Secret Santa Claus Club is a book about a little girl looking back at each Christmas and remembering the magic of the holiday. Toward the end of the book, she starts to doubt Santa Claus, but she isn’t ready to learn the truth just yet. The next year she’s ready to know, and her parents invite her to be part of the Secret Santa Claus Club. She learns that even though Santa Claus isn’t a real person, the magic of Christmas still exists through giving and creating magic. She realizes that her parents were Santa Claus the whole time, and how much work they did to make her holiday special. The very end of the book has rules of the Club, which include keeping the secret and helping spread the magic to believers.
Jeff Janke is a single dad who considers himself more of a problem solver than an author. When his daughter started questioning Santa, he wrote a book to help guide her from a world of believing in Santa to a community of truly becoming Santa. When his daughter wanted to invite other friends into the club (after they learned the secret), and after lots of encouragement from friends and family who have faced the same dilemma, he decided to publish Secret Santa Claus Club to help other parents and children too!
Andrew and his older brother Nicholas were separated as children.
Nicholas had been snatched away by the Prince of Darkness, and Andrew had all but given up hope, but now their mother is ill, and he’s determined to reunite them before she passes – despite her objections.
With his dog Jenny by his side, Andrew sets out on an epic and perilous crusade well beyond his wildest imagination, facing evil protectors, giant wolves, dark magic, Sorcerers, Goblins, and even the Prince of Darkness himself.
Then there’s The Great Tree.
It’s enormous, with a presence that’s nearly impossible to describe…
And it’s clearly the heart of the kingdom of the wicked Sorcerer.
This is the setting for the adventure story that changed Christmas forever!
Young people and adults of all ages will enjoy this thrilling fable in the same way we’ve enjoyed other great Christmas stories of the past.
Jenny the dog is based on a very real Jenny, the author’s vision of a true warrior – who has her own inspiring story that he’s happy to share with anyone who asks.
All proceeds from the sale of The Great Tree go to The Last Road Dog Animal Sanctuary to rescue unadoptable dogs, cats, and horses, an approved 501 (c)(3) Animal Public Welfare Charity that greatly appreciates the ongoing support of readers like you!
Able Barrett is a former Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney and U.S. Department of Justice Organized Crime Strike Force Prosecutor who shamelessly admits he loves animals more than most people, and he’s the manager of The Last Road Dog Animal Sanctuary.
I enter the darkness that has been cultured for thousands of years, the legends of life gone by, ringing within its corridors with a deafening silence. I feel the presence of both good and evil, which seem to loosely pull at me. Which direction to take? A light can only slightly penetrate the thickness of the darkness. Faces begin to appear as ghost-like images; it’s a warning, which I do not heed.
The images become clearer. They are the faces of beautiful women, goddesses perhaps; they draw my very being deeper into the darkness, serenaded by their gentle voices lifting away my fear of the unknown. I am floating now, effortlessly on a bed of soft blowing air. I am totally consumed. Have I fallen under a spell? I call out for help.
Suddenly there is a flash of brilliant light and the real faces of the women are revealed to me. They are the true evil ones, the guardians of the darkness, the Temptress Sirens of the Dark Lords. They have surrounded me. I see a faint light in the distance. I begin to run towards the light, I feel Temptress Sirens clawing at me as I try to go towards the light in hopes of a safe passage. I hear a voice ever so softly… “Don’t go to the light…….Don’t go to the light…….It will deceive you. Use your faith and follow your heart.”
I stop but I can feel the Temptress Sirens stalking me. I move through the complete darkness with my eyes closed now. There then appears a golden mist that forms a stairway leading upward through the darkness. Without hesitation, I follow the stairway climbing slowly out of the darkness. I can still feel the draw of the Temptress Sirens at my back growing stronger. I become weary as I continue to climb. The strength of the Temptress Sirens is beginning to hold me back. I fear I cannot make it to the top. A silhouetted hand appears from out of the darkness above me. I do not know whether to take it. I have no choice. I grab the hand and a gentle pull brings me away from the grasp of the Temptress Sirens. I hear their shrieks of madness slowly fade away as I am pulled forward.
A gentle light appears and an Angel appears before me. She has the youthful beauty of a thousand ages. I hear her gentle voice speaking to me yet her lips do not move. Her name is Afriel. She is a being of light charged with safeguarding young life. She is to protect that which is youthful and tenderly growing within each of us, no matter how old we actually are. Afriel grants youth, vigor, and vitality. She places her hand on my forehead and closes her eyes as she nods her head and says, “go forward and save your brother, Nicholas.”
How did you do research for your book?
I start of course with my own knowledge; from there I am pretty impatient so I go to the internet and reliable sources. Since my books are mostly fiction I can make up anything I want, although I like to be as close to the truth as possible to make it believable which is always a goal of mine.
Which was the hardest character to write? The easiest?
Nicholas was the hardest; here is a guy we swept away by the Prince of Darkness as a kid and transformed into something he was not; but he remembers deep in his soul what he was like. The easiest was Andrew and Jenny; that was me and my girl Jenny, so very easy.
Where do you get inspiration for your stories?
I was working on a project and as I sat in my office out the window I saw this huge tree sitting on a hill in the distance, shaped perfectly and it came to my mind immediately what a “Great Tree” and the rest just fell into place.
There are many books out there about Christmas. What makes yours different?
I could not find a book/story about how Santa Claus (St. Nick) came to be; also how did this Christmas tree celebration come to be. It may be the first book about how St. Nick and Christmas Tree celebration came to be; at least to my knowledge.
What advice would you give budding writers?
Just go for it! Don’t let any excuse stop you. Failure is not a good reason not to try; otherwise nothing would get done.
Your book is set in an alternative world. What inspired that?
The Great Tree is set somewhere between the 7 Kingdoms, Middle Earth, and the Shire. Great places that I love in lore and from great writers.
In your book you focus on the brothers’ bond. Why is that?
Two young men together were the only powers on earth that had the power to defeat the evil before them. It is the key to the book and story, without it, the story fails.
If you could put yourself as a character in your book, who would you be?
That is an easy one Andrew and Jenny; that was me and my girl Jenny, so very easy.
Do you have another profession besides writing?
I am manager of The Last Road Dog Animal Rescue where we have a home for the unadoptable dogs, cats and horses that otherwise would be homeless or worse. I get to spend every day with my animal buddies which is a life all dream; while at the same time to write; nothing is better than that for me.
How long have you been writing?
The Great Tree only took 25 years to finish.
Do you ever get writer’s block? What helps you overcome it?
Absolutely. Drop it for a while then just jump back into when you least expect it and boom you are at it again.
What is your next project?
“Life Beneath the Surface.” It is about a man that wakes up in the sweat lodge of an Indian medicine man, who just brought him back to life, when all else failed. He has a little memory of his past except that he remembers his wife, Aurora, was killed. It goes from there…
What genre do you write and why?
Fiction; fantasy, animals and sometimes epics, but always a good yarn!
What is the last great book you’ve read?
The Bible.
What is a favorite compliment you have received on your writing?
“I really like your story but really loved the pictures!”
How are you similar to or different from your lead character?
I was a young man very similar to Andrew, as his persona is that of my own at that age, at least from my perspective, in particular his love of Jenny.
If your book were made into a movie, who would star in the leading roles?
Andrew: Timothee Chalamet
Nicholas: Tom Holland
Aurora: Sydney Sweeney
If your book were made into a movie, what songs would be on the soundtrack?
A movie score by Hans Zimmer; Lead Song by Lady Gaga; and Directed by Antoine Fuqua
What were the biggest rewards and challenges with writing your book?
Making it as perfect as you can; proofed to perfection and getting the pictures to match your mind’s eye and then getting people to read it!.
In one sentence, what was the road to publishing like?
Long and winding road!
What is one piece of advice you would give to an aspiring author?
Just go for it. You will be surprised what you have inside you, that just needs a jump start to get going, and the you will have a great fun doing it.
Which authors inspired you to write?
J. R.R. Tolkien
George R.R. Martin
Jack Kerouac
Dr. Seuss
Jack London
What is something you had to cut from your book that you wish you could have kept?
A deeper dive into the personalities of Andrew and Nicholas but it slowed the pace of the book too much.
On rituals:
Do you snack while writing? Favorite snack?
Nope! I work best on an empty stomach.
Where do you write?
In my office with my dogs all around me. The atmosphere is perfect.
Do you write every day?
It goes in spurts. Days at time and then a break, sometimes caused by life’s ever-changing events.
What is your writing schedule?
Late nights when it is quiet.
Is there a specific ritualistic thing you do during your writing time?
I like having a movie I have seen a million times but has a good soundtrack in the background.
In today’s tech savvy world, most writers use a computer or laptop. Have you ever written parts of your book on paper?
I have because it is actually faster and you can do an outline form much faster, at least in my case that sometimes is the only way to keep up with my brain pumping out ideas quickly and rather in random order.
If you’re a mom writer, how do you balance your time?
I am a dad to my dogs, and I find the time with them is in balance at all times.
Fun stuff:
If you could go back in time, where would you go?
431 BC – 404 BC to the Greek and Sparta era; the time of my ancestors!
Favorite travel spot?
The beach.
Favorite dessert?
Don’t like deserts; but I would like to visit the Sahara Desert.
If you were stuck on a deserted island, which 3 books would you want with you?
Boat building book for novice; Edible native plants; and The Bible.
If there is one thing you want readers to remember about you, what would it be?
My compassion and caring for animals.
What is something you’ve learned about yourself during the pandemic?
That is my life; it didn’t change much during the pandemic, because I pretty much stayed at home most of my life anyway; it is typical, not atypical.
What TV series are you currently binge watching?
Kojak – he is of Greek heritage too.
What is your theme song?
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
What is your favorite thing to do in winter?
Playing with my kids (dogs and cats); going on hikes with them is wonderful, even better in the snow.
What is a favorite Christmas tradition (or memory)?
I love watching It’s a Wonderful Life with Jimmy Stewart. I first saw it when I was about 14 or 15 and I lived outside of Chicago, where I grew up. It was on the local PBS station. I started watching just when Gorge Bailey is on bridge and about to jump in to commit suicide when Clarence, his guarding angel, saves him. After the movie was over I went outside at about 1 in the morning and it was snowing big snowflakes outside and it was an absolutely beautiful night out, with the snow gently falling ever so gently. I will remember it forever.
What song is currently playing on a loop in your head?
Walking in Memphis
What is something that made you laugh recently?
When Jenny just starts to roll over on her back and scratches in the grass, always cracks me up as funny and happy because she is so happy.
What is your go-to breakfast item?
Spinach
Hard Boiled Egg
Whole Grain English Muffin
Yogurt
Non-fat Milk
What is the oldest item of clothing you own?
I have t-shirts from high school days from the 1970s.
Tell us about your longest friendship.
I have some friends that we get together every year in summer that date back to grade school days, about 60 years; Rob, Will, Jimmy, Scott, and Cookie. Rob and I are the closest. I pray for their good health and prosperity every day.
What is the strangest way you’ve become friends with someone?
I saved (adopted) a couple of dogs Pebbles and Bambam from a no kill shelter in 2004; they had been dropped off when they were just puppies on the shelter doorstep; and had been there for 5 years. Pebbles was quite famous as she one night opened the gate to the puppies’ room and they found a bag of kibble and they all feasted until morning when they were found. Pebbles and Bambam were great dogs and I loved them both. The lady that helped me adopt them; we became very good friends from then on; even today.
Who was your childhood celebrity crush?
An actress that went to my high school, before my time, but I still had quite a crush on her, even today, Ann-Margret.
My thoughts: this was an adventure story about one young man and his dog, Jenny, going on an epic quest to find his missing brother and save him from the darkness. There’s magic and danger but the bond between Andrew and Jenny, as they fight to redeem Nick and return to their home, is at the heart of the story. An enjoyable holiday fantasy. And all proceeds from the book go to support an animal charity. Whi
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in the blog tour but all opinions remain my own.
I have something special to share today! You’re going to want to add The Truth About Elves to your Holiday TBR!
The Truth About Elves
Publication Date: October 19, 2022
Genre: Holiday Fiction/ Novella
As a bartender in Las Vegas, Curtis seems to have the dream life. He’s single, lives close to the Strip, and only has to worry about when to pick up the next extra shift. No one knows the truth about what happened ten years ago, and no one knows how he spends three months every year: as a part-time elf for Santa Claus.
When Curtis went to the Arctic Circle the first time, he thought he could escape the unthinkable. Now, the anniversary of the worst day of his life is coming up, and he’s been asked to do the unbelievable. If Curtis wasn’t a man of his word, he would turn his back on the whole thing. But Mr. C. took Curtis in when he had nowhere else to go, and now the boss is calling in a favor—the kind that will make Curtis face the memory of the unimaginable.
If you’ve ever wondered whether holiday magic is real, come find out. Embrace the season and the power of forgiveness along with Curtis as he discovers The Truth About Elves.
You probably don’t know this, but Santa is nothing more than a glorified chauffeur.
Sure, all the books and movies portray him as a jolly guy who spends Christmas Eve going around the world distributing gifts. That description isn’t far off. I mean, Mr. C. definitely has a big heart. He treats all us elves fairly, and even though he works us hard (especially once Thanksgiving hits) he isn’t a slave driver.
Oh, yeah, me. I’m Curtis. An elf. No, I don’t have pointy ears, I’m not three feet tall, and I don’t act like a doofus. I’m right around five-foot-ten and look like your average Joe. Brown hair. Green eyes.
We do have some dwarves—you know, little people with small body trunks and short limbs. They get custom-made counters and work stations. Need a special box to sit on at meal time. No pointy ears though. Not a single one. Or two, I guess; nope. Just people who are…well, little.
The majority of us elves are normal. We have lives back in the rest of the world when we’re not doing our Quarter Force shifts, and there’s definitely variety here. Diversity, the affirmative actioners would call it. People from all over, from all walks of life, from every slice of the social strata.
They came to the Arctic Circle for the same reason I did. Working for Mr. C. became the absolute last resort we had. For me, after the plane went down… Well, let’s just say every door on all of my other relationships had slammed shut.
And, no, we’re not angels in heaven. We’re alive, holding down regular jobs back home on the Continents and using our work for Mr. C. as a way to look at ourselves in the mirror again. Except for the fact that we deliver gifts to all of the people in the entire world in a single night, we’re nothing like what the movies would have you believe.
Like all that stuff about Mr. C. riding in a sleigh with reindeer? Please. Has anyone stopped to think about the fact that a sleigh can’t even support the weight of gifts for every single person in the world? And how are eight reindeer supposed to pull a sleigh that heavy?
Yeah, yeah, I know, the sleigh is magic, the reindeer are magic, and so is Santa Claus. Mr. C. makes the job look like magic, but as for the rest of it? I guess it makes for good box office sales during the holidays.
Mr. C. does go around the world but not in a sleigh. He uses a Concorde. Why do you think they grounded the entire fleet? Mr. C. worked a deal with the FAA and the other aviation organizations across the world. They would let him have the planes, and he would keep their workforce employed.
That part of the deal has worked out pretty well. And Hollywood didn’t get everything completely wrong. Mr. C. does use reindeer. They shuttle supplies between warehouses in the compound.
You didn’t actually think we made all those toys and wrapped everything in one building, did you?
For those assigned to the Final Quarter Force—October to December—we get to see everything come together on the back end of things, but work for Mr. C. goes year-round. Quality control of products, flight maneuver exercises, vetting of wrapping paper vendors, and paperwork. Mounds and mounds of it. The First Quarter Force deals with most of it, and Second Quarter finishes up (although Mr. C. really prefers that First Quarter get it all done.)
When I came on board eight years ago, I started as part of the First Quarter. If I’d had a choice, I would have lobbied to stay with First. But one thing you learn with Mr. C. is that you don’t get many choices. Freedom, yes. Choices, no.
Since starting in niche publishing in 2005, Ekta has written and edited about everything from healthcare to home improvement to Hindi films. She became a freelance editor in 2011 to cement her essential belief that words can change people and the world. A writing contest judge, podcaster, and reviewer, Ekta blogs original fiction, book reviews, and parenting adventures from The Write Edge (http://thewriteedge.wordpress.com). Her holiday novella, The Truth About Elves, released in October 2021 from Atmosphere Press.
Escape to the Scottish Highlands with a brand new spring romance from bestselling author, Julie Shackman
*Julie Shackman’s brand new romance The Cottage in the Highlands is exclusively available on First Reads for November*
Determined to overcome a family tragedy, Elle Cassidy decides to reopen her late mother’s ailing newsagent as a stationery shop in the quiet Scottish town of Fir Haven.
But when the arrogant yet handsome crime writer Dexter Grayling almost runs over Elle in his beast of a sports car, the town is thrown into a tailspin – especially when Dexter claims that local resident Linda Carlucci has put a curse on him and he is no longer able to write.
Can Elle put aside her dislike for the self-absorbed writer and help Dexter uncover what is really going on with the Carlucci family? And in the process will Elle realise that there’s a lot more to her beloved Fir Haven than she first thought…
For fans of Donna Ashcroft, Jane Linfoot and Rachael Lucas.
The brand new Christmas romance filled with love and second-chances
Fall in love with the Christmas romance of the year, full of love and second chances!
Lottie Grant loves the festive season so much that she works at the incredibly successful Christmas shop, Christmas Crackers, in her pretty Scottish home town of Craig Brae. But when the shop is sold, her world is turned upside down, leaving her wondering what she will do next.
Just as she’s about to give up hope on finding a new dream job, an offer comes that she can’t refuse, managing a set of luxury wooden cabins… and opening just in time for Christmas!
As she gets to work decorating the cabins, and hanging lights on the fir trees, Lottie can’t believe her luck. That is until the arrival of Blake Dempster, a moody but handsome hiking expert, who threatens to bring down her festive joy. But never one to shy away from a challenge, Lottie is determined to change Blake’s mind about all things festive.
And as the snow falls and the fairy lights sparkle, will work-obsessed Lottie and frozen-hearted Blake make their Christmas wishes come true?
Julie Shackman is a former journalist from Scotland, who has always wanted to write feel-good romance. As well as being an author, Julie also writes verses and captions for greetings card companies.
She admits to having an obsession with stationery and handbags and has an impressive pile of gorgeous To Be Read novels she is wading her way through.
She is married, has two sons and a Romanian rescue puppy, Cooper. A Scottish Country Escape and The Christmas Highland Lodge are Julie’s eighth and nineth novels respectively.
She’s snowed in with the family. The only problem? They’re not her family.
A family gathering This Christmas the Miller siblings have one goal – to avoid their family’s well-meaning questions. Ross, Alice and Clemmie have secrets that they don’t intend to share, and they are relying on each other to deflect attention.
An uninvited guest Lucy Clarke is facing a Christmas alone, and the prospect of losing her job – unless she can win a major piece of business from Ross Miller. She’ll deliver her proposal to his family home in the Scottish Highlands and then leave. After all, she wouldn’t want to intrude on the Miller’s perfect family Christmas.
A Christmas to remember When Lucy appears on the Miller’s snow-covered doorstep, she is mistaken for Ross’s girlfriend. But by the time the confusion is cleared up, a storm has hit and Lucy is stuck. As everyone settles in for a snowed-in Christmas, tensions bubble to the surface and suddenly Lucy finds herself facing a big family fallout with a family that isn’t hers…
My thoughts: it’s time once more for the classic Sarah Morgan Christmas romance. And this time we’re in the Scottish Highlands with the Miller family and Lucy – a PR exec with a plan to save her boss and the company. But a few feet of snow means a change of plans.
The Millers are warm and welcoming, and meddling (I see you Nana Jean with your old lady schemes) and won’t let Lucy leave without some serious festive cheer. And will the Miller siblings find love in the snow?
These books are always a cheer, every family in them is delightful and they’re always very jolly – perfect in fact to read during Christmas.
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in the blog tour but all opinions remain my own.
Meddling relatives, mistletoe, and holiday romance? It’s the whole package wrapped with a big shiny bow! Read on for more details about Cole for Christmas by Janet Raye Stevens! There’s also a $20 Amazon gift card to win!
Cole for Christmas
Publication Date: October 26th, 2021
Genre: Holiday Romance
They can‘t say no to the mistletoe!
Easy going event coordinator Katy Wilkins is called in to sub for her perfectionist sister at a Christmas Eve wedding in Portland, Maine. Nice guy chef Cole St. Onge takes over from his temperamental boss for the same event.
The problem? Each thinks the other is their prickly counterpart and anticipate fireworks when they meet. But it’s the sparks that fly between them that’s unexpected—and unwelcome. Katy’s skittish after a bad breakup; left at the altar, Cole’s sworn off women for good. They both vow to do their job and stay out of each other’s way.
That plan goes awry as troubles mount. A sudden nor’easter blows in, forcing guests to stay home. Mix in a stressed-out bride, an accident-prone groom, a power outage, Katy’s deejay ex making trouble, a matchmaking grandma, and lots and lots of mistletoe, and what’s supposed to be a magical holiday affair fast becomes a Christmas disaster.
Forced to team up to put out the many fires, the blaze between Cole and Katy burns brighter as the evening wears on. Can they ignore their growing attraction and keep their relationship strictly professional? Or will they give in to the mistletoe and say I do to a Christmas kiss that promises more to come in the new year?
If you love a sweet and funny Christmas romance with a dash of mistaken identity, then this delicious holiday treat is for you!
Janet Raye Stevens grew up surrounded by, buried under, and tripping over books. Her mother defined the term voracious reader, and Janet eagerly followed in her footsteps, haunting every book store, bookmobile and public library within a 50 mile radius.
At the age of 10, Janet decided she wanted to do what the authors of the books she loved did –write. Her first story was for a class assignment, “The Day My Teacher Wore a Miniskirt to School.” She got a C minus. She also got a lot of laughs, and that was all the encouragement she needed to keep writing.
Janet lives with her family in New England, where she indulges in her hobbies of drinking copious amounts of tea, rearranging the kitchen cabinets so her husband can’t find anything, and creating fictional worlds populated with cool chicks and hot guys.
A Snowstorm. A stranger. A Spark. It should be the perfect start to the perfect love story. But real life is far messier and more complicated than in the pages of the books in Megan Taylor’s family bookshop – the last few years have left this young widow in no doubt of that. Moving back home to York should have been a fresh start, but all it did was allow her to retreat from the world. When prize-winning author Xander Stone rams his supermarket trolley into her ankles and then trashes her taste in books, Megan is abruptly awoken from her self-imposed hibernation. It’s time to start living again, and she’s going to start by putting this arrogant, superior – admittedly sexy – stranger in his place. Just as she is beginning to enjoy life again, the worst happens and Megan begins to wonder if she should have stayed hidden away. Because it turns out that falling in love again is about more than just meeting under the mistletoe…
Rachel Burton has been making up stories for as long as she can remember and always dreamed of being a writer until life somehow got in the way. After reading for a degree in Classics and another in English Literature she accidentally fell into a career in law, but eventually managed to write her first book on her lunch breaks. Now she writes from a small bedroom looking out over hydrangeas, lavender bushes and rambling roses, in a little house in Yorkshire that she shares with her husband and their three cats. She loves words, Shakespeare, tea, The Beatles, dresses with pockets and very tall romantic heroes (not necessarily in that order). Find her on Instagram or follow her blog
My thoughts: this was a sweet festive romance, with a good dash of humour and a sausage dog for luck. Megan has been running the family bookshop since her husband sadly died, but things need to change and bad tempered author Xander might just be the one to do it. There’s a Regency romance themed Christmas party on the cards, if everyone remembers the steps to the quadrille and the rules to all the card games, a snowed in Sunday lunch and an assortment of eccentrics in the cooking section to deal with along the way.
If you want something light, charming and with the all important HEA, then you’ve come to the right book.
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in the blog tour but all opinions remain my own.
It was supposed to be Christy Sullivan’s perfect Christmas getaway — a trip to Lapland with her family and best friend, Alix. But facing a make-or-break marriage crisis, Christy desperately needs time alone with her husband. Her solution? Alix can take Christy’s little daughter to Lapland, and they will reunite there for Christmas Day. It’s a big ask, but what else are friends for?
There’s nothing Alix won’t do for Christy. But Christy’s request to save Christmas is giving Alix sleepless nights. She knows something is wrong, but for the first time ever, Christy isn’t talking. And even the Arctic temperatures in Lapland aren’t enough to dampen the seriously inconvenient sizzle Alix is developing for Zac, a fellow guest and nemesis from her past.
As secrets unravel and unexpected romance shines under the northern lights, can Christy and Alix’s Christmas escape give them the courage to fight for the relationships they really want, and save the precious gift of each other’s friendship?
My thoughts: this was a lovely festive tale of love and friendship, family and speaking the truth. Christy and Alix have been friends since they were small but somewhere along the way they stopped talking properly, a trip to Lapland to meet Christy’s estranged aunt, celebrate Christmas and see Santa, means the chance to straighten a few things out and fix their friendship.
Plus love is in the air, as Christy and husband Seb reconnect and Alix and Zac finally confess their feelings. Little Holly causes chaos as only a 4 year old tornado can, there are beautiful huskys and snow too.
Sarah Morgan once again wraps some big issues in a soft festive blanket, time to get cosy and open a book.
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in the blog tour but all opinions remain my own.
Wynter’s Trees is the home of Christmas. For the people of Wynmouth it’s where they get their family Christmas tree, and where Christmas truly comes to life.
But for Liza Wynter, it’s a millstone around her neck. It was her father’s pride and joy but now he’s gone, she can’t have anything to do with it. Until her father’s business partner decides to retire and she must go back to handle the transition to his son Ned.
When Liza arrives, she discovers a much-loved business that’s flourishing under Ned’s stewardship. And she’s happy to stay and help for the Christmas season, but then she has other plans. But will the place where she grew up make her change her mind? And can it weave its Christmas cheer around her heart…?
Underneath the Christmas Tree is the perfect festive read, promising snowfall, warm fires and breath-taking seasonal romance. Perfect for fans of Milly Johnson, Carole Matthews and Cathy Bramley.
My thoughts: the first Christmas novel of 2021! Set in the fictional North Norfolk town of Wynmouth, home of several of the author’s previous novels, this is a delightful festive tale of Christmas trees and elves and beach huts! There’s a lovely husky, a hunky woodsman and a confused and somewhat in need of a fresh start heroine in Liza.
I really enjoyed this, a perfect accompaniment to a mug of hot chocolate with marshmallows. Funny, heartwarming, sweet and festive. Just a lovely hug of a book. I only wish I could dislodge Kelly Clarkson’s Underneath the Tree earworm now!
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in the blog tour but all opinions remain my own.
Rosie Anderson was hoping to whisk her young son Danny away for a lovely Christmas with family, far from the hustle and bustle of her life in London.
But then her boss at the head office – aka Susan the Sacker – suddenly assigns her to go in
incognito and save a tiny inn in Cornwall from being closed permanently. Rosie doesn’t know why The Old Bell Inn is performing so badly but it’s on her to sort it out!
Hours in the car later, Rosie arrives at the inn to find she’s been double booked – there are no rooms left. And she isn’t there for more than a minute before she’s butting heads with the manager, Irishman Mitchell Fitzpatrick. He seems to dislike her on
sight, so it’s confusing that he seems to get on so well with Danny…
But if he’s as terrible as his reputation, Rosie will have to be the one to fire him.
This really isn’t the Christmas Rosie was dreaming of. But maybe, just maybe, it could be a whole lot more…
A sweet and uplifting Christmas romance, No Room at the Little Cornish Inn is perfect for fans of Philippa Ashley, Holly Martin and Jenny Hale.
Nancy Barone Wythe grew up in Canada, but at the age of 12 her family moved to Italy. Catapulted into a world where her only contact with the English language was her old Judy Blume books, Nancy became an avid reader and a die-hard romantic.
Nancy stayed in Italy and, despite being surrounded by handsome Italian men, she married an even more handsome Brit. They now live in Sicily where she teaches English.
Nancy is a member of the RWA and a keen supporter of the Women’s
Fiction Festival at Matera where she meets up once a year with writing friends from all over the globe.
This was a lovely, romantic, will they won’t they, of course they will, sort of book, with a Christmas setting in lovely Cornwall (one of my favourite places to visit), in a rustic country hotel.
Rosie is all stressed out being forced to spend Christmas “inspecting” this hotel and trying to find dirt on the manager for her ghastly boss. Plus her son’s birthday is on Christmas Eve and she feels bad about him not getting to have a party. Luckily everyone at the inn is actually delightful and Danny suddenly has all these adults who adore him, and horses to ride. Rosie discovers the supposedly terrible manager is really a delicious hunky Irishman and kind too. What is her awful boss on about?
Sensing a conspiracy Rosie starts to investigate and tries hard not to fall in love. But, as this is Christmas rom com, she fails and soon there’s kissing under the mistletoe and it’s lovely.
A lovely warm hug of a book, perfect for this cold and wet Advent, so snuggle up under a warm blanket with your favourite seasonal drink and enjoy.
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in the blog tour but all opinions remain my own.
ramblingmads 