Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor by Roseanna M. White

 

The Nutcracker and Edwardian-Era England combine to weave a magical tale of love and friendship at Christmastime.

Perfectly lovely. Loosely modeled after The Nutcracker with wonderful characters brought to life and life lessons to be learned. Edwardian era flawed and un-self-assured young adults against icy stiff foreign royal arrogance and yet each learns about their own true self. Christian values, love stories in a fanciful, creative and seasonal noble setting. Did you ever know how sugar plums are made? A treasure for Christmas or any time.  

I received this book free from the author, publisher and NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

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From the Back Cover

The Nutcracker and Edwardian-Era England combine to weave a magical tale of love and friendship at Christmastime.

As the beloved stepdaughter of the Earl of Castleton, Lady Mariah Lyons cherishes her home at Plumford Manor, but her idyllic world will be threatened when the estate passes to Cyril Lightbourne, a childhood friend she hasn't seen or heard from in years. Once, Mariah dreamed their friendship would kindle into something more, but that was before she heard Cyril was courting the cruelhearted Lady Pearl. Now Mariah is willing to welcome him as a friend and pray he will be the heir her stepfather needs, but she'll keep her heart locked safely away from anyone with such poor taste.

Cyril Lightbourne has long avoided returning to Plumford Manor, yet he reluctantly arrives in time for Christmas. When his friendship with Lady Mariah reignites, he finds himself caught between his affection for her and her family's misunderstanding of his attachment to Lady Pearl. Then, more trouble arrives in the form of a Danish lord on a mission to win Mariah's hand by Christmas. Will the magic of the holiday season help lead to the discovery of true love, or will duty to country leave all longing for what could have been?

"So many delightful layers to this tale, along with intriguing characters and beautiful descriptions. . . . It really puts you in the mood for Christmas."--Melody Carlson, author of The Christmas Tree Farm and A Royal Christmas

"Sugar plums, gingerbread, and all the Christmasy feels go into this charming holiday romance."--Michelle Griep, Christy Award-winning author of Once Upon a Dickens Christmas

About the Author

Roseanna M. White (RoseannaMWhite.com) is a bestselling, Christy Award-winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she's homeschooling, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books . . . . to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.

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Always by Jody Hedlund

Spellbinding. In a fictional land ruled by Kings and Queens, there are struggles between generations with twins as to who is the rightful heir. Regency Fiction. I was hooked right away, on the edge of my seat the entire rest of the story. In depth characters. A noblewoman lady in waiting Lady Felicia was given newborn twin princesses to rescue by their dying mother the Queen, one of the King also chose one of his guards, Lance, for the task. But first they have to get out alive - then stay that way. And find the other Princess and take her to safety as well. Constant danger, strength and courage, deepening the character's personalities and lives. A great way to start a series! Although this is marked as a young adult book, adults will enjoy it as well. Not childish in any way.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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The Seamstress by Allison Pittman

Wow what a powerful story. A step into history. 

It's set in France 1788 just before, then during the French revolution. There is a place not far from where I live that was constructed with the hope that Marie Antoinette would find asylum there, but sadly she never made it. Going there, seeing how it was made ready for her, I wished I could have made or helped to make some of the things for her. In particular I remember a quilt made from velvet pieces with beautiful embroidery around each piece. My grandmother made one similar and the women in our family all stitched on it. It enhances my feeling about Marie, the war and a seamstress she might have had.

Renee is a poor girl taken in as an orphan with her cousin by a man, not that much older than them, who runs a farm that's been in his family for generations. They don't have much but she delights in small things and loves her new family, growing in a Christian way. They have a friend who believes in eliminating the royalty from France. Near their house a carriage overturns and Renee mends the gown of a woman who was within. The mending is quite clever and fashionable. The woman is close to the queen, and decides to take Renee with her.

Renee, though quite young, finds a new life at the palace, and her skills make her a favorite. I delight in reading about the fabrics and thread as the story describes how she uses them. And in the beauty of the palace. The author skillfully tells several sides of the struggle at this time and I found it very difficult to put down. It's hard not to feel strongly for the characters, and its not a very happy time overall for any of them. I like the depiction of Marie Antoinette as a good person who tried to help the poor. A get-lost-in-it book for me. Huge depths of emotion.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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Quotes from the book:
"The rain hits steadily, like whispers, and my ear strains to the occasional heavy droplet. To think, being in such a small space, every drop of it is splashing only inches above our heads."

"The people are their own god now. Their desires, law."

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