Book Review: Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor by Roseanna M. White

About the Book:

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?

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Advance Praise:

"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

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My Thoughts:

In Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor, Roseanna M. White offers readers a sweet story of childhood friends rekindling their relationship and becoming more during an enchanted Christmas season. With a children’s play, sugar plums, and nutcrackers, the novella’s tone felt light and merry. The novella touched gently on forgiveness, hope, and the true miracle of Christmas – the Christ-child born to dwell with mankind. Although a bit convenient, misunderstandings were easily explained and missteps were freely pardoned. Overall, the story was less impactful than the author’s full-length novels, but still a nice read.

Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor is a stand-alone novella by Roseanna M. White with an inspirational message of Christmas cheer and hope.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

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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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The Reluctant Duchess by Roseanna M. White

Lady Rowena Kinnaird's future once seemed bright. Before her mother's death, before assault by her fiance, before her family's attempt to trap an English Duke into marrying her. Unbeknownst to her, divine intervention in the form of Brice Myerston, the Duke of Nottingham, is working for her good. Just as Brice and Rowena are getting to know more of each other, Rowena discovers Brice has a very dangerous secret, one that many deem worth killing for. She's fled one dangerous situation only to find herself in another. Will the secrets Rowena and Brice hide drive them apart or can love be born amid danger, wealth and secrets?

The Reluctant Duchess is the second novel in Roseanna M. White's Ladies of the Manor series. I have not read the first novel, The Lost Heiress, but I certainly plan to now that I've read The Reluctant Duchess. Enough information was given that I was not confused in spite of not having the read the first. That being said, these books are clearly part of a continuing series and I suspect this novel resolved some loose ends from the first. Likewise, there were plenty of loose ends in this novel to be resolved in the next installment of the series.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Reluctant Duchess by Roseanna M. White. From the beginning, Rowena's character captured my attention. Although at times her behavior seemed off-kilter, eventually the author flushed out the reasons behind Rowena's actions and reactions. The relationship between Rowena and Brice was also a point of interest for me, not simply for the romance, but also for the character growth that they brought out of each other. Other elements such as the cursed Fire Eyes diamonds, the mysterious criminal activity, and the threat of danger contributed the the story and made for a lovely read.

I recommend The Reluctant Duchess to readers looking for a potent combination of mystery, suspense, romance and Divine intervention. Enjoy!

Read an excerpt from The Reluctant Duchess by Roseanna M. Wite on the publisher's website.

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."