Snowstorms & Sleigh Bells

A Stitch in Time #2.5

by Kelley Armstrong

It’s a Victorian Christmas at Thorne Manor, and Rosalind Courtenay is staying far, far away from the door that leads to the twenty-first century. It took her four years to get back home, and she’s never going near the time stitch again. But her five-year-old son has other plans, and Rosalind finds herself plunged back into the modern world, where she decides to face her fears and give her family the holiday gift of a lifetime. Once again, Fate has other ideas, sending a blizzard to derail Rosalind’s cautious planning and toss them all into a whirlwind of savage snowstorms, spectral sleigh bells and, perhaps, a Christmas ghost or two.

Note: this is a holiday novella not a full-length book

Genres: Time Travel, Romance, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Paranormal, Historical Romance, Historical

116 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 16, 2021

About the author

Kelley Armstrong has been telling stories since before she could write. Her earliest written efforts were disastrous. If asked for a story about girls and dolls, hers would invariably feature undead girls and evil dolls, much to her teachers' dismay. All efforts to make her produce "normal" stories failed.

Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.

Reviews

[Madison Warner Fairbanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Snowstorms & Sleigh Bells by Kelley Armstrong
A Stitch in Time series book 2.5. Paranormal Time travel historical and present day. Best read as part of the series.
Rosalind and her family go to Thorne Manor for Christmas. She intends to stay far from the locked door that hides the stitch in time. Until her son disappears and it’s clear he’s gone through the stitch himself.
Engaging story where August and Edmund learn about the future by traveling through the open door of time. Rosalind must confront her fears and acknowledge that she has a bit of PTSD from her time stuck away from her family. She also delves more into her heritage that is more acceptable in the future and opens up to her husband.
Men and their motors. It’s amusing the fascination of mechanics.
There are ghosts here but not harmful or scary.
This book also sets up next in the series.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/ 5 stars

Snowstorms & Sleigh Bells is A Stitch in Time novella (#2.5). This series is a time travel Victorian mystery paranormal romance trilogy.

This novella continues where A Twist of Fate (book 2) left off. This is Rosalind's novella (1st person POV).

This series is meant to be read in order. And in the case of this novella you really need to have read A Twist of Fate first.

This is honestly one of the best novellas that I've ever read. And I loved every minute of it!

This is not a filler novella. But rather it gives us more of Rosalind, August and Edmund. And we get to see so many things that I had wished we had gotten at the end of the last book. Also I really enjoyed the Jewish aspect that was brought into this novella.

The end sets up book 3, A Turn of the Tide, so perfectly. I absolutely cannot wait to read Miranda's story!

[Sophie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was fine, it was nice seeing the family again. But my main issue with the book (aside from the fact that it seemed like it brought up some issues that felt too crammed in such a short book, like the resolution of Rosie's PTSD from being stuck in another time and being forced to leave her family) was that there was the reveal that Rosalind is Jewish and so suddenly in this Christmas story there's SURPRISE HANUKKAH! Because you know, Hanukkah is basically just the Jewish version of Christmas *insert eyeroll* And there's no negative connotations with Jewish people's history of Christmas and it's just this nonreligious secular holiday now and back in Victorian England! I get that there are plenty of Jewish people who celebrate both but it's frustrating that that's basically how it's always presented when there's a lot of societal pressure to celebrate Christmas even as a non Christian. I'd actually dnfed the first book because of how shoehorned in some of the representation felt.

I hated how this background was suddenly so important to her based on what, seeing a menorah and going oh right yes I'm Jewish and I should share that heritage with my family?? Especially after it was clearly a part of her memories growing up, AND she'd also spent so many years in present day. It also felt like it was implying that being Jewish in Victorian England was way more dangerous than it is now, because now we're in a time of such religious acceptance where everyone is so tolerant of people's religions. Which makes her not exploring that part of her background even more ridiculous within the book.

Additionally, it was strange because Rosie and her son had this conversation about how you say Happy Hanukkah instead of Merry Hanukkah as in Merry Christmas, but this takes place in England where Happy Christmas is a common phrase? It just stood out to me a bit.

[Mei · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very nice epilogue for Rosalind's story!
A cute and sweet moments passed with her family during Christmas in "future" (for them)! LOL

I'm looking forward to Miranda's story! *wink*

[☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Snowstorms & Sleigh Bells takes place after the events of Twist of Fate and its Christmas at Thorne Manor. With her brother-in-law descending on their home, Rosalind and her family are celebrating at Thorne Manor. Rosalind intends to stay far away from the stitch in time… that is, until her five-year-old son crosses over into the modern world.

Soon Rosalind, August and Edmund are exploring the modern world. From car rides to ghostly specters, the story was delightful. Armstrong shares the modern world with Rosalind’s family, but the author also explores the affects of PTSD. The characteristics were well presented and seamlessly woven into the story.

While getting an introduction into the next full-length novel A Turn of the Tide, we are also treated to Rosalind teaching her family about different times and religious celebrations during the holiday season, including Jewish traditions. I am excited about Miranda’s story!

We get to see William and Bronwyn and updates on their lives. The story was a treat and made an excellent epilogue of Rosalind’s story. I recommend reading/listening to this series in order. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer

[❁ lilyreadsromance ❁ · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a fine novella, delving more into Rosalind's trauma of the 'stitch' and that her experience being stranded in the 21st century. She's still dealing with it and her family is there with her all along the way.

Also, we got a brief glimpse of the next book with the pirate and Rosalind's sister, Miranda.

[aarya · Rating 1 out of 5]

2022 Winter Bingo (#SnowInLoveBingo❄️): Title Alliteration

This is so bad. The other reviews do not adequately convey how offensive/cringe the Hanukkah section is. I don’t know why I keep torturing myself with subpar reads just because I’m craving a holiday novella. 😭 Read via library.

[Anne - Books of My Heart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this additional adventure with Rosalind and August. The author is very smart to add these holiday tales after each main book as a sort of epilogue and further development of the characters with a lighter setting.

That said, this one did deal with some consequential issues. Rosalind has some trauma left over from when she went forward and couldn't get back. They have to decide how to deal with Edmund's knowledge not being easily shared without his having to lie.

I loved seeing the friends William & Bronwyn, Rosalind & August, and their children having a holiday together.






COYER buddy read with Berls who rated it 4

#HoHoHoRA2022 @angels_gp

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love everything that Kelley Armstrong weites, and I’ve really been enjoying this series. However, as a Jewish woman and as an academic historian, the shoehorning of Hanukkah into this novella does not sit right with me. First there is the “sudden” discovery of Rosalind’s Jewish heritage. It just doesn’t make any sense, especially when it wasn’t mentioned in the previous book. Second, including Hanukkah in a Christmas story is very problematic. I understand the impulse to make holiday celebrations inclusive, but do-opting a religious celebration about freedom of oppression into a Christmas story (which this novella is branded as) is not the way to do it. And finally the assertion that Christmas, in both the Victorian and modern eras, is not really religious, but about family and gift-giving, is classic Christian normalization. Yes, it’s largely secular now, but it’s a Christian form of secularism, and the holiday is only celebrated by people with connections to the Christian faith (however tenuous).

[Lola · Rating 4 out of 5]

With Christmas coming up I thought this was the perfect time to read this one and I am glad I did. It was great returning to this world and see how Rosalind, August and Edmund celebrate Christmas. They're visiting Thorne Manor this Christmas and Rosalind is planning to stay far away from the stitch to the twenty-first century, but not everything goes according to plan.

This felt a bit like an extended epilogue, we get to see more of Rosalind and how happy she is back in her life with her husband August and her son Edmund. There are romantic scenes as well as touching family scenes and others where they're enjoying being a family. I thought the Christmas vibe came across well and there's a snowstorm and two ghosts as well.

I liked how this book delved a bit more into Rosalind's happy ending, but also shone more light on the trauma she went through being stuck in the twenty-first century for years without her husband and kid. She finally comes to accept that she did go through traumatic and even deals a bit with her feelings. Besides that it also sets the stage for book 3 with Rosalind's sister arriving as well as a ghost that I think will have something to do with book 3. I also liked that we see the main characters from book 1 and how they're interacting with Rosalind and her family.

To summarize: This was an awesome novella that reads as an extended epilogue set around Christmas while setting the stage for book 3 at the same time. I liked the Christmas vibe and getting to see Rosalind spend some quality time with her husband and son. There are touching moments, sweet ones and romantic ones. And I just really enjoyed seeing more of this family. I also liked how this story adds something to Rosalind's story as she has to come to terms with the trauma she went through while being stuck in the twenty-first century. I liked how supportive August is and how he's there for her and wants to help her. I also liked the hints for what's to come in book 3. This story is definitely worth the read if you like this series.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute little holiday add on from book two where Rosalind and August take Edmund to Thorne Manor away to celebrate. And naturally someone chooses to explore and ends up where they shouldn't be.
I liked this addition. It was exactly the confrontation Rosalind needed to start accepting that she could keep her family. The PTSD was real, and I liked how it made them stronger as a couple to face their fears.

[Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fantastic read, loved seeing her deal with the holidays and being in our time, it was a sweet holiday story!

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Not much too this Christmas Novella. Needs more ghosts!!! The ghosts were my favorite part.

[Elyse (ElyseReadsandSpeaks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another sweet novella - this one focusing on Rosalind, August, and Edmund. I'm so happy I decided to read these because they do add some layers to the already established relationships. I especially loved in this one that August was trying to understand Rosalind's trauma from being trapped in another time that he asked Bronwyn to bring him back a book from the future about understanding trauma. These relationships are so positive and heartwarming.

I had started reading A Turn of the Tide and it gave a little review of things that happened in the series, including the novellas, and I thought "No! I don't wanna miss anything!" So I quickly shut the book and got the novellas on my Kindle.

And now, finally onto A Turn of the Tide.

[Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was so much fun! I understand why Rosalind was leery about going through time again, but this time she had her whole family and was showing them the modern world. They had so much fun seeing things, but you knew the lure of the car would be too much. While things didn't go quite as expected on the car ride, some fun things came about. Rosalind seeing her heritage in a different way, spending time the 3 of them in a cozy place, encountering a friendly ghost and getting rescued by William. All in all it was a grand adventure for them all!

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title tells it all. The book was enchanting going from the present to the past. The characters of Rosiland, and her son, and husband go back and forth, but a little to much fun causes them to be stranded in the future, and in a blizzard. There is a friendly ghost who offers to go for help, but they choose a desperate path. It ends with them safe, and in the proper time. I gave it a four because of a few comments not needed, even if she did learn some new ideas in the future. They did not go with the story. Plus I highly recommend that you read these books in order. 4 stars.

[Mae Crowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, this was my Thanksgiving read. Yes, I stand by that decision. The characters from A Stitch in Time will always own my heart and make me cry with their endearing cuteness. This novella very clearly serves as both an epilogue to A Twist of Fate and a lead-in to A Turn of the Tide, and it has me itching to get my hands on a book that doesn't come out until October 2022. Boo, I love these dorks and wanna meet more.

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Snowstorms & Sleigh Bells describes a short, sweet family holiday adventure. August and Edmund finally get the opportunity to travel to the future with Rosalind. August is a very precocious five-year-old and it’s fun to see the family’s outing through his eyes. August encounters a new character who (together with Rosalind’s sister, Miranda) will be featured in the next book of this enjoyable series. Looking forward to reading A Turn of the Tide when it comes out in 2022.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was expecting to dislike this book once I realized it was part of a series I hadn’t read. However, it was pretty easy to get caught up enough, and it ended up being a really charming story. Light and fluffy and lots of sweet scenes. I imagine the more “heartfelt” scenes would’ve been more meaningful if I had read the book. I absolutely loved the ghost. He was the best part.

Quick read, according to libby it took me an hour and 12 minutes.

[Jeannine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little epilogue for Rosalind, August, and Edmund.

[Maureen ~Bitch Can Write A Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved!

[Angela]

DNF

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was also really cute!  I didn't love the couple in this one as much as from the first book and novella, but I did really still have a lot of fun reading this.  It's nice to see the couple grow and bond and sometimes you just need some super cute fluff.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded up. While I was glad we got to revisit Rosalind and August for a bit, this was my least favorite of the series so far. There were too many random plot points thrown in to make a cohesive story (Rosalind suddenly remembers that she's Jewish / fake Santa ghost / pirate ghost preview for the next book / info dumping modern inventions on August and Edmund / August decides to psychoanalyze Rosalind, etc.). Generally I prefer the time travel stories going from modern day back to the past, which the previous books and novellas in the story followed, so that likely influenced my enjoyment, too.

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Another fun little holiday adventure. (And I also enjoyed the sample chapters for A Turn of the Tide in the back.)

[Karissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Series Info/Source: This story takes place after the 2nd book in A Stitch in Time series. I bought this ebook for my Kindle.

Thoughts: This was a fun and cute little Christmas story. You do have to read the previous books (or at least the 2nd book) in the series to really understand what is happening in this story. Most of the story revolves around Rosalind and her family, although they do meet up with William and Bronwyn as well.

Rosalind and family venture back to Thorne Manor right before Christmas to help prep the house for William and Bronwyn’s return. William and Bronwyn traveled to modern times to have their most recent child (health care is better in modern times). Unfortunately, Rosalind’s little boy decides to venture through the time slip into modern times on his own, sending Rosalind into a panic and forcing her and her husband to return to modern times to find their son.

This was a cute read. Rosalind is learning to deal with her fears about the time slip and there are some interesting ghost encounters as well. We get to see Rosalind’s husband’s joy over modern advances and meet the newest member of the Thorne family. Additionally, there is some discussion about how different times and religions celebrate the holiday season. The whole thing is well written and entertaining and a perfect little bit of Christmas during the holidays.

My Summary (4/5): Overall this was a fun holiday addition to the A Stitch in Time series. You do need to read the previous book to understand what is going on here (at least the 2nd book in the series). I continue to really enjoy this odd combination of time travel, historical fiction, and supernatural ghost sightings. I would recommend to fans of this series; this was a fun and quick holiday read.

[Crys Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Snowstorms & Sleigh bells - Oh do take me back in time

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If I could give this collection 100 stars, I absolutely would! Snowstorms & Sleigh Bells is everything I love about holiday novellas, and Kelley Armstrong once again proves why she’s one of the best storytellers out there. Her story drew me in from the very first page. Rich atmosphere, characters that feel alive, and a perfectly balanced mix of warmth, tension, and heart.

Armstrong has an incredible gift for making even a short novella feel full and satisfying, with layers of emotion and detail that stay with you long after you’ve finished. The wintry setting sparkles, the pacing is flawless, and the story captures both the magic of the season and the thrill of her signature storytelling style.

Every time I pick up something by Kelley Armstrong, I know I’m in for a treat, and this collection is no exception. If you’re looking for a read that’s cozy, engaging, and completely unforgettable, this is the one. Truly a gem that I only wish I could give it even more than five stars!

[LibraryCin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a holiday novella as part of the author’s time travel series. In a previous book, Rosalind had spent four years in the 21st century, all the while trying to get back to her family in the 19th century. She finally was reunited, and now it’s two months later and Christmas is coming.

Rosie, her husband, August, and their 5-year old son, Edmund, will be spending the holiday with their good friends at Thorne Manor (their friends’ home). Unfortunately, there is a room in Thorne Manor where the “stitch” is located when they travel back and forth in time, and though the room is normally locked, Edmund manages to get into the room, and disappears into the 21st century.

I really liked this. I loved the holiday “feel” of it. It’s another short, quick read, but really enjoyable. I also love the cover.

[Sandra Lockhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Snowstorms & Sleigh Bells is a Christmas novella that is 2.5 on the A Stitch in Time series by Canadian author Kelley Armstrong. Once again Rosalind is afraid to go anywhere near the time portal since she has been reunited with her son and husband. The family travels to Thorne Manor to help prepare for the arrival of the Thorne's baby who with her family was on the 21st century side but they all will be coming back to their side for the Christmas holidays. Rosalind and her husband are busily preparing the house when they go in search of their missing son. Upon going upstairs, they discover he has accidentally visited the portal and is on the other side. This lovely story unites the family with hope for their future.

[Goddess of Chaos · Rating 4 out of 5]

This delightful novella takes place after August and Rosalind's book, and gives us a chance to see how they are working their way towards happily ever after -- together.

August has grown since we first met him in book one, but he has at his core a fun spirit and a joyful way of engaging with his world.

Rosalind is recovering from events in book 2, and rebuilding not only her marriage, but her relationship with her 5 year old son.

Filled with good secrets, and offering glimpses of painful ones, this story weaves a tale of healing without shying away from the PTSD these characters have very real reasons to be dealing with.

"I already have his love. I have his respect. Now I need to fully earn his trust."