Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Bookish Thoughts: Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor

 


Hello, Friends!  Goodness, it has been so long since I've shared a review!  Our three little ones have definitely been keeping me busy!  But, I'm super excited to be sharing a couple Christmas novella reviews over the next couple days.  Starting with (drum roll) . . . . Christmas At Sugar Plum Manor!

Description:

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?



About the Author:

Roseanna M. White 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 her two kids, 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. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.


My Thoughts:

I want to go back in time and visit Sugar Plum Manor (if it were real)!

But, seeing as how that isn’t an option, reading this book is definitely the next best thing!  I loved it so much!  I’m not usually much of a Christmas novel reader, but when one of your very favorite authors shares that she’s writing one, you smile and start reading it as soon as it’s available.  At least, I do.  Because who doesn’t love Christmas in August? (when my advanced copy arrived)  I’m definitely looking forward to reading it again, closer to December, maybe with a fuzzy blanket, a cup of tea, and some Christmas cookies.

Things I loved: the setting.  A beautiful manor house in England!

The characters:  Lady Mariah was delightful!  I loved her kind and generous spirit and how she seeks to share joy with others.  And Cyril who loves Mariah’s whimsy and discovers a family, if he’s willing to leave his bitterness behind.  The village children!  I can just imagine the fun they had, throwing snowballs and leading the adults on a merry adventure.

The reminders of the season:  a couple of the characters are grumpy and obviously aren’t enjoying the wonder of Christmas and I loved how the author and the other characters drew them, and myself as the reader, into the delight and joy around them.

Overall, if you are looking for a beautiful story to spend a few hours with that leaves you laughing and smiling in contentment as the last page is turned, I would highly recommend this one!


*My thanks to the author and publisher for my copy of this book! I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are my own!


It feels so nice to be sharing reviews again! I really want to say that I'll be doing so more often, but I honestly can't promise anything, with the holidays coming and littles needing lots of love. So, thank you for stopping here today! I hope, if you decide to read this book, that you enjoy it at least as much as I did.


Have a beautiful day!


Purchase Links:

Roseanna's Store

Amazon

Barnes & Noble


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