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Christmas Wishes at the Station Bookshop by Margaret Amatt #Review #Glenbriar SeriesBook16

  Welcme back to the beautiful Scottish Highlands for Margaret Amatt's  sixteenth in her Glenbriar  Series:Christmas Wishes at the Station Bookshop. This latest novel was published on 14th November by Leannan Press.   After one toxic relationship too many and more failed jobs than she can count, spirited Scarlett Finch has lost her sparkle and doesn’t think she can face this year’s festive season. The last thing she expects is to land a Christmas job at Glenbriar’s Little Station Bookshop, especially not thanks to a slightly unhinged older woman with a parrot, a pug, a wild imagination, and some crackpot ideas for displays – not to mention a flair for making unexpected decisions, like hiring Scarlett without telling the owner. Widowed dad-of-three Lloyd Miller is just trying to keep life on track. Between moving house, juggling his day job, and preparing to take over the bookshop from his retired mum, the chaos inside the shop is the last thing he needs, particul...
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Rocks and Flowers in a Box (Lorna & Tristan Series 2) by Cynthia Hilston #Review



 Today I am happy to be featuring Cynthia Hilston's literary historical romance, Rocks and Flowers in a Box. This is the second in her Lorna and Tristan series but can be read as a standalone. 

The wedding bells for Lorna and Tristan Blake toll doom right as the honeymoon begins with an unexpected turn in Tristan’s health. While World War II winds down, Lorna receives a letter from the War Department informing her that the brother she thought killed in action is still alive. She is overjoyed, but his return will dredge up a devastating secret about their parents’ tragic death –a secret that could destroy her new marriage and threaten her husband’s physical and mental well-being. What unfolds is balancing act of keeping the faith and shattering the pieces of the life she’s worked so hard to put back together.

My Thoughts

 It is perfectly possible to read this as a standalone although I am sure that you would have greater insight into the characters if you were to sample the first book. I would say that the characterisation in this novel is a strength. It is an emotional read at times and delves into social issues of alcoholism, and alienation within a family. There are some raw edges to all the characters and they have to come to terms with letting go of the past and forgiveness.

    Set in the US post Second World War, you get to see how returning soldiers come to deal with the life back home. It is a fascinating period of history and you totally see the characters set within a specific time period. It forms them. As secrets from the past threaten the new order, you find yourself hooked into the lives of Lorna and Tristan and the others. 

In short: Post War life is dominated by secrets in the past. 

About the Author



Cynthia Hilston is a thirty-something-year-old stay-at-home mom of three young kids, happily married. Writing has always been like another child to her. After twenty years of waltzing in the world of fan fiction, she finally stepped away to do her debut dance with original works of fiction. Visit her website at www.cynthiahilston.com for more information.

In her spare time - what spare time? - she devours books, watches Doctor Who and Game of Thrones, pets her orange kitty, looks at the stars, and dreams of what other stories she wishes to tell.

You can follow Cynthia here:  Facebook  |  Goodreads
                                  |  Amazon Author Page  |  Twitter |  Instagram

Book links: Amazon US   |  Amazon UK

Thanks to Cynthia Hilston and Rachel of Rachel'sRandom Resources  for a copy of the book and a place on the event.

 


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