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| Nutcracker Christmas by Jennifer AlLee |
Nutcracker Christmas by Jennifer AlLee
Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels
Inspired by Jennifer's Grandparents!
Isabella Brandt finally gets her chance to dance as principle ballerina, Clara, in The Nutcracker ballet. The war has been over for a year and her fiancé presumed dead. Isabella is moving on with her life. Or is she? A handsome Hungarian violinist, Victor, makes her believe she can find love again. The two quickly "click" as soul mates. He's a thoughtful, intuitive man, especially where Isabella is concerned. When a startling event occurs, he is there steadfast as Isabella must make decisions about her future--a future that has changed. Heart warming with lovely characters and a compelling storyline. Highly recommend!
Don't miss out on the Author's Notes at the end of the novella! So sweet! Jennifer's real life grandmother was a ballerina and married a Hungarian violinist! Jennifer also has notes about the real Nutcracker ballet in San Francisco.
This novella is the sixth in the Christmas Traditions series. This is a quick read--you can get through it in an evening or afternoon and has a lovely happy-ever-after ending. If you love Christian historical romance you will enjoy this novella and the others in the series.
GIVEAWAY: We're giving away an ebook copy of Jennifer's Nutcracker Christmas to one of our commenters. Question: Do you go to see The Nutcracker performed by ballet at Christmas?
I have never seen a performance of The Nutcracker. I think it would be a great experience! Thank you, Carrie!
ReplyDeletemauback55 at gmail dot com
Wow, really, Melanie? We used to try to go regularly when my daughter was young. Then we had a bad experience where I'd paid a lot of money and we were disappointed by the performance of an elite ballet. You should go, though!
DeleteCARRIE, what a lovely review. The model on the cover favors my niece somewhat, so naturally I think it's a more than gorgeous cover!! lol I have NEVER been to a ballet! But I have watched them on tv. :)
ReplyDeleteYou are missing out, Diana! You need to take our Angel Sr. Reviewer to see it! Hugs!
DeleteSounds like a delightful Christmas story! I have never seen The Nutcracker performed in person. That would be a treat :) {{hugs}}
ReplyDeleteWe will be going this Christmas again. This is one of my gifts to my daughter, her boyfriend, and my MIL (and myself!)
DeleteWhat an amazing inspiration. I have only ever watched THE NUTCRACKER on television.
ReplyDeleteWe've seen so many lovely performances over the years and I've tried to collect Nutcracker Christmas ornaments for her.
DeleteAll of you must go to a Nutcracker Ballet!!! My youngest was a ballerina and she danced in the Nutcracker for years. The beauty of the Nutcracker is that the youngest students can participate and as they grow in their craft they go up the ranks with the various dances. We have a wonderful company in our town who brings in the professionals for the top spots and teaches the young women various parts so they can move up. Really . . . go!!! St. Augustine FL has a wonderful community participation Nutcracker, even the Mayor and his wife participate in the party scene! I wrote a little blurb on the Christ-likeness of the Nutcracker . . . purely my thoughts because as I sat I kept thinking of the Christian ballet company we were in previously and how people who come get the beauty and awe of the performers but not the message of Christ-mas . . . of course, the history of the original Nutcracker was much darker and Tchaikovsky didn't want to write the music but he did and it is beautiful. I even had to sing . . ."toostie little fruits so cute and sweet" . . . part of one of the songs for a college Christmas program : /. If you can't afford to go get a DVD from the library and watch that . . . beautiful! Love the Nutcracker! Can you tell?
ReplyDeleteWow, how nice to have your own child participating, Chris! That must have been special. I love seeing the little girls dancing and to see the different levels of expertise, too. Of course, watching those professionals coming in to dance the parts of the principles has been a special treat!
DeleteI don't go to the nutcracker every year, but I have been a couple of times. This sounds like a great book.
ReplyDeletesusanmsj at msn dot com
I have to admit that I've had a couple of bad Nutcracker experiences. The best ones were with my then-young daughter snuggling next to me! I don't think I'd go without her.
DeleteI've never been able to go see a production of the Nutcracker but I do love the music. This book sounds very good; I like it when authors give us some background to their inspiration for the story.
ReplyDeletepmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com
I thought that was really cool that Jennifer has that family history,too, Pam! I like that when there is a background.
DeleteI've never seen the nutcracker, nore do I ever want too! Lol I hate music played movies that have dancing it them. I would love to read the ebook
ReplyDeleteoh.hello.hiya@gmail.com
LOL! God made us all differently!
DeleteThanks for the wonderful review of "Nutcracker Christmas", Carrie!!
ReplyDeleteI loved this heart-warming story and it's even more touching knowing that Jennifer has a direct family connection to the story. This story shows us that sometimes what we think we want - really isn't what we want, or need, after all!! I loved learning more about the ballet and violin music (my father used to play one many years ago, before I was even old enough to remember it). I HAVE attended "The Nutcracker" ballet, but it has been many years and I would love to see it again!!
Shared post!!
TY, Bonnie! My father played violin and was even offered a scholarship at Michigan's prestigious Interlochen. But his father had him sell it and get a rifle. Dad had to help hunt during the Depression for meat for the table. May have saved his life in WWII and that of others as he became a sharp shooter. But I think it's sad. I can't be too sad though, because I'm happy to be here and maybe I wouldn't have been had he continued with his violin playing!
DeleteCarrie, thank you for another wonderful review! This sounds like a wonderful book!!! I have never been to the nutcracker either! I would love to go sometime. I have watched it on TV and liked it and I think it would be the experience of a lifetime to go in person... especially at one of the big venues in New York City! A trip with the family is definitely on my bucket list!
ReplyDeleteMy email address is cspicuzza83@gmail.com.
Thank you again for the chance to win! You know how much I love reading and reviewing books Carrie!!!
What is funny is how the most expensive production by the most famous ballet was our least enjoyed Nutcracker, Christina! Most companies fly in principles from big city companies and there is a lot of joy with the children--this is the culmination of their work in ballet and their enthusiasm shows.
DeleteThanks for the inspiring review Carrie! I hope to read this one over the Christmas season! My eldest daughter did ballet when young and we saw a few ballets together, the best one being Swan Lake. Never did get to see The Nutcracker, although I would to experience that! :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Carrie. Good job on this review. I thought it was neat about Jennifer's mother doing ballet at one time and a violin player. I have never been to see it. I don'y get too excited in Musicals for it messes with my movie I am watching, but this would be different. I would like to go just once. But, don't expect it to happen. They have been advertising it on TV for it's almost time for the one they have every year in Houston. I don't have Jennifer's book yet so would love to win.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance my OWG girls. Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Most all of us have so very much to be thankful for regardless of our situation now. Hello to all of the others too. Maxie
> mac262(at)me(dot)com <
I haven't went but I've seen it on television :) sounds like a great story.. dkstevensne AT outlook DOT Com
ReplyDeleteIt really blesses me that there are Authors such as yourself that choose to write as they feel led by the Lord. I love reading Christian Historical Fiction! And, each book that I read "speaks" to me!
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