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Too Old in Columbia #1
Too Old for Christmas
Irishman Sean Flood survived the potato famine, crossing the Atlantic, the Mexican-American War, and wandering the Western wilderness with his mules and freight wagon. But, due to poor diet and deprivation, his teeth did not fare well. It’s November of 1854 in Columbia, California, Queen of the Southern Mines, a city Sean is helping to rebuild after the disastrous fire the previous summer. Intense stabbing tooth pain drives him to see Doc Massey, the local dentist. He first stops by the mercantile to pick up a bottle of whiskey—for medicinal purposes—and food¬¬¬¬ he’ll be able to eat when it’s all over. If only the beautiful but aggravating woman ahead of him who keeps her face half hidden and insists she won’t accept charity would finish up with her purchase so he can get his supplies, his tooth pulled and return home to his mules and half-built cabin….
That night, Sean meets the woman’s two sons, Jesse and Benjy McNair, and learns her secret. He decides with only three teeth left in his head, he needs widow Ona McNair’s charity—and he’s willing to pay for it. Sean won’t accept nine year-old Jesse’s declaration his family’s poverty means the boy is too old for Christmas that year. Sean is a full-grown man and he’s not too old for Christmas. He not only plans to come bearing gifts to Christmas Eve dinner with the McNairs, but he knows exactly what gift he wants for himself. *Sweet Romance
That night, Sean meets the woman’s two sons, Jesse and Benjy McNair, and learns her secret. He decides with only three teeth left in his head, he needs widow Ona McNair’s charity—and he’s willing to pay for it. Sean won’t accept nine year-old Jesse’s declaration his family’s poverty means the boy is too old for Christmas that year. Sean is a full-grown man and he’s not too old for Christmas. He not only plans to come bearing gifts to Christmas Eve dinner with the McNairs, but he knows exactly what gift he wants for himself. *Sweet Romance
- GenresChristmas
93 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 18, 2015
18 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Zina Abbott
82 books125 followersZina Abbott is the pen name used by Robyn Echols for her historical novels. Her novel, Family Secrets, was published by Fire Star Press in October 2014 and her novelette, A Christmas Promise, was published by Prairie Rose Publications in November 2014. The first two novellas in the Eastern Sierra Brides 1884 series, Big Meadows Valentine and A Resurrected Heart, are now available.
The author currently lives with her husband in California near the “Gateway to Yosemite.” She enjoys family history and any kind of history. When she is not piecing together novel plots, she pieces together quilt blocks.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 2, 2019
Heartwarming
This is a beautiful story of a man who never expected to find love and a widow who needed him. When you see another with needs greater than your own and you reach out to them love just might blossom. Those with greatest understanding of your hardship share the problem. Dental care wasn't always what it is today. Dentist bills can be frustrating buy in thankful for the care. This was a different story and very realistic.
This is a beautiful story of a man who never expected to find love and a widow who needed him. When you see another with needs greater than your own and you reach out to them love just might blossom. Those with greatest understanding of your hardship share the problem. Dental care wasn't always what it is today. Dentist bills can be frustrating buy in thankful for the care. This was a different story and very realistic.
July 16, 2021
Very enjoyable
This is a very enjoyable read about Ona and Sean. This book shows the hard times of a widower and her children had to endear to survive. Ona is trying to get credit to buy food for her children and has been told no. Sean later feeds the children what he has and makes arrangements with Ona to cook for him. What else can happen? Very well written. Love it.
This is a very enjoyable read about Ona and Sean. This book shows the hard times of a widower and her children had to endear to survive. Ona is trying to get credit to buy food for her children and has been told no. Sean later feeds the children what he has and makes arrangements with Ona to cook for him. What else can happen? Very well written. Love it.
June 29, 2019
A sweet little novella. It was a little strange that the couple originally bonded over the fact that they were both missing teeth, but I guess that was somewhat historically accurate for the time. Overall a quick, clean, romance.
November 27, 2015
I preordered a copy of Too Old For Christmas (release date: November 18th). I was more than happy to support my peer and friend Robyn Echols (writing as Zina Abbott) in her blog tour for this new release, and asked if I might have the privilege of an Advance Review Copy (ARC). I’m pleased to have the opportunity to read this charming Christmas tale in advance of release so I might share my unbiased and wholly personal opinion with you.
I write sweet western historical romance. That means I might immediately be a tough sell. Truthfully? I read Zina’s blurb with Sean Flood, nearly toothless, and was taken aback. Why write about a hero with only a few teeth?– is that romantic even though historically accurate?
I am so glad I gave this book an honest try. I adored Sean Flood, right quick. This character fully deserves the title of hero. I’ll explain a little of why, without giving away too much of the story.
Sean’s Irish Catholic heritage comes through in strong internal narrative voice that remains consistent throughout the tale (105 print pages, according to Amazon). He’s a busy miner. He barely has time to have a badly infected tooth pulled, much less notice neighbors in trouble.
But he does notice and continues to notice. His compassion earned my complete respect.
It’s a love story (labeled sweet romance by the author), pure, innocent, and without content selective readers would find objectionable. [Note: “jackass” is used once, in context of an animal.]
The way Sean goes about slowly winning their trust (while respecting their pride) was utterly beautiful. Sean and the boys won my heart. I knew less of Ona McNair– only what Sean saw and heard and sensed, so comprehending her motivations had to wait for Sean.
The Spirit of Christmas is about joyful giving without expectations, the simple satisfaction of making a difference, love, family, hope, and charity (in the purest Christian sense). Too Old For Christmas explores it all. A heartwarming Christmas story that uplifts and enriches.
http://www.kristinholt.com/archives/2425 on 11-13-15
I write sweet western historical romance. That means I might immediately be a tough sell. Truthfully? I read Zina’s blurb with Sean Flood, nearly toothless, and was taken aback. Why write about a hero with only a few teeth?– is that romantic even though historically accurate?
I am so glad I gave this book an honest try. I adored Sean Flood, right quick. This character fully deserves the title of hero. I’ll explain a little of why, without giving away too much of the story.
Sean’s Irish Catholic heritage comes through in strong internal narrative voice that remains consistent throughout the tale (105 print pages, according to Amazon). He’s a busy miner. He barely has time to have a badly infected tooth pulled, much less notice neighbors in trouble.
But he does notice and continues to notice. His compassion earned my complete respect.
It’s a love story (labeled sweet romance by the author), pure, innocent, and without content selective readers would find objectionable. [Note: “jackass” is used once, in context of an animal.]
The way Sean goes about slowly winning their trust (while respecting their pride) was utterly beautiful. Sean and the boys won my heart. I knew less of Ona McNair– only what Sean saw and heard and sensed, so comprehending her motivations had to wait for Sean.
The Spirit of Christmas is about joyful giving without expectations, the simple satisfaction of making a difference, love, family, hope, and charity (in the purest Christian sense). Too Old For Christmas explores it all. A heartwarming Christmas story that uplifts and enriches.
http://www.kristinholt.com/archives/2425 on 11-13-15
November 29, 2015
I enjoyed this sweet historical romance. Sean Flood is a caring, compassionate hero who falls head-over-heels for the down on her luck widow Ona McNair. He wants to help them, but has trouble convincing her to accept his help. He's determined, because he wants them all to have a wonderful Christmas.
December 4, 2015
Who is too old for Christmas?
The characters in your book are so real, I feel like I know them . This is another second chance for one of them. A woman with 2 little boys meets a kind gentle man and starts working for him, see where it goes. Score another great book by Zina Abbott.
The characters in your book are so real, I feel like I know them . This is another second chance for one of them. A woman with 2 little boys meets a kind gentle man and starts working for him, see where it goes. Score another great book by Zina Abbott.
June 2, 2016
Cute
This is such a sweet romance. I fell in love with characters immediately. The author wrote the characters so well I felt connected from the beginning of the story until the very end.
This is such a sweet romance. I fell in love with characters immediately. The author wrote the characters so well I felt connected from the beginning of the story until the very end.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews