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A Ruff Royal Christmas by Karen Schaler

Dec19

Time For Love

A Ruff Royal Christmas by Karen Schaler is a most charming contemporary Christmas novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Karen Schaler is the queen of the festive novel. Her words portray not only the physical setting, but also feelings, memories, emotions and the love that Christmas brings. Her words take up residence in the reader’s heart as we don’t just read the novel, we experience it.

A major theme is that of love vs duty. Tradition and duty have dictated a life. “It’s our duty. It’s who we are.” “You are also human.” A soul has got lost within duty and has forgotten how to really live. The perfect scene must be presented at all times – but love gets lost along the way. In contrast we meet characters who are full of life and love, and are determined to awaken the lost soul to love and life.

There is the theme of rescue dogs. “Even though many of them had come from horrible circumstances, they were still eager to find a person to love them and to love.” These dogs have a huge capacity to love and can soften even the hardest hearts. We meet Stormy who is due to be the first royal dog. He has a joi de vivre about him, with the ability to make people smile.

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A Merry Little Christmas by Julia Williams

Dec19

A Year In The Life

A Merry Little Christmas by Julia Williams is a very charming contemporary novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is the second book in the Hope Christmas series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The novel is set in the Shropshire village of Hope Christmas and the surrounding countryside. There is a bank of leading characters and their families. All of whom are friends and all of whom have various challenges to face during the year.

I loved the inclusion of a character who appears real – but is he? There is an other-worldly feel to him which reminded me of Clarence in the movie It’s A Wonderful Life.

We meet farming families who pull together after a terrible accident injurers one of their own. Lives are altered as we see the strain that having a brain injury puts on a family unit.

There are families with children – step children, toddlers, babies, teens, and a beautiful wheelchair-bound young girl who is bright and funny but non-verbal. We witness the impact of withdrawing funds from a respite centre by the government will have on families. The village pulls together to fight for funds for the charity.

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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.”

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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.

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