The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox

Hello everyone. I hope you are enjoying your day.

I try and stay light-hearted here.  Reading books and writing an often too long paragraph about some family thing that somehow ties into the story, isn't really rocket science.  Let's call it what is...a self-indulgent way to justify buying more books. Yes, I know you're shocked that I admit it but hey it's working for me. Today, though, I want to be a bit more serious for a minute.  It's the holidays and lots of people are by themselves, more because of the pandemic.  Please know that you are not alone.  For us, illness counts are climbing rapidly in our state, so we are hanging out at home.  I haven't been able to see my family in person for years. That's okay if it keeps everyone safe, that is what is important.  We haven't even put up any decorations yet.  We usually have SIX Christmas trees and a house full of people but not now.  It's hard to get in the spirit of things when the world is upside down.  Heck, the roast we usually serve now costs almost two hundred dollars.  So, if you're sitting in an apartment somewhere, maybe sad, please know that you are not alone.  Even though I am married things aren't the same.  The news may show crowded airports and large family gathering, but many of us are not willing to take that chance.  Again, you aren't alone.  If you're feeling down, maybe you don't have to do the whole holiday "thing" but have a cup of hot chocolate and watch a seasonal favorite, for me it would be Charlie Brown Christmas, even though it makes me think of my mom and I cry every time.  Or perhaps a good old movie, like Gaslight.  Yes, it's not just a political term but comes from a real movie.  I annoy hubby by imitating Claude Raines saying "Oh Paula" with my fake French accent for days after seeing it.  Or here is a "novel" idea, you could read that book you've always wanted to get to but keep putting off.  Get it...novel idea?  

I recently read The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox.  This is the story of twins (yes, again) who are each a cooking wiz.  Charlie bakes and is a judge on a tv cooking competition show.  Sister Cass runs the family bakery back home.  While taking a break from filming Charlie is hit on the head when a rack of pans falls over.  Her concussion causes her to lose her sense of taste and smell.  How can she continue her job like that?  She can't, so the twins switch places. Of course, they don't tell anyone.  Not only do they each have trouble blending into their new temporary lives, but each meets a man that seems to be their perfect match.  Now what?  

This is a cute, quick hit, Christmas romance.  It's easy reading that is an absolute requirement if you are a baker or lover to cooking competition shows, it mentions some by name.  In addition, there is holiday cheer aplenty with small town quaintness and lots of snow.  My only suggestion, don't read on an empty stomach.

The Girl in the Mirror by Rose Carlyle

Hello everyone.  I hope you're doing well.

When I was little, really little, like two years old, I remember my parents telling me that there were going to be siblings.  Doctors first told my mother she was having twins, so my parents purchased two of everything they would need.  Along comes delivery and surprise...there is a third baby.  It was completely natural and an oddity in those days.  (Please insert a sarcastic statement about my sisters being odd here, I'm trying to be nice, so Santa won't bring me coal.) I recall the day the local newspaper came to take pictures of the triplets, I got to be in the photo standing behind them presenting them with my arms like some sort of possessed Vanna White. I still have the newspaper article that goes with the photo where they ask my dad if he planned for any more children he responds "negative". So very Dad, who worked on some of the country's biggest secrets, yet flunked his computer class so badly they begged him to go back to a legal pad and pencil. Anyway, yes, I have a point that relates to the book, hold your horses.  My parents wanted a boy and got me and triplet girls.  My dad would tell people he would try to get to the bathroom mirror, but it was a blur of mascara wands.  Poor guy.

I recently read The Girl in the Mirror by Rose Carlyle.  This is the story of a set of twins, whose wealthy, miserable father dies.  He wills his money and assets to the girl who gets married and has the first baby.  The twins Iris and Summer are very different personalities but are otherwise identical.  When Summer and her husband are having problems halfway across the world and need help sailing the family's boat home, Iris dutifully jumps in to help.  She tries to maintain a positive attitude even after discovering Summer is pregnant and will inherit everything.  But as you would expect with a thriller, trouble ensues.  

I loved the idea of this book.  So many thrillers take place in neighborhoods, one of those "I didn't know my neighbor was a serial killer" things.  This takes the action to a wealthy family and out onto the open sea.  It was really interesting seeing the differences exposed between the twins. The story moves quickly and is a pleasant read.  I liked this book, but I didn't love it.  Would I buy and read it again?  Yes.  However, if you are a long-time thriller or mystery reader you will guess the ending very early on.  In addition, there aren't many twists and those that there are seem predictable.  If you don't read these types of books a lot, you'll likely be shocked and love this book.  Since this is Rose Carlyle's first book, I look forward to many more from her.

My dad probably cheered when we moved out of the house, finally getting the mirror to himself.