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Snowflakes on the Sea
Christmas 2014:
Nathan and Mallory McKendrick remember the troubles and triumphs they faced in the early days of their marriage. But their love story is far from over! It's a story they tell each other often…especially at Christmas.
Winter 1984:
International singing sensation Nathan McKendrick had it all—the looks, the talent, the charisma. It's not surprising that half the world was infatuated with him! No one more so than his wife, Mallory. The success of their marriage had always defied the odds—and the rumors. Then, suddenly, the bond between them was damaged, and Nathan and Mallory had to choose—fight for the love they still shared or let circumstances destroy it.
In the end, there was only one choice. They had to save their marriage.
And now, every year that goes by, every Christmas they spend together, reminds them that their love is everlasting…
Nathan and Mallory McKendrick remember the troubles and triumphs they faced in the early days of their marriage. But their love story is far from over! It's a story they tell each other often…especially at Christmas.
Winter 1984:
International singing sensation Nathan McKendrick had it all—the looks, the talent, the charisma. It's not surprising that half the world was infatuated with him! No one more so than his wife, Mallory. The success of their marriage had always defied the odds—and the rumors. Then, suddenly, the bond between them was damaged, and Nathan and Mallory had to choose—fight for the love they still shared or let circumstances destroy it.
In the end, there was only one choice. They had to save their marriage.
And now, every year that goes by, every Christmas they spend together, reminds them that their love is everlasting…
248 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
131 people are currently reading
432 people want to read
About the author
Linda Lael Miller
553 books3,225 followersThe daughter of a town marshal, Linda Lael Miller is a #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than 100 historical and contemporary novels, most of which reflect her love of the West. Raised in Northport, Washington, Linda pursued her wanderlust, living in London and Arizona and traveling the world before returning to the state of her birth to settle down on a spacious property outside Spokane.
Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she sold Fletcher’s Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, mysteries and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Long a passionate Civil War buff, Linda has studied the era avidly for almost thirty years. She has read literally hundreds of books on the subject, explored numerous battlegrounds and made many visits to her favorite, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she has witnessed re-enactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow, a May 7, 2019 MIRA Books hardcover, also available in digital and audiobook formats.
Dedicated to helping others, “The First Lady of the West” personally financed fifteen years of her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, which she awarded to women 25 years and older who were seeking to improve their lot in life through education. She anticipates that her next charitable endeavors will benefit four-legged critters.
More information about Linda and her novels is available at www.lindalaelmiller.com, on Facebook and from Nancy Berland Public Relations, nancy@nancyberland.com, 405-206-4748.
Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she sold Fletcher’s Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, mysteries and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Long a passionate Civil War buff, Linda has studied the era avidly for almost thirty years. She has read literally hundreds of books on the subject, explored numerous battlegrounds and made many visits to her favorite, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she has witnessed re-enactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow, a May 7, 2019 MIRA Books hardcover, also available in digital and audiobook formats.
Dedicated to helping others, “The First Lady of the West” personally financed fifteen years of her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, which she awarded to women 25 years and older who were seeking to improve their lot in life through education. She anticipates that her next charitable endeavors will benefit four-legged critters.
More information about Linda and her novels is available at www.lindalaelmiller.com, on Facebook and from Nancy Berland Public Relations, nancy@nancyberland.com, 405-206-4748.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
July 19, 2019
This 1984 story was so extra they reprinted it in 2103. I read the original edition at Open Library and felt it deserved a dramatization. Note: I had to resort to montages because the heroine’s many flounces and the OW’s many lies got all jumbled together. Events may not be in order, but you’ll get the drift.
Setting: Seattle penthouse, Villa on a island in Puget Sound, Cabin on an island in Puget Sound.
Characters: Heroine – a trained elementary school teacher who auditioned for a soap opera on a whim and landed the part of resident femme fatale. She hates being an actress but feels like she should work since her rock star husband is always touring without her. She has been just been released from the hospital for exhaustion/nervous breakdown at the beginning of the story. She has been married to (and in awe of) the H for six years.
Hero – an “international rock star” who was a millionaire before he became famous. He rushes back as soon as his tour in Australia is over.
Act One – How Neurotic are These People?
Scene 1 – Phone Tag
Hero calls/talks to the answering machine/hangs up on:
His sister *click*
His public relations person (OW) *click*
Heroine’s producer (OM) *click*
Housekeepers at the villa, penthouse *click*
Scene 2 – The Reunion
Hero -I finally tracked you down at your dead parent’s cabin.
Heroine -*Trembles* *Wonders if he’s cheating on her.*
Hero- Let’s have sex.
Heroine- Okay.
Nosey Neighbors - knock, knock.
Hero – Damnit!
Nosey Neighbors - you look terrible, heroine.
Heroine- I’m just paranoid, but thanks for stopping by on snowy night and interrupting sex.
Scene 3 - The Problem
Heroine – You’re cheating on me.
Hero - No, I’m not. But I have to go rehearse with my band at the villa
Heroine - I’ll just stay here at my dead parent’s cabin with the dog and my rampant paranoia.
Hero - Don’t mind the OW. She just says outrageous things to get a rise out of you.
OW- We had sex the whole time in Australia. Including Christmas Eve/Day
Heroine - I didn’t put up a Christmas tree because I was working and you were gone and I was sure you were cheating on me.
Hero- But you love Christmas *puts up a January Christmas tree*
Heroine -lets have sex
*sex*
Heroine-*he’s cheating on me*
(Reviewer - *facepalm*)
Act II - Do the Same Thing and Expect Different Results
Scene 1 – Montage of All the People Worried about the Heroine
Writer neighbor: you don’t have to work a job you hate to be a feminist.
Heroine: I don’t?
Hero’s sister: He’s not cheating on you. He loves you.
Heroine: I’m not worthy so he must be cheating.
Real Estate agent friend: Why don’t you sell the dead parent’s house?
Heroine: It feeds my paranoia/despair
Producer (OM): Cable is buying the soap – now you can do nude scenes!
Heroine: Way to help my neurosis
Hero: Take these vitamins. And don’t listen to the OW.
OW: We’re totally doing it.
Scene 2 – Montage of the heroine leaving.
Hero at dead parent’s house: I love you. I didn’t cheat.
Heroine: I’m leaving
Hero at villa: I love you. I didn’t cheat
Heroine: I need time to think.
Hero at penthouse: I love you. I didn’t cheat.
Heroine: I’m leaving.
Scene Three- Montage of the OW telling the heroine the hero is cheating with her
In front of January Christmas Tree – He loves me!
Barging past the doorman of their penthouse. He loves me, not you!
At Seattle Seafood Market – He loves me!
At the hero’s farewell concert standing behind him– He loves me!
At the heroine’s soundstage – He loves me!
At the condo the OW bought across from their villa. Me! Me! He loves me!
Act III Where the Rubber Hits the Road
Scene 1 – The Wrath of the OW
Hero to the OW – You’re fired and I’m quitting rock stardom.
OW – Just wait. I’ll get my revenge.
Tabloids: Hero sued for paternity
Heroine: You cheated with an 18 year-old?
Hero: No. I love you –
Heroine: Yadda, yadda I didn’t cheat. I know the drill. I’m going to Podunk town to confront the 18 year-old.
18 year-old – OMG a soap opera star! Will you sign my TV guide?
Heroine: What?
18 year-old – *shifty eyes* Hero is the father of my baby.
Hero’s sister, real estate friend, all sentient beings – hero was set up by OW or OM.
Heroine – I want to believe but my paranoia must be fed.
Scene 2 -The Wrath of the OM
OM – I set up the paternity story because I’m in love with you.
Heroine- What? I’m still not doing nude scenes. But I will finish my contract. After that I’m putting my name down for substitute teacher
(Reviewer: What? Substitute teacher? The kids will light her on fire in the first five minutes.)
Hero- I’m glad you believe me now. Wait. You’re finishing the contract with that sleezoid?
Heroine – I don’t know if I really believe you about the 18 year-old. Also, I need to honor my commitments.
(Reviewer - Irony alert!)
Hero – Fine. But I’m going to beat up the OM for planting the tabloid story.
Heroine *calls OM* Hero’s on his way to beat you up.
Hero – You ruin all my fun. Btw, don’t come to my last concert. The fans think you’re Yoko Ono
Scene 3 - The Wrath of the Stans
Heroine –*security surrounding her after fans realize who she is* I can’t believe the fans blame me for your retirement.
Hero- *returns at 3:00 AM* I was only with the OW on TV.
Heroine - Let’s get divorced.
Hero – Fine
Scene 4 And Baby Makes Three
Heroine – *honoring her contract on the soundstage with the best angsty acting of her life* *faints*
Doctor – You’re pregnant.
Heroine – I’m not telling the hero
OM – I just told the hero.
Hero – Now we’ll live at the Villa together.
OW – I just bought a condo across the villa to stalk hero and to write my book about our non-existent affair. Now I will kiss him in the boat house.
Heroine - * witnesses kiss* Take care of the dog, hero.
Act IV Wait a Minute - What?
Scene 1 – The Epiphany
Real Estate friend: I’ve sold your dead parent’s cabin to a nice couple. OW tried to buy it, but I put her off.
Heroine: Now I know why I’ve been trying to sabotage my marriage with my paranoia!
Real Estate friend – You do?
(Reviewer – You do?)
Heroine – I loved my parents but they died in a boating accident. If I love the hero too much he’ll die, too.
Real Estate Friend – That’s -
(Reviewer – insane.)
Real Estate Friend – really insightful.
Scene 2 – The Reunion
Heroine – I came to see the dog
Hero – if you leave again it’s over.
Heroine – I’m here to stay. I was afraid to love you and cause your death.
Hero- *ignores the crazy* Let’s have sex.
(Reviewer. *snerk*)
Scene 3 – Totally Random Wedding of the Hero’s Sister to Some Guy
Hero – I’m nervous about walking her down the aisle.
Heroine – But you’re an international rockstar now writing movie scores.
Hero – Speaking of writing, the OW gave up the idea of writing about our nonexistent affair and is representing another rock group.
Heroine – baby kicked under my madras maternity blouse!
Scene 4 – Metaphor and title explanation
Heroine – last winter when were estranged and it snowed everyday - even though it doesn’t snow that often in the Seattle area – I would think of our relationship as being a unique snowflake that was dissolving in the sea.
Hero – ah, but the sea is eternal and so are we.
Heroine – What?
(Reviewer – What?)
Scene 5 - Epilogue
Heroine – Baby Brittany loves watching her dad in concert.
Hero – I’ll bet she has her own Las Vegas show someday.
(Reviewer – Okay, I made the part up)
Hero – We went through all of that angst about my career just to have me right back on stage?
Heroine – I can’t explain it.
(Reviewer – I can’t explain it, either.)
Setting: Seattle penthouse, Villa on a island in Puget Sound, Cabin on an island in Puget Sound.
Characters: Heroine – a trained elementary school teacher who auditioned for a soap opera on a whim and landed the part of resident femme fatale. She hates being an actress but feels like she should work since her rock star husband is always touring without her. She has been just been released from the hospital for exhaustion/nervous breakdown at the beginning of the story. She has been married to (and in awe of) the H for six years.
Hero – an “international rock star” who was a millionaire before he became famous. He rushes back as soon as his tour in Australia is over.
Act One – How Neurotic are These People?
Scene 1 – Phone Tag
Hero calls/talks to the answering machine/hangs up on:
His sister *click*
His public relations person (OW) *click*
Heroine’s producer (OM) *click*
Housekeepers at the villa, penthouse *click*
Scene 2 – The Reunion
Hero -I finally tracked you down at your dead parent’s cabin.
Heroine -*Trembles* *Wonders if he’s cheating on her.*
Hero- Let’s have sex.
Heroine- Okay.
Nosey Neighbors - knock, knock.
Hero – Damnit!
Nosey Neighbors - you look terrible, heroine.
Heroine- I’m just paranoid, but thanks for stopping by on snowy night and interrupting sex.
Scene 3 - The Problem
Heroine – You’re cheating on me.
Hero - No, I’m not. But I have to go rehearse with my band at the villa
Heroine - I’ll just stay here at my dead parent’s cabin with the dog and my rampant paranoia.
Hero - Don’t mind the OW. She just says outrageous things to get a rise out of you.
OW- We had sex the whole time in Australia. Including Christmas Eve/Day
Heroine - I didn’t put up a Christmas tree because I was working and you were gone and I was sure you were cheating on me.
Hero- But you love Christmas *puts up a January Christmas tree*
Heroine -lets have sex
*sex*
Heroine-*he’s cheating on me*
(Reviewer - *facepalm*)
Act II - Do the Same Thing and Expect Different Results
Scene 1 – Montage of All the People Worried about the Heroine
Writer neighbor: you don’t have to work a job you hate to be a feminist.
Heroine: I don’t?
Hero’s sister: He’s not cheating on you. He loves you.
Heroine: I’m not worthy so he must be cheating.
Real Estate agent friend: Why don’t you sell the dead parent’s house?
Heroine: It feeds my paranoia/despair
Producer (OM): Cable is buying the soap – now you can do nude scenes!
Heroine: Way to help my neurosis
Hero: Take these vitamins. And don’t listen to the OW.
OW: We’re totally doing it.
Scene 2 – Montage of the heroine leaving.
Hero at dead parent’s house: I love you. I didn’t cheat.
Heroine: I’m leaving
Hero at villa: I love you. I didn’t cheat
Heroine: I need time to think.
Hero at penthouse: I love you. I didn’t cheat.
Heroine: I’m leaving.
Scene Three- Montage of the OW telling the heroine the hero is cheating with her
In front of January Christmas Tree – He loves me!
Barging past the doorman of their penthouse. He loves me, not you!
At Seattle Seafood Market – He loves me!
At the hero’s farewell concert standing behind him– He loves me!
At the heroine’s soundstage – He loves me!
At the condo the OW bought across from their villa. Me! Me! He loves me!
Act III Where the Rubber Hits the Road
Scene 1 – The Wrath of the OW
Hero to the OW – You’re fired and I’m quitting rock stardom.
OW – Just wait. I’ll get my revenge.
Tabloids: Hero sued for paternity
Heroine: You cheated with an 18 year-old?
Hero: No. I love you –
Heroine: Yadda, yadda I didn’t cheat. I know the drill. I’m going to Podunk town to confront the 18 year-old.
18 year-old – OMG a soap opera star! Will you sign my TV guide?
Heroine: What?
18 year-old – *shifty eyes* Hero is the father of my baby.
Hero’s sister, real estate friend, all sentient beings – hero was set up by OW or OM.
Heroine – I want to believe but my paranoia must be fed.
Scene 2 -The Wrath of the OM
OM – I set up the paternity story because I’m in love with you.
Heroine- What? I’m still not doing nude scenes. But I will finish my contract. After that I’m putting my name down for substitute teacher
(Reviewer: What? Substitute teacher? The kids will light her on fire in the first five minutes.)
Hero- I’m glad you believe me now. Wait. You’re finishing the contract with that sleezoid?
Heroine – I don’t know if I really believe you about the 18 year-old. Also, I need to honor my commitments.
(Reviewer - Irony alert!)
Hero – Fine. But I’m going to beat up the OM for planting the tabloid story.
Heroine *calls OM* Hero’s on his way to beat you up.
Hero – You ruin all my fun. Btw, don’t come to my last concert. The fans think you’re Yoko Ono
Scene 3 - The Wrath of the Stans
Heroine –*security surrounding her after fans realize who she is* I can’t believe the fans blame me for your retirement.
Hero- *returns at 3:00 AM* I was only with the OW on TV.
Heroine - Let’s get divorced.
Hero – Fine
Scene 4 And Baby Makes Three
Heroine – *honoring her contract on the soundstage with the best angsty acting of her life* *faints*
Doctor – You’re pregnant.
Heroine – I’m not telling the hero
OM – I just told the hero.
Hero – Now we’ll live at the Villa together.
OW – I just bought a condo across the villa to stalk hero and to write my book about our non-existent affair. Now I will kiss him in the boat house.
Heroine - * witnesses kiss* Take care of the dog, hero.
Act IV Wait a Minute - What?
Scene 1 – The Epiphany
Real Estate friend: I’ve sold your dead parent’s cabin to a nice couple. OW tried to buy it, but I put her off.
Heroine: Now I know why I’ve been trying to sabotage my marriage with my paranoia!
Real Estate friend – You do?
(Reviewer – You do?)
Heroine – I loved my parents but they died in a boating accident. If I love the hero too much he’ll die, too.
Real Estate Friend – That’s -
(Reviewer – insane.)
Real Estate Friend – really insightful.
Scene 2 – The Reunion
Heroine – I came to see the dog
Hero – if you leave again it’s over.
Heroine – I’m here to stay. I was afraid to love you and cause your death.
Hero- *ignores the crazy* Let’s have sex.
(Reviewer. *snerk*)
Scene 3 – Totally Random Wedding of the Hero’s Sister to Some Guy
Hero – I’m nervous about walking her down the aisle.
Heroine – But you’re an international rockstar now writing movie scores.
Hero – Speaking of writing, the OW gave up the idea of writing about our nonexistent affair and is representing another rock group.
Heroine – baby kicked under my madras maternity blouse!
Scene 4 – Metaphor and title explanation
Heroine – last winter when were estranged and it snowed everyday - even though it doesn’t snow that often in the Seattle area – I would think of our relationship as being a unique snowflake that was dissolving in the sea.
Hero – ah, but the sea is eternal and so are we.
Heroine – What?
(Reviewer – What?)
Scene 5 - Epilogue
Heroine – Baby Brittany loves watching her dad in concert.
Hero – I’ll bet she has her own Las Vegas show someday.
(Reviewer – Okay, I made the part up)
Hero – We went through all of that angst about my career just to have me right back on stage?
Heroine – I can’t explain it.
(Reviewer – I can’t explain it, either.)
December 21, 2014
I actually wasn’t sure how I would feel about this book when I realized it was a reprint. I am not a huge fan of reprinted books. I used to see a book with a bright, shiny and pretty cover that I didn’t recognize and of course I would buy it and bring it home only to be frustrated when I found a copy of it already on my shelf. Thankfully I have the Goodreads app so I could check and see if I already have the book before I buy it.
Now I had not previously read Snowflakes on the Sea. It was first published when I was about six years old so I actually didn’t hear about it until recently when it was reprinted. In this case, I am glad this book was reprinted.
The author actually wrote a new prologue to help introduce the story. It is a wonderful idea because that way the reader isn’t grumbling “why wasn’t this book updated!” throughout the story. You know up front that the story is going to take place in the 1980’s because the couple, Nathan and Mallory McKendrick, is reminiscing about how their life was before they had their children.
I do recommend Snowflakes on the Sea because I just liked it. At times I thought the couple was acting silly and I just wished they would sit down and talk things out. But overall this was a good romance that kept me entertained.
Now I had not previously read Snowflakes on the Sea. It was first published when I was about six years old so I actually didn’t hear about it until recently when it was reprinted. In this case, I am glad this book was reprinted.
The author actually wrote a new prologue to help introduce the story. It is a wonderful idea because that way the reader isn’t grumbling “why wasn’t this book updated!” throughout the story. You know up front that the story is going to take place in the 1980’s because the couple, Nathan and Mallory McKendrick, is reminiscing about how their life was before they had their children.
I do recommend Snowflakes on the Sea because I just liked it. At times I thought the couple was acting silly and I just wished they would sit down and talk things out. But overall this was a good romance that kept me entertained.
November 7, 2014
My review for this wonder holiday novel will be linked back here in the future. Stay tuned!
April 22, 2017
A beautiful holiday romance! There are plenty of ups and downs for this wedded couple as we follow Nathan and Mallory's story to present day.
June 13, 2015
With this novel Miller doesn’t look at the beginnings of a romance, but rather at a love that has stood the test of time. She puts pen to paper with her usual, impeccably well written style and tells a great story. That said, I almost felt as if Miller was trivializing certain aspects of this romance that I felt would have been important with emphasizing others that I found of little import. Perhaps it is our differing views on events such as these that made it hard for me to completely immerse myself in this story. I also found a lack of the excitement that I expect from one of Miller’s stories. I did enjoy the novel, but I didn’t find myself turning pages, dying to know what happened next.
The characters in this novel were quite well developed. I enjoyed the fact that we got to know the characters over a larger period of time. Their pasts and their present are both well developed for readers. The characters themselves are also quite unique. Their interactions with one another speak volumes as to their relationship and what they think and feel.
As a whole this was an enjoyable novel. It was a great look at romance that lasts.
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.
The characters in this novel were quite well developed. I enjoyed the fact that we got to know the characters over a larger period of time. Their pasts and their present are both well developed for readers. The characters themselves are also quite unique. Their interactions with one another speak volumes as to their relationship and what they think and feel.
As a whole this was an enjoyable novel. It was a great look at romance that lasts.
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.
March 15, 2015
This is a romance and character study of two people living in Seattle. The lady acts in a daytime drama and her husband is a musician; the demands of their work mean that they have been separated at Christmas for the first time. He was in Australia and reportedly had an enjoyable time. The lady is worried that their marriage is in danger. She then suffers a collapse from stress at work, and the husband rushes home - but what does that prove?
Winter in Seattle is certainly bitter, but the story mainly takes place indoors and doesn't move far. The supporting characters are well drawn if a little one-sided. I would have liked a change of pace and setting occasionally and found it a shade slow, which is why I am not giving more stars. However I have enjoyed some aspects of the tale and other readers may appreciate it more.
I received an ARC from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion.
Winter in Seattle is certainly bitter, but the story mainly takes place indoors and doesn't move far. The supporting characters are well drawn if a little one-sided. I would have liked a change of pace and setting occasionally and found it a shade slow, which is why I am not giving more stars. However I have enjoyed some aspects of the tale and other readers may appreciate it more.
I received an ARC from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion.
August 15, 2023
Lord, this was painful to read. Mallory was unbelievably immature & neither had the ability to hold a meaningful conversation with each other. How in the world did these two ever get together in the first place? The book sums up in the words of Pat, Nathan's sister: "You're both idiots, as far as I'm concerned, and I wash my hands of you."
June 29, 2024
I thought I would like this one a lot, but it had too many flaws. First of all, the h fell in love with the H when he was already a big star in the music world, so she knew from the start what life would be like, and it was silly for her after seven years of marriage to still be so bothered about all his female fans, and to suspect him of cheating when he never gave her any reason to in all that time. She's acting s insecure as if they had only been married months instead of years and she was just getting used to the lifestyle.
Secondly, while I could understand her wanting a career and something separate from being the wife of a rock star, why would she choose something she didn't even like? She had studied to be a teacher, which was what she really wanted to do, but instead she auditions for a role in a soap opera, when she hates the idea of acting! (WTF???) And we're really supposed to believe she gets the role with no acting experience whatsoever????? Despite her using her maiden name, I'm guessing someone recognized her and hired her to have the wife of a superstar on the show.
So, she hates going to the studio, hates rehearsing, hates all the makeup, hates being on camera, and yet she signs a two-year contract and determines to honor it, even when the show's producer gets horny for her and tries to break up her marriage! Can you say TSTL????
Even more stupid is the OW (who also has a hand in the breakup scheme), the H's press agent. they've worked together for years, and in all that time the H has never even hinted that he has any non-professional interest in her, yet she keeps trying to seduce him, to cause trouble in his marriage, to make the h think she has cause to be jealous, etc. Anyone with an ounce of self-respect would have given up long ago! The H should have told her to cut the crap, or she'd be fired! (Instead, in a weak moment, he kisses her and immediately regrets it, another Dumbo!)
Then there's the OM, who the h never realized had the hots for her, until he starts declaring his love, admitting he worked with the OW to try and bust up her marriage because he wants her so much and would be better for her than the H! Talk about crummy, not to mention nonsense! He "loves" her so much that he tried to talk her into renewing her contract because they're switching to cable TV, where she can do nude scenes and show off her breasts! Does that sound like a man in love???? HELL NO!!
Yet, she feels obligated to fulfill her contract, despite the H being angry about it. You would think she'd be more concerned with how her husband feels than that creepy producer! Especially since he considered giving up his singing career to spend more time with her and work on their marriage, and also (finally) fired the OW. But she still insists she won't go back on her promise to fulfill her contract. UNBELIEVABLE!!!
Even worse, then the jerk does a sudden about face and suddenly goes into big brother mode, she buys into it right away, without question! She doesn't even trust her own husband half as much!
The h had a lot of issues, in particular an unwillingness to accept the death of both her parents in a boating accident. Rather than move into her husband's beautiful home on an island off Seattle, she prefers her late parents' home on the other side of the island, because it makes her feel close to them and all the happy memories, when she should be making new ones with the man she married!
Her friend tries to make her realize it's a mistake, but I can't say I appreciated all the talk about her parents being gone forever, no longer existing, etc. I gather the author's an atheist, but that doesn't mean her readers are (I'm sure NOT), so she could have worded things differently.
The h also continuously accuses the H of being unfaithful and gets jealous of all the women fans he has to interact with. How come it was never an issue that she was playing the bad girl on the soap opera, who got a kick out of playing around with married men??? Being a soap, there must have been bed scenes, or at least kissing scenes, so why was this never brought up? How come the H never said he was jealous watching her on TV making out with other men? The author goofed up here!
Despite all their troubles, these two get naked every chance they get! They say they need to talk things through but end up shedding clothes all over the place, instead. It got to be ridiculous after a while, especially when she suddenly has a revelation that she was deliberately putting obstacles in their way because she was afraid if she allowed them to get too close, he might die and leave he like her parents did, does she tell him? NO!! Another WTF!!!!! She finally realizes why she's been acting so stupid, and she doesn't let him know????
And we're supposed to believe that the reason she was so nice and forgiving to the creep OM and such a pain in the ass to her husband is because she's afraid hubby might croak, whereas she couldn't care less if creep kicked the bucket???
COME ON!!!!!
Of course, there's a HEA, but you know in real life, they'd be divorced.
You can easily skip this one.
Secondly, while I could understand her wanting a career and something separate from being the wife of a rock star, why would she choose something she didn't even like? She had studied to be a teacher, which was what she really wanted to do, but instead she auditions for a role in a soap opera, when she hates the idea of acting! (WTF???) And we're really supposed to believe she gets the role with no acting experience whatsoever????? Despite her using her maiden name, I'm guessing someone recognized her and hired her to have the wife of a superstar on the show.
So, she hates going to the studio, hates rehearsing, hates all the makeup, hates being on camera, and yet she signs a two-year contract and determines to honor it, even when the show's producer gets horny for her and tries to break up her marriage! Can you say TSTL????
Even more stupid is the OW (who also has a hand in the breakup scheme), the H's press agent. they've worked together for years, and in all that time the H has never even hinted that he has any non-professional interest in her, yet she keeps trying to seduce him, to cause trouble in his marriage, to make the h think she has cause to be jealous, etc. Anyone with an ounce of self-respect would have given up long ago! The H should have told her to cut the crap, or she'd be fired! (Instead, in a weak moment, he kisses her and immediately regrets it, another Dumbo!)
Then there's the OM, who the h never realized had the hots for her, until he starts declaring his love, admitting he worked with the OW to try and bust up her marriage because he wants her so much and would be better for her than the H! Talk about crummy, not to mention nonsense! He "loves" her so much that he tried to talk her into renewing her contract because they're switching to cable TV, where she can do nude scenes and show off her breasts! Does that sound like a man in love???? HELL NO!!
Yet, she feels obligated to fulfill her contract, despite the H being angry about it. You would think she'd be more concerned with how her husband feels than that creepy producer! Especially since he considered giving up his singing career to spend more time with her and work on their marriage, and also (finally) fired the OW. But she still insists she won't go back on her promise to fulfill her contract. UNBELIEVABLE!!!
Even worse, then the jerk does a sudden about face and suddenly goes into big brother mode, she buys into it right away, without question! She doesn't even trust her own husband half as much!
The h had a lot of issues, in particular an unwillingness to accept the death of both her parents in a boating accident. Rather than move into her husband's beautiful home on an island off Seattle, she prefers her late parents' home on the other side of the island, because it makes her feel close to them and all the happy memories, when she should be making new ones with the man she married!
Her friend tries to make her realize it's a mistake, but I can't say I appreciated all the talk about her parents being gone forever, no longer existing, etc. I gather the author's an atheist, but that doesn't mean her readers are (I'm sure NOT), so she could have worded things differently.
The h also continuously accuses the H of being unfaithful and gets jealous of all the women fans he has to interact with. How come it was never an issue that she was playing the bad girl on the soap opera, who got a kick out of playing around with married men??? Being a soap, there must have been bed scenes, or at least kissing scenes, so why was this never brought up? How come the H never said he was jealous watching her on TV making out with other men? The author goofed up here!
Despite all their troubles, these two get naked every chance they get! They say they need to talk things through but end up shedding clothes all over the place, instead. It got to be ridiculous after a while, especially when she suddenly has a revelation that she was deliberately putting obstacles in their way because she was afraid if she allowed them to get too close, he might die and leave he like her parents did, does she tell him? NO!! Another WTF!!!!! She finally realizes why she's been acting so stupid, and she doesn't let him know????
And we're supposed to believe that the reason she was so nice and forgiving to the creep OM and such a pain in the ass to her husband is because she's afraid hubby might croak, whereas she couldn't care less if creep kicked the bucket???
COME ON!!!!!
Of course, there's a HEA, but you know in real life, they'd be divorced.
You can easily skip this one.
February 19, 2024
Such a cozy setting, and actually good writing...but such a volatile, unpleasant story. Interestingly, the main couple are already married and are having significant issues...but they are only in their late 20s and act like teenagers. They are the most distrustful, toxic couple I've ever read. They are each extremely paranoid that the other is cheating (neither have cheated, there is no history of cheating, so I do not get the suspicion). The heroine is an actress and the hero is a singer and they spend weeks apart with their career. They are fighting after almost every interaction, and they separate frequently. The hero will often manipulate the heroine into better humor using sex without actually discussing their issues, so they temporarily reconcile until tempers flair up again, typically a few hours later. Eventually the heroine caves and give up her acting career to do a more "fulfilling" career of substitute teaching. She also sells her beloved child hood home (her parents died tragically in a boating accident a few years prior and she nearly drowned as well and has significant unresolved trauma around this incident) which felt completely unnecessary and showed that "she" has to cave to make the marriage work...so they can move into a tacky seaside mansion. Stupid, sitcom-like plot lines abound...they should have divorced pronto. But the heroine's "illness" is pregnancy (which is never picked up by the doctors??) and child and baby of course follow the singer husband around on tour, removing every tension and issue in their relationship. The sex/sensuous scenes are very short and nothing special. They had piss-poor communication, both had short tempers, and were insensitive, spoiled idiots. I would have preferred an older, more established couple who were more mature and a gradual re-kindling of a fading romance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2024
4 stars - Very good; really enjoyed it
Pros: This was my first time reading a book by this author and I found the concept of this book is what pushed my review to 4 stars. I haven't read many books where the characters' professions fall within the entertainment industry instead of the doctor/cowboy stereotype you typically see in romance novels. Therefore, getting a glimpse into this lifestyle and seeing its influence in the life of the characters grabbed my attention. While I generally don't like the "flashback" approach in novels, the majority of the book took place in the past, so apart from the prologue and epilogue, there was no jumping back and forth in time. The writing style is very easy to read and contributed to my enjoyment of this book.
Cons: I found Mallory's attitude towards Nathan to be very frustrating and somewhat unrealistic. I don't doubt that the entertainment industry places many stressors on a relationship, but her constant hot and cold approach seemed too dramatic (maybe a cliche since she's an actress?). I could not relate to Mallory given she demonstrated no ability to hold a sensible, mature conversation with her husband about issues in their marriage. I also prefer books with shorter chapters and the chapters in this book were a little long for my liking; very minor issue.
Overall I would recommend this book.
Pros: This was my first time reading a book by this author and I found the concept of this book is what pushed my review to 4 stars. I haven't read many books where the characters' professions fall within the entertainment industry instead of the doctor/cowboy stereotype you typically see in romance novels. Therefore, getting a glimpse into this lifestyle and seeing its influence in the life of the characters grabbed my attention. While I generally don't like the "flashback" approach in novels, the majority of the book took place in the past, so apart from the prologue and epilogue, there was no jumping back and forth in time. The writing style is very easy to read and contributed to my enjoyment of this book.
Cons: I found Mallory's attitude towards Nathan to be very frustrating and somewhat unrealistic. I don't doubt that the entertainment industry places many stressors on a relationship, but her constant hot and cold approach seemed too dramatic (maybe a cliche since she's an actress?). I could not relate to Mallory given she demonstrated no ability to hold a sensible, mature conversation with her husband about issues in their marriage. I also prefer books with shorter chapters and the chapters in this book were a little long for my liking; very minor issue.
Overall I would recommend this book.
July 22, 2019
Let’s start with two important facts. One I adore Linda Lael Miller books. Two this book was written in 1984 -gasp 35 years ago, the year I got married. My, my, my how romance novels have changed. Looking at my reading journal I noticed this was the 12th novel of LLM I read. I did not remember this book at all.
Two people in love, married for 6 years and still not certain of their love. Two people with careers that aren’t easily compatible. Confusion, uncertainty, insecurity. Is that what life was like in 1984? A lot of loving, fighting, loving, fighting, accusations. Must have been. Romances have come a long way as have people. This book has been on my to-read shelf and I never noticed it was a reprint. Can someone find a way to put REPRINT on the cover of a book without alienating sales.
Take a blast to the past. Best part, guaranteed HEA.
Two people in love, married for 6 years and still not certain of their love. Two people with careers that aren’t easily compatible. Confusion, uncertainty, insecurity. Is that what life was like in 1984? A lot of loving, fighting, loving, fighting, accusations. Must have been. Romances have come a long way as have people. This book has been on my to-read shelf and I never noticed it was a reprint. Can someone find a way to put REPRINT on the cover of a book without alienating sales.
Take a blast to the past. Best part, guaranteed HEA.
August 23, 2020
Linda Lael Miller's talent was evident in this early work. The main characters were easy to envision and easy to empathize with, a young, insecure woman awed by her enigmatic and outrageously successful husband. But even with their vast differences, there was certainly more drama than necessary. Though things happen in the course of this book that would give any woman pause, there's 6 years of history between them and he's begun to despair of ever convincing her of his love. Before long the reader begins to wonder too!
It's clear why people followed Miller's work and how she became the writer she is today.
It's clear why people followed Miller's work and how she became the writer she is today.
July 31, 2018
Nathan McKendrick is a singer who has fans worldwide. Even though they have been married 6 years, his wife, Mallory, has not accepted the fact that her husband is a very public figure. She is supposed to be in her mid 20s and he in his early 30s, but they act more like spoiled teens.
December 23, 2018
I usually love MS Miller's books but this one just had to much fighting, tension and Hollywood Drama, I am not much into that. I am more into her Cowboy series The Mckettricks, Parable Montana, Stone Creek etc.
December 28, 2018
Did not care for the story line or the characters...they did not seem real.
March 7, 2020
not worth it
March 24, 2021
good, but long and drawn out could, have been better, but it was a typical romance one, so no fault their
July 3, 2022
Didn’t like it much. Skip read. Used from library book sale.
August 19, 2022
Awesome loved it
March 6, 2025
When is Mallory going to stop being paranoid and whiny - like never. Jeez this book went on and on same old same old
January 10, 2026
Ugh! Considering 2/3 of this novel was explicit sex with very little plot, I'm considering this to be a waste of my reading time.
December 30, 2014
Snowflakes on the Sea is a Christmas time reprint from Linda Lael Miller's backlist. Readers looking for some vintage writing from an author they know and love will find this book enchanting. This one isn't the typical Miller western romance, it involves two high profile people whose marriage is feeling the strain of their tough schedules and finite time for each other. Ever wondered what it would be like to be married to a rock star? It might be a little harder than you think!
What I liked:
I probably shouldn't have picked a reprint for my first book by this author. This book is from Linda Lael Miller's early career and probably doesn't do justice to her writing today. I think I was expecting the western type setting that Miller is known for and was surprised when this one was cut from a different cloth, but that didn't deter me. I wanted to find strong characters and depth in the story, and I struggled a bit to find it but in the end I'm glad I picked this one up. It was unexpected and sometimes that exactly what I want to read.
Not your typical romance either. The couple in this book is already married. This was something I found very refreshing. It's life after the happy-ever-after. And in this case it's not quite what Cinderella had in mind. Mallory and Nathan have defied the odds and stayed together even though he's a high profile recording artist. But it's definitely not smooth sailing for these two. Trouble is on the horizon and it takes a lot of fight from both characters to pull this one out.
I really wanted to like Mallory, but I had some issues with her. She was a bit simpering and whiny. Now, I understand that there's trouble in paradise, but a lot of times you can either cry about it or fight for it and she did a bit too much crying to suit me. There was a lot of up and down with her character. She made me like her one minute and want to shake her the next. Not quite what I'm used to where the heroine is concerned.
Nathan was the fighter of the two. He seemed determined to make it work, whatever he had to do to make it right. I appreciated the fact that he knew things were screwed up and he wanted to fix it. It's Christmas... who wants to break up at this time of year? Not this guy, he was his game. I wanted Mallory to have that same fighting spirit. Life's not easy and marriage takes a lot of hard work. I thought Miller did a good job of portraying that.
One of the things that was kind of a miss for me on this one was the back and forth. It seemed like once Nathan and Mallory got one issue solved, here came something else. You expect that a little bit in a good romance, but not the kind of onslaught these two characters had to deal with. I didn't want it to be easy to work out, but geez! This one was tough!
Bottom Line:
I never judge an author by the first book I read. I'm glad in this case. I liked the book, but I know from what others have told me, that this author is top notch and I look forward to reading other works by Miller that show that. Too much drama for me in this one and the heroine just didn't do it for me. I did like the fact that they were already married, but it didn't make up for a lot of issues I had with this one.
What I liked:
I probably shouldn't have picked a reprint for my first book by this author. This book is from Linda Lael Miller's early career and probably doesn't do justice to her writing today. I think I was expecting the western type setting that Miller is known for and was surprised when this one was cut from a different cloth, but that didn't deter me. I wanted to find strong characters and depth in the story, and I struggled a bit to find it but in the end I'm glad I picked this one up. It was unexpected and sometimes that exactly what I want to read.
Not your typical romance either. The couple in this book is already married. This was something I found very refreshing. It's life after the happy-ever-after. And in this case it's not quite what Cinderella had in mind. Mallory and Nathan have defied the odds and stayed together even though he's a high profile recording artist. But it's definitely not smooth sailing for these two. Trouble is on the horizon and it takes a lot of fight from both characters to pull this one out.
I really wanted to like Mallory, but I had some issues with her. She was a bit simpering and whiny. Now, I understand that there's trouble in paradise, but a lot of times you can either cry about it or fight for it and she did a bit too much crying to suit me. There was a lot of up and down with her character. She made me like her one minute and want to shake her the next. Not quite what I'm used to where the heroine is concerned.
Nathan was the fighter of the two. He seemed determined to make it work, whatever he had to do to make it right. I appreciated the fact that he knew things were screwed up and he wanted to fix it. It's Christmas... who wants to break up at this time of year? Not this guy, he was his game. I wanted Mallory to have that same fighting spirit. Life's not easy and marriage takes a lot of hard work. I thought Miller did a good job of portraying that.
One of the things that was kind of a miss for me on this one was the back and forth. It seemed like once Nathan and Mallory got one issue solved, here came something else. You expect that a little bit in a good romance, but not the kind of onslaught these two characters had to deal with. I didn't want it to be easy to work out, but geez! This one was tough!
Bottom Line:
I never judge an author by the first book I read. I'm glad in this case. I liked the book, but I know from what others have told me, that this author is top notch and I look forward to reading other works by Miller that show that. Too much drama for me in this one and the heroine just didn't do it for me. I did like the fact that they were already married, but it didn't make up for a lot of issues I had with this one.
October 16, 2014
Originally reviewed for Tea and Book
Snowflakes on the Sea is Linda Lael Miller at her romantic best. For an author best known for her cowboy romance Ms. Miller totally blows it out of the water on this one.
Instead of finding us falling in love with some hunky cowboy Ms. Miller shares with us a romance that has lasted. That has been through trials, tribulations and time. Two people who have loved, almost lost and chose to remain together. A beautiful story. The theme song for this book has already been written and sung. With every page I found myself singing Alan Jackson's Remember When. This book and that song will forever be linked in my mind.
Nathan and Mallory Kendrick have a long and beautiful marriage but it wasn't always perfect. There was a time when they almost lost it all. When their lives while connected seemed to be getting further and further apart. But instead of succumbing to the easy choice they chose to stay together, now the years have passed and they have had a triumphed! But instead of allowing those hurts and mistakes to fall to the past, maybe to be repeated, they remember every year. This year they are sharing it with us.
I think this book is what true romance is all about. Choosing to stay! Realizing that love can overcome all.. well love and lots and lots of hard work. In that moment when it would be easy to walk away, Nathan and Mallory chose to stay. It wasn't easy, it wasn't pretty it was messy and hard but the choice was made.. the love remained and by sticking together they truly did have it all.
This wasn't a book about two individuals, it was a book about a love so strong that it held true. Nathan is a famed musician with a career that takes him far and wide and Mallory is a woman who has struggled to find herself, working hard to not get lost in Nathan's charisma, not to be overwhelmed. But she is also a woman who has chosen to hold on too tightly to her past and what she has lost. It comes down to whether she can truly let go of the past or if she wants to explore the future. Nathan on the other hand.. well he's truly in love with this amazing woman but can be rather clueless to those around him. A lot of the adversities come from someone in his entourage who wants more of Nathan than he is willing to give..
What I loved most about this book? It reminds us all that love is work! It's not all fairytales and rainbows. It's real, it can be destroyed if it's not nourished. And yet when you work for it, when you hold love close it is the most wonderful thing in the world.
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of Snowflakes on the Sea, provided by netgalley and is scheduled to be released on October 28, 2014
Snowflakes on the Sea is Linda Lael Miller at her romantic best. For an author best known for her cowboy romance Ms. Miller totally blows it out of the water on this one.
Instead of finding us falling in love with some hunky cowboy Ms. Miller shares with us a romance that has lasted. That has been through trials, tribulations and time. Two people who have loved, almost lost and chose to remain together. A beautiful story. The theme song for this book has already been written and sung. With every page I found myself singing Alan Jackson's Remember When. This book and that song will forever be linked in my mind.
Nathan and Mallory Kendrick have a long and beautiful marriage but it wasn't always perfect. There was a time when they almost lost it all. When their lives while connected seemed to be getting further and further apart. But instead of succumbing to the easy choice they chose to stay together, now the years have passed and they have had a triumphed! But instead of allowing those hurts and mistakes to fall to the past, maybe to be repeated, they remember every year. This year they are sharing it with us.
I think this book is what true romance is all about. Choosing to stay! Realizing that love can overcome all.. well love and lots and lots of hard work. In that moment when it would be easy to walk away, Nathan and Mallory chose to stay. It wasn't easy, it wasn't pretty it was messy and hard but the choice was made.. the love remained and by sticking together they truly did have it all.
This wasn't a book about two individuals, it was a book about a love so strong that it held true. Nathan is a famed musician with a career that takes him far and wide and Mallory is a woman who has struggled to find herself, working hard to not get lost in Nathan's charisma, not to be overwhelmed. But she is also a woman who has chosen to hold on too tightly to her past and what she has lost. It comes down to whether she can truly let go of the past or if she wants to explore the future. Nathan on the other hand.. well he's truly in love with this amazing woman but can be rather clueless to those around him. A lot of the adversities come from someone in his entourage who wants more of Nathan than he is willing to give..
What I loved most about this book? It reminds us all that love is work! It's not all fairytales and rainbows. It's real, it can be destroyed if it's not nourished. And yet when you work for it, when you hold love close it is the most wonderful thing in the world.
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of Snowflakes on the Sea, provided by netgalley and is scheduled to be released on October 28, 2014
July 4, 2016
Reviewed by JoAnne
Book provided by NetGalley
Originally posted at Romancing the Book
This was so different from anything I’ve ever read before by Miller, one of my favorite authors. There were no ranchers, ranches, horses, cowboys or close families anywhere in sight and it left me wanting to go back to those stories she’s written. The book starts in the present day, Christmas 2014, and returns to it in the epilogue but the bulk of the story is told thirty years before. When the book jumped from then to now I felt there was a huge gap that didn’t really get bridged. All in all, I liked the book but didn’t love it.
Nathan and Mallory had almost a love/hate relationship partly because both were so strong willed that neither ever wanted to give in to their true feelings not knowing how the other would feel. But their love was always there even when they were angry with each other which was often. Although married for six years they weren’t together much due to the demands he had on him as an international singer since he was at the top of the charts and was always flying around the world giving concerts. Mallory created her own life back in Seattle by becoming a star in a soap opera. Neither really liked what the other was doing but neither did they talk to each other about their lives or what they wanted to change about it and what they wanted their life to be like. They would fight and then make hot, steamy love that made them forget for the moment that things needed to change. Enter his publicist Diane who was a piece of work and who wanted Mal out of the picture since she wanted Nathan for herself. Brad Ranner, Mallory’s director, also had a lot to answer for. I didn’t hold Diane or Brad in high regard. Luckily Mallory had a few close friends she could rely on as well as Nathan’s sister Pat who was always there for her as well as for her brother and was often the voice of reason for them both.
There were moments that made me sigh and smile and other times that made me angry since Nathan and Mallory were so stubborn neither wanted to let the other in at times. But they did have chemistry even when they tried to turn off their feelings. There was laughter, tears, heartache, misery, happiness, sorrow, disbelief, good friends and some family along with romance, love and burn up the sheets loving. There was a happily ever after and a nice life that they managed to create for themselves but there wasn’t the closure I needed.
I look forward to reading more books by Miller but hope they’re with a western theme. To me it’s what she writes best!
Book provided by NetGalley
Originally posted at Romancing the Book
This was so different from anything I’ve ever read before by Miller, one of my favorite authors. There were no ranchers, ranches, horses, cowboys or close families anywhere in sight and it left me wanting to go back to those stories she’s written. The book starts in the present day, Christmas 2014, and returns to it in the epilogue but the bulk of the story is told thirty years before. When the book jumped from then to now I felt there was a huge gap that didn’t really get bridged. All in all, I liked the book but didn’t love it.
Nathan and Mallory had almost a love/hate relationship partly because both were so strong willed that neither ever wanted to give in to their true feelings not knowing how the other would feel. But their love was always there even when they were angry with each other which was often. Although married for six years they weren’t together much due to the demands he had on him as an international singer since he was at the top of the charts and was always flying around the world giving concerts. Mallory created her own life back in Seattle by becoming a star in a soap opera. Neither really liked what the other was doing but neither did they talk to each other about their lives or what they wanted to change about it and what they wanted their life to be like. They would fight and then make hot, steamy love that made them forget for the moment that things needed to change. Enter his publicist Diane who was a piece of work and who wanted Mal out of the picture since she wanted Nathan for herself. Brad Ranner, Mallory’s director, also had a lot to answer for. I didn’t hold Diane or Brad in high regard. Luckily Mallory had a few close friends she could rely on as well as Nathan’s sister Pat who was always there for her as well as for her brother and was often the voice of reason for them both.
There were moments that made me sigh and smile and other times that made me angry since Nathan and Mallory were so stubborn neither wanted to let the other in at times. But they did have chemistry even when they tried to turn off their feelings. There was laughter, tears, heartache, misery, happiness, sorrow, disbelief, good friends and some family along with romance, love and burn up the sheets loving. There was a happily ever after and a nice life that they managed to create for themselves but there wasn’t the closure I needed.
I look forward to reading more books by Miller but hope they’re with a western theme. To me it’s what she writes best!
December 30, 2014
Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars
“I know we’ve got a long way to go before we get this marriage back on its feet, but please–don’t leave me.”
Never in the six years she’d been married to Nathan had she seen him reveal so much open vulnerability.
Linda Lael Miller’s reissue of this 1984 classic holiday romance is so chock full of drama and passion, you’ll think you died and went to soap opera heaven as you read it.
I really liked the idea of taking a tried and true story and putting a little bit of a new spin on it. And that’s what happened here with Mallory and Nathan’s story. This was reworked so the new introduction and epilogue was of this couple, decades later, reflecting on one of the toughest times they faced during their marriage.
Read More
“I know we’ve got a long way to go before we get this marriage back on its feet, but please–don’t leave me.”
Never in the six years she’d been married to Nathan had she seen him reveal so much open vulnerability.
Linda Lael Miller’s reissue of this 1984 classic holiday romance is so chock full of drama and passion, you’ll think you died and went to soap opera heaven as you read it.
I really liked the idea of taking a tried and true story and putting a little bit of a new spin on it. And that’s what happened here with Mallory and Nathan’s story. This was reworked so the new introduction and epilogue was of this couple, decades later, reflecting on one of the toughest times they faced during their marriage.
Read More
November 30, 2014
This is a re-released book from the 80s with a new prologue and epilogue. On one hand I liked the premise of this book because instead of having a couple fall in love for the first time, the couple featured has already been married for a few years and things are rocky.
Unfortunately, the rest of the story could have used a little updating. From "pulsing pillar" to "the secret of her womanhood" terminology used throughout and the back-and-forth issues between Nathan and Mallory -- I was not hooked. I was too far in to stop reading so I did finish it but unfortunately, N & M were very immature and frustrated more than delighted me.
The upside was the Seattle setting, and I loved the bit of winter descriptions throughout. Otherwise, this book felt too dated for me to enjoy and story could have been resolved in fewer pages.
Unfortunately, the rest of the story could have used a little updating. From "pulsing pillar" to "the secret of her womanhood" terminology used throughout and the back-and-forth issues between Nathan and Mallory -- I was not hooked. I was too far in to stop reading so I did finish it but unfortunately, N & M were very immature and frustrated more than delighted me.
The upside was the Seattle setting, and I loved the bit of winter descriptions throughout. Otherwise, this book felt too dated for me to enjoy and story could have been resolved in fewer pages.
February 3, 2016
Snowflakes on the Sea by Linda Lael Miller
2-1/2* (Low rating due to high angst.)
Story of a married couple of 40+ years looking back on their life. Nathan McKendrick is a famous singer and his wife, Mallory, earned her own fame as a soap opera star before finding what she really wanted was to be a schoolteacher and mother. The story replays the beginning of their marriage and all the fighting and whining they went through before figuring out what was important (we aren't really told what that was, but I assume it was less fighting and whining).
I really enjoy Miller's writing, but I just couldn't take these particular characters. Ugh.
2-1/2* (Low rating due to high angst.)
Story of a married couple of 40+ years looking back on their life. Nathan McKendrick is a famous singer and his wife, Mallory, earned her own fame as a soap opera star before finding what she really wanted was to be a schoolteacher and mother. The story replays the beginning of their marriage and all the fighting and whining they went through before figuring out what was important (we aren't really told what that was, but I assume it was less fighting and whining).
I really enjoy Miller's writing, but I just couldn't take these particular characters. Ugh.
July 17, 2016
This was a couple who had no problems communicating in the bedroom and every other room in the house, but getting along and trusting each other was not working. I found myself constantly wanting to recommend marriage counseling to them.
Mallory finally realized what the underlying problem was, but it took the whole book to get there. It would have been nice to have more of the story where they actually got along.
I also felt that in lieu of marriage counseling, a trip abroad to get away from negative influences would have helped tremendously.
I'm glad things came right in the end, but boy, it was a lot of angst getting there.
Mallory finally realized what the underlying problem was, but it took the whole book to get there. It would have been nice to have more of the story where they actually got along.
I also felt that in lieu of marriage counseling, a trip abroad to get away from negative influences would have helped tremendously.
I'm glad things came right in the end, but boy, it was a lot of angst getting there.
June 9, 2010
Some details of daily life travelling to and fro an island were interesting and so was the hysterical (PMS reminiscent) way the heroine has acted towards the end, which made it more real; however, the way the supposedly ego-maniac rock star acted like a washcloth pining for his wife was just not consistent with his Jagger-style image; he suddenly got a backbone in his final speech, but all the moping around for 300 pages... if he was a real jerk like you see on E Celebrity, it would have made a better story and gave her problems more credence.
November 12, 2014
This book was a bit of a roller coaster and while it isn't one of my favorite Linda Lael Miller books it was still a good one. The whole story was so up and down at times it was confusing. Mallory and Nathan would fight then be OK, then fight then be OK. There wasn't much making up though, which was the confusing part. Overall what I got out of this book was that the most important thing in a relationship is communication. Without it too many things go unsaid and situations that would be understood with a bit of talk get thrown out of proportion.
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