Heaven Can Wait by Cally TaylorCally Taylor's debut novel, a supernatural romantic comedy, proved to be so addictive, yet so sad - making yours truly cry at the end (a RARITY, I must say!). In Cally's wonderfully written book, Lucy Brpwn has a tragic accident right before her wedding day. Sent into the afterlife, she's given the choice - to pass on and be with her already dead parents, or stay, as a ghost, watching over her fiance Dan. Unable to let the love of her life slip from her grasp, Lucy is determined to stay by his side. But to become a ghost, she has a task to complete - and it's not an easy one. Stuck in the house of wannabe ghosts with trainspotter Brian and Claire, a Goth with one hell of a bad attitude - and not to mention a set of rules about approaching the living - Lucy has a short time in which to pass her test. Can she do it?
Naked in Knightsbridge by Nicky SchmidtAnother new author to make her debut in 2009, Nicky Schmidt's fabulously funny Naked in Knightsbridge tells the story of Jools - a HobNob addict who's set to become homeless. With no money and nowhere else to go, she takes one last bid at financial freedom, and offers her hand in marriage...on eBay. After all, someone is bound to want a marriage of convenience, right? And they'll be willing to pay. Jools is right, and soon finds out that selling yourself online can attract some dodgy characters indeed. Jools thinks she's found Mr Right (well, in financial terms) in the form of a gay politician who'll do - and pay - anything to cover up his secret, even if it does mean transforming unkempt Jools into a smart and tailored potential politician's wife. But he's not the only one willing to do anything to get Jools as a bride. There's also the scary loner with a basement dungeon who's determined to do whatever it takes to make her his own...
Twenties Girl by Sophie KinsellaWhen Sophie Kinsella's latest
non-Shopaholic book was released in July, it was obvious that it would
be a bestseller. And we weren't disappointed! Romantic, funny (and a
little bit paranormal), Twenties Girl tells the tale of Lara Lington,
a 20-something whose life isn't going swimmingly. Having recently been
dumped and with burgeoning problems at work, it's clear that she isn't
emotionally stable. But things go from bad to worse when, at the
funeral of a family member she didn't even know, Lara is freaked out to
find a girl in flapper clothing wandering around - and strangely, only
Lara can see her. Lara's new acquaintance happens to be the ghost of
her recently deceased great aunt, who can't pass on until she locates a
necklace that she owned in life. Great Aunt Sadie refuses to leave Lara
alone until she helps to find the missing necklace, intruding on
everyday life. However, Lara soon realises that Great Aunt Sadie wasn't
just an elderly lady in a nursing home that nobody cared about. In
fact, Sadie's about to teach Lara some very important lessons in life...
Tease by Immodesty BlaizeTease, a tale of beauty, showbiz and scandal, was penned by none other than Brit burlesque star Immodesty Blaize, and turned out to be an intriguing read. In Tease, burlesque performer Tiger Starr is seemingly at the top of her career peak, with fans around the world, staff at her beck and call, and party-filled world full of glitz and glamour. But beneath Tiger's perfectly honed image there are some rather dark secrets, and someone is intent on revealing them. Whilst dealing with her career and relationship issues, Tiger has to work out who, out of a variety of suspects, is behind the latest threats. Tease is a sexy and mysterious insight into the world of burlesque.
Mummy Said the F Word by Fiona GibsonFiona Gibson's 'mummy-lit' takes an insightful, yet fabulously funny look at single motherhood. Caitlin Brown's life takes a turn for the worse when her husband leaves her for another woman. Caitlin chooses to look after the kids on her own, and even though her web writing job is hardly exciting, she hopes for the best - that is, until her magazine editor friend offers Caitlin the job of agony aunt for top parenting magazine, Bambino. Replacing the former advice expert, a strict, organic-loving Supernanny type is going to be hard work, especially as Cailtin's ideals are far from those of Bambino's readers. But it's only temporary, so what harm can it do? However, Caitlin's life is about to change immensely, as her work at Bambino transforms her into somewhat of a celebrity. And with her own problems at home, can she really keep it up?
Happy New Year, everyone! What were your favourite books of 2009?


