On tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club - Fair Mountain Christmas (Heartwarming Christmas) by Heidi Eljarbo #BookReview #BlogTour #CoffeePotBookClub @HeidiEljarbo @maryanneyarde

 I am so excited to share my review of Fair Mountain Christmas (Heartwarming Christmas) by Heidi Eljarbo. Thank you to The Coffee Pot Book Club for your invite to take part in the tour. 

Fair Mountain Christmas

(Heartwarming Christmas)

By Heidi Eljarbo

Nostalgia and Christmas miracles burn bright in this uplifting and heartwarming story about new beginnings and falling in love under a blanket of stars.

Fair Mountain, December 1972.

A few days before Christmas, Juni’s editor gives her a writing assignment that throws her far outside her comfort zone. She and her terrier, Leo, retreat to her grandparents’ old cabin in the Norwegian mountains in hopes of inspiration. But the trip turns into a heart-wrenching and emotionally challenging encounter. 

Memories of Juni’s childhood seep in as soon as she enters the cabin, and as for the writing assignment…what does she know about what children need for Christmas?

Juni’s focus changes when handsome Henry Norheim from Moose Lodge down the hill unex-pectedly shows up outside her cottage door. His dedication to family, traditions, and Christmas celebration is contagious, but for Juni, coming out of her lonely shell is easier said than done.

As Juni’s deadline draws closer, and the snowflakes softly swirl down on Fair Mountain, she has to face up to her past, open her heart, and dare to take a step forward.

Will the miracle of Christmas live up to its promise of hope, goodwill, and love this year?

I am the kind of person who gets into the Christmas spirit far too early in the year. I start counting down the weeks, and my present buying sometimes starts in September. So, although this review will go out in December, I actually read the book in October. And, as I’m writing this, I’m wondering if my husband (the Grinch) would let me put some tinsel up on the mantlepiece. My bets are on no!

When Juni is given an assignment from her editor, she doesn’t want to take on the piece. She doesn’t know what five things children need for Christmas, not having any herself and not spending much time around children. But, when she learns of the stakes, that the success of this piece could be the make or break of the newspaper, Juni begrudgingly agrees to write it. Packing up some things, Juni and her dog, Leo, head up to her family’s cottage at Fair Mountain, where Juni hopes she can finally find some inspiration for the article.

She arrives at the cottage to find it warm, and the fridge already stocked. With the feeling of uncertainty surrounding her, Juni relies on her big softy of a dog to protect her should anyone have a key to the cottage and wish to pay a visit in the middle of the night. And yet, she doesn’t meet anyone until the next morning, and when she does, it is not the kind of man who would wish her any harm. Henry Norheim’s family own Moose Lodge, and she knew him from childhood. As he explains the state of the house, once again giving her the feeling of safety, Juni finds herself start to relax a little, and certainly, Henry draws her eye.

This book is the perfect depiction of what Christmas is all about. It is not about presents (although the children I buy presents for may tell you differently), but about the experiences and memories you create as the holiday season surrounds you. There are some traditions that simply cannot be overlooked, and they are what make the time of year so magical.

In my house, the lead up to Christmas includes listening to Mariah Carey and Wham, eating chocolate and making messes in the kitchen as we try to make cute Christmassy biscuits. At the start of this book, the author says about how this story comes from a place in her heart, with the traditions and the memories ones that she has lived as a child. I think reading that made this book seem even more magical to me, because it is not just a story, it is an experience that the author has been kind enough to share with us. 

As Juni tries to write her article, she slowly, with the help of Henry, remembers what Christmas is about. It isn’t about stressing about work, forcing yourself to get things done and panicking as the big day creeps closer and closer, and you still have so much to do. It’s about letting go, and making those memories that will be precious enough to you that you will remember for the rest of your life. I loved Henry, and as he helps to show Juni what Christmas is really about, they grow closer and Juni can’t help but feel something towards him. After all, what could be more magical than Christmas and love combined?

I do not know much about Norwegian Christmas traditions, as it is a subject I have never felt the need to research, but after reading this book, I would very much like to experience a Norwegian Christmas. My household has definitely fallen under the spell of Christmas being about one day, that we all count down to, and then once that day is over, everything is finished and we can move on to waiting for the New Year. We eat a big meal, watch movies, and then eat more chocolate. This book, though, shows that Christmas is not about that one day, it is about the togetherness, the joy, the laughter. It is about spending time with the ones you love, and making other people smile. And, more importantly, it’s about eating lots and lots of cookies!

My husband just walked into the room, and I have Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree playing in the background as I write this. He gave me the most disappointed look he could possibly muster, and walked out of the room again, closing the door behind him so he couldn’t hear it. Somehow, I don’t think he’s going to bring me a cup of tea. Maybe I’ll make some hot chocolate and try my hand at gingerbread. He might not like that gingerbread is associated with Christmas, but he is certainly fond of eating it! He is the Henry of my household – we have to watch him around the biscuits!

 I received my copy from The Coffee Pot Book Club but you can grab your from Amazon. And check this out, if you subscripts to #KindleUnlimited you can grab your copy for free. Now, that's a present under the tree worth having!!!

Heidi Eljarbo

Heidi Eljarbo is the bestselling author of historical fiction and mysteries filled with courageous and good characters that are easy to love and others you don't want to go near.

Heidi grew up in a home filled with books and artwork and she never truly imagined she would do anything other than write and paint. She studied art, languages, and history, all of which have come in handy when working as an author, magazine journalist, and painter.

After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She and her husband have a total of nine children, thirteen grandchildren—so far—in addition to a bouncy Wheaten Terrier.

Their favorite retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summertime and ski the vast, white terrain during winter.

Heidi’s favorites are family, God's beautiful nature, and the word whimsical.

Social Media Links:

Website • Newsletter • Twitter • Facebook • LinkedIn • Instagram • Pinterest • BookBub • Amazon Author Page • Goodreads

Tour Schedule