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Mysterious Ways #1
White as Snow: A Christmas Story
' White As Snow is a novel for all ages about the power of miracles and the bonds of trust...transformational and heartwarming.' -Midwest Book Review
COLORADO TERRITORY 1864. Charlie is all alone on the ranch that sits between the empty prairie and the Rocky Mountains. As the orphaned boy cares for his dying grandpa and tries to figure out how to survive the approaching winter, he keeps remembering the old man's 'Failure's not an option, son.' As the first storm of the season hits, a mysterious mountain man shows up at the isolated ranch and good things start to happen. But to get free of his one gnawing secret, Charlie must learn to trust the giant stranger. On Christmas day he learns that trusting means he'll never have to be alone again.
COLORADO TERRITORY 1864. Charlie is all alone on the ranch that sits between the empty prairie and the Rocky Mountains. As the orphaned boy cares for his dying grandpa and tries to figure out how to survive the approaching winter, he keeps remembering the old man's 'Failure's not an option, son.' As the first storm of the season hits, a mysterious mountain man shows up at the isolated ranch and good things start to happen. But to get free of his one gnawing secret, Charlie must learn to trust the giant stranger. On Christmas day he learns that trusting means he'll never have to be alone again.
144 pages, Paperback
First published September 25, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 13, 2012
Being a new transplant to Colorado, I was first interested in this book because of its setting, but although that's interesting, it was the story itself that kept me reading. I could see where it was headed a short way in - nothing super surprising - but I still enjoyed the characters and the plot. The book had a slow pace to it - not boring, but to me it was meant to be enjoyed and not zipped through. One of the first books I read on my new Kindle, and I was not disappointed.
December 19, 2009
Donna Westover Gallup is a master storyteller. Her book “White as Snow: A Christmas Story” will keep you wanting to turn to the next page and keep reading. The chapters of the book are fairly short. It is an excellent book for both adults and children as young as 10 to read for themselves. You could read one chapter a night to your children or grandchildren. The book appeals to all ages. It is simply wonderful!
The story is set in the Colorado territory in 1864. The author provides excellent characters. There is Charlie. For about the first half of the book I was curious as to his age. I knew he was a young boy and through the story I learned he was barely taller than the two-headed axe he was trying to use. Only later did I learn he was ten years old. We learned his age when he answered the question, “How old are you boy?”
The next person in the story is Gramps. For most of the story Gramps is in bed, fighting for his life. Charlie, his grandson, cares for him by mimicking the care he received from his late grandma when he was sick. Only later in the story do we learn Gramps is battling pneumonia.
With Gramps sick and winter coming on Charlie has to care for himself, the farm and Gramps. Through a series of well written remembrances or flashbacks we meet the 9th Kansas Cavalry of the US Army that has come down from Fort Collins to buy cattle from Gramps. We see Charlie drawing from his memory lessons that Gramps and his grandma had taught him that sustain him though this tough time. We have reflections on attending a camp meeting revival with the evangelist, not the circuit preacher. We have reflections of visiting the neighbors and their four children who live in a one room cabin.
We see how the training up of a child in the ways of the Lord helps him in these tough times. The book has a scary scene in it. Charlie has taken “Old Blue” which is his grandfather gun. He has been told not to use it, though Gramps has been teaching him with the gun. He barely escapes death during an attack by a grizzly bear who he believes is defending her cubs from him. The scene was so well written it had my heart racing and the palms of my hands sweaty. Throughout the book we see Charlie dealing with the guilt he felt for disobeying Gramps and taking the big, heavy gun. And he loses the gun in his encounter with the mama Grizzly bear.
Charlie is losing hope and faith. He cries out to God. At just that perfect time as his supplies are running low and he is ready to give up, a giant mountain man, named Jess, shows up riding a giant horse, named Goliath. Jess able to help him. He teaches Charlie that God has not abandoned him. He shows that things could actually have been worse if he wasn't praying. Jess helps restore Charlie's faith and helps him to get the ranch back in order.
Jess and Charlie share the same birthday. Jess makes this a Christmas to remember as he gets them a Christmas tree, the first one they have had since Grandma died. He cooks a Christmas feast for them, and they even find and us Grandma’s good china for the meal. Gramps recovers and Jess simply vanishes.
The novel is inspirational fiction at its best. The book has a happy ending. I was left wondering if the big mountain man Jess was real or an angel sent from God to help Charlie and Gramps at their time of need.
Donna Westover Gallup has a way with words. There is beauty in her descriptions. Her writing is has a poetic flow to it. While the book might interest people with spiritual beliefs, it can be a heartening account for everybody else. Five Stars and a big hug for the author is my rating for the book. Donna Westover Gallup did real well in writing this book. "White as Snow" is book one of the “Mysterious Ways Series.” Book two is” Rock of Refuge.” Book three is “In Green Pastures.” I have book two and three on my desk ready to read next.
The story is set in the Colorado territory in 1864. The author provides excellent characters. There is Charlie. For about the first half of the book I was curious as to his age. I knew he was a young boy and through the story I learned he was barely taller than the two-headed axe he was trying to use. Only later did I learn he was ten years old. We learned his age when he answered the question, “How old are you boy?”
The next person in the story is Gramps. For most of the story Gramps is in bed, fighting for his life. Charlie, his grandson, cares for him by mimicking the care he received from his late grandma when he was sick. Only later in the story do we learn Gramps is battling pneumonia.
With Gramps sick and winter coming on Charlie has to care for himself, the farm and Gramps. Through a series of well written remembrances or flashbacks we meet the 9th Kansas Cavalry of the US Army that has come down from Fort Collins to buy cattle from Gramps. We see Charlie drawing from his memory lessons that Gramps and his grandma had taught him that sustain him though this tough time. We have reflections on attending a camp meeting revival with the evangelist, not the circuit preacher. We have reflections of visiting the neighbors and their four children who live in a one room cabin.
We see how the training up of a child in the ways of the Lord helps him in these tough times. The book has a scary scene in it. Charlie has taken “Old Blue” which is his grandfather gun. He has been told not to use it, though Gramps has been teaching him with the gun. He barely escapes death during an attack by a grizzly bear who he believes is defending her cubs from him. The scene was so well written it had my heart racing and the palms of my hands sweaty. Throughout the book we see Charlie dealing with the guilt he felt for disobeying Gramps and taking the big, heavy gun. And he loses the gun in his encounter with the mama Grizzly bear.
Charlie is losing hope and faith. He cries out to God. At just that perfect time as his supplies are running low and he is ready to give up, a giant mountain man, named Jess, shows up riding a giant horse, named Goliath. Jess able to help him. He teaches Charlie that God has not abandoned him. He shows that things could actually have been worse if he wasn't praying. Jess helps restore Charlie's faith and helps him to get the ranch back in order.
Jess and Charlie share the same birthday. Jess makes this a Christmas to remember as he gets them a Christmas tree, the first one they have had since Grandma died. He cooks a Christmas feast for them, and they even find and us Grandma’s good china for the meal. Gramps recovers and Jess simply vanishes.
The novel is inspirational fiction at its best. The book has a happy ending. I was left wondering if the big mountain man Jess was real or an angel sent from God to help Charlie and Gramps at their time of need.
Donna Westover Gallup has a way with words. There is beauty in her descriptions. Her writing is has a poetic flow to it. While the book might interest people with spiritual beliefs, it can be a heartening account for everybody else. Five Stars and a big hug for the author is my rating for the book. Donna Westover Gallup did real well in writing this book. "White as Snow" is book one of the “Mysterious Ways Series.” Book two is” Rock of Refuge.” Book three is “In Green Pastures.” I have book two and three on my desk ready to read next.
March 1, 2012
Charlie is all by himself and feeling very overwhelmed with everything that needs to be done. Charlies lives with his grandpa on a small ranch in Colorado Territory. Right now his grandpa is sick, he went to sleep and hasn't woken up yet. Charlie needs to figure out how to get the things they will need to get through the winter, but doesn't know how to do so many of the things that are necessary. On one excursion out to find game Charlie is attacked by a bear. He makes it back to the cabin, but is afraid he won't make it through the next couple of days. He cries out to God in his desperation.
Then a mysterious stranger by the name of Jess shows up to help. He brings a sense of peace and security to the small boy. He helps Charlie cope with his fears and concerns. He explains how God heard his prayers even though it felt like he wasn't listening.
This is a wonderful touching story. At first I wasn't sure I would like it. The the story grabbed my attention and I gotten wrapped up in the future of this forlorn little boy.
Then a mysterious stranger by the name of Jess shows up to help. He brings a sense of peace and security to the small boy. He helps Charlie cope with his fears and concerns. He explains how God heard his prayers even though it felt like he wasn't listening.
This is a wonderful touching story. At first I wasn't sure I would like it. The the story grabbed my attention and I gotten wrapped up in the future of this forlorn little boy.
December 26, 2011
This is one thoroughly gripping little novella about a ten year old boy struggling for his and his sick grandfather's survival, losing faith in a God who doesn't seem to care enough to answer his prayers. Anybody been there?
January 3, 2012
Really enjoyed this book. I will read the other two novellas that she has written with the same character Charlie as he grows into a man. This is fast paced and about a young boys trials while "Gramps" is sick and he feels lost and alone
May 21, 2012
Really good it s one of those God is always with you i really enjoyed it magical ending sad but true
July 17, 2017
White as snow: a Christmas story
Charlie has been living with his grandparents on their farm since he was 3. His grandmother died and things changed, it was only the two of them then.
His grandfather just keeps sleeping-has been asleep two weeks now with a fever and shallow breathing.Charlie fixed the fence so the cows wouldn't get out. They had sold some cows to the soldiers but hadn't spent the money for the winter supplies yet.
The wind is howling and he knows winter is coming. He hurts himself while doing the chores in the frozen land and tends to himself as best he can. He's only 10.
Something magical happens tthen-Jess appears and helps him do everything, teaches him to read the Bible, does chores, helps with winter food and even a Christmas tree. The real miracle happens when his grandfather starts to wake up.
Like who Jess represents in this book and how the Bible holds all the answers.
Charlie has been living with his grandparents on their farm since he was 3. His grandmother died and things changed, it was only the two of them then.
His grandfather just keeps sleeping-has been asleep two weeks now with a fever and shallow breathing.Charlie fixed the fence so the cows wouldn't get out. They had sold some cows to the soldiers but hadn't spent the money for the winter supplies yet.
The wind is howling and he knows winter is coming. He hurts himself while doing the chores in the frozen land and tends to himself as best he can. He's only 10.
Something magical happens tthen-Jess appears and helps him do everything, teaches him to read the Bible, does chores, helps with winter food and even a Christmas tree. The real miracle happens when his grandfather starts to wake up.
Like who Jess represents in this book and how the Bible holds all the answers.
September 4, 2019
Short and touching
Charlie is only 10 but he's having to learn to be a man because his grandpa took sick. It's hard in a boy trying to survive in Colorado as winter sets in. Then a mountain man comes into his life.
This short story is heartwarming. The author paints wonderful images of the scenery as she describes what is going on. Your heart will go out to Charlie as he struggles with many issues.
Charlie is only 10 but he's having to learn to be a man because his grandpa took sick. It's hard in a boy trying to survive in Colorado as winter sets in. Then a mountain man comes into his life.
This short story is heartwarming. The author paints wonderful images of the scenery as she describes what is going on. Your heart will go out to Charlie as he struggles with many issues.
December 20, 2017
I enjoyed this book. It was an easy read, with good story line that communicated some spiritual truths. I guessed who the mysterious visitor was pretty quickly and liked the way she depicted him as a man who was both strong and gentle. This is one book that can easily be read out load as a family.
January 2, 2025
This was an enjoyable, heart warming story. Perfect to read during the Christmas season. I must say I believe this is the most religious book I've ever read, yet it was the right amount, it didn't go overboard. I loved the characters in this story. This was a sweet, quiet, relaxing read. Quite enjoyable.
December 28, 2016
Heartwarming
+Enjoyed this short, heartwarming story. A reminder to never give up and to trust in the Lord. Thank you for that.
+Enjoyed this short, heartwarming story. A reminder to never give up and to trust in the Lord. Thank you for that.
November 23, 2017
Loving look at God's presence.
Well written, touching and so real. God is always there to hear us and answer our prayers. The true Christmas message.
Well written, touching and so real. God is always there to hear us and answer our prayers. The true Christmas message.
December 5, 2017
Great story!
Great story! Enjoyed it very much. I would recommend this book to anyone especially this time of year. I would read it again.
Great story! Enjoyed it very much. I would recommend this book to anyone especially this time of year. I would read it again.
January 1, 2016
SUMMARY: COLORADO TERRITORY 1864
Young Charlie is alone on the ranch that sits between the empty prairie and the Rocky Mountains. As he cares for his dying grandpa and tries to figure out how to survive the winter, he keeps remembering the old man's words: "Failure is not an option, son."
As the first storm of the season hits, a mysterious mountain man shows up at the isolated ranch and good things start to happen. But can Charlie learn to trust the giant stranger with his one terrible secret? On Christmas day he learns what trust really means.
An entertaining and heartwarming story for the entire family to enjoy during the holiday season and all year.
REVIEW: This is Ms Gallup's debut novel, and I absolutely loved it. Sweet, tender, and heartwarming, I could not help falling i love with both Charlie in his struggles to survive and the giant stranger who arrives to help young Charlie. She is a master storyteller that put me right into the story from beginning to end and kept me riveted to discover what would happen next. I think this would be a great family read aloud during the Christmas holidays and think that even young readers from about 8 up would love to hear this story.
Jess' discussions with Charlie regarding the Bible and Christianity flowed smoothly as part of their conversations and did not feel "preachy" at all. And their conversations with God felt natural. This story is warm, wonderful, and full of the spirit of Christmas; and the twist at the end was delightful. I definitely look forward to reading more of this series, Mysterious Ways.
FAVORITE QUOTES: "Sometimes...the Father works a little slower than we'd like Him to, 'cause He doesn't live by the same clock we do, but He always has a plan.
"before God shows up the outcome, He wants to make sure that everyone understands who gets the applause....God wants all the glory. He doesn't want confusion about who did what. He wants everyone to know that it was Him, that we owe the thanksgivin' to Him."
"The Good Book says that the Christmas star led men to Jesus after he was born. It also says that God's throne sits northward in the heavens. So in a sense the stars still provide a map to God."
Young Charlie is alone on the ranch that sits between the empty prairie and the Rocky Mountains. As he cares for his dying grandpa and tries to figure out how to survive the winter, he keeps remembering the old man's words: "Failure is not an option, son."
As the first storm of the season hits, a mysterious mountain man shows up at the isolated ranch and good things start to happen. But can Charlie learn to trust the giant stranger with his one terrible secret? On Christmas day he learns what trust really means.
An entertaining and heartwarming story for the entire family to enjoy during the holiday season and all year.
REVIEW: This is Ms Gallup's debut novel, and I absolutely loved it. Sweet, tender, and heartwarming, I could not help falling i love with both Charlie in his struggles to survive and the giant stranger who arrives to help young Charlie. She is a master storyteller that put me right into the story from beginning to end and kept me riveted to discover what would happen next. I think this would be a great family read aloud during the Christmas holidays and think that even young readers from about 8 up would love to hear this story.
Jess' discussions with Charlie regarding the Bible and Christianity flowed smoothly as part of their conversations and did not feel "preachy" at all. And their conversations with God felt natural. This story is warm, wonderful, and full of the spirit of Christmas; and the twist at the end was delightful. I definitely look forward to reading more of this series, Mysterious Ways.
FAVORITE QUOTES: "Sometimes...the Father works a little slower than we'd like Him to, 'cause He doesn't live by the same clock we do, but He always has a plan.
"before God shows up the outcome, He wants to make sure that everyone understands who gets the applause....God wants all the glory. He doesn't want confusion about who did what. He wants everyone to know that it was Him, that we owe the thanksgivin' to Him."
"The Good Book says that the Christmas star led men to Jesus after he was born. It also says that God's throne sits northward in the heavens. So in a sense the stars still provide a map to God."
July 26, 2016
by Donna Westover Gallup was an Amazon Kindle freebie Christmas novella.What a special and wonderful story. From the moment you meet Charlie, a boy who must now try his best to be a man. You will smile at his efforts. Want badly to tell him he *IS* doing good. That you are proud of him. You will be amazed at this child-man who is far tougher than he knows.
The story begins several weeks before Christmas and ends on Christmas Day. And relates as few books do not only Charlie’s story but the story of God’s love and what it truly meant to give us His Son.
There is one passage about the Christmas star that I plan to print and frame and from now on display at Christmas.
A wonderful Christmas story – please read. This one is very special.
A note to the author: God was with you from concept to completion. Your story contains one of the most beautiful if not perfect confessions of faith I’ve ever read.
January 9, 2012
A very Christian-themed novella set in 1864 Colorado.
Charlie, who will be 11 on Christmas, is overwhelmed when his grandfather falls sick. He won't wake up and is having trouble breathing. Although Charlie prays he is despairing. Charlie must care for the animals, milk the cow, feed the chickens, feed his grandfather and himself - all with no help. He's not allowed to touch his grandfather's gun but needs to hunt. When he's attacked by a bear he loses the gun and almost loses his life.
Then a giant of a man shows up. Jess is a mountain man; he's the biggest man Charlie has ever seen, riding the biggest horse, Goliath.
Charlie's faith is restored once Jess takes over the hardest chores and begins reading the Bible to him every night.
(We are meant to believe that Jess is the personification of Jesus who really did answer Charlie's prayers in the most practical manner.) Jess tells Charlie his birthday is Christmas day, too, and they celebrate with a tree and a few small gifts.
This was a very nice story, touching in parts. I'd have given it another star if it wasn't so fanciful.
Charlie, who will be 11 on Christmas, is overwhelmed when his grandfather falls sick. He won't wake up and is having trouble breathing. Although Charlie prays he is despairing. Charlie must care for the animals, milk the cow, feed the chickens, feed his grandfather and himself - all with no help. He's not allowed to touch his grandfather's gun but needs to hunt. When he's attacked by a bear he loses the gun and almost loses his life.
Then a giant of a man shows up. Jess is a mountain man; he's the biggest man Charlie has ever seen, riding the biggest horse, Goliath.
Charlie's faith is restored once Jess takes over the hardest chores and begins reading the Bible to him every night.
(We are meant to believe that Jess is the personification of Jesus who really did answer Charlie's prayers in the most practical manner.) Jess tells Charlie his birthday is Christmas day, too, and they celebrate with a tree and a few small gifts.
This was a very nice story, touching in parts. I'd have given it another star if it wasn't so fanciful.
December 23, 2014
Ten year old Charlie Smith needs a miracle. It’s been weeks since his grandfather fell asleep and he still hasn’t woken. Food and supplies are running desperately low. There is only a few days of firewood remaining. Snow is on the way.
Worse, Charlie is starting to wonder if God even cares. How could a God who cares leave a boy to fend for himself? And why do Charlie’s choices keeping digging him in more trouble?
Hott Review:
I loved white as snow. This book was not only a wonderful emotional book but also a very clear representation of our need for Christ and his to find and accept Him.
In some ways this book was hard because it’s heart wrenching watching a ten year old boy struggle on his own in a life where failure is not an option. But by that sane token it was amazing to watch Jesus save him from himself.
More…
Author: Donna Westover Gallup
Source: Kindle Free Read Dec 24, 2012
Grade: A+
Ages: 10+
Steam: Nada
Setting: COLORADO TERRITORY 1864
Series: Mysterious Ways, #1
Worse, Charlie is starting to wonder if God even cares. How could a God who cares leave a boy to fend for himself? And why do Charlie’s choices keeping digging him in more trouble?
Hott Review:
I loved white as snow. This book was not only a wonderful emotional book but also a very clear representation of our need for Christ and his to find and accept Him.
In some ways this book was hard because it’s heart wrenching watching a ten year old boy struggle on his own in a life where failure is not an option. But by that sane token it was amazing to watch Jesus save him from himself.
More…
Author: Donna Westover Gallup
Source: Kindle Free Read Dec 24, 2012
Grade: A+
Ages: 10+
Steam: Nada
Setting: COLORADO TERRITORY 1864
Series: Mysterious Ways, #1
November 7, 2013
I loved the mountain man. He was so good to Charlie; He was exactly what Charlie needed at that time in his life, in what he was going through.
“Well, have you ever thought that if you hadn’t been prayin’ for Gramps, he might’ve up and died a long time ago? … That maybe you askin’ God for help actually kept your grandpa alive longer than he otherwise might’ve been?”
Oftentimes in our walk, we wonder whether God cares especially when it appears he's not doing anything.
Let this short story be a reminder of his love and care for you, and rest in that love.
“Well, have you ever thought that if you hadn’t been prayin’ for Gramps, he might’ve up and died a long time ago? … That maybe you askin’ God for help actually kept your grandpa alive longer than he otherwise might’ve been?”
Oftentimes in our walk, we wonder whether God cares especially when it appears he's not doing anything.
Let this short story be a reminder of his love and care for you, and rest in that love.
June 5, 2013
Charlie, a young boy, is home alone with his dying grandfather. Winter is setting in hard, and Charlie has to get everything ready. He tries to cut wood for heat, feed the animals, and get food for himself and his grandfather. He prays for help. A larger than life male rides up and everything is suddenly better. There is wood, and food. At Christmas, the man brings in a tree, and Charlie hangs up the star. The next morning, his grandfather wakes up and the man is gone. Charlie finally finds out the man's name.
June 20, 2016
The author takes you on a very pleasant journey for a celebration of Christmas birthdays. I was pleased with the authors insertion of Christian concepts throughout her story of a grandfather & grandson. She shows you the perseverance of a young boy so devoted to his grandfather that he does everything in his power to keep him alive. Thank you so much for giving your readers a very heartfelt and touching story, and I would recommend it to both the adult and youth readers.
January 2, 2015
Although this book is geared to younger people, I truly enjoyed it. I have made it a point to read it out loud to my kids every Christmas break. It has and will always be a family Christmas tradition with us.
December 12, 2016
As I read about this 10yo boy and the difficulties he went through on an isolated ranch in 1864, I was suddenly aware that my problems aren't quite as bad as I thought. Don't worry, there are good times too. And some good spiritual lessons.
November 26, 2013
This was a wonderful Christmas story. It is the story of a young boy and his grandfather. And how the boy learns the true meaning of Christmas.
December 31, 2011
easy read
January 16, 2012
it was a very good book
January 16, 2012
It started out very good but it got to "preachy" at the end.
March 21, 2012
Depicts how tough life was for an orphaned boy when his Grandfather gets I'll & he has to take care of everything. It would be a good rest-aloud for children.
January 25, 2014
Beautiful story! Thoroughly enjoyed it and looking forward to reading the series.
January 11, 2016
I loved reading this book. It kept me entwined with the characters and wanting to know them more. I enjoyed the history included in the story. Very interesting reading.
December 15, 2012
It was well written and entertaining. A clean read. Very Christian.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews