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These Books Have Heart
An unexpected love story is the main character in each of this issue ’ s selected reads .
BY ELIN WOODS
February 14 is Valentine ’ s Day , so love is in the air . It ’ s also within the pages of this issue ’ s recommended books . When coming up with this collection , it came to me that the books I selected were all about unexpected romances in one form or another . It was also unexpected that I ’ d fall in love with these books , but I did . Interestingly , two of the three picks have a link to a film or TV series , so if you end up loving the books like I did , or even just the subject matter , there ’ s more for you to enjoy .
The Magic of Ordinary Days
By Ann Howard Creel I came to this story via a movie on the Hallmark Channel and was delighted to learn I could spend some more time with the characters via the book version . Set during WWII , the story revolves around Olivia , an unmarried and pregnant minister ’ s daughter from Denver who is sent to rural Colorado to marry Ray , a bachelor farmer who lost his brother during the attack on Pearl Harbor . If you enjoy an opposites-attract story with a lot of heartwarming feels , you ’ ll love The Magic of Ordinary Days . Both characters learn from one another and find themselves growing in unexpected ways , like Ray visiting the library to borrow history books so he can chat with Olivia about her interest in ancient history and Olivia visiting the same library to borrow cookbooks so she can adjust to the life of a farmer ’ s wife and learn about the part of Colorado he loves so much .
We Two : Victoria and Albert : Rulers , Partners , Rivals
By Gillian Gill I have a keen interest in the Victorian era , and many of my favorite books were born then , however , Queen Victoria herself has never really been my cup of tea . My mother , on the other hand , has always had an interest in her and loved a particular documentary about Victoria and Albert ’ s love story . For when we think of royal families like theirs , rarely do we think of love matches , as typically marriages were arranged . Victoria
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and Albert , however , seem to be the odd couple in this way , as they truly did adore one another . Well , most of the time . If you like history and enjoy tales of the heart , you ’ ll fancy this telling of a couple madly in love while also trying to rule an empire together .
Twelve Slays of Christmas : A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery
By Jacqueline Frost Yes , I realize Christmas has come and gone , but I could happily live in a world that is 24 / 7 Christmas , and when I read the first book in this cozy-mystery series , I knew I had to include it . While it isn ’ t primarily a love story , I picked it up for the cozy elements and the setting and discovered it ’ s a good bridge for people who appreciate a mystery with a side of romance . The plot revolves around Holly , who has recently moved back to her family ’ s Christmas tree farm in Maine and is adjusting to her new life . Things seem to be going smoothly until a local busybody turns up dead amongst a holiday display on the farm . Enter the also-new-to-town sheriff , who won ’ t rest until he solves the case , even with his seemingly unwanted help from Holly . There are major sparks between the two even though both are healing broken hearts , but isn ’ t solving the case more important at a time like this ? Luckily , their story , along with the farm ’ s , continues for another four books in the A Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series .
Elin Woods is a librarian from the mountains of western Pennsylvania . When she ' s not busy reading , she enjoys baking historical treats and exploring the East Coast . She balances her mostly nonfiction history reading with the occasional modern romance novel and plenty of cookbooks .