Snowdrop Dreams, Cherry Thumbprint Screams

Snowdrop Dreams, Cherry Thumbprint Screams by Kimberly Baer is part of the Christmas Cookies releases. I enjoyed this novella. The storyline ran smoothly and the characters were realistic. The young boy in the story was lucky to be helped by the heroine, Annie Barkley. I wasn't expecting the story to end the way it did but I was happy with it.

What would you do if you found a child hiding in your attic? Would you change your mind if you found out that the child was hiding from a terrifying life? Annie Barkley has just this decision to make and she does what she must to not only save the child, but herself.

This novella packs so much in it that I almost forgot it was a short book. You’ll feel the fear and the love as you read this one…and like me, wish for more. LOVED IT!

Annie Barkley discovers that a young boy has been sneaking in to her shop in this pleasant holiday romance. The cookies in her shop are disappearing overnight and the young boy, who she calls Jonah, is living in the attic. Bringing him to her home she slowly learns his story, the abuse he encountered and what happened to his mother. She knows that she should tell Sam Stern, a Fairport police officer and friend from years ago, but she is aware of the danger that the boy is facing. What will happen when the man, that the boy fears, arrives searching for him? An unusual story line, as Annie’s heart is touched by Jonah who reminds her of the son she lost eleven years ago, a son who would have been the same age as this boy. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

Annie runs a small cookie store, and she also has a house that’s isolated on the edge of town. Eleven years ago, she lost her baby in an accident caused by her ex-husband. Cookies start disappearing overnight from her shop and she sets a trap to catch the culprit. When she finds a starving eleven-year-old frightened boy, what else can she do but help him? Even if it means breaking the law and facing down her old heart-throb, Sam? The boy—Benjie—looks so much like what her son would have looked like at that age, she has to help him. Sam’s marriage broke up because his wife lied to him. What’s going to happen when he finds out about the lies Annie has told him?

The ending was not what I expected, but it is a satisfying ending. And a good one that works well for the story. Triggers: abuse, murder, death of an unborn child.

Recommendation: This is a short, quick read with a satisfying ending. Recommended with the above trigger caveats.

Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for an exchange for an honest review.

Very interesting, great read.

A gripping story of a woman, Annie who has a small cookie store. Annie has lost her child in an accident caused by her ex husband. When she discovers her cookie theif is an 11 year old boy the story gets really intriguing. Lies, situations and life make this a compelling quick read. Thanks #netgalley and #TheWildRosePressInc for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

"Snowdrop Dreams, Cherry Thumbprint Screams" is a gripping mystery by Kimberly Baer. This novella cries out to be a made for television movie! It's heart wrenching and beautiful all rolled up into one. It's sold as a adult story, however except for a few brief scenes and light foul language it reads like a young adult book.

Annie Barkley age thirty-two owns the "Cookie Haven" bakery where cookies mysteriously go missing. Annie soon finds out that a terrified young boy (Benjie) has been hiding in the attic of the store and is in grave danger. Annie knows morally she should report this to her childhood friend Sam Stern (a well respected police office). However, given the complicated circumstances how can Annie be sure that Sam can really protect the boy?

Thank you NetGalley and The Wild Rose Press, Inc. For this e-book in exchange for my review.

An interesting novella, starts out with Annie finding someone is stealing cookies from her shop. When she finds a 12 year old boy, starving and in need of help, she takes him home to feed and cloth him. The general idea is good, but struggled a bit with the rushing around in the middle. Scared boy, with good reason, and overly emotional woman, needs a bit more to grab me. Kept interest to find out the ending though, so would recommend if you want a quick holiday read.

As part of the Christmas Cookies collection of Novellas, Kimberly Baer's Snowdrop Dreams, Cherry Thumbprint Screams is a well-written story that starts out with the owner of a cookie store, Annie Barkley, discovering that cookies have been disappearing at night when the store is closed.

The story captivates the reader by detailing the steps that Annie takes to determine the identity of the thief who is an eleven year old boy named Benji. Coupled with excellent character development and in-depth descriptions of the histories of both Annie and Benji, the author makes this story into a must read book. This book also provides a brief glimpse into the world of domestic abuse and the damage that is left behind.

I received a copy of this e-book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is well written and the characters are described well. I absolutely adored Annie, Sam, and Benjie's characters. It has a very big twist you wouldn't see coming. It is a quick and great read. It will keep your attention from the first page. This ebook is in stores for $2.99 (USD). So if you guys have not read this book yet go get your hands on it right now.

Annie never recovered of having lost her baby during her pregnancy because of a car accident, so when she discovers a mute boy hidden in her attic she makes transference, and she decides to keep him for a few days till she figures things out. I liked that she wonders if it’s wise.

The romance side is in the background. Annie and Sam knew each other when they were teens, each had an unconfessed crush for the other, and I’m always skeptical about feelings that come back as fast and strong so many years later. What’s more each comes with issues, and because of that Sam reacts badly when he finally learns Annie hid the boy’s presence to him. Fortunately it’s a novella, so the misunderstanding doesn’t last.

Mots of the story is about the relation between Annie and the boy, we see how little by little he trusts her enough to tell what happened to him. I must say I didn’t expect the ending chosen by the author, but it’s logical. And as it’s a suspense story, there’s a bi action scene realistic and well written.

All in all I liked this story that is pleasant and nicely fits the format.

I really liked this story set in Pennsylvania around the holidays. Someone is stealing cookies from Annie Barkley's cookie shop but who? I really enjoyed the character development, and could see this story actually happening in real life. I hope Annie and Sam get a HEA.

I received an e-ARC of this book by the author and publishing via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

This story was just OKAY for me. I feel like there wasn’t enough background information for the characters to really build a case for the love outcome. It seems very rushed and therefore I didn’t really connect with the characters and what is happening in the story.

Snowdrop Dreams, Cherry Thumbprint Screams
By KIMBERLY BAER

Anne Barkley discovers a runaway boy living in her attic. She lost a son 11 years ago.

This was a very light cosy, but enjoyable. Some romance. A very bad stepfather. The characters were notable. I recommend this book.

A detailed story of a woman named Annie who has a little cookie store. Annie had lost her child in an accident caused by her ex. When she learns her cookie thief is an 11 yr old boy the story gets really compelling. Lies situations and life make this a compelling quick read.