when she insists Juliet look after her elderly Labrador, it becomes clear that perhaps the dog, Coco, could help her daughter where she couldn’t.

Catching on, her neighbours ask Juliet for help with their pets too. But then so does Mark, the gorgeous spaniel-owner she meets out dogwalking. And before she knows it, Juliet realises she’s somehow become the town’s unofficial petsitter, and is now privy to all the lives and secrets of everyone whose animals she’s caring for.

But as her first winter alone approaches, she finally begins to wonder if it’s time to face up to her own secrets? To start rebuilding her own life? And maybe – just maybe – to fall in love again?

Julie Highmore - The Birthday - 9th December 2010

It’s easy to make mistakes. The hard part is keeping them hidden.

Emily spends a few precious hours with her lover, then picks up her children and returns to normal married life. Her brother Ben’s career has crashed with the banks, and suddenly he has nowhere to go. But they must both put on a brave face for their mother’s sixtieth birthday.

Fran doesn’t feel old. Mostly, she’s worried about her increasingly depressed husband Duncan, and his slightly odd behaviour. Why did he think they’d been to Florence? Who is Alexa? And she doesn’t really want a fuss over her birthday, but her daughter insists they must celebrate. Holding tight to their own secrets, the family gathers around Fran, but as one small revelation follows another, no one can foresee the huge repercussions of this birthday.

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