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25 November 2014

Review of Sandra Ardoin's Christmas novella The Yuletide Angel -- By Carrie Fancett Pagels

The Yuletide Angel by Sandra Ardoin
Darling Christmas Tale
by Carrie Fancett Pagels

 The Yuletide Angel
By Sandra Ardoin
Lighthouse of the Carolinas (2014)

 Although the cover looks spooky, there's nothing eery about The Yuletide Angel--but she DOES go about with her charitable work dressed in black and that house is a nice new one for the time period, which is 1890! Convicted that good works should be kept private, Violet goes to extremes! 

 Having lost her father, and previously her mother, Violet is left living with her brother who has now announced his engagement. This young lady, five years younger, will soon be moving into what has been their home.  Sensing she will soon become unwanted in her own home, Violet (whose personality has been consistent with that of being a shy shrinking violet) sets out begin what she hopes will be a successful bakery business.

 Meanwhile Hugh Barnes, a grocer whose home is across the street from Violet's has discovered who the town's mysterious Yuletide Angel is--and he's concerned for the young woman who does her merciful acts at night. Seeking to protect her, he follows her through the dark streets of their town.

 Rejected by several other storekeepers, Violet approaches Hugh about placing her baked goods in his store. Their relationship grows and a sweet romance begins. But then an unwanted reminder of past hurts returns to affect them.

 This is a great read and very different. What is fun for me is that my Christmas novella for 2014, The Fruitcake Challenge, is set in 1890 also and my heroine wants to run a bake shop, too, but the settings and the stories and romances are SO different. I think they make a great combo read! 

 Giveaway: A copy of Sandra Ardoin's The Yuletide Angel in ebook and The Fruitcake Challenge for a two-for read!  
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35 comments:

  1. Sandra ArdoinNovember 25, 2014 at 9:40 AM

    So glad you liked it, Carrie. I never thought I'd write that late in the 19th century/East Coast story, but it's what God gave me. In the past, I've concentrated more on the southwest 1870s and '80s.

    I'm getting ready to start reading various Christmas novellas (The Fruitcake Challenge included). Can't wait! It's that time of year. :)

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsNovember 25, 2014 at 4:21 PM

      I think you'll see the parallels in the stories and I hope you'll enjoy my novella, Sandy! Sure enjoyed yours!

      Delete
  2. Anne PayneNovember 25, 2014 at 10:21 AM

    I like the sound, AND LOOK, of this story! My Kindle is getting filled with some great Christmas novellas, just perfect for sitting by a nice warm fire, drinking a spot of tea and reading a good story. I need to add this one to the queue :)

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsNovember 25, 2014 at 4:21 PM

      Great for reading in bed, too! You'd like this, I think, Anne!

      Delete
  3. Bonnie RoofNovember 25, 2014 at 1:21 PM

    Beautiful review, Carrie - thank you!!

    "The Yuletide Angel" does sound like a different kind of story, yet also sounds like a beautiful one - full of emotion and lessons. I certainly enjoyed "The Fruitcake Challenge" and am anxious to read "The Yuletide Angel" - that setting Anne mentioned would be perfect for it!!

    Shared post!!

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  4. Diana FlowersNovember 25, 2014 at 4:02 PM

    Thank you for the great review, CARRIE! This sounds like it would make a great Christmas movie on Hallmark!

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  5. Sandra ArdoinNovember 25, 2014 at 4:27 PM

    Thank you, ladies! Your comments are so appreciated!

    I explained Hallmark movies to Violet and Hugh. Violet says the idea is a little intimidating to her right now, but Hugh thinks he can talk her into it should the opportunity arise. :)

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsNovember 25, 2014 at 7:28 PM

      Exactly--I think Violet has learned to jump when an opportunity presents itself! You are very welcome, Sandy.

      Delete
  6. Jan HNovember 25, 2014 at 5:37 PM

    I can see where a person could take something like that to to an extreme. I would love to read this story.

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsNovember 25, 2014 at 7:29 PM

      Yes, and I think it got a little extreme for Violet, Jan.

      Delete
  7. imabrassy1November 25, 2014 at 5:37 PM

    This sound like a very good book. Thanks for the review.

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  8. Mary PrestonNovember 25, 2014 at 7:00 PM

    I think it's such a beautiful cover actually. A fantastic review.

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsNovember 25, 2014 at 7:30 PM

      It's a cool cover that goes with the story but before I read the book, I was a little thrown off by that eery looking cover. TY, Mary

      Delete
  9. UnknownNovember 26, 2014 at 6:58 AM

    Thanks for the enticing review CARRIE! I'm so looking forward to reading this book about love that's sweeter than Christmas cookies! :-) I think the beautiful but slightly eerie cover would draw me to find out more about this book had I not known about it already. Love the concept of a Yuletide angel and her secret guardian!

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsNovember 26, 2014 at 9:20 PM

      Yes this is really unique! You'll enjoy it, Noela! TY!!!

      Delete
  10. SarahNovember 26, 2014 at 9:35 AM

    This sounds like a great book! Great review!

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsNovember 26, 2014 at 9:21 PM

      Really a nice story, Sarah. Hey, if you come back please leave your email because I'm not sure I have yours. Or look in the upper right hand corner next week to see if you won.

      Delete
  11. Sandra ArdoinNovember 26, 2014 at 9:56 AM

    Thank you all for you kind words!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Jon and Vicki MarneyNovember 26, 2014 at 12:57 PM

    Nice review--sounds like a nice cozy Christmas story. And I like the cover--it looks like a quiet Christmas night--good for a 'Yuletide Angel' to sneak around to do her good deeds.
    Vicki

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  13. Jon and Vicki MarneyNovember 26, 2014 at 12:59 PM

    A thought just came to me about the cover--"By the light, of the silvery moon..."

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  14. Mary LouNovember 26, 2014 at 4:19 PM

    Trying again to enter! I love, love, love the cover and the review was great. The synopsis sounds wonderful. Would make a great Christmas gift for anyone! flowersmarylou85(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsNovember 26, 2014 at 9:22 PM

      I think you'd love this story, Sister Mary Lou. Yes, it would be a nice Christmas gift.

      Delete
  15. Sandra ArdoinNovember 26, 2014 at 5:00 PM

    Thank you, Vicki and Mary Lou. Oh, now I'll have that song playing in my head. :)

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  16. ReginaNovember 27, 2014 at 5:42 AM

    Ohhh, this sounds like something I would read! I'll put it on my wish list!

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  17. ReginaNovember 27, 2014 at 5:46 AM

    I didn't finish my comment! Oops! The cover does look spooky but after reading Carrie's review, it made me realize it isn't scary but wonderful! Happy Thanksgiving

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsNovember 30, 2014 at 4:51 PM

      I knew it wasn't supposed to be, Regina, but when I saw the cover online I wondered if I was wrong. so I read the blurb and saw it wasn't at all something eerie but a great historical romance!

      Delete
  18. SonjaNovember 27, 2014 at 5:32 PM

    Would love to read Yuletide! Looks absolutely wonderful
    sonja dot nishimoto at gmail dot com

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  19. Sandra ArdoinNovember 29, 2014 at 9:46 AM

    Ouch! I responded to Regina and Sonja, but it looks like it didn't take. Thank you, ladies!

    ReplyDelete
  20. UnknownNovember 29, 2014 at 10:54 PM

    Wow! The Yuletide Angel sounds like a wonderful read
    God bless you both
    Chris Granville

    ReplyDelete

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