"Like a Winter Snow" by Lindsay Harrel

 


Joy Beckman is wracked with guilt over the holiday season. She has given up her life to take care of her parents, specifically her mother who suffers with Alzheimer's, but an accident put her mom into a rehab facility, and now Joy is going to be gone over Christmas to attend her best friend's wedding in England. Though she's happy to see Sophia, whom we met in The Secrets of Paper and Ink, again, Joy is really struggling. 

What is her life apart from caretaking? And if she can't even do caretaking well, what can she do? 

This doesn't seem like a good time to explore Cornwall, but Joy tries to enjoy the experience and connect with Sophia's new friends. When she meets handsome and single Oliver Lincoln things begin heating up. Is it stupidity to think of enjoying a short romance when she's headed back to the States after the wedding? How much can they really get to know one another in the span of a few days?

Like a Winter Snow is a pretty heavy Christmas story. I felt sad for Joy and all the guilt she was carrying. It was so good to see Sophia, William, Ginny, and Steven again. If you enjoyed The Secrets of Paper and Ink, I think you'd also like this followup, although it works as a standalone. Find out how far Christmas magic can go in this little novella.

"Mistletoe Menagerie" by Janine Rosche

 


Sage Matthews is running away from her grief—and running straight to the zoo. In desperate need to rekindle the Christmas magic she shared with her mom, all Sage wants is to ride the zoo train on Christmas Eve. Can running away end up bringing healing to her hurting heart?

After growing up in foster care, Luke Tennison has a heart to minister to kids in a similar situation. As the director of the zoo, he's planned a special Christmas morning surprise for some local kids, and plans to stay all night on Christmas Eve getting things set up. When he runs into his childhood friend Sage, utterly distraught over her first holiday without her mom, he invites her to share in his preparations.

One magical Christmas Eve night, a zoo full of animals who want to steal the show, and two hearts reconnecting on a deeper level than ever before—there's a lot to enjoy about this novella! The theme of grief—both fresh and further along in the healing process—makes this also kind of heavy for a holiday story. However, that's the way it can be for many, many people. And this story offers hope and joy, showing that they can come even when hearts are burdened.

I loved the zoo setting, and the interaction with the animals gave it a unique twist. I look forward to reading more from this author!

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