This Noelle

Holidays in Mountain Home #0.5

by Kristin Holt

THIS NOELLE
Holidays in Mountain Home Series, Prequel, Book #0.5
A Sweet Historical Western Holiday Romance Novella

Books in this series stand alone and may be read in any order.

A Surprise Delivery...

Caroline Finlay never knew losing a child so soon after his birth would wreak lasting damage on her heart and her marriage. She's coping, barely, until she learns her husband, Phil, has a secret that could shatter their future...a secret suddenly made very public.

A Christmas Baby...

Phil Finlay thought he'd never have to confess his greatest mistake...until a young man shows up on the church steps, the Sunday before Christmas with a newborn baby girl, and announces Phil's her father. It's snowing. The baby is in desperate need of care. Whether it's his or not—and she might well be—he's out of time and has no choice but to confess he sought solace in the arms of another woman.

How dare he burden his heartbroken wife with the care of a baby...his baby...born of an illicit affair?

...A Season of Miracles.

Is it possible for marriage, strained by the loss of a newborn son, to survive the appearance of an illegitimate daughter?

What would you do?

THIS NOELLE is a novella of approximately 20,000 words. It is a prequel to the Holidays in Mountain Home Series, and all titles stand alone and are loosely connected. Books may be read in any order (or no order). All titles in the Holidays in Mountain Home Series are Rated G or PG. This Noelle is rated PG for adult themes, yet remains "sweet" and appropriate for all audiences (parents may wish to provide guidance to their children).

HOLIDAYS IN MOUNTAIN HOME:
#0.5 This Noelle
#1 Home for Christmas
#2 Maybe This Christmas
#3 The Marshal's Surrender
#4 The Drifter's Proposal
#5 Courting Miss Cartwright
#6 The Gunsmith's Bride
#7 The Witching Eve
#8 Unmistakably Yours

Genres: Christmas, Historical Fiction

ebook

First published December 31, 2016

About the author

Kristin Holt, USA Today Bestselling Author writes Sweet Victorian Romance set in the American West. She writes frequent articles about the nineteenth century American west--every subject of possible interest to readers and amateur historians. She contributes monthly to Sweet Americana Sweethearts.

~ Sweet Romance Appropriate for All Audiences ~

Reviews

[Sara Cardon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an emotional story of a husband and wife who need each other. Phil is handed a baby--his baby born out of wedlock--and fears it will kill his wife. He's repentant and humble, and he fiercely misses the love he and his wife shared. Caroline needs healing. There are so many ways they could solve their problem, but the way they choose is tender and a form of genuine love. Kristin Holt has obviously thought deeply on the issue of infidelity from all perspectives, and she shares her insights in a beautifully crafted love story.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. It shows how two people who are hurting and have grown apart due to their pain allowed themselves to rekindle their love for each other. Even with the birth of her husband's child, I believe that it is not the fault any child who is born illegitimate deserves the right to be loved and cared for. I'm gel that Caroline was able to feel instant love for baby Noelle and was also willing to raise her as though she had given birth to her. Overall, a very heartwarming story.

[Margie Vickers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hit home for me. I had this happen to me but I didn't get the chance at a second chance he left me and our daughter. I honestly don't know if I could have forgiven him even though I loved him at the time. I like the idea the husband was willing to work for his wife's forgiveness and her love back. I hope you enjoy this second chance for this husband and wife to grow old together. I highly recommend it to everyone.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story touched my heart. Losing a child, a wife's depression so severe she closes off her feelings and the husband who's one night of infidelity brings a child to their doorstep. Sometimes things that are meant to destroy us bring us closer to God and to have forgiveness such as His can lead to restoration of a marriage.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Historical Romance

This was delightful! Sensitive to the emotions but decidely tough in the truth! Brilliantly written, Kristin is an awesome author!

[Amy Petrowich · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read This Noelle last night and I just had to let you know my feelings on the book
First let me say I saw it was available weeks ago and just couldn't read it. Not sure what changed but last night I had some time and decided to take a look at it. I was prepared to hate it but determined not to let it affect how I felt about you as an author.
It's impossible to read a book this emotionally charged and not have it change things. This book will play over and over in my head for a long time. It is possibly the best piece of fiction I have ever read. It's potentially easy to bring two people together and let them heal each other. When they have caused each other's pain it's an entirely different ballgame.
I am so beyond impressed with how the author portrayed Phil as repentant. He never tried to blame her distance for his straying. You never allowed her to play the scorned wife. She was grieving and hurting and dealt as best she could and he was grieving and hurting and dealt as best he could. When she invited him back to bed just to hold her I cried. When she invited him to resume the physical aspects of their marriage I again cried. When they spent the crazy Christmas 9 years later and were both tired and flustered and they sent all the children for an hour rest I again cried. They found the way to keep anything else from coming between them. I loved the closing line when the kids find their parents bedroom door locked. I laughed out loud and caused my husband to pause what he was doing and ask why I laughed so hard. I read him the scene and he responded with, "I like that author! Did you tell her about ..." well never mind what else he said.

[Phyllis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book was a really emotional read. What would I do if I was confronted with evidence of my husband's infidelity? Kristin Holt took a very difficult subject and handled it beautifully. This was a fantastic book.

[Scott Sillars · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good story. It has many emotions : repentance grief reconciliation .I would recommend it highly

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written story about a man and woman who loved each other when first married, struggled with loving each when their son died and almost stopped loving each other when the husband was unfaithful. This story is heart rending at some points but also showed how love can conquer all.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written story of love, loss and forgiveness. Characters you become entwined with and can feel the emotions that they are feeling.Wonderful read.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I started it just before bed and couldn't wait to finish it this morning. My only negative is the short sentences that made up a good part of the story at the beginning. For some reason they throw me off and I frequently have to be read and reread to get the whole meaning. That just might be a me thing though. As to the story plot, that part was great. The understanding and reemerging of this couple's love for each other was inspiring. The author did a superb job of having the couple see their shortcomings and how they had affected the relationship. I also loved the idea of showing us, the readers their life in future years. Too often stories just end making you wonder why hat the future had been.

[Jamie Anke]

Your question what would you do?
Tough question. I have been married twice, 9 years, and 29 and counting. If I had read this during my first marriage, I would have taken the baby and left him. His idea of a wife was someone to take care of him and the children, we had 2 sons together. I loved him, thought he loved me, never in a million years would I have considered divorced, and then it happened.
With my second and current husband, I would forgive, being unfaithful is a serious thing, but over and above that, the day to day life is what keeps things going.
My greatest joke in comparing my 2 marriages, Coffee. For 9 years I was awoken to "time to make the coffee" for the last 29 years, I have been woken to "here is your coffee" there have been a few times where I have managed to beat him to the coffee maker.
As far as Noelle goes, accepting the baby, has to do with the life before the mistake, as much as it does have to do with the mistake.
Thank you for this story.