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Pinecones and Promises
Nate Finnegan has never been a fan of Christmas. His homelife as a child did not include pine trees and holly wreaths. It was not that he disliked Christmas; he just didn't have an opinion one way or another. When he decides to move to Michigan to work on a pine tree farm while going to college, he meets the Sparks family. For them Christmas is not only an occupation, it is the best part of the year and what family is all about. Soon their enthusiasm becomes infectious, and Nate has a big change of heart.
Molly Sparks, the pine tree farmers' daughter, is exactly the girl Nate has dreamed about falling in love with, and having a family like the Sparks is something Nate has been waiting for his entire life. But as the young couple soon begin to discover, things aren't always as easy as they first seem. Will the promises they make to each other ever be fulfilled? Or will Nate be left forever hoping for something unattainable? It takes a Christmas miracle to work out the details of this sweet and tender love story.
Molly Sparks, the pine tree farmers' daughter, is exactly the girl Nate has dreamed about falling in love with, and having a family like the Sparks is something Nate has been waiting for his entire life. But as the young couple soon begin to discover, things aren't always as easy as they first seem. Will the promises they make to each other ever be fulfilled? Or will Nate be left forever hoping for something unattainable? It takes a Christmas miracle to work out the details of this sweet and tender love story.
181 pages, Paperback
First published September 6, 2018
14 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Jane O'Brien
36 books190 followersJane O'Brien discovered her love of writing at the age of ten when she wrote her first ten-chapter book in pencil on notebook paper. She passed it around to all of her friends at school and told them she wanted to be an author. And that planted the seed.
O'Brien's career life has been varied. She was a piano teacher for over 50 years, a librarian, and a professional proofreader. She is also interested in genealogy, having worked on her own family tree, as well as her husband's, for over 40 years, which helps to color most of her novels.
Today, as a grandmother, Jane is finally fulfilling her lifelong dream, after successfully having her thirty-second book published, which includes two trilogies, one six-book series, two Christmas novellas, and two Amazon best-selling time slip series. She lives in West Michigan and writes romance with a little history, mystery, and family entanglements, all set in her part of the state.
The stories she weaves are about family and the intricate connections of relatives, past and present.
O'Brien's career life has been varied. She was a piano teacher for over 50 years, a librarian, and a professional proofreader. She is also interested in genealogy, having worked on her own family tree, as well as her husband's, for over 40 years, which helps to color most of her novels.
Today, as a grandmother, Jane is finally fulfilling her lifelong dream, after successfully having her thirty-second book published, which includes two trilogies, one six-book series, two Christmas novellas, and two Amazon best-selling time slip series. She lives in West Michigan and writes romance with a little history, mystery, and family entanglements, all set in her part of the state.
The stories she weaves are about family and the intricate connections of relatives, past and present.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 20, 2018
Merry Christmas! Author O’Brien has presented us with a sweet and lovely gift. Her holiday story, first novella that she’s written, is a perfect snow globe of a tale. Everything that we hold dear about the holiday season is wrapped up in this charming book.
Author O’Brien is a gifted storyteller and this new book hearkens back to her earlier novels in that it contains the same tender hope and gentle details that her first books did.
Readers will grow attached to each character in the book. Nate is a solid and understanding young man who is overcoming a heart-wrenching past. He takes a job at a Michigan Christmas tree farm- perfect location for a holiday book! The tree farm is a family business and so Nick not only gains a taste of family life, he falls in love with the family’s daughter, Molly.
Pinecones and promises are at the center of this story. And holiday traditions, and the birth of the Baby Jesus are also important. But the birth of love, and the fragility of relationships take center stage.
“Would she see the promises that had gone along with pinecones in the past…?”
Readers, you might not think about this, but the pace of this novella is perfect and that’s important. The book is a well-told story, not too short and not too long. Plenty of time to fall in love with the characters and their lives. You will feel warm, delighted and happy when you finish this sweet and festive story.
“A red ribbon and bow covered the antique sled on the porch. The railing had been draped with green pine branches and lights, presenting a welcoming entrance for all. The windows were filled with a warm yellow glow from the interior lights, while candles in each window welcomed Mary and Joseph to spend the night at their house as they waited for their Child to be born.”
Happy holidays and I highly recommend this book (and all of Jane O’Brien’s books.)
Many thanks to the author for giving me a review copy. This is my honest review.
Author O’Brien is a gifted storyteller and this new book hearkens back to her earlier novels in that it contains the same tender hope and gentle details that her first books did.
Readers will grow attached to each character in the book. Nate is a solid and understanding young man who is overcoming a heart-wrenching past. He takes a job at a Michigan Christmas tree farm- perfect location for a holiday book! The tree farm is a family business and so Nick not only gains a taste of family life, he falls in love with the family’s daughter, Molly.
Pinecones and promises are at the center of this story. And holiday traditions, and the birth of the Baby Jesus are also important. But the birth of love, and the fragility of relationships take center stage.
“Would she see the promises that had gone along with pinecones in the past…?”
Readers, you might not think about this, but the pace of this novella is perfect and that’s important. The book is a well-told story, not too short and not too long. Plenty of time to fall in love with the characters and their lives. You will feel warm, delighted and happy when you finish this sweet and festive story.
“A red ribbon and bow covered the antique sled on the porch. The railing had been draped with green pine branches and lights, presenting a welcoming entrance for all. The windows were filled with a warm yellow glow from the interior lights, while candles in each window welcomed Mary and Joseph to spend the night at their house as they waited for their Child to be born.”
Happy holidays and I highly recommend this book (and all of Jane O’Brien’s books.)
Many thanks to the author for giving me a review copy. This is my honest review.
November 2, 2018
Curl up by the fire, pour yourself some hot chocolate, and spend a couple of hours with this wholesome and realistic novella. You couldn’t find a better way to begin the holiday season! Author O’Brien quickly engages the reader in a wonderful portrayal of young love and lifelong lessons. The characters are so very human and come alive in the rich settings she writes. I love happy endings but this one comes with a true to life twist! Looking forward to Jane’s next book.
November 19, 2018
This is such a sweet promising Christmas gift. The perfect Christmas novella where the author has created lovable characters in this beautiful location which all together makes such a sweet story. Reading this left me feeling warm, cosy and looking forward to the coming season full of magic. I highly recommend this book to get you in the Christmas spirit.
July 20, 2019
Another great Christmas story
This was so heartfelt that I found myself with tears in my eyes at the ending. Christmas is special to me also.
Waiting for the next book!
This was so heartfelt that I found myself with tears in my eyes at the ending. Christmas is special to me also.
Waiting for the next book!
October 25, 2018
Uplifting
I couldn’t believe when the book had ended. I kept trying to find more pages. Jane brings the characters to life. They seem like people you have known your whole life. Great job once again😊
I couldn’t believe when the book had ended. I kept trying to find more pages. Jane brings the characters to life. They seem like people you have known your whole life. Great job once again😊
December 21, 2020
Great Christmas story
This was such a sweet, heartbreaking, but inspiring Christmas story. This story shows how sometimes even when we make the wrong choice, things can still work out. I loved this story.
This was such a sweet, heartbreaking, but inspiring Christmas story. This story shows how sometimes even when we make the wrong choice, things can still work out. I loved this story.
April 10, 2022
Pinecones and Promises
Such a sweet story of Nate never having a true Christmas. Of all places to find the meaning of and having a Christmas he found in his work place. Of course it has a girl and her family also involved.
Such a sweet story of Nate never having a true Christmas. Of all places to find the meaning of and having a Christmas he found in his work place. Of course it has a girl and her family also involved.
August 19, 2019
Love this one. So glad they found each other again.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews