Title: Bah, Humbug!
Author: Heather Horrocks
Publisher: Word Garden Press
Published: September 9, 2011
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Lexi Anderson is an up-and-coming, Martha Stewart-type TV hostess whose two kids love the Jared Strong adventure novels, which happen to be written by their new neighbor, Kyle Miller. For the first time in his writing career, Kyle has writer’s block--until he sees the snowman on his lawn and realizes it’s the perfect solution to his plot problem. He digs in and discovers two things: one, his villain’s weapon will fit inside a snowman's body, and two, this particular snowman was supposed to be the backdrop for Lexi’s next show.
From this improbable beginning comes friendship, but can there be a happy ending for a woman who is afraid to get close again and a man who has shadows from his childhood? Families join together and hearts are healed as this couple goes walking in a winter wonderland.
It’s the last day of November, which means my last post for November Novellas. I had so much fun reading these short stories! Since tomorrow kicks off the busiest season of the year, I thought it would be very fitting if the last Novella was Bah, Humbug! by Heather Horrocks. This title was perfect for me since I can be a bit of a scrooge this time of year - Christmas just isn’t my favorite holiday. Because of that, I was really able to connect with one of the main characters -- Kyle -- in this romantic holiday tale.
This book is certainly not my typical read. I could very much see this as one of those Holiday Hallmark movies that my mother just lives for and forces me to watch from time to time. I groan and complain, but then end up loving it and crying like the big weenie baby that I really am.
When Lexi Anderson, decorator extraordinaire, moves into her new neighborhood with her kids Trista and Steven, she knows she’s finally where she wants to be in life. Known as the next Martha Stewart, Lexi is the star of her very own national television show, she just found out their most favorite author in the world lives somewhere in their new town, and she’s taking the kids to meet Mr. Kyle Miller himself at a book signing in a few days! Her little family couldn’t be happier. So, when she catches a man destroying the snowman she spent hours making in preparation for a film crew and house full of people - she is mortified and shocked. Handsome he may be, but he's clearly off his rocker!
Kyle Miller is the author of the best-seller Jared Strong mystery series. His books are widely popular and he has a deadline to meet in January. The problem is… for the first time in his writing career, Kyle has serious writer’s block. He can’t, for the life of him, figure out what to do with his latest storyline. Then, he spots a snowman outside his window, and Eureka! Of course! The killer could hide the weapon inside the snowman! But first, he needs to see if his idea is plausible. After making a mess of the snowman’s torso, he’s excited to realize that the perfect hiding place is in the snowman’s head! Which is, of course when his new beautiful, but incredibly angry, neighbor catches him vandalizing her snowman... and hilarity ensues!
This story was so cute and sweet it nearly gave me a toothache. I did shed a few tears at one point in the story, and darn it if this little book doesn’t have me dragging out my Christmas decorations. Grrrrrrr.
The best part is I’m totally giving a copy of this book to my mom. Every time she asks about a book I’m reading, she wants to know if it is one she would enjoy. My love for paranormal/monster books always has me saying “no way,” but I’m so happy I finally came across a book that allows me to say “YES!” This is one for the whole family! Sweet, clean (no mature content), and Mom is going to love it. The biggest shocker? I loved it, too.
There were a few typographical errors, but nothing that distracted me from the story. This book is currently free on Amazon and only $.99 at B&N! I’m super excited to check out more of this author’s work so my mom and I can have our own little book club!
