Tuesday, September 3, 2024

CHRISTMAS AT SUGAR PLUM MANOR by Roseanna M. White, Reviewed by Paula and Rebecca #ReleaseDay

Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor: (An Inspirational Historical Holiday Romance Inspired by The Nutcracker Set in Edwardian-era England) 

 
PAULA'S REVIEW:
Delightful story full of the magic of Christmas. Mariah Lyons, stepdaughter of the Earl of Plumford, loves her stepfather and Plumford Manor. Too bad she cannot inherit the estate. It goes to a distant relative, Cyril Lightbourne. Long ago, Cyril and Mariah were friends but lost touch as they grew up. Now Cyril has returned to learn to become the Earl.

Cyril and Mariah unearth an old play they composed when they were youngsters and enlist the village children to entertain everyone on Christmas Eve.

Full of the spirit of Christmas and quite a few things Nutcracker Suite, this tale also has themes of reconciliation, forgiveness and childhood innocence. And above all, it showed the reason for Christmas: that Christ came in humility to dwell among His people.

This story totally put me in the mood for Christmas with snow, sugarplums, nutcrackers and fairies. It was a community working together to bring joy.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House on behalf of the author and an ecopy via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and a solid faith thread


REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"Enter to a world of terror and delight. Of dastardly villains and heroes so bright. Enter to a world of magical things . . . of miracles and mayhem and the hope to which we cling . . . "

Not one, but two eligible bachelors arrived at Plumford Manor during this particular Christmas season. Both entertained thoughts of one lovely woman, perhaps for totally different reasons, and then again perhaps not. Lady Mariah Lyons had known Cyril Lightbourne as a childhood friend, and the stoic Danish Lord Gyldenkrone? . . . only from afar. Apparently, Soren wanted to close that distance and return home with an English bride-to-be; and Cyril? What did Cyril want?

Perhaps an enchanting encore performance of a familiar tale, re-written during the fanciful years of childhood will bring back the magic . . . or in this case the miraculous . . . applause.

"But that's what Christmas is about isn't it? The impossible becoming real. An infinite God becoming a fragile human babe. . . . Perhaps if I can help them to laugh and consider, just for a moment, that this world is more than it may seem at first glance, then they'll be willing to trust that the world beyond is more too."

A delightfully romantic Christmas tale!
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. 3.5 stars

BackCover Blurb:

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?

Bethany House Publishing, September, 2024
Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook
Buy CHRISTMAS AT SUGAR PLUM MANOR at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House



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