I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A woman struggling during the holidays after a year of hardship finds old family secrets and a mystery brewing in her small Georgia town in author Barbara Barth’s “A Wingman for Christmas”.
The Synopsis
The annual Sweet Water, Georgia, Christmas parade is nearing but relationships are fractured on Wild Rose Lane. Antique dealer Cheryl Calloway’s holiday spirit has tanked. It’s been a horrible year with her divorce, her ex marrying younger and perkier Miriam across the street, and Mama moving into Cheryl’s Victorian cottage with her Amazon parrot right before Thanksgiving. A party girl in her eighties, Mama smokes up a storm, likes her nightly vodka, has a hankering for men, and now a wingman named Nigel. If that isn’t enough, the Historical Society wants Cheryl to clean up all the projects on her porch waiting to go to Spivey’s Antique Mall for their Christmas Open House. Her desire to work her booth is as dead as her marriage. Miriam, President of the Historical Society, chastises her, “If it ain’t pretty don’t put it on the porch.” Then there’s Alice, her strange neighbor with the six-foot fluorescent light bulb cross nailed to the huge Magnolia tree in the middle of her rose garden. Alice watches all the neighbors too closely. Just when Cheryl thinks things can’t get worse, an incident shakes her to the core, and a mystery follows revealing family secrets long forgotten. Cheryl wants to believe in miracles and love again, and Dr. James may just be the man of her dreams as he helps her and Mama sort things out.
Filled with quirky characters, mystery, family secrets, and sweet love, all set in a hot Georgia small town.
The Review
This was a perfect feel-good cozy mystery meets holiday romance novel. The author did a fabulous job of capturing both the holiday spirit with the rich dynamics of the Georgian setting that felt just as much like a character in the novel as any of the people. The heartfelt tone and moving ways in which the author brought the themes of relationships and the complexities of life were so engaging and showed just how much there are multiple sides to people in any situation.
The character arcs were the biggest highlight for me. As a bird parent myself, I felt instantly for the connection the protagonist, her mother, and practically everyone had for the parrot Nigel. The emotional connection that they had with this beloved bird and how it impacted the relationships they had with one another brought both the cozy aspect of this subtle mystery and the heartwarming nature of a holiday novel.
The Verdict
Captivating, thoughtful, and entertaining, author Barbara Barth’s “A Wingman for Christmas” is a must-read cozy mystery and holiday romance novel for 2022. The unique setting and relatable cast of characters will keep readers hooked, and the emotional journey that the protagonist goes on and the engaging conclusion will have readers eager for more of this author’s work. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
Barbara Barth turned to writing and adopting dogs to heal after her husband died fourteen years ago. Known as ‘Writer With Dogs’, Barth currently lives with four Chihuahuas in a charming town forty miles outside of Atlanta. She is Literary Arts Chair at a small art center where she promotes writing activities, author events, book launches, and hosts an online group Walton Writers. Inspired by the wonderful artists around her, Barth started painting and has won several awards with her whimsical art. Her books are available on Amazon. Visit her Instagram page Barbara Barth Studio.
You can also check out her website.
Blog Tour Calendar
November 28th @ WOW! Women on Writing
Join us at our blog The Muffin to celebrate the launch of A Wingman for Christmas. We’re interviewing the author and giving away a copy of her book to one lucky reader.
https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com
November 30th @ Author Anthony Avina’s Blog
Join Anthony as he reviews A Wingman for Christmas. A perfect novella for the holiday season!
http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com
December 1st @ Deborah-Zenha Adams
Visit Deborah’s blog where she shares a guest post by author Barbara Barth about how many editors you really need.
December 3rd @ Pages and Paws
Kristine shares her review of the charming holiday novella A Wingman for Christmas.
December 5th @ One Writer’s Journey
Join Sue as she reviews A Wingman for Christmas by Barbara Barth.
December 6th @ Michelle Cornish’s Blog
Join Michelle as she reviews A Wingman for Christmas. A must-read novella for the holiday season!
https://www.michellecornishauthor.com/blog
December 7th @ The Frugalista Mom
Rochie shares her review of A Wingman for Christmas and gives away a copy of the book to one lucky reader.
December 8th @ Knotty Needle
Visit Judy’s blog as she features a guest post by Barbara Barth about starting a writing group.
http://knottyneedle.blogspot.com
December 9th @ A Storybook World
Visit Deirdra’s blog for a spotlight on A Wingman for Christmas by Barbara Barth.
http://www.astorybookworld.com/
December 10th @ Michelle Cornish’s Blog
Visit Michelle’s site as she features author Barbara Barth’s guest post on encouraging others to write.
https://www.michellecornish.com/blog
December 12th @ Storeybook Review
Leslie shares her thoughts about this fun novella A Wingman for Christmas by Barbara Barth.
December 13th @ Bring on Lemons
Join Crystal as she shares this fun holiday novella A Wingman for Christmas.
https://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/
December 14th @ Beverley A. Baird’s Blog
Visit Beverley’s blog as she reviews A Wingman for Christmas by Barbara Barth.
https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/
December 14th @ Avonna Loves Genres
Join Avonna as she reviews A Wingman for Christmas by Barbara Barth.
https://avonnalovesgenres.com/
December 15th @ One Writer’ Journey
Visit Sue’s blog where she features a guest post by Barbara Barth about finding inspiration around you.
December 15th @ Knotty Needle
Visit Judy’s blog again as she shares her thoughts about Barbara Barth’s fun holiday read A Wingman for Christmas.
http://knottyneedle.blogspot.com
December 16th @ Beverley A. Baird’s Blog
Join Beverley as she features a guest post by author Barbara Barth about writing fiction versus memoir.
https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/
December 18th @ Life According to Jamie
Jamie will be reviewing a fun novella for the holiday season: A Wingman for Christmas.
https://lifeaccordingtojamie.com/
December 19th @ Lisa Haselton’s Reviews and Interviews
Join Lisa as she interviews author Barbara Barth about her book A Wingman for Christmas.
https://lisahaselton.com/blog/
December 20th @ Word Magic
Visit Fiona’s blog as she features a guest post by Barbara Barth about researching your topic as well as your time frame.
https://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com/
December 21st @ World of My Imagination
Visit Nicole’s blog as she reviews A Wingman for Christmas.
Author Anthony Avina's Blog 