Wednesday, December 10, 2014

The Great Christmas Candy Caper by Karen Hall




Popular bachelor Robert “Bob” Barnwell is in no hurry to get married. Between running Barnwell’s, his family’s candy company while his uncle is on his honeymoon, and his round of social engagements, who has time to fall in love, especially when Barnwell’s is competition with Hanover’s, his chief rival for a coveted cash prize. When pretty saleswoman Laura Stern convinces him to buy a typewriter, Bob hires her as a temporary secretary and finds himself unexpectedly attracted to her. But then calamity strikes the factory and it looks as if the woman of Bob’s dream might be his worst Christmas nightmare come true. 

Laura Stern love the independence her work being a sales clerk and a volunteer teacher gives her. Give that up for a husband? No, thank you! Calling on England’s biggest candy company to demonstrate a typewriter is just part of her job. But when Robert Barnwell hires her to work the few weeks before Christmas, and they later wind up in the same community choir, her heart begins to take on a mind of its own. And just when it looks like Cupid is about to strike, an old nemesis makes its own mark, threatening not only Laura’s reputation but her newfound love as well.

Publisher & Release Date: Books To Go Now, November 20, 2014

Time and setting: 1877 London, England

Genre: Historical Romance

Heat Level: Sweet

Rating: 4 Gold Crowns

Vikki’s Musings

This is another delightfully humorous Christmas tale by Karen Hall. I found Ms. Hall’s sweet Christmas books two years ago, and fell in love with her heart-warming, funny stories. I believe there are seven all together. Each of them warms the heart and tickles the belly with laughter.

Robert ‘Bob’ Barnwell and his brother Jack are left in charge of Barnwell’s Chocolates and Confections when their uncle leaves for his honeymoon. An advertising agency is offering several prizes to the candy company that has the biggest sales in their category. Bob is determined to win this contest. After all, one of the prizes is an entire year of free ads. Besides, he wants to beat his competitor and prove to his uncle that trusting the brother duo is the right decision.

In walks Laura Stern, a saleswoman who offers to sale him a typewriter. When she demonstrates the machine, Bob realizes it is the way of the future. When he asks Laura to fill in for his uncle’s secretary during the holidays, she accepts and a friendship develops between him, and he finds the lovely Laura enchanting and a joy to work with. 

Just when it looks like love is in the air, Laura’s dissolute cousin threatens to ruin it all. Will Bob believe in her and their budding romance, or will he allow Louis to destroy it all?

I thoroughly enjoyed this charming little story. I loved the idea of the chocolate company as a setting, and found this book vastly entertaining. There is an adorable little dog, Charlotte and she almost steals the show.

My one complaint is that I would have liked to see a bit more romance between Laura and Bob, and the characters could have used a bit more depth. Of course it is a short story, so I suppose that is to be expected.

If you are looking for a Christmas tale with plenty of delightful moments and lots of chuckles, then I strongly recommend this sweet little book. Happy reading!


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