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Semper Fidelis
Snow Globe
Length: 58 minutes
A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2013 Advent Calendar collection Heartwarming.
Kris Hamilton escaped the rat race in LA to live his dream of owning an art studio and making snow globes in a Christmas-themed town in northern Minnesota. But life in a tiny town isn't as peaceful as advertised, and being treated like an outsider is making Kris’s Tourette's flare up. When he inadvertently offends Tyr Tollefson—a beautiful blond giant of a man—Kris is ready to chuck it all. But he strikes up an unlikely friendship with Tyr's cousin Bun, who shows them the magic of Christmas and gives them both a lesson in love and acceptance.
A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2013 Advent Calendar collection Heartwarming.
Kris Hamilton escaped the rat race in LA to live his dream of owning an art studio and making snow globes in a Christmas-themed town in northern Minnesota. But life in a tiny town isn't as peaceful as advertised, and being treated like an outsider is making Kris’s Tourette's flare up. When he inadvertently offends Tyr Tollefson—a beautiful blond giant of a man—Kris is ready to chuck it all. But he strikes up an unlikely friendship with Tyr's cousin Bun, who shows them the magic of Christmas and gives them both a lesson in love and acceptance.
1 pages, Audible Audio
First published November 30, 2013
125 people want to read
About the author
L.E. Franks
23 books67 followersAt seventeen, LE Franks walked away from writing for love. Jumping head first into real life and travelling the world seemed to be fair compensation until the characters in her head demanded their turn. Now, living in the San Francisco Bay Area, surrounded by inspiration everywhere, LE is finally taking off the filters and giving the stories free rein. These days, LE can be found frequently writing about sexy men who desperately need a happily ever.
LE writes M/M Romance in a unique mix of humor and drama with enough suspense to produce fast-paced stories filled with emotion and passion and featuring characters that are quirky and complicated. Don’t expect the typical, rugged hero or sophisticated businessman with the world at their feet; LE’s men are living in the margins— they’re in the middle of their journey, doing the best they can while searching for a connection to something bigger than themselves. With a little effort, and a lot of luck, they may actually find their happily-ever-afters.
When not writing, LE wrangles an odd assortment of jobs (six— both paid and volunteer), houseguests (including pro baseball players), family, and friends. Manifesting an odd combination of contradictory talents and traits, LE is tragically honest and personally deceptive and makes the best piecrust— ever.
You can find LE Franks online at the following spots:
Her website: http://www.lefranks.com
Her blog: http://lefranks.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/boxtersushi
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/LEFranksAuthor
Facebook Page for Wolves & Waves Book Series: https://www.facebook.com/wolvesandwaves
LE writes M/M Romance in a unique mix of humor and drama with enough suspense to produce fast-paced stories filled with emotion and passion and featuring characters that are quirky and complicated. Don’t expect the typical, rugged hero or sophisticated businessman with the world at their feet; LE’s men are living in the margins— they’re in the middle of their journey, doing the best they can while searching for a connection to something bigger than themselves. With a little effort, and a lot of luck, they may actually find their happily-ever-afters.
When not writing, LE wrangles an odd assortment of jobs (six— both paid and volunteer), houseguests (including pro baseball players), family, and friends. Manifesting an odd combination of contradictory talents and traits, LE is tragically honest and personally deceptive and makes the best piecrust— ever.
You can find LE Franks online at the following spots:
Her website: http://www.lefranks.com
Her blog: http://lefranks.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/boxtersushi
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/LEFranksAuthor
Facebook Page for Wolves & Waves Book Series: https://www.facebook.com/wolvesandwaves
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
September 1, 2016
I'm a sucker for a man with a disability, especially a verbal sort of disability like our MC in this story.
Kris has form of Tourette's where he says adjectives out loud about whatever he is thinking. It was pretty fascinating to read about, and as the sister of a stutterer, I immediately connected to the MC. I really enjoyed the first part of the story. It was Christmas-y, touching, and just gave me the warm fuzzies inside! I was melting hard and fast for this story.
But then... it sort of lost me. I starting to have some issues with POV changes and then their relationship took off at lightening speed. I wasn't quite on board with it, and when the drama started up, I started to disconnect from the story.
Another issue that I had was with the audiobook. Now, the narrator has a great speaking voice, to be sure, but he is clearly not American. I kept rereading the blurb and re-listening to parts of the book, waiting to see if this book was secretly taking place in Scotland and the blurb and the story just didn't get the memo. At least, I think it was a Scottish accent... Anyway, it was distracting because it wasn't what I pictured for that locale and those characters. Also, I could have used a bit more vocal differentiation between the MCs. I found the dialog hard to follow at times because the two guys sounded alike to me.
A cute Christmas story that had the potential to be more.
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
December 19, 2015
3 stars
Snow Globe is a short and sweet Christmas story. I wish I could rate it a little higher than 3 stars, but as much as I liked Kris and Bun, I never connected (or really even liked) Tyr. Also, it was odd to me that the audio narrator had an accent when the book took place in MN.
Snow Globe is a short and sweet Christmas story. I wish I could rate it a little higher than 3 stars, but as much as I liked Kris and Bun, I never connected (or really even liked) Tyr. Also, it was odd to me that the audio narrator had an accent when the book took place in MN.
December 25, 2013
This is one of my favorite reads this holiday season...and not because it's especially sweet, or that it's especially hot...but it's...different. It's not this over-the-top joy to the world kinda book.
It's about hard times and dealing with life's challenges.
It's about not judging a book by it's cover and about what lies beneath the face-value assumptions we make.
It's about disability and sickness and family being beyond blood to bond together.
it's about acceptance and love.
It's about strength of character even in the midst of imperfections.
There's something really uplifting about this book...and I thought it was beautiful.
Short...but less about the story and more about the message.
Enjoy!
January 1, 2014
On the one hand, I LOVED this story.
I love the way the disabilities are handled. The love of a family, the goodness and innocents of Bun.
The sweetheart called Kris, what a wonderful man. Loved Eddie. The snow globes and Kris' creativity and love of them and his bravery was really fitting to the heartwarming theme. I so wished Kris had gotten a better man! one who deserved the treasure he is.
On the other hand, I'm going to rant. You are being warned!
Now Tyr..well, let's just say, he did NOT grovel enough for me. He did nothing for Kris, it was Bun who invited him, it was Eddie that offered him friendship. Tyr took him to another state for a date. He did nothing to make his life better, he literally threw him under the bus. I have no sympathy for him and honestly Kris forgave him far too easily and quickly for me. Kris and Bun get 5* . Tyr and the town..big fat zero stars.
I love the way the disabilities are handled. The love of a family, the goodness and innocents of Bun.
The sweetheart called Kris, what a wonderful man. Loved Eddie. The snow globes and Kris' creativity and love of them and his bravery was really fitting to the heartwarming theme. I so wished Kris had gotten a better man! one who deserved the treasure he is.
On the other hand, I'm going to rant. You are being warned!
Now Tyr..well, let's just say, he did NOT grovel enough for me. He did nothing for Kris, it was Bun who invited him, it was Eddie that offered him friendship. Tyr took him to another state for a date. He did nothing to make his life better, he literally threw him under the bus. I have no sympathy for him and honestly Kris forgave him far too easily and quickly for me. Kris and Bun get 5* . Tyr and the town..big fat zero stars.
December 6, 2013
Lovely story! I liked the writing style a lot, adored the name Tyr, loved Kris' pretty unique word problem (I at least had never heard of that particular brand of Tourette's before), the snow globes were a good idea too, and Bun and her father were awesome.
Things got a little rushed at the end unfortunately, but still a great pro-Christmas read if you're in the mood for that!
Things got a little rushed at the end unfortunately, but still a great pro-Christmas read if you're in the mood for that!
December 15, 2014
I was intrigued with this one because I saw one of the MCs had a Tourette's ... and I thought Kris was quite a lovely character. I would love to read more about him and his dealing with Tourette's. His connection with Bun, a girl with developmental issue, who is the cousin of Tyr (the love interest) was also lovely.
Unfortunately, I thought the story moved back and forth between Kris and Tyr a bit too quick for my taste. As quick that I couldn't feel that I've developed enough sympathy for the two of them.
It was nice, good premise, but somehow lost in execution for me.
Unfortunately, I thought the story moved back and forth between Kris and Tyr a bit too quick for my taste. As quick that I couldn't feel that I've developed enough sympathy for the two of them.
It was nice, good premise, but somehow lost in execution for me.
January 1, 2014
This is an amazingly tender story, and one of those that took me totally by surprise. The way it is told is actually really clever, adding little bits and pieces to the whole picture as time passes, but it did make it more difficult for me to get into what was actually going on. Just like it must have been difficult for Kris, who suffers from Tourette's, to see some of the connections between the people of the small town he has made his new home. But what a rewarding feeling at the end when it all comes together in a truly heartwarming way.
Kris is an artist, and a very talented one who makes snow globes, but he is not exactly a social person. His tendency to spout off strings of words is not one easily understood, and when he and Tyr start being visibly attracted to each other, the small-mindedness of the townspeople takes over and make his life (and Tyr's) a living hell. Because Kris is the stranger they think it's easier for them to get rid of him than dealing with long-time resident Tyr, but they forget that Kris has his own idea of what is right.
Some of the scenes were really beautiful. Tyr's cousin Bun has her own mental issues to battle with, but she is such a loving person, she made me smile. She has an ability to clarify what's really important, and, in the end, plays a key role in helping Tyr see what needs to happen as well as spurring Kris on to doing what’s right. And while the romance between Kris and Tyr develops slowly and mostly off-scene, it is undeniably one of the most moving love stories I have come across.
If you like stores that are undeniably different, both in style and the characters they are about, if you enjoy reading about men who struggle against both internal and external obstacles, and if you're looking for a read that is intense, rewarding, and truly heartwarming, then you will probably enjoy this short story.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Kris is an artist, and a very talented one who makes snow globes, but he is not exactly a social person. His tendency to spout off strings of words is not one easily understood, and when he and Tyr start being visibly attracted to each other, the small-mindedness of the townspeople takes over and make his life (and Tyr's) a living hell. Because Kris is the stranger they think it's easier for them to get rid of him than dealing with long-time resident Tyr, but they forget that Kris has his own idea of what is right.
Some of the scenes were really beautiful. Tyr's cousin Bun has her own mental issues to battle with, but she is such a loving person, she made me smile. She has an ability to clarify what's really important, and, in the end, plays a key role in helping Tyr see what needs to happen as well as spurring Kris on to doing what’s right. And while the romance between Kris and Tyr develops slowly and mostly off-scene, it is undeniably one of the most moving love stories I have come across.
If you like stores that are undeniably different, both in style and the characters they are about, if you enjoy reading about men who struggle against both internal and external obstacles, and if you're looking for a read that is intense, rewarding, and truly heartwarming, then you will probably enjoy this short story.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
January 1, 2014
Oh what a gem! I had problems in the beginning to get into the story, it felt a bit incoherent. But on the quiet it got to me. I loved the very distinctive writing style and this story could have been much longer. But that's the only niggle.
Good idea to start my reading year 2014 with this story:)
Good idea to start my reading year 2014 with this story:)
May 1, 2017
4.5 stars
Good depiction of migraines.
Very angsty.
The little guy tops!
Great that in the end, .
I wish he'd handled ex bf too.
Good depiction of migraines.
Very angsty.
The little guy tops!
Great that in the end, .
I wish he'd handled ex bf too.
December 3, 2022
What a lovely, sweet holiday romance!
Nice family drama, and I really liked these characters.
I'd have liked to see maybe ten more pages, fleshing out the ending a bit more, but for under 40 pages, Snow Globe is totally worth reading.
Nice family drama, and I really liked these characters.
I'd have liked to see maybe ten more pages, fleshing out the ending a bit more, but for under 40 pages, Snow Globe is totally worth reading.
December 31, 2013
I loved this story! It was so beautiful I just wish it had been longer. One of my favorites from the Heartwarming advent.
October 20, 2022
Kindle-Sort-ReRead
A star for Bun and the globes.
The writing is a little poetic '..the person outside was a melange of old and young' which...
It takes from the story, at times I struggled to figure what was going on; was Eddie dead/saved?
Then the standing up to the religious/community leaders it was clearly meant to ge a triumphant roar but fell flat because whatever their attitude it wasn't shown, so not tangible. A faceless crowd.
The doctor was strange bordering on unprofessional.
Didn't feel the romance at all. Anime cute artist and giant. There was nothing between them. The story was aging differently abled Bun.
A star for Bun and the globes.
The writing is a little poetic '..the person outside was a melange of old and young' which...
It takes from the story, at times I struggled to figure what was going on; was Eddie dead/saved?
Then the standing up to the religious/community leaders it was clearly meant to ge a triumphant roar but fell flat because whatever their attitude it wasn't shown, so not tangible. A faceless crowd.
The doctor was strange bordering on unprofessional.
Didn't feel the romance at all. Anime cute artist and giant. There was nothing between them. The story was aging differently abled Bun.
April 19, 2016
I've been celebrating the coming holiday with Christmas story after Christmas story and so far each story has been getting better and better. Well I think that streak may have ended because I don't know if anything will top this one for me.
I was going to try and explain how in less than 50 pages an author broke me into a million itty bitty pieces and did it beautifully, but then I realized I'd have to tell you about too much of this story and that would spoil it. So instead I'm going to say that if you want to read a story about the hope, faith, love and joy that this holiday season encompasses, if you're not afraid to shed a few tears and you like your characters to be different and strong in spirit and so beautifully amazing then you need to read this story. I am so crazy about Kris, it's just not even funny. He is strong, adorable, amazing and yet so very vulnerable with an inner beauty that many hope for and few achieve. Tyr is...well he's Tyr, a big strong hulking, viking god, he loves his family and is so devoted to them, but they need more than he alone can give and that is all I'm going to say.
The characters in this story are so unique, so special in their own way. It's a short story packed with so much emotion. So worth the little bit of time it takes to read it.
I was going to try and explain how in less than 50 pages an author broke me into a million itty bitty pieces and did it beautifully, but then I realized I'd have to tell you about too much of this story and that would spoil it. So instead I'm going to say that if you want to read a story about the hope, faith, love and joy that this holiday season encompasses, if you're not afraid to shed a few tears and you like your characters to be different and strong in spirit and so beautifully amazing then you need to read this story. I am so crazy about Kris, it's just not even funny. He is strong, adorable, amazing and yet so very vulnerable with an inner beauty that many hope for and few achieve. Tyr is...well he's Tyr, a big strong hulking, viking god, he loves his family and is so devoted to them, but they need more than he alone can give and that is all I'm going to say.
The characters in this story are so unique, so special in their own way. It's a short story packed with so much emotion. So worth the little bit of time it takes to read it.
May 4, 2016
No matter how cute the idea a town named Christmas may be, Kris has seen its dark side. Or, well, its ordinariness. Despite its cute shops, funny names, and claim to Christmas cheer, the town of Christmas is pretty much like every other town in the country. Gossips, small-town politics, bigotry…and some rather surprising and unique characters. For a man like Kris, his new home is both a perfect fit and a perfect nightmare. His self-made and designed snow globes are a hit. His blatant homosexuality and embarrassing Tourette’s? Not so much.
When he meets Tyr he is at once awed and terribly embarrassed–making an ass of himself wasn’t exactly how he wanted to make an impression on the Nordic god of a man. Not that he could control his awe or his Tourette’s. But time, and a few fated meeting pass, and something seems to click between the two. But Tyr has a family that is ailing, Kris has a mind that refuses to heel, and the both are smack dab in the middle of a judgmental Minnesota town that has no bones about proclaiming that the attraction between Tyr and Kris is against everything their hypocritical asses believe.
I enjoyed this little Christmas story from L.E. Franks. The idea of a man living Tourette’s was what immediately made me choose to read this story, but I have to say it was the whole cast of characters that really caught my interest. Tyr, who is trying to be just about everything for his family, and loves being there for them, but can’t do everything. Bun, who is both sweet and insistent–-and who will not let the few hurdles that life has thrown at her get her down. Eddie, who may be ailing, but is not going to let Tyr throw his life away. And Kris…who has a mind full of a runaway thesaurus, and very little control of his brain/mouth filter. All these characters made this story well worth the read. They rounded out what could have been a very clichéd story.
I do wish that we had gotten a bit more time with Tyr and Kris once they ‘got together’ but life for them was never going to easy, and seemed to want to tear them apart as much as it kept throwing them together. Tyr’s apology was very sweet though. And I loved how-–after a period of being a judgmental stupid-head-–he totally embraced Kris’s various quirks and ticks.
My sister used to collect snow globes–-though I think it was more the fact that people just keep giving them to her, than a conscious choice-–so I really wish I could have had a few of Kris’s special creations to ship to her. Even if she would not thank me for my attempt to clutter her already packed home. But they just seemed like so much fun, and so cute, that I wish I had that gift of creation. Or the money to pay others to create for me.
Sometimes the story got a tad confusing, and it felt like there should have been a short scene to explain just what the hell was going on (mainly near the end), but it was a sweet story. I loved the characters and would really like to see how the town chooses to cope with the situation handed them at the end. Small towns are something I love, but I totally understand that whole dark-side that no one likes to admit to. Small-town bigotry notwithstanding, a good story and a nice ending to my part in this Advent Calendar round-up. 3.5 stars.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
When he meets Tyr he is at once awed and terribly embarrassed–making an ass of himself wasn’t exactly how he wanted to make an impression on the Nordic god of a man. Not that he could control his awe or his Tourette’s. But time, and a few fated meeting pass, and something seems to click between the two. But Tyr has a family that is ailing, Kris has a mind that refuses to heel, and the both are smack dab in the middle of a judgmental Minnesota town that has no bones about proclaiming that the attraction between Tyr and Kris is against everything their hypocritical asses believe.
I enjoyed this little Christmas story from L.E. Franks. The idea of a man living Tourette’s was what immediately made me choose to read this story, but I have to say it was the whole cast of characters that really caught my interest. Tyr, who is trying to be just about everything for his family, and loves being there for them, but can’t do everything. Bun, who is both sweet and insistent–-and who will not let the few hurdles that life has thrown at her get her down. Eddie, who may be ailing, but is not going to let Tyr throw his life away. And Kris…who has a mind full of a runaway thesaurus, and very little control of his brain/mouth filter. All these characters made this story well worth the read. They rounded out what could have been a very clichéd story.
I do wish that we had gotten a bit more time with Tyr and Kris once they ‘got together’ but life for them was never going to easy, and seemed to want to tear them apart as much as it kept throwing them together. Tyr’s apology was very sweet though. And I loved how-–after a period of being a judgmental stupid-head-–he totally embraced Kris’s various quirks and ticks.
My sister used to collect snow globes–-though I think it was more the fact that people just keep giving them to her, than a conscious choice-–so I really wish I could have had a few of Kris’s special creations to ship to her. Even if she would not thank me for my attempt to clutter her already packed home. But they just seemed like so much fun, and so cute, that I wish I had that gift of creation. Or the money to pay others to create for me.
Sometimes the story got a tad confusing, and it felt like there should have been a short scene to explain just what the hell was going on (mainly near the end), but it was a sweet story. I loved the characters and would really like to see how the town chooses to cope with the situation handed them at the end. Small towns are something I love, but I totally understand that whole dark-side that no one likes to admit to. Small-town bigotry notwithstanding, a good story and a nice ending to my part in this Advent Calendar round-up. 3.5 stars.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
January 1, 2014
Being from Minnesota, I am a little perturbed at how all us northern folk are depicted as a backwater highly religious community who will turn on those who don't fit. Man, c'mon...Don't switch one discrimination for another.
3.5 stars. The story was good, would have been great if it were longer.
3.5 stars. The story was good, would have been great if it were longer.
December 5, 2013
Would've found this more enjoyable if the story/characters had been fleshed out more, especially the ending.
September 12, 2024
Waaaahhh! Tears!
This was quite a heartwarming story and it really, really got me.
Ahhhh...
This was quite a heartwarming story and it really, really got me.
Ahhhh...
October 29, 2016
A lovely story and an excellent audio.
December 17, 2013
4 Stars
A "Live Your Life, Buy The Book" Review
The heartwarming part of this title is exactly what this book was. The characters were interesting and I felt connected to them right away. I adored them. I loved the idea of Kris taking a chance and moving to a town named Christmas to craft snow globes. This book was so charming.
The way the author explained Kris’s Tourettes through his actions so thoroughly was really impressive. I learned so much from his episodes by experiencing it with him. That kind of thing can sound like a mini lesson when presented but this was enlightening actually. I really liked Kris. His lists were kind fun to read through and gave me an inside look at his thought process.
Tyr is kind of a dream guy. Big Nordic looking guy with a heart of gold? Yes, please! I don’t know much about him beyond that. I wonder if we were meant to? Or if it would have somehow spoiled the fantasy of him? To be fair it was a short story and there were two other very interesting characters to explore. Both men were great with Bun. She had me wrapped around her finger with how sweet she was.
Nice little read. I could have sat and read 150 more pages. Things like them getting to know each other slowly and developing feelings didn’t happen on page. It felt like a short story. The beginning seemed like you I was settling into something really amazing and then it was over. :( So, good that I wanted more. Not so great I needed more. Still a solid 4 star heartwarming story.
A "Live Your Life, Buy The Book" Review
The heartwarming part of this title is exactly what this book was. The characters were interesting and I felt connected to them right away. I adored them. I loved the idea of Kris taking a chance and moving to a town named Christmas to craft snow globes. This book was so charming.
The way the author explained Kris’s Tourettes through his actions so thoroughly was really impressive. I learned so much from his episodes by experiencing it with him. That kind of thing can sound like a mini lesson when presented but this was enlightening actually. I really liked Kris. His lists were kind fun to read through and gave me an inside look at his thought process.
Tyr is kind of a dream guy. Big Nordic looking guy with a heart of gold? Yes, please! I don’t know much about him beyond that. I wonder if we were meant to? Or if it would have somehow spoiled the fantasy of him? To be fair it was a short story and there were two other very interesting characters to explore. Both men were great with Bun. She had me wrapped around her finger with how sweet she was.
Nice little read. I could have sat and read 150 more pages. Things like them getting to know each other slowly and developing feelings didn’t happen on page. It felt like a short story. The beginning seemed like you I was settling into something really amazing and then it was over. :( So, good that I wanted more. Not so great I needed more. Still a solid 4 star heartwarming story.
January 26, 2016
Kris Hamilton is an LA transplant to Minnesota, and a snow globe artist with an odd form of Tourette's that causes him to spout streams of synonyms when overexcited rather than epithets. (Perhaps in his case it should be called Roget's Syndrome) Kris is obviously and openly gay, yet, he's chosen to relocate to a small town in Northern Minnesota with a year round Christmas theme that he thinks will complement his artistic specialty. And while the locals welcome additional tourists and the increased revenue that Kris's shop brings, they have a hard time setting aside their small-minded, small town bigotry.
One of the locals Tyr Tollefson, is also gay, though covertly so, and he's got all that he can handle in caring for Eddie, his sick uncle, and Bun, Eddie's developmentally disabled daughter who has never really gotten beyond her six year old-like belief in Santa.
Encountering Bun and Eddie for the first time triggers one of Kris's episodes and Tyr catches Kris at the exact worst moment. Can the two overcome their initial meeting and embrace the attraction both men feel? To find out, you'll just have to read this charming 34 page story (or listen to the 59 minute audio-book version as I did)
The audio version is narrated by Dave Gillies in a sweet and distinctive Scottish voice that adds an unexpected level of charm to this Hallmark card of a Christmas story. And as with any good Hallmark card, there are bittersweet moments that may call for a tear or two but one can rest assured that in the end it all comes right.
*** Note: I received a copy of this audio-book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest and impartial review ***
One of the locals Tyr Tollefson, is also gay, though covertly so, and he's got all that he can handle in caring for Eddie, his sick uncle, and Bun, Eddie's developmentally disabled daughter who has never really gotten beyond her six year old-like belief in Santa.
Encountering Bun and Eddie for the first time triggers one of Kris's episodes and Tyr catches Kris at the exact worst moment. Can the two overcome their initial meeting and embrace the attraction both men feel? To find out, you'll just have to read this charming 34 page story (or listen to the 59 minute audio-book version as I did)
The audio version is narrated by Dave Gillies in a sweet and distinctive Scottish voice that adds an unexpected level of charm to this Hallmark card of a Christmas story. And as with any good Hallmark card, there are bittersweet moments that may call for a tear or two but one can rest assured that in the end it all comes right.
*** Note: I received a copy of this audio-book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest and impartial review ***
January 23, 2015
My Review:
Overall.... 3.5
Performance... 3.00
Story.... 4.0
Okay, I listened to this book in audio form. It was Christmas and this short story is less than an hour which made it an ideal listen while I wrapped presents.
But as a regular audiobook listener, I had issues with this one. The narrator, while I love his sexy (Scottish? I think) accent, simply read the book. There was no change with his inflections for the different characters...which made this a really tough book to listen to. When reading, you have a change in paragraph to know when the speaker changes. In audiobooks, narrators typically change their voice so you know when the speaker changes. That wasn't present in this audiobook so it was hard to keep track of the story for me. Like I said, his voice and accent was beautiful and he read the story very well, but as a regular audiobook listener, that wasn't enough for me. I need voices and different inflections for the different characters.
But at the heart of this is an incredible heartwarming story and characters during the Christmas season. I did like the book. Knowing that the audio was under an hour, the story must have been extremely short on words, but I'll be honest, it never felt that way to me. I loved the two main character, Kris and Tyr...and Bun with her story line was a great addition. This book is about acceptance and finding a place in the world. For these three...that's with each other. It's a Christmas book so it's sweet and simply made me feel better for having read/listened to it. Overall, I liked it.
Overall.... 3.5
Performance... 3.00
Story.... 4.0
Okay, I listened to this book in audio form. It was Christmas and this short story is less than an hour which made it an ideal listen while I wrapped presents.
But as a regular audiobook listener, I had issues with this one. The narrator, while I love his sexy (Scottish? I think) accent, simply read the book. There was no change with his inflections for the different characters...which made this a really tough book to listen to. When reading, you have a change in paragraph to know when the speaker changes. In audiobooks, narrators typically change their voice so you know when the speaker changes. That wasn't present in this audiobook so it was hard to keep track of the story for me. Like I said, his voice and accent was beautiful and he read the story very well, but as a regular audiobook listener, that wasn't enough for me. I need voices and different inflections for the different characters.
But at the heart of this is an incredible heartwarming story and characters during the Christmas season. I did like the book. Knowing that the audio was under an hour, the story must have been extremely short on words, but I'll be honest, it never felt that way to me. I loved the two main character, Kris and Tyr...and Bun with her story line was a great addition. This book is about acceptance and finding a place in the world. For these three...that's with each other. It's a Christmas book so it's sweet and simply made me feel better for having read/listened to it. Overall, I liked it.
December 5, 2013
Right before Christmas, Kris gets a metaphorical kick in the pants from the town doctor, and he realizes that love never comes easy and if he wants this family to be his family, he will have to fight for it. After having a stand-off with the entire town, he goes about making the perfect plan to get his man back.
See the entire 3.5 star review at The Novel Approach: http://thenovelapproachreviews.com/20...
See the entire 3.5 star review at The Novel Approach: http://thenovelapproachreviews.com/20...
December 6, 2013
4.5~5 Hearts
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
I found this story amazing. I have no words of how much I really liked this.
The characters that literally shine here are absolutely gorgeous and their flaws are simply what make them so lovable and undeniably charming...
Read the entire review here.
Thommie
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
I found this story amazing. I have no words of how much I really liked this.
The characters that literally shine here are absolutely gorgeous and their flaws are simply what make them so lovable and undeniably charming...
Read the entire review here.
Thommie
January 2, 2014
A really unique story and this is one I would love to see turned into a full length story. I didn't want it to end and would LOVE to read more of Kris and Tyr. The premise was very interesting and there was so much opportunity for more. Not that anything was missing or really unresolved I just loved the characters so much and not just the MC's, but Tyr's family had stories to tell too.
December 19, 2018
Wow! That's a LOT of story poured into 44 pages! Loved Kris and his quirks. What's not to love about Tyr, the gentle giant? But seriously my favorite has to be Bun. I don't do spoilers, just go READ this wonderful book :)
May 2, 2016
3.5 stars
January 11, 2020
Audiobook reviewI normally avoid short stories, at least the ones not part of a larger story or series. It’s so hard to find a balance in so few pages and more often than not the story will feel rushed or incomplete. But, it’s nearing Christmas and I’m binging on Christmas and winter stories at the moment, and the blurb of this book appealed to me.
Snow Globe had some issues. The potential was there. I loved the idea of the story and the characters were solid – or had the potential to be. However there was just too much going on for such a short story. If this would have been a full-length novel I believed it would have felt more developed and rounded, instead of the hopping around that we had now. And story hopping wasn’t the only issue this book had, the abrupt switches in POV was more often than not very confusing. It was difficult to keep track of who was speaking, there was no warning and Gillies didn’t really differentiate the changes to make it easier for the listener.
That being said, I loved Kris, his passion for Christmas and snow globe – but even more so how fiercely he fought for the ones he cared for; Bun and Eddie and Tyr. I mean he took on the whole town for their sake. I loved how this book showed that even though times are rough and it seems like you are all alone, support can comes from where you least expect it. And if you fight for it, happiness and love can be found anywhere.
I was confused in the beginning when I heard Dave Gillies starting to narrate with an accent that wasn’t American. I’m not going to try to place it, because I know I’ll be wrong suffice to say the accent didn’t fit the story or setting. So accent-wise I don’t believe Gillies was the best choice of narrator for this book. Still I really enjoyed it, it’s nice to listen to something different. And he had a great voice and the words flowed naturally. I wish he’d differentiate more between the main characters though, especially when the book changed POV. It was difficult to follow the changes and knowing who was speaking, and it often left me feeling confused. On the plus side, I love how he added emotions to his narration, it added a bit more depth to the story that made it come alive for the listener.
A copy of this book was generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
December 3, 2017
This was a special little story. You have Kris, who has Tourette's, that causes him to list words when he gets nervous or has a tic. Then there is Tyr, who is taking care of his family, that consists of a very sick uncle and a developmentally disabled cousin. This all takes place is Christmastown, USA, which you would think would be a beautiful and accepting place but is really a cesspool in disguise.
December 30, 2018
This was a really sweet book. It's super short but it felt like a complete story. The narration was confusing. The narrator's voice is actually very pleasant but at my normal listening speed his Scottish accent was indecipherable. I couldn't understand anything. Once I did I thought I could love his narration if it fit the characters who lived in the US. It was just strange but I still really enjoyed the audiobook.
November 8, 2020
I thought Kris' Tourettes was handled so well but there were storylines that seemed to be missing. It didn't seem like a town full of bigots but it certainly was. The ending, to me, was really a cliffhanger - what will happen with the town? To Kris' building? Why did they turn their backs on Kris in the first place - because of the Tourette's?
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