The Magic of Gingerbread

Christmas Wishes, Book 5

By: Sandra Sookoo

Narrated by: Anneliese Rennie, Greg Patmore

Length: 6 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

Sometimes the only way to gauge the depth of a man’s regard is with the magic of gingerbread.

In 1888 London, Miss Eleanor Redding, possessed of a beastly, grouchy attitude, works for Western Union Telegraph Company. It gives her a certain independence and a place to hide from her disappointing past in America. When she accidentally intercepts a Morse-coded message alluding to clandestine and nefarious activity, she accepts the challenge with alacrity. It will take her mind off the fact that she’s once more alone for the Christmas holidays. Why couldn’t a man look past her prickles and scars to fight for her?

Mr. Cameron Hallewell, grandson of the Earl of Albemarle, is employed by the Home Office in the matters of foreign interests. He takes his occupation of protecting British interests seriously, but he longs for a woman to surprise him in unexpected ways, to want him instead of his social standing. When there’s news of a foreign operative lurking about Victoria Station planning something vile, he intends to track them down... only to find an attractive woman tailing various strangers on the platform and looking for all the world like a spy herself.

They get on together like oil and water, but despite Eleanor’s prickles and Cameron’s bruised heart as well as his secrets, a spark catches between them. As the unlikely pair work together to capture a spy and prevent harm from befalling London, they come to care for and rely on each other. Throw in the intriguing prospect of an unexpected Christmas courtship, and they could have a romance that spans the ages...if they’ll only let themselves give into granted wishes and a passion that’s been there all along.

©2018 Sandra Sookoo (P)2020 Sandra Sookoo

Beautiful Story!

This is the fifth book in the Christmas Wishes Series, a Historical Romance. Eleanor And Cameron’s story is beautifully written, fun, magical, and sweet. Anneliese Rennie and Greg Patmore did a great job with the narration.

A sweet historical Christmas romance!

This is book 5 in the series and can be listened to as a standalone.

A sweet Regency historical winter romance. This was super magical and the characters were likeable and enjoyable.

This was absolutely apt for the season.
Anneliese Rennie, Greg Patmore performed an engaging and captivating narration.

Gingerbread in love

I love gingerbread, and the many pieces of ginger bread I like the mighty faces of our lives. And gives you a warm feeling to read this book and listen to it so if you like a good pick me up read this book. It’s well written well narrated really good.

Gingerbread!

Who would ever think there would be magic in gingerbread? This beautiful historical romance will show you exactly how it works! Cameron is an agent of the crown, always looking out for Britain. But who is looking out for Cameron? Wanting more than a person who wants him for his stature, he would love to meet a woman who will challenge him and keep him on his toes. And this Christmas, his desires may just come true. Eleanor, widowed and unhappy in American moves to London working for Western Union. When she catches an unusual Morse code message, she finds herself intrigued and wanting to know more. Little does she know it will lead her to the help of Cameron! These two are like magic together. Eleanor's character is fantastic. She is smart, yet lonely and wishes to find someone to fill that void for her. Will Cameron and gingerbread do just that? Cameron too is lonely, but when this mission comes up, will he keep Britain safe or will Eleanor be too big of a distraction? and It's a fun, flirty and intelligent listen, all the things make a story exciting. I loved their romance and their adventure!

Narration of this story is fabulous. Anneliese Rennie as Eleanor brings out all the her colors. She is a complex character and Rennie lets us understand personality and feel her emotions as she gets to know Cameron. She has some amazing British accents for secondary characters too! Greg Patmore is new to me, and I loved him. He creates Cameron, larger than life and uses his voice to take us through his journey. This team gave Sandra Sookoo's story that gingerbread spice!

Interesting holiday romance

I don't often read books that are set in the late 1800s, but this was a nice change of pace. Set around Christmas time in Victorian London, I was pulled into the world Sandra Sookoo created. The book was part mystery (although not terribly complicated, since that wasn't the focus) and part romance. I enjoyed the touch of mystery that ultimately brought together Eleanor and Cameron and the development of their romance was sweet. I was happy with the story and feel that it easily could have been expanded upon.

The narration of Anneliese Rennie and Greg Patmore worked for me. They both had good pacing and injected emotion into their performances. I haven't listened to a book narrated by either of them before, but I wouldn't hesitate to do so.