I am drawn to stories with angels, and this novella by D. L. Finn has to be one of my favorites.
It’s a bitterly cold Christmas Eve with the ‘storm of the century’ bearing down on the city. Kenzie’s boss tells everyone to go home, but Kenzie has nothing but an empty apartment to look forward to. She and her boyfriend Heath had planned to get married on Christmas, but he’d dumped her for her best friend, Joy, and now they are getting married on Christmas instead. You feel her despair and loneliness as she walks along in the cold, recalling her life with Heath and details about him that should have set her antennae twitching. And she is in no mood to spend Christmas with Sue and her family, who is a friend to both her and Joy. Halfway across a street, she is nearly run over by a speeding car that looks suspiciously like Heath’s.
Kenzie is unaware she’s being followed by someone who prevented her from being hit and another beautiful spirit named Olive, who is present on the street with her former friend, Joy. Joy wants to talk, to tell Kenzie that things aren’t what she thought, but Kenzie dismisses her and walks away. After stopping to have a pizza, she takes the long way home and ends up sitting on a park bench in the cold and thickly falling snow, contemplating just going to sleep and freezing to death.
The man with the green eyes who followed her then steps in to change her life. It involves a lost kitten, finding a woman sitting on the same bench where she sat, and the work of the two spirits to repair her life. Will she save the kitten and she renew her friendship with Joy? How will she discover that Heath is a grafter and a murderer? Can he be brought to justice?
This is a lovely, sweet tale of angels and their work here on earth and their possible love for each other. The setting in the deep, dense quiet of a thick snowfall is wonderfully atmospheric and lends to the story. And Kenzie and Joy are beautifully and emotionally developed. All of the author’s characters are written with love, which makes her books such a joy to read.
A great Christmas story that has a heartwarming ending and I will read it again in December!
PS The kitten is named Noelle, so how could I resist?
About the author
D.L. Finn is an independent Californian who encourages everyone to embrace their inner child. She was born and raised in the foggy Bay Area, but in 1990 relocated with her husband, kids, dogs, and cats to the Sierra foothills in Nevada City, CA. Being surrounded by towering pines, oaks, and cedars, her creativity was nurtured until it bloomed. Her creations vary from children’s books, young adult fantasy, and adult paranormal romance to an autobiography with poetry. She continues on her adventures with an open invitation for her readers to join her.
You can find her
On twitter: @dlfinnauthor/X
On her website: https://dlfinnauthor.com
It sounds delightful, and I agree. A cat named Noelle is irresistible! Congratulations to the author, and thanks, Noelle!
You’re welcome, Olga. This is a short read – but also hard to put down!
I tend to shy away from cutesy Christmas tales… but this one I might read. I’m sure I’ve read something else by D L Finn….
She’s written a number of books, Jackie. I have a review of one of them later this week. She was also one of the writers of the Harbor Point series – Mae Clair, Jan Sikes and others. I think you will like this – it isn’t cutesy. I’m with you – tend to stay away from all those Christmas romances.
Thank you, Jemima:) I am unable to do cutesy Christmas, I’ve tried… lol
A super review, Noelle. Congratulations to Denise.
Thanks, John! Much appreciated!
Thanks, John:)
😊
Thank you, Olga 🙂
Thank you, Noelle 🙂 SO hapoy you enjoyed this one. I’m drawn to angels too. Your name was perfect for this story. You have me dancing in the Forest. What a great return after a nice quiet vacation. Sending hugs xo
You’re most welcome! I hope the vacation was lovely and you came home refreshed!
Hi Noelle, I enjoyed you review. This is a lovely Christmas story.
Isn’t it? I will come back to it next Christmas!
Thank you, Robbie 🙂 xo
What a fantastic review, Noelle. I read this story when Denise first released it and the characters and their circumstances lingered with me long after I’d finished reading it. Thank you for sharing and congratulations to Denise!
This story does have an impact and I love angels! Thanks, Jan.
Thank you, Jan 🙂 I’m thrilled it lingered! Xo
It was a nice relaxing g staycation 🙂
This is a fantastic review, Noelle! I’ve enjoyed Denise’s talent as a writer. Shockingly, this is one I haven’t yet read. Your review sold me on it. I grabbed a copy. Congratulations to Denise.
Thank you! May I ask how you got your name?
I do love me a good angel story but surprisingly had never heard of this one – even though I do follow Denise. Thanks for bringing it to our attention!
You and me both! I think I posted my lame attempt at an angel story a while back – called The Guardians – on my blog. I’ll check.
Ooh, I have to look it up now!
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