The Christmas Spirit - Susan Buchanan

The Christmas Spirit - Blurb

Christmas is coming, but not everyone is looking forward to it.
Rebecca has just been dumped and the prospect of spending the holiday period with her parents is less than appealing. Eighty- two-year-old Stanley lost his beloved wife, Edie, to cancer. How will he cope with his first Christmas without her? Jacob’s university degree hasn’t helped him get a job, and it looks like he’ll still be signing on come New Year. Workaholic Meredith would rather spend December 25th at home alone with a ready meal and a DVD box set. Can anything make her embrace the spirit of the season?

The enigmatic Natalie Hope takes over the reins at the Sugar and Spice bakery and café in an attempt to spread some festive cheer and restore Christmas spirit, but will she succeed?

Available to buy here:  http://amzn.to/1gcpTrc (UK) & http://amzn.to/KUArMU (US)

My Review:

If you are looking for a feel-good festive treat look no further. It is a heartwarming tale, an utterly charming story that will give you the warm and fuzzy feeling that is plentiful at Christmas time. 

With a lovely selection of well written characters you are drawn into each of their stories - they all face some sadness or problem but its a pleasure to read how they are interwoven into each others lives and how a special someone ensures they have a happier Christmas they thought possibly.

You can tell how unique Natalie is throughout and how she is instrumental in spreading her own Christmas magic for all the characters we grow find of.  I feel more could have been made of Natalie - she is so important to this story and although I like what I read of her, especially at the end, I feel like I wanted to know more. 

This book has it all - romance, humour and that special festive magic. It's a nice read, with a great pace. The descriptions of all Natalies special cakes will have you dreaming of cake; I'm definitely tempted to search for recipes of some! 

Looking for a quick read that will leave you with a warm feeling? Then I recommend The Christmas Spirit. 

Comfy Rating: 👍👍👍👍
Thank you to Rachels Random Resources for the opportunity to review this book.

About the Author:

Susan Buchanan lives in Scotland with her husband and their two children. She is the author of four novels: Return of the Christmas Spirit, The Christmas Spirit, The Dating Game, and Sign of the Times. She is currently working on books five and six: The Proposal and Just One Day.

Susan is also a proofreader, editor and translator, and when not working, writing, or caring for her two delightful cherubs, loves reading, the theatre, quiz shows and eating out – not necessarily in that order!

Facebook – www.facebook.com/susan.buchanan.author

Twitter – susan_buchanan

Blog – Sooz’s journal – www.susancbuchanan.blogspot.co.uk

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Snowflakes and Cinnamon Swirls at The Winter Wonderland - Heidi Swain

Available here on Amazon

After calling off her engagement, Hayley, the Wynthorpe Hall housekeeper, wants nothing more than to return to her no-strings fun-loving self, avoiding any chance of future heartbreak. Moving into Wynthorpe Hall to escape the town’s gossip, Hayley finds herself immersed in the Connelly family’s festive activities as they plan to host their first ever Winter Wonderland. Gabe, a friend of the Connelly’s son Jamie, has also taken up residence and he quickly makes an impression on Hayley. With festivities underway, the pair find themselves drawn close to one another, but unbeknownst to Hayley, Gabe, too, has a reason for turning his back on love, one that seems intent on keeping them apart.

Simply wonderful.

What an absolute gem of a book. A story that is just as gorgeous as the front cover - Heidi Swain (@Heidi_Swain) never fails to give us a book with all the ‘feels.’ (I was lucky enough to come across one of her books in the library during the summer and instantly bought everything she has written and devoured them all in a ridiculously short time!)

Snowflakes and Cinnamon Swirls at The Winter Wonderland is another festive trip to the wonderful Wynthorpe Hall and back to Wynbridge for a lovely catch up with characters we have previously fallen in love with. Although the books are connected by where they are set, it can be read as a standalone book – though I warn you that you will want to catch up on every other Heidi Swain book afterwards!

I loved Hayley’s character in Sleigh Rides and Silver Bells at the Christmas Fair and was so pleased to see she got her very own book this time around. I love that she’s feisty, flirty and a proper little madam (although in a very lovable way), she deserves happiness and of course a real, true love.

Gabe – oh Gabe – what an absolute dreamboat! He is a fantastic leading man and perfect for our Hayley. Something is holding him back and I can see why Hayley feels like she gets mixed messages from him. As their friendship develops you are desperate for them to both get their act together and just love one another, but Gabe is holding back for a reason that may stop him ever getting close to Hayley or anyone.

This book is a definite festive treat. The Winter Wonderland sounds magical, you can imagine such a great adventure being at Wynthorpe Hall at this time of year. Plus, Angus. How could I leave out my favourite character! He is quirky and funny, providing many laugh out loud moments for me but he has a heart of gold. His devotion to making his ‘family’ happy as well as the villagers is heart warming and what makes Angus so fabulous. Everyone needs an Angus in their lives.

Heidi is one of my favourite authors, never failing to make me happy, have me in tears but then leave me with a heart full of love. She has created characters that feel like friends and places that feel like a place I would love to call home.

I read Snowflakes and Cinnamon Swirls at the Winter Wonderland in two sittings – simply because I wanted to stretch out the pleasure of the read. Get yourself a big hot chocolate and cinnamon swirl and snuggle up for this festive treat.

Comfy Rating: 👍👍👍👍👍

The Perfectly Imperfect Woman - Milly Johnson

Available here on Amazon

I am a huge advocate of visiting and using your local library. My earliest memory is being taken to the library and thumbing through the children's books - taking great delight in selecting which I would take home with me. This excitement has never lessened and now as an adult, I love being able to take home more than I could when I was a child. I can never come away with just a couple. 
'The Perfectly Imperfect Woman' by the marvelous Milly Johnson (follow her on twitter @millyjohnson) is what my library classes as a '7 Day - Chart Topper'  meaning you can take it out but must return it within 7 days and you cannot renew it. Its like some kind of exciting reading challenge I guess. I needn't of worried - it took me less than 24 hours to read this wonderful tale...

Marnie Salt has had a difficult life, mostly due to things beyond her control. After years of continually being made to feel unloved and always at fault she has often made bad choices that seem to end in bigger problems. The lack of love within Marnie’s life is apparent from the outset, adopted by a woman who never shows her love or attention but blames her for everything that goes wrong. We are given glimpses into Marnies’ beginnings but jump to her as a successful,if not lonely, woman. Marnie has worked hard and has a great career, she is successful and has aspirations about continuing to do well but it’s evident she has not had the same success in her personal life. Friends that have abandoned her, failed relationships with the totally wrong types of men leaves Marnie spending many a weekend alone and getting far too drunk. This is how she meets Lillian - an old lady causing a storm on a cheesecake chat room. Marnie, in a drunken stupor, bares her soul to Lillian, divulging her innermost thoughts and feelings. This is the beginning of an amazing friendship that is bound to change both their lives. After a crisis, Marnie needs an escape and Lillian is more than happy to provide this. Marnie is welcomed into Lillian’s life and village -Wychwell- with open arms just not by all that live there. Village folk are suspicious and Marnie in turn feels that maybe this is just another place she doesn’t belong and through the events that suddenly transpire, that it may be time to leave and look for another escape. Marnie soon comes to realise that Wychwell has taken her for its own and knows in her heart of hearts that she must to do what is best for the village, her new friends but most importantly for herself. She discovers that it’s fine to be imperfect, to have the cracks and bits missing that make us unique individuals. Marnies story resonates so to look at yourself and embrace who you are and know that what you consider to be flaws, loved ones will look past and see you for exactly who you are. The people that truly love you will see always see the true you. A magical tale of friendship, self-belief, community and true love.  I am a huge Milly Johnson fan and yet again I was taken to a little place that I just wished I could be part of. I was mesmerised by Marnie, Lillian and the village. I swooned at Herv and adored Emilie too - I found myself to be surprised and even heartbroken at some of the little twists in the story (that doesn't happen often). I thought I could predict what would happen, and yes for some things I was right - but there was definite curve-balls to keep me on my toes. I always look forward to reading Milly's books and hope in the future we can learn more about the people and the goings on in Wychwell but also pay a visit to lovely Marnie and see what happened after 'The End.' Comfy Rating: 👍👍👍👍👍