Sleigh Bells in the Snow (O'Neil Brothers, #1)

by Sarah Morgan

Sarah Morgan puts the magic in Chrismas" - Now Magazine - Kayla Green's Christmas Survival Strategy! Once upon a time, Christmas was Kayla Green's favourite time of the year. Then family heartbreak shattered that fairytale.

Now all marketing expert Kayla wants for Christmas is for it to be over - as fast as possible! So spending the holidays working to put a family resort called Snow Crystal on the map, is a dream come true. Jackson O'Neil left a thriving business behind to return home and salvage Snow Crystal - it's in his blood, and he'll never turn his back on it. Now he's got Kayla Green working with him, success is on the horizon. The fact they strike enough sparks off each other to power all the Christmas lights in the town is just an added bonus! Kayla might be an expert at her job, but she's out of her depth with Jackson - he makes her crave the happy-ever-after she once dreamt of, and it's terrifying. As the snowflakes continue to fall, will the woman who doesn't believe in the magic of Christmas finally fall under its spell..?

THE O'NEIL BROTHERS TRILOGY

Book 1 - Sleigh Bells in the Snow

Book 2 - Suddenly Last Summer - available July 2014

Book 3 - Maybe This Christmas - available October 2014

• ISBN10: 1460320999
• ISBN13: 9781460320990
• Publish Date: 1 November 2013 (first published 1 January 2013)
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Hqn
• Format: eBook
• Language: English

Reviews

[Nicole Lynn]

Review to come!

--
UPDATE: Finally posting the review from my blog :)

This review was previously posted on my blog, PopCrunchBoom Books

Sleigh Bells in the Snow by Sarah Morgan follows Kayla Green, a Marketing/Public Relations expert whose quickly climbing the ranks at her company. Her latest assignment: Snow Crystal Resort & Spa. Just in time for Christmas, this newest assignment is just what workaholic Kayla needs! No more pretending to smile at the office or having to deal with all the Christmas festivity. Kayla can escape into her work. Then Snow Crystal client, Jackson O’Neil, suggests Kayla spend the week at the resort to get the right feel of the place before putting a media plan together. Kayla can’t wait to hop on the plane to escape the holidays. Time alone in a deserted upscale cabin is just what she wants! But Kayla soon learns to be careful what she wishes for as she begins to realize she hasn’t really escaped Christmas at all. Add in the large attraction for Jackson and dealing with his somewhat intimidating family and Kayla is full of distractions and wishing she was back locked away in her NYC office. But then she starts warming up to the O’Neil family, Snow Crystal and even Jackson. Now maybe she doesn’t want to escape Christmas at all?

Sleigh Bells was an adorable read and perfect for getting me into the holiday spirit. Morgan did a great job of creating her characters and bringing her readers into the Snow Crystal world. By the end of the book, I was wishfully thinking of staying at the resort (every girl needs some R&R and wintertime fun, am I right?!). I fell in love with the O’Neil family and their various personalities. I cannot wait to explore more of this family in Morgan’s later books.

The two main character, Kayla and Jackson, were written well. Kayla had a larger growth arc to complete versus Jackson, but readers are able to see both evolutions and progressions within the novel. Kayla was easy to connect with once you realized her Christmas-hating reasons and started seeing her non-workaholic side. Sometimes, I did want to shake her though. She seemed so caught up in the past, but I can see how that had become a habit–and those can be hard to break. Jackson was a more likable character for me in the beginning, but he also had his flaws. He seemed to butt heads with his family all the time, specifically his grandfather, Walter. However, seeing how his character’s interactions with his family progressed and changed throughout the novel was one of my favorite things about this story. Overall both Kayla and Jackson were great characters: believable, funny and full of mutual attraction ;)

Morgan does a wonderful job of weaving romance and the power of Christmastime within this novel. Not only did this novel provide a fun and sizzling time, it also shed light on family dynamics and personal healing and growth. I loved watching the characters reach their own personal growth as well as watching them come together. I read this book so fast I couldn’t put it down! There were so many cute moments between Kayla and Jackson that I just wanted an O’Neil brother for myself. Man when they’re determined, their determined! In the end, the novel had me smiling and feeling warm & fuzzy! It was a great book to put me in the Christmas spirit (although you wouldn’t have to read it just during that time ;)). I’m looking forward to reconnecting with the O’Neil family (as Morgan has written some superb secondary characters!) and seeing what everyone’s up to!

[Lorelei's Lit Lair]

Every author I discover always possesses some unique quality and voice. I must say that reading my first Sarah Morgan story has been such a delightful experience!
The first book of her latest trilogy, "Sleigh Bells in The Snow," is like viewing a beautiful painting of a charming Alpine-style resort with log cabins nestled in a forest, surrounded by crystal white slopes; families playing in the snow, couples skating in a pond, sleigh rides, others skiing down steep hills...in fact, it's quite mesmerizing; I could stare at it all day. The colors, warm and soothing to the soul, inspire love. You can see strokes of drama, energy, and passion, too.
Snow Crystal is a family-owned Resort and Spa owned by the O'Neil family. Jackson, one of three brothers, seeks the help of a top marketing agency to prevent the family business from going under. Kayla Green, a marketing guru, is delighted to use her expertise; she's even more thrilled to escape the Christmas holiday cheer she has been avoiding because of bad memories. Together, Jackson and Kayla will not only try to save Crystal Snow, but the magic of Christmas may play a part in healing some hearts.
I cried tears of tenderness and laughter, too. I swayed and swooned, so much love ♥. I really wish Snow Crystal were a real vacation destination; I'd book my ticket right now, not only to enjoy the place but to meet the O'Neil clan as well. That's how much I enjoyed this story. I'd say it's a holiday masterpiece in writing. Five hearts for this one. I highly recommend this read!

[kimbacaffeinate]

I love holiday themed books and was excited to crack open Sleigh Bells in the Snow by Sarah Morgan. I was expecting a heart-warming romance filled with holiday magic, but this novel was so much more. It turned out to be my favorite read of the holiday season! It introduced me to a new author and perhaps the greatest gift of all the O’Neil Brothers and a new series to swoon over. Mini review: Wonderfully fleshed out characters and small-town charm. This left me yearning for a holiday in Snow Crystal, Vermont.
Kayle Green avoids Christmas and all the hopeless feelings and memories that it brings to the surface. She demands complete control of her emotions at all times. She immerses herself in business and this has made her a successful PR agent. Jackson O’Neil has made a name for himself and built a successful empire. When his family’s business in Snow Crystal is in danger of going under, after the death of his father, he immediately steps in to save the business. Dealing with stubborn family members in fear of change can be harder then facing a crowded board room. He needs a PR firm, and personally requests Kayle Green who has earned the reputation of being the best in the business. Looking to avoid all things, “Christmas” Kayle agrees to spend a week in Snow Crystal the week of Christmas. Her efforts to avoid Christmas might just have her taking risks and enjoying life. The tale that unfolds held me spellbound as holiday magic, gingerbread men and moose stole my heart.

Sarah Morgan is a new to me author, and I could just Squee with joy after meeting the characters in Sleigh Bells in the Snow. I love small town romances and family tales. Not since Robyn Carr and Belle Andre have I been this excited about a series, place and family. The O’Neil brothers stole my heart, as did their family and the folks who work at their resort. Jackson is the oldest O’Neil brother and downright yummy. Ladies, you will have to get in line behind me. He is a family man, smart, and funny with the deepest blue eyes and half smile. Did I mention- facial scruff? Trust me he will turn your knees to jelly. I love confident woman, but typically do not connect with powerhouse business woman. Kayle though is flawed, funny, sweet and so passionate about her job that I easily connected with her. I felt for the emotional, disconnected, thirteen year old living inside her. I needed wanted her to find her happy. Grandparents, a moody teenager , a French chef and more are introduced to us . Each has a unique voice and I cannot wait to learn about them. We also meet Jackson’s brothers. Sean is a successful orthopedic surgeon who works in New York, and Tyler the youngest is a former Olympic skier. Both are completely swoon worthy ladies and I for one cannot wait for their stories.

In, Sleigh Bells in the Snow, Morgan not only gives us a couple to root for, she introduces us to a family that is wonderfully fleshed out. The resort and town of Snow Crystal, Vermont, sprang to life on the pages. I personally want to book a week in the secluded cabins that offer. Morgan’s writing style is descriptive, and I could practically feel the snow beneath my feet and taste the hot chocolate. Skiing, horse drawn sleigh rides and a midnight ride on a dog sled delivered delicious holiday magic. The O’Neil family was wonderful from the teasing to the bickering. I felt like I was right in the kitchen with them. Someone please, pass me the mashed potatoes. Every time I had to set this book down I craved to pick it back up. The romance was sweet, and while it occurred over one short week, it built slowly. we had to wait for the heat but when Morgan brought it I all but melted.

Copy received in exchange for unbiased review​. ​Review​ originally published @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer

[EBookObsessed]

Jackson O’Neil left home and opened Snowdrift Leisure, specializing in luxury hotels for winter sports. But after his father’s sudden death, he returned home to Vermont to take care of the family business. Snow Crystal has been a family owned vacation resort for four generations, but his father’s bad business decisions have left the company in ruins and Jackson will use all his hard earned knowledge to keep the family from losing everything.

He has sunk a great deal of money into building new cabins, adding a spa, and a world-class restaurant and creating the Snow Crystal Report and Spa. But what good are all the improvements on top of the classic features of their amazing ski slopes, horse drawn sleigh rides and skating on a lake, if no one knows about it. They still don’t have rooms booked and they are still in jeopardy of losing everything.

So Jackson contacts a big New York public relations firm. He wants Kayla Green to work the same PR magic on Snow Crystal that she brought to Adventure Travel to make them a household name. In order to convince his family, he needs Kayla to come to Vermont to explain to his family what Kayla and her company can do to bring in the paying guests.

Kayla is willing to do anything to get away from the Christmas crazies which takes over this time of year. Christmas memories bring about nothing but pain to Kayla and the sound of spending Christmas week in a secluded cabin away from the holiday cheer sounds like her own Christmas miracle.

Yet her hopes of isolation away from Christmas and family is an unfulfilled fantasy. Kayla never expected to walk into the O’Neil family’s home and be engulfed by such a loving family atmosphere full of happy Christmas memories. Talk about out of the frying pan and into the fire. This might just be one client that Kayla loses when her own family traumas surface and fails to impress.

Jackson won’t let Kayla walk away so easily. He has pinned all his hope on her working her magic to save Snow Crystal. He just needs to show her that Snow Crystal has a magic all its own and how much it is worth saving.

THOUGHTS:
This was a truly enjoyable story. There is a definite set up for the other brothers already and I am excited to see where their stories will go. Heck, if Snow Crystal was real, I would be booking my own vacation there and I hate the snow.

Kayla was an only child of divorced parents who went on to start new families after their divorce, neither one interested in the child created during their failed marriage. Kayla was well aware that she was the outsider in both her mother’s and her father’s new lives. Even to this day, Kayla is an unwelcome reminder of their past failure. So she spends her holidays alone. She also protects her heart by now allowing anyone to be close to her. All she has is her work which she is very good at.

But a close family like the O’Neils shakes her to her core. The loving family who hug and argue and stand by each other is absolutely foreign to her and she is overwhelmed by it so much so that she fails to make a decent first impression. But Jackson and his family break down her walls and she grows to accept the love and friendship that they offer her.

The O’Neils have a great family dynamic and every character is unique and lovable from grumpy Grandpa Walter to Tyler’s young daughter, Jess, who unlike Kayla was send away by her mother into the loving arms of her father.

Personally, the last few days have been very bad for me and this story was enjoyable enough to draw me away from my troubles and into the world of the O’Neils and Snow Crystal, and give me a few hours of peace.

Received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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