На задната корица:
Ali Anderson is determined to stand on her own two feet — even if it means spending Christmas alone. Because for Ali, Christmas is not the season of good cheer but a poignant reminder of the tragedy that not so long ago tore her life apart and destroyed her once-happy marriage to Elliot.
In a defiant gesture of independence she turns down Elliot’s unexpected invitation to spend Christmas with him and his father, but gives in to her friend Sarah’s cajoling to share the festive period with her. The only trouble is, it means having to be nice to Sarah’s awful husband Trevor. Sarah may be a saint for putting up with him, but Ali is no such thing. As Trevor’s cranky behaviour escalates, Ali takes it on herself to play God with her friend’s incomprehensible marriage — with consequences she could never have imagined. . .
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Али Андерсън е решена да стои на краката си - дори това да означава да прекара Коледа сама. Защото за Али Коледа не е сезонът на доброто настроение, а трогателно напомняне за трагедията, която не толкова отдавна разкъса живота й и разруши някога щастливия й брак с Елиът.
В предизвикателен жест на независимост тя отхвърля неочакваната покана на Елиът да прекара Коледа с него и баща му, но се поддава на уговорките на приятелката си Сара да сподели празничния период с нея. Единственият проблем е, че трябва да бъдеш мил с ужасния съпруг на Сара Тревър. Сара може да е светица, защото го търпи, но Али не е такова нещо. Докато капризното поведение на Тревър ескалира, Али се заема да си играе на Бог с неразбираемия брак на приятеля си – с последствия, които тя никога не би могла да си представи. . .
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The Critics on Erica James
'There is humour and warmth in this engaging story of love's triumphs and disappointments, with two well-realised and intriguing subplots'
- Woman & Home
'Joanna Trollope fans, dismayed by the high gloom factor and complete absence of Agas in her latest books, will turn with relief to James' ... delightful novel about English village life ... a blend of emotion and wry social observation'
- Daily Mail
'Scandal, fury, accusations and revenge are all included in Erica James' compelling novel ... this story of village life in Cheshire is told with wit and humour'
- Stirling Observer
'An entertaining read with some wickedly well-painted cameo characters. It's a perfect read if you're in the mood for romance'
- Prima
'This is a really sparkling novel, full of drama and laughter'
- Bookcase
'A bubbling, delightful comedy which is laced with a bittersweet tang ... a good story, always well observed, and full of wit. The characters walk out of the pages to greet you, and you know you are in good hands from the start - a very assured comedy'
- Publishing News
'Erica James' sensitive story ... is as sparklingly fresh as dew on the village's surrounding meadows ... thoroughly enjoyable and fully deserving of a place in the crowded market of women's fiction'
- Sunday Express
'Wry humour and romance ... Erica James is a breath of fresh air'
- Daily Mail
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Abouth the Author
Born in i960, Erica James grew up in Hampshire. Since then she has lived in Oxford, Cheshire, Yorkshire and Belgium. After a series of diverse administrative jobs, in which she worked in an Oxford college and for a supplier of mining explosives, Erica decided that the best employer would be herself. There then followed several burning-the-midnight-oil years of cottage industry before she finally turned to an even harder life of toiling at the fictional coal-face of novel writing. She now lives in Cheshire with her two sons, Edward and Samuel. Her short stories have won prizes in various competitions, her first novel, A Breath of Fresh Air, was selected for the WH Smith's Fresh Talent promotion and Airs & Graces was short-listed for the 1988 RNA Romantic Novel of the Year Award.
