Ginger & Brad's House

GIVEAWAY
RANDOM RETRO READ

UECKERMANN, MARION

GINGER & BRAD'S HOUSE

While Ginger Murphy completes her music studies, childhood sweetheart and neighbour, Brad O'Sullivan betrays her with the new girl next door. Heartbroken, Ginger escapes as far away as she can go -- to Australia -- for five long years. During this time, Brad's shotgun marriage fails. Besides his little boy, Jamie, one other thing in his life has turned out sweet and successful -- his pastry business.

When her mother's diagnosed with heart failure, Ginger has no choice but to return to the green grass of Ireland. As a sought-after wedding flautist, she quickly establishes herself on home soil. Although she loves her profession, she fears she'll never be more than the entertainment at these joyous occasions. And that she's doomed to bump into the wedding cake chef she tries to avoid. Brad broke her heart once. She won't give him a chance to do it again.

A gingerbread house contest at church to raise funds for the homeless has Ginger competing with Brad. Both are determined to win -- Ginger the contest, Brad her heart. But when a dear old saint challenges that the Good Book says the first shall be last, and the last first, Ginger has to decide whether to back down from contending with Brad and embrace the true meaning of Christmas -- peace on earth, good will to all men. Even the Irishman she'd love to hate.

My Review:

Fun and festive with just the right amount of angst to keep me in a mild snit because Ginger is holding a grudge and on the verge of bitterness. Yes, Brad broke her heart in the worst possible way but it's been five years and she's involved friends and family in the estrangement. She even moved to Australia to get as far away from Brad as she possibly could! But she's back in Ireland now (eeeppp -- squealing over the Irish setting) and her unforgiving heart is about to be stretched and pummelled until all the broken pieces are fitted back together again. 

This novella packs a real emotional wallop as it explores the vital role faith and forgiveness play in our lives. Plus -- it's a second chance love story filled to brimming with Christmas-y goodness. Along with one very determined (and swoony) hero who wants to set things right at long last. Makes for a very compelling read!

Goal Update: #1 Read more indie authors, #5 Diversify my reading

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback copy.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  Ginger & Brad's House, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday December 3 2022 . Offer open to International Readers.

Poles Apart

GIVEAWAY
RANDOM RETRO READ!

UECKERMANN, MARION

POLES APART

Writer's bloc and a looming Christmas deadline have romance novelist, Sarah Jones, heading for the other side of the world on a whim. Niklas Toivonen offers cozy Lapland accommodation, but when his aging father falls ill, Niklas is called upon to step into his father's work clothes to make children happy. Red is quite his colour.

Fresh off the airplane, a visit to Santa sets Sarah's muse into overdrive. The man in red is not only entertaining, he's young -- with gorgeous blue eyes. Much like her new landlord's, she discovers. Santa and Niklas quickly become objects of research -- for her novel, and her curiosity.

Though she's written countless happily-ever-afters, Sarah doubts she'll ever enjoy her own. Niklas must find a way to show her how to leave the pain of her past behind, so she can find love and faith once more.

My Review:

published in 2015

Okay, so you know how some Christmas romances actually have very little seasonal aspects to the story? So it could easily be switched to another time of year without taking anything away from the plot? Well, this is NOT that book!!!!

'Poles Apart' lives and breathes Christmas -- from the magic to the spiritual and everything in between. Hello!!!! We get to travel to Lapland! And meet some reindeer!! And there's tons of snow and a Santa's Village unlike any other!!!! Not to mention a hero named Niklas!!!! If you're looking to get into the holiday spirit, this is the story to help you get there.

And I love the way the author packs so much of the Finnish culture and language into this novella! Definitely a high-calibre armchair traveling kind of read.

So we have an author not only struggling with the dreaded writer's block but who is also soured on love (and yes, she's a romance writer!) but experience has taught her that fact definitely isn't as sweet as fiction...until she meets Niklas, that is.

He is a dream of a hero! His faith shines through in everything he does -- gentle, kind, teasing...and my, oh, my, but doesn't red make his eyes pop?! Cue the toe-curls and practice your swooning techniques, 'cause Niklas is worthy of a legion of 'em.

Squealll...there's also just the lightest touch of Christmas magic. The kind that gives you a little spine tingling thrill and warms you from the inside out. Puts me in mind of that 'cup of hot cocoa and a plateful of snickerdoodle' afterglow. 

'Poles Apart' (awesome title!) has earned a spot on my keeper shelf and is destined be a traditional favourite in my house.

Goal Update: #1 Read more Indie Authors, #5 Diversify my reading.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback or ebook copy -- winner's choice.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of  Poles Apart , leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday October 8 2022 . Offer open to International Readers.

Spring's Promise

GIVEAWAY
RANDOM RETRO READ DAY!

UECKERMANN, MARION

SPRING'S PROMISE

1972. Every day in Belfast, Northern Ireland, holds risks, especially for the mayor's daughter. But Dr. Olivia O'Hare has a heart for people and chooses to work on the wrong side of the city where colours constantly clash. The orange and green of the Republicans pitted against the red and blue of those loyal to Britain. While they might share the common hue of white, it brings no peace.

Caught between the Republicans and Loyalists' conflict, blue-collar worker Ryann Doyle has to wonder if there's life before death. The answer seems to be a resounding, 'No'. His mother is dead, his father's a drunk, and his younger brother, Declan, is steeped in the Provisional IRA. Then he crosses paths with Olivia O'Hare.

After working four days straight, mopping up PIRA's latest act of terror, Olivia is exhausted. All she wants is to go home and rest. But when she drives away from Royal Victoria Hospital, rest is the last thing Olivia gets.

When Declan kidnaps the Lord Mayor of Belfast's daughter, Ryann has to find a way to rescue the dark-haired beauty, though ti means he must turn his back on his own flesh and blood for someone he just met.

My Review:

South African author Marion Ueckermann's name has come up often in various social media posts throughout the years. A highly acclaimed independently published Christian Fiction author with stories set in exotic locales all across the globe. Sadly, she passed away last summer but her stories live on and I have finally found my way into one.

I'm thrilled with the Irish setting of this historical romance set in the 1970s when the unrest in Northern Ireland was at a boiling point. (Interesting to note that the author lived in Ireland for a time, so writes from experience.)

This novella length story packs a punch for all its brevity. Olivia and Ryann meet early on and it's all shy smiles and cautious interest. But awkward too. Olivia is coming off a gruelling shift in the ER and Ryann's desperate for word of his rebellious brother who might have been a casualty in a recent IRA bombing. They are worlds apart in class and education -- a doctor and a shipyard worker. The daughter of  the Lord Mayor and the son of a drunk. And yet there's definitely a spark...

And, I really don't want to say any more since the story progresses quite rapidly due to its shorter length. It's a tense page-turner filled with danger and angst and the desperate hope for a better future.

My first Marion Ueckermann novel, but it won't be my last. I have my eye on Poles Apart -- a Christmas romance set in Lapland! Eeep!!!

Goal Update: #1 Read more indie authors, #4 Read more new-to-me authors, #5 Diversify my reading

 GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Spring's Promise, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT AND DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the Draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday May 7 2022. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck