For me, it's this one.
Being released on Dec 21st, I've placed my order with the Book Depository and will be eagerly scanning my mail box daily for its arrival.
If you haven't read Barbara O'Neal (Samuel) do yourself a favour.
After glomming her last year, she's my favourite author. Her prose is rich, lush and thoroughly gorgeous.
Here's the blurb for her latest:
An unforgettable novel that celebrates food, family, and the unbreakable bonds between mothers and daughters.
In a story as warm and embracing as a family kitchen, Barbara O’Neal explores the poignant, sometimes complex relationship between mothers and daughters—and the healing magic of homemade bread.
Professional baker Ramona Gallagher is a master of an art that has sustained her through the most turbulent times, including a baby at fifteen and an endless family feud. But now Ramona’s bakery threatens to crumble around her. Literally. She’s one water-heater disaster away from losing her grandmother’s rambling Victorian and everything she’s worked so hard to build.
When Ramona’s soldier son-in-law is wounded in Afghanistan, her daughter, Sophia, races overseas to be at his side, leaving Ramona as the only suitable guardian for Sophia’s thirteen-year-old stepdaughter, Katie. Heartbroken, Katie feels that she’s being dumped again—this time on the doorstep of a woman out of practice with mothering.
Ramona relies upon a special set of tools—patience, persistence, and the reliability of a good recipe—when rebellious Katie arrives. And as she relives her own history of difficult choices, Ramona shares her love of baking with the troubled girl. Slowly, Katie begins to find self-acceptance and a place to call home. And when a man from her past returns to offer a second chance at love, Ramona discovers that even the best recipe tastes better when you add time, care, and a few secret ingredients of your own.
So 'fess up.
Which book will you stand by the mail box for this Christmas?
10 comments:
I'm waiting for Dark Road to Darjeeling by Deanna Raybourn. Victorian era mystery, the fourth in the Lady Julia Grey series.
Waiting, waiting, waiting...
Claire
I'm waiting for How to Bake too, Nic. Plus Moonlight Mile by Dennis Lehane (a new instalment in a favourite detective series after a ten year or so gap).
In January there's new Susan Elizabeth Phillips and new Eileen Wilks too!
Ooh, new Barbara O'Neal - we had this conversation last year when you'd just glommed her and I'd just discovered her. Righty, off to go and order my copy. Thanks for the heads-up! :o)
My copy has been on order for weeks. There are other books in the post too, including the four launch Rivas. Sadly we haven't seen a postman for two days and by the looks of it outside, I can forget it until after Christmas.
Fortunately, I have the latest Kate Hardy to keep me happy :)
I love the alliteration in that title, Claire.
I've heard good things about this series.
Sigh...yet another to add to the TBR pile!
OMG, Mel, I didn't know there was a new SEP coming out too?
She was my fave author until Barb surpassed her, though still adore SEP.
Off to investigate...
I'm so glad I 'converted' you Kate ;)
I'm looking forward to reading the other Riva launch books too, Liz.
They'll be out here in Feb, I think.
Hope your postie puts in an appearance soon!
It does sound like a wonderful read! It makes you wonder how you've managed not to come across her books before :)
It took me a while, Lacey, but once I read one 2 years ago, I glommed the rest, have them all sitting proudly on my keeper shelf and tout them to everybody.
Barbara's a wonderful author.
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