Release Day Spotlight: Savoring the Seasons by Traci Borum

I am very excited to share the news that today marks the release of Traci Borum’s latest novel, Savoring the Seasons, which is the fourth book in her Chilton Crosse series. Congratulations, Traci!

****

About Savoring the Seasons

Julia Bentley has just spent her fortieth birthday doing what she always does—baking treats for the customers in her Cotswold bakery and taking care of her elderly father. She doesn’t realize how stagnant her life has become until a younger man, Tristan Hannigan, arrives at the village and shows interest in her. As Julia grows closer to Tristan, he begins to season her mundane days and to challenge her insecurities about herself and how she views the world.

But the relationship is threatened when Julia’s doubts become too great, and the secret she’s afraid to reveal creates a wedge between them. Will Julia choose the easy route, slipping back into her daily routine and living without love? Or will she find the courage to follow her heart and accept the love she deserves?

Check out Savoring the Seasons on Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo | Google Play

****

About the Author

Traci Borum

Traci Borum is a writing teacher and native Texan. She also adores all things British. She even owns a British dog (Corgi) and is completely addicted to Masterpiece Theater—must be all those dreamy accents! Aside from having big dreams of getting a book published, it’s the little things that make her the happiest: deep talks with friends, a strong cup of hot chocolate, a hearty game of fetch with her Corgi, and puffy white Texas clouds always reminding her to “look up, slow down, enjoy your life.”

Connect with Traci via Facebook | Twitter | Website

****

I really enjoyed the first three books in the Chilton Crosse series. While they are standalone, I recommend reading them in order so you can really get to know the villagers. And my JAFF reader friends may want to know that book 2, Finding the Rainbow, has a bit of an Emma connection!

Check out my reviews:

Painting the Moon (Chilton Crosse 1)

Finding the Rainbow (Chilton Crosse 2)

Seeking the Star (Chilton Crosse 3)

Those of you who would like to delve into the series are in luck, as the first installment is on sale on Amazon until June 29! Click the banner below to check it out, and stay tuned for my review of Savoring the Seasons!

Read Full Post »

Review: Seeking the Star by Traci Borum

Source: Review copy from author
Rating: ★★★★☆

She remembered dark days, too. The hopelessness felt like looking up from the bottom of a deep, narrow well, into a light that was impossible to reach on her own. But, sooner or later, she’d had to make a choice: keep living that way and die a slow, painful death of the spirit or decide to live and to do more than simply exist. She’d chosen to get up, dust off, and move along, day by day. She hoped, soon, that Ben might choose that path, too. But she couldn’t choose it for him.

(from Seeking the Star)

Quick summary: Seeking the Star is the third book in Traci Borum’s series set in the village of Chilton Crosse in the Cotswolds. Each of the novels in the series focus on different characters, so they can be read on their own. Those who read them in order will enjoy seeing the characters from the previous installments while getting to know new ones. This time around, Borum introduces George and Mary Cartwright, an older couple who generously take in the man found passed out in the snow in front of their house. Ben obviously is running from a tragedy in his past, but the Cartwrights welcome him into their home, no questions asked, assuming he will open up to them eventually. As the village prepares for Christmas and the Dickens festival, Ben slowly becomes part of the Chilton Crosse community and learns that he isn’t the only one who has suffered a horrible loss.

Why I wanted to read it: I fell in love with Chilton Crosse in the first two novels in the series, Painting the Moon and Finding the Rainbow, so I couldn’t resist reading this one, too.

What I liked: Borum paints a beautiful picture of a small but bustling village in the midst of holiday preparations. Everyone knows everyone else, and everyone wants to know more about Ben. The Cartwrights are the kind of people you’d love to have as neighbors; they are kind-hearted and generous, but they give you plenty of space. Ben soon finds he can’t say no to their offer to stay in their cottage until after the holidays, and just as much as the Cartwrights help him, he helps them. Borum does a great job portraying a broken man who doesn’t know what to do with his grief and guilt, and I appreciated that the Christian aspect of the story wasn’t too heavy-handed.

What I disliked: I really wished it was longer, and while I was satisfied with the ending overall, I hope Borum finishes Ben’s story later in the series. There is so much more left to tell!

Final thoughts: Seeking the Star shows how the holiday season isn’t a happy one for everyone, and while it is a tale of loss, it also is a story of hope. Mary has learned to live with her grief, and she shows Ben that it is possible to move on without forgetting one’s past. There were plenty of light-hearted scenes about the village’s holiday celebrations to keep the story from getting too sad, and readers who enjoyed the first two books will be happy to see where Noelle and Holly are now. Borum has created a delightful village with characters that are as intriguing as they are endearing, and I can’t wait for the next installment.

Disclosure: I received Seeking the Star from the author for review.

© 2015 Anna Horner of Diary of an Eccentric. All Rights Reserved. Please do not reproduce or republish content without permission.

Read Full Post »