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Starling Bay #1
Winter's Kiss
She's the city girl from Boston. He's the gift shop owner from the bay.
Their worlds were never meant to collide.
Dylan Fraser is an artist, a dreamer, and a failed actor.
He runs a gift store on the edges of Starling Bay, a small coastal town where nothing much happens.
Merry Nicholls hates Christmas. The festive season is full of bad memories, especially this year which marks the five-year passing of her husband's death.
Falling ill due to stress, and at her mother's insistence, Merry reluctantly visits Starling Bay. She's supposed to recuperate, but with her surly daughter and her Great Dane in tow, not to mention the town's busy body on her back, recuperation might not be possible.
And when her dog crashes into a gift shop, breaking a collection of handmade Christmas coffee mugs, all chances of an easy recovery period go out of the window.
Neither Dylan nor Merry are looking for love, but maybe it's time for them to let go and give in.
Because when the timing is right, and the feeling is ripe, taking a risk with their hearts could give them a second chance at love.
Winter's Kiss is a STANDALONE sweet romance, with a HEA.
Their worlds were never meant to collide.
Dylan Fraser is an artist, a dreamer, and a failed actor.
He runs a gift store on the edges of Starling Bay, a small coastal town where nothing much happens.
Merry Nicholls hates Christmas. The festive season is full of bad memories, especially this year which marks the five-year passing of her husband's death.
Falling ill due to stress, and at her mother's insistence, Merry reluctantly visits Starling Bay. She's supposed to recuperate, but with her surly daughter and her Great Dane in tow, not to mention the town's busy body on her back, recuperation might not be possible.
And when her dog crashes into a gift shop, breaking a collection of handmade Christmas coffee mugs, all chances of an easy recovery period go out of the window.
Neither Dylan nor Merry are looking for love, but maybe it's time for them to let go and give in.
Because when the timing is right, and the feeling is ripe, taking a risk with their hearts could give them a second chance at love.
Winter's Kiss is a STANDALONE sweet romance, with a HEA.
197 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 28, 2019
2236 people are currently reading
818 people want to read
About the author
Sienna Carr
15 books54 followersSienna Carr writes women's fiction and sweet romance. Her stories are full of quirky and memorable characters and places you'll want to visit time and time again.
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NEWEST RELEASE:
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NEWEST RELEASE:
THE ROSE GARDEN
Book 4 in THE ROSE SISTERS series
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
December 9, 2020
Overall, this was a good story. It was slow toward the end, then had a really good ending.
dnf
October 19, 2020DNF at 58%
I stopped right when thing started getting interesting between the two MCs. My main problem was the heroine unfortunately, I couldn't like her, especially as a mother she seemed to have put her daughter on autopilot(=grandparents) and washed her hands. She arranged to go to a small town and relax from work a bit, since chronic stress caught up with her, and then -even though she said a couple times in the first two chapters how money wasn't an issue- she ended up working all the time. The work schedule was never explained properly, it seemed very erratic but every time she tried to spend time with her daughter it conflicted with some meeting, while she consistenly failed to pick her up after practice on time (super grandparents to the rescue=problem solved! NOT).
IMHO the woman needed to attend some time management seminar, she seemed more unorganized than trully busy. And get her priorities straight for once. The fact that she believed that exchanging a babysitter (for a 12 year old) with her parents made the problem go away, made me mad enough to give up on her.
I stopped right when thing started getting interesting between the two MCs. My main problem was the heroine unfortunately, I couldn't like her, especially as a mother she seemed to have put her daughter on autopilot(=grandparents) and washed her hands. She arranged to go to a small town and relax from work a bit, since chronic stress caught up with her, and then -even though she said a couple times in the first two chapters how money wasn't an issue- she ended up working all the time. The work schedule was never explained properly, it seemed very erratic but every time she tried to spend time with her daughter it conflicted with some meeting, while she consistenly failed to pick her up after practice on time (super grandparents to the rescue=problem solved! NOT).
IMHO the woman needed to attend some time management seminar, she seemed more unorganized than trully busy. And get her priorities straight for once. The fact that she believed that exchanging a babysitter (for a 12 year old) with her parents made the problem go away, made me mad enough to give up on her.
December 29, 2020
4.5 Stars
I fell in love with this story of Merry and Dylan, but I would have liked to have more of the two of them after finally realizing and giving in to their feelings.
I also liked how the relationship between mother and daughter progressed and how Merry can't to senses about what was most important in her life.
The author did a great job of developing Merry's character and the lessons she learned about living again and what her priorities should be.
I fell in love with this story of Merry and Dylan, but I would have liked to have more of the two of them after finally realizing and giving in to their feelings.
I also liked how the relationship between mother and daughter progressed and how Merry can't to senses about what was most important in her life.
The author did a great job of developing Merry's character and the lessons she learned about living again and what her priorities should be.
November 30, 2020
This was such an adorable read and recommend for anyone looking for something a little light hearted right now!
March 7, 2019
If you are looking for a light romantic read, this one is definitely for you.
Merry, after having somewhat of a breakdown with the upcoming 5 year anniversary for her husband’s death and being over worked, takes a 2 month leave of absence from work. Her mother has made arrangements for her and Merry’s daughter to stay at a friend’s place in Starling Bay. Upon arrival to this quaint little town she has what you could call a smashing meeting with a handsome store owner. From this point on the story has such a natural progression. There are a few bumps along the way for Merry which she needs to overcome as well as some truly romantic moments. Merry of course is struggling with moving on but Dylan is just someone she totally wasn’t expecting. Reading how the friendship blossoms was absolutely beautiful. LOVE him so much!!
It undoubtedly reminded me so much of a Hallmark movie, and I LOVE Hallmark movies!!
Merry, after having somewhat of a breakdown with the upcoming 5 year anniversary for her husband’s death and being over worked, takes a 2 month leave of absence from work. Her mother has made arrangements for her and Merry’s daughter to stay at a friend’s place in Starling Bay. Upon arrival to this quaint little town she has what you could call a smashing meeting with a handsome store owner. From this point on the story has such a natural progression. There are a few bumps along the way for Merry which she needs to overcome as well as some truly romantic moments. Merry of course is struggling with moving on but Dylan is just someone she totally wasn’t expecting. Reading how the friendship blossoms was absolutely beautiful. LOVE him so much!!
It undoubtedly reminded me so much of a Hallmark movie, and I LOVE Hallmark movies!!
November 8, 2020
Light hearted and predictable. I was hoping for just a little more romance, and honestly, a little more Christmas magic.
December 27, 2020
2.75 stars
Winter’s Kiss by Sienna Carr had some enjoyable elements, unfortunately, I didn’t truly care for the main female character and overall found the plot to be too simple, predictable and repetitive for my liking. If you’re looking for a an easy, quick HEA, you may enjoy this Christmas romance, but I found it to be rather dull.
Winter’s Kiss by Sienna Carr had some enjoyable elements, unfortunately, I didn’t truly care for the main female character and overall found the plot to be too simple, predictable and repetitive for my liking. If you’re looking for a an easy, quick HEA, you may enjoy this Christmas romance, but I found it to be rather dull.
December 20, 2019
Read to chapter 24...then deleted the thing
It just went on and on, page after endless page, with precious little conversation occasionally tossed in. That style of writing is, for me, the most boring means possible by which to tell a story.
The H and h have, to this point, danced around each other like each one may detonate at any moment. To the point of absurd.
Chapter 24 dawns bright and snowy, with more of the same dancing around each other.
But, the thing that changed, was me. I couldn’t take these two, single, grown adults, with an obvious attraction to each other, yet still reacting as if each of them may be a live grenade.
I decided the whole thing was too silly to continue, and deleted it from my kindle. I hope they both survive the potential explosion, should they ever make contact. But, it will happen without me.
It just went on and on, page after endless page, with precious little conversation occasionally tossed in. That style of writing is, for me, the most boring means possible by which to tell a story.
The H and h have, to this point, danced around each other like each one may detonate at any moment. To the point of absurd.
Chapter 24 dawns bright and snowy, with more of the same dancing around each other.
But, the thing that changed, was me. I couldn’t take these two, single, grown adults, with an obvious attraction to each other, yet still reacting as if each of them may be a live grenade.
I decided the whole thing was too silly to continue, and deleted it from my kindle. I hope they both survive the potential explosion, should they ever make contact. But, it will happen without me.
March 15, 2019
Merry is feeling guilty because 5 years ago she bought her husband a combo birthday/Christmas gift in the form of a plane ride and the plane catches on fire and they go down killing Brian her husband and the pilot. Merry goes out of her way to work until she makes herself sick and while she is recuperating her mom suggests that she go to sterling bay for a couple of months to rest and recuperate but her dog keeps her from doing that because while in a gift shop he breaks some Christmas mugs and she meets Dylan but is she ready for love and is he ready. This book was so good i couldn't put it down.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 29, 2020
I enjoyed the sweet small town of this book, which was practically a character on its own merit.
This story is a story about the redemptive value of love. Merry gets a second chance in several aspects of her life with the support of her loving parents and a town full of quirky characters; and HEA, doesn’t just mean a chance for romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This story is a story about the redemptive value of love. Merry gets a second chance in several aspects of her life with the support of her loving parents and a town full of quirky characters; and HEA, doesn’t just mean a chance for romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 14, 2019
well had butterflies, its was the cutest story. all i want was to meet her dog also.
Supper fluffy andcute read.
Supper fluffy andcute read.
Want to read
December 16, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (12/16/2019)! 🎁
December 24, 2019
A second-chance, opposites-attract, small-town romance. Dylan, Merry, and Chloe were likable and relatable characters, and the romance was sweet.
December 17, 2022
This was a solid 3-star read. I enjoyed a lot of it, but it also felt very repetitive after a while.
In this book, Meredith "Merry" is basically forced to spend time in small town Starling Bay after having a mental breakdown in Boston. She attributed it to the 5-year anniversary of the loss of her husband around Christmas but realizes it might also be due to the stress she's put herself through to stay busy. That busy lifestyle also caused her to ignore her daughter, Chloe. In Starling Bay, she meets Dylan, and they have a connection like no one since her husband. And basically they fall in love and have a happily ever after.
Jk.
Well, almost. The book leaves it open, and they end up as really good friends and decide to let time decide if this relationship will work. Which I really liked. Other things I liked were the anxiety representation in Merry. I feel like it isn't often that you see a mom with high anxiety. I also loved the intense scene when Merry was trapped on the side of the road. Even though I knew exactly how it would play out, my heart rate quickened and my blood pressure rose. It was a great written scene.
Some things I didn't like were that Merry was supposed to be in Starling Bay to relax. Yet, Hyacinth, the town's old lady who is in everyone's business and no one can say no to, forces her to be a marketing consultant to the townspeople in exchange for not paying rent, which Merry makes clear she doesn't mind paying. They also never pay off any of the consulting. Merry says many times that it was too close to Christmas to try and up the town's tourism before the holidays, and she's probably right, and we never see if it actually worked or not. There's no mention of it again. It's just used as a prop to make Merry busy and ignore Chloe even more. Yes, she's more relaxed in Starling Bay, but she's not doing any less it seems. I also don't like that she ignores Chloe. Merry may have lost her soulmate, but Chloe lost her literal FATHER. At like, seven years old. No offense, that's way worse, and I understand that Merry will be hurting. Anyone who loses a husband should. But I'm 26, and it effing sucked losing my dad. It broke me. I couldn't imagine losing him at SEVEN! And with an unsupportive mother. The writing of Merry in this situation was just not sympathetic.
Overall, the light romance was nice, the Christmas vibes were kinda there, and there were snippets of excellent writing. Like I said, solid 3/5.
In this book, Meredith "Merry" is basically forced to spend time in small town Starling Bay after having a mental breakdown in Boston. She attributed it to the 5-year anniversary of the loss of her husband around Christmas but realizes it might also be due to the stress she's put herself through to stay busy. That busy lifestyle also caused her to ignore her daughter, Chloe. In Starling Bay, she meets Dylan, and they have a connection like no one since her husband. And basically they fall in love and have a happily ever after.
Jk.
Well, almost. The book leaves it open, and they end up as really good friends and decide to let time decide if this relationship will work. Which I really liked. Other things I liked were the anxiety representation in Merry. I feel like it isn't often that you see a mom with high anxiety. I also loved the intense scene when Merry was trapped on the side of the road. Even though I knew exactly how it would play out, my heart rate quickened and my blood pressure rose. It was a great written scene.
Some things I didn't like were that Merry was supposed to be in Starling Bay to relax. Yet, Hyacinth, the town's old lady who is in everyone's business and no one can say no to, forces her to be a marketing consultant to the townspeople in exchange for not paying rent, which Merry makes clear she doesn't mind paying. They also never pay off any of the consulting. Merry says many times that it was too close to Christmas to try and up the town's tourism before the holidays, and she's probably right, and we never see if it actually worked or not. There's no mention of it again. It's just used as a prop to make Merry busy and ignore Chloe even more. Yes, she's more relaxed in Starling Bay, but she's not doing any less it seems. I also don't like that she ignores Chloe. Merry may have lost her soulmate, but Chloe lost her literal FATHER. At like, seven years old. No offense, that's way worse, and I understand that Merry will be hurting. Anyone who loses a husband should. But I'm 26, and it effing sucked losing my dad. It broke me. I couldn't imagine losing him at SEVEN! And with an unsupportive mother. The writing of Merry in this situation was just not sympathetic.
Overall, the light romance was nice, the Christmas vibes were kinda there, and there were snippets of excellent writing. Like I said, solid 3/5.
November 5, 2020
Meredith Nicholls has been putting so much time and energy into her job as the marketing manager for Boyd & Meyer ever since she lost her husband Brian in a plane accident. Faced with surmounting pressure and working long hours, her doctor suggests she takes some time off.
Her mother then suggests she takes a vacation with her teen daughter Chloe to Starling Bay. Moreover, it’s almost Christmas, and her mother’s friend, Hyacinth Fitzsimmons has offered to put up Meredith in a nice apartment overlooking the bay.
But Meredith has resented Christmas since Brian’s passing five years ago and can’t stand the festive mood.
Meanwhile, Dylan Fraser lives in Starling Bay where he owns a gift-shop where he sells his handmade pottery and sometimes he sends his handmade gifts to other shops in town. He’s hoping to increase sales during the holidays. Hyacinth is trying to persuade him to direct this year’s Christmas pageant but Dylan wants to focus on his art instead. So Hyacinth promised to get Meredith to help him out with the marketing.
Her mother then suggests she takes a vacation with her teen daughter Chloe to Starling Bay. Moreover, it’s almost Christmas, and her mother’s friend, Hyacinth Fitzsimmons has offered to put up Meredith in a nice apartment overlooking the bay.
But Meredith has resented Christmas since Brian’s passing five years ago and can’t stand the festive mood.
Meanwhile, Dylan Fraser lives in Starling Bay where he owns a gift-shop where he sells his handmade pottery and sometimes he sends his handmade gifts to other shops in town. He’s hoping to increase sales during the holidays. Hyacinth is trying to persuade him to direct this year’s Christmas pageant but Dylan wants to focus on his art instead. So Hyacinth promised to get Meredith to help him out with the marketing.
December 6, 2022
Winter's Kiss
This is a sweet, wholesome story of two very independent people who meet at Christmas-time. Maybe I should have said UN-dependent instead because they purposely wouldn't allow themselves to depend on others. I know that state very well! He with a painful breakup 4 years ago. She lost her husband in a terrible plane crash 5 years ago. Both with strong walls they'd built around themselves. She & her daughter came to this small town, at her mother's urging, for a rest after a near breakdown. She didn't want to be there, but before long she began to change her opinion. HE had a little bit to do with that! This is a clean, family oriented, romantic story with some sexual tension but no sex. No profanity or violence either. Two people finding themselves after years of hiding from life, winding up finding each other. If you like happy endings, you'll Ike this book!
This is a sweet, wholesome story of two very independent people who meet at Christmas-time. Maybe I should have said UN-dependent instead because they purposely wouldn't allow themselves to depend on others. I know that state very well! He with a painful breakup 4 years ago. She lost her husband in a terrible plane crash 5 years ago. Both with strong walls they'd built around themselves. She & her daughter came to this small town, at her mother's urging, for a rest after a near breakdown. She didn't want to be there, but before long she began to change her opinion. HE had a little bit to do with that! This is a clean, family oriented, romantic story with some sexual tension but no sex. No profanity or violence either. Two people finding themselves after years of hiding from life, winding up finding each other. If you like happy endings, you'll Ike this book!
December 29, 2019
"I hate Christmas," cried Merry, "and Starling Bay-why would I want to go there?"
Merry has a semi-breakdown as the fifth anniversary of her husband's death approaches at Christmas. Her mother makes arrangements for Merry and her daughter, Chloe to go to Starling Bay to rest and recuperate. Their Great Dane, Spartacus introduces them to local potter, Dylan by breaking a display of mugs in his shop.
This was a sweet easy read on Christmas Day. It was like reading a Hallmark Movie: weary widow goes to small town with teenage daughter and huge dog then meets hunky potter and falls in love.
There was nothing awe inspiring about the story. It was a simple easy read to pass the afternoon.
Merry has a semi-breakdown as the fifth anniversary of her husband's death approaches at Christmas. Her mother makes arrangements for Merry and her daughter, Chloe to go to Starling Bay to rest and recuperate. Their Great Dane, Spartacus introduces them to local potter, Dylan by breaking a display of mugs in his shop.
This was a sweet easy read on Christmas Day. It was like reading a Hallmark Movie: weary widow goes to small town with teenage daughter and huge dog then meets hunky potter and falls in love.
There was nothing awe inspiring about the story. It was a simple easy read to pass the afternoon.
December 11, 2022
This was ok. My main issue is that it is only two thirds of a book. It seems that it is the first in a series but even in a series I want each book to be complete. This one finished with the idea of a resolution rather than an actual resolution.
December 8, 2020
Fun little Christmas read
I enjoyed Merry's story. Loved the characters and the HEA. Always love when pets start off the romance and introduce the couple!!
I enjoyed Merry's story. Loved the characters and the HEA. Always love when pets start off the romance and introduce the couple!!
December 6, 2020
Winters Kiss
Enjoyed this book. Could not wait to get back to reading when I had to put it down. Thank you
Enjoyed this book. Could not wait to get back to reading when I had to put it down. Thank you
December 6, 2020
A very good book
September 25, 2020
Great Story
Merry lost her husband in a plane crash 5 yrs ago and has been raising her daughter Chloe with help from her parents. But she has been working to hard and collapsed, her doctor recommended time off. So she, her daughter and their Great Dane and head to Sterling Bay. Dylan owns a pottery store that the dog decided to run into.
Merry lost her husband in a plane crash 5 yrs ago and has been raising her daughter Chloe with help from her parents. But she has been working to hard and collapsed, her doctor recommended time off. So she, her daughter and their Great Dane and head to Sterling Bay. Dylan owns a pottery store that the dog decided to run into.
September 17, 2020
This was a sweet, lovely, clean Christmas romance. It has a great story line and I loved the characters.
September 16, 2020
Sweet and Heartfelt Story
Great story to put you in the Christmas spirit. Heartfelt and enjoyable read. I could not put the book down until I finished it.
Great story to put you in the Christmas spirit. Heartfelt and enjoyable read. I could not put the book down until I finished it.
November 22, 2020
Sweet story
It has been 5 years since Merry’s husband died in plane crash. Since then she has worked long hours & forgotten what it is to live life. She & daughter are not communicating & due to working too hard Merry almost has a nervous breakdown. For a vacation to recover before Christmas she heads to Starling Bay with her daughter and Great Dane. Life finds a way to heals their lives. A new live interest also in artist, Dylan
It has been 5 years since Merry’s husband died in plane crash. Since then she has worked long hours & forgotten what it is to live life. She & daughter are not communicating & due to working too hard Merry almost has a nervous breakdown. For a vacation to recover before Christmas she heads to Starling Bay with her daughter and Great Dane. Life finds a way to heals their lives. A new live interest also in artist, Dylan
November 23, 2020
Nice Christmas read
Great story. Strong characters the storyline was great. The setting a nice small town that felt like home even just reading the book
Great story. Strong characters the storyline was great. The setting a nice small town that felt like home even just reading the book
November 20, 2020
I loved this book! Can’t wait to begin reading the next in the series.
November 15, 2020
Happiness After Heartache
This sweet Christmas story shows that you can find happiness and move on after heartache. There is Christmas magic and love in the air. There were multiple references to a past incident with a relationship but we never read what happened. I would have liked this information because that is what made him who he was.
This sweet Christmas story shows that you can find happiness and move on after heartache. There is Christmas magic and love in the air. There were multiple references to a past incident with a relationship but we never read what happened. I would have liked this information because that is what made him who he was.
November 15, 2020
Winters Kiss
This was a sweet story that I enjoyed reading. I had not read anything from this Author before and will now be watching for more from her.
This was a sweet story that I enjoyed reading. I had not read anything from this Author before and will now be watching for more from her.
December 19, 2020
Winter's Kiss by Sienna Carr ❄️
3.5 ⭐
This story is about Meredith who is Marketing expert from Boston and a single mom. Dylan is an art shop owner at Starling Bay.
Meredith leaves Boston for a needed vacation and to overcome her grief. She is forced to go to Starling Bay by her mother. She hates Christmas. Dylan is doing a Christmas pageant. Will things work?
This was a cute, simple and lovely read which was easy going. It made me smile and was nice . There could have been more of Christmassy feeling.
3.5 ⭐
This story is about Meredith who is Marketing expert from Boston and a single mom. Dylan is an art shop owner at Starling Bay.
Meredith leaves Boston for a needed vacation and to overcome her grief. She is forced to go to Starling Bay by her mother. She hates Christmas. Dylan is doing a Christmas pageant. Will things work?
This was a cute, simple and lovely read which was easy going. It made me smile and was nice . There could have been more of Christmassy feeling.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews