Review: The Lodge on Holly Road by Sheila Roberts

Sheila Does it Again!

Once again, one of my favorite authors doesn’t disappoint with her latest novel, The Lodge on Holly Road. The latest in the Life in Icicle Falls Series, as well as her latest holiday read, this time we follow Olivia Wallace and her two sons and get a peek at life at her B&B in the mythical tourist town of Icicle Falls. This time we get to see a typical Christmas celebration at the Lodge and two special families that converge on Icicle Falls for Christmas. Sheila pulls out all the stops for a fun-filled celebration that is reminiscent of Steel Magnolias and Beaches…tears of sorrow one minute, tears of laughter and frivolity the next. I don’t think I’ve ever been able to get through a Sheila Robert’s title without crying.

For Writers: If you’re a writer and considering a series, I would highly recommend Sheila’s Life in Icicle Falls series. Even though they are written and things happen in a chronological order, you can read each title separately and catch up later. For example, The Lodge on Holly Road mentions the Chocolate Festival that happens every Valentines Day. Even if you haven’t read Better Than Chocolate yet, you can go back read that after and learn about how the Samantha Sterling brought about the annual Chocolate Festival.

P.S. Although Muriel Sterling’s books didn’t play a large role in this title, I am still waiting for Sheila to publish them, as Muriel Sterling, of course!

As a member of Sheila’s street team, I did receive an ARC of this title.

Review: The Tea Shop on Lavender Lane by Sheila Roberts

I am taking a break from m/m romance today and talking about my friend, Sheila Roberts’, new book, The Tea Shop on Lavender Lane. I truly call Sheila a friend, she’s been a mentor for me for a few years as I have worked on my own novels. I even got to meet her last year when she was in Kansas City for the Romantic Times reader’s convention in May.

The Tea Shop on Lavender Lane once again takes us to Icicle Falls, an idyllic town in the mountains of Washington State. This is the fourth or fifth book that take takes place there, part of Sheila’s life in Icicle Falls series. I was first introduced to the town and it’s inhabitants after reading Better than Chocolate. This story is also about the Sterling sisters and Bailey’s return to life in Icicle Falls after a horrible publicity stunt left her practically bankrupt in Los Angeles.

When Bailey returns, her and her sister Cecily, become interested in the same man for the different reasons. What is so wonderful about Sheila’s stories and writing is that Cecily and Bailey could be any two sisters, siblings, cousins, best friends, fighting over the same person. I think deep down inside we’re all looking for love and that’s what makes us so crazy in that dating stage. We’ve all been afraid someone was going to take our man. But the great thing about The Tea Shop on Lavender Lane is that it begs the question, so if someone did take your man, is he the one meant for me?

Another thing I love about The Life in Icicle Falls series is the wisdom provided by town author and Sterling family matriarch, Muriel Sterling. The theme with this book is starting over, which is why Bailey returns to Icicle Falls to begin with.

For writers: Every book I read, I always try to glean a lesson for my own writing. Sheila is the master of point of view, so if you’re trying to hone your POV skills, read Sheila’s books. She even wrote an m/f romance from the guy’s point of view, and did it beautifully. That’s what makes Tea Shop so good, you get to see the situation from everyone’s point of view and that creates tension and heightens the ebbs and flows of the plot.

I am a member of Sheila’s street team, so I received a copy of the book well before it was released. But I still have one question for Sheila, when are we going to see Muriel Sterling’s books available????