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Christmas at #2
Christmas at the Castle
A Christmas novella of approximately 20,000 words (76 pages).
Life at Caldoon Castle in the Highlands of Scotland isn't easy for Catriona Fraser and her two children especially since her husband died. So, when Iain MacNeice and his two daughters book the castle for the Christmas holidays, Catriona's prayers seem to be answered.
But the MacNeices arrive with a whole host of their own problems and it's going to take time, patience and a little bit of Christmas magic to make this holiday a happy one.
Christmas at the Castle is the second novella in the 'Christmas at ...' series from the bestselling author of The Rose Girls and The Book Lovers.
Life at Caldoon Castle in the Highlands of Scotland isn't easy for Catriona Fraser and her two children especially since her husband died. So, when Iain MacNeice and his two daughters book the castle for the Christmas holidays, Catriona's prayers seem to be answered.
But the MacNeices arrive with a whole host of their own problems and it's going to take time, patience and a little bit of Christmas magic to make this holiday a happy one.
Christmas at the Castle is the second novella in the 'Christmas at ...' series from the bestselling author of The Rose Girls and The Book Lovers.
76 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 13, 2015
91 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Connelly
67 books510 followersVictoria Connelly grew up in Norfolk before attending Worcester College where she studied English Literature. After graduating, she worked her way through a number of jobs before becoming a teacher in North Yorkshire.
In 2000, she got married in a medieval castle in the Yorkshire Dales and moved to London. Five weeks after their wedding, her husband, a television news cameraman, was sent to Israel. Convinced something terrible would happen to him, she came up with the idea for a novel about a young widow who starts seeing angels on her desk at work, but was scared to write it in case she tempted fate. It was only years later that her husband admitted to having a bullet graze his shirt sleeve whilst filming in Israel!
Although having had articles and short stories published, it was only when Flights of Angels was published that Victoria was able to realise the dream of becoming a professional writer. Published as Unter deinem Stern in Germany, the novel was made into a film for television by award-winning Ziegler Film. Her second novel, The Unmasking of Elena Montella (Wenn es dich gibt), was published in 2007 and her third, Three Graces (Wohin mit der Liebe), was published in 2009. All three magical romantic comedies are now available as ebooks.
Her first novel to be published in the UK – Molly’s Millions – came out in 2009. This was followed by a trilogy about Jane Austen addicts: A Weekend with Mr Darcy, The Perfect Hero (US title: Dreaming of Mr Darcy) and Mr Darcy Forever.
The Runaway Actress was published in April 2012 and she is currently working on another romantic comedy, Wish You Were Here.
In 2000, she got married in a medieval castle in the Yorkshire Dales and moved to London. Five weeks after their wedding, her husband, a television news cameraman, was sent to Israel. Convinced something terrible would happen to him, she came up with the idea for a novel about a young widow who starts seeing angels on her desk at work, but was scared to write it in case she tempted fate. It was only years later that her husband admitted to having a bullet graze his shirt sleeve whilst filming in Israel!
Although having had articles and short stories published, it was only when Flights of Angels was published that Victoria was able to realise the dream of becoming a professional writer. Published as Unter deinem Stern in Germany, the novel was made into a film for television by award-winning Ziegler Film. Her second novel, The Unmasking of Elena Montella (Wenn es dich gibt), was published in 2007 and her third, Three Graces (Wohin mit der Liebe), was published in 2009. All three magical romantic comedies are now available as ebooks.
Her first novel to be published in the UK – Molly’s Millions – came out in 2009. This was followed by a trilogy about Jane Austen addicts: A Weekend with Mr Darcy, The Perfect Hero (US title: Dreaming of Mr Darcy) and Mr Darcy Forever.
The Runaway Actress was published in April 2012 and she is currently working on another romantic comedy, Wish You Were Here.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
December 16, 2018
A cute little Christmas story set in a castle in Scotland. Our heroine is renting out rooms in the family castle left to her by her husband while raising two children. Our hero is trying to get closer to his two daughters while sharing a special Christmas with them. Good story with interesting characters.
December 12, 2016
5 Words: Christmas, family, friendship, loss, castle.
This whole story had a fantastically warm and festive feel to it.
Full review to come.
This whole story had a fantastically warm and festive feel to it.
Full review to come.
November 19, 2021
Christmas at the Castle is the second novella of the Christmas at trilogy and is my favourite overall. The plot focuses on Catrina who has been struggling to stay afloat financially since the death of her husband, Andrew. Their home at Caldoon Castle has been in her husbands family for eight generations and she wants to pass it down to her two children, Fiona 15 and Brody 10. As a means to bring in extra cash, Catrina decides to rent out the Castle to a single father and his two daughters over the Christmas period.
Iain McNeice is struggling to connect with his daughters, troubled teen Lexi, 16 and Chrissa, 8 following his divorce from their mother. He hopes that a Christmas break in the highlands will be the perfect opportunity. Unfortunately, their vacation gets off to a rocky start. The girls usually spend Christmas with their mother in California so the thought of spending their holidays in a castle in the middle of nowhere is less than appealing. Can the spirit of Christmas heal past wounds?
Heartwarming family centred festive fun that I was sad to see come to an end as so much was left unresolved. I'd love to see a follow-up.
Iain McNeice is struggling to connect with his daughters, troubled teen Lexi, 16 and Chrissa, 8 following his divorce from their mother. He hopes that a Christmas break in the highlands will be the perfect opportunity. Unfortunately, their vacation gets off to a rocky start. The girls usually spend Christmas with their mother in California so the thought of spending their holidays in a castle in the middle of nowhere is less than appealing. Can the spirit of Christmas heal past wounds?
Heartwarming family centred festive fun that I was sad to see come to an end as so much was left unresolved. I'd love to see a follow-up.
November 2, 2015
Another lovely read for Victoria...This festive book Just like the 1st one in this series Christmas at the Cove was a real treat to read.....I loved the cover and the setting in a remote Scottish Castle with its great hall and huge fireplace and I could well imagine the massive Christmas tree all decorated in its finery made me feel very warm and festive ...RECOMENDED...
December 23, 2018
I've really enjoyed this short series 'Christmas at the...', all three novellas have been very enjoyable slices of Christmas.
This time we're at a castle in Scotland. Catriona owns it and is trying to keep it going after the death of her husband a couple of years ago so she can pass it on to their children eventually and keep it in the family, so rents rooms out now and again. This Christmas she has rented part of it out to the MacNeice family, Iain and his two daughters, one a teenager who really didn't want to be there.
There are a couple of teenage histrionics but it brings both families closer together and in the end they all enjoy their Christmas together, with the promise of Iain helping Catriona out in the future with the advertising of the castle, as he owns his own advertising agency. Cute festive short story.
This time we're at a castle in Scotland. Catriona owns it and is trying to keep it going after the death of her husband a couple of years ago so she can pass it on to their children eventually and keep it in the family, so rents rooms out now and again. This Christmas she has rented part of it out to the MacNeice family, Iain and his two daughters, one a teenager who really didn't want to be there.
There are a couple of teenage histrionics but it brings both families closer together and in the end they all enjoy their Christmas together, with the promise of Iain helping Catriona out in the future with the advertising of the castle, as he owns his own advertising agency. Cute festive short story.
November 24, 2019
I’ve listened to a lot of stories that had a very few pages, but this was one I really didn’t like. And how it got so many 4- and 5-star reviews is beyond me. Good grief, Lexie was such a bitch of a kid I couldn’t stand her. The author made Lexie ruin the entire story, as far as I’m concerned.
AND if you’re looking for any romance at all keep looking, you won’t find it here. That’s one of the reasons I didn’t like it. I like Christmas stories but I like a little romance them. So, I’ll never read this author again. Boring and no romance AND a bitch of a teenager. That’s not for me.
As for the narration: The reason this story was free was because the narrator had everyone with the same voice. Even the men.
December 23, 2019
After reading the first book in this series, Christmas at the Cove (and not fully reading the description for this book) I thought this might be a continuation of Millie & Neil's story. In short, the answer is no, it's not. What I've learned about these books is that there isn't a HEA in typical sense when it comes to romance novels (or at all). In this book, it seems that the HEA will be for Ian, Lexi, & Crissa as a family, not for Katrina and Ian romantically (though he does say he'll see her soon). That being said, this was a sweet short story about a dad trying to get closer with his girls post-divorce. Lexi is an angsty 16-year-old and Crissa is a happy, go-with-the-flow 8-year-old. The biggest hurdle for Ian in this book is forging a good relationship with Lexy. Ian learns the importance of spending time with family. The family's time at the castle seemed to be a bit of an eye opener for both Ian and Lexi, with the help of Katrina. It is good to know, going forward, that Ian plans to alter his work schedule to spend more time with Lexi and Crissa.
May 23, 2018
Differences at christmas
A delightful warm hearted family Christmas story. Engaging to different worlds, those from the city and from the wilds of scotland. Enjoyed Christmas at the castle very much. Recommend it to anyone who loved Christmas......
A delightful warm hearted family Christmas story. Engaging to different worlds, those from the city and from the wilds of scotland. Enjoyed Christmas at the castle very much. Recommend it to anyone who loved Christmas......
November 18, 2020
Ebook
He’s a single Dad, realizing that he needs to spend more time with his daughters. They go to a Scottish castle for Christmas and work through their troubles to a new and better relationship with the help of the owner of the castle.
He’s a single Dad, realizing that he needs to spend more time with his daughters. They go to a Scottish castle for Christmas and work through their troubles to a new and better relationship with the help of the owner of the castle.
December 22, 2017
Such an adorable story!!!
July 22, 2019
Easy reading but not exciting
A short easy read but it all felt a bit predictable. One to fit between some longer more exciting reads.
A short easy read but it all felt a bit predictable. One to fit between some longer more exciting reads.
November 5, 2019
The castle in Scotland set the stage for not only a Christmas celebration but also the opportunity to set things right within a family.
December 30, 2019
A short story/novela (maybe). Lots of characters, but very little depth. No chemistry anywhere, so I would not call this a romance. Nice Scottish location.
March 24, 2024
This is a good story to read
Family, Love for each other, forgiveness,
Family, Love for each other, forgiveness,
October 14, 2017
A pleasant short story about a father who takes his two daughters to a remote castle in Scotland for Christmas.
Victoria's books are always a pleasure to read, and this was not exception.
Victoria's books are always a pleasure to read, and this was not exception.
October 13, 2015
Victoria Connelly does it again, another fantatsic read that is over far too soon!
The Frasers and the MacNeice's are under the same roof for Christmas, Catriona Fraser and her two Children always find Christmas hard after losing their husband/father but this year feels harder still as they rent out part of their Castle to Iain MacNeice and his two daughters. Iain has always worked hard and the two girls would usually spend Christmas in California with their mum, so a Castle in the Highlands with their Father was not their first choice.
Filled with stroppy teenagers, a huge dog and some secrets this Christmas shows both families that there is always something good waiting to be found.
A heart warming story that I hope gets a follow up!
The Frasers and the MacNeice's are under the same roof for Christmas, Catriona Fraser and her two Children always find Christmas hard after losing their husband/father but this year feels harder still as they rent out part of their Castle to Iain MacNeice and his two daughters. Iain has always worked hard and the two girls would usually spend Christmas in California with their mum, so a Castle in the Highlands with their Father was not their first choice.
Filled with stroppy teenagers, a huge dog and some secrets this Christmas shows both families that there is always something good waiting to be found.
A heart warming story that I hope gets a follow up!
December 18, 2015
Loved this family centred Christmas story by Victoria Connelly.
Featuring the Highlands of Scotland, a historical castle in a contemporary setting with contemporary family struggles of a single dad and daughters over the Christmas holidays. Audio version features lovely and authentic accents of the area. A pleasure to listen and to recommend.
Featuring the Highlands of Scotland, a historical castle in a contemporary setting with contemporary family struggles of a single dad and daughters over the Christmas holidays. Audio version features lovely and authentic accents of the area. A pleasure to listen and to recommend.
February 29, 2016
Decent quick read
This book was pretty good, especially if you want something quick to read with pretty good story development. The description of the surroundings really makes you feel that you are there , which is always important to get into a storyline. I will read more of her books.
This book was pretty good, especially if you want something quick to read with pretty good story development. The description of the surroundings really makes you feel that you are there , which is always important to get into a storyline. I will read more of her books.
November 11, 2015
Very sweet novella
This is a sweet novella about a father who's worked to hard and not spent enough time with his daughters. He rents a castle for Christmas...read to see how that Christmas turns out
This is a sweet novella about a father who's worked to hard and not spent enough time with his daughters. He rents a castle for Christmas...read to see how that Christmas turns out
December 17, 2015
Das war wirklich mal eine nette Weihnachtsgeschichte, sogar halbwegs realistisch, was bei diesem Genre durchaus nicht selbstverständlich ist, und in der Kürze des Textes ist mir die Personenzeichnung trotzdem positiv aufgefallen.
December 18, 2015
Scottish Highlands " ... and making up silly sentences from the letters on car number plates." The angst of teenage girls, the struggles of single parenting and the hope that flares when the lines of communication open.
January 2, 2016
I want a sequel!
So much more to learn about this father and his two daughters who are finding their way together. And will the castle become prosperous with Iain's advertising prowess. Will Iain stick to his promise and spend more time with his girls? I w as nth to know more
So much more to learn about this father and his two daughters who are finding their way together. And will the castle become prosperous with Iain's advertising prowess. Will Iain stick to his promise and spend more time with his girls? I w as nth to know more
January 12, 2016
Thought was put into this easy to read novella. Two families coping with Christmas as best as they can come together in the beautiful surroundings of a Highland Castle. A great read and insight into living life in a castle. 4 lovely stars
November 6, 2015
Yes, I like cute, predictable, happy ending, Christmas love stories, and this was a nice one.
December 1, 2015
everyone should have at least one Christmas in a castle!
December 31, 2015
Winter break #bookaday. Another delightful, yet predictable, novella for the holidays. I've liked everything I've read so far that Connelly writes.
February 22, 2016
Loved it! Great holiday read.
December 21, 2016
Brilliant
Wow what another fantastic Christmas book by Victoria Connelly. I loved the book and thoroughly recommended everyone to read this warm Christmas book
Wow what another fantastic Christmas book by Victoria Connelly. I loved the book and thoroughly recommended everyone to read this warm Christmas book
October 16, 2023
Listened on Audible (Included).
Sweet Christmas themed book where two families meet and match. Lovely novella.
Sweet Christmas themed book where two families meet and match. Lovely novella.
December 30, 2017
A heartwarming story of family and love, and loss and new beginnings.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews