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Stella Riley
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Midwinter Magic: A Rockliffe Novella Kindle Edition

by Stella Riley (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 670 ratings
Lord and Lady Sarre cordially invite you to spend Christmas at Sarre Park … Celebrate among old friends … and perhaps a gate-crasher or two. There will be wassailers and kissing-boughs; music, dancing and romance; laughter and some tears. And above all, expect the unexpected because at Christmas anything can happen. So accept your invitation today for what promises to be the most talked-of house-party of 1778 … and is also a last Huzzah to the Rockliffe series.

Praise for Midwinter Magic ...

“This author never fails to deliver on plotlines, writing, characterisation and research. This short story wraps up the Rockliffe series with a festive bow, bringing together several of the characters we know and love from the six-book series for a Christmas house party.”


“Among all the festive treats on offer I doubt I will enjoy anything as much as I have enjoyed Stella Riley’s Christmas novella: “Midwinter Magic”. It has everything I look for in a story: warmth, wit, laughter, a touch of jeopardy, two lovely romances and a sprinkling of true Christmas magic.”
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  1. Book 7 of 7
    Rockliffe
  2. Print length
    145 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    December 6, 2020
  5. File size
    4.4 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08L3DKZLG
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Stella Riley; 1st edition (December 6, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 6, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4.4 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 145 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ B08PJK78TX
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 670 ratings

About the author

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Stella Riley

Stella Riley

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Winner of 4 gold medals (Readers' Favourite 2019, Book Excellence Awards 2020, Global Book Awards 2022, Book Excellence Awards 2023) and 14 B.R.A.G. Medallions, Stella Riley lives in the beautiful medieval town of Sandwich in Kent.

She is fascinated by the English Civil Wars and has written six books set in that period. These, like the 7 book Rockliffe series (recommended in The Times newspaper!) and the Brandon Brothers trilogy, are all available in audio, narrated by Alex Wyndham.

Stella enjoys travel, reading, theatre, Baroque music and playing the harpsichord. She also has a fondness for men with long hair - hence her 17th and 18th century heroes.

Visit Stella at https://stellarileybooks.co.uk for all the latest information on her books and her 'Who's Who' and Extras pages.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
670 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this novella to be a beautiful Christmas story with well-developed characters and satisfying romances. Moreover, the writing style receives positive feedback, with one customer noting its wittiest dialogue. Additionally, they appreciate the book's value as a gift, describing it as a kick-ass Christmas miracle, and consider it a perfect "finale" to the series.

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18 customers mention "Ending"18 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the ending of the book, describing it as a beautiful Christmas story that makes readers laugh and cry.

"Perfect ending to a fabulous series. My heart is smiling. Thank you Stella Riley for sharing Rockliffe and his friends and family with us." Read more

"Stella Riley is an awesome story teller. Her characters have depth and help draw the reader into the book...." Read more

"I’m sitting here in tears at this lovely story. I am not easily brought to tears, either!..." Read more

"...Along with the usual mayhem there are also some poignant moments...." Read more

12 customers mention "Series quality"12 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the series, describing it as fabulous and very well done, with one customer mentioning they re-read the Rockliffe novels.

"Perfect ending to a fabulous series. My heart is smiling. Thank you Stella Riley for sharing Rockliffe and his friends and family with us." Read more

"...There was no intrusion. Simply well done. I would like to be their friends" Read more

"This delightful novel was a perfect "finale" for the much beloved Rockcliff saga...." Read more

"I have loved and re-read the Rockliffe novels, and this novella is a fitting end to the series...." Read more

11 customers mention "Enjoyment"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book completely lovely and pleasurable to visit, with one customer describing it as light escapist literature.

"...Well written as always and a spectacular happy ever after." Read more

"Read these back to back and enjoyed every one. Now on to read everything else she's written. Three more words" Read more

"...There are two very satisfying romances, all told in Riley’s exquisite style...." Read more

"I have always found the beautiful families in this series exquisitely charming and reading this novella gave me the opportunity to share their lives..." Read more

9 customers mention "Character development"9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book.

"What a wonderful conclusion to all of the characters we have come to know through the Rockcliffe series...." Read more

"Stella Riley is an awesome story teller. Her characters have depth and help draw the reader into the book...." Read more

"...All of the stories really had excellent main characters. How Ms Riley interwove them throughout the series was faultless. There was no intrusion...." Read more

"...once more get to enter the imaginary lives, of my favorite characters from the Rockcliffe series...." Read more

7 customers mention "Gift value"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a wonderful Christmas gift, describing it as a really kick-ass Christmas miracle.

"...I get that magic is a pretty major trope of the romantic Christmas novella tradition...." Read more

"What a gift & holiday treat to once more get to enter the imaginary lives, of my favorite characters from the Rockcliffe series...." Read more

"...with all our old friends and toast to friendship, love, and a magical Christmas... and most especially to Stella Riley and the world she created..." Read more

"...And a really kick-ass Christmas miracle that is a nice present for one of the couples and to readers who have been following the series from the..." Read more

7 customers mention "Writing style"7 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing style of the book, with one noting its wittiest dialogue.

"...Well written as always and a spectacular happy ever after." Read more

"...story depict traditional holiday traditions, combined with the wittiest dialogue, new romances, heartfelt occurrences that had me crying more than..." Read more

"...the earlier novels find their happy endings all tied up in a very neat literary package with Ms. Riley's deft prose...." Read more

"...Written with the witty and loving care we have come to love, this story will make you laugh and cry,and end up cheering...." Read more

6 customers mention "Romance"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the romantic elements of the book, with one mentioning the love in the holiday air and another noting the warmth of friendship.

"Perfect ending to a fabulous series. My heart is smiling. Thank you Stella Riley for sharing Rockliffe and his friends and family with us." Read more

"...There are two very satisfying romances, all told in Riley’s exquisite style...." Read more

"...holiday traditions, combined with the wittiest dialogue, new romances, heartfelt occurrences that had me crying more than once...." Read more

"...We get to see how devoted all the couples still are and how loving to their children and how close all the families are to each other...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Laurie J. Nowlin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet endings
    Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    What a wonderful conclusion to all of the characters we have come to know through the Rockcliffe series. Well written as always and a spectacular happy ever after.
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  • Sunshine Daisy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Perfection
    Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Perfect ending to a fabulous series. My heart is smiling. Thank you Stella Riley for sharing Rockliffe and his friends and family with us.
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  • PennyLou
    4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful & heart warming
    Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Stella Riley is an awesome story teller. Her characters have depth and help draw the reader into the book. Reading this book was like meeting old friends again & celebrating with them.
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  • AnnaBelle
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved the series
    Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Read these back to back and enjoyed every one. Now on to read everything else she's written. Three more words
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  • Arietta
    5.0 out of 5 stars Completely Lovely
    Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I’m sitting here in tears at this lovely story. I am not easily brought to tears, either!

    All I can say is, if you’ve read the Rockliffe series, this really is the icing on the cake. If you’ve not read it - well, put this down and start at the beginning! Midwinter Magic might have to wait til next Christmas, or if you’re a voracious reader, you might read it as the crocuses peep from their winter’s slumber.

    There are two very satisfying romances, all told in Riley’s exquisite style. And, of course, we say hello to the many couples we got to know in previous stories.

    Treat yourself!

    Highly recommended
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Bibliolatry
    5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a Christmas gift!
    Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I have always found the beautiful families in this series exquisitely charming and reading this novella gave me the opportunity to share their lives one last time. Having read this, I want to reread the series once again.

    The events in the story depict traditional holiday traditions, combined with the wittiest dialogue, new romances, heartfelt occurrences that had me crying more than once. What a gift this book is! I absolutely adored it, and was sad I finished it so quickly.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • OLT
    3.0 out of 5 stars A Georgian Hallmark Christmas movie.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    If you enjoy reading those annual Christmas newsletters cousins send out every year to keep you informed about the doings of all their family members, you'll love this Stella Riley novella. After all, all these beloved characters do almost feel like family if you are a devoted reader of all the books of this Rockliffe series by Riley.

    The problem for me is that I find those newsletters a bit boring and ditto this novella. Almost everybody from most of the books gets together at Adrian and Caroline's home (that's the Earl and Countess of Sarre, from THE PLAYER) for the holidays. We get to see how devoted all the couples still are and how loving to their children and how close all the families are to each other. That's nice, but not especially exciting.

    We also have to endure a couple of mothers-in-law from hell. That would be Adrian's and Caroline's and they haven't yet reconciled themselves to Adrian and Caroline's very happy mesalliance. They, especially Caroline's mother, provide the only conflicts to be found in the book. Other than that, it's love, love, love in the holiday air.

    There will be two romances that spark at the home and end in engagements and there will be a Christmas miracle. That Christmas miracle was a lovely, unexpected happening for one of the couples of the group (although somewhat telegraphed to you from before the midpoint of the story) and, as Riley states in her notes afterwards, is an entirely possible event, not just as a Christmas miracle.

    So three stars from me for the opportunity to visit with all these characters again. The plot itself is a bit meh, but I guess there's nothing wrong with Christmas treacle.
    10 people found this helpful
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  • mary
    4.0 out of 5 stars Well Done Ending to A Mostly Well Done Series
    Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I liked it all. I liked all who showed up for the festivities and the references to those who did not. The wrap up was very well done. I especially liked Tom's homage to Julian and the intricacies of Ellie and Rosalind's plot device.

    All of the stories really had excellent main characters. How Ms Riley interwove them throughout the series was faultless. There was no intrusion. Simply well done. I would like to be their friends
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Dogs'rUs
    1.0 out of 5 stars Pure saccharine
    Reviewed in Canada on September 4, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    No historical feel, snobbish and classist.
    Report
  • Clare McQuin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Miracles can happen!
    Reviewed in Australia on December 6, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Part of her "Rockliffe" series and the second final 'finish' (though many of her readers hope that is merely her current plan), I remembered it was due out today and I have finished my first reading and after I post this review I'll be going back and reading it again.
    Old friends, some minor characters from earlier novels in the series coming to the forefront among all the fun and frolics of a refurbished great house, set in Kent at Christmas time.
    Stella has woven a brilliant mixture of romance and Georgian manners and customs to delight and enlighten us and answer questions only briefly touched on in the other 6 books. Well done, Ms Riley. You haven't left many loose ends, but allow that miracles do happen. (I always thought it was a possible solution). Thank you.
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  • avidreader
    5.0 out of 5 stars 5+ stars for a delightful seasonal story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 6, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This author never fails to deliver on plotlines, writing, characterisation and research. This short story wraps up the Rockliffe series with a festive bow, bringing together at Sarre Park [Adrian and Caroline, 'the Player'] several of the characters we know and love from the six-book series for a Christmas house party; it also brings into play unlovable characters who don't deserve to be redeemed, and get their comeuppance! It is played out over the period of the house party, and is heartwarming, emotional and funny, filled with love and laughter as old friends get together, and not a little stress for the host and hostess. In other words, realistic! Two romances unfold, also realistically, given the relatively short time they have to develop. There is a magical element, not only in watching Julian and Arabella's adopted children [Cadenza] discovering the delights of their first family Christmas but also a conclusion which is both magical and, for all the parties concerned, miraculous.

    For those who know the 'Rockliffe' series, this is a wonderful, fitting end. For those who don't, read it and you'll want to go back and discover the rest of the series, which ends with 'Cadenza' and which seamlessly introduces us to the characters in Ms. Riley's next series, 'Brandon Brothers' [who are descendants of Gabriel and Venetia from 'Garland of Straw' the R&C series]. Thank you, Stella Riley, for a perfect early Christmas present.
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  • Katie McLean
    5.0 out of 5 stars Unforgettable!
    Reviewed in Australia on May 9, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This really is a perfect ending to the Rockliffe Series.
    It is a beautifully & warmly crafted blending of families &
    friends, laughter & tears.
    An absolute delight from beginning to end & the unexpected
    finish was a wonderful surprise!
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  • Jill
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Superb Festive Treat
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 6, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Among all the festive treats on offer this year I doubt I will enjoy anything as much as I have enjoyed Stella Riley’s Christmas novella: “Midwinter Magic”. It has everything I look for in a story: warmth, wit, laughter, a touch of jeopardy, two lovely romances and a sprinkling of true Christmas magic.

    The setting is Sarre Place, the home of Adrian and Caroline (see their story in “The Player”). They are holding a Christmas house party for their closest friends and family. It is truly delightful to meet again the characters from Ms Riley’s previous Rockliffe novels. They leap from the pages fully formed and a joy to watch. There are people from all generations: from Caroline’s gorgeous grandfather down to Vanessa Jane, Rockliffe’s adored daughter, not forgetting the Chalfont children, who are superbly drawn, enchanting characters.

    There is a programme of entertainments drawn up by Bertrand Didier, Adrian’s best friend and major domo. These give rise to some very memorable moments: a riotous game of football on the beach, a visit to a castle; an impromptu concert given by the delectable Julian Langham and the soiree where all the guests perform “turns” for each other. I defy anyone not to be moved by young Tom’s tribute to his adopted father. There is so much well-developed action packed into the novella that it feels as rich as a full length novel.

    Ms Riley writes such beautiful love stories, and we are lucky enough to have two in “Midwinter Magic”. It is lovely to see a mature couple come together in such a natural way. You can feel their trepidation at risking their hearts and cheer for their happy ending. The younger couple’s story is equally sweet. I love how Ms Riley’s heroes are always so wise and just a touch masterful but shaded also with a little unsureness – such attractive traits that make me fall in love with them just as the heroine does.

    The introduction of Mrs Hayward and the Dowager Lady Sarre, Caroline and Adrian’s respective mothers, is a stark counterpoint to the warmth and joy of the rest of the novella. It underlines the truism that you can choose your friends but you can’t choose your family. The Dowager Lady Sarre, in particular, is a horror and it is a testament to his own character and the redeeming power of love that Adrian is as well balanced as he is.

    As for the sprinkling of Christmas Magic, it is hard to say anything without giving too much away. It is woven through the novella and concerns the altruistic wishes of a kind little girl. The ending is richly satisfying and completes this superb valedictory to all the wonderful characters in Rockliffe’s world. It is sad to be saying goodbye to this world but a joy to know that I can go back to any of the seven novels in this cycle whenever I need a dose of warmly witty and delightful romance in the company of characters I adore.
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