Petals In The Snow

Karyn Drennon has been badly beaten by her boyfriend Roland, and learnt the baby she was unknowingly carrying is dead. Returning from the hospital to find her bank accounts emptied and she no longer had a job at the childcare centre; she contemplates suicide. Jared Helmsley bumps into Karyn and seeing her bruised and sad face, is reminded of his sister. He picks up her belongings and seeing so many pills is concerned. There’s an almost instant attraction between them, before they part to get on with their day in the crowded mall.

Karyn falls asleep in a chair and is woken by the mall Santa’s elf. Asked her wishes, one is the unknown man with a red bow. The Christmas spirit was alive and well in the mall, now Karyn has to take the next step toward a new life. Putting aside her fears wasn’t going to be easy, but Santa and his elf were not afraid of interfering.

PETALS IN THE SNOW is a delightful Christmas story with a touch of magic. The conflict is a mix of fear, anger and despair escalated by the holiday season as the heroine tries to put her life back together. The hero is gentle, protective and caring, a combination that is perfect for this romance. The story is easy to follow, but in some parts editing and continuity mistakes pull the reader out of the story. The story has a timely message, that lives can be turned around and problems solved.

This idea was delivered in an excellent way by the author. The story action is clear and the reader knows what is going on and why. The dialogue had a good tone and pace, the characters had depth, motivation and the problems were handled with sensitivity. Karyn’s journey was told in a refreshing way, breathing life and hope into an old theme.

August 2007