15 Jan 2019

A WINTER FLAME.

Here it is, my thoughts on the last book of 2018. Apologies that there is no First Sentence nor Memorable Moment. Alas I handed the book to someone else without making a note of them. TT


A WINTER FLAME by MILLY JOHNSON.


Eve has never liked Christmas. So when her adored elderly aunt dies, the last thing she is expecting is to be left a theme park in her will. A theme park with a Christmas theme …


And that's not the only catch. Her aunt's will stipulates that Eve must run the park with a mysterious partner, the exotically named Jacques Glace. Who is this Jacques, and why did Aunt Evelyn name him in her will?

But Eve isn't going to back down from a challenge. She's determined to make a success of Winterworld, no matter what. Can she overcome her dislike of Christmas, and can Jacques melt her frozen heart at last?
- Amazon.co.uk Book Blurb


SOURCE ... A charity shop buy.


READ FOR A CHALENGE? Yes.
MY THOUGHTS ... Its not often that I myself delving into the realm that is 'chic-lit' and it has to be said that when I do I NEED to feel the chemistry between the love interests and I'm afraid Eve and the mysterious Jacques just didn't do it for me ... in fact, taken individually, neither Eve nor Jacques 'did it for me'.

Other than that ...

I hold my hands up to loving the thought of a gloriously dotty great-aunt and a year round Christmas themed park in Yorkshire but even so a  story with not much to it though it did have a certain charm; overall I thought A Winter Flame an enjoyable enough festive romp, not something I'd probably have enjoyed nearly as much any other time of the year but still, a pleasant way to while away a few wintry hours. 

Other books read for the challenge ...

Candy Cane Level (1 book read)
 1. Saviours Day by Lewis Kinmond
Mistletoe Level (2 to 4 books read)
2. Murder on Christmas Eve by various authors
3. Angels At Christmas by Debbie Macomber
4. On Strike For Christmas by Sheila Roberts
Christmas Tree Level (5 to 6 or more books read)
5. It Must have Been The Mistletoe by Judy Astley
6. Rumpole At Christmas by John Mortimer
7. A Winter Flame
Visions of Sugar Plums Level (Children's books read)
1. Paddington And The Christmas Surprise by Michael Bond

16 comments:

Karen said...

I'm never too invested in the romances in chick-lit. They almost feel like an afterthought or a sweet little bonus rather than the main plot but I still find them comforting reads.

I adore the idea of her inheriting a theme park! And a Christmas themed one at that. How very Hallmark movie-ish lol

Karen @ For What It's Worth

Felicity Grace Terry said...

Karen you have summed it up brilliantly with the words Hallmark movie-ish,

Kelly said...

I definitely have to be in the right mood for chick-lit, but it does happen.

A Christmas-themed park - now that's something different. (and not something I think I'd find very appealing in real life)

You did well on your Christmas challenge this year!

Brian Joseph said...

At least running an amusement part sounds interesting. I would love it if someone left me one in thier will.

This is a nice list of books read. Until next holiday season!

Tanza Erlambang - Every Day Issues said...

well written summary. encourage people to read the book. thank you.
have a great day

Yvonne @ Fiction Books Reviews said...

Oh! my goodness Tracy, you must have been all Christmassed out by the time you finished that little lot!

I don't really do seasonal reading at all. If I follow an author, then I will read whichever story comes my way, no matter what time of year, it just depends when I come across the book.

Mind you, I don't think could stomach all that chick-lit in such a short space of time, with the exception of the 'Rumpole' book, which would undoubtedly bring back some great memories, as I was addicted to the TV series.

Well Done on getting so far with this particular challenge and Happy Reading in 2019 :)

Yvonne xxx

Sophia Rose said...

Yes, one should definitely be able to buy into the romance/characters in a chick lit.

The aunt sounds fun!

Suko said...

Tracy, we often hear about the first book of the year, but not as often the last book of the year! Thank you for sharing your honest thoughts about this one. I admire your diligence in regard to this reading challenge.

nightwingsraven said...

Tracy,
As always I appreciate your honesty.
The premise of inheriting a Christmas
theme park sounds interesting. And perhaps
the aunt would have been a more interesting
character than Eve.
And well done with the Christmas Spirit
Challenge!
Raven

Mary (Bookfan) said...

Right there with you on the need to feel the chemistry. Oh, well.

Heather said...

There was a time when I read a Christmas themed romance each December. It was a like eating a bowl of popcorn, fun while it lasts but then you are still hungry for something a bit more substantial.

sherry fundin said...

I don't read a lot of chick lit unless it is an author I am familiar with, but sometimes they are great for relaxing and not worrying about someone getting murdered. lol
sherry @ fundinmental My TT

WordsPoeticallyWorth said...

Greetings Tracy. So sorry you didn't find this one enlightening, but you still enjoyed it. Thank you for visiting my blog, you are most welcomed. Blessings. Love love, Andrew.

So many books, so little time said...

I must admit I do have a soft spot for Johnson's books and bought the last few straight off the press. I think I have one or two missing from my read list so will need to track them down. I enjoyed this one too xxx

Lainy http://www.alwaysreading.net

Alexia561 said...

Sorry to hear that the two main characters lacked chemistry. You really need that in a chic-lit read! I'm not much on Christmas reads, but you did great on your challenge!

The Bookworm said...

I enjoy nice holiday romance, but yes, the main couple need to have chemistry at least. That's great you got so many Christmas reads in!