Poles Apart by Marion Ueckermann

Angela here. I know y'all down south (anywhere in the US that's not Alaska is south to me) are celebrating Thanksgiving today and are busy with family, friends and food...but who knows, maybe your turkey is in the oven, the kids haven't arrived yet, and you had a few minutes to read a book review.

Welcome and happy Thanksgiving!

Tomorrow it's time to start thinking about Christmas (don't fight it) and to get you into the spirit of the season I highly recommend Poles Apart by Marion Ueckermann.

I... How can I best say this? I absolutely and positively loved this story. How could I not? Stretching from South Africa to Finland, this book takes you on a trip you are not soon to forget. Poles Apart was a fun glance into both Finnish culture and Christmas traditions. Here's the back cover:

Writer’s block and a looming Christmas novel deadline have romance novelist, Sarah Jones, heading for the other side of the world on a whim.

Niklas Toivonen offers cosy Lapland accommodation, but when his aging father falls ill, Niklas is called upon to step into his father's work clothes to make children happy. Red is quite his color.

Fresh off the airplane, a visit to Santa sets Sarah’s muse into overdrive. The man in red is not only entertaining, he’s young—with gorgeous blue eyes. Much like her new landlord’s, she discovers. Santa and Niklas quickly become objects of research—for her novel, and her curiosity.

Though she’s written countless happily-ever-afters, Sarah doubts she’ll ever enjoy her own. Niklas must find a way to show her how to leave the pain of her past behind, so she can find love and faith once more.


Niklas is just as charming as, though maybe a little more mischievous than, that write-up depicts. Plus he has two beautiful golden retrievers...and more on the way. And yes, red is quite his color! Sarah likes chocolate, so right away I could relate to her character. ;) All in all, Marion Ueckermann has done a wonderful job at weaving together the wonder of the man in red with the hope and joy of the real CHRISTmas story.

What do you usually call the "man in red" in your home...or part of the world?

MARION UECKERMANN's passion for writing was sparked when she moved to Ireland with her family. Her love of travel has influenced her contemporary inspirational romances set in novel places. She now lives in South Africa in an empty nest with her husband and their crazy black Scottie, Wally.

Find Poles Apart on Amazon.