Helen Pollard – författare

Sun, croissants and fine wine. Nothing can spoil the perfect holiday. Or can it?When thirty-one-year-old Emmy Jamieson arrives at La Cour des Roses, a beautiful guesthouse in the French countryside, she can’t wait to spend two weeks relaxing with boyfriend Nathan. Their relationship needs a little TLC and Emmy is certain this holiday will do the trick. But they’ve barely unpacked before he scarpers with Gloria, the guesthouse owner’s cougar wife.Rupert, the ailing guesthouse owner, is shell-shocked. Feeling somewhat responsible, and rather generous after a bottle (or so) of wine, heartbroken Emmy offers to help. Changing sheets in the gîtes will help keep her mind off her misery.Thrust into the heart of the local community, Emmy suddenly finds herself surrounded by new friends. And with sizzling hot gardener Ryan and the infuriating (if gorgeous) accountant Alain providing welcome distractions, Nathan is fast becoming a distant memory. Fresh coffee and croissants for breakfast, feeding the hens in the warm evening light; Emmy starts to feel quite at home. But it would be madness to walk away from her friends, family, and everything she’s ever worked for, to take a chance on a place she fell for on holiday – wouldn’t it?Fans of Jenny Colgan, Lucy Diamond and Nick Alexander will want to join Emmy for a glass of wine as the sun sets on the terrace at La Cour des Roses.Praise for The Little French Guesthouse:‘Like sunshine on a cloudy day this is a book to warm your heart. I loved it.’ Shellyback Books‘I loved every single page of this book and didn't want the story to end. It had me hooked from start to finish, had me giggling on the bus (rather embarrassing). It is one of those warm, cosy books that needs coffee and croissants.’ The Reading Shed‘Utterly delicious, I loved escaping into this delightful French community … definitely a feel good book that had me with a smile on my face and laughing out loud … You’ve just got to love Rupert ... With the sexy gardener providing a great distraction from Nathan’s desertion, new friends and new possibilities this is a real page turner that I thoroughly enjoye

Summer sun, chilled, white wine, and a gorgeous fiancé. Nothing could upset pure bliss ... Right?Emmy Jamieson loves her new life in the gentle hills and sunflowers of the lush French countryside, managing La Cour des Roses, a beautiful, white stone guesthouse. With marriage to caramel-eyed Alain just round the corner, things couldn’t be more perfect.The odd glass (gallon) of wine dulls the sound of Emmy’s mum in full motherzilla-of-the-bride mode, and the faint tinkling of alarm bells coming from Alain’s ex are definitely nothing to worry about. Guesthouse owner Rupert and a whole host of old and new friends are there to make sure nothing gets in the way of Emmy’s happiness.But as Emmy gets close to the big day, a secret from the past throws everything decidedly off track. Will her idyllic French wedding go ahead as planned, or will Emmy run back home to England with a broken heart?This summer, escape to the rolling vineyards of France for an utterly uplifting read. Fans of Jenny Colgan, Debbie Johnson and Nick Alexander will want to join Emmy for a pain au chocolat in the sun-drenched garden at La Cour des Roses.What everyone’s saying about Summer at the Little French Guesthouse:‘I'm utterly bereft that this fantastic book has come to an end ... I have been hooked on from the start ... grips my heart and won't let go ... I could potentially wax lyrical for far longer about various aspects of the book, but really I may start spoiling it for you ... a wonderful way to escape your own life, while devouring a great story that should have you grinning!’ Rachel’s Random Reads 5 stars‘Love this book! ... I barely got the first one done and I grabbed the next two to continue ... Fun characters, fun story, and makes me want to pack a bag and head to the Loire Valley in France.’ Goodreads Reviewer‘It's like meeting old friends ... the series is a perfect summer read. It's about family, friendship and helping them ... a twist I didn't see coming ... It caught me by surprise.’ Flying ThoughtsSummer at the Little French Guesthouse has been published in 5 languages and the series has sold over 230,000 copies in the English language.As a child, Helen had a vivid imagination fuelled by her love of reading (long past her bedtime!) so she started to create her own stories in a notebook. She still prefers fictional worlds to real life and loves infusing her writing with humour and heart. Helen lives in Yorkshire with her husband, two grown-up (in theory) kids and a Jekyll and Hyde cat. She enjoys reading, coffee with friends and indulging her nostalgia by watching old seventies and eighties TV shows.

Many of us long to leave everything behind and start a sun-soaked new life.Emmy Jamieson has done it: she is the manager of a beautiful guesthouse that nestles among vineyards in France.She has also found love with gorgeous Alain the accountant. Life could not be better.She is so happy that she is even confident that she can cope with the arrival of the eccentric, demanding Thomson family for a golden wedding.Then, in steps owner Rupert's poisonous ex-wife Gloria, who criticises Emmy, attacks Alain and unpicks Rupert's finances.Things start to fall apart and Emmy fears her dream life is about to become a nightmare.Fans of Jenny Colgan, Lucy Diamond and Nick Alexander will be drawn to join Emmy among the vineyards.What everyone’s saying about 'Return to the Little French Guesthouse':‘I've absolutely fallen in love ... I felt myself longing for a Rupert of my own in times of crisis ... I'll also take some friends like Sophie and Ellie ... What I really want, though, is at least one more book with all of them.’ Well Read Pirate Queen‘Oh wow! I absolutely loved, lived, laughed and cried with this brilliant, addictive tale. I ADORED the first book in the series and reading this one was like meeting up with much loved old friends ... oodles of humour thrown in. A beautiful, fun tale, set in stunning surroundings, with characters that you don't want to leave behind. Highly recommended!’ Renita D’Silva, author of 'The War Child'.Return to the Little French Guesthouse has been published in 7 languages and the series has sold over 230,000 copies in the English language.As a child, Helen had a vivid imagination fuelled by her love of reading (long past her bedtime!) so she started to create her own stories in a notebook. She still prefers fictional worlds to real life and loves infusing her writing with humour and heart. Helen lives in Yorkshire with her husband, two grown-up (in theory) kids and a Jekyll and Hyde cat. She enjoys reading, coffee with friends and indulging her nostalgia by watching old seventies and eighties TV shows.

Claudia thought she knew how this summer was going to go. Turns out, she didn’t have a clue... It’s been two years since Claudia arrived on the beautifully rugged Cornish coast with nothing but a suitcase to her name. She’d walked out on the husband who had never loved her, ditched the corporate job she’d never wanted and vowed that no gym membership card would come within ten feet of her ever again. Swapping boardrooms and cocktails for a little shop right at the end of the beach road should have been a bit of a shock. But from the moment she first laid eyes on the empty, run-down store, Claudia knew this was where she was meant to be all along. After all that upheaval, Claudia was looking forward to a quiet summer, full of the usual holidaymakers and long walks along the clifftops. But life in her patch of paradise is about to change in more ways than one.Enter recently widowed Jason, dragging his sullen teenage daughter Millie in tow. Millie and Claudia immediately hit it off. And while Millie loves everything about Claudia’s free-spirited way of life, practical architect Jason is less than thrilled about his daughter’s new interests. He doesn’t shy away from telling Claudia exactly what he thinks and sparks fly every time they meet.But as circumstances throw Claudia into Jason’s path in increasingly unexpected ways, she begins to glimpse what lies beneath his fiery temper and sharp tongue. Claudia was sure her new life was perfect in every way. But was there something missing after all?The perfect summer holiday escape, full of warmth, humour and heart. Fans of Sarah Morgan, Cathy Bramley and Phillipa Ashley will be charmed by this seaside romance.Readers love The Little Shop in Cornwall:‘This book was just what the doctor ordered and I could almost smell the sea air... A lovely feel-good novel.’ Sandie’s Book Shelves‘A delightful read... Reading one of Helen’s books feels more like a chat between friends rather than an actual book.’ Ginger Book Geek‘A heartwarming and funny rom-com... kept me hooked till the end and I loved the twists and turns.’ Scrapping and Playing.‘A bewitching, fun read with great characters in a delightful setting and an added mystery, too.’ Splashes Into BooksHer La Cour des Roses series has sold over 200,000 copiesFor fans of Sarah Morgan, Nicola May, Phillipa Ashley and Cathy BramleyAs a child, Helen had a vivid imagination fuelled by her love of reading (long past her bedtime!) so she started to create her own stories in a notebook. She still prefers fictional worlds to real life and loves infusing her writing with humour and heart. Helen lives in Yorkshire with her husband, two grown-up (in theory) kids and a Jekyll and Hyde cat. She enjoys reading, coffee with friends and indulging her nostalgia by watching old seventies and eighties TV shows.

Daisy is preparing to spend her first Christmas in the only place she’s ever really felt at home: beautiful Fox Farm. But when tragedy strikes, she will need all her festive cheer, and all the mulled wine, to keep Christmas from being cancelled...Living at Fox Farm, with its cosy café and charming pottery workshop, is a dream come true for thirty-one-year-old Daisy. The kindly owner, Jean, and the close-knit village feel like the family Daisy has never had. She’s been looking forward to finally having people to buy gifts for and to share cookies with in front of the fire after too much Christmas dinner.When Jean suddenly falls ill, Daisy is the first to lend a hand in organising the holiday celebrations. She ropes in Alex – Jean’s handsome Scrooge of a nephew – to help her. From the get-go Daisy and Alex cannot agree on anything, butting heads through decorating disasters and tripping over each other at the holiday barn dance. Alex hates Christmas, and Daisy is feeling so festive she might as well be the fairy on top of the ten-foot tree. Can Daisy melt Alex’s icy exterior and prove to him just how magical Christmas can be?But then Alex discovers Fox Farm is almost bankrupt, and suddenly its whole future is in jeopardy. They need a plan, and quickly, if Jean is to have a place to come back to this Christmas. Will Daisy be able to save the only real home she’s ever had? And might this Christmas be the beginning of something special?Grab a mug of hot chocolate and a mince pie (or two!) and lose yourself in this utterly charming and romantic holiday tale that proves home is where the heart is. Perfect for fans of RaeAnne Thayne, Sarah Morgan and Heidi Swain, this is the book that will make your Christmas! Readers adore Helen Pollard: ‘I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough... Uplifting, witty, moving and romantic... sure to make you giggle, sigh and keep you hooked.’ Bookish Jottings‘I just couldn’t put it down. It could warm you even on the coldest day of the year.’ Books By My Bedside‘I loved every single page of this book and didn't want the story to end... Had me hooked from start to finish, had me giggling on the bus... One of those warm, cosy books.’ The Reading Shed‘A heartwarming and funny rom-com... kept me hooked... I loved the twists and turns.’ Scrapping and Playing, ‘A bewitching, fun read... a delightful setting and an added mystery, too.’ Splashes Into Books, Her La Cour des Roses series has sold over 200,000 copiesFor fans of Sarah Morgan, Nicola May, Phillipa Ashley and Cathy BramleyAs a child, Helen had a vivid imagination fuelled by her love of reading (long past her bedtime!) so she started to create her own stories in a notebook. She still prefers fictional worlds to real life and loves infusing her writing with humour and heart. Helen lives in Yorkshire with her husband, two grown-up (in theory) kids and a Jekyll and Hyde cat. She enjoys reading, coffee with friends and indulging her nostalgia by watching old seventies and eighties TV shows.

Claudia har aldrig ångrat beslutet att lämna sitt trasiga äktenskap och kontorsjobb i London för att istället slå sig ned vid havet i ljuvliga Cornwall. Här har hon byggt ett nytt sammanhang med vänner som med tiden blivit som en familj, och hon har dessutom den uppstudsiga katten Pudding vid sin sida. Varorna som Claudia säljer i sin lilla strandbutik sprider glädje till både stamkunder och turister. Livet har helt enkelt fått en lika självklar som harmonisk rytm och kunde inte vara bättre. Till en dag då änkemannen Jason och hans tonårsdotter Millie flyttar till byn. Claudia och Millie finner snart varandra men Jason är skeptisk till deras vänskap och drar sig inte för att säga vad han tycker. Snart hopar sig orosmolnen på Claudias tidigare så lugna himmel – men kanske är det trots allt något som saknats?

Claudia har aldrig ångrat beslutet att lämna sitt trasiga äktenskap och kontorsjobb i London för att istället slå sig ned vid havet i ljuvliga Cornwall. Här har hon byggt ett nytt sammanhang med vänner som med tiden blivit som en familj, och hon har dessutom den uppstudsiga katten Pudding vid sin sida. Varorna som Claudia säljer i sin lilla strandbutik sprider glädje till både stamkunder och turister. Livet har helt enkelt fått en lika självklar som harmonisk rytm och kunde inte vara bättre. Till en dag då änkemannen Jason och hans tonårsdotter Millie flyttar till byn. Claudia och Millie finner snart varandra men Jason är skeptisk till deras vänskap och drar sig inte för att säga vad han tycker. Snart hopar sig orosmolnen på Claudias tidigare så lugna himmel – men kanske är det trots allt något som saknats?

Sol, croissanter och gott vin. Inget kan förstöra den perfekta semestern – eller? Emmy har två underbara veckor på det idylliska pensionatet La Cour des Roses att se fram emot. En efterlängtad och välbehövlig semester på den franska landsbygden och ett ypperligt tillfälle att reparera relationen med pojkvännen Nathan. Men knappt är väskorna uppackade förrän katastrofen är ett faktum – Nathan ger sig av med värdinnan Gloria och verkar inte ens ha vett att skämmas. Kvar blir Emmy och Rupert, pensionatets ägare tillika Glorias försmådde make. Plågad av sin raserade relation och med en obefogad gnutta dåligt samvete över situationen, erbjuder sig Emmy att hjälpa till med att sköta pensionatet i Glorias frånvaro. Kanske kan lite hushållsarbete åtminstone få henne att tänka på annat än Nathans svek? Och mycket riktigt, allteftersom Emmy dras in i vardagen på pensionatet och Ruperts livliga vänkrets blir tankarna på Nathan alltmer avlägsna. Emmy känner sig snart som hemma på La Cour des Roses, men semestern går mot sitt slut och det är dags att motvilligt återvända till vardagen i England. För vad ska hon annars göra – att stanna i Frankrike för att man förälskat sig i ett pensionat på semestern är väl ändå vansinne?

Molnfri himmel, ny kärlek och ett glas rött – vad skulle kunna gå fel? När Emmy Jamieson lämnar sitt gamla liv och flyttar till den franska landsbygden för att bli chef för det ljuvliga lilla pensionatet La Cour des Roses får inget gå fel på hennes nya jobb. Och med årets största bokning i kalendern har Emmy ett riktigt eldprov framför sig – den oerhört krävande och excentriska familjen Thomson ska fira guldbröllop och pensionatet kommer vara fullproppat av gäster ända ut i trädgården. Emmy vet att hon klarar utmaningen, särskilt med den underbare revisorn Alain vid sin sida. Men hon hade inte räknat med att behöva hantera en naken resebloggare med sömngångarproblem, eller Ruperts lömska exfru Gloria som plötsligt bestämt sig för att återvända till pensionatet med dåliga nyheter. Just som Emmy såg en framtid full av solsken, skratt och kärlek tycks allt mer osäkert än någonsin – hur ska det gå för drömmen om La Cour des Roses?

Sommarsol, kylt vitt vin och en underbar fästman. Vad mer kan man behöva? Emmy Jamieson älskar sitt nya liv på den franska landsbygden. Med jobbet som chef för det lilla pensionatet La Cour des Roses och ett stundande giftermål med den oemotståndlige revisorn Alain ser framtiden ljusare ut än någonsin. Ett glas – eller tio – vin dövar Emmys mammas förmåga att lägga sig i minsta bröllopsdetalj, och varningssignalerna från Alains exfru är såklart inget att oroa sig för. Pensionatets ägare Rupert och Emmys andra nya och gamla vänner skulle aldrig låta något stå i vägen för Emmys lycka. Men när den stora dagen närmar sig uppdagas en hemlighet som sätter planerna i gungning. Kan Emmys perfekta franska bröllop gå av stapeln eller kommer hon fly till England med ett krossat hjärta?

Sol, croissanter och gott vin. Inget kan förstöra den perfekta semestern – eller? Emmy har två underbara veckor på det idylliska pensionatet La Cour des Roses att se fram emot. En efterlängtad och välbehövlig semester på den franska landsbygden och ett ypperligt tillfälle att reparera relationen med pojkvännen Nathan. Men knappt är väskorna uppackade förrän katastrofen är ett faktum – Nathan ger sig av med värdinnan Gloria och verkar inte ens ha vett att skämmas. Kvar blir Emmy och Rupert, pensionatets ägare tillika Glorias försmådde make. Plågad av sin raserade relation och med en obefogad gnutta dåligt samvete över situationen, erbjuder sig Emmy att hjälpa till med att sköta pensionatet i Glorias frånvaro. Kanske kan lite hushållsarbete åtminstone få henne att tänka på annat än Nathans svek? Och mycket riktigt, allteftersom Emmy dras in i vardagen på pensionatet och Ruperts livliga vänkrets blir tankarna på Nathan alltmer avlägsna. Emmy känner sig snart som hemma på La Cour des Roses, men semestern går mot sitt slut och det är dags att motvilligt återvända till vardagen i England. För vad ska hon annars göra – att stanna i Frankrike för att man förälskat sig i ett pensionat på semestern är väl ändå vansinne?

Molnfri himmel, ny kärlek och ett glas rött – vad skulle kunna gå fel? När Emmy Jamieson lämnar sitt gamla liv och flyttar till den franska landsbygden för att bli chef för det ljuvliga lilla pensionatet La Cour des Roses får inget gå fel på hennes nya jobb. Och med årets största bokning i kalendern har Emmy ett riktigt eldprov framför sig – den oerhört krävande och excentriska familjen Thomson ska fira guldbröllop och pensionatet kommer vara fullproppat av gäster ända ut i trädgården. Emmy vet att hon klarar utmaningen, särskilt med den underbare revisorn Alain vid sin sida. Men hon hade inte räknat med att behöva hantera en naken resebloggare med sömngångarproblem, eller Ruperts lömska exfru Gloria som plötsligt bestämt sig för att återvända till pensionatet med dåliga nyheter. Just som Emmy såg en framtid full av solsken, skratt och kärlek tycks allt mer osäkert än någonsin – hur ska det gå för drömmen om La Cour des Roses?