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Christmas by Candlelight
As if Christmas wasn’t already a busy enough time for the village vicar, Jules Mathieson is also counting down to her Christmas Eve wedding. Although she can hardly wait to marry Danny Tremaine, Jules is starting to worry because the small ceremony she’d planned is spiralling out of control - thanks to well-meaning friends and family becoming increasingly involved. With the arrival of her warring parents, bickering bridesmaids and competitive villagers, Jules is soon having second thoughts about the scale and timing of her wedding. But how can she tell Danny when he’s worked so hard to make sure she has her dream day? When a chance meeting with a stranger sets in motion a strange chain of events emotions run higher than the winter tides. With meddling villagers, power cuts, icy weather and a mysterious theft causing headaches, will the magic of Christmas intervene and get the bride and groom to the church on time?
189 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 4, 2020
97 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Ruth Saberton
47 books351 followersRuth Saberton is a bestselling British author with over 25 books written under her own and pen names. Her books feature romance and secrets and are set in beautiful Cornwall.
Her latest book THE LETTER is available now!
Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ruth-Saberto...
Amazon.com https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
Ruth loves to to talk to her readers. Interact with her on her website www.ruthsaberton.com on Twitter @ruthsaberton
www.facebook.com/ruthsabertonauthor
Her latest book THE LETTER is available now!
Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ruth-Saberto...
Amazon.com https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
Ruth loves to to talk to her readers. Interact with her on her website www.ruthsaberton.com on Twitter @ruthsaberton
www.facebook.com/ruthsabertonauthor
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 19, 2020
Easy christmas read, what you would expect for this type of story although I did find it a little dull in comparison to some other christmassy stories. These books are usually predictable in a cosy, comforting way and that's why you read them, but this one just seemed to be lacking its punchline, in a way that I cannot really put into words. Fair few typos in addition. Having said all that, I would probably give this author another chance.
November 4, 2024
There are stories of grooms who never show up (runaway grooms), and brides that run away, but in this book, a wedding runs away instead.
Jules would have been happy with a small church wedding with her bickering parents (and possibly a laid back stepdad) and Danny's family, in jeans and a hoodie for both, and for a reception, fish and chips from the chippy down at the quay. But Danny's ex, Tess, had always wanted the whole thing, and had had it with their marriage, and she assumes Jules secretly wants this and is holding back because she doesn't want to make Danny feel awkward.
Nothing could be further from the truth, as this tomboy knows from experience. When all the other girls wanted to play wedding, and were looking at tattered copies of old brodal magazines, I would leave and go play with the boys. It was easier. To my mind, if you married someone, you should marry them, not them and most of the people where you live. Tomboy Jules, like me, wasn't into girly girl things. My wedding didn't get hijacked too badly; I wanted a midweeks evening wedding with both sets of parents (or in my case, my mom and her friend as my father was estranged and in coronary care with a bad heart when I married, speaking of coincidences) and a nice dinner at a family restaurant after, where casual clothes were allowed. I didn't even mind if my beloved's siblings and their spouses and kids came, but that was my limit. And yes, I wamted to be married in jeans and a tee shirt (summer wedding). I had to change the date to a Saturday so no one had to take off work to be there, and I was pushed into wearing a dress which forced my fiance into hus military uniform, and that was it.
Jules and Danny were by no means that lucky, and pretty soon, there was a wedding gown (complete with pre wedding diet, shopping sprees, and other things that we tomboys don't like). Plus Jules's parents were both there to bicker, where mine were not. A sit down reception ensued, and by the time the planning was done, the wedding had truly and thoroughly been wrested from the hands of both bride and groom.
Jules meats an elderly man when she stops by the Cathedral in Truro to reorient her priorities and gain some peace, and he tells her things will work out, that she needs to believe that and not lose her faith.
Is the old man right (and where was He when I needed help)? Will things actually work out? As the power goes out over half of Britain during a bad cold snap and, in some areas, snowstorms ensue, and one thing after another goes awry, can Jules keep her faith that all will be well?
Jules would have been happy with a small church wedding with her bickering parents (and possibly a laid back stepdad) and Danny's family, in jeans and a hoodie for both, and for a reception, fish and chips from the chippy down at the quay. But Danny's ex, Tess, had always wanted the whole thing, and had had it with their marriage, and she assumes Jules secretly wants this and is holding back because she doesn't want to make Danny feel awkward.
Nothing could be further from the truth, as this tomboy knows from experience. When all the other girls wanted to play wedding, and were looking at tattered copies of old brodal magazines, I would leave and go play with the boys. It was easier. To my mind, if you married someone, you should marry them, not them and most of the people where you live. Tomboy Jules, like me, wasn't into girly girl things. My wedding didn't get hijacked too badly; I wanted a midweeks evening wedding with both sets of parents (or in my case, my mom and her friend as my father was estranged and in coronary care with a bad heart when I married, speaking of coincidences) and a nice dinner at a family restaurant after, where casual clothes were allowed. I didn't even mind if my beloved's siblings and their spouses and kids came, but that was my limit. And yes, I wamted to be married in jeans and a tee shirt (summer wedding). I had to change the date to a Saturday so no one had to take off work to be there, and I was pushed into wearing a dress which forced my fiance into hus military uniform, and that was it.
Jules and Danny were by no means that lucky, and pretty soon, there was a wedding gown (complete with pre wedding diet, shopping sprees, and other things that we tomboys don't like). Plus Jules's parents were both there to bicker, where mine were not. A sit down reception ensued, and by the time the planning was done, the wedding had truly and thoroughly been wrested from the hands of both bride and groom.
Jules meats an elderly man when she stops by the Cathedral in Truro to reorient her priorities and gain some peace, and he tells her things will work out, that she needs to believe that and not lose her faith.
Is the old man right (and where was He when I needed help)? Will things actually work out? As the power goes out over half of Britain during a bad cold snap and, in some areas, snowstorms ensue, and one thing after another goes awry, can Jules keep her faith that all will be well?
December 6, 2020
What a delicious Christmas treat!
Whether or not you're visiting Polwenna Bay for the first time, or you're returning, this special story is the story of the run up to the biggest event of the year - Reverend Jules Mathieson's wedding to the handsome war hero Danny Tremaine.
Everyone's invited. Although privately Jules isn't entirely sure how that happened. In the whirlwind of the past few months, she's found herself getting increasingly disconcerted by how it all got so out of hand. Never one to let anyone down, especially her fiancé Danny whose passion for perfection is executed with military precision, Jules is beginning to feel decidedly frayed around the edges. After a last minute dash around Truro on the last Saturday before Christmas, Jules is desperate for some peace and quiet. Where better than to head to her one place of calm and sanctuary, the Cathedral.
From the moment she steps inside the stress and strains evaporate as she writes a special prayer for her wedding to hang on the enormous Christmas tree. After some much needed reflection time, she meets a wonderful old soul who is looking at one of her favourite paintings in the Cathedral. After pouring her heart out to the kind old man, his wise words pull Jules up a little short. She really did need to have a lot more faith but that was easier said than done with warring parents, her imminent hen night and a seemingly never ending list of things they still needed to do over the next few days.
Everyone is keen to help out where they can and Jules is touched by how much effort they are going to, but this wasn't her dream wedding at all. Is it too late to run away to Gretna Green instead?
I've been a huge fan of Ruth Saberton over the last decade. I've found all her books hilarious to read and the Polwenna Bay series has a very special place in my heart as I myself grew up in a Cornish village and remember well people who have a startling resemblance to the villagers in Polwenna. This particular story was originally supposed to be one of the traditional Christmas Novellas (of which only two others are based in Polwenna Bay) but as with all things in Polwenna, including Jules impending wedding, they often become far larger than intended.
I hope you enjoy this novel as much as I did. Ruth is a master of writing hilarious stories with wonderfully rounded characters and this novel certainly doesn't disappoint!
Whether or not you're visiting Polwenna Bay for the first time, or you're returning, this special story is the story of the run up to the biggest event of the year - Reverend Jules Mathieson's wedding to the handsome war hero Danny Tremaine.
Everyone's invited. Although privately Jules isn't entirely sure how that happened. In the whirlwind of the past few months, she's found herself getting increasingly disconcerted by how it all got so out of hand. Never one to let anyone down, especially her fiancé Danny whose passion for perfection is executed with military precision, Jules is beginning to feel decidedly frayed around the edges. After a last minute dash around Truro on the last Saturday before Christmas, Jules is desperate for some peace and quiet. Where better than to head to her one place of calm and sanctuary, the Cathedral.
From the moment she steps inside the stress and strains evaporate as she writes a special prayer for her wedding to hang on the enormous Christmas tree. After some much needed reflection time, she meets a wonderful old soul who is looking at one of her favourite paintings in the Cathedral. After pouring her heart out to the kind old man, his wise words pull Jules up a little short. She really did need to have a lot more faith but that was easier said than done with warring parents, her imminent hen night and a seemingly never ending list of things they still needed to do over the next few days.
Everyone is keen to help out where they can and Jules is touched by how much effort they are going to, but this wasn't her dream wedding at all. Is it too late to run away to Gretna Green instead?
I've been a huge fan of Ruth Saberton over the last decade. I've found all her books hilarious to read and the Polwenna Bay series has a very special place in my heart as I myself grew up in a Cornish village and remember well people who have a startling resemblance to the villagers in Polwenna. This particular story was originally supposed to be one of the traditional Christmas Novellas (of which only two others are based in Polwenna Bay) but as with all things in Polwenna, including Jules impending wedding, they often become far larger than intended.
I hope you enjoy this novel as much as I did. Ruth is a master of writing hilarious stories with wonderfully rounded characters and this novel certainly doesn't disappoint!
January 26, 2021
Another coring episode of Polwenna bay. This time Jules and Danny have the wedding to prepare for- however with ex's thinking they know best and Jules not telling her mom or dad they will both be staying at the Vicararidge with Jules. As with all of Ruth's books the description is second to none and the story line is one that has twist and turns when the reader thinks it will be ok, but the the preverbal hits the fan. The characters are as always amazing and they just keep growing on you more and more. Its like visiting a friend and knowing most people in the town. You feel like your in Cornwall and going through all the things that the characters are going through as well. There is some typo's but as I received a review copy I could not moan and most books are up dated on amazon instantly. It certainly doesn't ruin the read as with other books I have read. A perfect 10/10 for this book and I certainly cant wait to get my hands on the next instalment of the life in Polwenna Bay
December 17, 2020
I absolutely loved this latest trip to Polwenna Bay. I have missed this series. Jules, the shy vicar, is a favourite character of mine, so it was great to have a Christmas story centred on her and her fiancé Danny, and it didn't disappoint.
A great story of troubled families, health scares, Christmas and faith that all will come good.
It was great to catch up with other characters we have come to love during the series, but you don't need to have read the previous books to understand and enjoy this book.
A great story of troubled families, health scares, Christmas and faith that all will come good.
It was great to catch up with other characters we have come to love during the series, but you don't need to have read the previous books to understand and enjoy this book.
July 1, 2021
4.5 stars
This Christmas novel wraps up the adventure of Vicar Jules ' path to the alter with Danny Tremaine. Getting to the alter proves to have a rocky path, between Jules' parents squabbles, unusually cold weather causing the power to go out in Polwenna Bay and a couple of turkey bandits. Lots of good laughs and great humor. This book is free of obscenities, well written and well edited. I recommend it to all age groups.
This Christmas novel wraps up the adventure of Vicar Jules ' path to the alter with Danny Tremaine. Getting to the alter proves to have a rocky path, between Jules' parents squabbles, unusually cold weather causing the power to go out in Polwenna Bay and a couple of turkey bandits. Lots of good laughs and great humor. This book is free of obscenities, well written and well edited. I recommend it to all age groups.
December 6, 2020
The Polwenna saga continues apace with this latest installment, as sweet, plump and satisfying as a mince pie or Christmas pudding.
Wintry but warming, Polwenna Bay reaches out once more, to lure us into its nets.A must for all believers in true love, good friends, fine food and hope over all, as two of its most loved citizens show how oft the best laid plans go awry.
Wintry but warming, Polwenna Bay reaches out once more, to lure us into its nets.A must for all believers in true love, good friends, fine food and hope over all, as two of its most loved citizens show how oft the best laid plans go awry.
January 17, 2021
absolute perfection.
Can’t remember enjoying a book so much for a long time. Old friends that appear as the many characters, and a story of love, hope and a future that is going to be glorious. We all need more of this in these awful times, and now I need another one or two like this. Thanks, Ruth.
Can’t remember enjoying a book so much for a long time. Old friends that appear as the many characters, and a story of love, hope and a future that is going to be glorious. We all need more of this in these awful times, and now I need another one or two like this. Thanks, Ruth.
December 24, 2020
Love this series
January 4, 2021
Another nice read in the series, focussing on the vicar's wedding. Harmless escapism!
February 1, 2021
Lovely
I have enjoyed everyone of these books i did not want it to end.I hope ruth is going to bring more stories from polweena bay..love,love,loved it
I have enjoyed everyone of these books i did not want it to end.I hope ruth is going to bring more stories from polweena bay..love,love,loved it
May 17, 2021
Love this story!!
I do hope the Polwenna Bay stories continue! I have thorough enjoyed these characters. You really make these people come to life!!
I do hope the Polwenna Bay stories continue! I have thorough enjoyed these characters. You really make these people come to life!!
July 11, 2021
Great series
Great series of book telling of life for a true Cornish family.
Good fun reads and worth read in in order
Great series of book telling of life for a true Cornish family.
Good fun reads and worth read in in order
September 16, 2021
Wonderful and Wacky
Such a sweet and hilarious series of twists and turns, and just enough Christmas magic. Love this series for light reading with much deeper messages.
Such a sweet and hilarious series of twists and turns, and just enough Christmas magic. Love this series for light reading with much deeper messages.
January 2, 2022
A lovely story.
A lovely Christmas wedding story. It was funny in places and also very touching and full of Christmas magic. Really enjoyed it.
A lovely Christmas wedding story. It was funny in places and also very touching and full of Christmas magic. Really enjoyed it.
December 31, 2020
My favourite modern author. Never fails to disappoint. Lovely, magical Christmas read. Hoping there'll be more Polwenna Bay novels. Fingers crossed.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews