Monday, December 16, 2013

Snow Day by Shannon Stacey, Jennifer Greene, Barbara Dunlop

Genre: Contemporary Romance (Novella)
Publication Date: 31st December 2013
Pages: 320
Book Source: Harlequin & NetGalley

Synopsis: Tucker's Point three-day forecast: stormy with a chance of romance. 

Prepare to be… 

HEART OF THE STORM by Shannon Stacey 
Brody Rollins is back in tiny Tucker's Point, Maine, for the first time in five years, and now he can't escape…from former neighbours, old regrets or maddening glimpses of his ex-fiancĂ©e. 

SEEING RED by Jennifer Greene 
Stranded at her grandfather's seaside cottage, Whitney Carr prepares to face the blizzard alone. But unexpected help soon arrives—in the form of her secret high-school crush. 

LAND'S END by Barbara Dunlop 
Tessa Ambroise is desperate to ditch the charming, infuriating hotelier circling her late aunt's century home like a vulture. But the snow piling up outside the mansion puts both their plans on hold. 

When a child goes missing, this perfect storm of cramped quarters and freezing temperatures brings old flames and new acquaintances closer together…but will they go separate ways once the sky clears?


Karen's Thoughts:
As a general rule I find these holiday novellas hit and miss, mostly I’ve had hits. It really can depend on how convinced I am that a relationship can be built, or in this case re-kindled, in a short period of time. Sadly I have to say with this one I found myself skimming a bit. All three stories cross over in the same town over the same weekend when a severe snow storm hits and a young girl goes missing.

Heart of the Storm by Shannon Stacey
Shannon Stacey is the only author of the three that I have previously read before.  This was a light and easily enjoyable little story but I wasn't really convinced that Delaney would have forgiven Brody after he left her five years earlier without any reasonable reason.  Shannon is a wonderful author and I adore her full length novels.

Seeing Red by Jennifer Greene
Two sweethearts once again reunited in the snow storm.  A nice enough story that I just wished was longer.

Land’s End by Barbara Dunlop
This story was a little more believable as the couple in question had only been separated for six months. 

One good thing about novellas is getting to acquaint yourself with new authors. I’ve not read anything by Jennifer or Barbara before, but now I'll try a full length novel by both authors as I enjoyed their writing.


Guest Review by Karen Barr





13 comments:

  1. I have the same experience with novella collections but I also agree that one can find new authors that way. Have a good week!

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    1. Thanks Mary…have a lovely Christmas and I hope you find time to curl up with a good book.

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  2. Thanks for reviewing again Karen! With so many fun holiday reads, I'm not sure I'd make time for this one but I agree anthologies are a great way to 'sample' new authors!

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    1. I always find these novellas a good 'filler' as they don't take too long to read and I have found quite a few good new authors that way…searching the dusty brain cells but I think that is how I discovered Shannon Stacey in the first place.

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  3. I don't have much experience with novellas but I do like the concept of short stories.

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    1. Short stories can be great, particularly if you are busy and don't have a lot of reading time. Reading is my source for stress relief so even if I am really pressed for time its nice to be able to pick something up that I know isn't going to take up too much of my time.

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    2. ps. Have a lovely festive season Mystica.

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  4. I like reading collections like that too ... learn new authors and such!! In fact I am reading one right now from author Rebecca York (aka Ruth Glick). Have you read her before? She writes romantic suspense novels with paranormal elements ... I am really LIKING her writing style!!!!

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    1. I haven't read Rebecca York or Ruth Glick so I'll definitely be checking her out Julie…thanks for the heads-up. Have a lovely Christmas.

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  5. I'd read it for the xmas thing alone, but buy it..eh

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    1. I've noticed that sometimes they come up in the Kindle Deals leading up to Christmas…so you might come across it next year Blodeuedd. Merry Christmas!

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  7. I agree Felicia. The novellas I really love are the ones that fill in gap in a full length book or series that I've read. Hope you have a wonderful festive season.

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