This is an absolute little gem of a story, and perfect for Christmas. It's a novelette, and would make a lovely read for a snowy evening with some hot chocolate to sip on while you read.

Reese Rubato is just shy of his sixth birthday, and looking forward to that happy day almost as much as Christmas itself. His mother died not long after his birth, and while his father has remarried and he loves his stepmom, Millie, he's starting to think more and more about his mother. What would it be like to celebrate Christmas with his real mom? Wouldn't it be even more special?

Reese is a charming boy with an active imagination and, in his own not-quite-six way, a strong sense of responsibility. His father, Gerry, and his stepmom, Millie, are loving and supportive, but they aren't quite keeping up with his active imagination at the moment. Saying more would mean spoilers, but this is a warm, delightful story.

Highly recommended.

I received a free electronic galley of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley. ( )

Please visit my blog for my review: Martin's View: A Winter Discovery. ( )

A winter Discovery by Michael Baron
Second book in the series: Gerry and his family. It's winter
almost Christmas and 6 year old Reese is very excited about
the presents Santa will bring. Now that they were a real
family things settled down some but Maureen's spirit was
always there in the house and in their hearts. Reese
wanted to make a frosty- a snowman that came to life so
they'd need the real parts in order for it happen. He
doesn't remember his mother but there are many pictures
around the house and things spark his interest in her. He
had a dream that the Polar express train to the North Pole
was going to stop and wait just a minute at his house to
pick him up so he quietly went to wait outside after getting
winter clothes on. He finds some magic thing with some of the
snow=it doesn't melt at all. It makes him think of his mother.
Tanya is home from college and enjoys the chats she has with
her dad while he's cooking and Reese fits right in there with
hugs for his sister. They get into the spirit by driving to a
real tree farm to select theirs and cut it down, decorate the
house and have music on just like his mom would've done. Must
be some kind of magic that nobody but Reese can see the
snowflakes that don't melt. Reese has a lot of questions
about the holiday TV shows when things just don't add up
for him... They finally get to decorate the family tree and
Reese's tree in his room. His real mother had left him a gift
that he will cherish... ( )

A WINTER DISCOVERY by Michael Baron
Published by The Story Plant
ISBN: 9781611880274
At the request of The Story Plant in partnership with Spread The Word Initiative, a Digital Edition was supplied, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.

Synopsis (borrowed from NetGalley): Returning to the characters of his first novel, When You Went Away, Baron takes us again into the world of Gerry Rubato, a man who has been marked by loss and revived by love, and his son Reese, now five, who celebrates life at a remarkable level but is only now starting to understand that he was robbed of the chance of ever knowing his mother. Reese is old enough now to get caught up in the excitement of the Christmas season and he throws himself into it with abandon. His sense of celebration takes on entirely new levels of meaning, though, when it leads him to an unexpected and most remarkable discovery.

At once buoyant and poignant, and filled with irrepressible spirit, A Winter Discovery is a story of that will take you to new places in your heart.

My Thoughts and Opinion: As the synopsis states, this is a sequel to When You Went Away, and you may have seen that I just posted my review of that book, however, I tend to disagree a little. This is a novella that has the same characters returning and focusing on the six year old child who was an infant when his mother died. It can definitely stand alone and will tug at every heart string. It's a Christmas story for adults that will warm and touch you so deeply that it's magical. No spoilers but a few sniffles. A perfect gift for a teacher, a neighbor, mail person who delivers our books year round, etc etc. It is a fast read, only 60 pages, but it is full of emotion, love, sentiment, feeling and tenderness that this book should be on everyone's book shelf to reread at this time of year. Highly recommend!!

My Rating: 5 ( )

A Winter Discovery
by Michael Baron
Published 11/15/2011
The Story Plant

RATING: 4 Stars

A Winter Discovery is a heartwarming short story about a little boy longing to share Christmas with someone close to his heart.

This story re-introduces characters from Michael Baron's previous book called When You Went Away. It's almost Christmas and Reese, who is six is like most children; beyond excited for the big day! The only thing missing for Reese is his Mom, who died shortly after his birth.

Sure, he still has his Dad, new stepmom and his older sister to love and support him as he grows, but Reese cannot help but wonder what it would have been like to celebrate just one Christmas with his Mom. It was after all, her favorite holiday.

Imaginative and active as six year old boys can me, this story is full of sweet antics and tender moments. It is a little gem that you are sure to enjoy during the holiday season. ( )