Snowflakes and Coffee Cakes by Joanne DeMaio (Author Guest Post / Book Review)

In association with Author Joanne DeMaio, Jersey Girl Book Reviews is pleased to host the virtual book tour event for Snowflakes and Coffee Cakes.

Author Guest Post

‘Tis the season. It’s almost time to haul boxes down from the attic, up from the cellar, and festively decorate. After all, don't you want a few weeks to enjoy the charm and beauty of the holiday? That's what I'll soon be doing, making Christmas a holly-jolly part of my home.

In my new novel Snowflakes and Coffee Cakes, a collection of gold snowflake ornaments transforms an old timber barn. My main character, Vera, is taken by the ornaments’ shimmering beauty as she hangs them in the dusty space. Collections clustered together have such a pretty effect. My family also has a collection of gold snowflake ornaments that graces our tree every year. Another holiday favorite are these snowmen figurines. They happily survey the season’s festivities from a living room shelf.

Do you have a favorite Christmas decoration? Angels, maybe? Or bells? Or children's handmade ornaments? What do you collect for Christmas?

Thank you, Kathleen, for hosting me. Wishing you and your readers peace and joy as you decorate...

~Joanne

About The 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.


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Book Review

Snowflakes and Coffee Cakes by Joanne DeMaio

Publisher: Independent Self Publishing

Publication Date: October 15, 2013

Format: Paperback - 148 pages / Kindle - 473 KB / Nook - 2 MB

ISBN: 1492933171

ASIN: B00FXXY4UG

Genre: Women's Fiction / Holiday Theme

BUY THE BOOK: Snowflakes and Coffee Cakes

AMAZON

BARNES & NOBLE

KOBO

GOODREADS

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

Book Description:

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.


Book Excerpt:

If Vera could capture the perfect image of the long weekend ahead, this would be it, the snowfall a delicate backdrop to her sister standing near the bridal shop window. Even though it’s February, this moment feels a little like Christmas Eve, with its quiet anticipation of a special celebration. Her sister wears a vintage satin and lace gown with three-quarter lace sleeves for her winter wedding.

“Even the lace looks like a snowflake pattern,” Vera says.

Brooke holds out her arms, running a hand lightly over the intricately stitched sleeve. “I hope it snows Saturday. Just a little, like it is now.”

“Me, too. Peaceful, wedding-white snow.”

My Book Review:

In Snowflakes and Coffee Cakes, author Joanne DeMaio transports the reader back to the tranquil small New England town of Addison Cove, Connecticut for a heartwarming Christmas tale of family, friendship, and finding unexpected love.

After losing her journalist job at a Boston newspaper, Vera Sterling heads back to her hometown of Addison Cove, Connecticut for her sister Brooke's wedding. With an uncertain future before her, Vera discovers a historic colonial home with an adjoining barn on the banks of Addison Cove that is for sale. Taking an impulsive risk, Vera purchases the property and begins restoring the rundown house and barn while discovering its hidden treasures. While purchasing supplies for the renovation project, Vera meets Derek Cooper, whose family owns the local hardware store. Derek is a quiet man who is barely living with the immeasurable grief and guilt over the tragic drowning death of his young daughter and ending of his marriage five years ago. Christmas is especially hard for Derek, but each year he honors the memory of his daughter with an annual Deck the Boats festival at the cove that the entire townsfolk turns out for. When a snowstorm hits the town, it's up to Vera and the Addison Cove community to make the most of it and transform the town into one with a Christmas spirit that will help a grieving father to heal and once again find joy in the holiday season.

Snowflakes and Coffee Cakes is a wonderful Christmas story that will tug at the heartstrings and fill the reader with seasonal joy. Author Joanne DeMaio weaves a spellbinding tale set in the quaint New England town of Addison Cove, Connecticut, that captivates the reader's attention with a heartwarming romance, delightful holiday tales and traditions, the drama of swirling snowflakes, and tasty coffee cakes. With both Vera and Derek's lives at a crossroads, their emotional journey of taking a risk, letting go of the past, daring to dream, and enjoying a second chance at love and happiness unfolds in a magical way that will make the reader believe in the power of love and friendship, and the joy of the holiday season.

There is not enough words that I can express about the simplicity and beauty in which author Joanne DeMaio weaves her wonderful heartwarming multi-layered stories that are filled with a mixture of loss and love, friendship, and wholesome family values, it is simply breathtaking. As the readers follow Vera and Derek's story, they will discover the true meaning of what snowflakes and coffee cakes stands for, it is simply magical!

Snowflakes and Coffee Cakes is an enchanting story full of warmth and comfort that will remind the reader of the true meaning of Christmas joy and spirit. It is a lovely story that will resonate with the reader for a very long time.


RATING: 5 STARS *****