Stephanie Wood writes contemporary fiction in the form of novels, novellas and short stories and you can find the running order of her titles on the first page of any book.
She published the Aegean Sun series of books as a fly-on-the-wall vision of life in a Greek resort during the summer season, using her extensive experience as a holiday rep to bring some unusual incidents to life on the page. The series began as an exploration of the various ways in which tourists make the most of their holidays and how they interact with the locals while they are visiting. The later books in the series have taken a closer look at the locals themselves and show how their lives and relationships are sometimes changed by the regular influx of seasonal visitors.
The Christmas on the Close series is set in a British suburban cul-de-sac over the festive period and visits each house individually to discover how the neighbours who live there celebrate the season in their own special way.
Stephanie lives in Lancashire where, apart from reading and writing, she loves gardening and cycling and is a huge fan of the soaps Emmerdale and Neighbours.
Follow @stephaniewooduk and @TheCloseSeries on Twitter, on Facebook, Visit stephaniewood.co.uk
You are invited to spend Christmas on the Close where each of the neighbours are celebrating in their own special way.
Diane always enjoys baking special festive treats, which she happily delivers to her friendly neighbours on The Close as Christmas approaches. When she decides to seek closure with a romantic matter from her past, she unexpectedly finds herself on an emotional journey she isn’t prepared for. Her granddaughter, Emma, has all the technical know-how to assist in the search for answers, but is distracted by an intense - and highly unsuitable - romance of her own.
The two women must deal with unsettling issues as they begin to face the reality of their situations, but their familial bond helps to provide the security and support they need to answer the questions they face.
The sixth standalone episode of ‘Christmas on The Close’ reveals how it may be easier to allow the head to make all the decisions, but the heart will never stop fighting for what it really wants.
Review
This is the sixth part in the Christmas on the Close series - a novella length read. A series about interconnections between people who live in the same neighbourhood close together. Their individual stories unfold in each part.
Although Diane and her granddaughter Emma take centre stage in this book, the story of Diane dominates the read. The idea of unresolved emotional ties flooding back after a trauma or when life makes you feel as if you should lay ghosts to rest - I found that realistic and relatable.
If only it were so easy, as Diane soon discovers, and the answers at the end of the journey aren't always what you expect. What makes us think life stands still for others when it moves rapidly for ourselves. Why would our moment of regret be waiting for us to recognise that fact? It's such a human trait.
It's a short interlude, a glimpse into the world behind the doors of Christmas Close.
Buy The Christmas Miracle at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Buy at Amazon com.
