Snowmageddon

by Tere Michaels

Come the New Year, Luca Vocci is reluctantly headed to LA to start a new life he isn't sure he wants, far away from his beloved New York City and the lights of Broadway. Until then, he’s directionless, without his spark or any idea what to do next—so, with the holiday season upon him, Luca agrees to do a favor for an old friend and his high-school theater class.

Everything goes according to plan until a snowstorm traps Luca in a house with six rather dramatic teenagers, two chaperones with relationship problems, and three unexpected guests. For Luca, the house is full of memories—and now, music. Maybe the spark he’s looking for is hiding in plain sight.

Genres: Holiday, M M Romance, LGBT, Contemporary, Romance, Christmas, Novella

154 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 30, 2021

About the author

Tere Michaels unofficially began her writing career at the age of four when she learned that people got paid to write stories. It seemed the most perfect and logical job in the world and after that, her path was never in question. (The romance writer part was written in the stars—she was born on Valentine’s Day.)

It took thirty-six years of “research” and “life experience” and well… life… before her first book was published but there are no regrets (she doesn’t believe in them). Along the way, she had some interesting jobs in television, animation, arts education, PR, and a national magazine—but she never stopped believing she would eventually earn her living writing stories about love.

Her home base is a small town in New Jersey, very near NYC, a city she dearly loves. She shares her life with her husband, her son—who is also her personal trainer—and an exceedingly spoiled cat. Her spare time is spent watching way too much sports programming, going to the movies and for long walks/runs in the park, reading, and doing yoga.

Nothing makes her happier than knowing she made a reader laugh or smile or cry. It’s the purpose of sharing her work with people. She loves hearing from fans and fellow writers and is always available for speaking engagements, visits, and workshops. Send her a message through her contact page or connect with her on Instagram (@TereMichaels) and Facebook.

She teaches regularly at SavvyAuthors, as well as running a private consulting and developmental editing business.

Reviews

[Madison Warner Fairbanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Snowmageddon by Tere Michaels
Broadway or Bust series #1. Fictional holiday novella. LGBTQ+. For anyone that loves musicals.
Luca is feeling down and lost in his early 50’s. He was an actor, singer and dancer turned Director of Broadway musicals. He doesn’t know what his next job will be and isn’t feeling inspired by anything. A chance phone call from a former co-worker has Luca opening a famous home he owns to a small, private school music group of teens. A snowstorm has them all hunkered down in the house for the day. What’s a group of theatre lovers do, but sing Broadway tunes?

More emotional than expected, this first in series book seems to be just a day in New York, but blows you away with depth and a promise of a brighter future.
It’s a spin off of the characters from the authors backlist and a tribute to musical theater.
Ends a bit abruptly and saves it a bit with the epilogue. Its clear there is more to follow.

[Tamye Whitener · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the feels!

The third time's the charm. At least for this book it is. It took me three tries to get past the first chapter. The first two times I wasn't in the right mood. Plus the book starts a bit slow. But once I started into the second chapter things changed. The pace picked up and I couldn't stop reading. After that, I was hooked.

This book should come with tissues. As there were many heartfelt moments that had me in tears, good tears. The characters wormed their way into my heart and left me with the need to know more. I will definitely be reading more books in this series.

[Jax · Rating 4 out of 5]

I mistakenly put this on my holiday tbr list but it’s not a Christmas story. And it’s not a romance. I liked that it turned out to be something completely different, a bit of an oddball really. A group of musical theater-loving teens and 6 adults trapped in a NYC townhouse during a snowstorm? Wut? Why? Somehow it worked. It’s a quick, easy read and includes some familiar characters from her other books. It’s very much an introductory interlude for new character Luca (age 50, yay!) and I’ll read more whenever it comes.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tere Michaels' Snowmageddon had me at three words - Matt and Evan! I loved that this series is starting with characters from one of my favorite series - Faith, Love, & Devotion. That said - this would be a great story even without Matt and Evan. Luca is such a wonderful character. I fell in love with him right away. He comes across (even to himself) as jaded and cynical. He is floundering a bit trying to find a direction for his life after the COVID Broadway shutdown upended everything. He begins to find his passion again as he works with a group of theater kids snowed in during during a blizzard. I am embarrassed to say I have never been to a Broadway show. Although there are a lot of references to the theater and Broadway music I never felt lost. Snowmageddon is a great start to a new series and I look forward to reading more. I can't wait to see where Luca's story goes.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came at a good time for me. It was about new beginnings, friendships, and focus. Luca was raised on Broadway and finds himself looking for what I will call the meaning and direction of his life. He gets snowed in with some teenagers, their teacher, and some cameo appearances from some characters from another series by this author. The beauty of this story is that it is filled with encouragement, new beginnings, and maybe even a new romance. There was lots of singing and great food. What more could you ask for in a snow storm.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Snowmageddon" introduces us to Luca and kicks off a whole new series. Luca is 50, a Broadway director out of creative steam, at a romantic dead end, and in the midst of a midlife crisis as he struggles to figure out whether to stay in NYC or move to LA and chart a new career path. I can see the foreshadowing on the page for Luca to get his own HEA as the series progresses.

It does bring in characters from her past work (most notably Matt and Evan from her fan favorite "Faith, Love, & Devotion" series), but it's clear that this is new ground. I am looking forward to the next volume in this series - Luca has grown on me and I want to see him happy.

I am not a fan of Broadway/musicals, so the references are pretty much all lost on me and I don't know any of the songs. I expect it will be a more enjoyable read for those who are fans.

[Crystal P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book. It was a perfect read for the week leading to Christmas.

Luca ends up snowed in with a theater class and it fills himself and the house - two things that have been quiet and without music for far too long - with music and drama. Nothing beings me joy in life quite like watching a group of kids fully invest themselves in something they are passionate about and Tere Michaels nails it. There were scenes that gave me goosebumps and I smiled so big through many others!

There was a lot of relationship drama, but no lovestory (yet!) for the main character…. However, as the reader I fell head over heels for Luca as he struggled to figure things out. I cannot wait to see more of his story!!!

[Katy Beth Mckee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is not a romance but a wonderful story of one man who is facing a life crisis and the events that shape his future. The stars of the are a group of theater students on a field trip gone wrong. I really love how everyone ends up helping each other out in the end. This story was so much fun. I really enjoyed it very much. #CMCon24

[Amber Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved all the characters in this book, but I wasn't as drawn into the story as I thought I would be. Luca had a lot of depth of emotion and I really felt for his predicament. My favorite characters were Matt and Evan. I really want to go back and find their story.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not sure where to start with this story. I simply couldn’t put it down and the story has stuck with me for days. It seems like a love letter to Broadway and musical theater. I was overwhelmed with emotion at several points – even teary! The purity of the student’s love for theater balance with Luca’s struggles over possibly leaving for Hollywood was amazing. I wasn’t sure where this story was going to go since it involved 6 teenagers, but they won me over just like they clearly won Luca over. The by play between the characters was genuine as was their love for theater. Amazing story telling and I am looking forward to reading more about the kids and Luca. Thank you for such a wonderful story!

[Alexandria · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a couple of chapters to get into the book. Luca is lost. He doesn't know what to do next. As a favor he opens up a famous house and gives a tour to some high school drama students. When a snowstorm traps them in the house, they start singing Broadway songs.

Tere's writing makes you feel like you're in the house with the students and you're a part of their spontaneous performance.

The ending leaves you wanting to start the next book immediately.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun novella! Snowmageddon brings a group of Broadway musical-loving group of teens and a handful of adults together in the home of a Broadway legend. What ensues is by turns sweet and poignant, as the characters navigate personal relationships and growth opportunities. (Yes, even the adults!)

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am never disappointed when I read a Tere Michaels book, and I've already started re-reading! I am always happy to meet new people and revisit familiar people, in this case Evan and Matt. Luca, child bBroadway star is now an adult, directionless, tired and unclear of his place in the Broadway world. One last hurrah in NY find Luca caught in a snowstorm with dramatic teenagers, 2 chaperones, and 3 surprising guests. Luca finds himself drawn into the teens joy for singing, for Broadway, to encouraging both Nate and Sean to work out their problems of which both love Broadway from different perspecitves, and we get to see Evan and Matt in action. This book is sweet, adorable, full of drama and has the start of new friendships. I'm looking forward to Luca and well, everyone's next steps in the world of Broadway! Well done Tere!

[ButtonsMom2003 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did enjoy reading this story but have to admit that I was disappointed that it turned out to not be a romance. I didn't know that in advance and I kept waiting and waiting for something to happen with Luca and ?? but it never did. Having said that, I enjoyed visiting with old friends, Matt and Evan from Tere's Faith, Love and Devotion series. And I loved all of the references to Broadway and the kids and songs.

I'm pretty sure that this story, listed as book one in the Broadway or Bust series, was the means to set up future books. I'm a bit disappointed that there haven't been more books yet but I totally understand that this isn't something that authors can always control. If life gets in the way, or the muse just isn't there, readers need to be patient. I will certainly be happy to read more stories in this series if they become available.

[Marge · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this start to a new series. It was great again seeing Matt and Ethan, Nate and Sean, and so many kids that have grown up since we last saw their parents. While I liked that Luca seems to have gotten his mojo back and will be the driving force for the rest of the series, this story spent a bit too much time in the Broadway weeds for my full enjoyment. Then again, I absolutely look forward to the rest of the series and do plan to purchase them.

[UltraMeital · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 32%

I don’t understand anything. There are a million references to imaginary people and musing about them from a grumpy guy I don’t even care about.

Bored out of my mind… and having two revisited couples doesn’t help when the sole POV is awful.

Sorry for the rather mean review.. this one simply isn’t for me.