Suzanne Rogerson's Blog, page 2

The latest review of A Little Christmas Magic #shortstories #festivereads

Aw, what a wonderful heartwarming set of Christmassy short stories! A family’s cat goes missing before Christmas; a woman struggles to afford her Christmas shopping; a man delivering a last minute order on Christmas Eve finds himself lost, these are just some of the scenarios that begin this brilliant set of short stories.

Click on the link to read the whole review…

Book Review: A Little Christmas Magic by Suzanne Rogerson

Book review Bella’s Countryside Christmas by Claire Huston #romance #RespectRomFic @ClaraVal

I loved Bella and Jack’s story, from the moment they meet over a falling Christmas tree in a church, right up to the last page. It was a very entertaining read for any time of year.

Bella was a great character to follow. She has a big heart and puts family above everything else. This causes a few issues in her life, the biggest losing touch with Jack after a magical few hours together. I was desperate to read on to see if the couple would get their happy ever after.

I enjoyed being back at Halleybrook, and getting little glimpses into characters lives from the previous books in the series. This can be read as a standalone without an issues, though I highly recommend all the books, whichever order you read them. Oh, and I just found out last night that Claire’s book ‘Clues to You’ won the book bloggers novel of the year 2024 competition. I loved that story and think you should definitely check out all of Claire Huston’s books.

Finally, the cover has a really festive feel.

Check it out on Amazon.

Blurb

Fleeing her heartache and horrendous job, Bella stumbles upon a December wedding in the beautiful village of Haileybrook and the spirit of the season moves her to act as a fake date to handsome stranger Jack.

Jack and Bella hit it off, but Bella has to leave in a hurry and their magical evening soon becomes nothing more than a blissful memory.

A year later, Bella is returning to Haileybrook, seeking a fresh start and a quieter life. With a new job close to her cosy cottage home, a peaceful Christmas is surely only days away.

But it’s not long before family surprises, small-town feuds and romantic drama disrupt Bella’s plans, and she has to wonder if being alone is what she really wants for Christmas …

This standalone festive romance is set in the village of Haileybrook. The Haileybrook stories can be read in any order.

***

Happy Christmas everyone.

And happy reading!

Wrap up post of the Book tour for A Little Christmas Magic #christmasstories #festivereads #christmasfiction

Sadly the book tour for A Little Christmas Magic has come to an end, but I’ve loved reading what the reviewers think of my festive stories. As always I’ve shared some extracts. You can click on the links to read each review on Instagram.

booklover.kez ‘The 8 stories are filled with sweet characters, and explore the kindness of strangers, new ventures in life, friends reconnecting, unexpected romance, and people coming together in times of need.
It’s filled with emotion and empathy, and each story feels relatable and endearing, and some will definitely make you teary.’

bookish.browns.books ‘It’s the perfect read if you’re looking for a quick escape into festive settings, especially curled up on the sofa with a cosy blanket and a hot drink! It’s sure to add some extra “Ho Ho Ho” to the season!’

ericas_bookreviews ‘It’s impossible to pick a favourite as I loved them all but Poppy’s Christmas Wish was so sweet & a reminder of how much our pets become part of the family & Last Minute Dash was just so heartwarming, tear jerking & the best reminder that Christmas is not about material things but memories, moments, presence & just being there.’

bluefairybugsbooks ‘My favourite was Driving Home for Christmas, I loved the mysterious cottage in the woods, and the inhabitants who seemed to disappear.’

rozannereviews ‘Each story is well written and deserving of a place in the collection. I loved the first story as I’m a huge cat fan, although my boys are not allowed outside! I also really liked driving home for Christmas and the last train home. These were the standouts for me, but each story was enjoyable.’

betweenkirstyscovers ‘This book was such a beautiful winter heart warmer. There is something for everyone to share the love at Christmas. From pets to helping others for me this really made me feel the true meaning of Christmas.’

claires_booknook ‘This is a gorgeous collection of 8 stories all with a heartwarming Christmas theme. I really enjoyed all of them and it was hard to pick a favourite. Although I’m glad to see that the mermaid hotel will be made into a series in 2025.’

ukbook_reviewer ‘ I really enjoyed this Christmas themed short story collection. I have not read a Christmas short story book before & I was pleasantly surprised how invested I was in the stories and how much emotion can be projected (given the length of them).’

catreader18 ‘This book is perfect to carry the Christmas spirit with you all year!’

lisa_reads_alot ‘Poignant and sweet each story about helping others, family and friends and sometimes just taking a chance.’

And that’s a wrap!

I hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as I have.

I would like to thank all 25 reviewers and also Lovebookstours for organising everything. It was very short notice as the book was only published at the end of November and I’m grateful Kelly and the team could fit me in.

I’d love to know what you think of my short stories, or perhaps you have a friend or family member in need of A Little Christmas Magic.

Please check it out on Amazon.

Thanks for reading, have a great Christmas.

Book Review snippets for A Little Christmas Magic #festivestories #christmasstories #shortstories #christmasfiction

I’m back with my favourite thing – more quotes from reviewers!

This is a continuation of the book tour taking place on Instagram for A Little Christmas Magic.

Day 3 reviews

planteachread ‘…It brings so much to the table and at the heart of the stories a connection between people, brought to the fore at Christmas time. A couple of stories brought me to tears, which is pretty impressive for a tale told on a few pages…’

CosyMidlifeBookNook ‘This festive collection is a delight! …it feels like unwrapping a bookish gift wrapped in a big red bow. In just 80 pages, you’ll find heartwarming tales of missing pets, the kindness of strangers, overcoming trauma, and a father racing home for Christmas. Each story tugged at my heartstrings and left me satisfied.’

Plumbobmummy ‘They are uplifting stories that capture how Christmas is truly a time when people come together as a community and help others. Some of the stories deal with current topics and feel relevant to us all. My favourite short story in the book is Last Minute Dash about a mum struggling to pay for her food shopping on top of Christmas – something I’m sure many people will be struggling with this year.’

Katieluvstoread ‘This is the second collection of short stories that I have read by this author and I loved them all. This one had all of the fur babies that my little heart could take and making sure they were all included in the Christmas cheer. I want more and could have read longer versions of the stories as well. I will be adding this author to an auto read list for me.’

Day 4

Dorianhellfire ‘Here’s another wonderful collection of holiday shorts to uplift us and bring in the spirit of Christmas. Tales to show that people can come together as family and as a community.’

nadz_sargent ‘Another brilliant set of little tales of love, compassion and community. Neighbourly spirit was strong in a couple of these and served to remind us to check on those around us.’

book_a_holic_17 ‘I loved the different themes within this collection – although all festive – each one showed what the festive period really means to different people in different situations – reminding us to think of others at this time of year too.’

Day 5

bookswithstacie ‘I can’t choose my favourite but the cat one, I loved I have a cat myself and if she ever went missing I would cry.
Whichever story becomes your favourite you’ll find that they all pull on your heart strings.
Perfect for Christmas lovers.’

I’ve be sharing more snippets at the weekend. Please take a look at the reviews above and if you’re looking for a way to get festive, you could try one of the Winter Warmers collection.

Readers Favourite 5 star review for The Lost Sentinel #fantasy #bookreview and book trailer on #youtube

Yesterday I received a 5 star review from a reviewer on Readers’ Favourite, and earned this shiny badge to show off!

It’s been a while since I finished publishing the Silent Sea Chronicles trilogy, so its wonderful to revisit the book and characters and see what reviewers think. Here is the review posted on the Readers’ Favourite website…

Reviewed by Ronél Steyn for Readers’ Favorite

Suzanne Rogerson brings us epic fantasy in the first book of the Silent Sea Chronicles: The Lost Sentinel. In Kalaya, the Assembly aims to eradicate anyone with even a hint of magic. New laws are passed almost weekly. So, when Tei’s father makes them leave their home in Seatown to reach the sanctuary of the Turrak mountains, she knows her life will change. Tei is now an exile. With her special talents, Tei is tasked with finding the next Sentinel, the one person who can save Kalaya from total decay. Danger lurks in every town and even in the Astral Plains, the only place Tei has ever contacted the Sentinel. Will Tei be able to accept the help of her new friends and complete her mission before the Masked Riders find the new Sentinel first?

Author Suzanne Rogerson has created a world with magic at its core. Written in the third-person narrative mostly from the perspective of the protagonist, readers are privy to her inner thoughts, desires, and fears. With epic journeys filled with sensory stimulation, readers are easily transported to a world where good and evil are constantly at war. The fight scenes are honed with precision. The characters are likable and undeniably relatable. With a steady pace and a magnificent plot, readers won’t want to put this book down. The Lost Sentinel is suitable for younger readers as well as avid fans of fantasy. The end of this book leaves ample opportunity to continue the next adventure in the new life of this mystic.

Here’s the review page on Reader’s Favourite

The review inspired me to post the book trailer my narrator and his wife made back when the audiobook came out. Here it is.

You can pick up a copy of the book in ebook, audio and paperback on Amazon.

Review snippets from the #Booktour for A Little Christmas Magic #festivestories

So far on the book tour for my new festive collection of short stories I’ve been loving the reviews coming in. It’s always fun to share a few of my favourite quotes with you. Please click the link for the full review on instagram.

weebelfastbookshelf ‘…Each story was perfect for an easy, cosy read at this time of year the author has beautifully captured what this time of year is really about, even in such short stories. I found them all to be believable & relatable – I didn’t want them to end!’

Daisyhollands ‘…What a charming little collection of stories this is. If you are looking for something quick and stress free to read over the festive period, it should be this. Each story is different to the one before but there is Christmas magic weaved through all of them, like a glittery thread…’

afelton6212 ‘…this book just has all the Christmas magic I may be an adult but I fully believe In the magic!!’

currently_readingx ‘…Every story has a meaning behind it. From helping others to making sacrifices. When I was reading this book it made me feel so lucky to be surrounded by people I love…’

mommy_and_books ‘A perfect Christmas and winter anthology. The stories are short, enveloping, and everyone will find something for themselves here. An additional asset is the wonderful cover that catches the eye.’

lozzieloves ‘This is my first read by Suzanne Rogerson and it was a thoroughly enjoyable one. A collection of festive short stories which cover all the Christmas themes of love, kindness, family and friendship.’

bianca_reads_books ‘The underlying theme across all of these is kindness. They vary in length from a couple of pages to 18 pages, so they are very easy to race through.
It’s a great read to curl up with your christmas cuppa and enjoy.’

Thank you to all the reviewers who’ve posted so far. As you can see from the list below, there are still plenty more to come.

In case you’re interested in this festive read, or want to get a gift for a friend or family member, below is the all important link. You can still order the paperbacks / hardbacks in time for Christmas or even gift an ebook to someone special.

Winter Warmer Short Story Series

Thanks very much for following the book tour with me.

Book Tour for A Little Christmas Magic #festivestories #booktour

Today is the start of a week long book tour for my new Christmas short story book – A Little Christmas Magic.

Thanks again to Love Book Tours who have arranged everything for me. Here’s the busy tour dates which you can follow on Instagram.

I’ll be sharing some of review highlights throughout the week.

A Little Christmas Magic is book 2 in my Winter Warmers series, which I hope brings people the heart-warming joy of the season.

I hope you can follow along.

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#Christmas book reviews #netgalley reads by @SueMoorcroft and @jo_thomas01

I’ve read a couple of Christmas / winter books over the last month or so and thought it was the perfect time to share a little book love.

These were both Netgalley reads kindly given to me by the publisher, and are by two of my favourite authors;

Sue Moorcroft – A Skye Full of Stars

Firstly I love the title, Coldplay is one of the best bands in the world!

It was wonderful to get back to Skye and pick up with the three sisters and their lives. I love the set up in the country house estate, and it’s also a pleasure to experience the island in winter this time.

This story is packed with family, emotion and love.

Ezzie is a great character with her fair share of issues, and Mats is suitably swoon worthy.
The difficulties the leads face to love seem impossible to overcome, and I couldn’t stop reading to find out how a happy ever after was possible with so much against it.

Mats young kids were adorable. And Ezzie meeting her birth family led to plenty of teary moments.

A brilliant read and I’m looking forward to the last story in the trilogy next year (though it will be a shame to leave the Isle of Skye).

Next up

Jo Thomas – A Recipe for Christmas

This was another great cosy Christmas read by Jo Thomas. And with lots of chocolate – what’s not to love!

Clara was such a lovely character who seems to naturally help everyone she meets and brings people together. Gabriel was the perfect, brooding leading man.

I loved the Swiss location with all the vivid descriptions of the snowy conditions, and especially the chocolate school and Gabriel’s farm.

It was a stay up all night kind of read and I just didn’t want it to end.

Both books are 5 star reads – I’m never disappointed with a Sue Moorcroft or Jo Thomas book!

I’m hoping to squeeze in a few more Christmas reads this year, and am already 80% through Claire Hutson’s new book – Bella’s Countryside Christmas. Another book that is most definitely worth a read.

Enjoy your Sunday reading.

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Advent Calendar Story Train 2024 – Last Minute Dash #ChristmasStory #flashfiction

Welcome to the Advent Calendar Story Train, where you can read through 24 stories under the theme Surprise.

I really enjoyed taking part in 2022 and couldn’t wait to get involved again. Here is my offering for this year’s advent calendar story train…

Last Minute Dash

‘Is there a problem?’ The man behind me at the checkout asked as I stood torn between returning the box of novelty Christmas crackers or the tub of chocolates.

‘Sorry, what?’ I turned towards him.

He was young, early twenties, and dressed in very swish clothes for a last-minute dash to the supermarket on Christmas Eve. He wore a cream-coloured cashmere scarf and an expensive coat worn open over a dress suit, while I was wearing the same scarf and coat combo I’d used for the last three winters. Where he was all designer labels, I was charity shop chic.

‘I meant, is everything okay?’

‘Oh, sorry.’ I flushed and turned even redder seeing his purchases on the conveyor belt – bottles of champagne and expensive boxes of chocolates. His dozen items probably cost the same as my entire shop for the month.

‘I just need to return one thing and then I’m all done.’

It sounded so simple when I said it out loud, but I kept picturing little Kenny’s face when there were no crackers to pull with our Christmas dinner or shiny-wrapped chocolates to devour. I would normally stock up through December, but money was too tight this year after the rent increase and my hours being cut at work.

I turned back to the cashier. ‘Take off the crackers… no wait, the chocolates…’

The young man tapped his foot. It didn’t help my decision-making process.

I glanced at my trolly filled with yellow reduced stickers. Maybe there was something else I could put back instead. ‘Sorry, my boy loves them both…’ My words trailed off, no closer to a decision.

The manic atmosphere in the shop seemed to heighten around me. The festive music, staff rushing around wearing tinsel and Santa hats, all with excited expressions as they neared the end of their shifts with the promise of a well-earned day off. I had the overwhelming feeling that everyone was watching me, judging.

The man checked his watch.

I had to decide. Tears threatened as I double-checked my empty purse one last time. I was certain there was an extra £5 in there yesterday.

I sighed heavily, resigned. ‘Take off the…’

The man behind me cleared his throat. ‘Keep them both.’

‘I can’t…’ How could I explain to someone like him that I was broke?

He stepped towards me and I flinched, not sure what he planned until he stretched over and tapped his card against the reader.

My whole shopping bill disappeared.

‘But…’ I floundered as the receipt printed off and the cashier handed it to me.

The man gathered up the notes and change I’d counted out by the till and pressed them into my hands. His impatient air was gone. ‘Merry Christmas,’ he said softly.

‘I can’t let you do that.’

‘It’s already done. Go and enjoy Christmas with your son.’

‘You should at least take this.’

I offered him the money, but he shook his head.

‘It’s a gift.’

I bit my lip, looking down at the crumpled notes before stuffing them back into my purse. I quickly dumped the chocolates and crackers with the rest of the food in my trolley. ‘Thank you,’ I mumbled, not sure what else to say.

The cashier smiled at me. I could see his actions moved her, too.

As the cashier started scanning the man’s items, I backed out of the way.

‘Why did you do that?’ I asked, watching him pack the bottles into a cardboard carrier.

He shrugged. ‘I’m in a hurry and the self-service wasn’t working.’

I nodded, not entirely convinced, but there was no point hanging around delaying him further. ‘Well, thank you again. And have a lovely Christmas.’

I hurried away, my hands shaking as I gripped the trolley handle and wheeled it along with the other shoppers eager to get home and enjoy the rest of Christmas Eve.

He caught up with me as I neared the exit.

‘That wasn’t true, you know,’ he said, falling into step beside me.

I turned to him, surprised. ‘No?’

He smiled sheepishly. ‘You reminded me of my mum, and of where I came from before all this…’ He indicated his suit and the champagne bottles clunking in the carrier. ‘We never had much growing up, but Mum always made Christmas special. Being a family was far more important to me than what we didn’t have.’

My throat burned with emotion as I thought of Kenny waiting with his gran. ‘I hope my boy is as kind as you when he grows up.’

He smiled and then strode ahead of me and out through the automatic doors into the darkness.

I hurried outside for one last glimpse of my saviour, but he was gone. ‘Merry Christmas,’ I whispered after him, before heading home to my son.

***

Thank you for reading today’s story. The next one will be available to read on December 10th, titled “A Borrowed Gift“. This link will be active tomorrow when the post goes live.

If you missed yesterday’s you can go and read it here.

Thanks to Ari for organising this story train again. It’s been a pleasure as always. Please like and share the stories and hopefully we’ll see you again next year.

This story appears in my new book ‘A Little Christmas Magic‘. This is the second short story collection in my Winter Warmer Series. Newly released on 28th November 2024.

If you missed the story, last time you can see my post here – A Christmas Wish.

A Christmas Wish book tour round up #christmasread #festivestories #bookreview

This is the last day of the book tour for A Christmas Wish and I’m happy to share some more review snippets…

Catreader18 – ‘Each one is enjoyable and cute and made me happier. My favorite story is called Santa Paws. It’s about a woman’s and her dog that visit nursing homes and this visit is the deliver Christmas presents.’

book_a_holic_17 – ‘I loved the diversity in these stories – whilst also keeping that same feel-good spirit of Christmas-time vibe… I don’t think that I could pick a favourite story from this – I really enjoyed them all – but Chance Encounters really touched me (being a mum of teens).’

bouquinistebookcase – ‘Each story had a meaning or moral and I’m sure a lot of people could put themselves in at least one of the protagonists positions. My personal favourite was the story of the two young brothers being led down the wrong path and being put in a difficult situation and having to make choices whilst being pressured by peers.’

booklover.kez ‘This was a delightful collection of 8 festive short stories, with themes of friendship, hope, family and second chances. They are all short and sweet and embrace the cosy Christmas atmosphere and time for helping others and being with family.’

afelton6212 ‘What a cute book. I loved this read… They really got me into the Christmas spirit. Highly recommended.’

thebookandbubble – ‘This collection of short stories is a heartwarming embrace of Christmas spirit. Each tale touches on heartfelt topics, weaving together themes of love, hope, and the magic of the season.’

nadz_sargent – ‘Such a lovely collection of heartwarming stories. The book is around 80 pages – these are short but sweet. Reminders of the importance of love, compassion, community and family.’

alyssas_book_obsession – ‘They were such feel-good and poignant stories. They brought the coziness of Christmas with themes of hope, family, second chances, and helping each other. The stories were relatable and realistic.’

And that’s it for the book tour. It’s been great to read the reviews coming in this last week and to share the love for A Christmas Wish. Thanks to all the reviewers who took part and a big thank you to Kelly and everyone at Love Book Tours for making this possible.

I will be back soon for a new book tour for A Little Christmas Magic – my newly released short story collection for 2024.

Both books are part of the Winter Warmers Short Story Series, which you can check out on Amazon now. Available as ebooks, paperbacks and free to read on Kindle Unlimited.

I hope you’ve enjoyed getting a taste of the reviews and hope its inspired you to get into the festive spirit.