Silver Bells: a Rivers End Romance Novella (Isaac+Jenna) (The MacAllisters of Rivers End Book 1)

Jenna was taking time to get away from celebrating Christmas after spending years working her website daily that promoted every part oof the holiday celebration. Her goal was to help people have the Christmas she dreamed of as a child and never had. Exhausted after her years of work and families issues, she sold her business and website and just wanted to get away from it all. Jenna's plan for Christmas was a secluded cabin in Rivers End, away from family problems and Christmas. What she didn't know was Christmas would follow her through a sweet little girl and the father that would take her heart and give her a place to call home. Well written. This story is a sweet holiday story, that's not just romance that will win your heart, as they face their past, and let their hearts open to the future. I celebrated with the characters, as they gave of themselves to making the best possible Christmas for the little girl, and I got to take this holiday journey with them.

This is a standalone read that has a HEA. it is part of a series and even though it ends with a good ending there are questions unanswered and obviously the main characters will play a part in future books. a young woman plans to spend the Christmas holiday in a cabin in the middle of nowhere. She has had enough of Christmas and just wants to get away. Her cabin is all it was advertised to be and she spends her first evening soaking in the hot tub on the deck. A knock at the door disturbs her but as she opens the door a gorgeous outdoor man is standing there. She may just change her plans to spend the time alone. The hunk is the owner of the lodge. He is divorced with a young daughter. He has no contact with his ex-0wife and she has no part in her daughter's life. Her time in the cabin quickly becomes a little smothering. Deciding to take a walk on one of the trails she trips and messes up her knee. And the story takes off from there. There is a bit of drama with a rogue brother on her side and a disgruntled sister on his side. It makes for an interesting Christmas dinner. It is a quick read with interesting characters, a cute kid, and a bit of romance. One reviewer was turned off by the sex but there really wasn't that much that I can remember. It wasn't even that graphic. But everyone sees things differently. I would certainly recommend it for an easy read. I was not paid for this review. I am not a writer nor do I know one. I am not kin to this author. I am a reader and this is my opinion, nothing more, nothing less. 12/15/17.

This is mostly sweet and clean novella. This is the entry episode of both the MacAllisters series and the River’s End Christmas. It is a fast and pleasant read. There is just enough cute, romance and angst to make a nice and believable story. I will read more of this author’s work.

I always love holiday books, and there are so many out there to choose from. It is a sweet romance with two lovable main characters. The dialogue is not particularly unique or interesting but it is a good read. The plot was predictable but most of these types of books are. I did feel a little bit let down, as it really seemed like you were expected to buy the next book for a true resolution. The book does show a great deal of work and dedication.

Silver Bells has it all! The story is very funny but also has a lot of heart. You will warm up to the characters just like you are standing in front of the fire in the lodge at Rivers End. I loved all of the lead character Jenna's side observations, self-depredation and especially her loose lips when she was under sedation. But I don't want any spoilers here. It is fun to see the female character in a serious state of lust rather than the reverse. And Isaac's daughter, Sara, is lively and fun; just what Jenna needs to find the perfect family Christmas for the first time in her life. Rivers End, a small town on Vancouver Island, Canada, it a great setting for a Christmas novella. You will want to read the other stand-alone novels set in Rivers End next!

This had most of the bells and whistles I look for in my books. Isaac runs an escape from reality type place one could say. Isolated out in the woods,secluded cabins. At least this is what Jenna has in mind when she, in an attempt to escape her normal hectic life style. She has just sold her business and drives to Rivers End. Than she meets Isaac let's just their first meet was hysterical. Not only did Jenna have pillow hair but in the spirit of the season a pair of festive flannel PJ's. You have to read that for yourself. I found this on the freebie list and it was time well spent. I wouldn't call this one a steamy romance but a clean, heart warming romance. Isaac is a man once burnt and left with a 6 year old daughter, Sara. She is a nice touch to the story for me because she brings in the spirit of the holiday and oh when Isaac's family arrives Sara's real Christmas wish had me rolling. So true to how a child can be so innocent and honest without realizing what the full extent of their words meant. It was a delight from start to finish and left me curious to what Tipsy (Book 2) has in store for us. This could be a standalone with our couple willing to pursue a relationship. I'm not clear if it is focused on Isaac, Jenna and Sara or Lucas. Lucas is uncle to Sara and also brother to the woman who abandoned Sara and cheated on Isaac. He is not a popular fellow among Isaac's sisters, but I have a feeling there is something there between him and Shannon. Enjoy!

Small town, single dad meets woman in a well earned vacation looking for family and meaning (even if she doesn't quite realize it). Sometimes it's nice to read stories that don't revolve around a sexual connection. This is a short read, a feel good Christmas story you can easily finish on a snowy winter afternoon. The only thing that would make it better would be to turn it into a full length novel that allows space to expand the characters and the subplots.

Silver Bells: Rivers End Romance: The McAllisters Book 1 is by CJ Hunt. This is the start of a great series and one which keeps your attention. Jenna Murphy had come to this cabin to put Christmas behind her. She had just sold her online site which pictured something to do with Christmas for 365 days. She was simply tired of Christmas. Jenna had started the site in an attempt to do those things the normal family did for Christmas but now she was replete. A warm fire, wine, and reading in the hot tub. It started to be a dream come true. Her dream turns to dust when she enters a room filled with Christmas decorations. Obviously, someone wants to make sure she doesn’t miss it. An accident, a power outage, a precocious young lady, and a thief of a brother all conspire to make Jenna’s dream vacation something that doesn’t happen. Let the fun begin.

One of the best books I've read in a while I love the love unexpected family drama the character and the love and tradition in the story it was like you were right there watching from afar

En este caso no tenemos ningún protagonista poseído por el espíritu del Grinch. Simplemente, Jenna, la protagonista, ha tenido suficiente de navidad en los últimos tiempos porque llevaba una web navideña que tras años de duro trabajo acaba de vender. Con los beneficios espera conseguir una nueva y mejor vida y, entretanto, ha decidido darse un respiro y alejarse de todo lo remotamente parecido a las navidades familiares que su web promulgaba. Isaac y su pequeña hija son todo espíritu navideño y calor familiar, todo lo que Jenna siempre ha echado en falta durante las fiestas a causa de su peculiar (y desestructurada) familia. Atracción muy natural, momentos divertidos, mucha purpurina y un escenario perfecto de cabañas pintorescas y nieve a raudales. Una lectura ideal para la temporada prenavideña. Muy recomendable.

Extremely interesting soft romantic book.. ideal for a Christmas evening. Tells the story of a person trying to escape Christmas.

I’m going to be honest – I don’t like Christmas. Oh, good, the world didn’t come to an end. I was enamoured with it as a child, of course, but things changed as I grew up. The fact the whole religious story was being overwhelmed by crass commercialism was bad enough, but people spending tons of money buying gifts didn’t appeal to me. I felt like we, as a society, were missing many of the important points. Then my best friend died on Christmas Day. That pretty much did me in. “Jenna Murphy had one goal for this holiday season - to enjoy ten days of a completely Christmas-free existence.” That’s MY girl! Get away from it all and soak in the hot tub. This is why I love Jenna Murphy. She arrives at the Big River Lodge with the express purpose of avoiding Christmas and all things holiday-related. And she’s earned that break – 1,825 posts in 1,825 days about Christmas? What started out as a labour of love, became a source of income and, eventually, a successful business she was able to sell. OMG, I would have run screaming long before she did. That being said, she’s landed on her feet after having walked away – she just needs to figure out what she wants to do next. She has purchased a condo in Vancouver and is planning to settle there after the holidays. She is also hiding out in the cabin in the woods on Vancouver Island to get away from family. Some of us have those relatives who we go out of the way to avoid. Again, she’s a woman after my own heart. As we know, things don’t always go the way we had planned. The owner of the lodge is Isaac MacAllister. He’s a loving dad who cares for his young daughter and the best way for him to do that is by working and living in the same place. The property enables him to be close to his daughter Sara, and he has a family who supports them. He’s a good host, and showing up on Jenna’s doorstep the day after she arrived with breakfast was just part of the good service. Her choice of pyjamas? Well, he’s intrigued, that’s for sure. And Jenna is quickly taken by the handsome man who is so protective of his daughter, willing to put her first. Circumstances force Jenna, Sara, and Isaac into close circumstances. As someone who lives away from the big city and knows British Columbia’s woods often have storms that take out the power – I understood this problem. Jenna did do one very irresponsible thing and although there was a good excuse, I cringed. It was great for the plot, but didn’t speak much for her intelligence and common sense. That being said…yeah, I might have done the same thing. It is noted, that Jenna “was stubborn, not stupid”. I liked that she was able to own up to making mistakes. Of course Jenna, Isaac, and Sara spend Christmas together and Jenna even stays on long enough to meet the rest of the family – including Sara’s uncle Lucas. He had known about his sister’s infidelity, but had held his tongue to save Isaac from being hurt. Even now, four years later, he is still paying for that mistake. Isaac’s sister Shannon is hell-bent on making his life miserable, but he is dedicated to being close to his niece and rebuilding his friendship with Isaac. This novella is Book 1 of The MacAllisters of River’s End, a series I look forward to delving into. I adore that these books are set in beautiful British Columbia, showing off the amazing Canadian wilderness as well as the small-town friendliness. The question is – will Jenna choose to turn away from the big-city to live the simple life? Well, if there’s Internet, there’s a chance, right? Suzanne T. Fortin is a new narrator to me, but I was impressed. There are a lot of interior monologues and I never had trouble distinguishing between what was being said inside the character’s head and what was being uttered aloud. Her voice for Sara was perfect and she gave Eli the perfect sleazy voice. My only gripe – and it is small – is that the point of view changes quite frequently, even within a scene. What I am incredibly grateful for, however, is that Suzanne paced the narrative in such a way that the pause was always there, letting me know a change was coming. Too often, narrators negate that pause and I, as a listener, am scrambling to figure out whose head I am in. This is a great first novella and I am so excited to hear more.

Great little read ,just right for Christmas or indeed anytime. Happy ending and lots of seasonal delights for you to enjoy.