Snow Angel: A Novel

This wasn't bad for the author's first novel and the plot had potential. However, all of the characters were "flat" and undeveloped. It's about Elizabeth--a beautiful (of course) and fiercely determined (again, of course) young woman--who was raised in an orphanage. She runs away from her evil adoptive parents and eventually gets lost in a snowstorm in Alaska, where she has gone to join the Gold Rush in the late 1890s. She is found and nursed back to health by a Christian bachelor named Noah, who falls madly in love with her. Meanwhile, her long lost mother, who was unmarried when she became pregnant with Elizabeth and forced by her rich and domineering father to give up Elizabeth 20 years before, has been searching for her daughter.

This was supposed to be Christian fiction, and Noah was a Christian, but the writing lacked the depth that would have convinced the reader that he was anything more than just a nice man. I never did connect with any of the characters.

Based in the late 1800's, Snow Angel is about a young girl named Elizabeth who was given away by her birth mother as an infant. She went through a couple of orphanages and then ended up being adopted by a very horrible set of parents. When the Alaska gold rush came around and Elizabeth had a chance to escape her horrible adopted parents she took it! She was then followed by a man who was paid by her adopted parents to find her, she had to continually be on the run, never trusting anyone or staying one place. Somehow she ended up on the porch of a man named Noah. Noah took an interest in her but could not get through to her tormented soul. Can Elizabeth stay safe from the man who hunts her and wants to destroy her life and can Noah convince her that he loves her and can keep her safe. Can both Noah and Elizabeth follow the voice and direction of God?!

Jamie Carie did a great job with developing characters that you just connected with right from the start. Even from the beginning you wanted to continue reading as fast as you could to see what was going to happen to poor Elizabeth. I really enjoyed this story because it encourages those that have struggled with broken families, hurt relationships and bad experiences that you can overcome those situations and learn to love again! It's very inspirational and encouraging!

THis was a very exciting novel. My husband and I read it together and we could hardly put it down! It had some profound messages in it and was an inspiring book of love and courage. A refreshing change from blood and guts TV trash.
NAncy Kitchen

Snow Angel is a wonderful tale of Elizabeth's search for identity and finding destiny instead. From the first page this novel hooked me and reeled me in, until the very last page when I really wasn't ready to let them go. Jamie Carie's wonderful description of the Alaskan frontier painted a beautiful word picture for me and it was more like watching a movie than reading a book. I liked this so much that I can't wait to see where her next one takes me. 2 thumbs up from me!

[[ASIN:0805445331 Snow Angel: A Novel]]

Jamie Carie's debut novel, "Snow Angel," gripped me from the beginning and wouldn't let go. This romance/adventure story includes Christian themes as well as suspense and history. From the first page, the characters and their struggles drew me in.
Elizabeth, Noah and Jane seem real. Their personalities are well-developed; they have strengths and weaknesses. They're not perfect, but regular people trying to make the right decisions. Sometimes they succeed. Sometimes they fail. Joining each of them on the journey made me want to speak aloud to them, to tell them what's coming next, or to tell them what they don't know that might prompt a different decision. Also watch for Will and Cara Collins, Charlie McKay, Joe Brandon and William Cleary, among others.
Their story takes place, for the most part, in rugged Alaska during the 1897 gold rush. The historical details and facts about life in that time and place give this book an educational aspect, even for readers whose main purpose is simply to escape into another world. The historical details blend in with the story and don't overpower the plot or frustrate the reader who wants action instead of dominating description.
Their struggles: a toddler taken from her mother, given away by her grandfather - location unknown; a woman seeking gold and freedom, half frozen at a man's door - someone seeks her for dishonorable reasons; a man warms to his new companion, just as she decides to pursue her dream.
This book is a thoroughly enjoyable read. Others, like me, may find they don't want to put it down until the last page is read.

Snow Angel is a delight to read. It begins with a flashback scene that is heart-wrenching and sets the scene for the main character's fierce determination and drive. Elizabeth has a firey spirit which is a good match for Noah's cooling presence. The descriptive details of the untamed Alaskan territory and the trek through the gold fields with a mis-matched group of miners and prospectors is engaging.

Snow Angel is a good book to sit down and read. Reading the book was enjoyable and exciting.

In the tradition of Jack London and Robert W. Service, this novel drops the reader into the frozen, breathtaking world of the Klondike gold rush. Jamie Carie's debut novel is full of well-written passages sewing together a delightful love story. Her compelling characters seem lifelike and believable. The plot barrels forward for almost all of the book.

Parts of the work do feel rough and almost unedited---in particular the letters at the end of each chapter. This makes the other storylines seem dull and inconsequential, which reduces the impact of the final turn of events. Overall, these problems really only stall the pacing of the story, but not the intrigue of the plot.

"Snow Angel" is a pleasant historical romance novel from an up-and-coming author. There are minor Christian overtones but nothing remotely preachy. The book contains some mature themes but is appropriate for young adults. If you enjoy light fiction, you will enjoy this book.