Snow Sometimes Falls

by Brian Ming

At age six, Dave was alone swinging in his backyard and heard a heavenly voice, “SNOW SOMETIMES FALLS!” It takes over thirty years, along with several calamities to discover what God was telling him that day. Dave learns, even through the tragic death of his mother, the thirty-year revelation was well worth the wait.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Christmas, Fiction, Christian

174 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 24, 2014

About the author

Brian started writing songs and poems at age sixteen. After marrying his high school sweetheart, Kristen, a gifted singer, they’ve traveled the globe singing self-written songs. Brian's love for writing music eventually led to writing fiction, often times coupling songs with story telling. His first novel/single and public debut, Snow Sometimes Falls, received good reviews and quickly became an Amazon Bestseller. Brian is also the author of several short stories, the Future Kingdom Series, and the Christian living Secret Heart Series. He is a sought after speaker whose passion to teach others how to develop their God-given creativity to the fullest has inspired millions.

Brian, Kristen, and their three children currently reside in Fontana, California.

Reviews

[Elyse Walters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brian Ming, author and songwriter, ( married with 3 kids), and I are Goodreads friends.
Brian never asked me to read his work... ( our friendship here on Goodreads has never been with any hidden agenda).

"Snow Sometimes Falls", is a Christmas novel. I DON'T read Christmas stories!!!!...
But... After reading "Mr. Ives Christmas", by Oscar Hijuelos ....at first purely out of relationship with Goodreads member, Steve...
and it turned out to be a forever lasting experience...I wasn't so nervous to give a Christmas theme book a try again ... ( if and when should one fall into my hands by the
grace & beauty 'Mr. Ives' did)

So....about a month or so after...
Brian Sent me a copy of his Christmas 'song'....."Snow Falls Sometimes". ( just a gift to listen to). WOW... I played it 3 times in a row! My mood changed... memories surfaced ... I was impressed ... mostly.... I just REALLY LIKED HIS SONG!!! ( everything about it)...
So, ....I wrote Brian one of my chatty messages... ( chewing him out)... I told him how much I hated him for making me 'weep' ... and why the hell didn't he tell me he was talented? Why had Brian never even asked me to read anything by him?
So... After chewin him out good...
Brian writes me back.. "Thanking me --he thinks???".. I was a harsh cookie on the poor guy! I think he saw through my anger that I LOVED his song!!! ( technically by his lovely wife...Kristen Ming). They are an inspiring 'couple'.. and given that I consider Paul and I to be inspiring, definitely in the top 10%, ... I'm in 7th Heaven when I meet other inspiring couples l admire.

Brian then offered to 'give' me a freebie of his book. NO WAY!!! I bought it!!! I wanted to pay for it...'with pleasure'. I had a hunch ...( and my hunch was right)... I'd feel blessed to read Brian's book.

I can't thank Brian enough ....wonderful heartfelt passionate story.
I adored the family... ( wonderful 3 kids)...
Dave ( the father of those 3 charming kids), is a Pastor. He, his wife, and kids have recently moved to Great Falls, Montana. Dave will be the Pastor of New Life Baptist Church. Family-community-story...with influential messages.
The Christmas Pageant in this town has been a big deal for years. It's a tradition the community understands much better than Dave does ( being the new guy on the block and all)
But
The Christmas Pageant is a highlight....
Encouraging & uplifting...
tears...laughter ...loss ...sufferance....love...and faith.

[Cheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas stories are hard to get right, but Snow Sometimes Falls manages to do just that. It's not overly sweet, overly cute, overly anything except maybe a real life Christmas season, some good things, some not so good.

I thoroughly enjoyed this charming Christmas story, as well as Brian Ming's beautiful song "Snow Sometimes Falls."

[Brian Ming]

So here's a little background on the book I wrote: Snow Sometimes Falls. First, know that before it was a book it was a song. I've been a songwriter and music artist for many years, publishing music through companies such as Hosanna Integrity, Gateway, Prism, and CFNMusic. The idea for the song came while sitting in a hospital waiting room one Christmas, overwhelmed with sadness while, steps away, a family friend fought for her life. I thought about families with the empty chair at Christmas dinner, where their mother, father, or grandparent used to sit and heard the music, melody, and lyrics in my head.

Watch the lyric video of Snow Sometimes Falls here: https://youtu.be/a7dNcN-g4Yw

Over the course of the next year, my dad was diagnosed with cancer, and the song took on more meaning. At the same time, my family and I went through some financial difficulties, had to move out of our house and into a hotel for three months. It was during that time I began penning the book and producing the song.

It's no secret Dave, a struggling pastor, loses his mother during the book. But, I assure you, Snow Sometimes Falls is not a sad book. What happens throughout the story and especially near the end of the book is quite remarkable. Like my own story, snow sometimes falls in all our lives. Amazingly, triumph comes from tragedy.

[Cindy Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I have read in a long time! I have shared with others that if you have a relationship with God it is one that you do not what to miss reading. It touched me in so many ways that I never expected it to. Because of an experience of my own with God this story was very moving and meaningful. Without giving away anything about the story to maybe spoil it just know you will not regret choosing to read this story. There is nothing bad I can say about it only good....SO Read It! You will not regret it!

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating 4.5

Dave is a pastor. At the age of 6, he had an incredible experience during a thundersnow (lightning and snow at the same time) in which God spoke to him, "Snow sometimes falls. Someday you'll understand." He and his family are now moving to a new pastorate in Montana, but he is still waiting, praying, and trying to understand what God's words meant.

This was perhaps one of the best Christmas stories I have read this year. Full of warmth, tenderness, compassion, caring, and faith, it traces Dave and his family as they journey through a move, a new church, a loss, and a gain. The characters were so full of life and reality. The church family had its ups and downs just like any typical group of church members does. Dave's compassion for those struggling especially Justin and his wife was so evident. The Pranksters that Josh became involved in were delightful. Their pranks were never harmful rather just funny like we used to do as junior/senior high kids. Yet they also knew how to turn a prank into something helpful to a family in need. The ending was perfection as Dave finally learns the meaning of God's words to him and the tragedy that he had never remembered. The analogy with the tree was wonderful.

FAVORITE QUOTE: "Don't let your mind go places it shouldn't. It's important to keep faith, especially in a time like this."

"The question is not, are things going to change? The real question is, what are you going to do with change?"

[Louisa Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great christian fiction that would be ideal to hand to non Christians as well.

The seamless flow between the lives of the characters were truly realistic and not cheesy at all as the continuation between each life and the effects of what they are going through is true to life as can be and the outcome for each is wonderful and is plotted very well.

I love the trickster of the pastor's son and what a song, that was an unexpected treat at the end of the book!
I wasn't expecting the way the 'SNOW SOMETIMES FALLS' to unravel in the way it did. It was very poignant and the way in which it was dealt was sensitive.

This is such a wonderful read and cannot wait to read more from this author.

[Kimberly Newman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the book for its real feeling. (I agree with Josephine "Havilahgold"'s review on Amazon.) It felt very believable and as if I were there and knew the people. I enjoyed the interaction between the characters, especially the family members. It was refreshing to see a teen who didn't act hateful. Overall, your story is delightful. As a musician, I loved the way you introduced your song and made it available. You have a talented team.

Thank you for giving it away on Amazon--it was a nice Christmas gift for me.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was highly recommended so I decided to give it a try. At first I was a bit cynical about whether i would like it or not but the more i got into the story the more i liked it. Dave is a pastor in a new church and the Christmas pageant is the highlight of the year. In the mean time Dave is grappling with the death of his mother and solving some mysteries about his past.I wasn't sure what the title had to do with anything but in the end I gathered that just as snow sometimes falls tragedies also touch a person's life but through them all God's loving care is looking out for us. This is a very beautiful story and the the accompanying song is just as lovely if not more so.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

God spoke to him.

This is a very touching book about a pastor and his family, who move to a new church. It is filled with love. You will love all the characters. It was a sweet book.

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The puissant theme makes this worth the read. If you've suffered a loss, struggling with issues, feeling hopeless you'll want to read this. A simple story you will relate to with such a potent message. Perfect for holiday reading or all year reading. Moving, healing.

[Vicki Rowland]

VERY GOOD! I REALLY ENJOYED THIS BOOK. I ALSO LISTENED TO THE SONG ON YOU TUBE.

[Arlene Morrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book.

[Brenda Roberson · Rating 5 out of 5]

BRILLIANT AND WRITTEN FROM THE HEART
This book starts out with the main character, Dave, at 6 years old. Early one snowy morning he gets the urge to go outside and swing. With his first backward push a sudden "thundersnow" throws him from the swing. The branch the swing is on is burning and the swing is laying on the ground. Out of nowhere a powerful voice says SNOW SOMETIMES FALLS Dave, SOMEDAY YOU'LL UNDERSTAND. Little does he know it will take him 30 years to understand what the voice meant.

When we next meet Dave he is a Pastor and has moved his wife and three children to Great Falls, Montana to become the Pastor of New Life Baptist Church. On his first day at the new church, Pastor Dave notices how old and worn the church looks, inside and out. He wants to make changes so the church looks and feels more appealing. Prior experience tells him that a "new start" always comes with difficulty. Still he prays that through him, God will do something miraculous and he hopes that NOW is the SOMEDAY he was told about.

The whole story comes together beautifully during the Christmas pageant. It was so moving I got big crocodile tears in my eyes and my throat got "that lump" in it. The message in this book is powerful and strong. I downloaded this book on the recommendation of a friend. Boy am I glad I did! It was a wonderful heart warming read and well worth 10+ stars and I will recommend it to anyone and everyone.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Synopsis: "At age six, Dave was alone swinging in his backyard and heard a heavenly voice, “SNOW SOMETIMES FALLS!” It takes over thirty years, along with several calamities to discover what God was telling him that day. Dave learns, even through the tragic death of his mother, the thirty-year revelation was well worth the wait."

My Review: I wasn't expecting this one to be quite so religious or to be quite so emotional but it certainly was both. I didn't mind the religion all that much, I tend to be a little more open about it this time of year. With that said there is a crazy amount of emotion involved in this book, I was near tears many times and would have to stop reading while at work. It had a wealth and variety of characters that was very interesting, and it almost seemed as they each had their own individual storyline. A lot going on for such a short book but it didn't seem rushed either. All in all a wonderful book for the Christmas season.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful book perhaps with more sentimentality that I can stand but guess what? I loved it! It has a message and purpose and I think those that deal with past hurt or grief will benefit from reading the book. Often I don't care for sentimentality in books because it can become a bit redundant or pretentious but in this case, it was just right. At times the story seemed a all over the place but at the end, I understood the reasons for the little stories and everything fit perfectly and had a purpose for the message. The author has a wonderful way of telling a story and making you feel that you have been entertained and enlightened at the same time.

[Raven Haired Girl]

Visit Raven Haired Girl for more reviews & giveaways

For those of you struggling with the absence of loved ones during the holiday season, you will want to read this little gem. The story is meaningful, poignant, it will provide you with great comfort not just for the holidays but every day. A great way to strengthen you spiritually, rekindle your spiritual relationship or ease the void you’re feeling.

I was touched by this story personally and it certainly left me in a better place. The message alone is worth the read. I guarantee this story will strike a cord with you as much as it did with me. Absolutely lovely.

[Myra Chinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Snow Sometimes Falls is a wonderful read! It was grab you by the heart and squeeze one minutes and have you laughing at the next minute. The book is written extremely well. The story flows and keeps you going. I recommend this book to anyone. Such great examples of how the Lord weaves our lives in his infinite wisdom and we figure out why and how in His time. Please read this book! It is so worth your time. Thank you Brian Ming for a wonderful book!

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A so so read

The book held my interest only because I wanted to know what "snow sometimes falls" meant. Many parts were boring and I practically skipped through them. I felt the author was too repetitive with the main character's feelings. I also thought it was corny. Yet I forced myself to finish the book.

[Vickie Knob · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great message

This book was a breath of fresh air for me. A change from the usual books I read. I found myself rushing to find answers right along with Dave. I have to admit...I cried through the last few chapters. Loved the ending. Especially the song.

[Sarita · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started of promising, but somewhere after 35% I lost interest. There was a mystery about Dave as boy, but that was not as intriguing as I prefer for mysteries.

[Brandi VonBartheld · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pastors are people too

I loved this book. It was well written and gripped my attention right from the start. It made me laugh and cry and it has a great overall message.

[Danielle Woodcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Read

Made me laugh, made me cry ... A very good read. It has an unexpected twist. Very hard to put down once I started.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspirational book about faith and believing God will see you through.

[Linda Rainey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful story about a young boy grown into a man guided and protected by The Lord throughout his life.
This is a perfect Christmas story to read to your family every year.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Powerful Story

This book keeps you reading, not to mention laughing and crying. There are so many things interweaving that all come together in the end. It is a story of family and friendship, fellowship and sharing. It has some unexpected turns as it concludes with realizing just what a wonderful God we have!

[julie morse · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good Inspirational book

I read The Shack and this book is up there with it. I believe GOD does talk to us if we only listened with our hearts and not our ears. This book had funny parts, sad parts, and parts that made me want to do for others

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not even sure what to think of this book so I will leave the rating a three stars. Most of the book was really sweet, but then their were some very jarring parts. When Dave starts remembering a day from his childhood and it turns into this big reveal, it almost felt as if it belonged in a different book.

Misuse of the word miricle drove me up the wall toward the end.

And I still don't get the quote that is repeated over and over again. There was a lightbulb moment for Dave, but I still am not sure about it.

What was with his Dad cursing that one time? It really bugged me.

I DID love how Dave reached out to people in need. His heart for others was great. I also liked how he dealt with real emotions and issues.

[George · Rating 2 out of 5]

HOKIER-THAN-THOU, BUT PLEASANT.

“Everywhere he looked, Dave’s eyes slung memories like paint on a canvas.” (Location 1249)

Let me first thank the author, Brian Ming, for his generosity in gifting me an electronic copy of this pleasant novel: Snow Sometimes Falls. He is certainly a talented storyteller.

I enjoyed the writing style. I enjoyed the characters. And I mostly enjoyed the tale. I could have done without the over-promotion of the religious agenda, though.

Recommendation: I would not recommend the the genre, but I suspect that there might be a wide readership for this novel among ‘Christian-Lit’ enthusiasts—especially young adults.

“…of a firstborn: Attention to detail and planning, promptness, given to take responsibility, more prone to stand alone rather than in a group.” (Location 1515)

Kindle Edition, 2,781 Location

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just an Ok read. An inspirational story of a Pastor and his family. The characters were pretty flat but if you like warm family stories you might enjoy it.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book, brings to light the necessity of trying to understand what God is saying to you and that it sometimes takes many years for full understanding, so it highlights the need for a personal relationship with the Lord.