Christmas at Blue Hydrangeas

Blue Hydrangeas #0.5

by Marianne Sciucco

It’s Christmas Eve, and as Sara waits for her husband and son to arrive home to Blue Hydrangeas, their Cape Cod bed and breakfast, a blizzard threatens to close the bridges, stranding all travelers to and from the Cape. As she prepares for the holiday, unexpected visitors arrive, all sharing the common bond of grief. Sara is determined the storm and sadness will not spoil Christmas, and ensures Santa finds his way to two fatherless children far from home. A sweet slice-of-life story about loved ones and strangers coming together to share the spirit of Christmas. This is the prequel to the novel Blue Hydrangeas, an Alzheimer's love story.

Genres: Christmas, Grief

142 pages, Paperback

Published October 23, 2018

About the author

I’m not a nurse who writes but a writer who happens to be a nurse. A lover of words and books, I dreamed of becoming an author when I grew up but became a nurse to avoid poverty. I later brought my two passions together and write about the intricate lives of people struggling with health and family issues. My stories are considered “clean,” meaning free of overt sexuality, graphic violence, and offensive language.

Everything I know about publishing I went out and learned on my own by reading books and blogs, joining writers’ groups, and attending writers’ conferences. How I wish I’d had someone to take me by the hand and show me the way. This led me to share my knowledge via my blog and my Facebook and Twitter accounts. And, when we're not in a pandemic, I teach classes at three colleges.

My debut novel "Blue Hydrangeas, an Alzheimer’s love story" is a Kindle bestseller, IndieReader Approved, a 5-star Reader's Favorite, a Library Journal Self-e Selection, and a BookWorks featured book. It’s available in digital, paperback, and audiobook on Amazon. A prequel to the novel, "Christmas at Blue Hydrangeas," was released on Kindle, paperback, and audio. In 2019 it was a Solo Medalist Winner in New Apple Literary's Summer E-Book Awards in SHORT STORY.

My Young Adult novel "Swim Season" is the fast-paced drama driven story of Olympic hopeful Aerin Keane, starting senior year in her third high school and trying NOT to win. But can she hide her natural talent and competitive streak? Especially with a 50,000-dollar scholarship on the line? "Swim Season" was an Official Selection in the 2017 New Apple Book Awards: Young Adult General Fiction, and is a 5-star Readers’ Favorite and a BookWorks Featured Book of the Week. Available in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook on Amazon.

I’ve published three short stories in Kindle and audio: "Ino’s Love," the award winning "Collection," Daisy Hunter Story No. 1, and "Birthday Party," Daisy Hunter Story No. 2.

My writing and publishing career has led me to become a founding member of AlzAuthors, the global community of authors writing about the dementias. Our goal is to raise awareness of these diseases and to spotlight carefully vetted books and blogs recommended for caregivers and others looking for knowledge and support. Each week we feature a new author/blogger on our blog and I host a podcast featuring one of our authors. Visit alzauthors.com.

A native Bostonian, I live in New York’s Hudson Valley, and when not writing work as a campus nurse at a community college. I love books, the beach, and craft beer, and especially enjoy the three of them together.

Reviews

[Antoinette]

This novella was free on Black Friday, so seeing that I loved the location-Cape Cod- and I loved the cover, I picked it up. What did I have to lose after all?

This was a sweet, delightful read that was perfect to get me in a Christmas frame of mind!

A storm is raging on Christmas Eve. Sarah awaits the arrival of her husband and her son at their B&B in Falmouthport. This book looks at the bond of family, the kindness to strangers, the impact of loss and grief and the true meaning of Christmas!

If you love the Hallmark Christmas movies, the this book is definitely for you. If you love reading heartwarming books pre- Christmas, then you will enjoy this one!

Merry Christmas to all my GR friends!

[Wulfwyn]

I needed a book to give me the warm fuzzy feeling of the spirit of Christmas. This one gave me that. The owner of The Blue Hydrangeas B&B waits for her husband and son to come home for Christmas. It is Christmas Eve, a snowstorm has blown in and she hasn’t heard from them. Will they make it in time for Christmas?
This story will pull on your heart. Have Kleenex nearby. There will be a couple areas where you may tear up. I want to read more of this B&B. My understanding is that the female lead in this story develops Alzheimer’s. This book is a prequel to that story. My mom is going through that now. Judging by this story, I will need to buy the multipack of Kleenex.

[Elyse]

This was a sweet little prequel to the book, Blue Hydrangeas, which I have not read yet. Sara despairs at having her family together for Christmas due to good ol' New England winter (I know what that's like!) but things have a way of working out. Turns out the actual book is about Alzheimer's, which I didn't know until after I read this prequel and now I'm sad for what is going to happen! I will be reading Blue Hydrangeas.

[Judy Esposito]

Christmas at Blue Hydrangeas!

A sweet story of family coming together at Christmas and welcoming strangers into the fold. So happy I took the chance on this new author (to me,) with having a huge tbr list to be read. Already bought the 2nd one. JudyE

[Nadine Keels]

It's a white Christmas Eve at Blue Hydrangeas, where Sara is the innkeeper. Trouble is, Sara's husband and grown son haven't arrived at the inn yet, and a blizzard is hampering travel on the highways. Sara's determined to still make this a merry Christmas, and the arrival of guests at the inn makes for an unexpected holiday indeed in Christmas at Blue Hydrangeas by author Marianne Sciucco.

This is the type of introspective tale that invites its reader to sit back, sip a warm beverage, and be patient as the story moves at its own pace. It has bittersweet moments, dealing with different characters' areas of grief and uncertainty. Then there are moments of beauty, benevolence, and gentle joy.

Although this novella is only my second read from this author, I already expected something on the sober side. Granted, I enjoy holly-jollier holiday reads too, but the spirit of Christmas covers a plethora of emotions and experiences.

The few tears sprinkled into this story add all the more to its worth, warmth, and hope.
________
I received a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.

[Judy]

Loved this story!! To me it was an old fashion Christmas story that shows the real meaning of Christmas and a strong faith in God. I would love to go be a guest at Blue Hydrangeas. What a joy it would be to hang out with these folks. We should all hope our heart would be as big as Sara’s. Life hasn’t always been a bed or roses for Sara and Jack, but their faith and love for each other, their family, and their friends, both new and old is what we should all strive for. I got this book for free in July, I don’t remember how or where from. There was an update in November and I thought now would be the perfect time to read this. I’m so happy I did. It was wonderful! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

[Bernadette Cinkoske]

Really the blurb says it all. Christmas at Blue Hydrangeas is a heart warming story about love - for family and strangers. Despite being concerned for her husband and son, Sara does not hesitate to take in those who arrive at her B&B. She is determined to make this a special Christmas for these travelers. Marianne Sciucco has created a wonderful, warm, find, caring world where I was happy to be an observer.

[Lori R]

What a touching story of a blizzard on Cape Cod interfering with bringing family home for Christmas. The blizzard brings new friends to the Blue Hydrangea Inn and impacts everyone with joy and selfless love and friendship among life's tragedies. Sara Harmon is such a strong, loving and caring person with a heart of gold. She seems so real and I admire her strength, especially with how she cared for Ellie and her two children. I cannot wait for the next book, The Wedding at Blue Hydrangea.

[Linda]

Sweet short book about Christmas Eve at an inn on Cape Cod. Sally is home alone awaiting the arrival home of her son coming from Boston, , and her husband, driving from NY....both caught in a New England blizzard. It's a story about dealing with sadness, family bonds, love, sharing and opening your heart to joy.
the only drawback (for me ) was that some of the conversations seemed somewhat stilted....

[Susan]

Christmas is about family, good food, helping others, brightly lighted Christmas trees, and in New England snowy landscapes which can make traveling difficult at times. This heart warming story has it all, and is a delightful holiday read.

[Loretta Edgar]

Sweet l

This was a short but very sweet Christmas story. Showing the good in people even in the face of past sorrows. Taking in a pregnant stranded mother with two young children on Christmas eve and giving them a safe happy place to stay.

[Jan]

Christmas at the family run B&B in Massachusetts with a blizzard! Worries on all fronts, but things work out and holiday warmth prevails. A truly heartwarming story well written.
Narrator Nancy Bober adds just the right touch to this memorable story

[Debi Paglia]

I enjoyed this lovely story of the love within a family that shared their Christmas with others. Very tender and heart-warming. Lots of feel-good moments to celebrate here during the holidays.

[Jeannie Huie]

This is such a sweet story!! I love the interaction between the characters!! Outstanding read for Christmas or any time!

[Barb Nifong]

A good clean Christmas read

This is a great clean Christmas story of loving and giving. A snow storm brings strangers and family together to enjoy Christmas eve.

[Michelle]

A nice holiday short story.

[Kathleen]

I enjoyed listening to this story. It gave me a nice warm cozy feeling. There is human decency in bad times. Uplifting Christmas story.

[Crystal Hammack]

Blizzards introduce new friends

Sara worries about her family as they drive through the blizzard. Everyone makes it home plus new friends. Lovely to read about a loving family.

[Shannan]

A few points for sweet, Christmas premise- but it was so stale. It’s like something my conservative Christian great aunt in her 80’s would enjoy.

[Patt]

A wonderful, uplifting Christmas story that leaves you feeling all warm and toasty inside. Terrific quick read for the Christmas season.

[Karen]

This storyline is well developed and it stirs your emotions. The characters are believable and likable. The story includes a woman who is developing Alzheimers. It will stirs your emotions as you have a blizzard coming while the whole family is trying to come home for Christmas. Then you have a stranded poor family with a broken down car on Christmas eve with young kids who she takes in. The story has sadness with loss, family, now new friends at Christmas. Will the kids see the miracle of Santa finding you everywhere or be disappointed. This is a must read to bring joy to the holiday season. I loved this book.