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Eileen Thornton
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Only Twelve Days Kindle Edition

by Eileen Thornton (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 79 ratings
A heartwarming story set in a time when computers and mobile phones were still in their infancy.

It is almost Christmas, and nearly everyone is looking forward to spending the festive season with their loved ones. But what about those who are facing Christmas alone?

Bill and Sally are shy and lonely; left behind when the swinging sixties changed the rest of the country. Will they avoid the holiday season as they usually do, and spend it alone... or will Christmas catch up with them this year?

This tender love story takes place during the run up to Christmas, but is enjoyable to read at any time of the year.
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  1. Print length
    505 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    October 24, 2013
  4. File size
    1.4 MB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

From the Author

My latest novel is Only Twelve Days, a heart-warming romance. I set this novel in 1979, before mobile phones and computers had taken over the world. I wanted to tell a story about two shy, lonely people who meet twelve days before Christmas. She is a young woman trying to be a nursery nurse, he is a brilliant accountant in a large firm.  There is so much against them. Will they, won't they get together?

About the Author

Since beginning a comprehensive writing course with The Writers Bureau in 2001, my articles and short stories have been published in a variety of magazines in the UK.  In 2005 two of my short stories were included in quite different anthologies. The first story was in an International Anthology, published in June, while the second appeared in Café Ole - Too Hot To Handle, which was launched in Glasgow. My first novel, The Trojan Project, a thriller, was published at the end of May 2008. Divorcees.Biz came next, followed by Only Twelve Days. Both of these novels are romances.   I also review books for newbooks a bi-monthly magazine informing the public of new books on the shelves. 
 
I am a member of the Society of Authors, the Society of Women Writer's and Journalists and The Edinburgh Writer's Club, as well as being an Associate Member of NAWG (National Association of Writers Groups).
 
eileenthornton.com  
lifeshard-winehelps.blogspot.com

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00G6ZN7WG
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Creativia; 3rd edition (October 24, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 24, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.4 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 505 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ B087SJRB9T
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 79 ratings

About the author

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Eileen Thornton

Eileen Thornton

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Though I now live in Kelso in the Scottish Borders, I was born and brought up on Tyneside; the setting for my last four novels. Once a Geordie, always a Geordie, as the saying goes.

Though I only began writing in 2001, many of my short stories and articles have been published in national magazines here in the UK. But then I felt the urge to move on and write something with a little more grit.

My first novel, The Trojan Project, is an all-action thriller. During the writing process, I felt I was on the ride of my life, as I added so many spine-chilling incidents. I was determined to grab the readers' attention from the very beginning and give them the roller-coaster read of their lives.

Since then, I turned to writing women's fiction. Divorcees.Biz, a novel of fun and romance, shortly followed by, Only Twelve Days, a heart-warming romance.

However, after deciding to turn my hand to writing a series of cozy murder mysteries, I chose my hometown as the setting. Murder on Tyneside - Agnes Lockwood Mysteries Book 1, was released in December 2016, with Agnes as the new sleuth on Tyneside. Death on Tyneside (Book 2) came next followed by Vengeance on Tyneside (Book 3). A Mystery on Tyneside (Book 4) was published in October 2020.

Hopefully, there will be a Book 5 in the series. How could I possibly let Agnes Lockwood down, when she has given me so much fun - she is part of me now.

If you would like to contact me, I have a website: www.eileenthornton.com

Or you can find me on facebook and Twitter. www.facebook.com/EileenThornton www.twitter.com/eileenmaud2

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
79 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be an enjoyable read with a delightful romance that serves as an upbeat Christmas love story. The character development receives mixed reactions, with some loving the characters while others find them shallow.

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6 customers mention "Romance"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the romance in this book, describing it as a delightful and sweet Christmas love story.

"A sweet, smooth read with a happy ending. The English characters are likeable, relatable and transparent...." Read more

"...It is a sweet story but felt a little too contrived and too perfect. A fast and enjoyable read." Read more

"...If you are looking for a gentle and predictable romance, then Only Twelve Days is just the book for you...." Read more

"...Well, it reads as a novella, a holiday romance, an enjoyable love story, which gives you the feeling of peace and quiet after all...." Read more

5 customers mention "Enjoyment"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable, with one mentioning it's a nice read before Christmas.

"...A fast and enjoyable read." Read more

"...pace for me and I would recommend it to romance fans as a nice read before Christmas...." Read more

"...Looking forward to more by this author. Thanks for a great read! Highly recommended..." Read more

"I enjoyed the book." Read more

7 customers mention "Character development"4 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the character development in the book, with some loving them while others find them shallow.

"...The Authors characters were well developed and seemed almost like they were friends by the end of the book...." Read more

"...I don't need to know every single step a person makes. The characters were very shallow and one-dimensional...." Read more

"...Little Joey is a nice character and I wish that more of the story concentrated on him, rather than the office politics which I found rather boring...." Read more

"Loved the characters in this book. Looking forward to more by this author. Thanks for a great read! Highly recommended..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Laizzn
    5.0 out of 5 stars An upbeat Christmas love story from across the pond
    Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    A sweet, smooth read with a happy ending. The English characters are likeable, relatable and transparent. It made me wish there was a sequel for more chuckles and smiles.
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  • Karen Ingalls
    4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable.
    Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    When Sally and Bill meet it is love at first sight. Bill is a widower with a 6-year-old boy who is too good to be true. In twelve days the couple knows their love is forever and true. It is a sweet story but felt a little too contrived and too perfect. A fast and enjoyable read.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Patricia
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read
    Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I thoroughly loved this story of love at first sight with a twist. The Authors characters were well developed and seemed almost like they were friends by the end of the book. I was left wanting more, I hope there will be a sequel to this book.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Ladyhawk
    3.0 out of 5 stars Recommended for romance book fans
    Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Only Twelve Days is a sweet and gentle romance story set in England in the 60s.
    Workaholic Bill Roberts is a business man and a widower with an adorable 4-year-old son named Joey. He lost his wife in a car accident 3 years ago and does little but work and care for his son.
    Sally is a somewhat naive 21-year old childcare worker who is quite dependent on her controlling parents, which was probably more common in the 60s than today. She is currently studying and working part-time in a nursery. While a pleasant lady, her circle of friends and life experiences are very limited.
    Bill's son, Joey, is a sweet little boy who asks Santa for a Mummy for Christmas. There are Twelve Days left until Christmas, can Joey's wish really come true?
    If you are looking for a gentle and predictable romance, then Only Twelve Days is just the book for you. Unlike one of Eileen Thornton's previous mystery novels I have read (The Trojan Project), this one is very straightforward and while the plot meanders gently, with the odd obstacle to the romance, the result is never in any doubt.
    I found some of the supporting characters to be quite shallow and one-dimensional, such as Colin and Jo, who were both rather annoying. I couldn't figure out why Bill and Sally would chose either of them as best friends.
    Little Joey is a nice character and I wish that more of the story concentrated on him, rather than the office politics which I found rather boring. He is a lovely little boy and very intelligent and astute for his tender years. I enjoyed the scenes with him and his Dad.
    Only Twelve Days did not have enough pace for me and I would recommend it to romance fans as a nice read before Christmas. I reviewed a gift copy of Only Twelve Days and all opinions are my own. I have previously reviewed Trojan Project by Eileen Thornton and really enjoyed it.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Benedict Stuart, Author
    5.0 out of 5 stars Holiday Love Story for the Lonely Hearts
    Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Sally and Bill, two lonely hearts, meet. Well, it reads as a novella, a holiday romance, an enjoyable love story, which gives you the feeling of peace and quiet after all. Why not have a little break and learn something from the low-tech past?
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  • Cindy in GA
    5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful read
    Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2017
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    Loved the characters in this book. Looking forward to more by this author. Thanks for a great read! Highly recommended...
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  • Eve Gaal
    4.0 out of 5 stars Joey Has to Approve!!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    What a delightful romance! Once Bill meets Joey’s substitute teacher, Miss Hughes, life will never be the same. In fact, near the end of the novel, Bill even says, “Looking back, I see how bleak my life was.” Fortunately, there’s nothing even remotely bleak about this story. All the characters are interesting. For example, Bill is a whiz at math and a financial guru which makes him the target of Colin’s jokes and Alan’s admiration. Barbara also enjoys poking fun at her brother while Jo, Sally’s friend is filled with negative opinions regarding men. On top of everything it’s Christmas. There’s a holiday party, and Bill’s family is coming. Most importantly—will Joey approve?
    Read Only Twelve Days and find out all the things that can happen in twelve days!
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  • Stephanie
    2.0 out of 5 stars ) "I'm going to wear skirts all the time while dealing with a super feminist friend
    Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    My issues...
    "I've never had sex before, and I haven't known you a week, but I'm ready to change all that because....."
    (Really? It wasn't the level of details that made my eyes roll, it was the quickness with which they leapt into each other's arms.)
    "I'm going to wear skirts all the time while dealing with a super feminist friend." (What era does this story take place, exactly? 50s? 60s? 70s?)
    Overall, I also felt there was also too much information shared in the story. I skimmed several sections just to keep the plot line moving along.
    -Won't be reading again.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Ann Stanmore
    5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute pleasure to read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 31, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    ONLY TWELVE DAYS BY EILEEN THORNTON

    This heart warming story begins in 1979 when 4 year old Joey Roberts writes a letter to Santa asking for a new mummy for Christmas. When Sally Hughes (who is covering at the nursery Joey attends for her friend who has influenza) sees this her heart goes out to young Joey, whose mum had been killed in a car crash when he was only a year old.

    Sally is a very shy young woman who had been over protected by her family and buried herself in work rather than socialise. Then she meets Bill, Joey’s father who also is a workaholic and shy. Yes, you have guessed it - they fall in love!

    Will Joey’s wish come true? Will Sally and Bill overcome the hurdles along the way and have a happy ending? Well I’m not telling ……

    This is written with real feeling and understanding of human nature and was an absolute pleasure to read.

    Well done Eileen Thornton, this deserves five stars.

    PS: this is not just for Christmas but is equally good on a sandy beach in a deck chair!
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  • Mrs. H. Thomas
    4.0 out of 5 stars A joy for Christmas
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 12, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Enjoyed this book so much. It epitomises the spirit of Christmas and restores one's faith in decency and genuineness. It offers true values without excessive bad language or explicit sex. A very comforting book.
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  • Lise LaSalle
    3.0 out of 5 stars This book is a delight. It is like stepping into a Vintage movie ...
    Reviewed in Canada on November 19, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This book is a delight. It is like stepping into a Vintage movie with romance and old fashioned glamour. This is a true romance novel mixed with the magic of Christmas. The characters are reminiscent of an era of great yearning and romanticism. Only Twelve Days is simply magical.
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  • Sashadoo
    5.0 out of 5 stars So true to life it's spooky. A great read!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 3, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    What a wonderful read! Though far from my usual genre of reading material I liked the cover, with Christmas coming up so decided to try it, and I'm glad I did. This book was so thoughtfully crafted and the characters so true-to-life, I felt I knew them as real people by the end. Bill and Sally's special and heartwarming relationship was incredibly close to that of my own early days with my wife, proof that it is possible to fall in love after one meeting and end up in a happy ever after relationship in less than a fortnight. It really did happen to me, so I can testify to the reality portrayed in the book. Every character is well created and realistic and there's some great humour here too, mostly from Bill's friend Colin and at times from Bill's four year old son, Joey. (Out of the mouths of babes etc). I laughed at times, and smiled knowingly at others, and loved the first meeting between Bill and Sally's parents which alo reminded of my first meeting with my in-laws, though my own path was a little more rocky. Mrs Thornton's writing is crisp, succinct and shows great maturity and knowledge of human relationships and interaction and I have no hesitation in awarding Only Twelve Days a well deserved 5 stars. If you want a terrific feel-good book to keep you smiling with Christmas around the corner, this is a must-read and has to be top of your list. It's one of those books you find yourself sad at reaching the end.
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  • Brighton bookworm
    5.0 out of 5 stars 'A delight to read'
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 16, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed this book, it's a lovely story it really captures the feelings and emotions of when you find a special person who is precious to you and being afraid that something will happen or go wrong and they will be taken away from you.
    I would recommend this book to all readers.
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