The Beekeeper's Ball by Susan Wiggs

 

Title: The Beekeeper’s Ball

By Susan Wiggs

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The Gist:

Isabel Johansen has decided to turn her dream into a reality, transforming a portion of her family’s estate in the Sonoma Valley into a destination cooking school.  As she is preparing for this new adventure, and planning for her half-sister’s wedding (The Beekeeper’s Ball), she is thrown for a loop by Cormac O’Neill, a journalist who came to Bella Vista to write about her grandfather’s role in WWII.

As stories of the past, and promises for the future combine with amazing food and recipes, Isabel and Cormac must decide if they can each let down their guard, and find a way to their own happy ending.

What I thought:

Susan Wiggs does it again!  I had not read the first book, The Apple Orchard, in the Bella Vista Series, but had no trouble sinking into the storyline of this novel.  Although this story reads a bit heavier than what I am use to from Ms Wiggs (Lakeshore Chronicles), it was wonderfully well written with amazing descriptions of both scenery and food.

I loved the subtlety of the character of Isabel, you could tell that she was working towards her dream by how seamlessly everything flowed.  Even when there was stress and trouble, you could see that she would come out with a hint of a smile, and probably a bee sting cake (mmmmm)!

I felt that the second story in this novel was thoroughly researched and told with the tension and seriousness that it deserved.  I found myself holding my breath quite a few times as Isabel’s grandfather told of his participation in the Danish resistance.

All in all, this was a wonderful story, beautifully written, and I cannot wait to read the first installment, and any more that are to come.

Candlelight Christmas by Susan Wiggs

The Book: Candlelight Christmas by Susan Wiggs

 

The Gist:

      Logan O’Donnell is a young, divorced, dad who dreams of having a big family. Darcy Fitzgerald has recently survived a heart-breaking divorce, and has vowed that she never wants children.  When Logan and Darcy meet, sparks begin to fly, even though they seem completely wrong for each other.

      When Darcy arrives to spend Christmas with Logan’s family at his newly renovated ski resort, they must decide if they are willing to open themselves up to a love that is nothing that they expected, but everything they need. 

Susan Wiggs takes readers back to the beloved town of Avalon, and up to the mountains to celebrate a family Christmas complete with crackling fires, Santa traps, and a Christmas pickle in Candlelight Christmas.

What I thought:

YAY!!!  A new Lakeshore book! I am in heaven!  This is my all-time favorite series.  Each book is written as a stand-alone novel that will touch your heart, with characters that seem like your friends.  I have never read a book in this series that I have been disappointed in, and Candlelight Christmas is no exception.

This novel tells the story of Logan, whom readers of the series will remember as Daisy Bellamy’s ex.  Watching this great dad let go of the safety net that was his insurance company, and jump towards his dream of a ski lodge really made me like him all the more.  There is something about reading about a person putting everything on the line and working hard for their happiness that makes me feel like anything is possible.

At the beginning of the book, I didn’t like the character of Darcy, I thought she was harsh and bitter, but she really did grow on me.  By the time I learned her back-story, and read about her Thanksgiving with the O’Donnells in Florida (one word- dolphins!), I could see why she was the person that was meant to be with Logan.

Fast-forward to Christmas, the entire O’Donnell family arrives in Avalon for a traditional snow-covered Christmas.  Reading about their activities and traditions put me completely in the spirit (yes, I know that it’s only October, but I’m kind of a Christmas any time anywhere kind of girl).  I could identify, as a parent, wanting to maintain the magic of Christmas when children get to the age where doubts of Santa creep in, and I thought that Miss Wiggs handled it beautifully.  This book made me long for a trip to the snowy mountains, with crackling fires, Christmas trees, and candlelight.

In writing this post, I kept finding myself using the word “watched,” I’d erase it, and keep going, and then I’d use it again.  I believe that this is a testament to Susan Wiggs.  I did not feel as though I was sitting in my living room reading about these people, it felt as though I was part of the town, invited along for this special Christmas.  I loved watching the children hatch their plan to find out if Santa Clause is real, everyone gathered around the fire with Logan’s famous hot cocoa (recipe included), candles lighting the house on Christmas morning when the power was out, and Logan and Darcy’s love story from beginning to end.  This book was an escape to a place of my dreams, where good people care about each other, and become family.  I highly recommend this story to anyone looking for a heart-warming read, and a dose of Christmas spirit.