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Yuletide Treasure: The Finest Gift / A Blessed Season
The Finest Gift by Lauraine Snelling -
A plain Jane without any suitors, Arley Hoople doesn't dare dream of romance this Christmas. So she brings holiday joy to others: repairing her grandmother's nutcracker and commissioning a dollhouse for the girls at the orphanage. Yet one knock at the woodcarver's door unexpectedly brings Arley a gift of her own: love.
A Blessed Season by Jillian Hart -
An abandoned girl asks bounty hunter Rafe Jones to track down her long-lost mother for Christmas. The holiday wish breaks through his hardened heart, and he easily finds Cora Sims in Montana Territory. She's definitely the woman Rafe has been looking for. But is she actually the girl's mother?
A plain Jane without any suitors, Arley Hoople doesn't dare dream of romance this Christmas. So she brings holiday joy to others: repairing her grandmother's nutcracker and commissioning a dollhouse for the girls at the orphanage. Yet one knock at the woodcarver's door unexpectedly brings Arley a gift of her own: love.
A Blessed Season by Jillian Hart -
An abandoned girl asks bounty hunter Rafe Jones to track down her long-lost mother for Christmas. The holiday wish breaks through his hardened heart, and he easily finds Cora Sims in Montana Territory. She's definitely the woman Rafe has been looking for. But is she actually the girl's mother?
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 23, 2008
27 people are currently reading
160 people want to read
About the author
Lauraine Snelling
159 books2,030 followersAward-winning and bestselling author Lauraine Snelling has over 80 books published with sales of over 4.5 million. Her original dream was to write horse books for children. Today, she writes adult novels about real issues centered on forgiveness, loss, domestic violence and cancer in her inspirational contemporary women’s fiction titles and historical series, including the favorite, Blessing books about Ingeborg Bjorklund and family.
Lauraine enjoys helping others reach their writing dreams by teaching at writer’s conferences across the county. She and her husband Wayne have two grown sons, and a daughter in Heaven. They live in the Tehachapi Mountains with a Basset named Sir Winston ob de Mountains, Lapcat, and “The Girls” (three golden hens).
Lauraine enjoys helping others reach their writing dreams by teaching at writer’s conferences across the county. She and her husband Wayne have two grown sons, and a daughter in Heaven. They live in the Tehachapi Mountains with a Basset named Sir Winston ob de Mountains, Lapcat, and “The Girls” (three golden hens).
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 21, 2016
I purchased this read because Lauraine Snelling wrote The Finest Gift and it was like I had hoped; very good. Christmas is weaved from beginning to end with interesting tidbits about Nutcrackers and woodworking which gave the overall feel of the book a quaint charm. The romance is not the head reindeer so that made it even better!!
January 1, 2015
SUMMARY:
The Finest Gift by Lauraine Snelling
A plain Jane without any suitors, Arley Hoople doesn't dare dream of romance this Christmas. So she brings holiday joy to others: repairing her grandmother's nutcracker and commissioning a dollhouse for the girls at the orphanage. Yet one knock at the woodcarver's door unexpectedly brings Arley a gift of her own: love.
A Blessed Season by Jillian Hart
An abandoned girl asks bounty hunter Rafe Jones to track down her long-lost mother for Christmas. The holiday wish breaks through his hardened heart, and he easily finds Cora Sims in Montana Territory. She's definitely the woman Rafe has been looking for. But is she actually the girl's mother?
REVIEW: These two shorter length historical Christmas stories are both well done. I enjoyed the commonality that both girls felt themselves to be rather plain and yet the men pursuing them both thought them lovely. Each story had an unexpected surprise for the young women. Light romantic Christmas reads that definitely put you in the Christmas spirit.
FAVORITE QUOTES: "Happy? Such a transient thing. Contented, yes. Joyful? Yes. But that comes from inside. You can choose joy and it will be like an artesian well that never runs dry. You can turn it off sometimes, but when you turn it on again, it will gush forth. The Bible promises us that. But if you grab for happiness, it will slip away, like the mist in the morning sun."
"...love claimed her heart. Not in a giddy rush or with a sudden proclamation as she always thought it would, but in a quiet, calm whisper like dawn's first light in midwinter. Gentle and sure and bringing light to shadowed, forgotten places. Love so bright it ached deeper and deeper within her, bringing tears to her eyes."
The Finest Gift by Lauraine Snelling
A plain Jane without any suitors, Arley Hoople doesn't dare dream of romance this Christmas. So she brings holiday joy to others: repairing her grandmother's nutcracker and commissioning a dollhouse for the girls at the orphanage. Yet one knock at the woodcarver's door unexpectedly brings Arley a gift of her own: love.
A Blessed Season by Jillian Hart
An abandoned girl asks bounty hunter Rafe Jones to track down her long-lost mother for Christmas. The holiday wish breaks through his hardened heart, and he easily finds Cora Sims in Montana Territory. She's definitely the woman Rafe has been looking for. But is she actually the girl's mother?
REVIEW: These two shorter length historical Christmas stories are both well done. I enjoyed the commonality that both girls felt themselves to be rather plain and yet the men pursuing them both thought them lovely. Each story had an unexpected surprise for the young women. Light romantic Christmas reads that definitely put you in the Christmas spirit.
FAVORITE QUOTES: "Happy? Such a transient thing. Contented, yes. Joyful? Yes. But that comes from inside. You can choose joy and it will be like an artesian well that never runs dry. You can turn it off sometimes, but when you turn it on again, it will gush forth. The Bible promises us that. But if you grab for happiness, it will slip away, like the mist in the morning sun."
"...love claimed her heart. Not in a giddy rush or with a sudden proclamation as she always thought it would, but in a quiet, calm whisper like dawn's first light in midwinter. Gentle and sure and bringing light to shadowed, forgotten places. Love so bright it ached deeper and deeper within her, bringing tears to her eyes."
December 30, 2019
Yuletide Treasure is a collection of two novellas by Lauraine Snelling and Jillian Hart.
In The Finest Gift by Lauraine Snelling, Arley Hoople had been orphaned and then raised by her rich, imperious grandmother. Her grandmother had been rather cheerless since her own widowhood.
One of Arley’s ministries is reading to the children at an orphanage. After reading a book to the children about a dollhouse and seeing the longing in their eyes, Arley comes up with a plan to ask the local woodcarver to help her build a dollhouse, which she she will present to the orphanage at Christmas in her grandmother’s name as a present to her.
The woodcarver has a gruff grandson living with him. Nathan had been expected to take over the family business until an explosion scarred him inside and out. He was sent to recuperate with his grandfather. As he learns his grandfather’s trade, he begins to think he’d rather be a woodcarver than go into business. But he doesn’t think he can get out of his father’s expectations. He admires the young woman who comes to his grandfather for help with a dollhouse, but he comes across as so silent and unfriendly, he doesn’t think he’ll ever have a chance with her.
As the three work on the dollhouse and its furnishings together, something happens in each of their hearts. And surprises are in store when the house is presented.
In A Blessed Season by Jillian Hart, Rafe Jones is an intimidating bounty hunter. But an orphan girl who has been hired out to work melts his carefully guarded heart when she asks him to help her find her mother. All she has is a sewing box of her mother’s with the name Cora Sims engraved on it.
Rafe tracks down Cora and observes her for a while to assess the situation and see if the child would be safe with her. Cora owns a dress shop and considers herself a “plain bird,” an “old maid” at thirty. But Rafe thinks she is beautiful and admires her kindness. People usually steer clear of Rafe due to his size, demeanor, and the guns he carried. But Cora shows him the same grace she does everyone else. She doesn’t seem the type to abandon a child. Perhaps she had no choice, or was attacked?
As Rafe and Cora get to know one another, the two wounded hearts are drawn to one another and the mystery of the child’s parentage and the sewing box is revealed.
I enjoyed both of these sweet, heartwarming stories.
In The Finest Gift by Lauraine Snelling, Arley Hoople had been orphaned and then raised by her rich, imperious grandmother. Her grandmother had been rather cheerless since her own widowhood.
One of Arley’s ministries is reading to the children at an orphanage. After reading a book to the children about a dollhouse and seeing the longing in their eyes, Arley comes up with a plan to ask the local woodcarver to help her build a dollhouse, which she she will present to the orphanage at Christmas in her grandmother’s name as a present to her.
The woodcarver has a gruff grandson living with him. Nathan had been expected to take over the family business until an explosion scarred him inside and out. He was sent to recuperate with his grandfather. As he learns his grandfather’s trade, he begins to think he’d rather be a woodcarver than go into business. But he doesn’t think he can get out of his father’s expectations. He admires the young woman who comes to his grandfather for help with a dollhouse, but he comes across as so silent and unfriendly, he doesn’t think he’ll ever have a chance with her.
As the three work on the dollhouse and its furnishings together, something happens in each of their hearts. And surprises are in store when the house is presented.
In A Blessed Season by Jillian Hart, Rafe Jones is an intimidating bounty hunter. But an orphan girl who has been hired out to work melts his carefully guarded heart when she asks him to help her find her mother. All she has is a sewing box of her mother’s with the name Cora Sims engraved on it.
Rafe tracks down Cora and observes her for a while to assess the situation and see if the child would be safe with her. Cora owns a dress shop and considers herself a “plain bird,” an “old maid” at thirty. But Rafe thinks she is beautiful and admires her kindness. People usually steer clear of Rafe due to his size, demeanor, and the guns he carried. But Cora shows him the same grace she does everyone else. She doesn’t seem the type to abandon a child. Perhaps she had no choice, or was attacked?
As Rafe and Cora get to know one another, the two wounded hearts are drawn to one another and the mystery of the child’s parentage and the sewing box is revealed.
I enjoyed both of these sweet, heartwarming stories.
December 14, 2024
This book had two stories.
The Finest Gift: I loved this story. It was a refreshing change to other “fruity” and unrealistic Christmas stories I’ve been reading. It takes place in 1910, Minnesota. Arley has lived with her grandmother most of her life. Her parents were killed in a train accident. Her grandmother is set in her ways, somewhat strict, making sure Arley doesn’t forget her manners and how to act as a young woman. One day, as Arley is taking down Christmas nutcracker decorations, she falls and breaks her grandmother’s favorite nutcracker. She takes it to the local woodworker’s place, where Lawrence Gunderson will be able to fix it. Lawrence’s grandson, Nathan, has been staying with his grandfather since he was injured in a mining accident. Nathan no longer wants to work for his father who is a successful businessman and owns the mine. He would rather help his grandfather and play his violin. Arley gets to spend time with Lawrence and Nathan when she asks if they can help her build a doll house she wants to give in her grandmother’s name to the local orphanage for Christmas. They are able to build a masterpiece and make the girls at the orphanage have a wonderful Christmas. Arley’s grandmother is beyond happy about the surprise dollhouse as well as seeing Lawrence, who left the area long ago when they could not get married. They will surely spend much time together now. Arley and Nate will also be spending more time together now that Nate will be staying to help his grandfather and not back to his father’s business.
A Blessed Season: Taking place in the 1800’s, Rafe Jones, a bounty hunter, is approached by a little girl, Holly. She has been working for her keep and wants Rafe to try to find her mother. The only clue Rafe has from Holly is a sewing kit with the name Cora Sims on it. Cora Sims is actually the owner of a dress shop in town. Rafe and Holly come to know Cora, a 30 year old “spinster.” Rafe and Cora soon fall in love, but when Cora is not Holly’s biological mother, Cora thinks Rafe and Holly will leave town and life will be back to the way it was. Cora decides she wants Holly to live with her. Leaving the hotel where Rafe and Holly are staying, Cora is attacked by the same man who stole her purse a few days earlier. Rafe comes to save her and realizes he can’t live without her. The three soon become a family.
The Finest Gift: I loved this story. It was a refreshing change to other “fruity” and unrealistic Christmas stories I’ve been reading. It takes place in 1910, Minnesota. Arley has lived with her grandmother most of her life. Her parents were killed in a train accident. Her grandmother is set in her ways, somewhat strict, making sure Arley doesn’t forget her manners and how to act as a young woman. One day, as Arley is taking down Christmas nutcracker decorations, she falls and breaks her grandmother’s favorite nutcracker. She takes it to the local woodworker’s place, where Lawrence Gunderson will be able to fix it. Lawrence’s grandson, Nathan, has been staying with his grandfather since he was injured in a mining accident. Nathan no longer wants to work for his father who is a successful businessman and owns the mine. He would rather help his grandfather and play his violin. Arley gets to spend time with Lawrence and Nathan when she asks if they can help her build a doll house she wants to give in her grandmother’s name to the local orphanage for Christmas. They are able to build a masterpiece and make the girls at the orphanage have a wonderful Christmas. Arley’s grandmother is beyond happy about the surprise dollhouse as well as seeing Lawrence, who left the area long ago when they could not get married. They will surely spend much time together now. Arley and Nate will also be spending more time together now that Nate will be staying to help his grandfather and not back to his father’s business.
A Blessed Season: Taking place in the 1800’s, Rafe Jones, a bounty hunter, is approached by a little girl, Holly. She has been working for her keep and wants Rafe to try to find her mother. The only clue Rafe has from Holly is a sewing kit with the name Cora Sims on it. Cora Sims is actually the owner of a dress shop in town. Rafe and Holly come to know Cora, a 30 year old “spinster.” Rafe and Cora soon fall in love, but when Cora is not Holly’s biological mother, Cora thinks Rafe and Holly will leave town and life will be back to the way it was. Cora decides she wants Holly to live with her. Leaving the hotel where Rafe and Holly are staying, Cora is attacked by the same man who stole her purse a few days earlier. Rafe comes to save her and realizes he can’t live without her. The three soon become a family.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2019
My mom downloaded this on her Kindle so thought I'd read it. You know...holiday spirit, all that jazz.
Two short stories, went really quick but the kicker was the second story. OMG. I was in tears. I don't usually go for the corny stuff but this sucked me in!! Sweet little girl, taken under the wing of a rough 'n tough bounty hunter who is going to help her find her mom. Her father died. Her mom is gone & this coarse character is going to make sure this little angel is not left alone in the world. When his one lead turns out to be a bust he has to break the news to her. I cried right along with her. Get it. See how it ends. Merry Christmas!
Two short stories, went really quick but the kicker was the second story. OMG. I was in tears. I don't usually go for the corny stuff but this sucked me in!! Sweet little girl, taken under the wing of a rough 'n tough bounty hunter who is going to help her find her mom. Her father died. Her mom is gone & this coarse character is going to make sure this little angel is not left alone in the world. When his one lead turns out to be a bust he has to break the news to her. I cried right along with her. Get it. See how it ends. Merry Christmas!
December 4, 2020
The Finest Gift - 2.5 stars It was kind of boring. There is potential, but it needed to be a full book to really flesh out the characters and add interest.
A Blessed Season - 4 stars This is exactly what I like to see in a novella.
A Blessed Season - 4 stars This is exactly what I like to see in a novella.
December 27, 2017
This was just fluff to help put me in the holiday spirit. But even for fluff it was pretty bad.
August 1, 2019
Killed the first story, but didn't care for the second. Library book, so no loss.
April 14, 2020
I enjoyed both of these stories the second one was the best. I would read them again and I would recommend them
December 8, 2020
I really enjoyed this book, which consisted of two stories. They were very different from each other, but both had that wonderful Christmas feel. I would recommend this book.
November 6, 2023
Both stories were delightful with sweet romances.
July 23, 2025
Give yourself a Christmas treat with these two quality stories. They are guaranteed to warm your heart and bask in the love shown there!
December 13, 2025
A perfect quick read of 2 novellas, one historical and one contemporary. Heartwarming stories, certain to get one in the holiday spirit.🎄.
November 22, 2015
The Finest Gift - by Lauraine Snelling - (four stars) This novella was very enjoyable to read, but I think it might have been better as a full-length novel. I felt like I knew how it would end right from the very beginning. The gift for the children of the orphanage was very touching, and it was a sweet holiday read.
A Blessed Season - by Jillian Hart - (five stars) - I love to read Jillian Hart's writing, even if it is a short novella, because she can get my emotions fully involved quickly. The little girl in this story, Holly, grabbed my heart quickly, and so did Cora. This is excellent; I wish it had been longer I enjoyed it so much.
A Blessed Season - by Jillian Hart - (five stars) - I love to read Jillian Hart's writing, even if it is a short novella, because she can get my emotions fully involved quickly. The little girl in this story, Holly, grabbed my heart quickly, and so did Cora. This is excellent; I wish it had been longer I enjoyed it so much.
September 21, 2009
I always seem to gravitate towards the heartwarming Christmas romantics for my choice of reading when traveling. They are easy to set down and pick up again yet interesting enough to want to read when you have put them down. I really liked these two stories and finished them before I got home and wished I had the next book it talked about in the back of the book, which were more heartwarming Christmas books.
December 16, 2013
I'm glad I tracked this down - the first story was all right; I never got the sense that the grandmother was as bad as Arley kept saying. But mostly, I was glad to get a story for Cora Simms in Angel Falls - I've read a number of the historical McKaslin books and short stories and always liked her. Super sweet and exactly what I needed - this was the first book I could half pay attention to all month, with the medical stuff going on. Hurrah for fluff.
October 5, 2018
Two wonderful Christmas stories about love under difficult circumstances. Enjoyed both.
Re-read again. I particularly liked the story by Jillian Hart "A Blessed Season" A young orphaned pays a bounty hunter three pennies to find her mom. The premise of this story works because the bounty hunter himself was raised in a orphanage.
Re-read again. I particularly liked the story by Jillian Hart "A Blessed Season" A young orphaned pays a bounty hunter three pennies to find her mom. The premise of this story works because the bounty hunter himself was raised in a orphanage.
December 25, 2015
I am not usually a fan of novellas. There is never enough time to adequately develop plot or characters. These two were, as expected, a bit shallow and predictable. But still enjoyable. Clean, feel-good romances.
March 3, 2009
Nice.
December 8, 2010
I guess inspirational romance just isn't my thing.
November 16, 2015
A good read.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews