Christmas at Waratah Bay

CHRISTMAS AT WARATAH BAY is first in the Christmas Around the World series. If the remaining books in this series are only half as good as this one, I am going to really enjoy the journey. This story grabbed me from the first page.

Max Ramsey is a reclusive farmer. He enjoys his solitude and does not do relationships. He has his reasons, and they are understandable. Now his solitude is being violated, and he does not like it...or does he?

Harold Leishman is Max's friend and neighbor. Max bought his magnificent farm from Harold, Waratah Bay, on the coast of Northern New South of Wales. Sarah Carlton is a famous model. Her pictures are plastered on the sides of buses. When Max arrives at the hospital to check on Harold, she is sitting at his bedside, making plans to bring him home for Christmas? What? Wait just a minute...

Sparks ignite and fly when Max meets his match in Sarah. She is determined to have a beautiful Christmas for Harold. It is probably his last. Max seems just as determined that Harold needs to stay put - AND he is also determined to maintain his solitude. The home that Sarah remembers and wants to bring Harold to, now belongs to Max. An interesting combination of circumstance - and one that Sarah is confident she can juggle to a satisfactory conclusion. If that reclusive farmer just wasn't so...sexy? Surely she's not having those kind of feelings. Nope! She's here to give Harold an unforgettable last Christmas and then it's back to New York by the New Year. She has contracts to fulfill.

I love books that are set in places that I will probably never get to see. I love it when they are written in the local language of that location. This is just exactly that sort of book. I felt like I had taken a trip to Waratah Bay after reading this very entertaining story. The problem? I didn't want to leave this captivating cast of characters and critters. I loved them! I think you will, too. Grab a turkey leg and some of Sarah's mince pie and join the celebration! You won't regret it.

*An advance reading copy was generously provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a great story! It made me laugh and cry. I loved the everything about this book and was sad when I turned the last page! Please give me a sequel!

Cute Story

4.5 Stars! I loved this tale of a creating the best possible Christmas for a dying man, and the undeniable pull between a man longing for his solitude and a woman who simply wants to be loved.

This is a story of family bonds and responsibilities, there's a little hint of romance, but mostly it's about finding where you fit in the world - and what you're willing to do to hold onto it and the people you love. It's full of heart and hope and a dusting of Christmas. A real cosy read to keep away those winter blues. And if you like dogs, then little Gerome will steal your heart.

I really really love holiday stories and this one did not disappoint. A beautifully written story about love, compassion, family and a few Christmas miracle thrown in there too. :) It was sooooo sweet AND emotional! I have never read anything written before by Marion Lennox, but she did such a great job with this story, I'll be looking out for her name in the future!
This story really brought back the true meaning of Christmas and what it means to be there for the ones you love - whether they are family by blood or by choice. :) REALLY REALLY GOOD!

ARC kindly provided by Tule Publishing via NetGalley for an honest review.

Christmas at Waratah Bay is a wonderful beautifully written holiday story. I loved the Australian setting as the background, feeling as if I was flying back with Sarah to spend one last Christmas there with Grandfather figure, Harold. Much to admire about Sarah, though maybe not her cooking skills, which last there of only served to make her more endearing. Her true strength of character shows through as she tries her best for Harold and then Max. Speaking of which, Max is a true friend to Harold but hard to like at first.

It is the differences in the characters with the wariness that acts as a catalyst that leads to their dealing with past issues in their lives. Love and family is always worth the work as Sarah and Max discover. Of course, a little Christmas magic never hurts either. A valuable lesson to be learned. Delightful read. One of my favorites of this series.

Read all 4 books in this series and they are all great, this was a really entertaining read

***I was given an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion***

Christmas at Waratah Bay is the first book in the Christmas Around the World series and I enjoyed reading it.

The story take place in Australia which is one of my favorite location for a book and it was fun reading about a Christmas with no snow.

Max Ramsey is worried about his friend Harold's health but he's even more worried when he has a visitor from NYC named Sarah and he's sure that she is one of Harold's adopted daughters that only want more money from him.

Sarah's is not who Max think she is but she doesn't tell him the truth since she's wants Harold to spend one more Christmas at his home in Waratah Bay and as long as Max believe that Sarah is Harold's adopted daughter she'll be able to take him out of the hospital to celebrate a real Christmas.

Sarah is a model who lives in NYC but she was never more happy than the time she spend with Harold in Waratah Bay and she waited many years to come visit again and spend time with him.

Max bought Harold's house but he invites Sarah and Harold to celebrate Christmas at his house but he's hoping to still have a quiet and peaceful Christmas but Sarah is going all out with the decorations, food and most important being with family and friends for the holiday and Max find himself enjoying the holiday and even more spending time with Sarah.

I enjoyed reading about Max and Sarah, both of them had a troubled childhood that still affect their actions today but even with the problems being together will cost they are very attracted to one another and try to find a way to be together.

Christmas at Waratah Bay is a sweet and emotional holiday novella that I enjoyed reading.

A good story for the holidays. Excellent dialogue. I enjoyed it. Good plot.

Sarah has come all the way to Australia to see Harold, her grandfather ( not blood related) before he dies. She did not come to fall in love with with the neighbor, Max Ramsey. Both, Sarah and Max are lonely people with past secrets, not looking for relationships. Loved how they healed each other. Laughed out loud with Bigfoot, that is when I really fell in love with Max.
The best Christmas is family. This is a wonderful Christmas read that you do not want to pass up. Highly recommend.

Fantastic holiday read! Great story with great characters. Sarah travels to Australia to visit her ailing grandfather. She expects to have a very sad holiday season but a wonderful surprise in the form of Max, the next door neighbor, awaits her. They laugh, they heal, they love. Wonderful story. I highly recommend this one.

Christmas at Waratah Bay is the first book in the Christmas Around the World series and I enjoyed reading it. The story take place in Australia which of course I loved being an Aussie away from home. I really really love holiday stories and this one did not disappoint.

"Christmas at Waratah Bay" by Marion Lennox is the first book in the multi-author series "Christmas Around the World". The story is set in Waratah Bay, a picturesque town located in Victoria, Australia and is about two people who have lived in solitude for far too long and discover the true meaning of family and how Christmas truly is a time for giving and receiving, especially gifts which are intangible but are most precious.

Sarah Carlton is a successful model from New York who returns to Waratah Bay in order to visit Harold, the man she considers more of a father than her biological one and who only has a few days left. At the hospital where Harold is confined, she meets Max Ramsay, Harold's neighbor and the one he sold his homestead to. Max's negative reaction towards Sarah makes her believe that he's judged her based on his own preconceptions, especially since Harold has lived alone for far too long. While she's apologetic for not having come sooner, Sarah stresses that what's important is she gives Harold what she feels will make him happiest--a Christmas at home.

Max isn't thrilled at meeting Sarah but he does acknowledge that she's putting in more effort in making Harold's last Christmas a truly special one than he expected. Max offers up Waratah Bay Homestead, something that surprises both him and Sarah, especially since Max prefers being alone. From there, Max's self-imposed solitary confinement is completely tossed aside as the arrival of one of his sisters and her family plus the inclusion of two of Harold's friends and the world's ugliest puppy thrust his once quiet world into chaos. Noticeably, Max finds himself changing his mind about Sarah and about other things he's held true for years.

This was a sweet Christmas romance and one that anyone can quickly get through in one sitting. The love story itself was nicely played out and it actually didn't feel as if it only took three days, possibly because a lot was packed into those three days. The twist is an interesting one and one that I had not guessed, so definite props for that. An added bonus were the dogs because I rarely say "no" to anything dog-related. ^.^ There were a few editing issues but hopefully they were fixed before the book was officially released. Taking everything into consideration, I'm giving "Christmas at Waratah Bay" four out of five stars. ♥

4 - Could one Christmas change everything? Stars!

You can pretty much guarantee that at about this time every year, you will start too see books with a Christmas feel start popping up on my Goodreads reading list. It is a big thing for me each year, as I just love settling down with a heartwarming story that helps ease me into the Season, with a little love and a whole lot of Christmas Magic.

One magic kiss.

Christmas in Waratah Bay, is my first seasonal read for 2014, and it was without doubt the absolute perfect way to kick off this years Christmas reading. I laughed, cried and had all sorts of 'feels' while reading this book. Max is your typical Scrooge for the modern day except instead of being tight with his money, he is tight with his feelings, it was great too see him opening his heart and his home to Sarah, Harold and his family for the Christmas holiday.

Families... who'd have anything to do with them.

I loved that as the story progressed you learned more of his past as well as Sarah's, and why initial expectations and assumptions you have of someone are not always what they may seem to be.

"For now, let's just live it. let's just do Christmas like it ought to be, and not think past it."

This novella ticks all the boxes that I have when it comes to my Christmas reading requirements, on to the next novella in the series!

ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.

Christmas at Waratah Bay has everything for a wonderful holiday read...great setting, interesting characters, family and love. I liked that both Sarah and Max were strong characters. I even liked that there was a bit of animosity in the beginning because the attraction between them was undeniable. I'll be looking to read more by Marion Lennox.

I enjoyed this book immensely. Heart wrenching, yet truely believable.

I'll put it right out there, I adored Christmas at Waratah Bay. Packed with emotion, this festive novella made me laugh, cry and everything in between.

Max and Sarah were wonderful characters and with a Scrooge feeling to their story it was a heartwarming and heart wrenching read. Max is a Scrooge of the heart, he keeps his feelings locked away and Christmas is just another day in his year, but when Sarah arrives to spend a last Christmas with her 'Grandpa' Harold, her sweet nature and sheer determination stirs something deep within him and he finds himself offering to host the festivities at his ranch.

Of the four in the Christmas Around the World series, I must confess that this was the one that touched me the greatest, and whilst I would've liked a little epilogue to see how Max and Sarah had got on, it doesn't detract from the fact that Marion Lennox has brought us a wonderful festive romantic read.

4.5 stars.

After a lifetime of chaos for the characters, they find magic in a kiss, Christmas, and each other!
A very heartwarming Christmas story.

Summary: Sarah Carlton, a successful model, has come to Waratah Bay from New York to visit Harold Leishman who is in the hospital. She considers him her grandfather and wishes that he spends what could possibly be his last Christmas at his home.

Farming tycoon Max Ramsey bought Harold’s home and has been a friend to him ever since. He mistakes Sarah for one of Harold’s adopted daughters, who he knows are greedy just like their mother. Sarah does not correct him and carries on with her plan on taking Harold home.

Max worries about Harold’s health and invites them to celebrate Christmas at his house (Harold’s house that he bought). However, he still hopes to have a quiet and peaceful Christmas.

Sarah goes all out with the decorations and food. She also welcomes Max’s sister and her family who land there because of an unforeseen situation.

This book by Marion Lennox is about how Sarah and Max, who are lonely people with past secrets, fall in love with each other amidst an unexpectedly hectic Christmas.

My thoughts: This is a sweet, emotional holiday story, which emphasizes the importance of family and friends rather than wealth and luxury.

Although Sarah is shown as a beautiful and strong woman who makes things happen, her cooking skills or the lack of them makes her more believable. Although Max seems grumpy and anti-social, he is a true friend to Harold and a great brother to his siblings.

I also liked Max's sister and her family almost as much as I liked Max, Sarah and Harold.

Marion’s description of the Christmas holidays with all the craziness of unexpected guests, dogs, and a stubbornly frozen turkey is wonderful.

Although this is the first book in the 'Christmas Around the World' series, it has a standalone story.

Note: The publishers, Tule Publishing, gave this book to me in exchange for an honest review. I thank them for that.

I like Sarah so much. I could have her for a friend.

The turkey defrosting-by-dunking was hysterical.

Chainsaws are very important, naturally.

It’s Christmas and fans of Tule Publishing find themselves outside their favorite fictional town, Marietta Montana. But wait, the setting might be Venice, Italy, Yorkshire, England, the Scottish highlands and Waratah Bay, Australia but Marietta binds them all via the Bramble House website!

You can read the books in any order; all of them are standalone novellas. I’m just presenting it in the order I read it which began with Joanne Walsh’s “Christmas in Venice”, a second-chances love story between Ashlynne and her ex-husband Lorenzo di Grechi.

A story that tugs at your heartstrings, Ashlynne and Lorenzo goes through on what they thought of was a post-mortem of their marriage. All their pains and hurts were laid down on the table and what they found was something that they were not looking for. “Christmas in Venice” is a heartwarming story from beginning to end.

From Venice, we move to A Yorkshire Christmas by Kate Hewitt where sophisticated New Yorker Claire Lindell found love in an unexpected place, Ayesgill Farm in Yorkshire. But shepherd Noah Bradford comes with complications – a daughter; and Claire who is a schoolteacher is unsure if she can tackle kids outside the classroom.

Moving on, we go to the Scottish highlands where Scarlet Wilson tells us a story of “Christmas with the Laird”.

Due to a last minute change in programming, news anchor Juliette Connolly had to go to Scotland with her mysterious colleague Andrew Campbell. There, she was introduced to Garnock Hall and its ghosts. Is it Christmas or is it Halloween? Juliette and Andrew’s love story can give you both.

And finally, we cross the Atlantic and then the Pacific to Australia where Marion Lennox’s Christmas at Waratah Bay” follows farming tycoon Max Ramsey and American supermodel Sarah Carlton. Hmm, their occupations might not be the best match, but how they make it work is the true Christmas story.

All four books are Rated T for Teens and YA for Young Adults.

Nice story of a last Christmas for an old man who had a life of regret, a Christmas for a young woman who had no one to love her but this old man she hadn't seen in years & a Christmas to change the life of a young man who has responsibility pushed on him since he was a teenager. Sarah is a famous model,coming back to make the last Christmas of her dear friend the best she can. Max is the old mans only confident & has taken care of him for years. Now Max & Sarah make Harold's last days happy ones. Max's ' pregnant sister & her family show up on his doorstep needing a place to stay for Christmas & with them the quiet of Max's life changes. The birth of a new life & death of an old man bring life to the forefront for Max & Sarah, as they figure out what they want from this life. Very emotional story at times but a very nice story.

iving an old man one last perfect Christmas, that is what Sarah Carlton has returned to Waratah Bay for. Years ago when she was abandoned by her father after he ran out with Harold's gold digging wife; Sarah just rolled with the punches, but Harold took her in and bonded with her like the daughter he never had. He continued to correspond with her even after she was shipped back to America.

Now a famous model, she runs back to Waratah Bay when Harold stop answering her phone calls she knows things are bad.

Max Ramsey bought most of Harold's farm after he had to sell most of it to provide for his adoptive step daughters; and befriended the man. When Max sees Sarah he believes she is one of his gold digging adoptive daughters come to ensure they get every last crumb.

Soon Max, the scrooge gets roped into Sarah's plans for the perfect Christmas and along the way learns that family isn't as bad as he's always thought it to be.

The story is sweet, endearing and full of holiday spirit. Harold gets the perfect Christmas he's always wanted; Sarah gets to give the man she loves like a father the best thing holiday ever and Max gets to find love.

Rating 5 out of 5 Read@Book

Christmas at Waratah Bay (Christmas Around the World, #1) by Marion Lennox is a great Christmas novella. I really enjoyed this story. This is a great start to the Christmas Around the World Series. Looking forward to reading the other stories as well. Recommend for everyone that enjoys Christmas stories and romance.

**I was given a copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review**

A wonderful love story that will captivate you from the beginning. Great Read!

This review will be live on the 15th December

Firstly thank you to Tule Publishing for approving me for a copy of this title via NetGalley. This is the first book in the Christmas Around The World series by 4 different Tule Publishing authors. Although it’s first, it’s the third book in the series that I’ve read so I would say don’t worry if you read them out of order!
The story is all about farmer Max and model Sarah and their Waratah Bay Christmas.
When the series title suggests that the series is Christmas around the world it doesn’t lie! Book one kicks off in Australia in Waratah Bay. I find it really hard to imagine what Christmas in a country like Australia would be like when the weather is completely opposite to Scotland’s so I loved the trip my imagination took in this short read!
Sarah and Max find themselves together in unlikely circumstances and the pull together to bring their old friend home for what they think will be his last Christmas. This storyline is quite heart wrenching and the emotions and feelings of the character seem real. As it’s a short story there is a lot happening in a short period of time and there definitely is some Christmas magic at work! The only thing for me was the relationship between the two main characters progressed at the speed of light and that didn’t feel real but on the whole the characters were well developed and came with backstory that was well detailed and easy to imagine.

This was a cute Christmas story that shows how much we need family and how sometimes it can all come together for Christmas. Would definitely recommend this book.

What a lovely Christmas story! I thoroughly enjoyed this tale of the importance of family and friends and how they can make or break a Christmas holiday. Max is a loner, a man who values his solitude and the prospect of having a strange woman, Sarah, in his home over Christmas taking care of his dear friend Harry in his last days puts a dent into his plans for a peaceful albeit lonely (though he won't admit it) Christmas. He's a man of many emotions, all buried deep but Sarah has the knack to bring them out. Sarah herself is a lovely, friendly woman, trying to make up for lost time with Harry who she sees as a surrogate grandfather. She knows that she can only be around for a few weeks and that getting involved with Max isn't smart, but his kisses are too sweet to resist. There is a sentimental feel to the story, a peaceful narrative of love and belonging, and I enjoyed it thoroughly from beginning to end. 5 stars!

I loved this cute christmas story. It truly showed what Christmas is all about. It gets right to the heart of the matter and its a sweet love story. I love how the story keeps you guess through out but still keeps you interested in whats is happening in the moment. I LOVE Sarah and her bubbly personality I felt like it was infectious and puts you into the spirit of Christmas. I loved that battle that was going on in and around Max and over all I really liked the storyline of this book. A definite book to add to your Christmas stories to be read this season.

Once again another wonderful book about Chriatmas and love and family. I love these kinds of books, and this one was great!

Harold has sold Max his precious farm and conceded the big house to the young man, moving into the run down cottage at the edge of the property. Max, a lover of solitude, shares his thoughts and his company with few but Harold. But the two men forge a comfortable friendship. When Harold takes ill and one of his stepdaughter arrives, Max sees red. Regaled with stories of the stepdaughters’ unrelenting greed and excess, Max shows the new arriver little hospitality.

Sarah seethes at Max’s unjustified ill-treatment. She has been trying for years to get back to Harold and fears she is too late. This Christmas is her last chance to show Harold how much he has meant to her, how much he is loved. With a shoddy plan and a ton of conviction, Sarah is determined to make this Christmas the best ever.

Through a series of unintentional misunderstandings and calculated misrepresentations, Sarah convinces Max to help her give Harold a Christmas to remember. But will Max come to regret his kind heart?

I hope you will read this fabulous slice of Christmas cheer and find out. Loved this spice bit. There’s something about the cast of characters here that are like a hot toddy on a cold night, comforting, bracing, and a bit intoxicating. This is the heart and soul of the meaning of Christmas, and anyone who needs a little reminding should cozy up to this book.

Harold is seriously ill in hospital and its nearly Christmas. His friend, neighbour and the person who bought most of his land is Max Ramsey - he also found Harold collapsed and got him into hospital. No one from Harold’s family has visited him for years but when Max goes to visit him he finds Sarah there - and she’s organising to take the seriously ill Harold home for Christmas!

Max wrongly assumes that Sarah is one of Harold’s money grabbing, worthless adopted daughters and takes an instant dislike to her. Sarah isn’t going to tell him the truth - that would stop the hospital letting her take Harold home for Christmas and, as he knows he is dying, that’s really where he wants to go.

Max is worried about Harold and offers to have him and Sarah stay in his house - which is Harold’s old home. He had been hoping to have Christmas on his own but can cope - he hopes - with this pair and it will mean he can still keep an eye on Harold. Fate, however, has other plans and the story of everything that happens to bring these two together despite their very different but equally dramatic childhoods makes this a heart warming story for the Christmas season and beyond.

A lovely story with great characters behaving how you’d expect them to. It is also set in a beautiful setting and was still a great read even though Christmas was more than a month ago!

Max Ramsey bought most of Harold's farm as he was the next farm over, but he also likes and respects him. Harold in the hospital dying after Max found him on the ground, where he had been for two hours. One day, when Max went to see Harold, Sarah was there. Max had a big misconception about Sarah. Sarah was determined to take Harold home to his farm for Christmas and Max was determined to block her. Sarah had been 15yrs old when she had been in Harold's home. She had formed a long and caring relationship with him.

Max is a very stubborn recluse. He is strong in his beliefs and very loyal. You really get to like him and understand why he acts the way he does. Sarah is very sweet and caring and can also be stubborn when it's something she cares about. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone that enjoys romances.

*I received an e-ARC of Christmas at Waratah Bay from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

Read on for my thoughts on Christmas at Waratah Bay. No true spoilers, promise.

There is a reason why I adore Christmas stories. They are simply the fastest way to a feel good state of mind that I know of – and can afford. My collection of Christmas novels that I will read over and over at next Christmas or whenever I need a “feel good” book now fills three shelves of a bookcase. Yes, I’m obsessed.

In Christmas at Wartah Bay we have all the parts of a fairy-tale spread out before us. Beautiful, kind, sweet totally mis-identified Sarah. Gruff, Scrooge-like although kind at heart, handsome Max. A charming fairy godfather, twinkling eyes included in Harold. Who are we missing? Ah, of course – the evil, money grabbing ex-wife and her equally evil female offspring. Check.

Stir in circumstances not being what they appear. Massive doses of stubbornness. Toss in some Christmas magic – and we have a beautiful holiday love story.

This short novel was so touchingly done. Yes, we have to move quickly because of time – but I didn’t feel the story was too rushed. What we have are two people who love Harold and would do anything in their power to make him happy. Really that’s what is at the heart of this one. Through misunderstandings, gruffness and suspicions soon truth will be told, hearts will be melted and one of the best Christmas gifts of all will find its way into more than one heart. And isn’t that why we are addicted to Christmas stories? The happily ever after. Guaranteed.

I loved this short novella, I was honored to get to know these good people and I thank the author for introducing me to such a wonderful, heartwarming story – no matter what time of year.

Would I recommend it? Of course, faster than a snowflake can melt.

This story was heart-wrenching! Being deathly ill so close to Christmas is heartbreaking, and Harold is definitely that. I love that Sarah goes to visit him because she considers him family and this might be his last Christmas. Of course she meets a wonderful farming tycoon, and the rest is history. Another wonderful Christmas story!

Packed with lots of emotion, a strong fun, festive, heartwarming story. Perfect for the holidays!