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Armed with degrees in music, English literature, and interior design, Gretchen Rose has performed in hundreds of musical and theatrical productions and written two screenplays and three musical comedies. Her musical, Talisman, was professionally produced in the largest regional theater in the South, starring an as-yet-undiscovered Mandy Moore! A member of SCBWI and their Southwest Texas Chapter, as well as AWP, and RWA, Gretchen authored the gripping memoir Dancing with the Devil, the children’s Dune Dragons books, the women’s fiction novels Veni Vidi Vero, A Little Vice in Paradise, A Christmas Charm, and her newest work, a historical fiction novel, A Crack in Time. She is currently working on the third book in her Dune Dragons series titled Dune Dragons and the Fairies of the Lake, as well as another historical fiction novel set in Northern Michigan in the 1960s.
Reviewed by Cecelia Hopkins for Readers' Favorite
A Christmas Charm by Gretchen E. Rose opens with a vivid scene as Olivia Barone narrowly avoids a near-fatal car collision and ends up in a hay field. The attractive Lance Crawford helps her get the vehicle back onto the road and recommends Mrs. Bow’s Charming Manor for temporary accommodation. As Olivia settles in, the local community becomes important to her, and she accepts the role of director of the Christmas show. Moving on becomes less appealing, while a relationship with Lance is tempting. However, the violent husband she wished to escape could be hunting for her. Whatever will she do?
A Christmas Charm by Gretchen E. Rose combined relationship drama with feel-good romance. I liked that it was a holiday story offering comfort and healing. There was enough mystery surrounding Olivia and her origins to keep me interested. Despite their share of local shenanigans, the Crystal Falls historic community was represented as warm and accepting. I enjoyed the range of characterization, from local widowers to confirmed bachelors with secret crushes and even a regional radio star. Mrs. Bow provided a comforting presence and the voice of experience as she had overcome her relationship trials. Olivia’s skill in working with children was beautifully presented as she organized the church Christmas program. Everyone had good intentions, with one notable exception that added a touch of excitement to the story. A Christmas Charm by Gretchen E. Rose intrigues and satisfies the reader and the recipes included at the end bring the characters and their meals to life and invite them to participate actively.
