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I Heard the Bells
Four authors, four Christmas novellas of peace, joy, love (and red pickup trucks)
A Christmas Wedding to Die For by Darlene L. Turner
’Tis the season for deadly secrets.
Photographer Adelaide Fox thought she had the perfect assignment—capturing the winning shot at a high-profile Yukon wedding. But when the bride vanishes and a guest is found dead, holiday cheer turns to mystery. As a blizzard approaches, Adelaide teams up with the bride’s rugged brother, tracker Declan Stone. With danger closing in, suspicious guests, and threatening messages, Adelaide must unravel the truth—and maybe open her heart—to find peace on earth this Christmas.
Season of Forever by Helena Smrcek
Past meets present. Two hearts, WWII secrets, and a Christmas of second chances.
Past and present entwine in a story of love, loss, and second chances. In the shadows of WWII, a fragile romance is tested by sacrifice and distance. Decades later, in St. Jacobs, Ontario, Faith helps at her grandmother’s sweater shop, while next door Joseph acquires a charred WWII Bible marked with a red ribbon. Despite their rocky first encounter, will Faith and Joseph give their budding relationship a chance—and uncover the hidden story within the Bible’s pages?
Falling for You by Melanie Stevenson
A broken engagement, a broken rib, and a broken heart.
Author Laurel Bennett hadn’t planned to spend Christmas this way. Her escape to Banff was meant to avoid her ex-fiancé’s wedding, not land her in recovery at the Banff Springs Hotel. But when she crosses paths with Dr. Ethan Pine—the charming stranger who saved her on the slopes—everything changes. A whirlwind of magical days sparks undeniable chemistry, and they must decide if love can bridge both the distance and the wounds that threaten to keep them apart.
Merry Christmas, Mr. Potter by Sara Davison
He thought he knew exactly what he wanted.
Jack Miller is determined to make it big in the Big Apple. So why does he keep getting dragged back to the place—and the woman—he’s trying to leave behind? Playing the lead in his tiny Nova Scotian town’s production of It’s a Wonderful Life gives Jack a glimpse into the life that could have been his. Good thing it’s not the one he wants, since it’s clearly too late for him to get it back.
A Christmas Wedding to Die For by Darlene L. Turner
’Tis the season for deadly secrets.
Photographer Adelaide Fox thought she had the perfect assignment—capturing the winning shot at a high-profile Yukon wedding. But when the bride vanishes and a guest is found dead, holiday cheer turns to mystery. As a blizzard approaches, Adelaide teams up with the bride’s rugged brother, tracker Declan Stone. With danger closing in, suspicious guests, and threatening messages, Adelaide must unravel the truth—and maybe open her heart—to find peace on earth this Christmas.
Season of Forever by Helena Smrcek
Past meets present. Two hearts, WWII secrets, and a Christmas of second chances.
Past and present entwine in a story of love, loss, and second chances. In the shadows of WWII, a fragile romance is tested by sacrifice and distance. Decades later, in St. Jacobs, Ontario, Faith helps at her grandmother’s sweater shop, while next door Joseph acquires a charred WWII Bible marked with a red ribbon. Despite their rocky first encounter, will Faith and Joseph give their budding relationship a chance—and uncover the hidden story within the Bible’s pages?
Falling for You by Melanie Stevenson
A broken engagement, a broken rib, and a broken heart.
Author Laurel Bennett hadn’t planned to spend Christmas this way. Her escape to Banff was meant to avoid her ex-fiancé’s wedding, not land her in recovery at the Banff Springs Hotel. But when she crosses paths with Dr. Ethan Pine—the charming stranger who saved her on the slopes—everything changes. A whirlwind of magical days sparks undeniable chemistry, and they must decide if love can bridge both the distance and the wounds that threaten to keep them apart.
Merry Christmas, Mr. Potter by Sara Davison
He thought he knew exactly what he wanted.
Jack Miller is determined to make it big in the Big Apple. So why does he keep getting dragged back to the place—and the woman—he’s trying to leave behind? Playing the lead in his tiny Nova Scotian town’s production of It’s a Wonderful Life gives Jack a glimpse into the life that could have been his. Good thing it’s not the one he wants, since it’s clearly too late for him to get it back.
415 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2025
51 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
Darlene L. Turner
64 books925 followersDarlene L. Turner is an award-winning, best-selling author and lives with her husband, Jeff in Ontario, Canada. Her love of suspense began when she read her first Nancy Drew book. She’s turned that passion into her writing and believes readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message. You can connect with Darlene at www.darlenelturner.com where there’s suspense beyond borders. Be sure to follow her on BookBub https://bit.ly/33TYIS2
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
October 12, 2025
This book is a delightful Christmas read of four novellas written by four extremely talented authors. Each story is a stand alone, although there are common elements in all four: a red truck, the Christmas song “I heard the bells”, and a strong faith thread with Jesus! Each book is a different genre and trope, including suspense/mystery, dual timeline, meet cute, and second chances. There were moments that had me laughing out loud as well as moments that tugged at my heartstrings, cheering the characters on and also wanting to give them a little shake and ask “what are you doing??” The characters spoke to me and I empathized with the struggles they faced spiritually as well as in their relationships. I loved the fact that each story is so different that there is something for almost everyone! The last story by Sara Davison has quotes from “It’s a Wonderful Life” at the beginning of each chapter which was a fun little extra to the story. I received an advanced readers copy of the book to read. All thoughts and opinions are honest and my own. I definitely recommend this book!
October 14, 2025
I loved this book with it's romance, intrigue, murder and most of all Christmas spirit. Four separate stories in one book written by a wonderful group of talented authors - Fab Four Reader's Cafe.
I read it in one day because the stories were so special, each one completely different to the other but all written with love, humour, Christmas spirit and a love for Christ.
This book would make a lovely Christmas gift.
I read it in one day because the stories were so special, each one completely different to the other but all written with love, humour, Christmas spirit and a love for Christ.
This book would make a lovely Christmas gift.
October 11, 2025
This is an enjoyable anthology of Christmas stories by the “Fab Four” author group. My favourite story in this year’s collection was “Falling For You” by Melanie Stevenson which was a delightful romance set at a ski hill. Laurel is a skilled skier, but on a trip to Banff, Alberta to escape her ex’s wedding she falls and breaks a rib. It cut her ski vacation short but kick-started a romance with the doctor who helps her down off the hill. There are four stories total - we also get a murder mystery, a historical romance and a contemporary romance. This is a really nice collection.
October 14, 2025
4 great holiday love stories,each unique in their own way,filled with wonderful characters & great storylines. Grab yourself a copy when this book releases on 10-28
October 28, 2025
An eclectic collection of stories, this quartet fits together very well. I enjoyed each and every one very much.
Loosely connected by elements: a red truck and a Christmas Carol (betcha can’t guess which one! Hint: it’s in the title!), each story stands on its own. You’ll find the past and the present, suspense and a meet-cute, and memorable characters that come to life in these pages.
The authors have come together to give us four heartwarming stories for the holidays and their tales are definitely on point. I would tell you my favorite but I can’t pick just one.
I received an advance copy from the publisher. I’m under no obligation and my review has not been solicited. Ho, ho, highly recommend!
Loosely connected by elements: a red truck and a Christmas Carol (betcha can’t guess which one! Hint: it’s in the title!), each story stands on its own. You’ll find the past and the present, suspense and a meet-cute, and memorable characters that come to life in these pages.
The authors have come together to give us four heartwarming stories for the holidays and their tales are definitely on point. I would tell you my favorite but I can’t pick just one.
I received an advance copy from the publisher. I’m under no obligation and my review has not been solicited. Ho, ho, highly recommend!
October 11, 2025
I received this book as an ARC with no expectations of a positive review. I loved all four stories in this anthology. Each writer bought their own flair of stories. There's romantic suspense, WWII romance, contempory romance, and a playoff of "It's a Wonderful Life." This book has something for everyone. I could not stop reading. I loved that I could read on story each evening. This is a must read for all fans who want to get into the holiday spirit.
October 29, 2025
I Heard the Bells are a collection of very different styles of writing by 4 authors. In these 4 novella’s you will get a little of everything.
A Christmas Wedding to Die for by Darlene L Turner is your murder/Mystery romance.
A season of Forever by Helena Smrcek is your duel time line romance
Falling For You by Melanie Stevenson is your holiday mishap.
Merry Christmas M. Porter is your It’s a Wonderful Life story of second chances.
Thank you for this Arc. Sit back and enjoy these cozy reads. This is my honest review
A Christmas Wedding to Die for by Darlene L Turner is your murder/Mystery romance.
A season of Forever by Helena Smrcek is your duel time line romance
Falling For You by Melanie Stevenson is your holiday mishap.
Merry Christmas M. Porter is your It’s a Wonderful Life story of second chances.
Thank you for this Arc. Sit back and enjoy these cozy reads. This is my honest review
November 9, 2025
Four stories of love and romance at Christmas. in each story, the characters have something to work through: finding where home truly is, not being considered "good enough" for their love interest, the belief that one's looks disqualify one from love. Each character has to face love head on, work through their issues, and trust in God to provide & help. In general, though, a cozy Christmas romance read that takes the reader to four vastly different Canadian locations.
October 17, 2025
Another great Christmas anthology by the "Fab Four"! This book had 4 novella length stories in it, all of which were thoroughly enjoyable. Though the writing styles, genres, characters and story lines were different for each of the stories, they were all connected by a red truck and "I Heard the Bells" - in most stories the song, but in one of them actual church bells.
The first story is A Christmas Wedding to Die For. When Addie Fox is asked to be the photographer for her best friend's wedding, she's hesitant - both due to the fact that she photographs nature rather than people and her long time crush on the bride's brother, but she'll do anything for Jaime Jo. When things aren't all they seem, the bride goes missing, and someone ends up dead, Addie has to work with the man she's been smitten with since high school to solve the mystery. This was an enjoyable romantic suspense story. Since the characters have solid history, the romance felt paced better than most romantic suspense novellas and the mystery element was also paced just right. There was a faith thread as Addie had lost her faith in God, but she came to rely on Him to help solve the mystery and to help heal her relationship with her mother.
Next up was Season of Forever. This one was a dual timeline where a seller of rare books comes across a Bible with an inscription from the king and a red ribbon inside. As he makes a plan to search for the family who will want to keep this treasured heirloom, he finds himself drawn to the prickly sweater seller in the next booth over in the holiday market. In the past timeline, a British soldier and Canadian female pilot spend Christmas day during WWII reminiscing on Christmases past as they attempt to enjoy a single day without fighting. She gives him the red ribbon from her hair when they part ways. They form a bond strengthened by letters, but will it be enough? Though the romance moved a bit quickly for my liking in both timelines, wartime romances did tend to move a bit more quickly. The faith thread in this one was a bit more subtle, but still present.
The 3rd story was Falling for You. This was probably my least favorite of the 4, in part due to the quickness of the romance and the miscommunication trope, but I did really like the hero of the story and the setting. Having been to Banff a couple of times, I could see the scenery in my minds eye and it was like coming home for me. I enjoyed the overall story line as well. The faith thread in this one was more pronounced as Laurel is coming back to faith, recognizing that she has only called to God when she's been desperate in the past and wants to change that.
The final story was Merry Christmas, Mr. Potter. Since Sara Davison is one of my favorites, I was most excited for this story and she delivered. When Jack comes back to his hometown to play George Bailey in the town's Christmas play of It's a Wonderful Life, he can't help but see the similarities in the role he is playing to his own life. As he comes to the point where he needs to make decisions about his future, he finds that he truly has a wonderful life. Since It's a Wonderful Life is one of my all-time favorite Christmas movies, I thoroughly enjoyed this story, learned some behind-the-scenes trivia about the movie itself and enjoyed this second chance romance story with a faith lesson tucked in to a familiar tale.
All in all, this is a thoroughly enjoyable collection and one I can easily recommend to fans of Christmas stories. Special thanks to the authors for an advance e-copy of this book. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.
The first story is A Christmas Wedding to Die For. When Addie Fox is asked to be the photographer for her best friend's wedding, she's hesitant - both due to the fact that she photographs nature rather than people and her long time crush on the bride's brother, but she'll do anything for Jaime Jo. When things aren't all they seem, the bride goes missing, and someone ends up dead, Addie has to work with the man she's been smitten with since high school to solve the mystery. This was an enjoyable romantic suspense story. Since the characters have solid history, the romance felt paced better than most romantic suspense novellas and the mystery element was also paced just right. There was a faith thread as Addie had lost her faith in God, but she came to rely on Him to help solve the mystery and to help heal her relationship with her mother.
Next up was Season of Forever. This one was a dual timeline where a seller of rare books comes across a Bible with an inscription from the king and a red ribbon inside. As he makes a plan to search for the family who will want to keep this treasured heirloom, he finds himself drawn to the prickly sweater seller in the next booth over in the holiday market. In the past timeline, a British soldier and Canadian female pilot spend Christmas day during WWII reminiscing on Christmases past as they attempt to enjoy a single day without fighting. She gives him the red ribbon from her hair when they part ways. They form a bond strengthened by letters, but will it be enough? Though the romance moved a bit quickly for my liking in both timelines, wartime romances did tend to move a bit more quickly. The faith thread in this one was a bit more subtle, but still present.
The 3rd story was Falling for You. This was probably my least favorite of the 4, in part due to the quickness of the romance and the miscommunication trope, but I did really like the hero of the story and the setting. Having been to Banff a couple of times, I could see the scenery in my minds eye and it was like coming home for me. I enjoyed the overall story line as well. The faith thread in this one was more pronounced as Laurel is coming back to faith, recognizing that she has only called to God when she's been desperate in the past and wants to change that.
The final story was Merry Christmas, Mr. Potter. Since Sara Davison is one of my favorites, I was most excited for this story and she delivered. When Jack comes back to his hometown to play George Bailey in the town's Christmas play of It's a Wonderful Life, he can't help but see the similarities in the role he is playing to his own life. As he comes to the point where he needs to make decisions about his future, he finds that he truly has a wonderful life. Since It's a Wonderful Life is one of my all-time favorite Christmas movies, I thoroughly enjoyed this story, learned some behind-the-scenes trivia about the movie itself and enjoyed this second chance romance story with a faith lesson tucked in to a familiar tale.
All in all, this is a thoroughly enjoyable collection and one I can easily recommend to fans of Christmas stories. Special thanks to the authors for an advance e-copy of this book. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.
October 17, 2025
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review
A collection of 4 Christmas love stories that are sure to heighten your Christmas spirit. There's an investigative story where 2 store neighbours try to find the former RAF member who lost his Bible, which leads them to finding each other in the process. Childhood friends (and each others secret crush) come together for his sister's wedding, only to have his sister disappear and the baker turn up. Or maybe you'll relate to a writer that is avoiding her ex's wedding and goes with her best friend to Banff, only to find herself with a broken rib in the hospital, but at least her doctor is the most handsome man she's ever seen, and he doesn't seem to notice any other women when she's around too. Finally, for the movie buff, there's a theatrical rendition of It's a Wonderful Life happening in a small town in Nova Scotia. The star of the play left town 18 months ago with dreams of making it big, leaving behind his first love. His return for this play has him realizing that, just like George Bailey, he may have a more wonderful life than he thought.
This was a great collection of novellas. You can tell the writers are all friends and even though it is four separate stories, they all blend together. The only story that was slightly separate from the others was Falling For You, which was written in first person and only told her POV and the others were told by both his and her POVs. I really enjoyed the quotes in Merry Christmas, Mr. Potter from the movie. I watch It's A Wonderful Life every year and reading the quotes helped set up the scene for me.
A collection of 4 Christmas love stories that are sure to heighten your Christmas spirit. There's an investigative story where 2 store neighbours try to find the former RAF member who lost his Bible, which leads them to finding each other in the process. Childhood friends (and each others secret crush) come together for his sister's wedding, only to have his sister disappear and the baker turn up. Or maybe you'll relate to a writer that is avoiding her ex's wedding and goes with her best friend to Banff, only to find herself with a broken rib in the hospital, but at least her doctor is the most handsome man she's ever seen, and he doesn't seem to notice any other women when she's around too. Finally, for the movie buff, there's a theatrical rendition of It's a Wonderful Life happening in a small town in Nova Scotia. The star of the play left town 18 months ago with dreams of making it big, leaving behind his first love. His return for this play has him realizing that, just like George Bailey, he may have a more wonderful life than he thought.
This was a great collection of novellas. You can tell the writers are all friends and even though it is four separate stories, they all blend together. The only story that was slightly separate from the others was Falling For You, which was written in first person and only told her POV and the others were told by both his and her POVs. I really enjoyed the quotes in Merry Christmas, Mr. Potter from the movie. I watch It's A Wonderful Life every year and reading the quotes helped set up the scene for me.
October 18, 2025
I found this to be a great collections of Christmas novella. I received a complimentary copy from the authors and these are my voluntary and honest opinions. I was not required to leave a positive review.
A Season of Forever - Helena Smrcek
Wow, this novella really pulled at my heart! It was hard to hold in the tears in a few places. I don’t want to ruin any part of this story, so absolutely no spoilers here! Both story are excellent, but Gloria and Emmanuel stole my heart. What a love story! Well worth my time reading.
A Christmas to Die For - Darlene Turner
A good whodunit for Christmas; lots of twists and turns, secrets and betrayal. Declan and Adelaide have history and hidden affections for each other but both assume what the other is feeling. Not a good idea! They overcome this Christmas and discover their future. Kept me on my toes.
Falling for You - Melanie Stevenson
A new author to me; her story is a little light-hearted but with some heavy moments, too. Ethan and Laurel meet under unusual circumstances and immediately sparks ignite. They both jump to conclusion about the other at times and must work through them to get their HEA. Nice read.
Merry Christmas, Mr. Potter - Sara Davison
A new author to me; but her story was woven perfectly with an old classic movie. Jack had to grow up and mature to see what was right in front of him. His second chance with Kali was so sweet and tender. God granted their wish for Christmas! Great read.
A Season of Forever - Helena Smrcek
Wow, this novella really pulled at my heart! It was hard to hold in the tears in a few places. I don’t want to ruin any part of this story, so absolutely no spoilers here! Both story are excellent, but Gloria and Emmanuel stole my heart. What a love story! Well worth my time reading.
A Christmas to Die For - Darlene Turner
A good whodunit for Christmas; lots of twists and turns, secrets and betrayal. Declan and Adelaide have history and hidden affections for each other but both assume what the other is feeling. Not a good idea! They overcome this Christmas and discover their future. Kept me on my toes.
Falling for You - Melanie Stevenson
A new author to me; her story is a little light-hearted but with some heavy moments, too. Ethan and Laurel meet under unusual circumstances and immediately sparks ignite. They both jump to conclusion about the other at times and must work through them to get their HEA. Nice read.
Merry Christmas, Mr. Potter - Sara Davison
A new author to me; but her story was woven perfectly with an old classic movie. Jack had to grow up and mature to see what was right in front of him. His second chance with Kali was so sweet and tender. God granted their wish for Christmas! Great read.
October 18, 2025
I Heard the Bells by the Fab Four
Darlene L Turner,Helena Smrcek, Melanie Stevenson and
Sara Davison
Release date October 28,2025
This book was written by four amazing authors who gave us for delightful Christmas Novelas. Each book has a different genre. But they are all clean. Christian reads. And very different. We have suspense/mystery, time travel/2 different timelines, cute and my favorite second chances.
This would make a lovely Christmas gift. Very uplifting with some humor and definitely the spirit of love for our Lord.
Darlene L Turner,Helena Smrcek, Melanie Stevenson and
Sara Davison
Release date October 28,2025
This book was written by four amazing authors who gave us for delightful Christmas Novelas. Each book has a different genre. But they are all clean. Christian reads. And very different. We have suspense/mystery, time travel/2 different timelines, cute and my favorite second chances.
This would make a lovely Christmas gift. Very uplifting with some humor and definitely the spirit of love for our Lord.
October 15, 2025
An absolutely delightful set of novellas for the Christmas season. Each story is very unique, but all tied together with romantic themes for a heart-warming book. I really enjoyed how different each story was, their own take on a few key themes throughout. I loved them each individually, absorbed in the well written stories with fantastic characters. There's no way for me to even choose a favorite out of them all!
Thank you for the arc!
Thank you for the arc!
October 29, 2025
I Heard the Bells by Sara Davison , Helena Smrcek, Darlene L. Turner and Melanie Stevenson
(a contemporary Christmas novella collection)
by Sara Davison , Helena Smrcek, Darlene L. Turner and Melanie Stevenson
Four authors, four Christmas novellas of peace, joy, love (and red pickup trucks)
A Christmas Wedding to Die For by Darlene L. Turner
’Tis the season for deadly secrets.
Photographer Adelaide Fox thought she had the perfect assignment—capturing the winning shot at a high-profile Yukon wedding. But when the bride vanishes and a guest is found dead, holiday cheer turns to mystery. As a blizzard approaches, Adelaide teams up with the bride’s rugged brother, tracker Declan Stone. With danger closing in, suspicious guests, and threatening messages, Adelaide must unravel the truth—and maybe open her heart—to find peace on earth this Christmas.
Season of Forever by Helena Smrcek
Past meets present. Two hearts, WWII secrets, and a Christmas of second chances.
Past and present entwine in a story of love, loss, and second chances. In the shadows of WWII, a fragile romance is tested by sacrifice and distance. Decades later, in St. Jacobs, Ontario, Faith helps at her grandmother’s sweater shop, while next door Joseph acquires a charred WWII Bible marked with a red ribbon. Despite their rocky first encounter, will Faith and Joseph give their budding relationship a chance—and uncover the hidden story within the Bible’s pages?
Falling for You by Melanie Stevenson
A broken engagement, a broken rib, and a broken heart.
Author Laurel Bennett hadn’t planned to spend Christmas this way. Her escape to Banff was meant to avoid her ex-fiancé’s wedding, not land her in recovery at the Banff Springs Hotel. But when she crosses paths with Dr. Ethan Pine—the charming stranger who saved her on the slopes—everything changes. A whirlwind of magical days sparks undeniable chemistry, and they must decide if love can bridge both the distance and the wounds that threaten to keep them apart.
Merry Christmas, Mr. Potter by Sara Davison
He thought he knew exactly what he wanted.
Jack Miller is determined to make it big in the Big Apple. So why does he keep getting dragged back to the place—and the woman—he’s trying to leave behind? Playing the lead in his tiny Nova Scotian town’s production of It’s a Wonderful Life gives Jack a glimpse into the life that could have been his. Good thing it’s not the one he wants, since it’s clearly too late for him to get it back.
Each story is a different genre.
The novellas have a common threads red truck, and the Christmas song “I Heard the Bells”
This is a good collection of Christmas stories.
I recommend this book.
I Heard the Bells by Sara Davison , Helena Smrcek, Darlene L. Turner and Melanie Stevenson
is a 5 -star book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Sara Davison , Helena Smrcek, Darlene L. Turner and Melanie Stevenson .
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions shared here in this review are my own.
(a contemporary Christmas novella collection)
by Sara Davison , Helena Smrcek, Darlene L. Turner and Melanie Stevenson
Four authors, four Christmas novellas of peace, joy, love (and red pickup trucks)
A Christmas Wedding to Die For by Darlene L. Turner
’Tis the season for deadly secrets.
Photographer Adelaide Fox thought she had the perfect assignment—capturing the winning shot at a high-profile Yukon wedding. But when the bride vanishes and a guest is found dead, holiday cheer turns to mystery. As a blizzard approaches, Adelaide teams up with the bride’s rugged brother, tracker Declan Stone. With danger closing in, suspicious guests, and threatening messages, Adelaide must unravel the truth—and maybe open her heart—to find peace on earth this Christmas.
Season of Forever by Helena Smrcek
Past meets present. Two hearts, WWII secrets, and a Christmas of second chances.
Past and present entwine in a story of love, loss, and second chances. In the shadows of WWII, a fragile romance is tested by sacrifice and distance. Decades later, in St. Jacobs, Ontario, Faith helps at her grandmother’s sweater shop, while next door Joseph acquires a charred WWII Bible marked with a red ribbon. Despite their rocky first encounter, will Faith and Joseph give their budding relationship a chance—and uncover the hidden story within the Bible’s pages?
Falling for You by Melanie Stevenson
A broken engagement, a broken rib, and a broken heart.
Author Laurel Bennett hadn’t planned to spend Christmas this way. Her escape to Banff was meant to avoid her ex-fiancé’s wedding, not land her in recovery at the Banff Springs Hotel. But when she crosses paths with Dr. Ethan Pine—the charming stranger who saved her on the slopes—everything changes. A whirlwind of magical days sparks undeniable chemistry, and they must decide if love can bridge both the distance and the wounds that threaten to keep them apart.
Merry Christmas, Mr. Potter by Sara Davison
He thought he knew exactly what he wanted.
Jack Miller is determined to make it big in the Big Apple. So why does he keep getting dragged back to the place—and the woman—he’s trying to leave behind? Playing the lead in his tiny Nova Scotian town’s production of It’s a Wonderful Life gives Jack a glimpse into the life that could have been his. Good thing it’s not the one he wants, since it’s clearly too late for him to get it back.
Each story is a different genre.
The novellas have a common threads red truck, and the Christmas song “I Heard the Bells”
This is a good collection of Christmas stories.
I recommend this book.
I Heard the Bells by Sara Davison , Helena Smrcek, Darlene L. Turner and Melanie Stevenson
is a 5 -star book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Sara Davison , Helena Smrcek, Darlene L. Turner and Melanie Stevenson .
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions shared here in this review are my own.
October 27, 2025
In A Christmas Wedding to Die For by Darlene Turner, we meet Adelaide and Declan. Adelaide has crushed on Declan for years, though he's her friend's older brother. Now, they're brought together again for JJ's wedding, and Adelaide is sure Declan feels nothing for her still. Declan has loved Adelaide for quite awhile, but he's sure she only thinks of him as JJ's irritating older brother. He'd like to change that, if he only knew she'd be open to it. When a JJ disappears and a wedding guest is murdered, the two work together to try to figure out what's going on. Love how Declan depends on God, and that Adelaide learns that she can trust God to lead her, and that He loves her. Love how everything comes together!
In Season of Forever by Helena Smrcek, we meet Faith and Joseph and Emmanuel and Gloria. Faith and Joseph are current day, and Emmanuel and Gloria are from WWII. Faith grandmother is in the hospital, so Faith is working her grandmother's stall at the market, right next to Joseph. When they first meet, they don't hit it off very well, though Joseph thinks she's adorable and she thinks he's handsome. When Faith finds a clue in a Bible for an RAF pilot, Joseph tells her he's going to look for the family and see if they want the Bible back. Turns out, the Bible belonged to Emmanuel, and the clue was a gift from Gloria. These two stories in one are soooo good, and I love a book where I get two-for-one!!
In Falling for You by Melanie Stevenson, we meet Laurel and Ethan, who meet on the ski slopes after Laurel takes a bad fall. Turns out Ethan is a doctor, so he stays with her and helps her get the help she needs. Through a series of coincidences, they keep spending time together, and then realize that they've fallen for each other. Then, things happen to make them question if what they've found could possibly work out. Laurel learns that she needs to rely on God all of the time, not just when something goes wrong. Love how things come together!!
In Merry Christmas, Mr. Potter by Sara Davison, we meet Jack and Kaliyah. They've known each other since he was nineteen and she was eighteen. They were an item, and everyone thought they'd end up married. Until Jack decided his dream was to still to go to New York, and he left Kaliyah and his hometown behind. Now, he's back, and from their first meeting, they find out those old feelings are still there. Can Jack figure out this time that his place is with her, in his hometown? I love how Jack figures out that God has always been in control, just waiting for Jack to listen. Love the way everything works out!!
In a set like this, I usually find one that stands out more, but not this time! All of these stories are soooo good!!!
I received a complimentary copy of this set, was not required to leave a review, and the opinion expressed is my own.
In Season of Forever by Helena Smrcek, we meet Faith and Joseph and Emmanuel and Gloria. Faith and Joseph are current day, and Emmanuel and Gloria are from WWII. Faith grandmother is in the hospital, so Faith is working her grandmother's stall at the market, right next to Joseph. When they first meet, they don't hit it off very well, though Joseph thinks she's adorable and she thinks he's handsome. When Faith finds a clue in a Bible for an RAF pilot, Joseph tells her he's going to look for the family and see if they want the Bible back. Turns out, the Bible belonged to Emmanuel, and the clue was a gift from Gloria. These two stories in one are soooo good, and I love a book where I get two-for-one!!
In Falling for You by Melanie Stevenson, we meet Laurel and Ethan, who meet on the ski slopes after Laurel takes a bad fall. Turns out Ethan is a doctor, so he stays with her and helps her get the help she needs. Through a series of coincidences, they keep spending time together, and then realize that they've fallen for each other. Then, things happen to make them question if what they've found could possibly work out. Laurel learns that she needs to rely on God all of the time, not just when something goes wrong. Love how things come together!!
In Merry Christmas, Mr. Potter by Sara Davison, we meet Jack and Kaliyah. They've known each other since he was nineteen and she was eighteen. They were an item, and everyone thought they'd end up married. Until Jack decided his dream was to still to go to New York, and he left Kaliyah and his hometown behind. Now, he's back, and from their first meeting, they find out those old feelings are still there. Can Jack figure out this time that his place is with her, in his hometown? I love how Jack figures out that God has always been in control, just waiting for Jack to listen. Love the way everything works out!!
In a set like this, I usually find one that stands out more, but not this time! All of these stories are soooo good!!!
I received a complimentary copy of this set, was not required to leave a review, and the opinion expressed is my own.
November 11, 2025
Woohoo! Greatest impulse buy ever. I saw the pretty cover on Instagram and discovered that the collection is written by four Canadian authors with four different Canadian settings! Sold!
The novellas vary greatly, from mystery to dual timeline to rom/com but they all feature a Canadian Christmas and each story cleverly features a red truck and a classic Christmas Carol. Loved spotting those little connections in each novella.
In A Christmas Wedding to Die For by Darlene L. Turner, two cases of unrequited love meet up again in the Yukon wilderness. A Christmas wedding dissolves into mystery and mayhem, though there are plenty of cozy vibes that keep this from being a traditional suspense. Loved the fast pace and the eclectic secondary characters (a few who are truly dreadful!) I love feeling righteously indignant on behalf of a hero and heroine! I got a real sense of a Yukon winter which added an atmospheric element to the story.
Season of Forever by Helena Smreck is set in the scenic town of St. Jacobs Ontario (present day) and in England during World War II, so, yay, dual timeline novella style! I’ll admit to being drawn to the WWII romance (it made me cry) but I enjoyed the contrasts in the contemporary romance as well and the way the timelines fit together by the end wrapped things up nicely.
If you enjoy a good rom/com, Falling for You by Melanie Stevenson is the perfect fit. It’s super cute and playful with great comedic beats. The Banff, Alberta setting is a bonus. The author’s descriptions of the resort and the town made me feel like I was actually there. Romantical and funny with a bit of festive toe-curls thrown in to heat things up!
‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ is one of my favourite holiday movies and it takes centerstage in Sara Davison’s Merry Christmas, Mr. Potter. Angst abounds in this second chance romance that features two actors reunited in a small town theatre production of the classic movie. The Nova Scotia backdrop added an extra thrill to my maritime loving heart! And the way the author weaves elements of ‘It’s a Wonderful Live’ into Jack and Kali’s situation is masterfully written. A stunning way to end a stellar holiday collection.
https://kavsbestreads.ca/2025/11/11/i...
The novellas vary greatly, from mystery to dual timeline to rom/com but they all feature a Canadian Christmas and each story cleverly features a red truck and a classic Christmas Carol. Loved spotting those little connections in each novella.
In A Christmas Wedding to Die For by Darlene L. Turner, two cases of unrequited love meet up again in the Yukon wilderness. A Christmas wedding dissolves into mystery and mayhem, though there are plenty of cozy vibes that keep this from being a traditional suspense. Loved the fast pace and the eclectic secondary characters (a few who are truly dreadful!) I love feeling righteously indignant on behalf of a hero and heroine! I got a real sense of a Yukon winter which added an atmospheric element to the story.
Season of Forever by Helena Smreck is set in the scenic town of St. Jacobs Ontario (present day) and in England during World War II, so, yay, dual timeline novella style! I’ll admit to being drawn to the WWII romance (it made me cry) but I enjoyed the contrasts in the contemporary romance as well and the way the timelines fit together by the end wrapped things up nicely.
If you enjoy a good rom/com, Falling for You by Melanie Stevenson is the perfect fit. It’s super cute and playful with great comedic beats. The Banff, Alberta setting is a bonus. The author’s descriptions of the resort and the town made me feel like I was actually there. Romantical and funny with a bit of festive toe-curls thrown in to heat things up!
‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ is one of my favourite holiday movies and it takes centerstage in Sara Davison’s Merry Christmas, Mr. Potter. Angst abounds in this second chance romance that features two actors reunited in a small town theatre production of the classic movie. The Nova Scotia backdrop added an extra thrill to my maritime loving heart! And the way the author weaves elements of ‘It’s a Wonderful Live’ into Jack and Kali’s situation is masterfully written. A stunning way to end a stellar holiday collection.
https://kavsbestreads.ca/2025/11/11/i...
October 28, 2025
This is a collection of four wonderful stories with an emphasis on faith and dependence on it.
A Christmas Wedding to Die For by Darlene Turner is a fast-paced mystery that includes a missing bride and threatening notes. The wedding photographer, Addy, and the bride's brother, Declan, team up to try and find his sister and solve the mystery surrounding her disappearance. Weather conditions are treacherous and no one can be trusted.
Season of Forever by Helena Smrcek goes back and forth from past to present. Faith and Joseph are the stars of this story, and they are complete opposites. Faith is sunshine and daisies and Joseph is quite grumpy. As fate would have it, they have a common goal as they uncover the hidden story in an old Bible. I loved the hand-knitted Christmas sweaters that Faith's grandmother and her crew made. Sweaters and books go hand in hand in this story.
In Falling For You by Melanie Stevenson, Laurel Bennett is an author with a broken engagement and broken heart. Her friend talks her into going to Banff to ski and get away. Now she has something else to add to the broken pile and that is a broken rib. But this broken rib leads her to meet Dr. Ethan Pine. It was just what the doctor ordered. Her introduction to Ethan's red truck named Ruby was swoon central.
Lastly, in Merry Christmas Mr. Potter by Sara Davison, Jack Miller wanted to escape his small town life. He wanted life on the big theater stage in New York. When he left town, he left a broken heart behind in the love of his life, Kali. They find themselves back together on the small theater stage in their hometown. This was a lesson in not appreciating what you have until it's gone and realizing the bright lights of the city are not always as bright as you may think.
Each of these special novellas in this collection had wonderful characters and a wonderful story to share. I loved that each story was so different. It was not just romance. There was a little mystery and mystique, and there were lessons to be learned in each one as well.
Thank you to the authors for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A Christmas Wedding to Die For by Darlene Turner is a fast-paced mystery that includes a missing bride and threatening notes. The wedding photographer, Addy, and the bride's brother, Declan, team up to try and find his sister and solve the mystery surrounding her disappearance. Weather conditions are treacherous and no one can be trusted.
Season of Forever by Helena Smrcek goes back and forth from past to present. Faith and Joseph are the stars of this story, and they are complete opposites. Faith is sunshine and daisies and Joseph is quite grumpy. As fate would have it, they have a common goal as they uncover the hidden story in an old Bible. I loved the hand-knitted Christmas sweaters that Faith's grandmother and her crew made. Sweaters and books go hand in hand in this story.
In Falling For You by Melanie Stevenson, Laurel Bennett is an author with a broken engagement and broken heart. Her friend talks her into going to Banff to ski and get away. Now she has something else to add to the broken pile and that is a broken rib. But this broken rib leads her to meet Dr. Ethan Pine. It was just what the doctor ordered. Her introduction to Ethan's red truck named Ruby was swoon central.
Lastly, in Merry Christmas Mr. Potter by Sara Davison, Jack Miller wanted to escape his small town life. He wanted life on the big theater stage in New York. When he left town, he left a broken heart behind in the love of his life, Kali. They find themselves back together on the small theater stage in their hometown. This was a lesson in not appreciating what you have until it's gone and realizing the bright lights of the city are not always as bright as you may think.
Each of these special novellas in this collection had wonderful characters and a wonderful story to share. I loved that each story was so different. It was not just romance. There was a little mystery and mystique, and there were lessons to be learned in each one as well.
Thank you to the authors for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 28, 2025
An interestingly varied collection, with something for everyone. A couple of the stories weren't particularly my cup of tea, but I would expect others to enjoy them. My star rating is for the book as a whole but I'm going to focus below on my favourite story in the book, Merry Christmas, Mr. Potter by Sara Davison.
Jack left his home town and the girl he loved because he refused to turn his back on his dream to make it big in the New York acting scene. Eighteen months later, though, he's in New York but still just as far from his goal. When his agent is approached with a role for him, he's thrilled - until he learns it's back in his home town. Eventually, though, he accepts, knowing that at least Kali left town too, so he should be safe from running into her again. But when it turns out he's playing opposite her? Well, maybe the play has a message he needs to learn after all. If only he can persuade Kali to trust him again...
I've never watched 'It's a Wonderful Life', of which this is a retelling (I know, I gather that's scandalous), but I thoroughly enjoyed this story, either because of or despite that. I struggled a bit to identify with someone who'd be so obsessed with a dream that they'd turn their back on everything worthwhile in life (my opinion...) to follow it, but in some ways that made watching him gradually come to recognise his foolishness all the better - at least when he then changed. I loved how welcoming and supportive his family was, and felt for both them and Kali in having to have dealt with the fallout of his dream-chasing. And the wisdom people shared to wake Jack up was inspiring. All in all, a delightful story, heart-warming and Christmassy.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Jack left his home town and the girl he loved because he refused to turn his back on his dream to make it big in the New York acting scene. Eighteen months later, though, he's in New York but still just as far from his goal. When his agent is approached with a role for him, he's thrilled - until he learns it's back in his home town. Eventually, though, he accepts, knowing that at least Kali left town too, so he should be safe from running into her again. But when it turns out he's playing opposite her? Well, maybe the play has a message he needs to learn after all. If only he can persuade Kali to trust him again...
I've never watched 'It's a Wonderful Life', of which this is a retelling (I know, I gather that's scandalous), but I thoroughly enjoyed this story, either because of or despite that. I struggled a bit to identify with someone who'd be so obsessed with a dream that they'd turn their back on everything worthwhile in life (my opinion...) to follow it, but in some ways that made watching him gradually come to recognise his foolishness all the better - at least when he then changed. I loved how welcoming and supportive his family was, and felt for both them and Kali in having to have dealt with the fallout of his dream-chasing. And the wisdom people shared to wake Jack up was inspiring. All in all, a delightful story, heart-warming and Christmassy.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
October 27, 2025
I Heard the Bells (a contemporary Christmas novella collection) by Sara Davison, Helena Smrcek, Melanie Stevenson, and Darlene L. Turner has something for everyone. I liked all the stories. While Darlene L. Turner is a favorite author of mine, there were new authors to me whose stories I enjoyed too.
A Christmas Wedding to Die For by Darlene L. Turner has an unusual Christmas wedding mystery taking place in the Yukon. This was a story that kept me guessing until friend and photographer Adelaide Fox and brother to the bride Declan Stone put the clues together. Though their romance was not surprising God planned it all along.
Season of Forever by Helena Smrcek is also a favorite in the collection. A mystery recovered Bible with a story from the past coming to light kept me reading. The characters, Faith and Joseph were honest, normal like the rest of us imperfect so needing God’s grace. I could identify with this book.
Falling for You by Melanie Stevenson has two characters who meet unexpectantly. Both are wary of love because of hurts from others. A sweet romance and learning to trust God. I loved the closing statement of this novella.
Merry Christmas, Mr. Potter by Sara Davison has a wonderful Nove Scotia setting and the “It’s a Wonderful Life” play. What a beautiful way to honor that story with this new captivating one. This remaking of one’s dreams, has Jack and Kali realizing God’s plans are the best.
While they each can stand alone, they all are faith-based Christmas novellas with a couple of other common items in them. Have fun finding them as you read. What a delightful Christmas anthology.
A Christmas Wedding to Die For by Darlene L. Turner has an unusual Christmas wedding mystery taking place in the Yukon. This was a story that kept me guessing until friend and photographer Adelaide Fox and brother to the bride Declan Stone put the clues together. Though their romance was not surprising God planned it all along.
Season of Forever by Helena Smrcek is also a favorite in the collection. A mystery recovered Bible with a story from the past coming to light kept me reading. The characters, Faith and Joseph were honest, normal like the rest of us imperfect so needing God’s grace. I could identify with this book.
Falling for You by Melanie Stevenson has two characters who meet unexpectantly. Both are wary of love because of hurts from others. A sweet romance and learning to trust God. I loved the closing statement of this novella.
Merry Christmas, Mr. Potter by Sara Davison has a wonderful Nove Scotia setting and the “It’s a Wonderful Life” play. What a beautiful way to honor that story with this new captivating one. This remaking of one’s dreams, has Jack and Kali realizing God’s plans are the best.
While they each can stand alone, they all are faith-based Christmas novellas with a couple of other common items in them. Have fun finding them as you read. What a delightful Christmas anthology.
October 22, 2025
This inspirational anthology includes Christmas stories from four authors with a suspense, a dual-timeline, a sweet chance-meeting, and a re-telling of It’s a Wonderful Life.
A Christmas Wedding to Die For by Darlene L Turner is the suspense where the wedding is interrupted by a missing bride, a murder, a blizzard, and deadly secrets. This one is a nail-biter.
Season of Forever by Helena Smrcek ia a dual-timeline moving between today and World War II. A hidden story in a charred WWII Bible reveals a wartime love story, while leading a present-day couple to find their own love story. This tale of true love and faith left me uplifted and inspired.
Falling for You by Melanie Stevenson gives us a chance meeting when a doctor saves an author on the ski slopes. Both have wounded hearts, but cannot deny the chemistry flowing between them. Can they overcome past hurts to find love together? This is an enjoyable, sweet, feel-good romance.
Merry Christmas, Mr. Potter by Sara Davison presents a retelling of It’s a Wonderful Life in which an actor returns to his small hometown to appear in the local theatrical production of the movie. He learns how different his life could have been. Is it too late to have that life? I love this re-telling of my favorite movie of all time!
I wholeheartedly recommend I Heard the Bells for a varied, entertaining Christmas read! I received a digital copy to read but all opinions expressed are mine alone.
A Christmas Wedding to Die For by Darlene L Turner is the suspense where the wedding is interrupted by a missing bride, a murder, a blizzard, and deadly secrets. This one is a nail-biter.
Season of Forever by Helena Smrcek ia a dual-timeline moving between today and World War II. A hidden story in a charred WWII Bible reveals a wartime love story, while leading a present-day couple to find their own love story. This tale of true love and faith left me uplifted and inspired.
Falling for You by Melanie Stevenson gives us a chance meeting when a doctor saves an author on the ski slopes. Both have wounded hearts, but cannot deny the chemistry flowing between them. Can they overcome past hurts to find love together? This is an enjoyable, sweet, feel-good romance.
Merry Christmas, Mr. Potter by Sara Davison presents a retelling of It’s a Wonderful Life in which an actor returns to his small hometown to appear in the local theatrical production of the movie. He learns how different his life could have been. Is it too late to have that life? I love this re-telling of my favorite movie of all time!
I wholeheartedly recommend I Heard the Bells for a varied, entertaining Christmas read! I received a digital copy to read but all opinions expressed are mine alone.
October 13, 2025
The author of A Christmas to Die For is top level in initiating intrigue from the beginning! Who would have thought a seemingly innocent Christmas wedding could involve the menace, long held secrets and even more, a possible murder? Murly’s Wild West Adventure Ranch takes on a whole new meaning!
I am normally not a reader of time split stories but Season of Forever held my heart throughout its entirety. From the historic era of WWII to modern day, love knew no boundaries, be it miles or culture, lending an even sweeter aura to an already gratifying read!
Never in her wildest dreams could Laurel have imagined how life changing a ski trip with her bff, Ariel, to Banff would be in Falling for You. On the cusp of the wedding of her ex even a ski accident struggled to overshadow, maybe just maybe true love was on the horizon. Until her ex showed up. Entertaining, unpredictable, great work by this new to me author!
Merry Christmas, Mr Potter was a joy to read, simply put, and gave the stage production of It’s A Wonderful Life a whole new meaning. The Bluenose, a local theater in Bright Falls held many precious memories but a lonely, broken heart took precedent, to only be face to face with the very cause. Could Jack and Kali stay true to their profession playing George and Mary despite their past? Does time really heal?
I am normally not a reader of time split stories but Season of Forever held my heart throughout its entirety. From the historic era of WWII to modern day, love knew no boundaries, be it miles or culture, lending an even sweeter aura to an already gratifying read!
Never in her wildest dreams could Laurel have imagined how life changing a ski trip with her bff, Ariel, to Banff would be in Falling for You. On the cusp of the wedding of her ex even a ski accident struggled to overshadow, maybe just maybe true love was on the horizon. Until her ex showed up. Entertaining, unpredictable, great work by this new to me author!
Merry Christmas, Mr Potter was a joy to read, simply put, and gave the stage production of It’s A Wonderful Life a whole new meaning. The Bluenose, a local theater in Bright Falls held many precious memories but a lonely, broken heart took precedent, to only be face to face with the very cause. Could Jack and Kali stay true to their profession playing George and Mary despite their past? Does time really heal?
October 12, 2025
I Heard the Bells is a collection of holiday romances that run the spectrum from a murder mystery to a dual timeline story, all sweet romances that point to Jesus. Darlene Turner’s A Christmas Wedding to Die For has forced proximity of multiple people, a family secret, and a murder with multiple suspects. Declan and Adelaide are equally invested in having a relationship but oblivious to the other’s feelings. Helen Smrcek’s Season of Forever is a WW2 romance with present day touches. Faith and Joseph don’t exactly hit it off in 2025 but will their interest in a World War Two Bible bridge the gap in their personalities? Melanie Stevenson’s Falling for You is a sweet romance with a dash of comedy. Laurel is sweet, kind and very humble. Ethan is also kind and very patient with Laurel. Their courtship is swift but authentic. I was cheering them on. Sara Davison’s Merry Christmas, Mr Potter is a loose retelling of It’s a Wonderful Life. Jack is sure he’s made for more than his small town but to realize his potential is to sacrifice his relationship with Kali. Fast forward 18 months and Jack seems ready for round two of his previous life. Kali isn’t sure she agrees. Sweet Christmas romance. I received an advanced copy of this collection and this is my honest opinion.
October 17, 2025
I Heard the Bells Anthology by Darlene L. Turner, Helena Smreck, Melanie Stevenson, and Sara Davison is a beautifully balanced holiday collection that captures every facet of the Christmas spirit—romance, redemption, laughter, mystery, and hope. From a snow-covered Yukon ranch filled with secrets in “A Christmas Wedding to Die For,” to the cinnamon-scented charm and dual-timeline depth of “Season of Forever,” each story offers something unique. “Falling for You” brings pure rom-com delight with its laugh-out-loud ski-slope mishaps and cozy holiday healing, while “Merry Christmas, Mr. Potter” delivers a nostalgic second-chance romance that beautifully mirrors It’s a Wonderful Life.
Each novella stands strong on its own yet harmonizes perfectly with the others, leaving me teary-eyed, smiling, and full of Christmas warmth. The vivid winter settings, heartfelt characters, and faith-filled themes make this anthology the perfect read for curling up with cocoa by the fire. It’s light and cozy in moments, emotional and profound in others—a must-have for anyone who loves clean romance, small-town charm, and stories where love truly echoes through time.
Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of this book, and this is my honest and unbiased review.
Each novella stands strong on its own yet harmonizes perfectly with the others, leaving me teary-eyed, smiling, and full of Christmas warmth. The vivid winter settings, heartfelt characters, and faith-filled themes make this anthology the perfect read for curling up with cocoa by the fire. It’s light and cozy in moments, emotional and profound in others—a must-have for anyone who loves clean romance, small-town charm, and stories where love truly echoes through time.
Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of this book, and this is my honest and unbiased review.
October 24, 2025
I Heard the Bells contains four heartwarming Christmas novellas by Darlene L. Turner, Helena Smrcek, Melanie Stevenson, and Sara Davison. I liked that the four novellas have three common threads: a red truck, the Christmas song “I Heard the Bells,” and faith. Each story has a different genre and trope (dual timeline, a second chance romance, a meet cute, and a romantic suspense). There is something for everyone (there is humor too). I thought the stories were well-written with relatable characters. Seasons of Forever by Helena Smrcek had me rooting for the two couples, Falling for You by Melanie Stevenson provided some delightful laugh out loud moments (there were other times, though, when I wanted to give the characters a good shake and tell them to get their act together), and Merry Christmas, Mr. Potter by Sara Davison was cute, and I was rooting for the couple along with the townspeople. I like the quotes from “It’s a Wonderful Life” at the beginning of each chapter in Merry Christmas, Mr. Potter. Out of the four novellas, A Christmas Wedding to Die For by Darlene L. Turner was my favorite (I love a good mystery). I liked the characters, and I enjoyed the suspense. I finished I Heard the Bells with a smile on my face and humming a certain Christmas song.
November 13, 2025
Contemporary Christmas Collection:
A Christmas to Die For by Darlene L. Turner is set pre wedding at an outdoor adventure land with the bride being a wealthy socialite and the groom business guru Evan Bloom. You will be angry at the bride's snobbish parents and horrified at the death of an employee as you wonder who can be trusted.
Season of Forever by Helena Smreek: A World War II romance and a modern day meeting between the owner of a used book store specializing in old Bibles and a young woman filling in at her grandmother's sweater shop will keep your attention as Joseph searches for the history of a charred WWII Bible.
Falling for You by Melanie Stevenson: Laurel plans to spend Christmas in Banff to miss her ex-fiance's wedding but ends up in a skiing accident where Dr. Ethan Pine saves her!
Merry Christmas, Mr Potter by Sara Davison is the story of a young man from Nova Scotia who loves theater and intends to make it big in New York. Jack ends up acting in a local production along with his old girlfriend, Kali, and has to decide if he really wants to be in the Big Apple.
I enjoyed these Christmas novellas and recommend them to others. They are good to read between holiday activities. I received a complimentary e-book. This is my honest opinion.
A Christmas to Die For by Darlene L. Turner is set pre wedding at an outdoor adventure land with the bride being a wealthy socialite and the groom business guru Evan Bloom. You will be angry at the bride's snobbish parents and horrified at the death of an employee as you wonder who can be trusted.
Season of Forever by Helena Smreek: A World War II romance and a modern day meeting between the owner of a used book store specializing in old Bibles and a young woman filling in at her grandmother's sweater shop will keep your attention as Joseph searches for the history of a charred WWII Bible.
Falling for You by Melanie Stevenson: Laurel plans to spend Christmas in Banff to miss her ex-fiance's wedding but ends up in a skiing accident where Dr. Ethan Pine saves her!
Merry Christmas, Mr Potter by Sara Davison is the story of a young man from Nova Scotia who loves theater and intends to make it big in New York. Jack ends up acting in a local production along with his old girlfriend, Kali, and has to decide if he really wants to be in the Big Apple.
I enjoyed these Christmas novellas and recommend them to others. They are good to read between holiday activities. I received a complimentary e-book. This is my honest opinion.
October 26, 2025
I loved every one of these stories. Each one was a different genre that will draw you right into the time and place of each one. The first one will take you on an adventure through beautiful scenery. Along with a kidnapping and a murder. Just who do you trust and how many more will die? The second story will take you into two different time periods with a heartfelt romance in each time period. I didn't want this story to end. Truthfully, I would love to read more on each of these stories. Oh the third story will have skiing the Rockies, while trying to forget your past. You will be rooting for the two strangers , but will the past come back to haunt them? Then the last story will make you want to watch a certain Christmas movie before you ever finish the first chapter. I really enjoyed the lines from the movie underneath the chapter numbers. Be prepared to hear bells and see red pickup trucks through this anthology. You will love each of these stories! I received a complimentary copy of these stories, but was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are what I thought , and it was so good that I have already pre-ordered one.
November 7, 2025
This collection of four inspirational short stories taking place at Christmastime touched my heart and encouraged me to keep persevering when circumstances are tough. The first story was suspenseful and full of twists that I never saw coming. A few of the characters were delightful while others were vile and selfish, and I thought the author did an excellent job touching on difficult topics. I would not mind seeing some of the characters again! The second story was heartbreaking, to the point where I ugly cried at work while I was on my lunch break. I loved the split time storyline, and while I enjoyed the modern story, my heart was captured by the WWII era love story that had an unexpected impact on me. The third story was full of humor and fun, and the chemistry between the two love interests was undeniable. The fourth story also touched my heart because of its emphasis on the truths from It’s a Wonderful Life. Everyone’s life matters, and each individual has a far reaching impact that he or she does not know about. I highly recommend this collection, and I am looking forward to reading more from these talented authors.
October 10, 2025
I Heard the Bells is a wonderful collection of four equally captivating contemporary Christmas novellas. I loved all these stories--an engaging cozy mystery, a heart-tugging dual-timeline love story, a delightful get-away romance, and a touching second chance romance! Each is unique and set in a different location, but they share a common thread--the Christmas spirit of hope and love. All the storylines are well-paced, rich in emotion, and satisfying. The characters in each novella are well-developed and memorable. Their stories unfold quickly but meaningfully. I appreciate the tender spiritual insights in each story perfectly suited to the season and offering soul-stirring reflection. I highly recommend this book--an excellent holiday read.
I read an early copy of this book from the author/publisher with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I read an early copy of this book from the author/publisher with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 16, 2025
A Christmas Wedding to Die For by Darlene L. Turner
This wedding was going to be the death of him. Whatever would threats, kidnapping, murder and more have to do with a Christmas wedding?
Season of Forever by Helena Smrcek
Would time, a charred Bible and a red ribbon bring truth to this statement? This love story, much like the one many years earlier, would last forever.
Falling For You by Melanie Stevenson
Is this what love feels like? Becoming more comfortable in your skin, scars and all, while sharing space with another?
Merry Christmas, Mr. Potter by Sara Davison
You see, George, you really had a wonderful life. Don’t you see the mistake it was to throw it away?
An early copy of this collection was received through BookFunnel. These thoughts are my own and were in no way solicited.
This wedding was going to be the death of him. Whatever would threats, kidnapping, murder and more have to do with a Christmas wedding?
Season of Forever by Helena Smrcek
Would time, a charred Bible and a red ribbon bring truth to this statement? This love story, much like the one many years earlier, would last forever.
Falling For You by Melanie Stevenson
Is this what love feels like? Becoming more comfortable in your skin, scars and all, while sharing space with another?
Merry Christmas, Mr. Potter by Sara Davison
You see, George, you really had a wonderful life. Don’t you see the mistake it was to throw it away?
An early copy of this collection was received through BookFunnel. These thoughts are my own and were in no way solicited.
October 7, 2025
Sometimes you want to escape into a good book - here are 4 that will "take you away"!! This collection of stories all have Christmas as a theme but each author has their own style. I usually read cozy or inspired suspense/mystery so I began with "A Christmas Wedding to Die For". I was caught up immediately in the story and couldn't put it down until I finished it. It has great characters, a mystery (or two) to be solved and enough questions and clues for a mystery lover to figure out. And that was just the first story!! If you follow any of the authors or are just looking for your next "new" author, this is a great book for you! I received an advance copy from the author(s) but all opinions are my own.
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