Once Upon a Winter's Heart - by Melody Carlson (Paperback)

About the Book

"Emma Burcelli has given up on romance. Not just because she's suffered over a decade of dating disasters. Not because her parents' marriage ended on New Year's Eve. No, Emma concludes that love is officially dead when her grandfather Poppi passes away, leaving the last true romantic's other half, Nona Burcelli, devastated. Emma helps by working in the family's bookstore, which Nona insists must be completely decked out in sweetheart decor as Poppi would have done for Valentine's Day. Although Emma feels like a V-Day Scrooge, she quickly learns to enjoy the task with the aid of a handsome volunteer and friend of Poppi's, Lane Forester. As Emma spends time with Lane, sharing stories about Poppi, ice skating in the street, and hanging hearts to the tune of Dean Martin, she reconsiders the possibility that romance is alive. But just as Emma's heart begins to lift she learns her sister has already staked a claim on Lane's affections. Emma's mother and sister insist Lane only sees her as a future sister-in-law, but Emma can't help wondering if it could be something more."--

Book Synopsis

Emma Burcelli has suffered over a decade of dating disasters. But she concludes that love is officially dead when her grandfather Poppi suddenly passes, leaving her grandmother Nona devastated. To help out, Emma works in the family bookstore, which Nona insists must be decked out in sweetheart décor as Poppi would have done for Valentine's Day. Although she feels like a V-Day Scrooge, Emma quickly learns to enjoy the task with the help of a handsome family friend, Lane Forester, who shows her that hanging hearts is much more fun when done to the tune of Dean Martin. As Emma and Lane share time and memories of Poppi, she reconsiders the notion that romance is alive.

Just as Emma's heart begins to lift, however, she learns her sister has already staked a claim on Lane. Emma's mother and sister insist Lane only sees her as a future sister-in-law, but she can't help wondering if it could be something more.

Review Quotes

"A delightful story about the loss and recovery of romance, love and hope. . . .ONCE UPON A WINTER'S HEART will revive anyone who's given up on romance and wants a happy ending."--Family Fiction

"A sweet love story, Once Upon a Winter's Heart is a beautiful picture of the joy of being swept off your feet."--Melanie Dobson, award-winning author of Love Finds You in Mackinac Island, Michigan and Where the Trail Ends

"A sweet, quick read that celebrates love's beginnings as well the spirit of Valentine's Day."--Serena Chase, USAToday.com

"A wonderfully sweet story, with vivid descriptions that pull you right into the pages."--bookreporter.com on The Christmas Pony

"Carlson writes from her heart and it shines through on every page of this beautiful novel."--RT Book Reviews on River's Song

"Delightful. . .Should be on everyone's must-read list for the holiday season."--RT Book Reviews Top Pick (4 1/2 stars) on The Christmas Pony

"Melody delivers all that is sweetest and best about love in this Valentine's novella and does it with a tasty dash of Italian spice. Now that's amore!"--Robin Jones Gunn, bestselling author of Sisterchicks in Gondolas

"Once again Carlson touches the heart in this sweet, hopeful story of love finally found."--RT Book Reviews, starred review

About the Author

Melody Carlson is a bestselling and award-winning author of more than 200 books for adults, teens, and children that have sold over six million copies. She writes women's fiction to which women of all ages can relate and young adult novels that she hopes will change lives. Her series, Diary of a Teenage Girl (Multnomah), has sold more than 775,000 copies and her Christmas novellas have sold over 590,000 copies combined. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband.