Once Upon a Winter’s Heart by Melody Carlson

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Once Upon a Winter’s Heart
Center Street (January 7, 2014)
by
Melody Carlson
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Over the years, Melody Carlson has worn many hats, from pre-school teacher to youth counselor to political activist to senior editor. But most of all, she loves to write! Currently she freelances from her home. In the past eight years, she has published over ninety books for children, teens, and adults–with sales totaling more than two million and many titles appearing on the ECPA Bestsellers List. Several of her books have been finalists for, and winners of, various writing awards.

She has two grown sons and lives in Central Oregon with her husband and chocolate lab retriever. They enjoy skiing, hiking, gardening, camping and biking in the beautiful Cascade Mountains.
ABOUT THE BOOK:

Emma Burcelli has suffered over a decade of dating disasters. But she concludes that love is officially dead when her grandfather Poppi suddenly passes, leaving her grandmother Nona devastated. To help out, Emma works in the family bookstore, which Nona insists must be decked out in sweetheart décor as Poppi would have done for Valentine’s Day. Although she feels like a V-Day Scrooge, Emma quickly learns to enjoy the task with the help of a handsome family friend, Lane Forester, who shows her that hanging hearts is much more fun when done to the tune of Dean Martin. As Emma and Lane share time and memories of Poppi, she reconsiders the notion that romance is alive.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Once Upon a Winter’s Heart, go HERE.

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MY REVIEW:

I have come to look forward to Melody’s newest Christmas novella each year – it just wouldn’t be Christmas without one! After reading Once Upon a Winter’s Heart, I vote for a new tradition of an annual Valentine’s Day book as well. In true Carlson style, this novel is a tender romantic story that also gets to the heart of what constitutes a good marriage and/or relationship.

A quick read, Once Upon a Winter’s Heart is a story about Emma, a young woman who has given up on finding true love when she finally meets a man who seems to be everything she has ever desired. Naturally there are complications and Emma tries her best to keep her heart intact. I loved Emma’s devotion to her family, her loyalty to her sister, and her love for her nephew. Lane was such an encourager that I hoped he and Emma would end up together.

A sweet romance with a Valentine theme, Once Upon a Winter’s Heart is sure to be an encouragement to those who have almost given up on finding their perfect match.