That Festive Feeling by Heidi Swain

Dec9

The Nightingale Square Magic

That Festive Feeling by Heidi Swain is a perfectly charming contemporary Christmas novel that I loved.

Those who are familiar with Heidi Swain’s novels will recognise the location of Nightingale Square, and also the Christmas tree farm near Wynbridge. Tying previous locations into this new novel gives the reader a feeling of familiarity.

The novel is set in the weeks leading up to Christmas as we join the residents of Nightingale Square as they prepare for the festive season. The reader can ‘see’ the scene and ‘feel’ the atmosphere due to Heidi Swain’s descriptive pen.

It is a time for new friendships as recently divorced Hollie house sits for friends in the square. She befriends an old actress called May who injects a myriad of colours into Hollie’s grey and drab life. Hollie learns the value of carpe diem – to seize the day. You are never too old to change direction. “Every day is a special occasion.”

Continue reading →

Underneath The Christmas Tree by Heidi Swain

Dec9

Dreams & Legacies

Underneath The Christmas Tree by Heidi Swain is the most charming contemporary Christmas book that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Heidi Swain really does know how to capture Christmas within the pages of a book – and this book is no exception as we enter the setting of a Christmas tree farm with traditional craft stalls and a warm welcome.

Legacies are important – what we leave behind and how we will be remembered. The reader witnesses the legacy of a departed father (before the book opened) – his dream was a Christmas tree farm, and it has risen from small saplings to be part of the Christmas traditions for many. To dream big and to be bold can pay off.

We meet a character running from her past and her perceived future. With dreams of her own, a character is preparing to make them come true – but that is before a personal epiphany… Now what path will she choose?

We see the importance of giving chances to the next generation. A teen has had people speak negatively over him, and he really comes out of his shell when words of encouragement are spoken to him.

Continue reading →

The Last Father-Daughter Dance by Lisa Wingate

Dec9

Making Memories

The Last Father-Daughter Dance by Lisa Wingate is a very charming short story.

This is a tale about grabbing chances and making memories while we still can. It is about having the correct priorities.

A father-daughter relive a year’s worth of memories within a month after a bad health diagnosis.

Continue reading →

The Sands Of Sea Blue Beach by Rachel Hauck

Dec8

Immanuel, God With Us

The Sands Of Sea Blue Beach by Rachel Hauck is the most delightful contemporary Christian novel that I savoured and never wanted to end.

The novel is about family and love; and the love that God has for His children. The action is seen through the eyes of the two lead characters, mainly in ‘now’ but we also glimpse ‘then.’

There is a wonderful air of love pervading the whole novel. The lead characters offer delightful banter as they tease each other, producing smiles from the reader.

There is a pain in love associated with loss as a character feels rudderless and afraid to love, as she never wants to experience loving and losing again. “Love is a bit scary. You never know when the one you love could be ripped away from you.” This fear follows her from childhood and into adulthood. “I can’t go through life fearing the people I love will die.” She remembers her mother, “Mom always chose to love.” Love is always worth the risk.

A character withdraws from God. “God didn’t feel near when Mom was dying.” Even if we do not see or feel God, He always walks alongside us.”

In Sea Blue Beach there is the story of Immanuel, God with us. God is very much at the heart of the town. He needs to be at the heart of our lives too. “I didn’t need music to feel worthy because I’d found the One who made me worthy.” We find out who we are, by knowing whose we are.

Continue reading →