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Willow Reed #1
First Snow
Penelope Brown, a small-town baker, has longed for a family to call her own. Hasan Schaefer, a new resident of Willow Reed, begins every week with a visit to the bakery where Penelope works. It isn't too long before Hasan wants to satisfy more than his sweet tooth.
After a horrible blind date, Penelope fears she’ll never meet Mr. Right, but fate has other plans. An accidental romantic kiss compels Hasan to reveal his feelings for Penelope and life is just about perfect until Hasan admits that he doesn't want children.
After a horrible blind date, Penelope fears she’ll never meet Mr. Right, but fate has other plans. An accidental romantic kiss compels Hasan to reveal his feelings for Penelope and life is just about perfect until Hasan admits that he doesn't want children.
- GenresNovella
60 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 23, 2011
21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 30, 2012
I feel old. When a character mentions digital music in Christine Cunningham’s First Snow I think of CDs, but “Who uses CDs anymore?” Still, feeling old doesn’t stop me enjoying this tale, nor does the way my stomach lurches in dismay at the thought of a “cup of hot chocolate and a plate of fries.”
First Snow is a delightful Christmas tale of a young woman who also feels old (and listens to CDs). Nell’s dreams of spouse and family seem to recede with the passing years, but it’s not clear if she’s driving suitors away or simply waiting for the right man. When he appears, will she ever let him close?
Nell works in a bakery where she meets the handsome Hasan, but it’s her interest in writing that throws her more closely into his company, and the author builds a pleasingly gentle romance between the two. Clearly made for each other, they tread carefully and warily on the slippery snows of relationships while Christmas weaves its spell. Meanwhile sister Sydney plays matchmaker in all the wrong places, but true love will surely win through.
One final obstacle threatens all Nelly’s dreams, but there’s a surprise in store that turns frost to Christmas beauty. The artificial dance of romance has some intriguingly pleasing twists, making this a good short tale for Christmas or any cold dark day.
Disclosure: I received a free ecopy of this novella from WoMen’s Literary Café in exchange for an honest review.
First Snow is a delightful Christmas tale of a young woman who also feels old (and listens to CDs). Nell’s dreams of spouse and family seem to recede with the passing years, but it’s not clear if she’s driving suitors away or simply waiting for the right man. When he appears, will she ever let him close?
Nell works in a bakery where she meets the handsome Hasan, but it’s her interest in writing that throws her more closely into his company, and the author builds a pleasingly gentle romance between the two. Clearly made for each other, they tread carefully and warily on the slippery snows of relationships while Christmas weaves its spell. Meanwhile sister Sydney plays matchmaker in all the wrong places, but true love will surely win through.
One final obstacle threatens all Nelly’s dreams, but there’s a surprise in store that turns frost to Christmas beauty. The artificial dance of romance has some intriguingly pleasing twists, making this a good short tale for Christmas or any cold dark day.
Disclosure: I received a free ecopy of this novella from WoMen’s Literary Café in exchange for an honest review.
November 28, 2014
What a sweet Christmas story. Nell Brown has always felt awkward around men, especially since her sister Sydney is so attractive. But Nell is great with children and enjoys working at Emile's Bakery.
There's a professor Nell is friends with, but she's afraid to show any interest because she fears he would be scared away. Only she is an aspiring writer and he is the leader of the local writing group.
As Nell and Hasan's friendship develops, she starts fantasizing about how Christmas would be with him. Oh, there would be a tree, of course, and decorations, and children, lots of them, frosting cookies and stringing popcorn. Her daydreams are popped one day when Hasan asks her what she dreams about and she tells him.
But the spirit of Christmas, that of love, family, and loyalty catches up with Nell and Hasan, and Nell realizes that having children can come in a different way than she'd thought possible.
There's a professor Nell is friends with, but she's afraid to show any interest because she fears he would be scared away. Only she is an aspiring writer and he is the leader of the local writing group.
As Nell and Hasan's friendship develops, she starts fantasizing about how Christmas would be with him. Oh, there would be a tree, of course, and decorations, and children, lots of them, frosting cookies and stringing popcorn. Her daydreams are popped one day when Hasan asks her what she dreams about and she tells him.
But the spirit of Christmas, that of love, family, and loyalty catches up with Nell and Hasan, and Nell realizes that having children can come in a different way than she'd thought possible.
January 5, 2012
Novellas are the type of story that will either really capture my interest or will bore me because of the lack of good character development. "First Snow" won me from the get-go. It handed me characters that I both enjoyed and felt a connection to. Penelope (Nell) was a woman that felt real and true to life with an honest desire and fear. Hasan, Nell's friend, was not as connectable for me - at least not in the beginning, but by the end, I was adoring him.
This story is based around the Christmas holiday, but could be an anytime read. It is sweet, clean, and had a nice cozy quality that I thoroughly enjoyed. With this being the first volume in the series, I'll be anxiously awaiting the next as I really want to find out what the next chapter in Nell's life holds!
This story is based around the Christmas holiday, but could be an anytime read. It is sweet, clean, and had a nice cozy quality that I thoroughly enjoyed. With this being the first volume in the series, I'll be anxiously awaiting the next as I really want to find out what the next chapter in Nell's life holds!
April 25, 2012
When you think of Christmas, most people think of family and warmth. Christine Cunningham give you just that wrapped up in a nice little sweet holiday romance that would be a great read in December, May or September.
The characters and the love that rises like the yeast in the pastry shop that Nell owns, are heartfelt and enjoyable. The intensity and importance of family are felt in this short little novella. The setting is so well described you can smell the sweets baking and the Christmas trees in your mind.
Well done! Looking forward to reading the second in the series.
The characters and the love that rises like the yeast in the pastry shop that Nell owns, are heartfelt and enjoyable. The intensity and importance of family are felt in this short little novella. The setting is so well described you can smell the sweets baking and the Christmas trees in your mind.
Well done! Looking forward to reading the second in the series.
January 3, 2012
First Snow is a well written sweet story about love and family. While I really liked the story, I wish it was longer. I would have liked to see more of the relationship between Hasan and Nell. I loved their HEA. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Cunningham.
November 28, 2011
This was my first attempt at writing fiction. I love the setting of Willow Reed and the feel of the characters. It was so fun to create!
March 15, 2018
What a sweet Christmas story. Nell Brown has always felt awkward around men, especially since her sister Sydney is so attractive. But Nell is great with children and enjoys working at Emile's Bakery.
There's a professor Nell is friends with, but she's afraid to show any interest because she fears he would be scared away. Only she is an aspiring writer and he is the leader of the local writing group.
As Nell and Hasan's friendship develops, she starts fantasizing about how Christmas would be with him. Oh, there would be a tree, of course, and decorations, and children, lots of them, frosting cookies and stringing popcorn. Her daydreams are popped one day when Hasan asks her what she dreams about and she tells him.
But the spirit of Christmas, that of love, family, and loyalty catches up with Nell and Hasan, and Nell realizes that having children can come in a different way than she'd thought possible.
There's a professor Nell is friends with, but she's afraid to show any interest because she fears he would be scared away. Only she is an aspiring writer and he is the leader of the local writing group.
As Nell and Hasan's friendship develops, she starts fantasizing about how Christmas would be with him. Oh, there would be a tree, of course, and decorations, and children, lots of them, frosting cookies and stringing popcorn. Her daydreams are popped one day when Hasan asks her what she dreams about and she tells him.
But the spirit of Christmas, that of love, family, and loyalty catches up with Nell and Hasan, and Nell realizes that having children can come in a different way than she'd thought possible.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews