The Neighbor and the Gifts
The Neighbor and the Gifts
Christmas … a time of found family and sacrificial rescue.
Christmas Cabin #2
Genre: Christmas historical romance with mystery
Formats Available: e-book, paperback
(ebook in Kindle Unlimited* from Sept-Dec)
*as an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases
$11.99
Twelve days. Twelve gifts. One unlikely hero.
Wisconsin, 1930—When Manitowish Waters librarian Olivia "Ollie" Larson finds a package on the library steps, she expects the children's books she ordered, not a love letter attached to a taxidermied partridge. By the fourth gift, disappearing to her grandfather's isolated cabin in the Northwoods is the only way she can escape her unknown, and unwelcome, suitor.
Doing his boss a favor shouldn't strand Deputy Titus Wilburn at the Yarwood cabin within days of Christmas, but slipping on a patch of ice while repairing the roof was not part of the plan. Laid flat on his back, there is no going ... anywhere. Not that he has anywhere to be or any family awaiting him, a situation the cabin's reclusive old neighbor solves by sending his pretty granddaughter to assist.
Ollie and Titus instantly recognize her grandfather's matchmaking scheme, but Titus has been secretly smitten with the reserved librarian since they attended school together. However, when she opens what she expects to be a thank-you gift from him, she discovers five golden rings. Despite being confined to bed, Titus determines to free Ollie from her stalker, a task that puts the enemy's sites trained directly on him.
One cabin in the Northwoods … a decade of Christmas miracles.
Read the Whole Series!
Prequel: The Sheriff and the Outlaw
Book One: The Baby and the Guardian
Book Two: The Neighbor and the Gifts
Book Three: The Robber and the Witness
Paula Shreckhise –
Based on The Twelve Days of Christmas with a sinister twist.
Ollie is a shy girl content to hide away in her job as a librarian in a small town in Wisconsin in 1930.
Now she has rwo admirers, one who scares her badly when she begins receiving gifts corresponding to the old Christmas song: The Twelve Days of Christmas. She cannot figure out who it might be. But deputy Titus, her other admirer and longtime friend, wants to protect her.
The author cleverly uses the song to depict a warped mind but shows us that with God’s help, justice prevails and true love wins out.
A skillfully written story that is perfect to read around Christmas time or even in the middle of Summer!
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*
Becky Lewis (verified owner) –
“‘You are my …’ Her voice trailed off as words jumbled on her tongue. Her friend. Her Hero. Her … True Love?”
Do you remember being very young and painfully shy around a handsome young man you wished would look at you with interest? I do! Poor Ollie ( short for “Olivia”) Larsen is 20 and the shy librarian in the 1930s Wisconsin town of Manitowish Waters. Thrilled to see her interest, deputy Titus Wilburn, out and about on a snowy December day, they awkwardly greet each other before Ollie totally embarrassed herself by falling on ice in front of Titus, an old schoolmate.
Refusing Titus’s offer of an escort back to the library, in seconds upon her arrival she wishes she had accepted. There, on the steps, is a dead bird with a note.
What should have been a joyful holiday for Ollie thus begins to slowly evolve into a nightmare as an unknown admirer sends her gifts corresponding to the “12 Days of Christmas” carol. Sheriff Yarwood( whom we met briefly two years ago in The Sheriff and the Outlaw and again in last year’s novella, The Baby and the Guardian) wisely puts Titus, who he knows has a crush on Ollie, in charge of the case.
As more gifts are left on successive days for Ollie, Titus and Ollie both realize that this is not your normal suitor. It is decided Ollie should visit her grandfather’s remote cabin in the mountains. “Right now, he is trying to win you over. But if he suffers from the delusion that I suspect he does, then if you decline his overtures, I worry that he will turn violent.” Titus will stay at the sheriff’s nearby cabin for protection.
I just love the meddlers in this story!! As her hermit grandfather Osborne tells a visiting Titus, “She needs someone to show her what True Love really is.”(Meddlers are always fun, if it’s someone else’s life!)
I love the scene and atmosphere that Grandinetti sets. I could very well imagine being back in time, first in the small town , then in the remote cabin, around Christmas time. I could feel the angst of both Titus and Ollie as they try to maneuver through those awkward first moments, then try to figure out where they stand in the other’s mind and heart. The mystery is well-done, and adds good tension to the story. I also enjoyed meeting Osborne, and getting to peak beyond his crustiness to his soft feelings for his granddaughter.
I heartily recommend this novella series! While this novella could be read alone, it’s better in sequence. I’ll be rereading this whole little series at Christmas time, because all the feels!!
I received a copy of the book from the author, but I also bought my own ecopy and a few paperbacks (this a series to share)! No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“This was the most awkward, horrible love triangle she could imagine.”
“But you’ve made me feel like a hero because of how you see me.”- Titus
“…Ollie’s voice, her closeness, were the best medicine. He had to get better soon so he could be the brawn to her beautifully brilliant brain.”
“…Agatha Christie, has a sleuth named Hercule Poirot and he puts great stock in his little gray cells.” “We are taking detective advice from a novel?” – Ollie, Titus