Review of A Tinsel and Spruce Needles Romance series by Elna Holst
‘Candlelight Kisses’ by Elna Holst is the first novella in the four-part A Tinsel and Spruce Needles Romance series. The series is set in Sweden in the 90s. In ‘Candlelight Kisses’ we meet Erika Stolt, a feminist activist who is literally caught red-handed after spray-painting one billboard too many and ends up having to do community service. She is appointed to assist one of the candidates in the Malmö Lucia contest. Red Mohikan wearing Erika is really not the woman for the job, or so she thinks. Until she locks eyes with candidate Padma Lindgren, her once unattainable school crush. Erika might look like a tough dyke, but Padma has her number. Holst offers Scandinavian Christmas spirit in spades.
Book 2, ‘Little X’ is a sweet, angst-free little romance story set in 1996. Sofie Andersson is ready to spread her wings. She is 21, driving the bus around Malmö and about to move into her first apartment. She has one good friend (Emil), a great mom (Gunilla) and an older sister (Mia) so perfect she’s way out of her league. Then said sister brings a handsome stranger to help her move into her new place, the same handsome stranger she met on her bus a few days before and has left her with confused feelings ever since.
In ‘Wild Bells’ (book 3) we focus on Mia Andersson (Sofie’s cool older sister) who is lusting after Linda Ling, lead singer of Raven Choir. Linda is straight, but her twin sister Sandra – who is wheelchair-bound – isn’t. Will Sandra be able to snare the ‘dykemaker’?
The final novella ‘And Then There Were Four’ consists of a series of small vignettes. We meet all the characters of the previous books making their way through Advent 2000 towards the first Christmas of the new Millenium.
Police officer Erika Stolt treats her highly pregnant (and very horny) wife Padma to a surprise night out. Gender Studies Professor Helena Hansen gets the most exciting second dessert from her two new flatmates. Bus driver Sophie is happy to hear her older sister Mia has proposed to Sandra Ling even though her own heart is bleeding after leaving Roz in the States. And obstetric nurse Gunilla Anderson delivers two very special Christmas babies.
Kudos to author Elena Holst for this very sweet Holiday series that brings us all the feels. She includes a diverse cast of characters with warm connections and very entertaining storylines.
I highly recommend you read them all. 4.4 stars
*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
