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Christmas Stranger
Manufacturer: Marion K. Bullock
ISBN: 978-1-936000-46-3
Length:
Short Novel
Category:
Inspirational
Sub-Category:
Historical
Rating:
Sweet
Photography/Artwork:
Jenifer Ranieri
Release Date:
December 2009
Price: $4.99
$4.99 EPUB
$4.99 HTML
$4.99 PRC
$4.99 PDF
$4.99 LIT
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Melinda Jane Frazier, postmistress and farmer in Primrose, Missouri, accepts her single state. But her quiet existence changes overnight when strangers arrive during a blizzard. She hefts Papa's old rifle from the gun rack, cocks it and cracks the door open.
She opens her home to Zeke, a widower, and his young son Timothy. They fill her heart with unexpected Christmas cheer. Though Zeke insists he's a drifter, Melinda begins to hope he'll change. How can she bear to return to the lonely life she knew before Zeke drifted to her door?
EXCERPT
Timothy danced around the room. "I've got something for you. Wait here." He zipped into his room and returned, hands held behind his back. He handed her a card. "I wanted to give you flowers, but there weren't any -- so I drew some."
A line of purple flowers staggered across the card. Under the blossoms, he'd printed I love you. Timothy.
Tears pooled in Melinda's eyes and she hugged him. She looked around to see Zeke's reaction, but he'd left the room. Maybe the moment was too sentimental for him. Or maybe she read too much of the Bible to suit him.
"Do you like it?" Timothy's eyes were bright, eager.
"Oh, thank you, Timothy. I love it." She wiped her sleeve across her eyes. "I have something for you, too, and for your pa." She heard the door close and saw Zeke walk back inside, with his hands behind his back. Thank goodness he wasn't upset by the Christmas spirit. What was he up to?
"Timothy, stop jumping around and come sit down. I've got something for you," Zeke said. He handed Timothy a box. When he opened it, Zeke started mooing and hee-hawing and making every different animal noise he could think of.
"Oh, Miss Melinda, look! Pa made 'em out of wood." Timothy's eyes shone with wonder. He jumped up and hugged Zeke. "Thanks, Pa. They're better than anything." He started marching them across the floor. "Here's Hotey and Bob and Becky and Brownie and Tiger. I love 'em, Pa!" Melinda pulled out two paper-wrapped packages. She handed one to each of them. "Just something I knitted," she said.
Timothy pulled out a blue cap and matching mittens. "Wow. Thanks, Miss Melinda. That's my favorite color."
Zeke pulled out a brown, orange and gold muffler and wrapped it around his neck. "Thanks, Linda. That oughta keep me warm."
"Glad you like it." She started for the kitchen. Folks needed to be fed, even on Christmas day.
"Wait a minute." Zeke pulled her back to the parlor. "I have something for you." He handed her a paper-wrapped package.
"A star. It's beautiful." She rubbed her hands over the satiny finished wood, beautifully handcrafted like all Zeke's creations.
"It's a barn star. I've seen 'em on barns all across the country. People fasten them to their barns for good luck or just to look purty." He grinned. "I can put it on the front of your barn if you want."
"I do. But I don't want it for good luck. I see it as a sign pointing to God. Like the star that led the wise men to Bethlehem."
Timothy appeared at her elbow. "Miss Melinda, what's this?" He held out a clump of mistletoe that he must have found on one of her trees.
"Mistletoe."
He darted a glance at Zeke, who was standing close. He pulled out a chair and climbed on it. Before Melinda knew what was happening, Timothy held the sprig over her head. "Come on, Pa."
Zeke grinned, leaned over and planted a kiss on her mouth. It started out light as a feather, but deepened, until Melinda realized she must break the embrace. Timothy shot her an anxious glance and she knew what he must be hoping, because she was, too.
She knew Zeke didn't want marriage and a settled life. But she couldn't help dreaming, could she?
"A Christmas Stranger is a tale of one man's wanderings leading him to a woman who has almost given up on love. Zeke has always moved from one place to another with his little boy, never expecting to stay more than a couple days. I loved that Melinda took these two in not knowing for sure if they will hurt her or not. These three were so great with each other to the point where you will cry at certain points and root for them at others. You will also want to give Zeke a hit upside the head so that he gets a bit of common sense. A really great read."
Melinda - Night Owl Reviews
Rating=4.25 out of 5 Hearts
"Christmas Stranger by Marion Kelley Bullock is a wonderful, gentle western historical, written in a style which reminds me of Catherine Anderson. The reader is quickly transported back in time and quickly achieves a real sense of the community, time and place...When you need a break from the upcoming busy holiday season, set aside a couple of hours and settle in to enjoy the heart-warming Christmas Stranger.
Kara - Fallen Angel Reviews
Rating = 5 Angels
"What a sweet and tender story about love, faith, and family. This is a great feel good read for anytime not just the holidays. Likeable characters in an entertaining read what more can you ask for? Go grab a copy."
Matilda - Coffee Time Romance and More
Rating = 4 Cups
"CHRISTMAS STRANGER combines the magic of the Holidays with the enchantment of finding true love... Bullock¿s use of verse and prayer in a truly God-fearing, caring community, teach the true meaning of faith. CHRISTMAS STRANGER beautifully demonstrates the wonder and meaning of the Season, and it will be impossible to finish this novel without discovering that your own spirit has been revived."
Audrey Johnson - Romance Junkies
Rating = 4 Blue Ribbons
Amazon Readers say...
"Christmas Stranger is "sweet" for romance readers with Zeke and Melinda exchanging longing glances and a gentle kiss. Overall, "Christmas Stranger" is a tender, inspirational read that will warm the reader's heart.
~ Steph
~ Rating = 4 Stars
"Lovely background descriptions evoke a wonderful sense of the place, and of holiday sentiments. Melinda’s cooking, and discussion of the menu items (fried chicken and the like) enhance the down-home feel... overall charm and wonderful warmhearted characters make this a very enjoyable read. Not to mention, the simply charming cover suits it perfectly. I give this four books."
Snapdragon - Long and Short Reviews
Rating = 4 Books
"I'm so glad that I bought "Christmas Stranger". It was my first purchase for my new Kindle. I enjoyed reading this wonderful western historical. Marion Kelley Bullock's characters, Melinda, Zeke and Timothy have a certain depth of character that is fulfilling. The book contains a portrayal of a heartwarming community of friends and a wonderful feel of the period. I will definitely read future books by this author."
~ Diane Craver - Author of Whitney in Charge and Marrying Mallory
~ Rating = 5 Stars
"Marion did a great job of portraying three distinct and likable personalities. She also did a great job of portraying unlikable personalities, but I'll let that be a surprise. Another aspect I enjoyed was the sense of community in this book. I felt like I was living in Prairie Hill in the 1800s, and experiencing all the town events right along with the characters." ~
Shawna Williams, author of No Other, In All Things and Orphaned Hearts
Rating = 5 Stars
"I loved this book. This story gave me such a warm, cozy feeling as I read it. I love stories like this where I can curl up on the couch and read contentedly... I would recommend this book with no hesitation."
Barb -- Night Owl Reviews
Rating = 4.5 Stars
A Night Owl Reviews Top Pick!!!
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