Have you read many Christmas books in December? I love Christmas books and I usually set aside time in December for my Christmas reading. This year I had hoped to start by early November, but ‘life’ got in the way. When we recorded the StoryChats @InspyRomance – All things Christmas Romance! podcast/YouTube episode, I was okay for movies but I was looking for book recommendations. Valerie and Elizabeth both suggested I read Once Upon a Silent Night by Kimberly Rae Jordan, and I’m sharing my own recommendation for the story here! #betterlatethannever
Book Description:
Unwilling to fulfill her parents’ expectations for her, she left behind a comfortable life in pursuit of her dream.
Alessia Talbot had been raised with the expectation that she’d go to law school and join the family law firm, but that isn’t what she wants for her life. Determined to achieve her dream of a career in music, she strikes out on her own. Her new life away from her family is a reality check, and she soon finds her life on a downward slide.
Two years on, her dream is still out of reach, and she’s nearing rock bottom. With hope nearly gone and feeling no joy in the season that was once her favorite, Alessia wanders into a church in search of warmth and some quiet.
He gave up his life in order to bring his brothers to justice.
Gio Morgan (formerly known as Giovanni Moretti) was born into a mob family, but he’d never fit in. When he made the decision to testify against his mob boss brothers, he knew it meant the end to that life.
He now lives in New Hope Falls in order to be close to his half-sister, Cara. He is trying to build a new life for himself, and part of that is participating in the church’s 24 hour a day open door ministry for the month of December.
Will a connection forged in the quiet of a church during the early morning hours be the start of something new? Or will it lead to heartbreak if the draw of a dream is to powerful to resist?
Narelle’s Thoughts:
I enjoyed reading Once Upon a Silent Night, Book 4.5 in Kimberly Rae Jordan’s New Hope Falls series that can be read as a stand-alone story. The minor characters from the previous stories, and the hints regarding their unique backgrounds, were intriguing. I want to read more books in the series and spend more time with the characters in New Hope Falls.
We meet Alessia in early December when winter is setting in and she’s sleeping in her car. I was surprised to learn that she came from a wealthy family, had a college degree, and her circumstances had effectively forced her into homelessness. Alessia epitomises the plight of the working poor. She has a job in a bar but she doesn’t earn enough money to pay for a roof over her head, despite living in a small Washington State town. Alessia is stubborn, resourceful, and starting to question the big sacrifices she has made in pursuit of a seemingly elusive singing career.
Gio’s background is fascinating and he has a maturity gained from surviving tough situations. He volunteered to do the graveyard shift at his church’s open door ministry, and figured he’d likely be alone for most, if not all, of his shift. Alessia turns up in the early hours of the morning and he’s curious to learn her story. She becomes a regular visitor during Gio’s shifts, and an unexpected friendship develops that has potential for more.
Once Upon a Silent Night is a sweet romance with depth and strong faith elements that explore the true meaning and blessings of Christmas. Highly recommended for contemporary Christian romance readers who like Christmas stories.
Learn more about Kimberly Rae Jordan and her books at her website.
Questions for you: Have you read Once Upon a Silent Night? Did you watch or listen to the Christmas podcast/YouTube episode? If you read Christmas books, did you make it to the bottom of you 2020 TBR (to-be-read) list?
A fun loving Aussie girl at heart, Narelle Atkins was born and raised on the beautiful northern beaches in Sydney, Australia. She has settled in Canberra with her husband and children. A lifelong romance reader, she found the perfect genre to write when she discovered inspirational romance. Narelle's contemporary stories of faith and romance are set in Australia and international locations.
I have not read “Once Upon a Silent Night”. I don’t use podcasts or YouTube.
Hi Mary, Thanks for commenting. 😊
do I just say No, no, no. I do have a few books but haven’t read them. I did however see more Christmas movies this year and many with a Christian theme. (ACCTV Australia) I love my smart tv.
Hi Jenny, Everyone is saying no today, lol. Smart tv’s are a great invention! I also watch Encourage TV on YouTube that has Christian movies. Thanks for commenting. 😊
You can’t really finish your TBR pile when you buy a whole lot more books just before Christmas, but I did smash my Goodreads target for the year and I finished all the new Christmas novels that I bought for this year, plus a few old favourites.
I didn’t listen to the podcast (I just don’t listen to podcasts) and I haven’t read this book (is it available in print or just an e-book?) but it sounds like an interesting one that could make it on next years Christmas book pile.
I think I’ll have to check out Encourage TV.
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Why, yes, I HAVE listened to the podcast! ;)
That sounds like a good book. I read quite a few Christmas novellas this month, though not as many as I wanted due to being really busy. I enjoy a good Christmas romance though.
I’ve been listening to your podcast for a few months off and on. Very fun!
I’ve read several Christmas novels this year and I published one.
I’m going to nab this little gem. How can I not? It’s set in my beautiful Washington state. :)
Thank you for always good posts and book recommendations.
I have not read the book or listened to the podcast or YouTube episode. I didn’t read any Christmas books during this season. I love to read them but almost always do so at less busy times of the year. My TBR lists are so long I will never reach the end….hey, I have to be honest! Between all my accounts I have around 2,000 books piled up! That includes many that I have read already but still…. It will never stop me from working diligently through them though, reading is a necessary part of life. 😊📚
Happy New Year everyone!
I haven’t read this one, though I did listen to the Story Chat. I got to the bottom of my must-read Christmas stack this season, but, of course, there are tons more still on my Kindle for next year. ;)
I haven’t read the book, but I think I need to add it to my TBR stack! I haven’t read hardly any of my TBR stack, as I’ve been busy reading ARC’s!
I have not read Once Upon a Silent Night, but I see I can borrow it from KU, yay! I have not listened to a Christmas podcast or YouTube episode. I don’t go on YouTube very much in the first place (except every once in a while for those funny animal clips, lol!).
As for Christmas books, I started reading those the last two weeks of November & am still working my way through my TBR pile. Which I will NEVER get through….lol! I think that’s every reader’s problem. I hope there will be a library in heaven because I won’t be able to read all my books (physical & eBook) in my lifetime :-) That’s a good problem, though right?
I didn’t put a dent in mine this year as I am caring for my mom. I will enjoy them for awhile yet. Have a blessed and Happy New Year.
I love Kimberly Rae Jordan’s books, but haven’t read that one. I downloaded a number of new books over the past few months, many of them being Christmas, but didn’t actually get to read any. I met my 120 goal as of yesterday, but planning to fit one more book in there with Valerie Comer’s ‘Secretly Yours’ which I started last night. Happy New Year everyone.
Have not read Once upon a star. nor did I make a dent in my TBR stack, I do read Christmas books.
I have not read this book yet, but it sounds like a Great read and the cover is Beautiful! I do love reading christmas books. Thank you so much for sharing about this book. May you and your family have a Very Happy and Blessed New Year.
“Once Upon a Silent Night” is new to me but looks very intriguing. I’m not much for podcasts because they take so much time (compared to reading). Finishing my TBR pile? Never! Even though I go through books like sheep chewing a field clean, I *always* have more books, LOL!
Happy New Year’s Adam!
Just an additional FYI. KRJ’s website does not have links for any of the New Hope Falls books. If you go to Amazon for any of her books, though, and follow the link to her author’s page, you will find them there. Or you could search on the title if you don’t mind the extra typing :). These results were for Amazon US. Other countries may have different results.
Thanks for the recommendation – I’ll have to read this one!
Hi Beth, Well done on smashing your Goodreads target! I’m always adding to my TBR pile, too. Once Upon a Silent Night is available in print from Amazon and The Book Depository. It’s not listed at Koorong, but if it’s distributed by Ingrams (and available outside the Amazon publishing system) then they should be able to order it in. Definitely check out Encourage TV – that’s where I watched Lesley Ann McDaniel’s Christian romance movie ‘Home Sweet Home’. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Valerie, Thanks for the recommendation! 😊
Hi Megan, I’m glad you had a chance to read some Christmas novellas. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Dalyn, I’m glad you’re enjoying the podcast and my blog posts. Congrats on publishing your Christmas book – very exciting! The Washington State setting is stunning, and I hope you’ll have a chance to read Kimberly’s book soon. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Deb, It can be tricky finding time to read in December. I’ve read 2 books this week – the perks of being on vacation from the day job. Wow, 2000 is a big number… at least you’ll never run out of books to read! Happy New Year and thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Lila, Well done on reading all the books in your Christmas stack! The Christmas podcast episode was fun. My Kindle has many unread books awaiting my attention in 2021. Thanks for commenting 😊
Hi Trudy, ARC reading is fun! I hope you’ll have a chance to read Kimberly’s book. Thanks for commenting. 😊
My TBR is a mile long, I’m not sure I’ll finish it in my lifetime.
Hi Trixi, yes, the never-ending tbr pile is a great problem to have, lol. A library in heaven would be awesome! I hope you’ll have a chance to read Kimberly’s book – the whole series is available in KU. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Lucy, I hope your mom is doing okay. Enjoy your reading when you have a chance to catch up. Happy New Year blessings and thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Sandra, Well done on reaching your goal of 120 books! I enjoyed reading Secretly Yours. I hope you’ll have a chance to read Kimberly’s series. Happy New Year and thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Shelia, I hope you’ll have a chance to read more soon. My tbr list needs some attention, too. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Alicia, You’re very welcome, and I hope you’ll have an opportunity to read Once Upon a Silent Night. Have a blessed New Year and thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Lincoln, LOL at your sheep analogy! I can totally relate, and I hope you’ll have a chance to read Kimberly’s book. Thanks for commenting and sharing the additional info for finding the New Hope Falls series books at Amazon. 😊
Hi Melanie, You’re very welcome, and I hope you’ll have a chance to read Once Upon a Silent Night. 😊
Hi Denise, I have a similar problem, mainly because I add books at a faster rate than I read them! Thanks for commenting. 😊
Haven’t read it…thank you for recommendation!
Hi Natalya, You’re very welcome. I hope you’ll have a chance to read Kimberly’s book. 😊