Tag Archive | Sarah Morgan

The Christmas Cottage by Sarah Morgan

Jan14

Jigsaw Pieces

The Christmas Cottage by Sarah Morgan is a most charming Christmas contemporary novel that I absolutely adored.

Once more Sarah Morgan has captured the essence of Christmas within her book. Christmas is family, fun, laughter – all things that had been missing from the leading lady’s life.

We see the loneliness of never having anyone to depend on, the feeling of utter abandonment as a character throws herself into her work. “When life is hard, it sometimes helps to have no time to think about it.”

When burnout is close, a character realizes that something must change. “You couldn’t undo the past, but you could do your very best with the future.” The past is gone, the future lies ahead. “The past was gone and she wasn’t going to let it contaminate the present.”

Everyone makes choices that have consequences. “The choices were their own and you had no control over that.” We are not responsible for the choices of others. We are only responsible for our own choices.”

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The Summer Swap by Sarah Morgan

Aug31

A Pure Delight

The Summer Swap by Sarah Morgan is a delightful contemporary novel and just perfect for a summer read. It is a fun, light-hearted read that is juxta-posed with some serious themes.

The are two major themes – one of those is grief. Grief looks different for different people. No two grief journeys are the same. Each person must work through their own journey at their own pace. “You can’t rush a grieving person… and fix it. The best you can do is be there for them.” We walk our grief path alone and appreciate our loved ones supporting us by simply being there.

The path of grief is not linear. There are bumps in the road and hills and valleys. “Grief is a slippery beast… just when you think you’re doing okay, it trips you up.” One day life will feel better.

We see a life lived in the shadow of a husband. Following his death, a widow must “discover who she was without Cameron.” Now is the time to go on a journey of re-discovery but “she didn’t have to pretend she was fine.” It is a learning curve, learning to live again.

In the other lead character, we see the second major theme – that of making your own life choices and not choosing a path to simply please your parents. “You can’t live your life for your parents… You have to make your own choices.” Parental pressure has been huge. “You can’t live your life trying to please your parents.” The parent’s idea of success is linked to financial reward. For their daughter, success is pursuing a passion and realizing a dream. “What they felt was right and what she felt was right were two different things.”

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The Christmas Book Club by Sarah Morgan

Mar11

Deliciously Wonderful

The Christmas Book Club by Sarah Morgan is an absolutely charming, contemporary feel-good novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. Although there is the word ‘Christmas’ in the title, this is a book that can be enjoyed all year round. The action is set in early December but the focus of the book is on friends and family.

We drop in on three lifelong friends who are taking a vacation in a quaint inn in Vermont for a week discussing books. We hear of the background of the three – the workaholic, the broken-hearted and the soon-to-be empty nester. All three are facing challenges but are united by their love and support.

We also meet the innkeeper who is struggling with sudden loss and is a young widow with a five year old daughter. “Grief never leaves you.” Grief paralyses, there is no end as she tries to fulfill her husband’s dreams for the inn. “She was the caretaker of his dreams.” But his dreams and his way are not the only way. The young widow needs to find her way.

Our upbringings shape us. A character has never known her father. This has made her ultra independent and afraid to show her emotions. No one has penetrated her hard outer shell until… an encounter with a delightful five year old.

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Snowed In For Christmas by Sarah Morgan

Oct24

Love, Laughter & Family

Snowed In For Christmas by Sarah Morgan is the most charming festive offering that will warm your heart on even the coldest day.

The setting could hardly be more perfect – snowed in in an isolated Scottish family home where love, laughter and care live. It is a home where strangers are welcomed into the heart of the family.

Sarah Morgan has once more created a marvelous set of characters who lodge in the reader’s hearts. I adored them all from Hunter the dog to Nana Jean. Nana Jean at eighty six yeas old does not believe in wasting time. She says just what she is thinking which is absolutely hilarious. Her mouth has no filter. She is definitely my favourite character, although I loved them all.

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