"A Christmas Love Story: Nicholas Nutcracker & Brittany Ballerina"--by Maureen McCabe--the story of Nicholas Nutcracker & Brittany Ballerina came out of the author's own personal love for Christmas ornaments, new and old, and her imagining what the ornaments were doing in the attic in their respective boxes between Christmases (see my review)

 

A Christmas Love Story: Nicholas Nutcracker & Brittany Ballerina

The story of two engaging Christmas tree ornaments: Nicholas Nutcracker, a retired toy-soldier from a small village in Germany, and Brittany Ballerina, a world-renowned ornament ballet dancer, are both in search of their true love. "I will find my true love with 'word-of-mouth marketing!'" exclaims Nicholas determined to find his true love this Christmas. Or, maybe they will meet at the annual "Meet and Mingle of the Christmas Ornaments?" Nicholas and Brittany are both more than ready to find their true love before they go back into their boxes in the attic for another year.

One might ask, "Why a Christmas Love story for kids?" But really, who doesn't love a story about finding true love, whether it is between two people or two engaging Christmas ornaments? We all want to love and be loved! Does it really matter whether you are seven years old or eighty-seven years old? Deep in mankind's DNA, love is the ingredient that has given life meaning and made the world go around since the beginning of time.

MY REVIEW: "A Christmas Love Story: Nicholas Nutcracker & Brittany Ballerina" is a charming Christmas fable perfect for tender hearts of all ages. Author Maureen McCabe offers a sweetly entertaining present-day holiday tale that is a blend of beloved traditions with touches of modern technology. Harmonie and Harrison Homeowner are preparing for the holidays to be shared with their children and grandchildren. It's time for the Christmas tree ornaments to make their annual showing. Nicholas Nutcracker and Brittany Ballerina, who have not yet met each other among the storage boxes and evergreen boughs, are each hoping to find true love. With a little help from Bellamy Basset Hound, who trips over his own ears, the handsome soldier and the beautiful ballerina finally meet among the lights and greenery. Since Nicholas and Brittany made such a perfect pair, this time when Christmas was over, they are placed together in the same storage box, and the two ornaments will know love and friendship forever more. This book is colorfully and lovingly illustrated with appealing images featuring the warm, vibrant colors of the holidays. A glossary of words and a reference list of ballet terms enhances the reading experience. Author Amanda McCabe ends her book with a message for children all over the world--warmly encouraging peace and kindness across the planet.

Book Copy Gratis Author via Goodreads Giveaway

 

From the Author

 

"Of course, like millions of others, I have always loved Christmas! It's a magical time of year, especially for kids. It's a giant buffet of Santa Clause, Angels, Gifts, Food, Drink, Religious holiday, and Mirth!  Isn't it just the perfect holiday to break up what could be long, dark winters if not for the beautiful traditions and celebrations unique to each family. It's a time for forgiveness, generosity, new beginnings, and love for all of mankind!

The story of Nicholas Nutcracker & Brittany Ballerina came out of my own personal love for Christmas ornaments, new and old. When I saw cute clipart of a dangling nutcracker next to a beautiful ballerina ornament hanging from a branch, it gave me the idea for A Christmas Love Story: Nicholas Nutcracker & Brittany Ballerina.

It wasn't like when you've heard authors say, "the story wrote itself." But, it was super-fun imagining what the ornaments were doing in the attic in their respective boxes between Christmases. And, many rewrites later, a book emerged and then the search was on for an editor, illustrator & graphic designer to bring the story to life.

It was the most fun ever writing the story.  And it is my hope children will enjoy it, either reading it themselves or tucked into their cozy beds during the holiday season with a loved one reading it to them!  And, during this upcoming holiday season, in the year of the worldwide pandemic, perhaps grandparents, aunts and uncles will indeed connect through the internet will help kids feel connected to the relatives we're all trying to keep safe in this strange new world of 2020."

 

Reviews

"If a tale of love at first sight is up your alley, then A Christmas Love Story: Nicholas Nutcracker & Brittany Ballerina is bound to fill the hearts of any who read it. It would be especially appealing for a storytime session between a grandmother and her grandchildren."~ Bianca Schulze, thechildrensbookreview.com

"I give this book a rating of 4 out of 4 stars and recommend it to parents who are looking for a unique Christmas story. I definitely feel like this is a story that can grow with a child and be just as enjoyable at age 12 as it is at age 5. The writing, illustrations, and editing are all impeccable."~ ALynnPowers, onlinebookclub.org

"Kids with good reading skills or read-aloud parents will find A Christmas Love Story a warm tale of ballet aspirations, romance, and overcoming obstacles set against a holiday backdrop that is beautifully rendered, nicely illustrated with colorful drawings by Anastasiia Khmelevska, and just the ticket for an original holiday read." ~ D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

Maureen McCabe

 

This past year, after watching Hallmark Christmas movies more times than she cares to admit, Maureen reached maximum "Christmas Spirit" saturation by the end of December. Said "Christmas Spirit" saturation led her to write: "A Christmas Love Story: Nicholas Nutcracker & Brittany Ballerina." While putting her beloved ornaments away, McCabe felt inspired by the cute Christmas art of a nutcracker and ballerina ornament hanging from a branch. Maureen's foray into writing a children's book about these two ornaments was a fun, creative writing project which she hopes children and their read-aloud parents will enjoy for many years to come.

Historical entertainment history has also been of interest to Maureen. In-the-works, McCabe teamed up with Clyde Adams to write the fascinating tale of "Murray Korman's Vintage Babes of Broadway," which features stories and never-before-seen photographs of many well-known entertainers from the 1930s to 1961. The book scheduled for release in early 2021 should attract history and photography buffs. In 2011, McCabe published "Moon Over Vaudeville," which took a nostalgic look at her father's show business career as a tap dancer.

Maureen and her husband, Rich, love life in beautiful Spokane, WA, with their adorable miniature Australian Shepard.

https://achristmaslovestory.com