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Sea Stars Christmas: A Stella Mare Story
Mackenzie and Declan need a miracle. A Christmas miracle.Mackenzie wants to belong – to Declan, her boyfriend, and to Stella Mare, her new Canadian home. Putting on the village’s first-ever Sea Stars Festival at Christmas will help, but it must be perfect. She can’t risk making a mistake, but there's no way to get an entire village in line. Especially for somebody "from away," as she is. A city girl.Declan can’t commit – except to his writing career. He loves Mackenzie and he loves teaching at the high school, but holds tight to his dream of moving to the city as a successful novelist. In the meantime, he’s producing his first-ever play with the kids at his school. Maybe he'll be off to Broadway afterward.Pulled in different directions, they both feel the distance, but don't know how to bridge it. In the meantime, a high school play and a village festival create their own chaos. Emotions flare amid twinkling lights while personalities clash, equipment fails, and people fall short. When the parade loses its focus, Mackenzie comes undone. She can't bear to disappoint everyone. If there is such a thing as a Christmas miracle, now would be a good time.Crusty villagers with a past, problem principals, an errant Santa and the inevitable dog all do their part as Christmas spirit - the special Sea Stars spirit - blooms in the village. Come home to Stella Mare, as Mackenzie and Declan explore what it means to belong – to a village and to each other.
172 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 10, 2023
27 people are currently reading
1634 people want to read
About the author
Annie M. Ballard
10 books53 followersThanks for stopping by!
I'm Annie when I'm writing fiction, and as Annie and IRL I'm a dual citizen of the US and Canada. I grew up in New England and moved to the Canadian Maritimes as an adult and then discovered my ancestral roots were here.
I like to read almost anything....but I love to WRITE stories about women and their families...families found, made and constructed in various ways.
When I'm in non-fiction mode, I write books and articles to help counselors and therapists learn skills to help in therapy. I'm a somatic psychotherapist and psychologist, madly in love with the energy of the human spirit, and delighted to write and talk about that any time.
Annie aka Leslie
I'm Annie when I'm writing fiction, and as Annie and IRL I'm a dual citizen of the US and Canada. I grew up in New England and moved to the Canadian Maritimes as an adult and then discovered my ancestral roots were here.
I like to read almost anything....but I love to WRITE stories about women and their families...families found, made and constructed in various ways.
When I'm in non-fiction mode, I write books and articles to help counselors and therapists learn skills to help in therapy. I'm a somatic psychotherapist and psychologist, madly in love with the energy of the human spirit, and delighted to write and talk about that any time.
Annie aka Leslie
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 28, 2023
Magical and heartwarming
If you haven’t read Sea Stars Christmas by Annie M. Ballard, you don’t have
to wait for Christmas. Grab a copy, curl up with a warm afghan and a hot cup
of tea, and get ready for a special treat.
Mackenzie, new to Stella Mare, has been tasked with organizing the Sea
Stars Festival, the first of its kind for the village. She desperately wants
to do a good job and, because of past failures, is equally afraid she won’t.
Her boyfriend, Declan, who would be the perfect person to help, has his own
trials—a new high school play, teaching, a novel that’s waiting, and dreams
of something bigger. As Mackenzie wades into the festival trenches, Declan
wages battle with his play, and their relationship undergoes its own timing
misfires.
Set in a fictitious town in New Brunswick, Canada, Sea Stars Christmas
encompasses everything a Christmas story should—holiday festivities, winter
weather, several Scrooges, good food, warm hearts, lots of good will, a
loveable dog, and a miracle or two. The story flows with the ease of a
sparkling current, the characters are fun and easy to relate to, and there
is tension and conflict along with hopes and dreams and enough wishing to
keep you turning the pages.
If you’re looking for a holiday story about community and family, the right
way to treat people, and the joy that can come from giving from the heart,
look no further. Sea Stars Christmas is pure magic. Settle in and experience
the joy of the holidays right now. And don’t forget to share the joy with
friends and family. 🎄
If you haven’t read Sea Stars Christmas by Annie M. Ballard, you don’t have
to wait for Christmas. Grab a copy, curl up with a warm afghan and a hot cup
of tea, and get ready for a special treat.
Mackenzie, new to Stella Mare, has been tasked with organizing the Sea
Stars Festival, the first of its kind for the village. She desperately wants
to do a good job and, because of past failures, is equally afraid she won’t.
Her boyfriend, Declan, who would be the perfect person to help, has his own
trials—a new high school play, teaching, a novel that’s waiting, and dreams
of something bigger. As Mackenzie wades into the festival trenches, Declan
wages battle with his play, and their relationship undergoes its own timing
misfires.
Set in a fictitious town in New Brunswick, Canada, Sea Stars Christmas
encompasses everything a Christmas story should—holiday festivities, winter
weather, several Scrooges, good food, warm hearts, lots of good will, a
loveable dog, and a miracle or two. The story flows with the ease of a
sparkling current, the characters are fun and easy to relate to, and there
is tension and conflict along with hopes and dreams and enough wishing to
keep you turning the pages.
If you’re looking for a holiday story about community and family, the right
way to treat people, and the joy that can come from giving from the heart,
look no further. Sea Stars Christmas is pure magic. Settle in and experience
the joy of the holidays right now. And don’t forget to share the joy with
friends and family. 🎄
April 9, 2025
Sea Stars Christmas by Annie M. Ballard is a holiday women’s fiction novel set in a fictitious village in New Brunswick, Canada.
MacKenzie is a shy, come-from-away, "the girl from the States", now living in an old farmhouse with her new boyfriend. She is tasked with organizing the first-ever Sea Stars Christmas Festival with less than a month to do it in. She hopes that if she does a good job, it will secure her place as part of the community.
“Running a perfect Sea Stars Festival would cement her place in the village. She would be a committed member of the community, a person to count on.”- pg 27
Her boyfriend, Declan is a novelist working as a teacher at the local high school, he has just finished a play in which the students at his school will be performing at the end of the Sea Stars Christmas Festival.
The story starts at the end of November and follows the 19 days up to and including the festival and play. We observe MacKenzie and Dylan and all the preparations, the long hours, rehearsals, list making, and work they put into each. We also see all the stresses in their new relationship. Will the play go on without a hitch? Will the festival be the best? Will they still have a relationship when all is said and done?
This enjoyable story was a quick read, chock-full of Christmas magic and small-town community spirit.
MacKenzie is a shy, come-from-away, "the girl from the States", now living in an old farmhouse with her new boyfriend. She is tasked with organizing the first-ever Sea Stars Christmas Festival with less than a month to do it in. She hopes that if she does a good job, it will secure her place as part of the community.
“Running a perfect Sea Stars Festival would cement her place in the village. She would be a committed member of the community, a person to count on.”- pg 27
Her boyfriend, Declan is a novelist working as a teacher at the local high school, he has just finished a play in which the students at his school will be performing at the end of the Sea Stars Christmas Festival.
The story starts at the end of November and follows the 19 days up to and including the festival and play. We observe MacKenzie and Dylan and all the preparations, the long hours, rehearsals, list making, and work they put into each. We also see all the stresses in their new relationship. Will the play go on without a hitch? Will the festival be the best? Will they still have a relationship when all is said and done?
This enjoyable story was a quick read, chock-full of Christmas magic and small-town community spirit.
December 17, 2024
I seem to be a minority but I found this book to be so boring. It's got all the christmas vibes and cutesy feel of a hallmark movie, but the characters were so boring. I didn't care what MacKenzie or Declan thought or did. The whole story felt that way to me. Not a fan, but I did love the sweet vibes the story gave off.
October 6, 2024
This was a cute, heartwarming holiday story set in New Brunswick (my home province). I loved the characters, Declan and Mackenzie, and the small town. And what I really enjoyed about this one is that it wasn't "new" romance - Declan and Mackenzie face a challenge in their relationship, all at the same time as Declan's play is being put on at the high school and Mackenzie is organizing the Sea Stars Christmas Festival. I would definitely read more in this series and from this author.
October 26, 2023
A sweet Christmas story set in a small town fishing village. With festive activities, school and community events while focusing on the relationship of Mackenzie and Declan. It features real life struggles most couples face. It was an enjoyable read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 24, 2023
It's a Christmas story that is so much more. It feels like a real story about real people with real lives. I'm so glad I got to read it twice. Annie M. Ballard is an author whose stories of women and relationships come to life on the pages of her books. Don't miss her. I recommend all her stories.
December 13, 2023
I enjoyed this book. Coming from a small town in the Maritimes, the themes and the characters resonated with me. The characters had depth and were not the superficial caricatures you typically find in novels set in small towns. Wonderfully written, I highly recommend this as a holiday read.
Want to read
October 6, 2023Annie has become an auto-buy in paperback - every book is totally a keeper. I'm looking forward to diving into the world of Mackie and Stella Mare this holiday season.
December 15, 2024
A pleasant, light story of a relationship's early struggles, though readers expecting a Christmas Romance may be disappointed. The author's website notes she writes women's fiction, a more accurate description of this novel than the Christmas and Romance tags on Goodreads.
The story is set at Christmas, and the plot revolves around the heroine organizing a Christmas parade, on short notice and with little help. However, the hero's school play, a strong subplot, is unrelated to Christmas. The village comes together for the holiday, a heart-warming staple of Christmas romances, but, given the heroine's 'come from away status' (very well presented) and the non-holiday play, the usual absence of characters who don't celebrate Christmas seems more conspicuous.
As for romance, the plot is not unlike a second-chance story of a couple coming back together, but, in a romance, people commit to the relationship and everything else follows from that. Here, the resolution of career goals seems to be the primary climax.
If you put aside the expectations of a typical Christmas Romance, it's an enjoyable story with insights into life in a small town in New Brunswick. The couple's challenges are realistic, and the pacing is excellent. There were a lot of characters for a relatively short book, which may reflect this being part of a series. The main characters backgrounds are thinly sketched, and I don't know whether that's because they were introduced in other stories, or to add uncertainty. For example, the heroine owns a home in Boston. Why, and her plans for it, are unknown to both this reader and the hero.
Leave them wanting more is effective - having read this story, I look forward to reading others of Stella Mare.
The story is set at Christmas, and the plot revolves around the heroine organizing a Christmas parade, on short notice and with little help. However, the hero's school play, a strong subplot, is unrelated to Christmas. The village comes together for the holiday, a heart-warming staple of Christmas romances, but, given the heroine's 'come from away status' (very well presented) and the non-holiday play, the usual absence of characters who don't celebrate Christmas seems more conspicuous.
As for romance, the plot is not unlike a second-chance story of a couple coming back together, but, in a romance, people commit to the relationship and everything else follows from that. Here, the resolution of career goals seems to be the primary climax.
If you put aside the expectations of a typical Christmas Romance, it's an enjoyable story with insights into life in a small town in New Brunswick. The couple's challenges are realistic, and the pacing is excellent. There were a lot of characters for a relatively short book, which may reflect this being part of a series. The main characters backgrounds are thinly sketched, and I don't know whether that's because they were introduced in other stories, or to add uncertainty. For example, the heroine owns a home in Boston. Why, and her plans for it, are unknown to both this reader and the hero.
Leave them wanting more is effective - having read this story, I look forward to reading others of Stella Mare.
December 11, 2023
Review for "Sea Stars Christmas: A Stella Mare Story" by Annie M. Ballard
"Sea Stars Christmas" felt like a Hallmark Christmas movie condensed into book form, and while I appreciate the light-hearted and drama-free nature of the story, it didn't quite align with my personal taste.
The book leans heavily on dialogue, and, admittedly, there was an overwhelming amount of it. I found myself skipping through the dialogue of the play, as it seemed to miss the mark in capturing the intended emotional impact, coming off as more tedious than poignant.
Initially drawn in by the cover, which suggested a romance novel, I was surprised to find that the romantic elements played a subordinate role to the broader narrative. While I understand the appeal of a light-hearted storyline, I felt the romance could have been more central to the plot, as implied by the cover.
For those who enjoy a feel-good, dialogue-rich narrative, this book might be a perfect fit. However, for readers seeking a more pronounced romantic focus or a plot with deeper emotional resonance, "Sea Stars Christmas" might not entirely hit the mark. My two-star rating reflects a personal preference for a more nuanced and engaging storytelling experience.
"Sea Stars Christmas" felt like a Hallmark Christmas movie condensed into book form, and while I appreciate the light-hearted and drama-free nature of the story, it didn't quite align with my personal taste.
The book leans heavily on dialogue, and, admittedly, there was an overwhelming amount of it. I found myself skipping through the dialogue of the play, as it seemed to miss the mark in capturing the intended emotional impact, coming off as more tedious than poignant.
Initially drawn in by the cover, which suggested a romance novel, I was surprised to find that the romantic elements played a subordinate role to the broader narrative. While I understand the appeal of a light-hearted storyline, I felt the romance could have been more central to the plot, as implied by the cover.
For those who enjoy a feel-good, dialogue-rich narrative, this book might be a perfect fit. However, for readers seeking a more pronounced romantic focus or a plot with deeper emotional resonance, "Sea Stars Christmas" might not entirely hit the mark. My two-star rating reflects a personal preference for a more nuanced and engaging storytelling experience.
January 7, 2024
Mackenzie, an innately shy self-employed marketer, ‘from away’ as all new residents are labelled by the community of Stella Mare, is tasked with organising the inaugural “Sea Stars Festival’ with local businesses. Meanwhile, her boyfriend, Declan, a teacher and budding author, is feeling rather overwhelmed by the production of his first play by his high school students. With both being fully involved in their individual projects, their together-time is limited, posing a potential threat to their relationship. A poor second performance of the play and the ‘twelfth-hour’ crisis at the start of the festival parade lead to a mutual feeling of despondency, before the culmination of both events cements Mackenzie and Decan’s faith in, and support of, one another.
Annie Ballard has written another thoughtful novel, exploring emotional insecurity, loneliness and the current challenges of careers interfering with family life. From incidents mentioned in this book, I concluded that there had been a previous book; however, this had only a minor effect on my enjoyment of this story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Annie Ballard has written another thoughtful novel, exploring emotional insecurity, loneliness and the current challenges of careers interfering with family life. From incidents mentioned in this book, I concluded that there had been a previous book; however, this had only a minor effect on my enjoyment of this story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 22, 2023
Sea Stars Christmas by Annie Ballard. I extend thanks to the author and publisher for the Advanced Reader Copy that was gifted to me.
Love the way this story stays out..."What a stupid idea!" Haven't we all had an epiphany that we passionately aspired towards only when it came time, we weren't so sure of ourselves and how much work it involved. The author does am admirable job of making the characters come alive on the page. As the reader it was easy to get lost in the people and places of Stella Mare. The storyline is full of great word pictures, lessons, and real life issues. I love this no spoiler quote of "Even with a storm brewing in his gut, right here in this embrace there was peace. He didn’t want to let go."
What a sweet small town romance this book turned out to be. The author did a great job developing her character in this short story and truly mad them come alive for the reader.
Love the way this story stays out..."What a stupid idea!" Haven't we all had an epiphany that we passionately aspired towards only when it came time, we weren't so sure of ourselves and how much work it involved. The author does am admirable job of making the characters come alive on the page. As the reader it was easy to get lost in the people and places of Stella Mare. The storyline is full of great word pictures, lessons, and real life issues. I love this no spoiler quote of "Even with a storm brewing in his gut, right here in this embrace there was peace. He didn’t want to let go."
What a sweet small town romance this book turned out to be. The author did a great job developing her character in this short story and truly mad them come alive for the reader.
December 29, 2023
I enjoyed this story, but there were parts that fell flat leading to a 3 star rating.
First, the cover is deceiving. I do not always read synopses and assumed that this was a rom/com story. While two main characters are in a relationship it was definitely not a plot line to the story. If anything I actually found myself disliking the romantic relationship because Declan did not treat Makenzie like an equal in a relationship and she just seemed to put up with it. There is character growth at the end of the novel which I suppose is a plus.
Additionally the chapter describing the play in detail needs to go. Maybe I just didn’t understand, but I could have easily understood Makenzie was moved by the show and the show was inspiring for the town without reading a script of it.
First, the cover is deceiving. I do not always read synopses and assumed that this was a rom/com story. While two main characters are in a relationship it was definitely not a plot line to the story. If anything I actually found myself disliking the romantic relationship because Declan did not treat Makenzie like an equal in a relationship and she just seemed to put up with it. There is character growth at the end of the novel which I suppose is a plus.
Additionally the chapter describing the play in detail needs to go. Maybe I just didn’t understand, but I could have easily understood Makenzie was moved by the show and the show was inspiring for the town without reading a script of it.
February 27, 2024
Thoughts:
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This book was nothing like I expected. Looking at the cover I expected a romance book but this was more psychological fiction with romantic elements threaded throughout. The story of the Sea Stars parade was interesting but I think the book seemed to try to handle more concepts than it had the pages for with the parade, the play, the family elements and the social justice issues it felt like some weren’t able to be fully realised.
Favourite Quote:
"Sometimes Christmas just feels like extra work but then something happens, it's like you flipped a switch, and everything is suddenly worth it. Beautiful, even if yesterday it was just plain old everyday life."
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This book was nothing like I expected. Looking at the cover I expected a romance book but this was more psychological fiction with romantic elements threaded throughout. The story of the Sea Stars parade was interesting but I think the book seemed to try to handle more concepts than it had the pages for with the parade, the play, the family elements and the social justice issues it felt like some weren’t able to be fully realised.
Favourite Quote:
"Sometimes Christmas just feels like extra work but then something happens, it's like you flipped a switch, and everything is suddenly worth it. Beautiful, even if yesterday it was just plain old everyday life."
January 16, 2024
A very sweet and atmospheric read that made my holidays a little bit brighter. I love a seasonal read and this was just the thing for getting my heart ready for that time of year. I don't tend to read relationships in trouble, so right away I was hesitant about this. The characters won me over and I decided to stick with it. I adored the setting, who doesn't want a small town Christmas?! Such a treat and I didn't even mind the conflict in the end. Side characters were there to pick me up when I was uncertain.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 16, 2024
I read this years ago, but the bookstore's push about earning extra ballots made me review it.
It's cute, but I don't think it's a romance.
There was no meet-cute. In fact, all the characters knew each other, and the story was well underway before the book started. It was still an interesting part of the series.
The locations felt familiar, but at the same time not, which I thought was confusing.
It's cute, but I don't think it's a romance.
There was no meet-cute. In fact, all the characters knew each other, and the story was well underway before the book started. It was still an interesting part of the series.
The locations felt familiar, but at the same time not, which I thought was confusing.
March 23, 2024
Yet another fantastic story from Annie Ballard! Her characters are engaging and strongly written, and the story's location is vibrantly described. A wonderful read.
October 23, 2024
This was a good read. Very much like a hallmark movie. I love all the descriptions and could easily picture the scene's. I love all the character development throughout the story.
December 30, 2023
This is the perfect way to start off the holiday season. Grab a glass of wine, curl up on your favorite chair, and dive in.
November 7, 2023
I read this story as a Kindle e-book. The lightness of the read, the holiday theme and parallels between MacKenzie and myself as come-from-away new Canadians struggling to belong prompted me to buy and download "Sea Stars Christmas" on my Kindle.
The sweet story touches on connections and emotional struggles with roots that go deeper than geography. The painful loss of loved ones known and unknown. The high stakes of ambition and impossible pursuit of perfection. The fear of rejection. The disease of addiction. All are wrapped up in the joyful and sometimes constrictive bow that is Christmas.
My only critique is the author's reliance on and overuse of the word 'giggle' from and between adult characters. Children giggle. Adults rarely do.
The sweet story touches on connections and emotional struggles with roots that go deeper than geography. The painful loss of loved ones known and unknown. The high stakes of ambition and impossible pursuit of perfection. The fear of rejection. The disease of addiction. All are wrapped up in the joyful and sometimes constrictive bow that is Christmas.
My only critique is the author's reliance on and overuse of the word 'giggle' from and between adult characters. Children giggle. Adults rarely do.
September 24, 2023
Annie does it again! Her books highlight small town life and accentuates the influence of community on the fabric of daily life. You’ll see your favorite characters from other Sella Mare books. I love how consistent they are from book to book and how they feel like friends. A copy of this novella was provided early and all thoughts/opinion are my own. If you are looking for a small town, sweet holiday read about being an outsider with the hopes of being accepted, you’ll love Sea Stars Christmas.
February 19, 2024
I really enjoyed this sweet holiday small-town story with Mackenzie and Declan. I got caught up so quickly with these two and I was really rooting for them. Their story is a great Christmas story and one that makes you want to be part of this small town. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 28, 2024
My main comment about this book was that the font was small.
The story was really good, but it was not a stand-alone story. It kept referring to more interesting events that I would have enjoyed learning about before reading this book because now I know the outcomes of those books.
The story was really good, but it was not a stand-alone story. It kept referring to more interesting events that I would have enjoyed learning about before reading this book because now I know the outcomes of those books.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews