Sunday, October 27, 2013

Oct 28 Snowflakes and Coffee Cakes Review and Ebook Giveaway






Book Synopsis:

From New York Times bestselling author Joanne DeMaio comes an enchanting novel about love, family, and the delicate power of snowflakes.

Reluctant to leave her cherished New England hometown after her sister's winter wedding, former journalist Vera Sterling makes a sudden decision. She takes what's left of her severance pay and invests it in real estate ... in one particular drafty colonial home and old timber barn set upon the pretty banks of Addison Cove. In that rough-hewn barn, she discovers a secret treasure left behind by the previous owner, the proprietor of the long-forgotten Christmas Barn gift shop.

While restoring her rundown, wood-sided home--its creaking floors, broken bannister, and neglected widow's walk--that secret slowly unfolds like a bit of snowflake wonder, crystallizing hopes and dreams for many in this small Connecticut town. But mostly for Derek Cooper whose own tragic story has headlined Addison's news. And whom Vera has come to love.

When the first snowstorm hits during Derek's annual Deck the Boats Festival at the cove, residents become stranded. It is then up to Vera to not only bring the town together, but to mend one man's heart she fears she may have lost.

Snowflakes and Coffee Cakes is a heartwarming story, one that reminds us to look to winter's stars. Because snowflakes can grant very special wishes ... if only we believe






About this author


   




   Joanne DeMaio is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary fiction. She enjoys writing about friendship, family, love and choices, while setting her stories in New England towns or by the sea. Her novels include the New York Times bestseller Blue Jeans and Coffee Beans, Whole Latte Life, which was named a Kirkus Reviews Critics' Pick, and most recently Snowflakes and Coffee Cakes. Joanne lives with her family in Connecticut and is currently at work on her next book.Joanne enjoys hearing from readers at Facebook.com/JoanneDeMaioAuthor.

 

My Review:


Snowflakes and Coffee Cakes by Joanne DeMaio
Love the author's other works and just by the name I know I am going to enjoy this book.
This book takes place in Addison, CT where the countryside is brought to life with the words from the author as the seasons go from one to another.
The perfect wedding plans in the most perfect snowy location for Brooke and Brett. Brooke's sister Vera Sterling has lost her journalism job in the city but has yet to tell anyone. 
As Vera heads back home to the city she is sidetracked from the house with the barn at the end of the historic district and before she knows it, she's the new owner.
The story also follows Derek Cooper whose father runs the local hardware store and he works there as the carpenter. She finds herself talking to him about what was once a nail hole and will be a major repair now of her old seafaring house.
Love hearing of all the local traditions from the apple festival, scarecrow voting, Christmas light parade of boats. At each of the festivals Brooke sets up her tent and sells baked goods where she usually sells out of her coffee cakes.
Love snow axioms and other trivia and technical facts of snowflakes. Vera is also able to find her old school mates at the fair and she learns more about Derek's past in the town where they grew up.
She lands a job with the local paper part time.  Not only does Derek grief for his daughter, the whole town does as Christmas draws near.
Vera with help from others restore the barn into The Christmas Barn with the items in the boxes for the tag sale. When the snowstorm is due to hit the night of the boat of parades Vera tries to talk Derek into postponing the event.  He misunderstood why
she was writing an article about the parade for a Providence paper. All money raised that night goes to charity in Abby's name.
Snow is magical with the wishes upon the winter stars. I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.




Ebook giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway

7 comments:

Mina said...

Can you believe I haven't started my Christmas reads this year yet? Time to catch up! This one could be a great way to begin. Thank you for the awesome giveaway!

JBarr5 said...

It's everything New England in the winter around Christmas and so much more. Love the balance of the story lines. I read ARC's during the summer months of Christmas books and in a few months' I'll be reading summer books for the 2014 summer season. Just not enough hours in the day.

Jonetta (Ejaygirl) said...

I put this book on my shelf after your review! Thanks for the post.

Jonetta (Ejaygirl) said...

I put this book on my shelf after reading your review last week. Thanks for the post.

JBarr5 said...

I had a hard time putting this book down because of the feeling that overcame me while I was reading it, especially during the blizzard. Like the calm before the storm.

Joanne said...

Thanks so much, Julie, for the thoughtful review and for hosting the giveaway. I'm so glad you enjoyed the New England snow-read. Coffee cheers and best wishes for a wonderful holiday season.

JBarr5 said...

Thanks for stopping in Joanne, it means a lot to the readers :}