The Christmas Room by Catherine Anderson

Title: The Christmas Room Author: Catherine Anderson Series: n/a Heartwarming but boring Kirstin Conacher is sick and tired of being pinned under her father’s thumb. Ever since her mother died six years ago, her once loving, thoughtful father has become bitter, angry, mean, and extremely protective. She can’t go to town without him being suspicious; she can’t look twice at a man without him flying into a rage. She rebels, naturally, and one day she manages to meet Cam McLendon. …

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Interview with Catherine Anderson (The Christmas Room)

Article and Interview by Elise Cooper The Christmas Room by Catherine Anderson is one of these special stories. A word of warning, it is not a “sugar and spice and everything nice” holiday novel. Yet, it is very realistic, believable, and leaves the reader with a good feeling as the book ends, a feeling of hope. The two holiday generational romances touch on grief, healing and redemption. Readers will go through a range of emotions with the characters from joy, …

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A Christmas Affair by Jodi Thomas

Title: A Christmas Affair Author: Jodi Thomas Series: Ransom Canyon #6.5 Rushed but well-meaning This was cute, if you don’t mind some cheese and purple prose. It’s so strange; I don’t remember associating Thomas with such fanciful dialogue before this year. Maybe my taste or perception has changed recently. I just couldn’t imagine real people saying some of those lines, and that sense of absurdity distances me from the story. Which might sound like an ironic paradox considering it’s fiction, …

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A Very Ruby Christmas by Lavinia Kent

Title: A Very Ruby Christmas Author: Lavinia Kent Series: Bound and Determined #4.5? What is going on? I would like to thank Lavinia Kent, Loveswept, and Penguin Random House for allowing me to read this novel in exchange for an honest review. Madam Rouge aka Ruby aka Emma Scanton finds herself with a dilemma. She’s had plans to sell her pleasure house for months now, but it’s not as easy as she’d thought. She doesn’t trust anyone to run it …

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Lizzie’s Christmas Escape by Christine Barlow

Title: Lizzie’s Christmas Escape Author: Christine Barlow Series: n/a good writing telling a terrible tale I’d like to thank Christine Barlow, Bookouture, and Zaffre Publishing for allowing me to read this novel in exchange for an honest review. Lizzie Stevens is bored and lonely. Married and pregnant by nineteen, she settled into life as a mum and housewife, forsaking her ambitions as a seamstress. Her two daughters are grown and gone to college, and her husband has a daily routine …

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Christmas at Lilac Cottage by Holly Martin

Title: Christmas at Lilac Cottage Author: Holly Martin Series: White Cliff Bay #1 Heartwarming and utterly endearing; I found a keeper! I would like to thank Holly Martin and Zaffre Publishing for allowing me to read this novel in exchange for an honest review. Um, I think I just found a new favorite. Penny Meadows is lonely. When she finds new tenants to stay in her annexe, she’s excited to make new friends with the married couple. She quickly discovers, …

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