Once Upon a Winter's Heart

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.

“"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!"”

"A sweet, quick read that celebrates love's beginnings as well the spirit of Valentine's Day." "Serena Chase, USAToday.com"" "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""" "Robin Jones Gunn, bestselling author of "Sisterchicks in Gondolas""" "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""" "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""" "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""" "Once again Carlson touches the heart in this sweet, hopeful story of love finally found." ""RT Book Reviews," starred review""

Over the years, Melody Carlson has worn many hats, from pre-school teacher to youth counselor to political activist to senior editor. But most of all, she is a writer who loves to write! She is a bestselling and award-winning author of more than 200 books for children, teens, and adults - with sales totaling more than five million. Carlson's passion for 'true to life' fiction has had great success for both the young adult and women's markets. Informed and aware of the challenges and struggles facing teens today, she writes young adult novels that she hopes will change lives and women's fiction to which women of all ages can relate. Her popular series, Diary of a Teenage Girl (Multnomah), has sold more than 600,000 copies and her popular Christmas novellas have sold over 250,000 copies combined. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband. They enjoy skiing, hiking, gardening, camping and biking in the beautiful Cascade Mountains.

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.

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