December is only a couple of days away and we’ll soon be decorating trees, wrapping presents and watching festive movies. And to celebrate the happiest time of year, we’ve decided to give away a special Christmas gift to one lucky reader… so if all you want to do this winter is snuggle up with a book, this is for you!

As a thank you for another successful year at Judging Covers, we’ve put together a Christmas gift box full of books. There are 12 to enjoy (one for each ‘day of Christmas!’) and we’ve added a variety of genres – drama, chick lit, historical fiction, fantasy, and more. Share them with friends and family, or just keep them all to yourself!

Here are all the books on offer…

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Halfway through May and yet the weather is still more suited to ducks than a picnic in the park. Are you bored of hearing everyone moan about the “wettest drought ever”? Thought so! Here at JC, we’re more than ready to start the summer – so we’re kicking off the sunshine season with a little competition. (Now all we need is the sun…)

We’ve got 5 copies of Carole Matthews’ new book, Summer Daydreams, to give away. The novel was inspired by the true life story of Helen Rochfort, fabulous handbag designer and close friend of Carole Matthews. Helen was working in a chip shop before she decided to follow her dreams of designing. Her handbags are now a celeb favourite, seen on the likes of Holly Willoughby and Sienna Miller – but success isn’t always easy, and Matthews has turned her story into a fabulous summer read. Perfect for lying on the beach, or just relaxing in your garden with a cold drink…

What if you had always dreamed of something more…?

Nell McNamara has a happy life: her boyfriend Olly adores her, their four-year-old daughter Petal is the centre of their world and Nell has a steady job in the local chip shop. When the chippy needs a makeover, Nell jumps at the chance to unleash the creativity fizzing inside her.

Inspired by what she can achieve – and encouraged by the best friends a girl can have – Nell is determined to try something new. Waving goodbye to the chip shop, she starts up a new business making her own line of must-have handbags, which are soon flying off the shelves!

It seems Nell’s dreams are finally coming true, but her success doesn’t come without a price. Before too long, Nell has to ask herself if it’s really possible to have it all…

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The Easter weekend is nearly upon us, we’re celebrating with a little giveaway! As a thank you to all our wonderful visitors and subscribers, we’re giving away  5 copies of Fiona Walker’s new book, The Love Letter.

Fiona Walker has been described as the “Jilly Cooper of the Cosmo generation”, writing consistently popular novels that include large casts, multiple twists, lots of action and plenty of comedy. The Love Letter isn’t released until May 3rd, but our five winners will get their copy before anyone else. Lucky!

When Allegra North parted from first love Francis after a decade together, she poured all her regret into a letter. He didn’t reply. A year later, her job brings her back to the beautiful Devon coast where romance first blossomed and she hopes that they can start a new chapter.

A family crisis fans the old flames from the start, and sparks fly when a chance encounter makes Allegra question whether Francis was ever really on the same page. As summer storms circle, the exes juggle rebellious parents, vengeful family members, and a very reluctant celebrity author who holds the key to everybody’s future.

Just when Allegra thinks she can’t blot her copy book any further, she finds herself held to ransom by her own love letter. Should she read between the lines, or is the writing on the wall?

If you love the sound of the book, Walker has also released a short ebook as a prequel to the story, called Sealed with a Kiss. It explains the back story behind Allegra and Francis, and is the perfect taster before you get lost in The Love Letter…

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In Hoxton there’s a shop but it’s not just any old shop; it’s a monster shop. The Hoxton Street Monster Supplies store is London’s, if not the world’s, only purveyor of quality goods for monsters of every kind. It was originally established in 1818 but after closing for a much-needed refurbishment, reopened its doors to monsters and humans alike in 2010. If that wasn’t surprising enough, the monster shop reopened with a secret society lurking in its shadows. Behind the secret door of the Hoxton Street Monter Supplies lies The Ministry of Stories.

The Ministry of Stories is a volunteering organisation which helps young people with all manner of writing, through free one-to-one mentoring and writing workshops. During these projects the children are given the chance to express themselves through writing and are offered the opportunity to have their work published. So far, there have been two anthologies, a whole host of newspapers, a soap opera and today’s competition prize.

In celebration of the launch of the Monster Supplies online shop, we have a copy of The Awfully Bad Guide to Monster Housekeeping up for grabs.

Congratulations on your interest in this Awfully Bad Guide to Monster Housekeeping. You have taken the first important step on a road to true enlightenment.

Contained within these covers is a wealth of monster wisdom from housekeeping to fashion, food and more as well as activities for the brave reader to try. Each world of ghastly and gruesome knowledge was prepared at the Ministry of Stories by children from local primary schools with the help of top poets and illustrators.

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Ali McNamara’s debut novel, From Notting Hill with Love… Actually got a glowing review from us earlier in the year, and we know loads of you have been eagerly anticipating her next book.

I was lucky enough to get my hands on McNamara’s second novel, Breakfast at Darcy’s prior to its release, and it was a really enjoyable read – you can read my full review here. But don’t be too jealous, because you might just get your copy early too…

We’re giving away 5 copies of Breakfast at Darcy’s as part of the ‘Breakfast with Ali’ blog tour. The book isn’t released until November 24th, but our five lucky winners will get their copy before it officially hits the shelves. Fab!

When London magazine journalist Darcy McCall loses her beloved Aunt Molly, she doesn’t expect any sort of inheritance – let alone a small island, located off the west coast of Ireland.

Tara Island hasn’t been lived on for years, but according to Molly’s will Darcy must not only stay there for twelve months, but she also needs to persuade a village full of people to settle there, in order to receive her full inheritance.

Darcy has to leave behind her independent city life and swap designer heels for muddy wellies. Faced with the task of making Tara Island habitable for her small community, Darcy encounters confident Conor and ever-grumpy Dermot – but who will make her feel really at home?

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Judging Covers has been open for a month now, and we’ve been so pleased with all the fantastic support and feedback we’ve had!

To celebrate a successful launch, and say thank you to everyone that has followed, subscribed, commented, tweeted and helped us to promote… we’re having our very first giveaway.

One lucky bookworm will win this gorgeous necklace…

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