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Jane Kelly #3.5
When The Snow Falls
Collects four holiday love stories, including "Candy Canes and Cupid," in which private investigator Hannah Ray is forced to join her biggest client on a Colorado ski trip where she discovers something that melts her icy heart.
598 pages, Hardcover
First published September 30, 2014
399 people are currently reading
764 people want to read
About the author
Fern Michaels
424 books6,518 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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December 28, 2015
OVERALL AVERAGE RATING OF THE FOUR STORIES 3.5 STARS
When the Snow Falls is an anthology of four stories by Fern Michaels, Nancy Bush, Rosanna Chiofalo and Lin Stepp.
Candy Canes and Cupid by Fern Michaels – rating 3 Stars
Hannah Ray is a successful private investigator living in Florida. She isn’t much for the Christmas holiday and plans to spend her vacation on the beach. But she unexpectedly gets a call from an old friend in Telluride, Colorado. Someone has been hacking into his successful Ski Resort’s system and stealing money. So, the beach will have to wait. Her friend has also recruited Liam McConnell, a very successful man himself to help find the culprit. During their time in Colorado, while working to find the thief, an attraction is born between Liam and Hannah. Hannah also finally finds the real meaning of Christmas, something she never had while growing up. This ends up being the best Christmas ever.
White Hot Christmas by Nancy Bush – rating 3 stars
Jane Kelly is a private investigator and is working for Dwayne Durbin. They have been working out of Dwayne’s home but now have moved into their first real office. Jane has had a crush on Dwayne for a long time and they have even kissed a few times but Jane has convinced herself that they have to keep their relationship as friends and co-workers. They can’t pursue a relationship. An old acquaintance of Jane’s from high school comes in to the office wanting Jane to help her with someone that is suing her. But the new client proves to be quite a handful herself. At the same time, Jane allows a friend of her mother's to stay at her house after a bad break up. So, this holiday season it seems like Jane has quite a lot going on.
Seven Days of Christmas by Rosanna Chiofalo – rating 4 stars
Wow, this story is completely different than the first two. Bianca Simone meets and falls deeply in love with the man of her dreams, Mark Vitale. After a year of dating Mark takes Bianca on her dream vacation for Christmas and to celebrate her birthday which is on Christmas Eve, to Austria. Their time together there is magical and Mark has planned something very special for Bianca. Now, five years later, Bianca is back in Austria for a very different reason. This trip, though, turns out to also be very special to her.
A Smoky Mountain Gift by Lin Stepp – 4 stars
This is a story of getting a second chance at love for Christmas. Veda Trent was raised by her Aunt and Uncle in Townsend, Tennessee. But when her high school sweetheart, Reese McNally, broke her heart, she left and moved to St. Augustine, FL where she went to college and opened her own shop. After eight years, her shop had failed. When her Aunt passed away, she went back home to help manage the local arts and crafts co-op where her Aunt had worked. She only planned to stay temporarily until she figured out what to do next but the feelings were still there between she and Reese. Still, though, there was a lot of past hurt to get through and Veda just isn’t sure where she really belongs. If staying in Townsend is what she is supposed to do.
This was a perfect ending to this book. I loved that Veda spent time in St. Augustine. I live very near there and I enjoyed reading about the familiar sights.
When the Snow Falls is an anthology of four stories by Fern Michaels, Nancy Bush, Rosanna Chiofalo and Lin Stepp.
Candy Canes and Cupid by Fern Michaels – rating 3 Stars
Hannah Ray is a successful private investigator living in Florida. She isn’t much for the Christmas holiday and plans to spend her vacation on the beach. But she unexpectedly gets a call from an old friend in Telluride, Colorado. Someone has been hacking into his successful Ski Resort’s system and stealing money. So, the beach will have to wait. Her friend has also recruited Liam McConnell, a very successful man himself to help find the culprit. During their time in Colorado, while working to find the thief, an attraction is born between Liam and Hannah. Hannah also finally finds the real meaning of Christmas, something she never had while growing up. This ends up being the best Christmas ever.
White Hot Christmas by Nancy Bush – rating 3 stars
Jane Kelly is a private investigator and is working for Dwayne Durbin. They have been working out of Dwayne’s home but now have moved into their first real office. Jane has had a crush on Dwayne for a long time and they have even kissed a few times but Jane has convinced herself that they have to keep their relationship as friends and co-workers. They can’t pursue a relationship. An old acquaintance of Jane’s from high school comes in to the office wanting Jane to help her with someone that is suing her. But the new client proves to be quite a handful herself. At the same time, Jane allows a friend of her mother's to stay at her house after a bad break up. So, this holiday season it seems like Jane has quite a lot going on.
Seven Days of Christmas by Rosanna Chiofalo – rating 4 stars
Wow, this story is completely different than the first two. Bianca Simone meets and falls deeply in love with the man of her dreams, Mark Vitale. After a year of dating Mark takes Bianca on her dream vacation for Christmas and to celebrate her birthday which is on Christmas Eve, to Austria. Their time together there is magical and Mark has planned something very special for Bianca. Now, five years later, Bianca is back in Austria for a very different reason. This trip, though, turns out to also be very special to her.
A Smoky Mountain Gift by Lin Stepp – 4 stars
This is a story of getting a second chance at love for Christmas. Veda Trent was raised by her Aunt and Uncle in Townsend, Tennessee. But when her high school sweetheart, Reese McNally, broke her heart, she left and moved to St. Augustine, FL where she went to college and opened her own shop. After eight years, her shop had failed. When her Aunt passed away, she went back home to help manage the local arts and crafts co-op where her Aunt had worked. She only planned to stay temporarily until she figured out what to do next but the feelings were still there between she and Reese. Still, though, there was a lot of past hurt to get through and Veda just isn’t sure where she really belongs. If staying in Townsend is what she is supposed to do.
This was a perfect ending to this book. I loved that Veda spent time in St. Augustine. I live very near there and I enjoyed reading about the familiar sights.
November 10, 2014
A special thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Get ready for some early Christmas magical holiday spirit, with When the Snow Falls, four heartwarming novellas, each from different parts of the country, filled with humor, mischief, and tantalizing romance, from four talented authors, tied up neatly for a special holiday gift!
“Candy Canes and Cupid” by Fern Michaels It has been so long since I have read Fern Michaels, which goes back years, so reading her story was like going home. Ironically, since I am a South Florida gal, we do not get too excited about Christmas, due to the nice tropical weather (I am normally at the beach with a book)--heavenly. So, could relate to this story. We Floridians live through the eyes of a book to be transported to places like Telluride, Colorado with snow, skiing, and fireplaces. A fun story.
“White Hot Christmas” by Nancy Bush brings a little mystery and romance, while working on a case with PI Jane Kelly (she is back) and some old high school friends, and of course there is her boss Dwayne, and some special kisses.. Be on the lookout for “Wicked Ways”, a story she is co-writing with sister, Lisa Jackson (Colony Series).
“Seven Days of Christmas” by Rosanna Chiofalo. I have not had the opportunity of reading this author, so gave me a chance to sample her writing, taking readers to the stunning Alpine snow-capped mountains of Innsbruck, Austria for a heartwarming story of Mark and Bianca of loss and love. The power of miracles, with new friends, ghosts, guardian angels, and Santa. Stay tuned for Chiofalo’s third stand alone, Stella Mia, coming January, 2015, a love story set against the beautiful Sicily and the Aeolian Islands.
“A Smoky Mountain Gift” by Lin Stepp was of course the main reason I wanted to read the book, as a faithful follower, having loved her last book “Down by the River” with lovable Grace at age 49 opening a B&B and meeting ladies’ man Jack.
Set in the same town of Townsend, a small mountain town, Veda is returning from living in St Augustine, FL (I formerly lived in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL which is nearby, so love the historic charm of the city and all the antiquing), as her shop closed, so she is here to help out temporarily as Crafts Co-op manager. She definitely does not want to stay in this town, with memories of her past, of an ex-boyfriend since he married someone else. However, she has some surprises and unexpected romance waiting for a special Smoky Mountain southern Christmas.
Always good to catch up with Jack and Grace and their two daughters with all of the holiday festivities at the Mimosa Inn from Down by the River. I am looking forward to reading an ARC of Makin’ Miracles by Stepp, coming January 2015, set in the charming downtown Gatlinburg, TN!
Highly recommend these short novellas for some magical Christmas charm, with tidbits of new upcoming releases for January, 2015!
Get ready for some early Christmas magical holiday spirit, with When the Snow Falls, four heartwarming novellas, each from different parts of the country, filled with humor, mischief, and tantalizing romance, from four talented authors, tied up neatly for a special holiday gift!
“Candy Canes and Cupid” by Fern Michaels It has been so long since I have read Fern Michaels, which goes back years, so reading her story was like going home. Ironically, since I am a South Florida gal, we do not get too excited about Christmas, due to the nice tropical weather (I am normally at the beach with a book)--heavenly. So, could relate to this story. We Floridians live through the eyes of a book to be transported to places like Telluride, Colorado with snow, skiing, and fireplaces. A fun story.
“White Hot Christmas” by Nancy Bush brings a little mystery and romance, while working on a case with PI Jane Kelly (she is back) and some old high school friends, and of course there is her boss Dwayne, and some special kisses.. Be on the lookout for “Wicked Ways”, a story she is co-writing with sister, Lisa Jackson (Colony Series).
“Seven Days of Christmas” by Rosanna Chiofalo. I have not had the opportunity of reading this author, so gave me a chance to sample her writing, taking readers to the stunning Alpine snow-capped mountains of Innsbruck, Austria for a heartwarming story of Mark and Bianca of loss and love. The power of miracles, with new friends, ghosts, guardian angels, and Santa. Stay tuned for Chiofalo’s third stand alone, Stella Mia, coming January, 2015, a love story set against the beautiful Sicily and the Aeolian Islands.
“A Smoky Mountain Gift” by Lin Stepp was of course the main reason I wanted to read the book, as a faithful follower, having loved her last book “Down by the River” with lovable Grace at age 49 opening a B&B and meeting ladies’ man Jack.
Set in the same town of Townsend, a small mountain town, Veda is returning from living in St Augustine, FL (I formerly lived in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL which is nearby, so love the historic charm of the city and all the antiquing), as her shop closed, so she is here to help out temporarily as Crafts Co-op manager. She definitely does not want to stay in this town, with memories of her past, of an ex-boyfriend since he married someone else. However, she has some surprises and unexpected romance waiting for a special Smoky Mountain southern Christmas.
Always good to catch up with Jack and Grace and their two daughters with all of the holiday festivities at the Mimosa Inn from Down by the River. I am looking forward to reading an ARC of Makin’ Miracles by Stepp, coming January 2015, set in the charming downtown Gatlinburg, TN!
Highly recommend these short novellas for some magical Christmas charm, with tidbits of new upcoming releases for January, 2015!
September 15, 2014
It may be September. It may be about ninety degrees outside here in Florida as I read this book. However, I felt it was Christmas, with temperatures way below ninety and snow swirling all around outside. This is a fantastic holiday collection. I do not know which story I enjoyed more. In two, female sleuths try to solve riddles for their clients, in a third a young vet’s assistant tries to get past a tragedy in her young life, and in the fourth, two people try to forgive and forget what happened once upon a time and make room for a new relationship. Just what a reader needs to get into the holiday spirit! All the stories are well written, with strong, but sensitive female lead characters, and equally strong but sensitive males rooting them on from the get go. The authors definitely know how to write short stories well. I found the stories, though similar in many ways, also vastly different in many other ways. The settings ranged from a small town USA to Innsbruck, Austria to a mountain top resort. In each one, the lead character was searching for answers within herself and within her friends and family, to finally achieve the happiness and fulfillment due them all. This book is a great read on a quiet, snowy or not snowy holiday afternoon, with a hot cup of cocoa or fragrant tea to sip along the way. I am sure anyone seeking a wonderful, fulfilling read will find it interesting as well as satisfying, and will go back to the stories of these four women time and again because these are the kinds of stories that stay on with a reader long after the book has been read. The book will also bring out any lazy or even dormant holiday spirit within the reader. I received this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
October 7, 2017
(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)
A short write up about these stories:
“Candy Canes and Cupid” by Fern Michaels
All private investigator Hannah Ray wants for Christmas is a quiet day at her Florida beachfront condo. When her biggest client insists she join him on a Colorado ski trip, she has little choice—but what she finds on her arrival could melt the coldest heart…
“White Hot Christmas” by Nancy Bush
Aspiring PI Jane Kelly likes to pretend she’s a bah-humbug kind of girl, but she’s had mistletoe on the brain ever since she shared a kiss with her boss, Dwayne. Before she can hope for a repeat performance, Jane must solve a kidnapping that’s as twisted as a candy cane—and not nearly as sweet.
“Seven Days of Christmas” by Rosanna Chiofalo
Five years ago, Bianca Simone received a wonderful early Christmas gift from her boyfriend, Mark—a week amid the stunning Alpine scenery of Innsbruck, Austria. Now she’s back under very different circumstances, but Mark has one more special gift in mind…
“A Smoky Mountain Gift” by Lin Stepp
Veda Trent is back in Townsend to fill in as temporary manager of the Crafts Co-op, but she’s not planning to stay. Though the mountain town is small, it holds lots of unsettling memories. Yet the wind can change, bringing with it new opportunities—and the chance to create the kind of Christmas Veda has always longed for.
Each of these stories were were a little bit of fun but, in the long run, were almost snapshots of novels. I think each of them could have been longer, with better character development - that is what really kept these stories from being excellent.
A decent collection of holiday fiction, if you are looking for something light and easy to read during the holidays.
Paul
ARH
A short write up about these stories:
“Candy Canes and Cupid” by Fern Michaels
All private investigator Hannah Ray wants for Christmas is a quiet day at her Florida beachfront condo. When her biggest client insists she join him on a Colorado ski trip, she has little choice—but what she finds on her arrival could melt the coldest heart…
“White Hot Christmas” by Nancy Bush
Aspiring PI Jane Kelly likes to pretend she’s a bah-humbug kind of girl, but she’s had mistletoe on the brain ever since she shared a kiss with her boss, Dwayne. Before she can hope for a repeat performance, Jane must solve a kidnapping that’s as twisted as a candy cane—and not nearly as sweet.
“Seven Days of Christmas” by Rosanna Chiofalo
Five years ago, Bianca Simone received a wonderful early Christmas gift from her boyfriend, Mark—a week amid the stunning Alpine scenery of Innsbruck, Austria. Now she’s back under very different circumstances, but Mark has one more special gift in mind…
“A Smoky Mountain Gift” by Lin Stepp
Veda Trent is back in Townsend to fill in as temporary manager of the Crafts Co-op, but she’s not planning to stay. Though the mountain town is small, it holds lots of unsettling memories. Yet the wind can change, bringing with it new opportunities—and the chance to create the kind of Christmas Veda has always longed for.
Each of these stories were were a little bit of fun but, in the long run, were almost snapshots of novels. I think each of them could have been longer, with better character development - that is what really kept these stories from being excellent.
A decent collection of holiday fiction, if you are looking for something light and easy to read during the holidays.
Paul
ARH
December 23, 2018
I am not usually a fan of short stories, these however were short Christmas Stories and I like it is the Season. However, most were smultzy love stores, but a couple I did like, and the last one was very good, A Smokey Mountain gift, by Lin Stepp, it is about a gal who has Native American roots that state that a first daughter will carry down the gift from the wind for story telling and hearing a voice in the wind.
January 4, 2021
The quality of the individual novellas was uneven, but I thought they all had interesting moments. Plus, I liked the Christmas theme throughout.
Read
August 17, 2019Candy Canes and Cupid: Hannah Ray had never liked the holiday season. Her mother died when she was young and her father worked through the holidays because it was the busiest time of the year. Her birthday was on Christmas eve but it was mostly overlooked except for the extra present she received every year.
She had taken over her father's death had changed her plans for her life. She was on her way to becoming an attorney and decided to apply for a private investigator's license after passing the bar. She was good at what she did and was successful in Florida, the state where she had grown up in.
Camden worked for her and they were good friends too. Hannah had worked on a case the previous year dealing with a woman and her abusive husband. Hannah had contacted Grace Landry who ran a home in Colorado and sent the woman there. She had gone back to her husband who subsequently had her back in the hospital. Grace's husband had contacted Hannah to come to Colorado over the holidays in an attempt to find someone who was stealing from his company. Grace's husband had been an Olympic skier and ran a resort near Denver. Hannah didn't like the cold but was willing to help Grace for all she had done for Hannah and her client.
Hannah arrived at the airport and found that Liam McConnell was there too. Liam was well known for his work with cyber crimes. Hannah was impressed and tried to hide that fact. Liam was very attractive and attracted to Hannah too. They worked together to find out that the culprit was the abusive ex-husband of Max's managers wife.
Hannah and Liam attended a Christmas play with Grace and Max and Hannah finally caught on to the meaning of Christmas. They were both from Florida and agreed to continue seeing each other after this job was completed. Hannah's friend and employee, Camden had met someone too. The abused wife filed a restraining order and was going back to Grace's home in Colorado for abused women. Hannah had promised her driver, hired by Max, that she would talk to Max about taking his sister on as a ski instructed. Max saw her skiing and agreed to act as her coach. Tasha Alexander was a talented skier. She was hopeful to end up in the Olympics as Max had.
White Hot Christmas: Christmas was less than a week away. Dwayne Durbin was moving out of his garage and into a building with his assistant, Jane Kelly. Jane had a visitor from LA, where she grew up. He told her that his wife needed her help because she was being charged with kidnapping for trying to rescue a woman, Karen Aldridge, from committing suicide.
Jane met with James and Darcy for dinner and agreed to take the job. She went to see Karen at work the next day and followed her when she left the coffee shop where she worked. Karen went into a place near the bridge where she was supposed to have tried to kill herself. Jane spoke to a couple of people on the bridge and found out that Darcy was known by others that hung out there. Jane found out that the person who was in the building nearby was Karen's brother. Jane continued to watch the two of them and followed her brother when he left home a few days later. She overheard a conversation in which the brother said that his sister was working on a scheme that would bring them in a load of money. Jane knew then that it was a scam. She went back to the coffee shop where Karen worked and let her know that she was on to her plans.
Jane's mother had asked her to take in a roommate for the holidays. A friend of her mother's was on the outs with her husband and Roberta moved in with Jane. Jane enjoyed the food Roberta cooked but the place soon became crowded with the two women and Jane's dog. Roberta put candles on a Christmas tree for lights and Jane told her that was a bad idea and blew out the candles. Roberta went to see her husband on the 23rd and she was asleep when Jane left her house on the 24th. She went to see Dwayne about their plans for having dinner with Darcy and James. Darcy had told her that she wanted to warm up for sex by switching partners but ending up with their partner for the actual sex. Dwayne mentioned it to Jane and she told him that she felt like Darcy was serious. Dwayne had thought that Darcy was kidding.
Jane got home and was going to get ready to meet Dwayne for dinner when Karen drove up. She had gun and was planning on shooting Jane. Jane kicked the gun away and knocked over the Christmas tree. Roberta had re-lit the candles and the house caught on fire. Roberta threw firewood on Karen and halfway knocked her out. Jane tied her up as others arrived.
Jane and Dwayne had their Christmas Eve dinner together and Darcy and James showed up with Christmas gifts. They didn't stay long. Darcy told Jane that she was going to buy the house for her so she wouldn't have to pay rent for it anymore and to make up for all she had lost. Jane felt that things may have worked out for the best. Roberta had made up with her husband when she went to see him on the 23rd.
Seven Days of Christmas: Bianca was born on Christmas Eve during a blizzard. She was Italian and named after the white snow. She loved the holiday and felt that major milestones for her were reached on Christmas. She got her first kiss on Christmas and her grandmother died on the day after Christmas her first year of college. It was Christmas when she was introduced to her twin brothers boss, Mark Vitale. He was also Italian and fell in love with Bianca when they first met.
Bianca and Mark dated for a year and spent their first Christmas together in Austria. Mark asked Bianca to marry him while they were there. He spoiled her with the money he made. He was quite well off and Bianca loved him. Mark had a surprise planned for her every day. One of those surprises was a bus ride heading toward Lake Como. The weather was bad and the bus crashed. Mark died and Bianca woke up in the hospital.
5 years later, Bianca had still not gotten over the loss of Mark. She still wore her engagement ring when she wasn't working as a vet tech. She had lost weight, she didn't get out much and she swore she saw Mark's ghost and spoke to him. She was seeing a psychiatrist and his recommendation to her was to go back to Innsbruck, Austria, and revisit the places she went with Mark and to get on the bus and finish the trip around the lake that she had started with Mark. Her family pushed and she finally agreed to go.
She found a lost and injured dog and found its owner was managing the hotel where she was staying. That was when she met Jack and Christopher. Jack had lost his wife in an auto accident and Christopher had been injured. He was in a wheelchair. They moved to Austria to escape the memories. He got to know Bianca and told her that he went to the crash site where his wife had died and it had helped him to move on. He told her that he would go with her on the bus trip if she wanted him too. She didn't want to go. She accepted a couple of dates with Jack because he disguised the invitation as payment for helping his dog. She went to a concert and heard Christopher sing and he was quite good. Jack had mentioned that he felt that it might be time to return to the states and let Christopher see his grandparents again.
Bianca allowed Jack to accompany her on the bus ride and it was a beautiful day. Bianca spent most of the time crying but was thankful that Jack was there for her. She realized that he was someone special.
Bianca returned home and kept in touch with Jack. Six months later, Jack and Christopher moved back to the States and continued to see Bianca. They were married in another 6 months during the Christmas season. They decided to honeymoon in Italy. Bianca felt like Mark's ghost had led her to meet and fall in love with Jack.
A Rocky Mountain Gift: Veda Trent's mother was a model and her father a photographer. Her mother had dropped her off every summer at the O'Neill Farm when she was a child. After her mother died in a car crash in Europe, Veda had come to stay. Her father died later but it was her aunt that had raised her. Veda returned briefly for her Aunt's funeral.
It was now 8 years since she had spent any time on the farm. Winter had arrived and she had come home to run the co-op business where local artisans sold their work that her Aunt had started. Veda's own store she had started after college had failed and her deaf uncle, Sutton, needed her help. He ran a Christmas tree farm and someone was stealing his trees. Whoever was taking them hadn't been found out yet.
Reese McNally had been her best friend growing up and she planned on marrying him. Their common enemy was Dee Dee. Veda had left town because during their senior year in high school, Dee Dee had set her sights on Reese and he got her pregnant during one of his and Veda's breakups. Reese married the one person that Veda hated the most. Dee Dee had told her that she was going to take Reese her and she had succeeded. Their marriage didn't last though and she ran off leaving Pamela with Reese.
Reese and Veda met again when he came to the farm late one evening to pick up some Christmas trees. Veda thought he was the thief and hit him over the head with a shovel. She drug him into the house after she realized who he was and he was okay but had a headache. Her Uncle had forgotten to tell her that he was coming by. Veda and Reese ran into each other a few times after that and they both realized that they had never stopped loving each other.
Veda had Indian in her blood and had olive tones to her skin with red hair. Her aunt had always talked about listening to the wind and telling stories based on what the wind told her. She told Veda that this ability to listen to the wind was handed down to the first daughter and Veda was a first daughter. Veda didn't really believe her but remembered many of the stories.
Reese wanted Veda to marry him but Veda wasn't sure she was staying at the farm. She felt unsettled for some reason and told Reese that. He was patient and was determined to win her back.
They went to a Christmas party and when they were outside, Veda felt the wind blow and told Reese that something was wrong and she needed to go home. Reese was resistant until she told him that if he didn't take her home, she was still leaving. They got home to find Sutton had been beaten by the Christmas tree thieves. Veda had noticed a truck on their drive home and had taken down the license plate number. Sutton was taken to the hospital and Veda gave the police the plate numbers. Sutton was critical for a while but recovered. They thieves turned out to be three brothers and they were all arrested. Before Sutton was hurt, the thieves had knocked out and locked up one of his workers when they stole some other trees. The brothers were charged for hurting both men too.
Veda had agreed to tell a story at the local Christmas pageant at the church in town and she got up to began when she felt the wind blow and she changed the story she was telling to one she had heard from her aunt as a child. It was after that that Veda knew that her aunt was right and she had received a gift of story telling. She was meant to stay in town.
Veda met with Reese on Christmas morning to tell him that she would stay and marry him. Reese told her that he wished her aunt was there to see their happy ending and Veda told him that she thought her aunt was there with them.
She had taken over her father's death had changed her plans for her life. She was on her way to becoming an attorney and decided to apply for a private investigator's license after passing the bar. She was good at what she did and was successful in Florida, the state where she had grown up in.
Camden worked for her and they were good friends too. Hannah had worked on a case the previous year dealing with a woman and her abusive husband. Hannah had contacted Grace Landry who ran a home in Colorado and sent the woman there. She had gone back to her husband who subsequently had her back in the hospital. Grace's husband had contacted Hannah to come to Colorado over the holidays in an attempt to find someone who was stealing from his company. Grace's husband had been an Olympic skier and ran a resort near Denver. Hannah didn't like the cold but was willing to help Grace for all she had done for Hannah and her client.
Hannah arrived at the airport and found that Liam McConnell was there too. Liam was well known for his work with cyber crimes. Hannah was impressed and tried to hide that fact. Liam was very attractive and attracted to Hannah too. They worked together to find out that the culprit was the abusive ex-husband of Max's managers wife.
Hannah and Liam attended a Christmas play with Grace and Max and Hannah finally caught on to the meaning of Christmas. They were both from Florida and agreed to continue seeing each other after this job was completed. Hannah's friend and employee, Camden had met someone too. The abused wife filed a restraining order and was going back to Grace's home in Colorado for abused women. Hannah had promised her driver, hired by Max, that she would talk to Max about taking his sister on as a ski instructed. Max saw her skiing and agreed to act as her coach. Tasha Alexander was a talented skier. She was hopeful to end up in the Olympics as Max had.
White Hot Christmas: Christmas was less than a week away. Dwayne Durbin was moving out of his garage and into a building with his assistant, Jane Kelly. Jane had a visitor from LA, where she grew up. He told her that his wife needed her help because she was being charged with kidnapping for trying to rescue a woman, Karen Aldridge, from committing suicide.
Jane met with James and Darcy for dinner and agreed to take the job. She went to see Karen at work the next day and followed her when she left the coffee shop where she worked. Karen went into a place near the bridge where she was supposed to have tried to kill herself. Jane spoke to a couple of people on the bridge and found out that Darcy was known by others that hung out there. Jane found out that the person who was in the building nearby was Karen's brother. Jane continued to watch the two of them and followed her brother when he left home a few days later. She overheard a conversation in which the brother said that his sister was working on a scheme that would bring them in a load of money. Jane knew then that it was a scam. She went back to the coffee shop where Karen worked and let her know that she was on to her plans.
Jane's mother had asked her to take in a roommate for the holidays. A friend of her mother's was on the outs with her husband and Roberta moved in with Jane. Jane enjoyed the food Roberta cooked but the place soon became crowded with the two women and Jane's dog. Roberta put candles on a Christmas tree for lights and Jane told her that was a bad idea and blew out the candles. Roberta went to see her husband on the 23rd and she was asleep when Jane left her house on the 24th. She went to see Dwayne about their plans for having dinner with Darcy and James. Darcy had told her that she wanted to warm up for sex by switching partners but ending up with their partner for the actual sex. Dwayne mentioned it to Jane and she told him that she felt like Darcy was serious. Dwayne had thought that Darcy was kidding.
Jane got home and was going to get ready to meet Dwayne for dinner when Karen drove up. She had gun and was planning on shooting Jane. Jane kicked the gun away and knocked over the Christmas tree. Roberta had re-lit the candles and the house caught on fire. Roberta threw firewood on Karen and halfway knocked her out. Jane tied her up as others arrived.
Jane and Dwayne had their Christmas Eve dinner together and Darcy and James showed up with Christmas gifts. They didn't stay long. Darcy told Jane that she was going to buy the house for her so she wouldn't have to pay rent for it anymore and to make up for all she had lost. Jane felt that things may have worked out for the best. Roberta had made up with her husband when she went to see him on the 23rd.
Seven Days of Christmas: Bianca was born on Christmas Eve during a blizzard. She was Italian and named after the white snow. She loved the holiday and felt that major milestones for her were reached on Christmas. She got her first kiss on Christmas and her grandmother died on the day after Christmas her first year of college. It was Christmas when she was introduced to her twin brothers boss, Mark Vitale. He was also Italian and fell in love with Bianca when they first met.
Bianca and Mark dated for a year and spent their first Christmas together in Austria. Mark asked Bianca to marry him while they were there. He spoiled her with the money he made. He was quite well off and Bianca loved him. Mark had a surprise planned for her every day. One of those surprises was a bus ride heading toward Lake Como. The weather was bad and the bus crashed. Mark died and Bianca woke up in the hospital.
5 years later, Bianca had still not gotten over the loss of Mark. She still wore her engagement ring when she wasn't working as a vet tech. She had lost weight, she didn't get out much and she swore she saw Mark's ghost and spoke to him. She was seeing a psychiatrist and his recommendation to her was to go back to Innsbruck, Austria, and revisit the places she went with Mark and to get on the bus and finish the trip around the lake that she had started with Mark. Her family pushed and she finally agreed to go.
She found a lost and injured dog and found its owner was managing the hotel where she was staying. That was when she met Jack and Christopher. Jack had lost his wife in an auto accident and Christopher had been injured. He was in a wheelchair. They moved to Austria to escape the memories. He got to know Bianca and told her that he went to the crash site where his wife had died and it had helped him to move on. He told her that he would go with her on the bus trip if she wanted him too. She didn't want to go. She accepted a couple of dates with Jack because he disguised the invitation as payment for helping his dog. She went to a concert and heard Christopher sing and he was quite good. Jack had mentioned that he felt that it might be time to return to the states and let Christopher see his grandparents again.
Bianca allowed Jack to accompany her on the bus ride and it was a beautiful day. Bianca spent most of the time crying but was thankful that Jack was there for her. She realized that he was someone special.
Bianca returned home and kept in touch with Jack. Six months later, Jack and Christopher moved back to the States and continued to see Bianca. They were married in another 6 months during the Christmas season. They decided to honeymoon in Italy. Bianca felt like Mark's ghost had led her to meet and fall in love with Jack.
A Rocky Mountain Gift: Veda Trent's mother was a model and her father a photographer. Her mother had dropped her off every summer at the O'Neill Farm when she was a child. After her mother died in a car crash in Europe, Veda had come to stay. Her father died later but it was her aunt that had raised her. Veda returned briefly for her Aunt's funeral.
It was now 8 years since she had spent any time on the farm. Winter had arrived and she had come home to run the co-op business where local artisans sold their work that her Aunt had started. Veda's own store she had started after college had failed and her deaf uncle, Sutton, needed her help. He ran a Christmas tree farm and someone was stealing his trees. Whoever was taking them hadn't been found out yet.
Reese McNally had been her best friend growing up and she planned on marrying him. Their common enemy was Dee Dee. Veda had left town because during their senior year in high school, Dee Dee had set her sights on Reese and he got her pregnant during one of his and Veda's breakups. Reese married the one person that Veda hated the most. Dee Dee had told her that she was going to take Reese her and she had succeeded. Their marriage didn't last though and she ran off leaving Pamela with Reese.
Reese and Veda met again when he came to the farm late one evening to pick up some Christmas trees. Veda thought he was the thief and hit him over the head with a shovel. She drug him into the house after she realized who he was and he was okay but had a headache. Her Uncle had forgotten to tell her that he was coming by. Veda and Reese ran into each other a few times after that and they both realized that they had never stopped loving each other.
Veda had Indian in her blood and had olive tones to her skin with red hair. Her aunt had always talked about listening to the wind and telling stories based on what the wind told her. She told Veda that this ability to listen to the wind was handed down to the first daughter and Veda was a first daughter. Veda didn't really believe her but remembered many of the stories.
Reese wanted Veda to marry him but Veda wasn't sure she was staying at the farm. She felt unsettled for some reason and told Reese that. He was patient and was determined to win her back.
They went to a Christmas party and when they were outside, Veda felt the wind blow and told Reese that something was wrong and she needed to go home. Reese was resistant until she told him that if he didn't take her home, she was still leaving. They got home to find Sutton had been beaten by the Christmas tree thieves. Veda had noticed a truck on their drive home and had taken down the license plate number. Sutton was taken to the hospital and Veda gave the police the plate numbers. Sutton was critical for a while but recovered. They thieves turned out to be three brothers and they were all arrested. Before Sutton was hurt, the thieves had knocked out and locked up one of his workers when they stole some other trees. The brothers were charged for hurting both men too.
Veda had agreed to tell a story at the local Christmas pageant at the church in town and she got up to began when she felt the wind blow and she changed the story she was telling to one she had heard from her aunt as a child. It was after that that Veda knew that her aunt was right and she had received a gift of story telling. She was meant to stay in town.
Veda met with Reese on Christmas morning to tell him that she would stay and marry him. Reese told her that he wished her aunt was there to see their happy ending and Veda told him that she thought her aunt was there with them.
September 25, 2014
When the Snow Falls by Fern Michaels in a Christmas anthology of special stories. At least one is guaranteed to touch your heart.
The first story is “Candy Canes and Cupid” by Fern Michaels. Hannah wants to remain in her Florida home for Christmas and have a bah-humbug Christmas like she does every year. She plans to stay where it is warm, and does not plan on going to the snow. That is until her biggest client calls and asks her for help. She heads to Colorado, where she meets up with another specialist to crack the case.
This story was pretty good, I liked it, but felt that it lacked true depth. It was well written so I gave this story 3 out of 5 stars.
The next story is “White Hot Christmas” by Nancy Bush. I felt that this story was almost exactly like the first. A girl who is bah-humbugging about Christmas, and does not want to get involved with anyone. She must solve a case involving old high school friends, and the catch is that the story gets stranger the more she knows. She must find out the truth at all costs.
I thought this story was ok, it was really strange concerning the old high school friends, and everything is eventually explained, but I felt that it needed further explanation as the story progressed. I gave this story 3 out of 5 stars.
The next story is“Seven Days of Christmas” by Rosanna Chiofalo. This story tugged at my heart strings and made me cry. I had to stop and get tissues before I could continue. Bianca loved Mark so much that she said yes when he asked her to marry him. Unfortunately he died shortly after that promise was made, and Bianca has never recovered. She is sent back to Austria by her shrink and is told that she needs to visit the places that they visited, and get over his death, which happened 5 years ago. She goes to Austria, and meets the manager of the hotel, who helps her get through the days, just by being a friend.
This story was well written, however the second half of the story seemed a little short. I wanted more to the story, however the part that was written, was written well. I gave this story 3 out of 5 stars
Five years ago, Bianca Simone received a wonderful early Christmas gift from her boyfriend, Mark—a week amid the stunning Alpine scenery of Innsbruck, Austria. Now she’s back under very different circumstances, but Mark has one more special gift in mind…
“A Smoky Mountain Gift” by Lin Stepp
Veda Trent is back in Townsend to fill in as temporary manager of the Crafts Co-op, but she’s not planning to stay. Though the mountain town is small, it holds lots of unsettling memories. Yet the wind can change, bringing with it new opportunities—and the chance to create the kind of Christmas Veda has always longed for.
The first story is “Candy Canes and Cupid” by Fern Michaels. Hannah wants to remain in her Florida home for Christmas and have a bah-humbug Christmas like she does every year. She plans to stay where it is warm, and does not plan on going to the snow. That is until her biggest client calls and asks her for help. She heads to Colorado, where she meets up with another specialist to crack the case.
This story was pretty good, I liked it, but felt that it lacked true depth. It was well written so I gave this story 3 out of 5 stars.
The next story is “White Hot Christmas” by Nancy Bush. I felt that this story was almost exactly like the first. A girl who is bah-humbugging about Christmas, and does not want to get involved with anyone. She must solve a case involving old high school friends, and the catch is that the story gets stranger the more she knows. She must find out the truth at all costs.
I thought this story was ok, it was really strange concerning the old high school friends, and everything is eventually explained, but I felt that it needed further explanation as the story progressed. I gave this story 3 out of 5 stars.
The next story is“Seven Days of Christmas” by Rosanna Chiofalo. This story tugged at my heart strings and made me cry. I had to stop and get tissues before I could continue. Bianca loved Mark so much that she said yes when he asked her to marry him. Unfortunately he died shortly after that promise was made, and Bianca has never recovered. She is sent back to Austria by her shrink and is told that she needs to visit the places that they visited, and get over his death, which happened 5 years ago. She goes to Austria, and meets the manager of the hotel, who helps her get through the days, just by being a friend.
This story was well written, however the second half of the story seemed a little short. I wanted more to the story, however the part that was written, was written well. I gave this story 3 out of 5 stars
Five years ago, Bianca Simone received a wonderful early Christmas gift from her boyfriend, Mark—a week amid the stunning Alpine scenery of Innsbruck, Austria. Now she’s back under very different circumstances, but Mark has one more special gift in mind…
“A Smoky Mountain Gift” by Lin Stepp
Veda Trent is back in Townsend to fill in as temporary manager of the Crafts Co-op, but she’s not planning to stay. Though the mountain town is small, it holds lots of unsettling memories. Yet the wind can change, bringing with it new opportunities—and the chance to create the kind of Christmas Veda has always longed for.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2014
Newly released, this is a wonderful Christmas anthology with all new short stories or novellas.
I am going to focus my review on just one of the stories: A Smoky Mountain Christmas Gift by Lin Stepp. I became a fan of Lin Stepp earlier this year I read Stepp's Down by the River. Her stories are based in the Smoky Mountains and are Christian romances.
In A Smoky Mountain Christmas, some of the characters from Down by the River have returned. I like this! However, you do not have to read Down by the River to enjoy A Smoky Mountain Christmas.
Veda Trent is back in Townsend, Tennessee after her shop failed in St. Augustine, Florida and the death of her beloved aunt. Veda has stepped into her aunt's shoes at the crafts co-op in Townsend. She has also been reunited with her childhood love, Reese. Reese has a young daughter from a failed marriage. The failed marriage was to a woman that Veda disliked intensely when they were growing up and was the reason that Veda had not returned earlier. Can Veda and Reese rekindle the feelings they once had for each other? Can Veda forgive Reese for his earlier mistake?
It's Christmas and there is mountain magic in the air! Great story!
I am going to focus my review on just one of the stories: A Smoky Mountain Christmas Gift by Lin Stepp. I became a fan of Lin Stepp earlier this year I read Stepp's Down by the River. Her stories are based in the Smoky Mountains and are Christian romances.
In A Smoky Mountain Christmas, some of the characters from Down by the River have returned. I like this! However, you do not have to read Down by the River to enjoy A Smoky Mountain Christmas.
Veda Trent is back in Townsend, Tennessee after her shop failed in St. Augustine, Florida and the death of her beloved aunt. Veda has stepped into her aunt's shoes at the crafts co-op in Townsend. She has also been reunited with her childhood love, Reese. Reese has a young daughter from a failed marriage. The failed marriage was to a woman that Veda disliked intensely when they were growing up and was the reason that Veda had not returned earlier. Can Veda and Reese rekindle the feelings they once had for each other? Can Veda forgive Reese for his earlier mistake?
It's Christmas and there is mountain magic in the air! Great story!
October 23, 2014
Another great anthology of Christmas stories- perfect for the lead up to the festive season. It's a great way to try out different authors- and we get a change of pace with the featured writers. The book is great at creating a warm, fuzzy feeling and perfect for curling up on a winter evening. The Fern Michael's story was my favourite one- and her name drew me to select this one.
Many thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this one.
Many thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this one.
November 14, 2014
These stories are rather nice, but honestly I just can't get into them. They don't bring the feeling of the season to the forefront for me.
December 17, 2014
3.5!!! A great grouping of Christmas short stories!!
December 3, 2021
Actual rating: 2.06 stars averaged.
I’m going to try to keep this short and sweet since I don’t want to waste any more time on this collection of short stories than I already have. I picked this one up at a library sale a few month ago and bought it because...obviously, Christmas. This collection was published in 2014, but somehow feels like it should have been published in the 1990s. Except for the first story which is actually the one I rated the highest. Let’s break it down:
Story #1 was Candy Canes and Cupid which I rated 2.5 stars. And yes, that does mean that the highest rating any of these stories got from me was 2.5 stars. The fuck. This story is about a man and a woman who fly, separately, to Colorado to help a friend with a hacker at his multibillion dollar business. They catch the bad guy and get together. Kind of cute with some rich people drama. But overall I didn’t feel the romance and the writing was clunky.
Story #2 was White Hot Christmas which I rated 2 stars. This was neither white hot nor Christmassy. In this one we follow a private eye as she and her partner work to help two former classmates out of a jam. They work to prove that they’re being scammed. As well, the main character’s life is just falling apart completely which I hate reading. I read to escape the real world. Stop trying to shove the real world back in my face. Also, this romance was so lack luster that I wouldn’t call it a romance. It’s a mystery story where you can kind of find a romance if you squint.
Story #3 was Seven Days of Christmas which I rated 2.25 stars. This is the perfect holiday romance if you’re a masochist and love angst. We spend more than half of the story watching the main character and another character fall in love only for him to die hours after they get engaged. Several years later, the main character starts to have a romance with a widower but I was so not invested in their love story by that point that it didn’t have an impact on me. I will say that this one upped the Christmas stakes a bit so we have to give it points for that.
Story #4 was A Smoky Mountain Gift which I rated 1.5 stars. The least favorite out of this whole collection. I struggled with this one mostly for the writing style and the telling, not showing, of almost all aspects of the story. I didn’t feel the romance because I never saw the romance. I just had a sentence here or there about how conflicted the main character felt about moving back to her small town because she likes him but wants to make the right decision for herself, not just to be with some guy. Also, the writer either never spent a second in a small Southern town or they have and want to make sure the reader is shoved face first into those stereotypes. From “aw, shucks, ma” to “bless her heart” we dive head first into that way of speaking and it got on my nerves. Coming from an actual small Southern town, I have to say that people who aren’t from there need to stop writing stories set there. You have no fucking clue what it’s actually like and it shows. Where’s the racism? Where’s the bigotry? Where’s the obvious dislike for outsiders?
This was obviously a bad time for me but maybe it would work for someone else? I can’t see how it would though.
I’m going to try to keep this short and sweet since I don’t want to waste any more time on this collection of short stories than I already have. I picked this one up at a library sale a few month ago and bought it because...obviously, Christmas. This collection was published in 2014, but somehow feels like it should have been published in the 1990s. Except for the first story which is actually the one I rated the highest. Let’s break it down:
Story #1 was Candy Canes and Cupid which I rated 2.5 stars. And yes, that does mean that the highest rating any of these stories got from me was 2.5 stars. The fuck. This story is about a man and a woman who fly, separately, to Colorado to help a friend with a hacker at his multibillion dollar business. They catch the bad guy and get together. Kind of cute with some rich people drama. But overall I didn’t feel the romance and the writing was clunky.
Story #2 was White Hot Christmas which I rated 2 stars. This was neither white hot nor Christmassy. In this one we follow a private eye as she and her partner work to help two former classmates out of a jam. They work to prove that they’re being scammed. As well, the main character’s life is just falling apart completely which I hate reading. I read to escape the real world. Stop trying to shove the real world back in my face. Also, this romance was so lack luster that I wouldn’t call it a romance. It’s a mystery story where you can kind of find a romance if you squint.
Story #3 was Seven Days of Christmas which I rated 2.25 stars. This is the perfect holiday romance if you’re a masochist and love angst. We spend more than half of the story watching the main character and another character fall in love only for him to die hours after they get engaged. Several years later, the main character starts to have a romance with a widower but I was so not invested in their love story by that point that it didn’t have an impact on me. I will say that this one upped the Christmas stakes a bit so we have to give it points for that.
Story #4 was A Smoky Mountain Gift which I rated 1.5 stars. The least favorite out of this whole collection. I struggled with this one mostly for the writing style and the telling, not showing, of almost all aspects of the story. I didn’t feel the romance because I never saw the romance. I just had a sentence here or there about how conflicted the main character felt about moving back to her small town because she likes him but wants to make the right decision for herself, not just to be with some guy. Also, the writer either never spent a second in a small Southern town or they have and want to make sure the reader is shoved face first into those stereotypes. From “aw, shucks, ma” to “bless her heart” we dive head first into that way of speaking and it got on my nerves. Coming from an actual small Southern town, I have to say that people who aren’t from there need to stop writing stories set there. You have no fucking clue what it’s actually like and it shows. Where’s the racism? Where’s the bigotry? Where’s the obvious dislike for outsiders?
This was obviously a bad time for me but maybe it would work for someone else? I can’t see how it would though.
January 21, 2019
A short story collection of four books, all focused on the theme of Christmas romance.
Candy Canes and Cupid by Fern Michaels
The story was your typical hot-girl meets rich-hot-guy, but even more over-the-top, because Christmas! Not that I didn't wish I could be in Hannah's place. It just seems all too convenient that a private investigator can also double as a supermodel, who picks up skiing on her very first try. Riiiight.
White Hot Christmas by Nancy Bush
I like the premise that Jane is a PI who has a secret crush on her boss. But the story falls apart from there. Jane herself is a pretty annoying main character, but that is nothing on the supporting characters. I couldn't handle her client/"friend".
Seven Days of Christmas by Rosanna Chiofalo
This novella definitely wasn't what I was expecting. It was part romance, part grieving. The story was nice enough, I just don't think it's wise to get over one guy by falling in love with another. Especially since it had been five years.
A Smoky Mountain Christmas by Lin Stepp
This was probably my favorite story... until the ending. The author tried to bring in these mystical elements that just didn't fit with the rest of the story.
Audiobook notes: Kate Rudd is a decent enough narrator, but her pronunciation of some words were awkward - like just trailing off at the end of words. Also, she decided to randomly add some accents for some characters, but not consistently, which was distracting.
Candy Canes and Cupid by Fern Michaels
The story was your typical hot-girl meets rich-hot-guy, but even more over-the-top, because Christmas! Not that I didn't wish I could be in Hannah's place. It just seems all too convenient that a private investigator can also double as a supermodel, who picks up skiing on her very first try. Riiiight.
White Hot Christmas by Nancy Bush
I like the premise that Jane is a PI who has a secret crush on her boss. But the story falls apart from there. Jane herself is a pretty annoying main character, but that is nothing on the supporting characters. I couldn't handle her client/"friend".
Seven Days of Christmas by Rosanna Chiofalo
This novella definitely wasn't what I was expecting. It was part romance, part grieving. The story was nice enough, I just don't think it's wise to get over one guy by falling in love with another. Especially since it had been five years.
A Smoky Mountain Christmas by Lin Stepp
This was probably my favorite story... until the ending. The author tried to bring in these mystical elements that just didn't fit with the rest of the story.
Audiobook notes: Kate Rudd is a decent enough narrator, but her pronunciation of some words were awkward - like just trailing off at the end of words. Also, she decided to randomly add some accents for some characters, but not consistently, which was distracting.
December 25, 2022
Okay. Is the best word for this anthology.
The Fern Michael's story felt rushed. The characters were set up as interesting and there was a mystery element that a whole lot of gumshoe promise but in the end Michael's only had so many pages and the story didn't get the attention it deserved. However, I did like returning to Maximum Glide and characters that had been introduced in previous stories. That is always fun.
White Hot .... something was the next story. It .. was ... distinctly meh. I kept waiting for something to happen. Anything. I think it might have been better if I had a relationship with the characters from their previous stories but they were new to me. The case in this one was interesting but shook out too quickly and romance felt pretty ... non-existent.
Seven Days of Christmas was beautiful and I cried pretty much the whole story. It sets up early that there is going to be a tragic event. You know it (especially if you read the back of the book) and you feel it happening then your heart just breaks. Mine broke several times throughout the story. Very reminiscent of "P.S I Love You".
Smokey Mountain Christmas was the most typical of all the stories. I liked it because its what I had been expecting from the rest of the book. Just a sweet, poignant second chance love story. I am always a sucked for a story that gives the characters a longer history. For me it makes the feelings seem more grounded.
In the end - it was okay. I read it without much enthusiasm and was happy to hit the end.
The Fern Michael's story felt rushed. The characters were set up as interesting and there was a mystery element that a whole lot of gumshoe promise but in the end Michael's only had so many pages and the story didn't get the attention it deserved. However, I did like returning to Maximum Glide and characters that had been introduced in previous stories. That is always fun.
White Hot .... something was the next story. It .. was ... distinctly meh. I kept waiting for something to happen. Anything. I think it might have been better if I had a relationship with the characters from their previous stories but they were new to me. The case in this one was interesting but shook out too quickly and romance felt pretty ... non-existent.
Seven Days of Christmas was beautiful and I cried pretty much the whole story. It sets up early that there is going to be a tragic event. You know it (especially if you read the back of the book) and you feel it happening then your heart just breaks. Mine broke several times throughout the story. Very reminiscent of "P.S I Love You".
Smokey Mountain Christmas was the most typical of all the stories. I liked it because its what I had been expecting from the rest of the book. Just a sweet, poignant second chance love story. I am always a sucked for a story that gives the characters a longer history. For me it makes the feelings seem more grounded.
In the end - it was okay. I read it without much enthusiasm and was happy to hit the end.
January 13, 2015
When the Snow Falls is a quartet of Christmas novellas that I picked up at Walmart during Boxing Week. Even though Christmas is over, they are good stories and I wanted to share my thoughts about them. If you're looking for something light to read, this is the ticket!
The first story in the book is the draw. It's called Candy Canes and Cupid and it's by Fern Michaels. It's a light-hearted romance about a Florida girl transplanted to an upscale ski resort in the high mountains of Colorado for Christmas, a holiday which she resents since her birthday is Christmas Eve, and her widower father always gave her presents in Christmas paper rather than birthday wrap. She runs a PI firm, and the ski resort, owned by Max, the husband of a good friend, is being ripped off big time. Max's wife runs a shelter for battered women and Hannah Ray owes her a favour, so here she is in the freezing cold (which she loathes) when she could be lying on the beach in front of her Fort Myers condo. While the digital theft is real, Max is playing Cupid; he has also called in his good friend Liam McConnell, the best in the information security field. Also from Florida, Liam is an unpretentious, 6-foot-something, 40-year-old who arrives at the Denver airport in his Lear jet dressed in jeans and runners with no socks and waits for Max's limo to pick him up. The woman in the back seat is a pleasant surprise despite the fact she is obviously a bit cranky -- tired, cold, & hungry. As the project progresses, Liam and Hannah are thrown together and, despite a rocky beginning, hit it off. Almost all of the employees at the resort are suspect in the theft, and it gets a bit tense while the two sleuths narrow it down. There are some interesting characters thrown into the mix and some serious luxury that doesn't quite seem real world, but it's a quick read romance that is fine escapism.
The second story -- White Hot Christmas by Nancy Bush -- is another female PI, Jane Kelly, at the other extreme of the financial scene. She has a smouldering crush on her almost-partner and mentor, Dwayne Durbin, and his "slow-talkin', slow-walkin' cowboy style and his blue eyes, dry wit and humor". Set in Oregon, a white Christmas is just a week away, Dwayne has just moved their office out of his cabana and into a small building in the city, and Jane's bank account is almost on empty. This is a first person narrative that picks up as it goes along. The beginning gives us a running dialogue between Jane and her conscience, and you wonder for a bit when the story is going to actually get started. Once it does, it's pretty good. Lots of action and tension as Jane starts to remember why she didn't like her new client when they were in high school together, and the person she is supposed to interview on the client's behalf turns out to be the lady who gives her the middle finger when Jane edges her out of a parking spot at her workplace. There are several complications along the way that make it interesting and it turns out to be a quick read that ends rather well, even if it does send off some alarm bells for an upcoming episode in the life of Jane Kelly, P. I. Nancy also co-authors romance suspense novels with her sister, Lisa Jackson.
The third story is totally different from the first two except that most of it takes place at various Christmases. The main character in Seven Days of Christmas by Rosanna Chiofalo, is an Italian veterinary technician named Bianca (white) because she was born on Christmas Eve during a blizzard. It is Christmas Eve again. The time when her family celebrates the Feast of the Seven Fish and her older brothers, both architects, bring their boss home to share in the festivities so he won't work all evening and into the night. Romance is in the air. I liked the last half of this story better than the first. What is there about a first person romance narrative that tends to come off sounding a bit narcissistic? This particular romance also required a bit more than usual of the "willing suspension of disbelief". Part of the story was set in Innsbruck which made it kind of fun, being led through all the tourist sights and special Christmas activities. There was some fairly obvious foreshadowing as the first part was coming to an event that would bring about change, so the change wasn't too much of a surprise. But the last part of the story, which contained a strong element of the paranormal, was much more convincing and touching, as we watched Bianca struggle to come to terms with the difficulties that had arisen. What I truly enjoyed, though, was the author's "Dear Reader" at the end where she talked about her own experiences with the paranormal which were both interesting and believable.
The fourth story -- A Smoky Mountain Gift by Lin Stepp -- has to be my favourite of the quartet. It's just a sweet romance about down-to-earth, believable characters with all their wistful memories, jealousies, and community connections that come together to make a memorable Christmas tale. In addition, there are wonderful descriptions that make the various parts of the rural community come to life -- the craft co-op, the Christmas tree farm, the church, the Mimosa Inn, and the old-style Texaco station and museum. After Aunt Rita Jean dies, Veda's antique store in Florida is heading for liquidation, and when she learns that the craft co-op founded by her aunt is falling into difficulties, she returns home to live with her Uncle Sutton and run the co-op while looking for a new, more personal venture for herself. Despite the awkwardness she feels around her old sweetheart, Reese (who had married her rival), Veda is determined to adopt a positive outlook on what she believes will be a brief stay -- just long enough to get the co-op running smoothly again, and for the board to find a new manager. Veda has never quite felt like she belonged in the small Smoky Mountain community, but being half Cherokee and a first daughter, her aunt had always told her that she "[carried] the gift of hearing the wind sing if she will listen". Perhaps, if she can hear the wind sing, she will finally know where she belongs, and have the kind of Christmas she has always longed for. I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
The first story in the book is the draw. It's called Candy Canes and Cupid and it's by Fern Michaels. It's a light-hearted romance about a Florida girl transplanted to an upscale ski resort in the high mountains of Colorado for Christmas, a holiday which she resents since her birthday is Christmas Eve, and her widower father always gave her presents in Christmas paper rather than birthday wrap. She runs a PI firm, and the ski resort, owned by Max, the husband of a good friend, is being ripped off big time. Max's wife runs a shelter for battered women and Hannah Ray owes her a favour, so here she is in the freezing cold (which she loathes) when she could be lying on the beach in front of her Fort Myers condo. While the digital theft is real, Max is playing Cupid; he has also called in his good friend Liam McConnell, the best in the information security field. Also from Florida, Liam is an unpretentious, 6-foot-something, 40-year-old who arrives at the Denver airport in his Lear jet dressed in jeans and runners with no socks and waits for Max's limo to pick him up. The woman in the back seat is a pleasant surprise despite the fact she is obviously a bit cranky -- tired, cold, & hungry. As the project progresses, Liam and Hannah are thrown together and, despite a rocky beginning, hit it off. Almost all of the employees at the resort are suspect in the theft, and it gets a bit tense while the two sleuths narrow it down. There are some interesting characters thrown into the mix and some serious luxury that doesn't quite seem real world, but it's a quick read romance that is fine escapism.
The second story -- White Hot Christmas by Nancy Bush -- is another female PI, Jane Kelly, at the other extreme of the financial scene. She has a smouldering crush on her almost-partner and mentor, Dwayne Durbin, and his "slow-talkin', slow-walkin' cowboy style and his blue eyes, dry wit and humor". Set in Oregon, a white Christmas is just a week away, Dwayne has just moved their office out of his cabana and into a small building in the city, and Jane's bank account is almost on empty. This is a first person narrative that picks up as it goes along. The beginning gives us a running dialogue between Jane and her conscience, and you wonder for a bit when the story is going to actually get started. Once it does, it's pretty good. Lots of action and tension as Jane starts to remember why she didn't like her new client when they were in high school together, and the person she is supposed to interview on the client's behalf turns out to be the lady who gives her the middle finger when Jane edges her out of a parking spot at her workplace. There are several complications along the way that make it interesting and it turns out to be a quick read that ends rather well, even if it does send off some alarm bells for an upcoming episode in the life of Jane Kelly, P. I. Nancy also co-authors romance suspense novels with her sister, Lisa Jackson.
The third story is totally different from the first two except that most of it takes place at various Christmases. The main character in Seven Days of Christmas by Rosanna Chiofalo, is an Italian veterinary technician named Bianca (white) because she was born on Christmas Eve during a blizzard. It is Christmas Eve again. The time when her family celebrates the Feast of the Seven Fish and her older brothers, both architects, bring their boss home to share in the festivities so he won't work all evening and into the night. Romance is in the air. I liked the last half of this story better than the first. What is there about a first person romance narrative that tends to come off sounding a bit narcissistic? This particular romance also required a bit more than usual of the "willing suspension of disbelief". Part of the story was set in Innsbruck which made it kind of fun, being led through all the tourist sights and special Christmas activities. There was some fairly obvious foreshadowing as the first part was coming to an event that would bring about change, so the change wasn't too much of a surprise. But the last part of the story, which contained a strong element of the paranormal, was much more convincing and touching, as we watched Bianca struggle to come to terms with the difficulties that had arisen. What I truly enjoyed, though, was the author's "Dear Reader" at the end where she talked about her own experiences with the paranormal which were both interesting and believable.
The fourth story -- A Smoky Mountain Gift by Lin Stepp -- has to be my favourite of the quartet. It's just a sweet romance about down-to-earth, believable characters with all their wistful memories, jealousies, and community connections that come together to make a memorable Christmas tale. In addition, there are wonderful descriptions that make the various parts of the rural community come to life -- the craft co-op, the Christmas tree farm, the church, the Mimosa Inn, and the old-style Texaco station and museum. After Aunt Rita Jean dies, Veda's antique store in Florida is heading for liquidation, and when she learns that the craft co-op founded by her aunt is falling into difficulties, she returns home to live with her Uncle Sutton and run the co-op while looking for a new, more personal venture for herself. Despite the awkwardness she feels around her old sweetheart, Reese (who had married her rival), Veda is determined to adopt a positive outlook on what she believes will be a brief stay -- just long enough to get the co-op running smoothly again, and for the board to find a new manager. Veda has never quite felt like she belonged in the small Smoky Mountain community, but being half Cherokee and a first daughter, her aunt had always told her that she "[carried] the gift of hearing the wind sing if she will listen". Perhaps, if she can hear the wind sing, she will finally know where she belongs, and have the kind of Christmas she has always longed for. I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
February 2, 2022
I have never read a book with multiple authors short stories. I was surprised when reading When the Snow Falls, which includes four short and different stories how much I enjoyed this concept. I honestly wanted the stories to continue and be a full book.
Two of the four stories were my favorite -
“Candy Canes and Cupid” by Fern Michaels fun detective focused story that takes place in Colorado. The characters were very well written with a good amount of drama and suspense. Also the descriptions of the scenery of Colorado and skiing was fun to divulge in.
“Seven Days of Christmas” by Rosanna Chiofalo was also a great book. I have not read anything from this author, and really enjoyed this story that took place in Innsbruck, Austria. This is a holiday based, heartwarming story of Mark and Bianca that includes their infatuation for each other and then sudden loss. The second part of this story was on hope and living your best life.
Two of the four stories were my favorite -
“Candy Canes and Cupid” by Fern Michaels fun detective focused story that takes place in Colorado. The characters were very well written with a good amount of drama and suspense. Also the descriptions of the scenery of Colorado and skiing was fun to divulge in.
“Seven Days of Christmas” by Rosanna Chiofalo was also a great book. I have not read anything from this author, and really enjoyed this story that took place in Innsbruck, Austria. This is a holiday based, heartwarming story of Mark and Bianca that includes their infatuation for each other and then sudden loss. The second part of this story was on hope and living your best life.
July 26, 2017
Denise, Central patron, July 2017, 4 stars:
Candy Canes and Cupid: Two people with law degrees are doing undercover work and they are together in Colorado where it is so cold. They learn that the cold isn't so bad after all.
White Hot Christmas: A woman kisses her boss and now that is all she thinks about!!! Him too it seems.
Seven Days to Christmas: Bianca received a trip to Innsbruck, Austria from her boyfriend but unfortunately something terrible happens while they are there and this talks about that time.
A Smoky Mountain Gift: This takes place in Townsend, Tennessee which holds a lot of unhappy memories for Veda Trent. She has come back because of her uncle Rita Jean's death and to learn how to "listen to the winds."
Candy Canes and Cupid: Two people with law degrees are doing undercover work and they are together in Colorado where it is so cold. They learn that the cold isn't so bad after all.
White Hot Christmas: A woman kisses her boss and now that is all she thinks about!!! Him too it seems.
Seven Days to Christmas: Bianca received a trip to Innsbruck, Austria from her boyfriend but unfortunately something terrible happens while they are there and this talks about that time.
A Smoky Mountain Gift: This takes place in Townsend, Tennessee which holds a lot of unhappy memories for Veda Trent. She has come back because of her uncle Rita Jean's death and to learn how to "listen to the winds."
November 26, 2017
The only redeeming quality I found about this book was the section called White Hot Christmas by Nancy Bush. I really enjoyed this Novella type story continuing the Jane Kelly mystery series. Thus section rates 5 star in my opinion. The remainder of this book can only be described as romance that I really couldn't get enjoy. I kept thinking maybe I would find a new mystery author on the level of Nancy Bush and her sister Lisa Jackson. But that was not to be found. So, if romance is your thing this may be your cup of tea. However for us mystery readers, there's only one section that that's going to be enjoyable to us. I'm really surprised I tolerated the other sections to actually finish this book. Again, Nancy Bush, I give you 5 stars!!! More Have Kelly please.
April 14, 2025
I really only picked this up for one story, “White Hot Christmas” by Nancy Bush. It's a PI Jane Kelly short story that continues where the preceding trilogy (Candy Apple Red; Electric Blue; and Ultraviolet) left off.
I liked the story a lot, and as the old saying goes "it left me wanting more." But, alas it seems from what Ms. Bush wrote at the end of the story, that she's moved on to other series and has no plans at this time on returning to Jane Kelly stories.
I didn't bother reading the other three stories because the synopses seemed to indicate they were more romances than the cozy mystery-type stories I prefer to read.
I liked the story a lot, and as the old saying goes "it left me wanting more." But, alas it seems from what Ms. Bush wrote at the end of the story, that she's moved on to other series and has no plans at this time on returning to Jane Kelly stories.
I didn't bother reading the other three stories because the synopses seemed to indicate they were more romances than the cozy mystery-type stories I prefer to read.
August 6, 2017
Got this on the Kindle
This was an awful book so much so I never finished it
The 1st story while it wasn't that good as it repeats about her birthday being on Christmas Eve & the owner of the ski resort the person who did it the name was just suddenly there saying this is who it is & who they are
The 2nd story well if that how Jane is i never have her for a PI it was a rubbish story & didn't enjoy it at all
By this time i got so fed up with reading such rubbish which i felt a shool child could have done better i gave up
If i could leave a minus star on the overal book i would
This was an awful book so much so I never finished it
The 1st story while it wasn't that good as it repeats about her birthday being on Christmas Eve & the owner of the ski resort the person who did it the name was just suddenly there saying this is who it is & who they are
The 2nd story well if that how Jane is i never have her for a PI it was a rubbish story & didn't enjoy it at all
By this time i got so fed up with reading such rubbish which i felt a shool child could have done better i gave up
If i could leave a minus star on the overal book i would
October 30, 2018
Perfect light romance in the Telluride mountain top. Is the first of four novellas! Oops the rating plunges.
Second novella by Nancy Bush novella is trash talking which I stopped reading. After two chapters. A shame to muck up a book, Now I’m wondering if the last two are also wanna be authors who for lack of a good vocabulary will resort to foul language. Totally uncalled for!
The third and fourth authors failed to deliver. My first experience with a good author allowing third rate authors to tag along, poor decisions. Ruined the taste. Sorry, honest opinion.
Second novella by Nancy Bush novella is trash talking which I stopped reading. After two chapters. A shame to muck up a book, Now I’m wondering if the last two are also wanna be authors who for lack of a good vocabulary will resort to foul language. Totally uncalled for!
The third and fourth authors failed to deliver. My first experience with a good author allowing third rate authors to tag along, poor decisions. Ruined the taste. Sorry, honest opinion.
April 28, 2023
Beautiful set of short stories
Each story is a wonderful tale by itself. Tears were nerdy plentiful in the story set in The Alps. Experiencing the loss of her fiancé WHILE ON A WONDROUS vacation was devastating to Bianca. After 5 years she is still torn to pieces. Her healing is a wonder to behold with the support of Jack. The final story takes me back to my hometown, Townsend , TN. This was a fantastic journey and joyful. A beautiful journey.
Each story is a wonderful tale by itself. Tears were nerdy plentiful in the story set in The Alps. Experiencing the loss of her fiancé WHILE ON A WONDROUS vacation was devastating to Bianca. After 5 years she is still torn to pieces. Her healing is a wonder to behold with the support of Jack. The final story takes me back to my hometown, Townsend , TN. This was a fantastic journey and joyful. A beautiful journey.
May 22, 2017
just so bad and cheesy. And because they are actually 4 short stories it is even worse because they try to squeeze whole book of cheese in even shorter amount of space so no room for an actual story.
December 12, 2019
I loved this book of short stories by different authors. Each story was just long enough to read like a whole book, but not so long that time was wasted on annoying, boring filler material. Try this book this holiday season; you’ll be glad that you did!
February 2, 2022
This is a collection of four romance stories, two have to do with private investigators, one is about loss at Christmas, and the fourth is about someone who only came home to help out for a short time. All where very good.
February 23, 2022
i liked all these stories except for Rosanna Chic0falo's 'Seven days of Christmas"- i managed to read it thru the first half, but really got bored when i saw where she was headed with the story- so tired of 'ghosts' in romance stories, but mainly just found it boring.
September 25, 2025
The novellas in this anthology vary in strength. Some I would rate as a 3 or even a high 2. Others are a solid 4 or nearly a 5.
What I particularly enjoyed about this book was the variety of authors. Most of them were new to me and I look forward to reading their full length novels.
What I particularly enjoyed about this book was the variety of authors. Most of them were new to me and I look forward to reading their full length novels.
January 3, 2017
Well the snow was falling at my house to start 2017, so it seemed like a good time to read these stories
July 11, 2017
I have read several of Fern Michaels' books hoping that I will finally understand why she is such a popular author. I give up. Her style does nothing for me as a reader.
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