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A Royal Christmas by Melody Carlson

A Fairytale For Adults

A Royal Christmas by Melody Carlson is a delightful festive offering.

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a charming new novella from Melody Carlson. A Royal Christmas is a fairytale for adults. It has all the elements of a traditional fairytale – a king, a wicked queen, a lost princess – and so much more, as we see God take centre stage.

We see that when all seems uncertain, we need to trust God.  We can trust His plans and His timing as He knows just what is needed and when.

Prayer is important. If in doubt – pray. If in celebration – pray. Pray at all times. God longs to hear from us. He will always answer. “You prayed about it?… It looks like God has flung the door wide open.”

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After The Snow by Susannah Constantine

A Fabulous Debut

After The Snow by Susannah Constantine is a marvellous debut historical novel that totally enthralled me.

The novel is set in 1969. It is a bygone era (although part of my childhood!) and set in Scotland with the snow on the ground.

We follow two eleven year old girls who are friends. One is the daughter of an earl and the other lives in the gatehouse. We see the action through their eyes. There is an innocence to the proceedings. The reader can clearly see the affair between two characters but the girls are oblivious.

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Christmas Magic by Cathy Kelly

Feel-Good Collection

Christmas Magic by Cathy Kelly is a delightful collection of contemporary Christmas tales that is just perfect to read in the run up to the festive season.

You can read the book cover to cover, as I did, or just dip in and dip out as the fancy takes you.

All the stories are feel-good tales that will leave you feeling warm and welcome.

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Escape To The Swiss Chalet by Carrie Walker

Absolutely Charming

Escape To The Swiss Chalet by Carrie Walker is an absolutely charming debut novel that warmed my heart and left me smiling.

Much of the novel is set in the Swiss Alps. The warmth of the characters is inversely proportional to the coldness of the landscape, as we join the characters in the winter season.

The reader’s taste buds are tempted by the delights coming out of the kitchen. We follow the chef and the sous chef/sommelier as they serve delicacies from the chalet’s restaurant.

New friendships form after old one’s crumble. Grey Britain in August contrasts sharply with the white snow of the Alps in winter.

All the characters are delightfully drawn, likable and realistic. Their interactions are a joy to behold. Their dialogue bounces along and the asides are witty. A character is full of life, even when life gets her down. “You find joy in every moment.”

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