A Family for Christmas

by Linda Finlay

The stunning new Christmas saga from Linda Finlay, author of The Royal Lacemaker and The Girl with the Red Ribbon Christmas joy is in short supply for twelve year old Eliza when she is thrown out of her home on a freezing night by her brutal father. As she trudges through the snow over the Devon moors she collapses in exhaustion, chilled to the bone and barely able to drag one foot in front of the other. She is taken in by Fay, who treats her with her own curatives, nursing her back to health until she is strong enough to continue on her travels. As the weather improves and spring arrives, Fay encourages Eliza's natural love of plants and flowers and she teaches her how to use them to treat ailments, and also to make exquisite perfumes. When Fay's own health fails, she secures a position for Eliza working for a master perfumer, Charles Farrant, in East Devon. But further trials and dangers await Eliza, a new romance is threatened by her jealous employer, and there are attempts from many quarters to thwart her happiness and success. But her beloved Fay has one more susprise up her sleeve - will she be able to help Eliza find what she really wants? A family in time for Christmas? About the Author As an image consultant, Linda has always had an avid interest in people. Linda's writing has been published in a number of magazines and annuals. Moving to the spectacular Devon coast and learning about its local history inspired her novels set in the area.

Genres: Christmas, Historical Fiction

432 pages, Paperback

First published December 8, 2015

About the author

As an Image Consultant, Linda has always had an avid interest in people. Helping them to regain their confidence after they've undergone life changing surgery is one of the most satisfying areas of her work.

Linda has always loved writing stories and won a competition run by the local paper when she was 11.

She has since been published in magazines and annuals. Moving to the spectacular Devon coast and learning about its local history inspired her to write her first novel The Royal Lacemaker. Under the patient guidance of a local teacher, she learned to make lace and is very proud of the 'spider' she produced.

She loves beach-combing, finding it the perfect excuse to indulge in a spot of people watching.

Reviews

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely read!
This is the story of Eliza, who at the age of 14 leaves home feeling unwanted and unloved. After a arduous journey she eventually collapses in the snow high in the moors. Fae and Ducan nurse her back to health, and she stays with Fae in her little house.
From there the story develops further and is full of surprises. I found this book more interesting than the average historical saga, the plot is different in a good way. The book covers 4 years of Eliza' s life and there is never a dull moment!
I would defiantly recommend this book and I'll be looking out for more by Linda Finlay.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another charming read by this author, set in Devon. Eliza runs away from her home after overhearing comments from her father that she was not wanted. She is taken in by Fay who lives in a hovel on the moor and begins an interesting journey learning about the people and plant life which surround her.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Didn't want it to end. Such a lovely story

[Irina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree that this book you're 'into' from the page one and it much more than you would normally expect from a historic novel. I didn't like the homophobic lining, though.

[Emma Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a marvelous read. I do love a story around Christmas.
It is about a fourteen year old girl called Eliza. She comes from a family who thinks she is a burden on them and that with her deformity she will not marry well. Because of this she escapes that life and is left wandering the moors alone in the cold of night with only a treasured box of her grandfather. Her fate leads her to an elderly woman and a free spirited gentle giant who take her to their hearts and home. With them she found a home, a gift of her sense of smell and friendships however her self esteem seemed to let her down pretty bad. Thanks to the elderly woman Fay she goes to be apprenticed at one of the perfumeries however a couple of months into the apprenticeship her employer cuts her off from the staff because of her position and he sets his sights on marrying her.
Instead she escapes from the factory and goes into hiding at one of her friends relatives shops thus ending her apprenticeship. She gains employment at the shop which she enjoys. It ends with Eliza having a family for christmas

[CJ Browne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Family for Christmas is a great novel which will keep you turning the page as you follow the endearing heroine’s progress through her challenging teenage years. Eliza, is a plucky, independent girl who underrates her own abilities. But her determination and intelligence kick in as the story develops resulting in a very satisfying read. Add in the delightful and vivid descriptions of the West Country settings, some fascinating discoveries about the perfume industry and a mix of fascinating characters plus the possibilities of romance, and you have a story that will intrigue and delight you at any time of the year. Strongly recommended.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another really nice read by this author. I loved the book. It had a good mixture of twists and turns and was interesting in content. The only negative it's not terribly christmassy if that's what you want .

[Heather Copping · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of those books that I was "into" from the first few pages, it's a lovely story set in the Devon countryside and coast and I loved it, and I would have liked to know what happens next. It has characters in it that you love and hate!

[Annemarie Farthing · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought there were characters in the story who were not of any importance at all.
Funniest quote...
'Oh, you're all wet,' she cried.
'Sea gets a bit that way sometimes,' he teased.
The story didn't really keep me interested but I did finish it.

[katie daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow I have really enjoyed read this book which I would recommended to any one to read anytime fabulous written

[Shauna Doherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

When i started to read this book i guess i expected the typical young girl in an orphange style story but what i got was so much more i loved how eliza was so strong from the vwry beginning leaving home amd then escaping from her apprenticeship tp finally find a family who loved her just the way she was a perfect festive read

[Kathy E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eliza's story is not just for Christmas - it's a beautifully saga that will entertain all year round! A must read that takes you into the world of perfume making whilst adding measures of sadness, danger and romance!

[Yvonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had read it before, It was a sweet little book. With some very different characters making the story more interesting

[judith green · Rating 1 out of 5]

Slow story

A poor story and not much to it. All the way through recipes were referred
to as receipts so very annoying. Stupid how she keeps meeting old flames.

[Cara Smyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really beautiful story about a girl just looking for a family for Christmas. Never a dull moment in this book. I read it all in one day and loved every minute of it!

[Jeanette Burt · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book, reminds me of a little Heidi; I finished it a day, it is the first fiction book to keep my attention and actually had me tearing up. I will be reading more from this author

[Marie Mccaffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book. Great story- lots of emotion running through the story. Eliza had such an unhappy life - all she wanted was to be loved . Didn’t want the book to end and loved the happy ending.

[Sue Hickling · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a lovely read ,really enjoyed it .🙂

[Natalya · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice, if slow, read. Some parts I found slow-going, and generally I couldn't really get into it as much as other reviewers did, but I was pleased that it was a happy ending (and that Eliza finally found the ingredients for her perfume!).

[Aimee Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book! Didnt want it to end, very nicely written.

[Denny Lia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this in one day, t'was raining so I had non to do. I'd say the one in the beginning was quite good like a typical teenage stuff experience of having a puppy crush, and that was the part that interested me the most.

I expected that there was a reason behind everything, and that she was just gradually maturing but tbh she did not lol. I feel like there could be improvement on just how the f she ended up with a man who would make her choose, I dunno that was quite a culture shock I guess.

But overall It'll be a good read, I mean I manged to go through it (I focused on the romance and like, of course Duncun and her wouldn't end up together)

I expected story to be more on how she will discover different kinds of things, specifically about love and it not actually falling in love or interested on every man who would treat her kindly (it's like psychological thing cause of her father buy yeah... that's how I remember it sorry. Glad she escaped the French dude tho Oui?


WOW THAT WAS A LOT MY BAD
It's already been 7 months since I read this and I can't forget the moment where Duncun came back hahaha (I don't know how to make a review but I wanna share my insights hehe).

[Layla · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice story liked it at first but when Eliza was at the house I just felt the story started to drag from that point onwards. Had to abandon.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story. Curl up with a glass of wine and chocolate to create a perfect night.

[Gemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful.