"The Legacy of Longdale Manor," by Carrie Turansky

 "The Legacy of Longdale Manor," by Carrie Turansky

Two women--a century apart--embark on a journey to healing, faith, forgiveness, and romance.

In 2012, art historian Gwen Morris travels to England's Lake District to appraise the paintings and antiques of an old family friend, hoping to prove herself to her prestigious grandfather. While at Longdale Manor, she meets David Bradford--the owner's handsome grandson--who is desperate to save the crumbling estate by turning it into a luxury hotel. When Gwen stumbles upon a one-hundred-year-old journal and an intricately carved shepherd's staff similar to one in a photo of her parents, she's left searching for answers.

In 1912, after her father's death, Charlotte Harper uncovers a painful family secret she can only confess to her journal. She and her family travel to the Lake District to stay on a sheep farm, hoping eventually to find a home with Charlotte's grandfather at Longdale Manor, but old wounds and bitter regrets make it a difficult challenge. As Charlotte grows closer to shepherd Ian Storey and rebuilds her shattered faith, she must decide whether she will ever trust in love again.

This book is set in the Lake District where I lived as a child, so I was very happy to review this book.  Overall this book is a must read.  I enjoyed all the characters, and even enjoyed the going back and forward between the past and the present.  All the religious quotes/passages I felt where inserted in the book in an appropriate manner and were explained well.  It got to a point with both Gwen and Charlotte I had to know what happened next.  Where each chapter left off, it left you wanting more.

The downside of this book though is I was left wanting more.  The story of Charlotte Harper and her family is a book in itself I feel.  There is a lot more I want to know about them.  The same with Gwen, there is a lot more I wanted to know, especially about her grandfather.  

Stars out of 5 : 4 So although I will say please read this book you will enjoy it, it was missing something for me.  There is a lot more to be told about both families.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"You Make It Feel Like Christmas," by Toni Shiloh

"You Make It Feel Like Christmas," by Toni Shiloh

It's the most wonderful time of the year--for everyone except Starr Lewis.

As if going home for the holidays jobless and single wasn't bad enough, she's dragged into a holiday season full of activities leading up to her sister's uber-romantic Christmas Eve wedding--to Starr's ex-boyfriend. But when her brother's best friend, Waylon Emmerson, attends their family Thanksgiving, she starts to wonder if maybe coming home for Christmas isn't so bad after all.

As Starr finds the perfect distraction in helping Waylon make over his late mother's Christmas shop, the most wonderful time of the year works its magic and the spark between them grows. But with the holidays fast approaching, Starr must decide what she wants out of life after the gifts are unwrapped and the ornaments are put away--to go back to New York City or to open her heart to a love that will last beyond Christmas Day?

Another Christmas book to put you in the mood for the festive season.  This book has a little bit of everything when it comes to dealing with families, especially around the holiday seasons.  We all want a picture perfect, Hallmark," Christmas and this book shows you while it may not be perfect, there are moments where it will turn out as close to perfect.

Sibling's are the main thing in this book and anyone with siblings will know relationships with them can be complicated.  The whole Starr and Angel relationship is rife with issues, and you never know how it will end.  Starr and Waylon's friendship, has you cheering along all the way through the book.

Again I read and reviewed this book at the end of September when the weather was gorgeous and hot.  This book, is a read in December book to help you get into the holiday spirit.  

Stars out of 5 : 5 I feel there could be a number of follow up books about each of Starr's siblings, there are a lot more stories to be told about the Lewis family!  Well worth reading this book, not overly complicated and a fast read.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"All's Fair in Love and Christmas," by Sarah Monzon

 "All's Fair in Love and Christmas," by Sarah Monzon

Two workplace rivals. One festive competition. And a romance that upends it all.

Every December two things are guaranteed for graphic designer Mackenzie Graham--Christmas celebrations and the annual promotion at her workplace. Those two things are by no means mutually exclusive. In fact, the better an employee is at harnessing the Christmas spirit, the more likely they'll win the new job. With her social anxiety, Mackenzie never thought she'd be a contender in her company's holiday competition, so how exactly has she found herself dueling her workplace crush with wrapping paper tubes and using tinsel as her weapon of choice for a much-needed raise?

Jeremy Fletcher's life is meticulously planned out, including how to win this year's promotion at work. Not only will the new position fulfill some of his career goals, but as a single guardian to his twin niece and nephew, he needs the salary increase to support his family. Jeremy has barely noticed Mackenzie Graham around the office, but now that she's his rival, he can't stop thinking about her. Her quirkiness intrigues him, and he's afraid that if he can't get his head on straight, the promotion isn't the only thing he'll end up losing to Mackenzie.

If you want to be put into the Christmas mood, then this is a book for you.  It reminds you of Christmas traditions, you have probably forgot about.  It reminds you about how everyone can celebrate Christmas differently.

It also explores, social anxiety and Alzheimer's, which are both serious subjects, but do add to the depth of the book.  Add in a twist at the end, that I didn't know was coming, and this book has something for everyone.

The only odd thing, was I was reading and reviewing this book at the end of September, when the weather was really warm and Fall like, not Christmas like at all.  This book would be a perfect read at the beginning of December.

It's not a long book and doesn't require a lot of concentration to keep up with the plot, a perfect book to read on a Sunday afternoon through to the evening.

Stars out of 5 : 5 nothing negative to say about this book, a perfect book to put you in the Christmas mood.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".