First Line Friday – Christmas At Sugar Plum Manor

Welcome to First Line Friday, hosted by Reading is my SuperPower! It’s time to grab the book you’re reading, and share the first line!

Today I’m sharing the first line of the current Christmas book I am reading. I am a HUGE Nutcracker fan. I saw it several times as a child with my grandmother when the NYC Ballet would come perform in Saratoga Springs, and I just fell in love. Not just with the Nutcracker, but with ballet in general. When my daughter was growing up, we would see a local production of the Nutcracker just before Christmas. I loved sharing that with her! Anyways…..here is the first line of this amazing Christmas story by Roseanna White. I’m only part way in but I already love it.

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About the Book

Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor
Author Roseanna M. White
Published by Baker Books
on September 3, 2024
Genres: Fiction / Christian / Historical, Fiction / Christian / Romance / Historical, Fiction / Romance / Holiday
Pages: 208

The Nutcracker and Edwardian-Era England combine to weave a magical tale of love and friendship at Christmastime.

As the beloved stepdaughter of the Earl of Castleton, Lady Mariah Lyons cherishes her home at Plumford Manor, but her idyllic world will be threatened when the estate passes to Cyril Lightbourne, a childhood friend she hasn't seen or heard from in years. Once, Mariah dreamed their friendship would kindle into something more, but that was before she heard Cyril was courting the cruelhearted Lady Pearl. Now Mariah is willing to welcome him as a friend and pray he will be the heir her stepfather needs, but she'll keep her heart locked safely away from anyone with such poor taste.

Cyril Lightbourne has long avoided returning to Plumford Manor, yet he reluctantly arrives in time for Christmas. When his friendship with Lady Mariah reignites, he finds himself caught between his affection for her and her family's misunderstanding of his attachment to Lady Pearl. Then, more trouble arrives in the form of a Danish lord on a mission to win Mariah's hand by Christmas. Will the magic of the holiday season help lead to the discovery of true love, or will duty to country leave all longing for what could have been?

"So many delightful layers to this tale, along with intriguing characters and beautiful descriptions. . . . It really puts you in the mood for Christmas."--Melody Carlson, author of The Christmas Tree Farm and A Royal Christmas

"Sugar plums, gingerbread, and all the Christmasy feels go into this charming holiday romance."--Michelle Griep, Christy Award-winning author of Once Upon a Dickens Christmas

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What book are you reading today? Share the first line in the comments, and visit Reading is my SuperPower for more great books!

Looking for more Christmas reads! I’ve started a Christmas Section on my Amazon Storefront! I’m constantly adding to it – be sure to check it out and let me know what fantastic Christmas reads I need to add to the list.