Book Description:
Writer’s block and a looming Christmas novel deadline have romance novelist, Sarah Jones, heading for the other side of the world on a whim.
Niklas Toivonen offers cosy Lapland accommodation, but when his aging father falls ill, Niklas is called upon to step into his father’s work clothes to make children happy. Red is quite his color.
Fresh off the airplane, a visit to Santa sets Sarah’s muse into overdrive. The man in red is not only entertaining, he’s young—with gorgeous blue eyes. Much like her new landlord’s, she discovers. Santa and Niklas quickly become objects of research—for her novel, and her curiosity.
Though she’s written countless happily-ever-afters, Sarah doubts she’ll ever enjoy her own. Niklas must find a way to show her how to leave the pain of her past behind, so she can find love and faith once more.
Narelle’s Thoughts:
I love Christmas romance stories and Poles Apart didn’t disappoint. Sarah is impulsive, and she books a three week trip to Lapland, Santa’s home town, over Christmas. She’s desperate to overcome writers block and meet her looming deadline. Sarah believes Lapland will provide the inspiration for her Christmas romance novel. A white Christmas is a very different proposition to the summer Christmas weather she’s accustomed to back home in South Africa.
Niklas, the owner of the cabin she rents in Lapland, is surprised and entranced by Sarah when they first meet in rather unusual circumstances. Sarah isn’t familiar with Finnish customs, especially the avanto, which creates humorous moments in the story. We meet reindeer, and Niklas’ golden retriever dogs are adorable.
I loved the way the romance between Sarah and Niklas evolves, and how the faith element intertwines with the mythology and legend of Santa. The story has a lovely underlying Christian message that keeps the focus of Christmas on Jesus. I recommend Poles Apart to readers who enjoy fun and light hearted Christmas romance novellas set in exotic locations.
Poles Apart is currently available in the Snowflakes and Mistletoe box set on Amazon.com for 99 cents.
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.
Thanks for the great review, Narelle! This is a must read for me, as I love to read books where the main character is a writer. :)
I enjoyed this novella within the box set. Getting a feel for Lapland was a real treat! Good job, Marion!
Sounds like a great read. Thank you for the review!
I really enjoyed this one!
Love that the story has a Christian message that keeps the focus on Jesus. I am adding this to my “to read” list. :-) Merry Christmas!
Glad it’s on your TBR pile, Jill. Hope you enjoy it :)
Thanks, Valerie. It was fun researching Lapland and I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to do so. It’s not exactly the place someone from South Africa would go to on holiday, so it was a real treat and great experience and one I could not waste … it needed a story.
Hope you get to read it some time, Beth :)
Thanks, Katy. So glad you did.
Hope it’s not too far down in the TBR pile, Melissa :) May you have a blessed Christmas, too.
Love the premise! Haven’t read it yet, but can’t wait.
Nice post!
Hi Jill, I agree, it’s fun to read stories about writers. I can totally relate to Sarah’s deadline stress, lol. I hope you enjoy Poles Apart :)
Hi Valerie, I agree, the Lapland setting was fabulous! :)
Hi Beth, You’re very welcome, and I hope you’ll have an opportunity to read it :)
Hi Katy, I agree, and I read it all the way through in one sitting :)
Hi Melissa, I hope you’ll have a chance to read it soon :)
Hi Lee, I hope you’ll have a chance to read it this year :)
Thanks, Linda :) I’m glad you enjoyed it.
I would Enjoy reading Poles Apart!
Such a fun Christmas story – I loved it.
Hope you get to read it soon, Lee :)
Hope you get to read it, DK. I’m giving away a free copy to one lucky commenter on Inspy Romance today on my post, Walking in a Winter Wonderland.
Thanks, Ann. I had as much fun writing it. Glad you enjoyed reading Poles Apart :)
Thank you for the review of “Poles Apart”, it would be one I’d enjoy too! I may just have to go buy the entire boxed set so I can enjoy ALL of the stories :-)
Sounds good and I do have the box set it comes in. :)
Hi D, I hope you’ll have a chance to read it :)
Hi Ann, I totally agree! :)
Hi Trixi, You’re very welcome, and enjoy the box set! It’s a great deal :)
Hi Andrea, I started reading the Snowflakes and Mistletoe box set from the back. I don’t usually read box sets in alphabetical order, and I’ll need to decide which story to read next :)