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Rosemont Saga #8
No Matter How Far
Judy Young is the successful bidder at auction for the Olson House—a Victorian mansion that’s filled her imagination for more than five decades. She quickly realizes her emotions got the better of her and she’s made a big financial mistake. The historic home is in complete disrepair—a classic money pit.
A box of hand-carved ornaments discovered in the attic sends her on a quest to return them to the boy they were made for long ago. What she soon learns is that the hidden treasures hold the key to her heart and an unexpected path home.
A box of hand-carved ornaments discovered in the attic sends her on a quest to return them to the boy they were made for long ago. What she soon learns is that the hidden treasures hold the key to her heart and an unexpected path home.
- GenresFiction
118 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 14, 2022
About the author
Barbara Hinske
41 books1,428 followersUSA Today Bestselling Author Barbara Hinske is an attorney who recently left the practice of law to pursue her career as a full-time novelist. She inherited the fiction gene from her father who wrote mysteries when he retired and told her a story every night of her childhood. Barbara is the bestselling author of the beloved Rosemont series; the acclaimed Guiding Emily series; a collection of murder mystery thrillers in her "Who's There?" collection; and her sweet Christmas novellas The Christmas Club (adapted for the Hallmark Channel in 2019), Paws & Pastries, and No Matter How Far.
She and her husband share their own Rosemont with two adorable and spoiled dogs. She is besotted with decorating, entertaining, cooking and gardening. Now that her novel The Christmas Club has been made into a Hallmark Channel movie, she is completely star-struck and thrilled to have her work on the screen.
She and her husband share their own Rosemont with two adorable and spoiled dogs. She is besotted with decorating, entertaining, cooking and gardening. Now that her novel The Christmas Club has been made into a Hallmark Channel movie, she is completely star-struck and thrilled to have her work on the screen.
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April 14, 2022No Matter How Far (a Rosemont Christmas novella) was originally written to be part of a Christmas anthology where each of the novellas focused on a Christmas ornament. The anthology is no longer available, so No Matter How Far is now published on its own. I've always been fascinated by valuable objects that have been abandoned by their owner and are later found in the dusty recesses of an attic. I've crawled through every cob-web-filled attic I've ever owned—heart racing in anticipation when I open a box or trunk—but I've never found an heirloom or anything of value. No antique silver, no impressionist paintings, no rare coins—nada. You'll never see me on Antiques Roadshow.
The dream remains alive in my mind and I frequently write about hidden treasures in my novels. No Matter How Far revolves around a box of antique hand-carved wooden Christmas ornaments found in the attic of a Victorian mansion (I love to write about mansions, too). My story is loosely based on a news report about a woman who located the rightful owner of a box of family photos she found in the attic of her new home.
In No Matter How Far, Judy Young finds the owner of the ornaments and ends up receiving her heart's desire. I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I loved writing it.
The dream remains alive in my mind and I frequently write about hidden treasures in my novels. No Matter How Far revolves around a box of antique hand-carved wooden Christmas ornaments found in the attic of a Victorian mansion (I love to write about mansions, too). My story is loosely based on a news report about a woman who located the rightful owner of a box of family photos she found in the attic of her new home.
In No Matter How Far, Judy Young finds the owner of the ornaments and ends up receiving her heart's desire. I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I loved writing it.
January 3, 2022
Do you get a second chance at love? Widowed shop owner Judy buys a local historic treasure, that is falling into ruin. The house was sold at a tax auction. As she looks through her purchase Judy uncovers a treasure of hand carved wooden snowflake ornaments. Judy sets out to try to track down the intended recipient of the treasures. Enter widower, former hardware owner Jeff the intended recipient. When the pair meet sparks fly.
April 16, 2022
Barbara Hinske took us back to Westbury ( home of the Rosemont series !) Where Judy Young the owner of Celebrations has just purchased the run down Olsen large Victorian Home on the spur of the moment ! The Historic home has been left to ruin for many decades !
Judy is soon learning the cost of repairs $$$$!!
Only a miracle would help ! The wooden carved ornaments she finds in the attic just may be that miracle !! A Christmas Miracle …
Thank you Barbara !!❤️
Judy is soon learning the cost of repairs $$$$!!
Only a miracle would help ! The wooden carved ornaments she finds in the attic just may be that miracle !! A Christmas Miracle …
Thank you Barbara !!❤️
July 15, 2022
I read this novella as part of a set of eight stories that I, to be honest, purchased primarily so that I could read this one. I’ve followed the exploits of Maggie Martin and her friends and neighbors in Westbury from the very beginning of the Rosemont series. This is the eighth story in the series and centers around Judy Young, Maggie’s good friend and owner of Celebrations, the premier gift store in town.
Judy has always been fascinated by the Olson House, a Victorian mansion owned by a reclusive man from Sweden. When the house fell in disrepair four years ago, Judy was saddened but when she saw the tax sale notice on the front door, her imagination took over and much to her surprise, she won the auction. But now the work begins, because to bring the house to an inhabitable condition is going to be a major task.
While cleaning out the attic she finds a box of hand-carved Christmas ornaments which may hold the key to her future happiness. Mr. Olson had carved them for his nephew Jeff and Judy has decided to try to find Jeff to give the ornaments to him. Little did she know where her generosity would lead her.
As always, Barbara Hinske has written a wonderful story of full of love and surprises. The Rosemont series is outstanding but is best appreciated by reading the books and novellas in order. This installment is one of the best.
Judy has always been fascinated by the Olson House, a Victorian mansion owned by a reclusive man from Sweden. When the house fell in disrepair four years ago, Judy was saddened but when she saw the tax sale notice on the front door, her imagination took over and much to her surprise, she won the auction. But now the work begins, because to bring the house to an inhabitable condition is going to be a major task.
While cleaning out the attic she finds a box of hand-carved Christmas ornaments which may hold the key to her future happiness. Mr. Olson had carved them for his nephew Jeff and Judy has decided to try to find Jeff to give the ornaments to him. Little did she know where her generosity would lead her.
As always, Barbara Hinske has written a wonderful story of full of love and surprises. The Rosemont series is outstanding but is best appreciated by reading the books and novellas in order. This installment is one of the best.
July 13, 2022
DELIGHTFUL HOLIDAY READ!
I love Barbara Hinske’s Rosemont Series! Each book takes a look at a different aspect of life in Rosemont and Hinske’s keen writing skills allow you to feel as though you're living among the residents there. This plot is built mainly around Judy Young, the owner of Celebrations gift shop. Judy ends up buying a very large old home behind her shop at a tax sale to keep it from being torn down by a developer. She asks advice from Maggie who did such a magnificent job of renovating Rosemont. As Sam Torres began a walk-thru, taking notes of needed immediate repairs, he found many different points of interest. One of them was an attic area off of a turret. When Judy finally was able to get in that area, she found a box of hand-carved wooden Christmas ornaments! Judy did not even have to unwrap the ornaments to know exactly what they looked like as she had been given a matching pair when she was a child! There was a mystery involved with the owner of the ornaments and Judy decides to solve the mystery by Christmas. Little does she know what a Christmas blessing awaits her in return! This is another great addition to Hinske’s many previous writings.
I love Barbara Hinske’s Rosemont Series! Each book takes a look at a different aspect of life in Rosemont and Hinske’s keen writing skills allow you to feel as though you're living among the residents there. This plot is built mainly around Judy Young, the owner of Celebrations gift shop. Judy ends up buying a very large old home behind her shop at a tax sale to keep it from being torn down by a developer. She asks advice from Maggie who did such a magnificent job of renovating Rosemont. As Sam Torres began a walk-thru, taking notes of needed immediate repairs, he found many different points of interest. One of them was an attic area off of a turret. When Judy finally was able to get in that area, she found a box of hand-carved wooden Christmas ornaments! Judy did not even have to unwrap the ornaments to know exactly what they looked like as she had been given a matching pair when she was a child! There was a mystery involved with the owner of the ornaments and Judy decides to solve the mystery by Christmas. Little does she know what a Christmas blessing awaits her in return! This is another great addition to Hinske’s many previous writings.
July 14, 2022
This novel first appeared in the compilation, A Keepsake Christmas, but is now a stand-alone as the 8th book in the Rosemont series. Judy is the owner of Celebrations and has fond childhood memories of her old neighbor who carved a Christmas snowflake each year for her and her mother. When he dies and his house stands abandoned for many years, it is to be sold at a tax sale. Judy impulsively buys it and finds a box of the snowflake ornaments that were meant for the man’s nephew. Judy knows how much the ornaments mean to her, and she wants to find the man’s nephew to give him the box. Jeff is a widower who received one of the snowflakes as a child, before his mother cut him off from his uncle. He is on a mission to find himself again when Judy emails him about the ornaments. As always, the author has woven a heartfelt story and includes characters from other Rosemont books. It is a wonderful series. If you read this one first, be sure to go back and grab all the others from the beginning.
November 18, 2021
I realize this was only a novella, but I felt like I didn’t really learn a whole lot about either Judy or Jeff. Both were older (over 60, I’d guess), both were widowed, and both were given a second chance at love. Conversations were a bit stilted to my ear and the timeline was a bit wobbly. What bothered me most was that I wanted to know more about Mr. Olsson, the former owner of the mansion. Why was he such a recluse? Why did he make these gorgeous ornaments for his nephew and the neighbor girl and her mother? What else was hidden in that attic? I guess the biggest problem with the story was that I never connected with any of the characters, who seemed more like generic people than real ones. There was nothing quirky or unusual about either of them (or incidental characters), friendships were of the kind that would be expected, and the plot was predictable. The writing was fine, but the story was not compelling.
July 17, 2022
What a wonderful story and addition to Rosemont. As Judy finds herself bidding on a beautiful victorian mansion with some connection to her childhood she wonders if she has made a big mistake. Finding a box of beautiful hand carved Christmas ornaments she sets out to get them to the one they were originally intended for. As she is helped by friends to find the intended owner she also finds happiness and love for herself and the owner as all works out well for the mansion as well. A heartwarming story of new found love and happy endings!!! I love the Rosemont series and this is such a wonderful addition!
July 29, 2026
Part of a series where everybody is perfect and everything turns out fine. Everyone who rides into town finds a soulmate with a resident. The way they talk to each other is too perfect. What high school girl uses the word "nestled"? Speaking of which, every female character is a gal. So cringy. At some point or another, every male character blushes. Seriously? And the overused phrase in this series is "that ______ of yours", instead of just "your".
If I didn't want to find out what happens I would have thrown this over a long time ago. This series is getting on my nerves and there are still 4 more books which I might not bother to read.
If I didn't want to find out what happens I would have thrown this over a long time ago. This series is getting on my nerves and there are still 4 more books which I might not bother to read.
July 22, 2022
Thank you for another wonderful Rosemont book, Barbara! I love that one of your other books made a cameo appearance in the book club scene; the theme/story of the main characters in this novella are so warm and charming. I almost cried near the end, so touching and a nice surprise. I really needed this uplifting "Christmas in July", and others will too! Thank you for your writing talent. I highly recommend this sweet story.
December 14, 2022
love Barbara Hinske’s books!
I read the whole Rosemont series about a year ago so it was fun to revisit the characters in the latest novella in the series. Barbara has a unique storytelling skill that captures the quirks and uniqueness of every character. While the houses and towns are integral to her stories, it’s the relationships she creates that capture the imagination. Look forward to the next installment!
I read the whole Rosemont series about a year ago so it was fun to revisit the characters in the latest novella in the series. Barbara has a unique storytelling skill that captures the quirks and uniqueness of every character. While the houses and towns are integral to her stories, it’s the relationships she creates that capture the imagination. Look forward to the next installment!
November 8, 2023
I loved it!
Barbara (the Rosemont series author) again did an excellent job! She has the rare ability to bring in past characters and events so someone who is new to Rosemont can understand this chapter in the lives of Rosemont residents. I’m sure I am not alone in wanting this series to continue to infinity. But, whether that happens or not, I plan to begin another of Barbara’s stories. I can imagine it will be as enjoyable as Rosemont.
Barbara (the Rosemont series author) again did an excellent job! She has the rare ability to bring in past characters and events so someone who is new to Rosemont can understand this chapter in the lives of Rosemont residents. I’m sure I am not alone in wanting this series to continue to infinity. But, whether that happens or not, I plan to begin another of Barbara’s stories. I can imagine it will be as enjoyable as Rosemont.
July 14, 2022
This latest entry is another winner! Jeff fits in perfectly with the previously established characters. I would like to see this Christmas novella expanded into a full length novel, or better yet, another branch of the Rosemont “family”. The entire series is outstanding because it shows characters in multi- generational settings interacting with care, understanding, and respect for each other.
July 15, 2022
Very sweet story
These group of friends and this town is remarkable. And add Christmas and happy ever after and you can't miss a great story. If you have not read the great series Rosemont then start today it is well worth your time. It will make you happy and you will feel good about life in general.
These group of friends and this town is remarkable. And add Christmas and happy ever after and you can't miss a great story. If you have not read the great series Rosemont then start today it is well worth your time. It will make you happy and you will feel good about life in general.
February 24, 2026
No Matter How Far
This is a heartwarming story about second chances and finding what's been missing. A serendipity moment as two souls meet-cute. I love the characters and the community of Westbury, they welcome new people in their lives as old friends. I can't wait for you to read this series. Enjoy
This is a heartwarming story about second chances and finding what's been missing. A serendipity moment as two souls meet-cute. I love the characters and the community of Westbury, they welcome new people in their lives as old friends. I can't wait for you to read this series. Enjoy
July 14, 2022
Best selling author, Barbara Hinske has done it again! Book 8, in the Rosemont series, No Matter How Far, reunites old friends and welcomes new friends to the town of Westbury, with a twist of mystery, new beginnings and romance! I give it 5 stars!
February 19, 2023
THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME…
Best short feel good Christmas novella! Has all the feels, warmth and hopes of the Season. Easy to read, quick to finish and full of wonder.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Best short feel good Christmas novella! Has all the feels, warmth and hopes of the Season. Easy to read, quick to finish and full of wonder.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
June 26, 2023
Another great read
Judy finds herself buying a home she has adored her entire life at an auction. She finds ornaments in the home and wants to make sure they get to the rightful owner. Does she solve the mystery? You will want to read this from beginning to end to find out.
Judy finds herself buying a home she has adored her entire life at an auction. She finds ornaments in the home and wants to make sure they get to the rightful owner. Does she solve the mystery? You will want to read this from beginning to end to find out.
September 5, 2023
Entertaining
If you're looking for a book to take you to an idyllic setting and life,this is it. In fact, every novel I have ever read by Barbara Himself has been just the ticket for a relaxing and entertaining story.
If you're looking for a book to take you to an idyllic setting and life,this is it. In fact, every novel I have ever read by Barbara Himself has been just the ticket for a relaxing and entertaining story.
October 23, 2023
Often predictable, always heartwarming!
I love these books. The characters seem real. The events both joyful and intriguing at times. The first book took me a bit longer to get in to, but ever since I’ve been hooked!
I love these books. The characters seem real. The events both joyful and intriguing at times. The first book took me a bit longer to get in to, but ever since I’ve been hooked!
February 28, 2024
garage sale reveal and attic find lead to romance
Jeff is a restless widower. Judy purchased a lovely house at auction because of memories of the previous owner’s kindness and to preserve from tear down. Wonderful adventures follow.
Jeff is a restless widower. Judy purchased a lovely house at auction because of memories of the previous owner’s kindness and to preserve from tear down. Wonderful adventures follow.
June 12, 2025
Love comes in strangest ways.
Loved the storyline and it is easy and enjoyable reading. Unexpected choices from bidding on a beautiful old mansion, with surprising boxes of collections.
Loved the storyline and it is easy and enjoyable reading. Unexpected choices from bidding on a beautiful old mansion, with surprising boxes of collections.
August 8, 2025
Interesting to learn about the Olson House.
Judy buys her dream house. Jeff comes to retrieve his ornaments and the rest is history. I love the idea of inheriting or buying an historic house and being able to fix it up.
Judy buys her dream house. Jeff comes to retrieve his ornaments and the rest is history. I love the idea of inheriting or buying an historic house and being able to fix it up.
September 10, 2025
Full of surprises and smiles!
What a heartwarming little novella! I love the focus being on Judy and building that character. I caught myself smiling so many times, as well as highlighting some really beautiful quotes.
What a heartwarming little novella! I love the focus being on Judy and building that character. I caught myself smiling so many times, as well as highlighting some really beautiful quotes.
March 16, 2026
This story line could very easily have been worked into another full length novel. There are some continuity errors in the book. The series is showing wear and tear. Still a nice easy read. I've come this far, might as well see it to the end.
July 24, 2026
Another good one!
I love the so sweet but probably improbable stories she writes. So fun to revel in the miracles and enjoy the possibilities. I always love catching up with characters from previous books. Be sure to always read series in order to fully appreciate the stories.
I love the so sweet but probably improbable stories she writes. So fun to revel in the miracles and enjoy the possibilities. I always love catching up with characters from previous books. Be sure to always read series in order to fully appreciate the stories.
July 17, 2022
Another great read !!!
August 13, 2022
Love visiting Rosemont again
This small town is full of magical spirit. Everyone gets a feel of it whether they live there or just visit as Jeff did. Enjoyable story.
This small town is full of magical spirit. Everyone gets a feel of it whether they live there or just visit as Jeff did. Enjoyable story.
August 14, 2022
Too short ...
Yes, it's a novella, but it's more like an outline waiting to be filled in rather than a story. And seriously, what purpose did the raggedy dog serve??
Yes, it's a novella, but it's more like an outline waiting to be filled in rather than a story. And seriously, what purpose did the raggedy dog serve??
November 17, 2022
Lovely Christmas Book
This is a nice book to read at Christmas that brings A town together to celebrate the Christmas Holiday season. A quick read!
This is a nice book to read at Christmas that brings A town together to celebrate the Christmas Holiday season. A quick read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews