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| A Royal Christmas Wedding |
A Royal Christmas Wedding
By Rachel Hauck
Zondervan, October 18, 2016
Reviewed By Diana Flowers
~5 stars!~
(No spoilers!)
Simply Enchanting!
Rachel Hauck has crafted a magical Yuletide tale set in Brighton, England, an emerald isle steeped in tradition—where the crisp scent of pine and cinnamon waft through the frosty air—and snow-covered, beautifully lit fir trees, costumed carolers, and the sound of sleigh bells can be heard ringing throughout the town!
Avery Truitt, college volleyball star in St. Simons Island, Georgia, was rejected by the man of her dreams five long years ago, Prince Colin of Brighton Kingdom. After declaring their love for one another, Colin fails to show up for her prom and after texting her once, never speaks to her again. But the joy of her sister's pregnancy brings Avery to Brighton to visit her at the royal palace, just in time for the Cathedral City's enchanting Christmas season. Wishing to attend the many holiday festivities, dances, and charities, she knows she cannot possibly avoid seeing Colin again, but hopes for some kind of closure to finally relieve the pain of the past five years.
A centuries old tradition in Brighton dictates that a young man smitten with love runs all the way up the one hundred and eighty-two steps to the Pembroke Bell Tower and rings the bell just after midnight of the Harvest Celebration to declare his undying devotion. Then he must woo the object of his affections and marry her by Christmas. Is it too late for Colin to fix things with Avery—and will he follow his heart to ring the Pembroke Chapel Bell for her or his lady friend, Jordan Skye? Or will he ring the bell at all?...since the last young man to do so plummeted to his death.
Rachel Hauck is a New York Times bestselling award winning author with many an amazing novel to her credit and this one is no exception! It seems as though all of us ladies still have that little girl in us who comes to the surface from time to time—dreaming of our Prince Charming and happily-ever-after. That young girl in me absolutely delighted in this enchanting Christmas novel of love lost, and of the handsome prince who must atone for his inconsiderate deeds to win back the lady he adores. But, ooh, the angsty romance quickly brought the woman in me (and the tissue box!) back out, and a twist near the end made my heart skip one too many beats! Ms. Hauck's descriptive prose intensified my senses with the scent of evergreen boughs, the sights of Christmas lights glistening underneath a layer of snow, and the sounds of Bing Crosby crooning White Christmas. A Royal Christmas Wedding is simply begging to be made into a Hallmark Channel Christmas movie and if so I'll grab a front row seat! Very beautifully written, Rachel Hauck!
GIVEAWAY: Rachel Hauck is generously giving away a paperback copy of A Royal Christmas Wedding to one commenter! (US entrants only!) Please be sure to leave your email address written (at) and (dot) to protect yourself from spammers!
Delightful review Diana. Prince charming & Christmas story in one sounds enchanting.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Tina
Thanks, TINA! It really is a wonderfully enchanting book, and I believe ladies of all ages will love it! lol It's not a childish book by any means, and it has some heartbreaking moments in it as well as fun ones.
DeleteLovely review Diana! It does sound like it would make a great Hallmark movie. I added the book to my wishlist. I've loved the Royal Wedding series.
ReplyDeleteandreastephens(at)yahoo(dot)com
Yes, it does, ANDREA! One that I would watch over and over again! Good luck in the drawing!
DeleteThank you so much!! :)
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, RACHEL! I see I have some catching up to do on your books, bc I simply love your writing!
DeleteThanks for this wonderful review. I look forward to reading this book and yes, it sounds like a Hallmark movie in the making!
ReplyDeleteConnie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
I wish they would make one, CONNIE. So many beautiful Christmassy snow scenes...I can just see it now!
DeleteWhat a cute premise for a story! I can't wait to listen to this one! Great review, Malibu Barbie!
ReplyDeleteI had forgotten the MB nickname, Carrie! Lol It is on audiobook and I can't wait for you to listen to it!
DeleteI'm always looking for cute, heart warming books to read! My email is blessedbyhisloveblog(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThis one is cute, but it broke my heart a few times, too, HILARY! Wahhh...
DeleteGod bless!
What a gorgeous cover! Would love to win a copy!
ReplyDeletedebsbunch777(at)gmail(dot)com
Wait until you visit Brighton with it's Old Towne Christmas charm, DEBBIE! Ohhh my!
DeleteGreat review. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeletefallingfan at gmail dot com
You're so welcome, EMILY! Thanks for giving this one a try! ;)
DeleteWonderful Review! I love Rachel Hauck's books and can not wait to read this one.
ReplyDeleteThank you,
Becky
ohiohomeschool (at) gmail (dot) com
Hi, BECKY! Thank you! This book was so delightful, but I'll admit to shedding a few tears throughout when the heroine was so sad. And especially at the wonderful conclusion!
DeleteThanks for the chance to win a copy of this book! I've not yet read any of Rachel's stories, but have read a lot of fantastic reviews on them.
ReplyDeleteteamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com
TRIXI, I know exactly what you mean. I asked Rachel where she had been all my life!? lol Guess I have always been more of a historical fiction reader, but am happy to say I have done some branching out. Thanks for stopping by and lotsa luck!
DeleteSounds like another good one! I have read some of her books but not the Royal series. Enjoyed the fun review! dixiedobie at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteCATHY, I had not read any of her Royal series either, and I was pleasantly surprised by it! It had everything - humor, fun, Christmas, heartache, and a spiritual thread interwoven throughout w/out being preachy. Thanks so much!
DeleteOh, Diana, your review makes me absolutely giddy with excitement! I can't wait to read A Royal Christmas Wedding!! Thanks so much for the giveaway opportunity!
ReplyDeletetexaggs2000 at gmail dot com
BRITNEY, if my review made you giddy, just wait til you read the book! lol
DeleteThis is truly a great review so just got it from Amazon. I would still love a copy for Christmas gift. Thank you for the review
ReplyDeleteKaren Cavanaugh Caiati
DeleteI can't think of a more perfect Christmas gift, nor a nicer compliment, KAREN! Thank you! P.S. I need your email address for notification purposes should your name be drawn. :)
DeleteWhat a lovely book to read for Christmas. Thank you for this giveaway.
ReplyDeleteJoanEC128[at]AOL[dot]com
I would love to read it during colder weather, JOAN!
DeleteWhat a lovely cover for a lovely story. Thank you for this Christmas giveaway.
ReplyDeleteMarionMPC[at]AOL[dot]com
Love the cover as well, MARION! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteA Christmas story about royalty,how wonderful. Thai book is a sure winner. Thanks for this great giveaway.
ReplyDeleteMarilynDKC[at]AOL[dot]com
Thanks, Marilyn! I hope you get a chance to read a copy ASAP!
DeleteI love this royal wedding series! The cover on A Royal Christmas Wedding is so lovely and elegant. I'm really looking forward to reading it. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
ReplyDeletepmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com
I so love this cover, too, PAM! And the story within is just as elegant and lovely as well! Lotsa luck in the contest!!
DeleteThank you for this review. Any book you have to read with a box of tissues has got to be good. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
ReplyDeletesusanmsj at MSN dot com
I agree, SUSAN! Just the lovely setting was almost enough to bring me to tears. I'm so over sensitive these days! Lol
DeleteOhh wow, thank you for such a beautifully descriptive review, Diane!! Your words are pure magic and make me long to read this lovely Christmas story of Rachel's!!
ReplyDeleteNOELA, you said it! You go, girl! haha Thank you for your sweet words that are like music to my ears. This isn't the typical type of book I read and I will have to admit that I enjoyed every single word of it! Immensely!
DeleteSounds swoooooon-worthy!!!! :-) I can't believe it's time for Christmas stories already. The year has flown. I think I blinked and missed about 2/3 of it! Love you, gf. Praying.
ReplyDeleteI know! Isn't it crazy how quickly summer flew by? I feel like it's only been a few months since we put our Christmas decorations in the attic. This is such a delicious book and the only thing that could have made it better is reading it during the winter with my jammies on and a cup of hot cocoa! Thank you for your prayers and love you, too, gf!
DeleteWhat a book! What a cover! Ooooo, I want to read it!
ReplyDeletemauback55 at gmail dot com
What a story!! I want you to read it, MELANIE! Lol Good luck!
DeleteDiana
ReplyDeleteYou review was breathtaking and has me biting at the bit to read this. Thank you for introducing such a Wonderful tale especially to bring on the Holidays! I appreciate you and the chance to win!
Be Blessed!
JUSTINA, thank you so much for your kind words! You have already made my day! This one ushered in the Christmas season perfectly for me. And we still have a month to Thanksgiving! lol I appreciate you as well and thank you for sharing my review on FB! :)
DeleteI've only read the first book in this series, but look forward to more!
ReplyDeletepattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
There's just something so special about Christmas books, PATTY! This can be read very well as a stand alone, although some characters from the other books return.
DeleteEXQUISITE REVIEW, DIANA! I've not yet read this series. Thank you for the chance.
ReplyDeletepsalm103and138 at gmail dot com
CARYL, thank you! And thank you for sharing my review on your FB page as well. Love...
DeleteThis sounds like a perfectly delightful book to read to get oneself in the spirit of the Christmas season! I love reading Christmas stories. Your review totally drew me in, Diana. I look foward with anticipation to reading A Royal Christmas Wedding! It does sound like the perfect makings of a Hallmark movie! Thanks for the opportunity of this giveaway!!!
ReplyDelete~Alison
nj(dot)bossman(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you, ALISON! It was pretty hot here in SC when I read it, but it still got me in the spirit of Christmas. Until I finished it and thought about all I had to do in the next couple of months and that brought me back down to earth!! Lol Good luck in the drawing!
DeleteCongrats to Chappy Debbie who won a copy of A Royal Christmas Wedding! Will be contacting you, Debbie!
ReplyDeleteSo happy! Hugs and God bless!
DeleteSo happy! Hugs and God bless!
DeleteBlessings and hugs back, CHAPPY! Glad to have made the rest of your day!
DeleteYAY CHAPPY!!!!! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThanks, sweetness!
DeleteI love Christma an with a twist of Prince Charming it has to be a great read!carlaganell(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by Carla! It's the stuff good Christmas movies are made of!
DeleteOh, it looks so amazing! I can hardly wait for this one!
ReplyDelete