Written in gentle style, this story of separated and blended families takes us to a mountain resort that just begs for investment. Darcy Fitzgerald married a divorced father but his kids, who didn't like her, convinced their parents to get back together. CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS is set a year after Darcy's divorce. When Darcy meets Logan O'Donnell she thinks he seems like a nice guy, but he's unpalatable to her because he's got a son who spends holiday times with him.

Co-parenting sounds fine until you try it, thinks Logan as he hands young Charlie back to his mother. Heading off to blaze some trails on his mountain bike, Logan becomes all the more convinced that the failing ski resort he wants to buy could earn its keep from adventure sports during summer.

Logan's sister India is Darcy's best friend and knows that Darcy isn't looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with her own family, as her ex and her sister's husband are brothers and she doesn't want to spend the holiday with him. During the holiday in Florida Darcy explains that she is in sports marketing - she models various sports wear and other sporting items such as wake boards, and snowboarding gear is up next. Logan asks her to think about setting the shoot at his s newly purchased resort in the Catskills, but as it will also be Christmas will she be able to handle it with all the family and children around? She accepts, but maybe this is pushing her too far.

Charlie and his school pal from the projects, Andre, are great youngsters, aged nine and coping with difficult parenting situations. I welcomed the introduction of Andre as he showed a less well off side of society - his mother has been jailed for a lifestyle mistake, and she's pleased that her son will have a good Christmas when she can't be there for him. The two boys support each other and Andre is thrilled by the invitation to keep Charlie company at the ski resort.

There is not a lot of action in this book by Susan Wiggs but plenty of characterisation and long conversations, as romance gently arrives and keeps us waiting to see the outcome. The author has added recipes ranging from pickles to eggnog pancakes or beer cheese spread. CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS is an interesting romantic read for a relaxing evening by the fire.