September 1, 2014 | By: Cynthia Marcano

ACR: Evergreen: A Christiansen Winter Novella by Susan May Warren


Evergreen: A Christiansen Winter Novella
Author - Susan May Warren
Time It Took for to Read - 3 Days
Rating - 4 out of 5 Stars
Would I Recommend: Yes
An empty nest has Ingrid Christiansen dreading the upcoming holidays, but her husband, John, couldn't be more excited about this new season of life. He even has a surprise trip abroad planned. He's sure she'll love it. What's more romantic than Christmas in Paris? Before he can stop her, however, Ingrid agrees to spearhead a major church project. Then their faithful dog, Butterscotch, needs emergency surgery, draining their savings. And then--because disasters strike in threes--an unexpected guest arrives, dredging up old hurts. As a beautiful blanket of snow transforms the north woods into a winter wonderland, a deep chill settles over John and Ingrid's marriage. With the holidays fast approaching, their only hope of keeping their love evergreen depends on turning the page on the past and embracing a new chapter of their future.

What I Loved...

Its a winter novella so Christmas is woven in. I love Christmas. However more than that, I love that Susan creates such realistic characters. While I am a long ways away from being an empty nester (I have a 4 month old) Ingrid and John remind me so much of a couple that I am friends with. The wife I know was grieving her recently wedded daugher and grown son moving on from home, while her husband was planning cruises and other vacations.

I felt like I really know the characters. That's great stoy writing.

What I Liked...

Without giving the story away, the storyline of Romeo and Ingrid is one that I can relate to in many ways. I found it heartwarming and again realistic. I really liked Romeo's genuine character.


Other...

I am a book coveraholic. Admitting it is the first step.

Evergreen's cover is pretty and simplistic - I really like it. However, it doesn't capture the book at all. I don't even recall ice skating in the book at all and if its in there, it wasn't memorable enough to constitute being the cover design.

I do realize that this book is part of a series and while I have only read one other book in the series, It Had To Be You, I am not familiar enough with the characters to know if the ice skates is significant for Ingrid and John's relationship. However, for this book that can stand alone from the series, the cover just doesn't make sense to me.

Giveaway...


Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher through Tyndale. The opinion of this book, is my own and I was not paid or compensated for for my review.

8 comments:

Brittany said...

No, I am not looking forward to it at all! I have four kids ages 5 through 14, and although I look forward to time with my husband, I think the house will be too neat and too quiet. I am hoping most or all of my kids will live close by and provide lots of grandkids!!!

Amy C said...

My kids are just 2 and 5. Depending on what time of day you ask about being an empty nester.

Rissi said...

Aw, glad you liked this one, Cynthia. I'm enjoying these novels from Susan so very much. Happy reading. :)

Lis K said...

My kids are still young so I have a ways to go but I think I would love the empty nest period, so much to do and so little time!

Anonymous said...

I don't have kids yet, so it is really hard to think that far ahead about it :P

Brian and Courtney said...

I definitely don't want to think about an empty nest since my son is only 15 months and we'd like to have another! Plus, we don't live near family, so I'd really be all alone!

Jan H said...

Been there done that. Our youngest is mid 30's.

tickmenot said...

This month, when school started, my youngest joyfully said, "just think, a year from now I will be leaving for college!" I really wanted to burst into tears, but didn't want to make her feel guilty a year from now when she really does leave. But for now, I am just trying to figure out how to freeze time....

Post a Comment