Review: 'Seeking the Star' by Traci Borum (2015)

One December night, in the sleepy Cotswold village of Chilton Crosse, a drifter named Ben collapses on George and Mary Cartwright’s snow-covered doorstep. As Christmas cheer spreads throughout the village with a Dickens-themed festival, Mary nurses Ben back to health, but she becomes curious about the secrets he seems to carry. 
On Christmas Eve, one of Ben’s secrets accidentally comes to light, forcing him to confront the darkness of his past and to rediscover the faith he once knew.
Every reader has their own ticks or habits they just can't shake. I've got two: when I start a book, I need to finish it, whether I'm enjoying it or not; and I can't read Christmas books unless it's November/December. I just can't help it, but reading a Christmas-themed novel in May when the sun is shining... It just doesn't feel right! When I started reading Traci Borum's 'Seeking the Star', which had been on my review pile for too long already, I didn't even realise it was a novella with a Christmas touch to it. However, as soon as I start a book, I need to finish it, and breaking two of my habits in one go was a bit too much... So, time to share a Christmas book review, even though it's almost June!
Chilton Crosse is a small Cotswold village where nothing too exciting happens, which suits elderly couple Mary and George Cartwright just right. They've seen enough misery in their lives, and the calm and pleasant atmosphere in the town is what they appreciate and have come to love. Until one December night Mary finds a strange man on their doorstep; a man who has collapsed and needs help. Mary and George don't think twice about taking him in and slowly but surely they get to know a bit more about Ben. But it's clear Ben is hiding something; the question is whether he will be able to share his worries with others or whether he will spend this Christmas alone.
I loved the first two parts of Traci Borum's Chilton Crosse series and was really excited to read this third instalment, which is more of a novella than an actual full-length novel with its roughly 160 pages. Traci is a great storyteller; her writing style is so comfortable to read and a great mix between description and dialogue, and with Chilton Crosse she has created an amazing little Cotswold village with a fascinating group of characters which I can't get enough of. In 'Seeking the Star' we meet a few new characters, but some old and familiar faces also make an appearance. It was easy to warm to elderly couple Mary and George; they are such caring and simply lovely people, I can't imagine any reader not liking them!
While the novella has the foundations for a great story, I couldn't help but feel something was missing. There are elements of Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' in the novella, but I personally missed some kind of romance element. I also thought the ending was quite sudden and it left me with quite a few questions. Personally, I think I expected a bit more because I loved Traci's other two novels so much and this one is slightly different, but that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it, because I did. The novella can also be read as a stand-alone, if you are thinking about picking this up without having read the other parts of the Chilton Crosse series. Overall, 'Seeking the Star' is a warm and enjoyable Christmas-themed novella; not my favourite Traci Borum read, but still a story that will bring some light during those dark winter days!

Rating:8/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Thanks to the author for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Blog Tour: 'Finding the Rainbow' by Traci Borum!

Holly Newbury’s life is on hold in the cozy English village of Chilton Crosse. While her friends are marrying, having children, and embarking on successful careers, Holly is raising her three younger sisters and working part time at the village art gallery. Her life feels incomplete, but family is more important to her than anything. Then a film crew’s arrival galvanizes the community, and Holly becomes fast friends with Fletcher Hays, the movie’s love-shy American writer.

The production of an Emma film isn’t the only drama in town, though. Their father makes a choice that threatens everything she gave up her dreams for. Holly’s sisters endure growing pains. And Fletcher plans to return to America as soon as filming is over, ruining any chance of their relationship blossoming further. After years of sacrificing for others, Holly must find the courage to take a risk on a future she never dared to expect.

Last year I got the chance to read and review author Traci Borum's novel 'Painting the Moon', the first part of her Chilton Crosse series (click here to read my review). I ended up really enjoying the novel and already looked forward to picking up the next part of the series. So when I was contacted by Traci a few months ago to become part of the blog tour for 'Finding the Rainbow', Chilton Crosse #2 (which was released by Red Adept Publishing in March 2015), I immediately said 'yes'! I'm really excited to be part of the blog tour today and couldn't wait to finally sit down and read 'Finding the Rainbow' (which even includes some Jane Austen elements, I discovered after having read the blurb, which got me even more curious)!

When Holly Newbury's mother died unexpectedly, Holly decided to move back into her family's home and help her father take care of her younger sisters. Now, a few years later, the family is in a better place and Holly decides it is time to finally start thinking about herself again and move on with her life. She likes her part-time job at the local gallery, but she's missing something to make her feel complete. When a film production for a new adaptation of Jane Austen's 'Emma' comes to the area, the whole town is excited, including Holly. She bumps into one of the American authors of the film script, Fletcher Hays, and they immediately get along. Holly's life is finally about to change, but will she be able to really choose herself and not just think about others in this particular instance...?

I just loved being back in Chilton Crosse in this second part of Traci Borum's series and if possible I loved this story even more than the first one! Traci managed to create a wonderful setting with the cosy village of Chilton Crosse and all its colourful inhabitants that each have a story of their own to tell. 'Finding the Rainbow' focuses on twenty-something Holly Newbury, a heroine whom is incredibly easy to like and warm to. Holly has taken care of her younger sisters the last couple of years after their mother's death and because of this she hasn't really managed to build up her own life. I was rooting for Holly from the start and really enjoyed reading her story. However, the novel doesn't solely focus on Holly; her sisters, father and other characters often make an appearance and also all have their own bit of storyline, which resulted in a thoroughly enjoyable tale in which all of that comes together.

While the book is the second part of a series, it can definitely be read as a stand-alone. It's nice to already be familiar with the village and its inhabitants, but it's not necessary to be able to follow the storyline. I personally loved the links to Jane Austen and her novel 'Emma' in this book. Each chapter starts with an Austen quote and the film adaptation of 'Emma' that's being filmed in the village adds a lovely Austen touch to the book. I just loved everything about this novel, from it's great characters to the entertaining storyline and the author's well-paced and enjoyable writing style. 'Finding the Rainbow' is an amazingly warm and simply lovely novel which I didn't want to ever end; a great second part of the 'Chilton Crosse' series and I already can't wait for the next one!
Rating:10/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Do not forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below, which is part of the blog tour, to win an Amazon gift certificate! Good luck to everyone!

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