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Winter Discovery
Returning to the characters of his first novel, When You Went Away, Baron takes us again into the world of Gerry Rubato, a man who has been marked by loss and revived by love, and his son Reese, now five, who celebrates life at a remarkable level but is only now starting to understand that he was robbed of the chance of ever knowing his mother. Reese is old enough now to get caught up in the excitement of the Christmas season and he throws himself into it with abandon. His sense of celebration takes on entirely new levels of meaning, though, when it leads him to an unexpected and most remarkable discovery.
60 pages, Paperback
First published November 15, 2011
41 people are currently reading
224 people want to read
About the author
Lou Aronica
53 books90 followersI have been associated with the book publishing world since August 1979, when I started as an assistant in the Managing Editor’s Department at Bantam Books. Prior to founding The Fiction Studio, I served as Deputy Publisher of Bantam and Publisher of Berkley Books and Avon Books. During this time, I launched the premier science fiction and mystery imprints in the business, and also presided over the largest growth period to date in the history of the #1 single-title romance program.
My earliest publishing experiences were in the field of science fiction and fantasy. I started my first publishing imprint, Bantam Spectra, at the age of 27 and published my first New York Times bestseller with that imprint a year later. My first editorial acquisition, David Brin’s Startide Rising, won the field’s two highest awards, the Hugo and the Nebula. I subsequently published New York Times bestsellers with Arthur C. Clarke, Isaac Asimov, David Brin, Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, Raymond Feist, William Gibson, Neal Stephenson, Neil Gaiman, and others, while also acquiring five consecutive winners of the Nebula Award. In addition, I created the “Full Spectrum” anthology series, which won me a World Fantasy Award in 1994.
My biggest commercial accomplishment in the field of science fiction and fantasy was my acquisition and design of the Star Wars book publishing program. Started at a time when licensing interest in the movies was very low, the book publications consistently hit the New York Times list (as high as #1) while also jump-starting the entire Star Wars franchise.
In the nineties, I moved beyond science fiction. As Mass Market Publisher for Bantam, I launched the Bantam Crime Line mystery imprint and was closely involved in the development of several bestselling authors, including Elizabeth George, Robert Crais, and Diane Mott Davidson. I launched the Bantam Fanfare romance imprint, which led to the development of bestselling authors such as Amanda Quick, Tami Hoag, and Iris Johansen.
In 1994, I left Bantam to become SVP and Publisher of the Berkley Publishing Group. The two imprints I started there, Boulevard (a media imprint) and Signature (a literary imprint) had New York Times bestsellers within their first year. I also acquired and edited the bestselling futuristic mysteries by J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts).
In 1995, I moved to Avon Books to spearhead a turnaround of that company as SVP and Publisher. I supervised significant changes to the company’s industry-leading romance program, which led to the largest growth period in the program’s history to that point. Committing the company to a profitable path of publishing for dedicated readers, I launched a series of imprints focused on science fiction, literary fiction, mystery, pop culture, health, history, and teen literature. Most of these imprints had bestsellers very quickly.
In 1999, I left Avon after the acquisition of the company by The News Corporation. The creative investment I made in that house continues to pay significant dividends, however, as writers whose publishing programs I developed became breakout bestsellers, including Dennis Lehane, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, J.A. Jance, Stephanie Laurens, Lisa Kleypas, Bruce Feiler and Peter Robinson.
In addition to my current role with The Fiction Studio, I am a novelist and nonfiction writer. My novels, The Forever Year and Flash and Dazzle appeared under the name Ronald Anthony. My nonfiction books include the New York Times bestseller The Element (written with Sir Ken Robinson), the national bestseller The Culture Code (written with Dr. Clotaire Rapaille), Conscientious Equity (written with Neal Asbury), Miraculous Health (written with Dr. Rick Levy) and A Million Thanks (written with Shauna Fleming).
Finding myself missing the publishing side of the business, in 2008, literary manager Peter Miller and I started a small book imprint called The Story Plant. Right now, it’s a tiny opera
My earliest publishing experiences were in the field of science fiction and fantasy. I started my first publishing imprint, Bantam Spectra, at the age of 27 and published my first New York Times bestseller with that imprint a year later. My first editorial acquisition, David Brin’s Startide Rising, won the field’s two highest awards, the Hugo and the Nebula. I subsequently published New York Times bestsellers with Arthur C. Clarke, Isaac Asimov, David Brin, Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, Raymond Feist, William Gibson, Neal Stephenson, Neil Gaiman, and others, while also acquiring five consecutive winners of the Nebula Award. In addition, I created the “Full Spectrum” anthology series, which won me a World Fantasy Award in 1994.
My biggest commercial accomplishment in the field of science fiction and fantasy was my acquisition and design of the Star Wars book publishing program. Started at a time when licensing interest in the movies was very low, the book publications consistently hit the New York Times list (as high as #1) while also jump-starting the entire Star Wars franchise.
In the nineties, I moved beyond science fiction. As Mass Market Publisher for Bantam, I launched the Bantam Crime Line mystery imprint and was closely involved in the development of several bestselling authors, including Elizabeth George, Robert Crais, and Diane Mott Davidson. I launched the Bantam Fanfare romance imprint, which led to the development of bestselling authors such as Amanda Quick, Tami Hoag, and Iris Johansen.
In 1994, I left Bantam to become SVP and Publisher of the Berkley Publishing Group. The two imprints I started there, Boulevard (a media imprint) and Signature (a literary imprint) had New York Times bestsellers within their first year. I also acquired and edited the bestselling futuristic mysteries by J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts).
In 1995, I moved to Avon Books to spearhead a turnaround of that company as SVP and Publisher. I supervised significant changes to the company’s industry-leading romance program, which led to the largest growth period in the program’s history to that point. Committing the company to a profitable path of publishing for dedicated readers, I launched a series of imprints focused on science fiction, literary fiction, mystery, pop culture, health, history, and teen literature. Most of these imprints had bestsellers very quickly.
In 1999, I left Avon after the acquisition of the company by The News Corporation. The creative investment I made in that house continues to pay significant dividends, however, as writers whose publishing programs I developed became breakout bestsellers, including Dennis Lehane, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, J.A. Jance, Stephanie Laurens, Lisa Kleypas, Bruce Feiler and Peter Robinson.
In addition to my current role with The Fiction Studio, I am a novelist and nonfiction writer. My novels, The Forever Year and Flash and Dazzle appeared under the name Ronald Anthony. My nonfiction books include the New York Times bestseller The Element (written with Sir Ken Robinson), the national bestseller The Culture Code (written with Dr. Clotaire Rapaille), Conscientious Equity (written with Neal Asbury), Miraculous Health (written with Dr. Rick Levy) and A Million Thanks (written with Shauna Fleming).
Finding myself missing the publishing side of the business, in 2008, literary manager Peter Miller and I started a small book imprint called The Story Plant. Right now, it’s a tiny opera
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
August 28, 2012
A winter Discovery by Michael Baron
Second book in the series: Gerry and his family.
It's winter almost Christmas and 6 year old Reese is very excited about the presents Santa will bring.
Now that they were a real family things settled down some but Maureen's spirit was always there in the house and in their hearts.
Reese wanted to make a frosty- a snowman that came to life so they'd need the real parts in order for it happen. He doesn't remember his mother but there are many pictures around the house and things spark his interest in her.
He had a dream that the Polar express train to the North Pole was going to stop and wait just a minute at his house to pick him up so he quietly went to wait outside after getting winter clothes on.
He finds some magic thing with some of the snow=it doesn't melt at all.
It makes him think of his mother.
Tanya is home from college and enjoys the chats she has with her dad while he's cooking and Reese fits right in there with hugs for his sister.
They get into the spirit by driving to a real tree farm to select theirs and cut it down, decorate the house and have music on just like his mom would've done.
Must be some kind of magic that nobody but Reese can see the snowflakes that don't melt.
Reese has a lot of questions about the holiday TV shows when things just don't add up for him...
They finally get to decorate the family tree and Reese's tree in his room. His real mother had left him a gift that he will cherish...
Second book in the series: Gerry and his family.
It's winter almost Christmas and 6 year old Reese is very excited about the presents Santa will bring.
Now that they were a real family things settled down some but Maureen's spirit was always there in the house and in their hearts.
Reese wanted to make a frosty- a snowman that came to life so they'd need the real parts in order for it happen. He doesn't remember his mother but there are many pictures around the house and things spark his interest in her.
He had a dream that the Polar express train to the North Pole was going to stop and wait just a minute at his house to pick him up so he quietly went to wait outside after getting winter clothes on.
He finds some magic thing with some of the snow=it doesn't melt at all.
It makes him think of his mother.
Tanya is home from college and enjoys the chats she has with her dad while he's cooking and Reese fits right in there with hugs for his sister.
They get into the spirit by driving to a real tree farm to select theirs and cut it down, decorate the house and have music on just like his mom would've done.
Must be some kind of magic that nobody but Reese can see the snowflakes that don't melt.
Reese has a lot of questions about the holiday TV shows when things just don't add up for him...
They finally get to decorate the family tree and Reese's tree in his room. His real mother had left him a gift that he will cherish...
October 21, 2011
Reese Rubato and his family are characters returning from Michael Baron's earlier work, When You Went Away. Reese doesn't miss much and has a million questions as every 5 year-old boy does. For now, it's winter and Christmas is approaching. He misses his Mom or one should more correctly say he misses not knowing her. But all of a sudden something happens that makes him realize she's not far away at all. Yes, it's a gooey feeling it creates inside him but one he loves and cherishes every time it happens.
This is a very brief story that is unusually free of tense conflict but is no less charming and thrilling for that absence. Reese's Dad and step-Mom are very patient and loving with Reese, and the family enjoys the preparations for the big holiday with humor, seriousness, and obvious care.
Reese is going to have the most memorable Christmas possible but until then enjoy reading about snowflakes, living snowmen, and so much more. Michael Baron knows how to touch every emotion a reader could experience and the feeling one gets is after having a satisfying and delicious meal!!! Exquisite story, Michael Baron!
This is a very brief story that is unusually free of tense conflict but is no less charming and thrilling for that absence. Reese's Dad and step-Mom are very patient and loving with Reese, and the family enjoys the preparations for the big holiday with humor, seriousness, and obvious care.
Reese is going to have the most memorable Christmas possible but until then enjoy reading about snowflakes, living snowmen, and so much more. Michael Baron knows how to touch every emotion a reader could experience and the feeling one gets is after having a satisfying and delicious meal!!! Exquisite story, Michael Baron!
October 16, 2011
This is an absolute little gem of a story, and perfect for Christmas. It's a novelette, and would make a lovely read for a snowy evening with some hot chocolate to sip on while you read.
Reese Rubato is just shy of his sixth birthday, and looking forward to that happy day almost as much as Christmas itself. His mother died not long after his birth, and while his father has remarried and he loves his stepmom, Millie, he's starting to think more and more about his mother. What would it be like to celebrate Christmas with his real mom? Wouldn't it be even more special?
Reese is a charming boy with an active imagination and, in his own not-quite-six way, a strong sense of responsibility. His father, Gerry, and his stepmom, Millie, are loving and supportive, but they aren't quite keeping up with his active imagination at the moment. Saying more would mean spoilers, but this is a warm, delightful story.
Highly recommended.
I received a free electronic galley of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley.
Reese Rubato is just shy of his sixth birthday, and looking forward to that happy day almost as much as Christmas itself. His mother died not long after his birth, and while his father has remarried and he loves his stepmom, Millie, he's starting to think more and more about his mother. What would it be like to celebrate Christmas with his real mom? Wouldn't it be even more special?
Reese is a charming boy with an active imagination and, in his own not-quite-six way, a strong sense of responsibility. His father, Gerry, and his stepmom, Millie, are loving and supportive, but they aren't quite keeping up with his active imagination at the moment. Saying more would mean spoilers, but this is a warm, delightful story.
Highly recommended.
I received a free electronic galley of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley.
May 27, 2018
Nook book. Return to characters from "When You Went Away" 4 yrs later. A wonderful Christmas read.
September 18, 2025
This is a heartwarming story about love and family. I loved the characters and the world-building.
It was shorter than I thought. I would have loved to read further.
It was shorter than I thought. I would have loved to read further.
December 4, 2011
A WINTER DISCOVERY by Michael Baron
Published by The Story Plant
ISBN: 9781611880274
At the request of The Story Plant in partnership with Spread The Word Initiative, a Digital Edition was supplied, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
Synopsis (borrowed from NetGalley): Returning to the characters of his first novel, When You Went Away, Baron takes us again into the world of Gerry Rubato, a man who has been marked by loss and revived by love, and his son Reese, now five, who celebrates life at a remarkable level but is only now starting to understand that he was robbed of the chance of ever knowing his mother. Reese is old enough now to get caught up in the excitement of the Christmas season and he throws himself into it with abandon. His sense of celebration takes on entirely new levels of meaning, though, when it leads him to an unexpected and most remarkable discovery.
At once buoyant and poignant, and filled with irrepressible spirit, A Winter Discovery is a story of that will take you to new places in your heart.
My Thoughts and Opinion: As the synopsis states, this is a sequel to When You Went Away, and you may have seen that I just posted my review of that book, however, I tend to disagree a little. This is a novella that has the same characters returning and focusing on the six year old child who was an infant when his mother died. It can definitely stand alone and will tug at every heart string. It's a Christmas story for adults that will warm and touch you so deeply that it's magical. No spoilers but a few sniffles. A perfect gift for a teacher, a neighbor, mail person who delivers our books year round, etc etc. It is a fast read, only 60 pages, but it is full of emotion, love, sentiment, feeling and tenderness that this book should be on everyone's book shelf to reread at this time of year. Highly recommend!!
My Rating: 5
Published by The Story Plant
ISBN: 9781611880274
At the request of The Story Plant in partnership with Spread The Word Initiative, a Digital Edition was supplied, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
Synopsis (borrowed from NetGalley): Returning to the characters of his first novel, When You Went Away, Baron takes us again into the world of Gerry Rubato, a man who has been marked by loss and revived by love, and his son Reese, now five, who celebrates life at a remarkable level but is only now starting to understand that he was robbed of the chance of ever knowing his mother. Reese is old enough now to get caught up in the excitement of the Christmas season and he throws himself into it with abandon. His sense of celebration takes on entirely new levels of meaning, though, when it leads him to an unexpected and most remarkable discovery.
At once buoyant and poignant, and filled with irrepressible spirit, A Winter Discovery is a story of that will take you to new places in your heart.
My Thoughts and Opinion: As the synopsis states, this is a sequel to When You Went Away, and you may have seen that I just posted my review of that book, however, I tend to disagree a little. This is a novella that has the same characters returning and focusing on the six year old child who was an infant when his mother died. It can definitely stand alone and will tug at every heart string. It's a Christmas story for adults that will warm and touch you so deeply that it's magical. No spoilers but a few sniffles. A perfect gift for a teacher, a neighbor, mail person who delivers our books year round, etc etc. It is a fast read, only 60 pages, but it is full of emotion, love, sentiment, feeling and tenderness that this book should be on everyone's book shelf to reread at this time of year. Highly recommend!!
My Rating: 5
February 11, 2012
We see Christmas through the eyes of this five-year old child through the magic of the Christmas television shows he sees. Life is as it happens through these characters. He expects Frosty to really come to life, and his play reflects it. He tries to explain to his Dad that Frosty WILL come to life if he is exactly as he is like in the TV show they watched last night. Dad should know this! The innocence of this little boy is heart warming!
Another 5-star book from Michael Baron, very well worth reading! Another 'don't miss this book OR this author'! Snatch this book up right away and read it at any time of year! The message will be as heart warming at any time you read it! I HIGHLY recommend this book!
I received this book for “FREE” from Story Plant-A Spread the Word Initiative, through NetGalley, through their Book Reviewer’s Program in exchange to read and write a review about this book. It is NOT required for my review I write to be either positive or negative, but, “of my own opinion.” I was NOT provided with “ANY” monies to accept this book, “NOR” to read it, NOR were “ANY” monies given to me to write the review for this book. All that was ‘expected’ of me was to enjoy the pure pleasure of reading it. Again, the opinions expressed for and about this book are ‘of my own opinion’. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/wa... Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Another 5-star book from Michael Baron, very well worth reading! Another 'don't miss this book OR this author'! Snatch this book up right away and read it at any time of year! The message will be as heart warming at any time you read it! I HIGHLY recommend this book!
I received this book for “FREE” from Story Plant-A Spread the Word Initiative, through NetGalley, through their Book Reviewer’s Program in exchange to read and write a review about this book. It is NOT required for my review I write to be either positive or negative, but, “of my own opinion.” I was NOT provided with “ANY” monies to accept this book, “NOR” to read it, NOR were “ANY” monies given to me to write the review for this book. All that was ‘expected’ of me was to enjoy the pure pleasure of reading it. Again, the opinions expressed for and about this book are ‘of my own opinion’. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/wa... Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
March 7, 2022
A winter Discovery by Lou Aronica
Second book in the series: Gerry and his family.
It's winter almost Christmas and 6 year old Reese is very excited about the presents Santa will bring.
Now that they were a real family things settled down some but Maureen's spirit was always there in the house and in their hearts.
Reese wanted to make a frosty- a snowman that came to life so they'd need the real parts in order for it happen. He doesn't remember his mother but there are many pictures around the house and things spark his interest in her.
He had a dream that the Polar express train to the North Pole was going to stop and wait just a minute at his house to pick him up so he quietly went to wait outside after getting winter clothes on.
He finds some magic thing with some of the snow=it doesn't melt at all.
It makes him think of his mother.
Tanya is home from college and enjoys the chats she has with her dad while he's cooking and Reese fits right in there with hugs for his sister.
They get into the spirit by driving to a real tree farm to select theirs and cut it down, decorate the house and have music on just like his mom would've done.
Must be some kind of magic that nobody but Reese can see the snowflakes that don't melt.
Reese has a lot of questions about the holiday TV shows when things just don't add up for him...
They finally get to decorate the family tree and Reese's tree in his room. His real mother had left him a gift that he will cherish...
Second book in the series: Gerry and his family.
It's winter almost Christmas and 6 year old Reese is very excited about the presents Santa will bring.
Now that they were a real family things settled down some but Maureen's spirit was always there in the house and in their hearts.
Reese wanted to make a frosty- a snowman that came to life so they'd need the real parts in order for it happen. He doesn't remember his mother but there are many pictures around the house and things spark his interest in her.
He had a dream that the Polar express train to the North Pole was going to stop and wait just a minute at his house to pick him up so he quietly went to wait outside after getting winter clothes on.
He finds some magic thing with some of the snow=it doesn't melt at all.
It makes him think of his mother.
Tanya is home from college and enjoys the chats she has with her dad while he's cooking and Reese fits right in there with hugs for his sister.
They get into the spirit by driving to a real tree farm to select theirs and cut it down, decorate the house and have music on just like his mom would've done.
Must be some kind of magic that nobody but Reese can see the snowflakes that don't melt.
Reese has a lot of questions about the holiday TV shows when things just don't add up for him...
They finally get to decorate the family tree and Reese's tree in his room. His real mother had left him a gift that he will cherish...
March 7, 2022
A winter Discovery by Lou Aronica
Second book in the series: Gerry and his family.
It's winter almost Christmas and 6 year old Reese is very excited about the presents Santa will bring.
Now that they were a real family things settled down some but Maureen's spirit was always there in the house and in their hearts.
Reese wanted to make a frosty- a snowman that came to life so they'd need the real parts in order for it happen. He doesn't remember his mother but there are many pictures around the house and things spark his interest in her.
He had a dream that the Polar express train to the North Pole was going to stop and wait just a minute at his house to pick him up so he quietly went to wait outside after getting winter clothes on.
He finds some magic thing with some of the snow=it doesn't melt at all.
It makes him think of his mother.
Tanya is home from college and enjoys the chats she has with her dad while he's cooking and Reese fits right in there with hugs for his sister.
They get into the spirit by driving to a real tree farm to select theirs and cut it down, decorate the house and have music on just like his mom would've done.
Must be some kind of magic that nobody but Reese can see the snowflakes that don't melt.
Reese has a lot of questions about the holiday TV shows when things just don't add up for him...
They finally get to decorate the family tree and Reese's tree in his room. His real mother had left him a gift that he will cherish...
Second book in the series: Gerry and his family.
It's winter almost Christmas and 6 year old Reese is very excited about the presents Santa will bring.
Now that they were a real family things settled down some but Maureen's spirit was always there in the house and in their hearts.
Reese wanted to make a frosty- a snowman that came to life so they'd need the real parts in order for it happen. He doesn't remember his mother but there are many pictures around the house and things spark his interest in her.
He had a dream that the Polar express train to the North Pole was going to stop and wait just a minute at his house to pick him up so he quietly went to wait outside after getting winter clothes on.
He finds some magic thing with some of the snow=it doesn't melt at all.
It makes him think of his mother.
Tanya is home from college and enjoys the chats she has with her dad while he's cooking and Reese fits right in there with hugs for his sister.
They get into the spirit by driving to a real tree farm to select theirs and cut it down, decorate the house and have music on just like his mom would've done.
Must be some kind of magic that nobody but Reese can see the snowflakes that don't melt.
Reese has a lot of questions about the holiday TV shows when things just don't add up for him...
They finally get to decorate the family tree and Reese's tree in his room. His real mother had left him a gift that he will cherish...
August 24, 2013
I understand that this mini-sequel was meant to be a heartwarming holiday tale. I loved these characters from When You Went Away so I was eager for more. This cheesy, schmaltz-fest was definitely not what I had in mind. Notably. Gerry is not the narrator and because of that the story has lost it's focus. The six year old Reese character does not ring true. His questions and observations seem like those of a much younger child. There is no depth to these characters or their experiences. It is all tied up so neatly as to be unrealistic in the extreme. I am so disappointed that I wish I had never read it. After reading When You Went Away I had planned to read more of Baron's novels. Now I'm not so sure. THIS story DOES evoke Nicholas Sparks and makes me much less enthusiastic about reading more of Baron's work. If you loved When You Went Away, walk away from this story. (And once again, distracting editing errors are present in even this brief story.)
April 5, 2012
4 Stars/Fiction; Christmas
A Winter Discovery is a heartwarming short story about a little boy longing to share Christmas with someone close to his heart.
This story re-introduces characters from Michael Baron's previous book called When You Went Away. It's almost Christmas and Reese, who is six is like most children; beyond excited for the big day! The only thing missing for Reese is his Mom, who died shortly after his birth.
Sure, he still has his Dad, new stepmom and his older sister to love and support him as he grows, but Reese cannot help but wonder what it would have been like to celebrate just one Christmas with his Mom. It was after all, her favorite holiday.
Imaginative and active as six year old boys can me, this story is full of sweet antics and tender moments. It is a little gem that you are sure to enjoy during the holiday season.
A Winter Discovery is a heartwarming short story about a little boy longing to share Christmas with someone close to his heart.
This story re-introduces characters from Michael Baron's previous book called When You Went Away. It's almost Christmas and Reese, who is six is like most children; beyond excited for the big day! The only thing missing for Reese is his Mom, who died shortly after his birth.
Sure, he still has his Dad, new stepmom and his older sister to love and support him as he grows, but Reese cannot help but wonder what it would have been like to celebrate just one Christmas with his Mom. It was after all, her favorite holiday.
Imaginative and active as six year old boys can me, this story is full of sweet antics and tender moments. It is a little gem that you are sure to enjoy during the holiday season.
December 27, 2014
This story will definitely touch your soul. Gerry is a widower who lost his wife but still has to move on for the sake of their son. Reese is a care free kid who loves Christmas but is getting to age that he realizes and is starting to ask questions about his mother. Reese starts to see and feel a spirit of an “angel” around him not really knowing who or what is happening. He tries to convince his dad to get into the spirit of Christmas not really knowing that is what his mom would’ve wanted. This is a cute and at times heart breaking tale that will get you to see what the true meaning of Christmas is.
August 31, 2013
Interesting viewpoint, though predictable at times. Not a lot of plot to wonder about. The story is written from a child's point of view. Every movie he watches (ie: Frosty the Snowman), he expects it to come to life, or be real. He misses his mom, who died shortly after his birth. Quick read that could have had more character development. I didn't even care about the other characters. I barely cared about the main character. Thankfully it was short. I wished for something more...
September 18, 2013
Very good short story..I hadn't read the first book but it didn't alter this story for me. Nice read before the holidays :) Reece reminded me of my grandson when he was that age :) Can't wait to watch the polar express with him again LOL.. I especially loved the non-melting snow flake...I believe it to be his angel(mom) watching over him.. I'm ready for Christmas now :) I have my charlie brown christmas tree do you? ;)
May 24, 2015
A novella that is an apt continuation to "When You Went Away". In this sequel, Reese is now a boy of six, and all is well with the family after a very difficult time when he was still an infant. No conflicts, just all the joys of Christmas for a family who deserves it all.
What I find undeserving is the price I have to pay. This could have been priced lower, or even made available for free. Oh well...
What I find undeserving is the price I have to pay. This could have been priced lower, or even made available for free. Oh well...
October 19, 2011
A Winter Discovery is Reese's wonderful take on Christmas through the eyes of a 6 year old. For him every part of Christmas has the potential to be magic come to life. His wide-eyed look at the world is precious and heart-warming. This is a Christmas story families should read every year, especially when we start to loose the meaning for the season.
November 8, 2011
A Winter Discovery by Michael Baron is a lovely story that tugs at the heartstrings, as do all good holiday stories. The little boy, his long dead mother, Dad and Sister all play their parts as he discovers his very own joy of Christmas. The "not melting" snowflakes come throughout until you realise the meaning in the end. A throughly enjoyable nibble of the sweetness of the holidays.
December 2, 2011
A really cute, "goopey" feeling type of read. It pulls you in and lets you see christmas from the eyes of a 5/6 yr old boy who never knew his mother. You'll want to laugh at some of the antics the boy does in the story and you'll feel so bad for him when asks questions about and thinks of his mother. A great read at this time of year.
September 8, 2012
The only reason I gave this book 4 stars is because it was a continuation of his book "When You Went Away." Since "When You Went Away" ended so suddenly, it was fun to read this short story that gave us an ending into what happened between Gerry and his daughter Tanya, and did he marry Ally, or remain a single parent? This book fills in all the answers.
December 5, 2012
Michael Baron has a way with words. He creates beautiful stories that are straight forward, simple in their message and so very heart-warming to read!
A young boy who struggles with having never known his mother, teaches everyone around him about the magic of Christmas and believing in love with his innocent ways.
A beautiful short read for the Holidays!
A young boy who struggles with having never known his mother, teaches everyone around him about the magic of Christmas and believing in love with his innocent ways.
A beautiful short read for the Holidays!
December 17, 2013
This was a series of cute vignettes in the life of a family, mainly a soon-to-be-six year-old. His excitement and belief in the magic of Christmas is endearing, and making a connection to his mother who died when he was a tiny baby made this Christmas special. The story was too short for character development or much of a plot, but it was a sweet read.
May 28, 2012
I liked this book, it was short and sweet. I enjoyed the little boy Reese and his thinking process. I liked that it was a happy ending to the book that was written about this family before this one. If it were any longer it would have been to happily ever afterish.
December 26, 2011
A gooey, feel-good story about a little boy missing his mother at Christmas and coming to realize that, really, she's always with him. I like sweet and heartwarming as much as the next gal, but this was so sugary it made my teeth hurt.
January 19, 2012
I was really excited to read this novella because I really loved the characters from the author's book, When You Went Away. However, this book was so overly sappy & had so many product plugs in it, that it was a major disappointment.
November 19, 2011
I enjoyed this short, feel good book about Christmas.
January 11, 2012
Didn't love it. It was a 45 page novella, supposedly 5 years after "When You Went Away." Could have been an epilogue but the style was different and not nearly like the first.
January 31, 2012
Nice short story about seeing Christmas through a six year olds eyes.
April 16, 2012
Nice little novel for during the Christmas season. Guess it follows another one by the author that I wasn't aware of. Reese is looking for something after the loss of his mother.
May 10, 2012
Short little tale of Christmas cheer thru the eyes of a child. Sweet!
December 31, 2012
Loved!!!
I love christmas and snowflakes :)
I love christmas and snowflakes :)
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