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A Christmas Snow: A Novel
Kathleen Mitchell has carried around the unwanted memory of her father abandoning her and her mother almost 30 years ago on Christmas Eve. She has always blamed her mother for that night and still refuses to celebrate Christmas in any fashion. Although she has tried to forget her past, it has not forgotten her and in the days heading up to Christmas a blizzard traps her in her home with two unlikely guests. The storm brings her face to face with the hursts of her past forcing her to choose one path - letting go and grabbing hold of a life changing forgiveness or continuing to carry her pain and bitterness with her.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
52 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
About the author
Jim Stovall
185 books167 followersJim Stovall has been a national champion Olympic weightlifter, the President of the Emmy Award-winning Narrative Television Network, and a highly sought after author and platform speaker. He is the author of the best selling book, The Ultimate Gift, which is a major motion picture starring James Garner and Abigail Breslin. He is also author of The Ultimate Life and The Ultimate Journey, which have inspired another major motion picture to be released September 2013.
Steve Forbes, president and CEO of Forbes magazine, says, “Jim Stovall is one of the most extraordinary men of our era.”
For his work in making television accessible to our nation’s 13 million blind and visually impaired people, The President’s Committee on Equal Opportunity selected Jim Stovall as the Entrepreneur of the Year. He was also chosen as the International Humanitarian of the Year.
Steve Forbes, president and CEO of Forbes magazine, says, “Jim Stovall is one of the most extraordinary men of our era.”
For his work in making television accessible to our nation’s 13 million blind and visually impaired people, The President’s Committee on Equal Opportunity selected Jim Stovall as the Entrepreneur of the Year. He was also chosen as the International Humanitarian of the Year.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
May 25, 2020
This book was difficult for me to get into for some reason. I had figured out the ending shortly after I began reading the book, so I wasn't too eager to continue with it. Yet, there was something about it that kept me reading.
There seems to be something magical about snow at Christmas. Many people think a "white Christmas" is a perfect setting, but in this story, the snow starts out as a real impediment. Gradually it becomes less so.
I read this book during the COVID-19 pandemic and there were a few sentences that really struck me: “The winter storm had been a two-edged sword for the community. On one hand, it had paralyzed travellers and forced everyone to seek shelter. On the other hand, it had given friends and family, as well as some unexpecting souls, a unique opportunity to experience a new perspective on the holiday." How appropriate for the time when I was reading the book!
By the time I got to the last few chapters, and the book was winding up just as I had expected, something totally unexpected happened - not in the storyline but to me. I read those last pages with tears running down my cheeks and a box of tissues close by. Even though the ending wasn't unexpected, it was very moving and I decided that I actually really liked the book.
There seems to be something magical about snow at Christmas. Many people think a "white Christmas" is a perfect setting, but in this story, the snow starts out as a real impediment. Gradually it becomes less so.
I read this book during the COVID-19 pandemic and there were a few sentences that really struck me: “The winter storm had been a two-edged sword for the community. On one hand, it had paralyzed travellers and forced everyone to seek shelter. On the other hand, it had given friends and family, as well as some unexpecting souls, a unique opportunity to experience a new perspective on the holiday." How appropriate for the time when I was reading the book!
By the time I got to the last few chapters, and the book was winding up just as I had expected, something totally unexpected happened - not in the storyline but to me. I read those last pages with tears running down my cheeks and a box of tissues close by. Even though the ending wasn't unexpected, it was very moving and I decided that I actually really liked the book.
November 28, 2010
I loved this book. It was a quick and easy read and I am a sucker for a good Christmas book. I read the book first and just finished watching the dvd. The dvd follows very closely to the book. The book is about a woman who is now 40. When she was 10 her father left and never said good-bye. This happened during the Christmas season. She has become a Christmas grinch with an unforgiving heart.
January 9, 2019
Curl up in your favorite chair...
And find out how a snow storm, a stranger and a child can help Kathleen find faith, forgiveness and peace in her life, as well as in their very own lives. A sweet and touching story that we can all learn a little bit about how important love and family is.
And find out how a snow storm, a stranger and a child can help Kathleen find faith, forgiveness and peace in her life, as well as in their very own lives. A sweet and touching story that we can all learn a little bit about how important love and family is.
December 8, 2014
Really sappy and in some ways silly... But isn't that everything we want from a Christmas book? Very fast, enjoyable read for Christmas!
December 25, 2022
It's Christmas and Kathleen Mitchell has a 'bah humbug' attitude, but then she has had it ever since her father walked out on her mother and her thirty years ago during the Christmas season. She doesn't celebrate or decorate at all, nor does she allow her restaurant employees to be festive, either. No wonder the food critic panned the restaurant despite the food.
Her boyfriend has to leave his daughter Lucy there for a day or so a few days prior to Christmas, and on an emergency run to the grocery on Lucy's behalf, she nearly hits an elderly man, making him miss his bus. With the snow attaining blizzard status, she can't leave him at the closed, unheated bus station and brings him home.
Lucy, Sam, and reluctantly Kathleen make a Christmas that just might change attitudes. But will it? Will Kathleen have her changed Scrooge moments, or will life go on as before?
A Christmas fable...
Her boyfriend has to leave his daughter Lucy there for a day or so a few days prior to Christmas, and on an emergency run to the grocery on Lucy's behalf, she nearly hits an elderly man, making him miss his bus. With the snow attaining blizzard status, she can't leave him at the closed, unheated bus station and brings him home.
Lucy, Sam, and reluctantly Kathleen make a Christmas that just might change attitudes. But will it? Will Kathleen have her changed Scrooge moments, or will life go on as before?
A Christmas fable...
November 27, 2022
Jim Stovall's novel, A Christmas Snow, is an uplifting holiday novel about family, love and forgiveness. The story revolves around Kathleen Mitchell, a successful restaurant owner, who lives an orderly and tidy life with as little emotion and drama as possible. Her relationships with others remain strained and difficult ever since her father walked out on her and her mother at Christmas almost 30 years ago.
But this Christmas will be different, as a stranger named Sam and a little girl named Lucy will spend several days at Kathleen's home due to a Christmas snow storm leaving the town and surrounding neighborhood in snow and ice without power. In those few days together, Kathleen will allow her heart to thaw and the beginnings of forgiveness to surface. Only after the storm has ended will Kathleen discover the true identity of Sam and her life will never be the same.
But this Christmas will be different, as a stranger named Sam and a little girl named Lucy will spend several days at Kathleen's home due to a Christmas snow storm leaving the town and surrounding neighborhood in snow and ice without power. In those few days together, Kathleen will allow her heart to thaw and the beginnings of forgiveness to surface. Only after the storm has ended will Kathleen discover the true identity of Sam and her life will never be the same.
December 26, 2024
Brought tears to my eyes
A truly great Christmas story of forgiveness, redemption, and life change. Kathleen, single and 40, runs a chic Italian restaurant. She has no Christmas spirit and has alienated herself from her mother and stepfather, her only family since her dad walked out on them when she was 10. Into her life come Andrew, a widower, and his 10 year old daughter Lily. Lily describes herself as pets hickory and a chickaterian. When Andrew goes away on business a few days before Christmas, Kathleen finds herself snowed in at home with Lily and a stranger named Sam. What ensues is life changing for Kathleen and Lily! Be prepared for tears!
A truly great Christmas story of forgiveness, redemption, and life change. Kathleen, single and 40, runs a chic Italian restaurant. She has no Christmas spirit and has alienated herself from her mother and stepfather, her only family since her dad walked out on them when she was 10. Into her life come Andrew, a widower, and his 10 year old daughter Lily. Lily describes herself as pets hickory and a chickaterian. When Andrew goes away on business a few days before Christmas, Kathleen finds herself snowed in at home with Lily and a stranger named Sam. What ensues is life changing for Kathleen and Lily! Be prepared for tears!
December 23, 2022
Kathleen was not a fan of Christmas because it brought back memories of when her father walked out on the family when she was a child. This Christmas was no different until she got stranded in a snowstorm with a young girl and an old man. The three strangers were thrown together and they had to make the best of the situation. This experience taught Kathleen the importance of family, forgiveness, and having the Christmas spirit.
August 5, 2022
This book was so cute and cheesy. I am glad it was made into a movie. Talk about an emotional rollercoaster with a bitter woman who cares so much about herself and is forced to bond with her boyfriends dauhhter while being snowed in with a stranger. Yep thats a lot but super cute. The ending will make you smile.
December 14, 2018
This was made into a movie, and I can see where it would make a cool movie. But the book was kind of sappy and lame. Sorry I can't give a better review. It's rare when I think is something more suited to be a movie than a book.
December 25, 2019
A feel good Christmas story. Kathleen does not celebrate Christmas. She's hated Christmas since she was 10 years old. A young girl, soon to be her stepdaughter, and a stranger helps her to remember what is really important and to find Christmas again.
December 17, 2023
Enjoyable and Touching
I very much enjoyed this book, with realistic interactions between flawed characters. The ending was beautiful and satisfying. I also enjoyed the reminders of God in our life and what a relationship with God should look like.
I very much enjoyed this book, with realistic interactions between flawed characters. The ending was beautiful and satisfying. I also enjoyed the reminders of God in our life and what a relationship with God should look like.
January 6, 2024
This a truly lovely story, nicely written, about pain, relationships, love, and forgiveness.
Kathleen was 10 when her father left them, and her scars run deep, especially at Christmas, the anniversary of when he left.
Kathleen was 10 when her father left them, and her scars run deep, especially at Christmas, the anniversary of when he left.
January 10, 2018
This book was very thought-provoking for me. It made me rethink the relationships in our dysfunctional family and forced me to consider how I could change things.
March 26, 2018
Another very inspirational book by Jim Stovall. Wonderful story with a very worthwhile message.
September 18, 2018
I loved it a great Christmas story.
January 19, 2019
A sweet story that motivated me to watch the movie.
February 18, 2019
Quick read. Nice story.
October 13, 2019
I enjoyed this quick Christmas read. Now I need to watch the DVD!
December 20, 2020
Heartwarming
This was a heartwarming Christmas story that’s an easy read to get you in the true Christmas spirit of family, friends, and forgiveness.
This was a heartwarming Christmas story that’s an easy read to get you in the true Christmas spirit of family, friends, and forgiveness.
December 3, 2021
This was a cute, quick Christmas read. (Lifetime movie style.)
February 5, 2022
My mom gave me a copy of this book back in 7th grade. One of the most heartwarming books that I've ever read. It's one of those books that I think people should read at least once in their life.
October 17, 2022
Sappy, thought provoking.... a wonderful Christmas story.
November 24, 2022
Heartwarming Christmas read, short but sweet
December 5, 2022
I loved this book!
December 31, 2023
Just finished this sweet story. A bit predictable but the characters are likable and the setting and plot very interesting. A nice holiday read.
January 20, 2024
Beautiful story of forgiveness!
October 16, 2024
It was really nice, I was so interested till I finished it. It had a really nice lesson about forgiveness. I totally recommend it.
October 24, 2025
The point of this story was okay, but the story itself lacked depth. I didn't care for the characters, and I didn't like the writing at all.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews