Kissing Father Christmas

Christmas in London. Snow falling. Carolers in the air. A warm cup of tea. Something sweet. Just the idyllic setting for a wonderful Christmas romance from author, Robin Jones Gunn. This is the third novel in the Finding Father Christmas series around Carlton Heath in England and Anna is back for more. She arrived the first time and fell in love not only with the sights and sounds of Christmas in England but the family and friends she acquired there. However one thing has been lingering in her mind and that is a secret kiss shared between her and the groomsman from her cousin Miranda's wedding.

Anna believes that there is more there and it was only due to her leaving so soon that the romantic sparks she felt with Peter had to be put on hold. She dreams that they can rekindle those feelings once again, or at least she can hope it will be the one thing she wants this Christmas. However when she runs into Peter, he is quick to explain away their kiss as something all people in England do and he hopes she didn't read anything into it that would imply a romantic notion. Anna quickly passes off her feelings as those she didn't have those same desires and instead offers Peter an out, that they could begin again as friends. But those heartstrings simply won't let go and Peter begins making plans to show Anna around London at Christmas. She only hopes she can put her heart on hold until Peter reveals he wants more than simply being friends. Can that all happen in the short time she is visiting or will she return home to America with more than a broken heart?

I received Kissing Father Christmas by Robin Jones Gunn compliments of Faith Words, a division of Hachette Book Groups for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from a free copy of this book in exchange for my fair and honest opinion. This reminds me of my favorite movie The Holiday, without some of the comedy. Here two people are trying very hard to deny their feelings for one another and it seems it takes the threat of leaving again to cause them to confess to one another that love between them exists and always has. Now the question that will need to be answered is who will have to give up their home in order to make it more permanent. Grab a cup of something warm, snuggle up by the fire and enjoy this heartwarming romance. I give this one a 4 out of 5 and at just under 200 pages it is simple to finish in a day.

For more information about Kissing Father Christmas, Robin Jones Gunn or where you can preorder a copy of this book today due out in October, please click on the links below:

Kissing Father Christmas by Robin Jones Gunn

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Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor

I absolutely love it when an author so richly describes a novel, especially one that cross back the historical timeline in such detail, that you aren't reading a book, but you are really there as part of the story, merely watching it unfold before your eyes. Melanie Dobson is one such talented author. In her latest novel, Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor, the reader is taken between two generations of family members as it toggles back and forth from present day to 1954 in England to uncover a long buried mystery from the past that is now unfolding the answers in present day.

In 1954, we are thrust back in time to the life of Maggie Emerson who sits waiting to the man she loves and who has promised to marry her once he returns from the sea just in time for Christmas. Only this time, she has to make some important decisions. She has found herself pregnant and with not only her reputation on the line, but those of her foster family. She finds Walter Doyle, on the eve of planning to throw herself and her unborn child into the sea, a man who has proposed many times to her with a regrettable no each time. She realizes that if she plays it right, she might just have the answer to her problem if she can keep it a secret. But like all great secrets, some day they find their way to the light and in the process ruin the lives of those they promised to keep safe.

Present day, moves us through Heather Toulson who is returning to her father's cottage in England in hopes of settling his belongings after his death. Along with her daughter Ella, she is reminded of a childhood and love she once hoped would offer something more, but now it something she wants to keep buried. As fate would have it however, Heather runs into her old love, Christopher and discovers that the family she once thought she knew was far from what they seem. This may be the one thing that time won't be able to mend and at the heart of this lies the murder of a young boy from the past.

I received Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor by Melanie Dobson compliments of Howard Books, a division of Simon and Schuster, and Litfuse Publicity for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review outside of a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions contained here are strictly my own. Sometimes the best part about novels like this is the ability to weave together to very different stories from two time periods and be able to blend them so well, you forget that they are so different. They work so well that it appears seamless as they begin to merge almost like ghosts from the past. For fans of a great mystery and a love of historical England complete with old wealthy manors complete with secret gardens, thatched cottages and cobblestone paths, will absolutely be drawn to this novel. Well worth a 4.5 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

For more information about Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor, Melanie Dobson or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor

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