Valerie S. (VolunteerVal) -
One of my annual holiday traditions is reading the new Melody Carlson Christmas novella, and the 2023 title is A Royal Christmas.
I enjoyed this "suddenly a princess" story because the heroine Adelaide questions every step of the journey while also longing for connections to family. The sense of place - the king's castle in the fictional principality of Montovia - was delightful with lush descriptions of palatial rooms, beautiful gowns, royal jewels, extravagant holiday decor, and sweet holiday traditions.
The plot has more tension than I expected which was a fun surprise. The inclusion of Krampus traditions were also interesting. There is, of course, a romance, but it's just beginning as this novella ends, allowing readers to envision the future for Adelaide and Anton.
I'm grateful to the author for continuing the tradition of writing an annual Christmas story. If she keeps writing them, I'll continue to read them.
I enjoyed this "suddenly a princess" story because the heroine Adelaide questions every step of the journey while also longing for connections to family. The sense of place - the king's castle in the fictional principality of Montovia - was delightful with lush descriptions of palatial rooms, beautiful gowns, royal jewels, extravagant holiday decor, and sweet holiday traditions.
The plot has more tension than I expected which was a fun surprise. The inclusion of Krampus traditions were also interesting. There is, of course, a romance, but it's just beginning as this novella ends, allowing readers to envision the future for Adelaide and Anton.
I'm grateful to the author for continuing the tradition of writing an annual Christmas story. If she keeps writing them, I'll continue to read them.
It is a difficult Christmas for Adelaide. She has no family since the passing of her mother. Struggling to get by working at a coffee shop and finish law school she hopes for a better future. Scrimping and doing without is nothing new, being the daughter of a single mom. She never knew who her dad was, a seemly closely guarded secret of her mother's.
Then one day a very official letter arrives in the mail from the country of Montovia telling her that through a DNA match, she is the daughter of King Maximillian Konig V, and heir to his throne. She would have tossed it in the trash had it not being for her friend Maya. After investigating she decides the letter is legitimate. What does she have to lose? She decides to accept the invite and meet the father she never knew.
Upon arriving she finds her father is on his deathbed. Anton the courier assigned to take care of her was a real blessing. He helped her in every possible way to make her visit as easy as possible. He even protects her from those who are not happy the heir to the throne has been found.
The story beautifully unfolds making the reader a part of all the glamour and excitement of discovering her country and heritage. I found myself saddened that she found her so near to the end of his life. In reading about her experiences seeing the shops, traditions, and festivities delighted an overwhelmed my senses and emotions as I cannot imagine how it did hers. The splendor the royal life that lavished upon her was surreal to Adelaide after living such a simple life.
I love that in all opportunity and honor, she did not lose sight of her values and what was truly important. Doing what was right was more important to her than any amount of wealth or position of importance.
Not everything was glamour and glitz,. She was faced with mysteries and even danger. A true Christmas Cinderella story! Delightful and entertaining!
I received this book from the LibraryThing Early Reviewers Program and Revell Publishing in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated are my own.
Then one day a very official letter arrives in the mail from the country of Montovia telling her that through a DNA match, she is the daughter of King Maximillian Konig V, and heir to his throne. She would have tossed it in the trash had it not being for her friend Maya. After investigating she decides the letter is legitimate. What does she have to lose? She decides to accept the invite and meet the father she never knew.
Upon arriving she finds her father is on his deathbed. Anton the courier assigned to take care of her was a real blessing. He helped her in every possible way to make her visit as easy as possible. He even protects her from those who are not happy the heir to the throne has been found.
The story beautifully unfolds making the reader a part of all the glamour and excitement of discovering her country and heritage. I found myself saddened that she found her so near to the end of his life. In reading about her experiences seeing the shops, traditions, and festivities delighted an overwhelmed my senses and emotions as I cannot imagine how it did hers. The splendor the royal life that lavished upon her was surreal to Adelaide after living such a simple life.
I love that in all opportunity and honor, she did not lose sight of her values and what was truly important. Doing what was right was more important to her than any amount of wealth or position of importance.
Not everything was glamour and glitz,. She was faced with mysteries and even danger. A true Christmas Cinderella story! Delightful and entertaining!
I received this book from the LibraryThing Early Reviewers Program and Revell Publishing in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated are my own.
