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A Bright Red Ribbon
Previously Published in I'll Be Home For Christmas
The perfect holiday treat from the beloved pen of #1 New York Times bestselling author Fern Michaels…
Being dumped by your boyfriend on Christmas Eve is not the kind of surprise Morgan Ames was hoping to unwrap. Still, that’s exactly what she found under the tree two years ago. What was even more surprising was that she promised she'd wait two Christmases for his return—tonight—and she always keeps her promises. But a sudden snowstorm has other ideas, including a romantic turn Morgan never imagined…
Praise for Fern Michaels and her novels
“Tirelessly inventive and entertaining.”
—Booklist on Up Close and Personal
“Fast-moving…entertaining…a roller-coaster ride of serendipitous fun.”—Publishers Weekly on Mr. and Miss Anonymous
34,100 Words.
115 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
451 people are currently reading
367 people want to read
About the author
Fern Michaels
427 books6,546 followersFern Michaels isn’t a person. I’m not sure she’s an entity either since an entity is something with separate existence. Fern Michaels® is what I DO. Me, Mary Ruth Kuczkir. Growing up in Hastings, Pennsylvania, I was called Ruth. I became Mary when I entered the business world where first names were the order of the day. To this day, family and friends call me Dink, a name my father gave me when I was born because according to him I was ‘a dinky little thing’ weighing in at four and a half pounds. However, I answer to Fern since people are more comfortable with a name they can pronounce.
As they say, the past is prologue. I grew up, got a job, got married, had five kids. When my youngest went off to Kindergarten, my husband told me to get off my ass and get a job. Those were his exact words. I didn’t know how to do anything except be a wife and mother. I was also a voracious reader having cut my teeth on The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Cherry Ames and the like. The library was a magical place for me. It still is to this day. Rather than face the outside world with no skills, I decided to write a book. For some reason that didn’t intimidate me. As my husband said at the time, stupid is as stupid does. Guess what, I don’t have that husband any more. Guess what else! I wrote 99 books, most of them New York Times Best Sellers.
Moving right along here . . . Several years ago I left Ballantine Books, parted company with my agent, sold my house in New Jersey that I had lived in all my married life and in 1993 moved to South Carolina. I figured if I was going to go through trauma let it be all at one time. It was a breeze. The kids were all on their own at that point. The dump was a 300 year old plantation house that is listed in the National Registry that I remodeled. Today it is beyond belief as are the gardens and the equally old Angel Oaks that drip Spanish moss. Unfortunately, I could not get my ghost to relocate. This ghost has been documented by previous owners. Mary Margaret as we call her, is “a friendly”. She is also mischievous. It took me two weeks to figure out that she didn’t like my coffee cups. They would slide off the table or counter or else they’d break in the dishwasher. I bought red checkered ones. All are intact as of this writing. She moves pillows from one room to the other and she stops all the clocks in the house at 9:10 in the a.m. at least once a week. When the Azaleas are in bloom, and only then, I find blooms on my night stand. I have this glorious front porch and during the warm months I see my swing moving early in the morning when the air is still and again late in the day. She doesn’t spook the dogs. I always know when she’s around because the five of them line up and look like they’re at a tennis match. As of this writing we’re co-habiting nicely.
Most writers love what they do and I’m no exception. I love it when I get a germ of an idea and get it down on paper. I love breathing life into my characters. I love writing about women who persevere and prevail because that’s what I had to do to get to this point in time. It’s another way of saying it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what matters is where you’re going and how you get there. The day I finally prevailed was the day I was inducted into the New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame. For me it was an awesome day and there are no words to describe it.
I’ve been telling stories and scribbling for 37 years. I hope I can continue for another 37 years. It wasn’t easy during some of those years. As I said, I had to persevere. My old Polish grandmother said something to me when I was little that I never forgot. She said when God is good to you, you have to give back. For a while I didn’t know how to do that. When I finally figured it out I set up The Fern Michaels® Foundation.
READ FERN MICHAELS' FULL BIOGRAPHY HERE: http://www.fernmichaels.com/biography/
As they say, the past is prologue. I grew up, got a job, got married, had five kids. When my youngest went off to Kindergarten, my husband told me to get off my ass and get a job. Those were his exact words. I didn’t know how to do anything except be a wife and mother. I was also a voracious reader having cut my teeth on The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Cherry Ames and the like. The library was a magical place for me. It still is to this day. Rather than face the outside world with no skills, I decided to write a book. For some reason that didn’t intimidate me. As my husband said at the time, stupid is as stupid does. Guess what, I don’t have that husband any more. Guess what else! I wrote 99 books, most of them New York Times Best Sellers.
Moving right along here . . . Several years ago I left Ballantine Books, parted company with my agent, sold my house in New Jersey that I had lived in all my married life and in 1993 moved to South Carolina. I figured if I was going to go through trauma let it be all at one time. It was a breeze. The kids were all on their own at that point. The dump was a 300 year old plantation house that is listed in the National Registry that I remodeled. Today it is beyond belief as are the gardens and the equally old Angel Oaks that drip Spanish moss. Unfortunately, I could not get my ghost to relocate. This ghost has been documented by previous owners. Mary Margaret as we call her, is “a friendly”. She is also mischievous. It took me two weeks to figure out that she didn’t like my coffee cups. They would slide off the table or counter or else they’d break in the dishwasher. I bought red checkered ones. All are intact as of this writing. She moves pillows from one room to the other and she stops all the clocks in the house at 9:10 in the a.m. at least once a week. When the Azaleas are in bloom, and only then, I find blooms on my night stand. I have this glorious front porch and during the warm months I see my swing moving early in the morning when the air is still and again late in the day. She doesn’t spook the dogs. I always know when she’s around because the five of them line up and look like they’re at a tennis match. As of this writing we’re co-habiting nicely.
Most writers love what they do and I’m no exception. I love it when I get a germ of an idea and get it down on paper. I love breathing life into my characters. I love writing about women who persevere and prevail because that’s what I had to do to get to this point in time. It’s another way of saying it doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what matters is where you’re going and how you get there. The day I finally prevailed was the day I was inducted into the New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame. For me it was an awesome day and there are no words to describe it.
I’ve been telling stories and scribbling for 37 years. I hope I can continue for another 37 years. It wasn’t easy during some of those years. As I said, I had to persevere. My old Polish grandmother said something to me when I was little that I never forgot. She said when God is good to you, you have to give back. For a while I didn’t know how to do that. When I finally figured it out I set up The Fern Michaels® Foundation.
READ FERN MICHAELS' FULL BIOGRAPHY HERE: http://www.fernmichaels.com/biography/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
June 12, 2015
I am a Hallmark Channel movie lover. Especially the Christmas movies. This book could become.e one of those. So regardless to say, I really liked it.
December 23, 2023
People who gave this multiple stars: you have got to be kidding me. The worst writing I've come across since Patricia Cornwell had her breakdown. Choppy sentences, banal dialogue and completely absurd circumstances. Who the f calls a day early to say you're having spinal reconstruction a day early?? Who the h doesn't know what a bathrobe and slippers look like? What man tells a woman he likes women who wear a lot of makeup and keeps his dead twin sister's old makeup?
Absolutely the worst book I read this year. I'm glad Michaels donated money to help police dogs. She needs to for writing such a weak dog character.
Absolutely the worst book I read this year. I'm glad Michaels donated money to help police dogs. She needs to for writing such a weak dog character.
November 1, 2021
This was a great story. Morgan was heading home, but it was snowing., really becoming a blizzard. She stalled in her Jeep, started walking, then crawling, and was found by a dog. This story is very intense and I really think you will enjoy it as much as I have.
December 22, 2021
A delightful Christmas read
A feisty heroine, a manly hero, an awesome dog and a Christmas miracle. We cannot forget the horrible boyfriend. Throw those ingredients together and you have a heart warming tale of love and resilience.
Fern does it again.
A feisty heroine, a manly hero, an awesome dog and a Christmas miracle. We cannot forget the horrible boyfriend. Throw those ingredients together and you have a heart warming tale of love and resilience.
Fern does it again.
January 6, 2022
great Christmas story
You won't be disappointed with this one. All the perfect parts and plots for a romantic Christmas story. Love and heartache. Miscommunication. Happy ever after.
You won't be disappointed with this one. All the perfect parts and plots for a romantic Christmas story. Love and heartache. Miscommunication. Happy ever after.
April 8, 2022
A Bright Red Ribbon
This story of a young woman who tries to go home for Christmas only to get caught in a blizzard and crawls in the snow until a dog finds her and gets her to his home. This is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill
This story of a young woman who tries to go home for Christmas only to get caught in a blizzard and crawls in the snow until a dog finds her and gets her to his home. This is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill
December 27, 2020
Just awful
August 22, 2021
Fair -
September 4, 2021
Disappoint
I liked the story a lot, but so much could have been added to make up a book. Very disappointed in the short story. I wanted more.
I liked the story a lot, but so much could have been added to make up a book. Very disappointed in the short story. I wanted more.
September 22, 2021
Happy ever after
The book was a quick read and was happy ever after. It is nice to read a fun and lively book.
The book was a quick read and was happy ever after. It is nice to read a fun and lively book.
December 5, 2021
Adorable, Lovable and a Quick Read
Fern Michaels never disappoints…this is a light quick love story with a couple twists. Perked up my mood and my life.
Fern Michaels never disappoints…this is a light quick love story with a couple twists. Perked up my mood and my life.
December 12, 2021
Somewhat unrealistic, but a short Christmas story.
December 20, 2021
Wow! what a christmas story!
Was surprised by this book.
i read it for fun and it was a lot of fun!
It’s more than excepting.
Was surprised by this book.
i read it for fun and it was a lot of fun!
It’s more than excepting.
December 23, 2021
Great Christmas story
Just the perfect read for the holidays! I love all your books but at Christmas you just want to read about true love and happy ever afters.
Just the perfect read for the holidays! I love all your books but at Christmas you just want to read about true love and happy ever afters.
February 9, 2022
Good read
Nice little read during a cold winter day. Short story that can be read during travels or just want to read during a short break.
Nice little read during a cold winter day. Short story that can be read during travels or just want to read during a short break.
September 19, 2022
Good sweet Christmas read.
December 31, 2022
A Bright Red Ribbon.
I read this book in two days. I couldn't put it down. A great love story.
Love your books Fern Michaels. Happy New Year's
I read this book in two days. I couldn't put it down. A great love story.
Love your books Fern Michaels. Happy New Year's
July 29, 2023
Short and sweet!
Very good story. I loved it! It was short enough to read at one sitting but very romantic too. Good book.
Very good story. I loved it! It was short enough to read at one sitting but very romantic too. Good book.
December 5, 2023
One of the most stupid novel I have ever read!
December 25, 2024
A cute little Christmas book!
December 14, 2025
A Bright Red Ribbon … a sleepless night’s entertainment. This one was like watching a Hallmark Christmas movie. Short, sweet and mindless.
The writing wouldn’t win any awards however.
The writing wouldn’t win any awards however.
May 19, 2022
I loved it!
November 3, 2019
About a third of the way into the story I realized I had read it years ago. I kept reading because I had forgotten some of it but as I progressed it came back to me. Any story with a dog pulls me in and this dog is very special.
Its a delightful story of an heroic dog who not only saves a life but brings two people who have lots of problems together.
I'll be reading Xmas themed stories from now through the New Year. This is a yearly ritual with me and helps me to get into the holiday spirit.
Cute story,, love the dog!
Its a delightful story of an heroic dog who not only saves a life but brings two people who have lots of problems together.
I'll be reading Xmas themed stories from now through the New Year. This is a yearly ritual with me and helps me to get into the holiday spirit.
Cute story,, love the dog!
December 23, 2021
Great little Christmas story
Mo becomes stranded as she tries to get to her parent's house for Christmas. A dog finds her and leads her back to his house where his master is in a wheel chair. It's been 2 years since Mo's boyfriend said he wanted a break but would be back to put a ring on her finger in 2 years. I won't spoil the story, but will say it is a great little Christmas story!
Mo becomes stranded as she tries to get to her parent's house for Christmas. A dog finds her and leads her back to his house where his master is in a wheel chair. It's been 2 years since Mo's boyfriend said he wanted a break but would be back to put a ring on her finger in 2 years. I won't spoil the story, but will say it is a great little Christmas story!
February 9, 2023
A Bright Red Ribbon
Two strangers spend Christmas together along with his dog. They fall for each other but each has important things to get through in the next year. Fern writes with economy not wasting space but letting the reader know straight forward what's going on. Mo and the dog go back to his place a year later to see if he has moved on.
Two strangers spend Christmas together along with his dog. They fall for each other but each has important things to get through in the next year. Fern writes with economy not wasting space but letting the reader know straight forward what's going on. Mo and the dog go back to his place a year later to see if he has moved on.
May 18, 2013
I hate to admit I read this book. Very silly and childish but it was short so I finished it. I've read Fern Michaels before and don't remember this being her style. Only a couple of hours wasted on a rainy day.
January 7, 2013
A cute short Christmas tale by a wonderful author. I highly suggest this short read to warm your heart!
November 17, 2013
I really didn't like Morgan. Too "poor dumped me!" waiting 2 years for a loser. I probably would have enjoyed the story more if I didn't dislike the main character.
May 13, 2015
Good
Good morning my love for a while to tell the story ivcyjgbce v hotmail gym with my mom said you were in
Good morning my love for a while to tell the story ivcyjgbce v hotmail gym with my mom said you were in
December 2, 2018
Fun Christmas story that has a predictable ending but some interesting twists along the way.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews