October 10, 2024 – My Sanctuary

A Recipe For Christmas By Jo Thomas

Take one woman longing for the perfect Christmas . . .

All Clara has ever wanted is Christmas surrounded by loved ones, full of warmth and delicious food. So when her new boyfriend asks her to move to Switzerland, she can’t help but say yes! After all, what could be more perfect than Christmas in the Alps?

Add a dash of surprise

She quickly signs up for a chocolate-making course, imagining a workshop like something out of a festive advert. Instead, it’s chocolate-making bootcamp! And her boyfriend isn’t all he seemed either . . .

And enjoy a magical festive treat!

Despite it all, Clara begins to make friends – including the aloof yet intriguing Gabriel. With all of the ingredients at her fingertips, will she finally be able to whisk up her Christmas dream?

Christmas At The Board Game Cafe By Jennifer Page

Kate seems to have it all – wonderful friends, a successful career and an idyllic life in the quirky Yorkshire town of Essendale. But under the surface Kate’s lonely, and she longs to feel part of a family – especially during Christmas.

With the holiday season fast approaching, and the town desperate to attract more visitors, Kate conceives a brilliant plan: an enchanting living Advent calendar. Each December evening, a captivating window display will be unveiled across town. With local businesses struggling, including her best friend’s board game café, she’s feeling the pressure.

But Kate’s picture-perfect plans take an unexpected turn when her ex-boyfriend arrives in Yorkshire, insisting on creating the Christmas Eve display. Can Kate trust him to deliver a show-stopping window? And can she finally put the past behind her and embrace the future she’s always dreamed of?

Into The Storm By Cecelia Ahern

ONE NIGHT

It is a wild night in the middle of December, and GP Enya is crouched over a teenage boy, performing CPR in the rain.

ONE MOMENT

The boy survives, but Enya’s life splinters in two. Trapped in a loveless marriage, the storm propels her to break free.

ONE CHANCE TO BE FREE

But even in the remote country town that becomes her sanctuary, Enya is haunted by the night in the rain.

Beneath the boughs of an ancient tree that tells a thousand stories, can she find the courage to face her own?

Guests can be surprising…

Ann and Rhonda continue their work at The Beach House Hotel, always striving to make their upscale property the best on the Gulf Coast of Florida. As they’ve learned, not all guests are easy. When they receive a request from Hilda Hassel, a member of the Bavarian royal family, for a two-week stay at the hotel in January, demanding the best room and high tea every afternoon, Ann is uneasy. Other Hassel family members cancelled a large, fancy wedding at the last moment leaving a mess behind. But Rhonda convinces Ann that having a royal guest could increase important European business, and Ann agrees.

After deciding to give Hilda the Presidential Suite for two weeks during their high season and welcoming her to the hotel, Ann and Rhonda are left to wonder if they’ve made the biggest mistake of their lives when Hilda arrives with her “nephew” and strange things begin to happen.

About The Author

My Review

Ann and Rhonda manage The Beach House Hotel, known for its excellent service and privacy, while also helping family and friends. They assist Sydney and her NFL player boyfriend, Bobby, find their new home as they transition into the next phase of their lives.

The hotel hosts Hilda Hassel, a wealthy heiress with royal ties, but Ann and Rhonda grow suspicious when strange men frequently visit her private suite. They must balance the hotel’s discretion with monitoring the odd behavior. Meanwhile, an older couple who visit yearly arrives early, but the hotel is fully booked. Ann invites them into her home, strengthening family bonds as they become honorary grandparents to her son.

The story connects with previous books, creating a familiar backdrop. However, a mystery element emerges when items go missing, leading Ann and Rhonda to investigate if it’s linked to Hilda’s suspicious activities. With a mix of warmth and intrigue, the narrative keeps readers engaged as they uncover the truth.

My Rating