I don’t know about you, but to get me into the holiday spirit I typically start searching for books that are centered around MCs finding themselves and rediscovering what truly makes them happy.
This book checks all those boxes for a great holiday read. You are shipped away to the gorgeous country of Iceland, following the attractive widowed Cathryn when she meets Mack who has her begin to feel alive again.
Beautiful written and vivid imagery, check this one out now! ( )

This book is the second one I have read by this author. It is my favorite. There is a lyrical type of style that comes off reading this book. That I really enjoyed.

The emotional connection with Cathryn was strong. Although, I have to admit that in the beginning, I did struggle a bit to form this connection with her. Yet, as the story progressed as I got to know more about Cathryn, I felt for her. The struggle she was experiencing between staying or leaving was felt through the pages of the story.

When it came to Mack, I instantly warmed up to him. Despite the fact that he had a past that was making him guarded. Thus, because of this I think is the reason that Mack was drawn to wanting to help Cathryn. ( )

Cathryn has been asked to travel to Iceland to photograph a very talented glass blower. She decides to turn this trip into a much needed vacation. But, as we all know, life throws us curve balls.

I loved Cathryn from the start. She has been just existing in her life for a while. So, she has decided to do for her and this vacation is sort of a life changing decision. Then she meets Mack, the glass blower, and sparks do not fly. Their connection smolders and slowly grows into an undeniable bond.

Now, at first, I was not a big fan of Mack. I found him borderline rude. But, his gruffness grew in me. And his talent is something else! I loved learning about the glass blowing process. I figured this would be a boring part of the book. But, this author is powerful in her descriptions.

This was very close to a 5 star read for me. The plot is just a little thin. But my word, the scenery and the prose! It just keeps you coming back for more! I fell for Iceland and much as I did this story. It is now in my bucket list!

Need a good love story about resilience and strength with a fabulous setting…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the author for a honest review. ( )

It was Iceland’s fault. She never would have let herself fall into this kind of spell in America.
from The Color of Ice by Barbara Linn Probst

Cathryn was in control. After the accidental death of her philandering husband, she had to be. She walked away from the art photography she was working on for a career as a photographer for hire. She raised her two children. Sometimes she had a fling, but no love affairs.

Her new assignment was to interview and photograph a glass blower who was in Iceland preparing for his new series. She decided she would stay on after the interview and take a rare holiday. See the sights.

Things change after meeting Mac. Mac is maddeningly distant, maddingly attractive to Cathryn. She finds excuses to return to his borrowed workroom, watching him create his series inspired by the blue glaciers of Iceland,, and then helping out, then shown how to work with the glass herself. Sometimes, it seems Mac likes her, but he shuts down inexplicitly. He has his secrets.

But so does Cathryn. She has tamped down all the anger and sorrow for years; it would be a luxury she can’t afford. But surrounded by Iceland’s otherworldly, stark beauty and engaging in a lustful fling with Max, Cathryn finds she likes this freer self. When the kids call with problems, she offers her support but lets them solve the problems themselves. She is evolving. And so is Max, who finally tells his story.

Art and the creative process is central to Max and Cathryn’s lives. Max’s work to create his iceberg glass series is described in detail. Cathryn doesn’t like being a mere helper in Max’s process and wonders if she could return to creative photography again. She makes hard decisions, for the first time considering personal fulfillment over safety. The ‘Snow Queen,’ as her daughter calls her, is melting.

The novel is filled with descriptions of Iceland’s most beautiful vistas, ice tunnels, hot mud pots, and blue ice glaciers.

“If I’ve learned anything over the years,” Max says, “it’s that you need to let an experience transform inside you before you can translate it into an object.” That applies to all creative processes–including recreating oneself. Cathryn takes what she has learned in Iceland and blossoms into a healthier version of herself.

She liked who she was in Iceland. She didn’t want to stop being that person.
from The Color of Ice by Barbara Linn Probst

Cathryn’s growth makes her a better person, a better mother, and allows her to embrace her art.

Probst once again offers an inspiring novel about a woman’s personal growth and the role of art in a fulfilling life.

I received a free egalley from the publisher through NetGalley. My review is fair and unbiased. ( )

The Color of Ice is Barbara Linn Probst's third award winning novel. It hasn't won any awards yet but I am positive that there will be awards for this book in the future. From a personal view, her first two books were in my top 10 during the years they were published and this one will definitely be in my top 10 for 2022. All three of her novels are centered around the arts -- The Sound between the Notes (see my review here) was about music, Queen of the Owls (see my review here) was about painting and The Color of Ice is about glassblowing and photography. All of her books are beautiful written with sentences and phrases that are beautiful.

Cathryn is a free lance photographer who has accepted a job to take pictures of an artist who is trying to capture the blue icebergs of Iceland in glass. Her children are finally grown and she's decided to take a vacation and tour Iceland after the photo shoot is over. She is so intrigued with Mack and the freedom that she sees him working in, that she decides to cancel her tour of the country and stay with him as he creates his art. His freedom and enthusiasm awaken the artistic feelings that she's buried since the death of her husband. Her years have been spent making her career a success as she raised her two children. Even though her life is waiting for her in America, she realizes that she wants to become an artist again instead of just a photographer and it was Mack who awakened this need. Finally she has to make decisions that will be difficult no matter what she decides until a startling discovery forces her to decide what direction she needs to follow in her life to find happiness and fulfillment.

This book was emotional and beautiful and thought provoking. As someone who has always enjoyed the arts but has no artistic talent at all, I was intrigued by the journey that Cathryn had taken over the years and her total happiness when she enthusiastically decided to return to her art. Plus, I've always been interested in the art of glass blowing and this book shared many of the secrets of the craft. As always, the author has done extensive research and it is apparent throughout the story. Once again, the author brings her readers a book about a woman searching for happiness and fulfillment who is able to achieve her dreams through her art. ( )