Showing posts with label Christmas novels. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas novels. Show all posts

Saturday, December 7, 2024

Christmas Novels Review

Holiday themes are always popular novel subjects, especially around Christmas Time. It is the perfect time of year for stories of love and romance, hope and happiness.


Christmas novels on a book shelf


In addition to the classic reads, such as A Christmas Carol and ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, many authors publish Christmas novels for your holiday reading enjoyment and for gift-giving.


Debbie Macomber and Christmas


Perhaps the most well known author to bring out new Christmas novels is Debbie Macomber. She has earned the title of “the official storyteller of Christmas” by virtue of her annual Christmas books. Six of these stories have been made into original Hallmark Channel movies. 


A Christmas Duet Synopsis


Debbie Macomber’s 2024 Christmas novel, A Christmas Duet, is her latest story for this holiday season.


Hailey Morgan is an assistant high school band teacher in Portland, Oregon. Hailey’s life has always revolved around music. She once hoped to make a living composing her own songs, but the reality of life changed that.


As holiday time draws near, Hailey dreads having to again spend Christmas with her meddling family. When her close friend offers a family cabin, empty this time of year, for a solo retreat, Hailey decides it is time to do something to make herself happy.


Hailey arrives at her friend's cabin in a small Washington town, expecting a peaceful getaway. However, her plans are initially disrupted when she discovers that the cabin is unexpectedly inhabited by several wild animals.


Lucky for Hailey, the local mayor’s son - Jay - is very willing to help make the cabin livable. Jay is charming and also happens to be a former musician.


Hot Chocolate and Christmas cookies at holiday time.
Image Source: Pixabay

It doesn’t take long before Hailey and Jay are inseparable, enjoying holiday traditions together. They chop down a tree and decorate it while sipping hot cocoa in front of a cozy fire.  They also spend time playing music together and, with Jay’s encouragement, Hailey begins to believe she might yet succeed as a songwriter. 

Hailey is truly enjoying her snow-dusted oasis at the cabin, but her family’s holiday drama interrupts her newfound peace. Also, Jay reveals some things that present complications of their own.


With challenges and complications interrupting her Christmas paradise, Hailey has to learn to stand up for herself and find a way to embrace the holiday spirit.


Summary


Debbie Macomber’s Christmas novel “A Christmas Duet” puts us in the festive spirit. The magic of Christmas becomes a part of the plot and captures the essence of the holiday season. A delightful holiday read. 


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*Christmas Novels Reviewed by Wednesday Elf





Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Thursday, January 21, 2021

Her Silent Knight (Belles of Christmas: Frost Fair Book 1) Reviewed

woman in a red dress in snow flurries on book cover
Did you know that it is recorded that the Thames River has frozen over 24 times?  Seven of those times, the ice was solid enough that they held a Frost Fair in London.  

The celebrated Frost Fair of 1683-84 featured multiple activities including horse races, football, bowling, ice skating, sledding and more. Vendor booths were set up to sell souvenirs, food and refreshments. Londoner's clearly knew how to quickly make a rare occurrence into a fun festival for all.  

In 1814 (the last Frost Fair), an elephant was led across the ice. Reminiscent of previous frost fairs, there was dancing, ice skating and of course, vendors.  It lasted only 4 days before the ice broke up and several people drowned.

The very real historical Frost Fair of 1814 is the setting of the entire "Belles of Christmas: Frost Fair" series.  This series provides a wonderful look back into history, as well as some really awesome romantic stories. 

First in the series is "Her Silent Knight". It was such a captivating book, that I read it in one night.  Yes, it was nearly 4 am before I went to sleep, but it was worth it!  I thoroughly enjoyed the sweet story.


Her Silent Knight Synopsis

 Her Silent Knight: A Christmas Regency Romance (Belles of Christmas: Frost Fair Book 1)Check PriceSelina Ellis becomes secretly engaged to Noah Skinner, a solicitor who is below her social status. Mr. Skinner would never be considered an acceptable suitor for Selina, especially by her own mother.  But, Selina doesn't care!  She believes she is in love with Mr. Skinner and when he proposes marriage at the Frost Fair, Selina agrees to marry him, even if it means they would be required to elope.  

The couples embrace is witnessed by a childhood friend that Selina hasn't seen in years. When Sir Edmund Sharp recognizes the two people hugging each other, he knows he must find a way to save Selina from the man with a scandalous reputation.  She is young, naive, and clearly unaware of Mr. Skinner's "manipulations". What Sir Edmund cannot immediately figure out is why Mr. Skinner would pursue a lady with no inheritance. Upon her father's death, their home and money was entailed to a distant relative since Mr. Ellis has no sons.  That left Selina and her mother living on a meager stipend.

Sir Edmund agrees to keep Selina's secret if she will make sure he is invited to spend the Christmastide (the 12 days of Christmas) in her home. The request makes sense because his grandmother recently died and he has no other family in London. Selina's mother had always adored Edmund, plus she saw him as the perfect suitor for Selina. Therefore, securing an invitation for Christmastide was not difficult at all.

Now, Sir Edmund only has to figure out how to separate Selina from Mr. Skinner.  That won't be as easy as Sir Edmund had originally thought since Mr. Skinner has possession of Edmund's grandmothers will. Skinner is willing to do whatever is necessary to keep Sir Edmund from interfering in his relationship with Selina.




 

"Her Silent Knight" is a sweet story of love, chivalry, and childhood loyalties embedded in an enchanting historical fiction, set in the fantastic short-lived Frost Fair on the Thames River in London.  It is the first book in the Belles of Christmas: Frost Fair series shown below.

All but one of these authors are new to me.  I love that when it happens in a co-op series!

 

 Belles of Christmas: Frost Fair (5 Book Series)Check Price



House of Sylvestermouse




Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


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