Candlelight Christmas

September 2, 2013
Wiggs delights with this Christmas-themed installment in her Lakeshore Chronicles contemporary series (after Return to Willow Lake). Darcy Fitzgerald is still reeling from her divorce from Huntley Collins, a situation complicated by the fact that Darcy’s sister is married to Huntley’s brother. When Darcy meets single dad Logan O’Donnell, she is unwilling to get involved with a man who already has a child, but soon she and Logan realize they can’t easily ignore their mutual attraction. With the romantic backdrop of falling snow and Christmas lights, Logan’s upstate New York ski lodge is the perfect setting for their sizzling attraction to renew. Darcy’s fierce independence as a sports marketing executive and expert snowboarder gives her special appeal, as her successful professional exterior hides her vulnerability. The evolution of Darcy and Logan’s relationship makes enduring love believable.

Starred review from October 15, 2013

Wiggs pays another satisfying visit to Avalon and its inhabitants (after Return to Willow Lake), although newcomers will enjoy this holiday entry as much as series fans. Single dad Logan O'Donnell just wants to give his son, Charlie, a great Christmas. When Logan meets beautiful, independent Darcy Fitzgerald, though, he begins to dream of having a whole family again. Despite her initial trepidation about getting involved with someone once more after her divorce, Darcy soon begins to fall for Logan, too. They're all definitely in for a great Christmas. VERDICT A warm and witty story that romance readers will find delectable--along with the included recipes.

Copyright 2013 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2013
A single father hosts family and friends at his home and hopes that the magical season will end with a new love. Logan and Darcy are two victims of broken marriages, but where Logan is looking to move forward, Darcy is still feeling scorched and cautious. When they meet through India--Logan's sister and Darcy's best friend--sparks fly, but it will take a Thanksgiving weekend before they express their attraction and a sprawling family Christmas event to bring them together. However, as much as Darcy wants to be with Logan, she is convinced that their goals are too different for a long-term relationship. Besides, he's just taken on the huge responsibility of a managing partnership for an area ski resort, a fulfilling opportunity but one that needs a lot of work as well as a large influx of cash to build it into Logan's dream of a viable all-season family destination. And then there's Charlie, Logan's son. Darcy's been burned by stepchildren once already, and she's sure she's not ready for that kind of heartbreak again, even if Logan's a much better parent than her ex ever was. And Charlie's a much nicer kid than his children were. Perhaps a blizzard, some lonely Christmas orphans, and the most wonderful, not-quite-perfect Christmas ever will soften hearts and smooth the way for a bright future. Wiggs revisits her popular Lakeshore Chronicles for another sweet Christmas tidbit, and series fans will love watching Logan--Daisy Bellamy's ex--fall in love with his own perfect match. Add in some of Santa's magic for two temporarily motherless children, yummy Christmas recipes, the famous, Christmas-card-perfect backdrop of Willow Lake, plus cameo appearances by other series favorites and readers will be ready for the season as quickly as they can say "hot chocolate." A romantic, heartwarming Christmas charmer, especially for Wiggs and Willow Lake fans.

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