Author, Susan May Warren transports us back to 1949 to an old fashioned Christmas. It is post war time when some families were grieving soldiers who had not returned and others were just getting their lives back together again. We soon learn that not all of the characters in this story are expecting to experience a joyful Christmas.

Violet Hart, a very capable young woman has been persuaded that she hasn�t got what it takes to attract a husband. The story begins as she heads out of town to pick up a star for the town Christmas tree. The librarian, Dottie Morgan, lives alone on the outskirts of town. She lost her son and her reason for happiness in World War II. She has the star but has no desire to let it be used or to share in the Christmas spirit in any way. Her neighbor, Gordon Lindholm keeps his love a secret as he silently watches out for Dottie from afar. Jake Ramsey, a stranger in town, is a man of many secrets and a message to deliver. Arnie is a lonely little boy who becomes lost and almost freezes to death in Dottie's barn. These are the five people trapped in Dottie's Victorian Storm House by a freak blizzard on Christmas Eve. All five carry in their emotional burdens and all ultimately experience a Christmas miracle. As the story unfolds, secrets are revealed, misconceptions are exposed, new love grows, old love is revived and the Christmas Spirit is alive and well. The book, Baby, It's Cold Outside, culminates with a romantic ending that is lovely enough to be called fairy tale but honest enough to encourage us to look for it in our own lives.

Susan May Warren has created scenes that I can step right into and inhabit. As I read I could feel the warmth from the fire place and smell the pine needles from the Christmas tree while watching Arnie play with the train set. Her characters are so complete and authentic (She has given each one a heart and soul.) that I felt that I could sit down to dinner with them and enjoy the gleanings of Dottie's pantry and Jakes caramel - cracker dessert.

I recommend this book for romance enthusiasts and those, like me, who love a good story.

Author, Susan May Warren is a best-selling author of more than thirty novels. She is a winner of the ACRW Carol Award, the RITA Award, and the Inspirational Readers Choice Award. She and her husband were former missionaries to Russia and now live in Minnesota where they are active in their local church.


This book was provided to me free of charge for a fair review. It is available through Amazon.com.

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