Are you a Black Friday shopper? Me, not so much. I prefer to snuggle in with a holiday-themed book from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day. My list this year is filled with the authors who will be attending theTurning A New Page Book Festival in Perry, Georgia. Most are novella-length and perfect for reading between shopping, baking, parties, school and church events — you know you need a break! The list covers a variety of genres — romance, historical, suspense, mystery — so there should be something for you! Note: many are available through Kindle Unlimited. Look for KU after the author’s name.
Holiday Reading List
Candy Canes, Canines, And Crimes by Kathy Manos Penn (KU)
Destination Christmas by Pam Hillman (KU)
Last to Know by Brandy Heineman (KU)
Magnolia Mistletoe by Lindsey Brackett(KU)
One Winter Kiss by Lindi Peterson (KU)
Prevail by Linda Rodante(KU)
Snowbound with The Rodeo Star by Tanya Agler
The Unbroken Song by Jennifer Q. Hunt(KU)
You Make It Feel Like Christmas by Toni Shiloh
Whiskers, Wreaths, and Murder by Kathy Manos Penn(KU)
Happy Thanksgiving! After the turkey/dressing/pumpkin pie has been consumed, it’s time to settle into a little Christmas reading. You Make It Feel Like Christmas by Toni Shiloh is the perfect read for Thanksgiving weekend. This contemporary romance has all the holiday feels and features a strong faith message. So get to reading!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year–for everyone except Starr Lewis.
As if going home for the holidays jobless and single wasn’t bad enough, she’s dragged into a holiday season full of activities leading up to her sister’s uber-romantic Christmas Eve wedding–to Starr’s ex-boyfriend. But when her brother’s best friend, Waylon Emmerson, attends their family Thanksgiving, she starts to wonder if maybe coming home for Christmas isn’t so bad after all.
As Starr finds the perfect distraction in helping Waylon make over his late mother’s Christmas shop, the most wonderful time of the year works its magic and the spark between them grows. But with the holidays fast approaching, Starr must decide what she wants out of life after the gifts are unwrapped and the ornaments are put away–to go back to New York City or to open her heart to a love that will last beyond Christmas Day?
Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and an award-winning Christian contemporary romance author. She writes to bring God glory and to learn more about His goodness. Her novel, In Search of a Prince, won the first ever, Christy Amplify award. Her novels, Grace Restored, was a 2019 Holt Medallion finalist, RiskingLove a 2020 Selah Award finalist, The Truth About Famea 2021 Holt Medallion finalist, and The Price of Dreams a 2021 Maggie Award finalist.
A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and of the Virginia Chapter, Toni seeks to help readers find authors. She loves connecting with readers and authors alike via social media. You can learn more about her writing athttp://tonishiloh.com.
My Impressions:
Starr is the baby of the overachieving Lewis family. She has always felt on the outside and not quite good enough. Coming home for Thanksgiving without a job just adds to her feelings of inadequacy. In You Make It Feel Like Christmas, Toni Shiloh sets the stage for personal growth, new perspectives, and reconciliation. It definitely will check all the holiday romance boxes and includes a firm faith foundation and family dynamic insights. I loved the Lewis family, warts and all, and was pleased with how the relationships evolved. Starr and Waylon are the perfect romantic duo — I cheered them on as they faced obstacles and doubts with prayer and consideration for each other. As it was a novella length book, YMIFLC was a quick read for me — perfect for the busy season. The light style, serious Christmas-y vibes, and a sweet story make this one a recommended read.
Recommended.
Audience: adults.
(I purchased this book from Amazon. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
I am again twisting the TTT topic this week. Don’t get me wrong, I am very thankful for books and the wonderful authors who write them. But after 10+ years of blogging, I have posted on this a lot. So today I am bringing you books that are set/begin at Thanksgiving. This list gives you a variety of books to read between now and Christmas. I hope you find one to be thankful for!
Top Books Set During Thanksgiving And After
Another Way Home by Deborah Raney
Sometimes God’s ways are not at all what we expect . . . and exactly what we need. Grant and Audrey are adding grandchildren to their family left and right, but middle daughter, Danae, and her husband, Dallas Brooks, have been trying for years with no baby in sight.
Though Danae is ready to consider adoption, Dallas will not even discuss it. Despairing of ever having a family of her own, Danae decides to pour her passion and energies into volunteer work with a newly opened women’s shelter in town. Looking for a good cause to fill her lonely days, she never expects to give her heart to the hurting women she meets there. She’s finally learning to live her life with gratitude, but then heart-wrenching events on Thanksgiving weekend threaten to pull the entire Whitman clan into turmoil—and leave them all forever changed.
Breath of Dawn by Kristen Heitzman
Following the tragic death of his wife, Jill, Morgan Spencer retreats to his brother’s Rocky Mountain ranch to heal and focus on the care of his infant daughter, Olivia. Two years later, Morgan begins to make plans to return to his home in Santa Barbara to pick up the pieces of his life and career. Quinn Riley has been avoiding her past for four years. Standing up for the truth has forced her into a life of fear and isolation. After a “chance” first meeting and a Thanksgiving snowstorm, Quinn is drawn into the Spencer family’s warm and loving world, and she begins to believe she might find freedom in their friendship. The man Quinn helped put behind bars has recently been released, however, and she fears her past will endanger the entire Spencer family. As the danger heightens, she determines to leave town for the sake of the people who have come to mean so much to her. Fixing problems is what Morgan Spencer does best, and he is not willing to let Quinn run away, possibly into the clutches of a man bent on revenge. But Morgan’s solution sends him and Quinn on an unexpected path, with repercussions neither could have anticipated.
Darkness Rising by Lis Wiehl and Pete Nelson
The evil in East Salem is no longer content to hide in the shadows. The stakes—and the darkness—are rising.
Dani Harris thought there wasn’t much left that could surprise her after serving as a forensic psychiatrist in East Salem. And Tommy Gunderson has faced few challenges in his life that he couldn’t overcome by either physical strength or his celebrity status.
But as they race to uncover what’s really happening behind the high walls of St. Adrian’s Academy, it becomes clear that supernatural forces have been at work here for generations. And now their focus is on making sure Dani and Tommy don’t interfere.
When the unseen becomes seen, faith is the only weapon strong enough to fight in a battle involving not just murder and betrayal—but angels and demons.
Dearest Dorothy, Who Would Have Ever Thought by Charlene Baumbich
Charlene Ann Baumbich has won a loyal following of readers with the first three books in the Dearest Dorothy series, featuring the amusing and touching adventures of the townspeople of Partonville. Now Charlene Baumbich uses her wonderful gift of storytelling to celebrate the simple pleasures of life in this heartwarming and hilarious story. The fourth book in the series finds the residents of Partonville preparing for a festive Thanksgiving dinner at the local church. Amid assigning duties and preparing recipes, everyone tries to ignore bossy acting mayor Gladys McKern. Meanwhile, Jessica Joy struggles with an unexpected turn of events, Katie Durbin considers another real estate project, and Dearest Dorothy doles out advice and love in equal amounts to everyone.
Grace in Autumn by Lori Copeland and Angela Hunt
It’s November, and as the island residents prepare for the coming months of cold and snow, they are surprised by God’s unexpected lessons of humility, trust, and hope. Authors Lori Copeland and Angela Hunt revisit the Island of Heavenly Daze in the second book of the highly acclaimed series about a small town where angelic intervention is commonplace and the Thanksgiving feast a community affair.
*****
I Shall Not Want by Debbie Viguie
Charity work can be murder!
It’s Thanksgiving and Joseph Tyler, one of the members of Cindy’s church, has organized a new charity that provides homeless people with rescue dogs to love and care for. But one by one, the homeless recipients are being murdered and their dogs stolen. Could an overly competitive millionaire with his prize-winning pooches and a grudge be behind the crimes? Or could it be someone much closer to Joseph who has something sinister to hide? Cindy and Jeremiah must rush to find a killer before he strikes again.
The Preacher Wore Black Leather by Loree Lough
Matt Maxwell wondered a lot about changing his first name to Former: Former Marine. Former minister. Former husband. One by one, he’d lost them all. After losing his wife to his church deacon, he’d packed his battered military duffel, gassed up his ancient motorcycle, and put Baltimore in the Harley’s rearview mirrors.
On an unusually cold and snowy Texas night, the Sportster breaks down along the Interstate. Out of luck and nearly broke, Matt’s lured by a bright red sign that reads SUNDOWN DINER. Inside, he meets the owners, the town’s three-man sheriff’s department, and a mechanic who thinks he can fix the old bike.
Icy weather and the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday make that impossible, and Matt finds himself stranded in Reliable, where everyone seems determined to keep him from the road to anywhere that isn’t Baltimore. Once the Harley is roadworthy, will he put Reliable behind him? Or does God have other plans for the down-on-his-luck pastor?
Remembering Christmas by Dan Walsh
Rick Denton lives his life on his terms. He works hard, plays hard and answers to no one. So when his mother calls on Thanksgiving weekend begging him to come home after his stepfather has a stroke, Rick is reluctant. He’s never liked Art, despite the fact his own father abandoned them when Rick was twelve. Rick’s attitude sours even more when a couple of days helping at the family bookstore turns into weeks of cashing out old ladies and running off the homeless man who keeps hanging about,
Slowly but surely, the little bookstore and its quirky patrons—as well as the lovely young woman who works at his side each day—work their magic on him, revealing to Rick the truth about his family, his own life, and the true meaning of Christmas.
You Make It Feel Like Christmas by Toni Shiloh
It’s the most wonderful time of the year–for everyone except Starr Lewis.
As if going home for the holidays jobless and single wasn’t bad enough, she’s dragged into a holiday season full of activities leading up to her sister’s uber-romantic Christmas Eve wedding–to Starr’s ex-boyfriend. But when her brother’s best friend, Waylon Emmerson, attends their family Thanksgiving, she starts to wonder if maybe coming home for Christmas isn’t so bad after all.
As Starr finds the perfect distraction in helping Waylon make over his late mother’s Christmas shop, the most wonderful time of the year works its magic and the spark between them grows. But with the holidays fast approaching, Starr must decide what she wants out of life after the gifts are unwrapped and the ornaments are put away–to go back to New York City or to open her heart to a love that will last beyond Christmas Day?
Happy Friday! Today I am featuring Pixels And Paint by Kristi Ann Hunter. A contemporary rom-com is a departure from Regency romance, but this novel looks to be so much fun.
Krisit will be joining the Words with Friends panel at the Turning A New Page Book Festivalscheduled for January 27, 2024 in Perry, Georgia. She, along with Kimberly Duffy, and Lindsey Brackett will entertain and inform on the writing journey shared with friends. If you live anywhere near the middle Georgia area, you need to check it out!
Here’s the first line:
A bag of peanut butter M&Ms is not worth the agony I will endure over the next hour as the sights before me burn through the backs of my eyes and imprint themselves in my brain.
For Emma Trinket, life is a delicate balancing act between loving her family and pursuing interests they don’t understand. When the opportunity arises to finally impress them with her job as a computer programmer, she jumps at it even if it means immersing herself in a world she’s despised since childhood.
Unfortunately the one man who could crush her prospects is also the best person to help her navigate the lessons she needs to be a success.
Artistic expression is both Carter Anderson’s safe space and his livelihood, but his fading inspiration has him worried about his place in life. His encounters with Emma spark a passion to create that he hasn’t felt in years and he isn’t ready to let go of his new muse even if she’s threatening the sanctity of his art world with her digital technologies.
As each tries to gain an advantage from the other, Emma and Carter discover they actually might be more compatible than they thought. Will that be enough to unify their opposing missions or will the real differences between pixels and paint tear them apart?
Kristi Ann Hunter graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in Computer Science but always knew she wanted to write. In addition to several pre-published contests, Kristi is a Rita award winner and has also been a finalist in the INSPY, Christy, and GRW Maggie Award of Excellence. She lives with her husband and three children in Georgia. Find her online at http://www.kristiannhunter.com.
Welcome to the Blog Tour for It’s Your Love by Rachel D. Russell, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About The Book
Title:It’s Your Love Series:Fox Bakery #2 Author:Rachel D. Russell Publisher: Sunrise Publishing Release Date: November 7, 2023 Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance
When Grayson Fox is asked to return home to Deep Haven and run the wrangler activities for the local camp, the last thing he expects is to run into the one woman he never wanted to see again. Worse…she’s his boss. But Grayson has big hopes for a life back in Oregon, and he must keep the promise to the camp in order to keep his dreams alive.
Just because Beth Strauss has stuck around Deep Haven doesn’t mean she doesn’t want a bigger life. And becoming the camp assistant director is the first step to that bigger life. Of course, standing in her way happens to be the one man who has always managed to derail her dreams, way too arrogant Grayson Fox.
But if they want to keep the camp afloat and their dreams alive, these two must learn to work together. But will these enemies become sweethearts, and if they do, will they find something better than the dreams they’re striving for?
The next delightful installment of the Fox Family series!
Excerpt
He slowed Maverick when he saw Beth leading Rex from the hitching post. He hadn’t expected her to say yes when he’d invited her to check the trails, but then, maybe he hadn’t misread that look on her face in the bakery. When he’d been nearly certain she’d wanted him to kiss her.
She wore a blue T-shirt with her jeans and had her hair hanging loose under her hat.
Like she belonged there. Like it was still natural for her to be leading a horse.
He relaxed in the saddle, drawing in Maverick’s pace to a stop near the gate. He let the horse stretch his neck out, long and low. Mav blew out a contented breath. “Ready?”
Beth tilted her head. “It’s funny—I love it. I don’t know why, but it still gives me butterflies.”
She gave him butterflies. Or something. Whatever that unfamiliar rush of adrenaline was called that swirled in his chest.
He leaned down and swung the gate open before side-passing Mav and closing the gate. “And yet you can’t help yourself.”
She looked up at him and grinned. “It seems so.” She rubbed Rex’s neck. “This feels really good.” She led her horse to a mounting block that sat outside the arena panels and hopped on. All by herself. Like she’d never been away from it.
Okay, he was maybe a little proud at the confidence she’d been building.
Rachel D. Russell is a member of Oregon Christian Writers, My Book Therapy’s Novel Academy, and is a regular contributor to the Learn How to Write a Novel blog. When Rachel’s not cheering on one of her two teens at sporting events, she’s often interrogating her husband on his own military and law enforcement experience to craft believable heroes in uniform. The rest of her time is spent cantering her horse down the Oregon trails and redirecting her three keyboard-hogging cats.
Connect with Rachel by visiting racheldrussell.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will win a print copy of It’s Your Love and $10 gift card to the Sunrise Shop!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 13, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 20, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
A few weeks ago Rhonda McKnight was a new-to-me author. But with just one book, she is now a must-read writer. Her novel, The Thing About Home, is fantastic — full of heart and soul. I loved the Lowcountry setting with its rich cultural elements (the food in this book had my mouth watering, LOL!), the historical background that spoke of a rich legacy, and the family that embraced a hurting heroine. And did I mention a hunky hero? 😉 This book has it all. Get this book!
Home is not a place—it’s a feeling.
Casey Black needs an escape. When her picture-perfect vow renewal ceremony ends in her being left at the altar, the former model turned social media influencer has new fame—the kind she never wanted. An embarrassing viral video has cost her millions of followers, and her seven-year marriage is over. With her personal and business lives in shambles, Casey runs from New York City to South Carolina’s Lowcountry hoping to find long-lost family. Family who can give her more answers about her past than her controlling mom-slash-manager has ever been willing to share.
What Casey doesn’t expect is a postcard-worthy property on a three-hundred-acre farm, history, culture, and a love of sweet tea. She spends her days caring for the land and her nights cooking much needed Southern comfort foods. She also meets Nigel, the handsome farm manager whose friendship has become everything she’s never had. And then there are the secrets her mother can no longer hide.
Through the pages of her great-grandmother’s journals, Casey discovers her roots run deeper than the Lowcountry soil. She learns that she has people. A home. A legacy to uphold. And a great new love story—if only she is brave enough to leave her old life behind.
“. . . a beautifully written story about family, self-discovery, secrets, and forgiveness.” —Kimberla Lawson Roby, New York Times bestselling author.
Rhonda McKnight is the author of twenty-five traditional and indie-published award-winning bestsellers, including An Inconvenient Friend, What Kind of Fool, and Unbreak My Heart. She is a two-time winner of the Emma award in the categories of Inspirational Romance of the Year (2015) and Debut Author (2010). She has been nominated thrice for the African American Literary Award. She writes inspirational book club fiction and Christian romance about complex characters in crisis. Her goal is to touch the heart of women through her stories using the themes of faith, forgiveness, and hope. Originally from a small coastal town in New Jersey, she writes from the comfort of her South Carolina home.
Casey B is a woman scorned at the beginning of The Thing About Home. While I sympathized with her situation and even her response to it, I didn’t much like her. Maybe because the model-turned-influencer seemed really shallow. But as the novel progressed I saw behind the mask this main character presented to the world. Talk about character development! Rhonda McKnight puts Casey through the ringer and brings her out stronger and more grounded in faith, family, and future. The Thing About Home explores identity and family legacy. The dual timeline of Odessa’s story adds a wonderful depth to the Black family journey to the present. And the long life lived by Granna, Casey’s grandmother, added a layer of poignancy and wisdom. Both women gave Casey and this reader a perspective on struggles we were unaware of. I really liked that about the book. I learned a thing or two about history and myself. While these things would certainly be enough, the romance that develops between Casey and her very hunky host is certainly swoony! So basically you have a novel with a strong message, brilliant descriptions of culture and history of the Lowcountry, a beautifully crafted style, and a romance to beat all romances. Yes, its got it all. And it gets a highly recommended rating from me!
Highly Recommended!
Audience: Adults.
(I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
It’ll take a Christmas miracle to convince this grinch to give love another chance.
When her family moves across the country to Silver Bay, California, Angelica Endicott loyally follows. As the youngest in the Endicott clan, she’s gone her entire life with something to prove. Family is everything to Angelica, who has put her artistic dreams on hold in favor of dedicating herself to the family company.
Silver Bay local Garrett Christmas never planned to settle down in his small coastal hometown, much less as a divorced, single dad to help his father following an injury. Raising his daughter, Lia, on his own and running his father’s saloon is plenty for Garrett, who’s placed his hopes of owning his own Napa Valley vineyard firmly in his rearview mirror.
Fate keeps bringing Angelica and Garrett together and, despite their differences, they can’t deny the sparks. Determined to show Garrett there’s more to her than meets the eye, Angelica proposes a plan to expand his business by New Year’s. As they work together, can Angelica’s fiery spirit and the magic of Christmas melt the ice around Garrett’s heart?
Praise for An Angel for Christmas
“This was an engaging and entertaining story and a good addition to the series.” — YVONNE CRUZ, GOODREADS
“A heart-warming story of family, new friends and possible romance.” — DONNAJO, GOODREADS
*********
Excerpt
Garrett flipped on the lights in his office and tossed his keys on his desk. While mornings were quiet at the saloon, this early in the day was even more so. However, a noise above his head caused him to stop and listen. The sound of footsteps made the hair on the back of his neck stand up. Someone was in the saloon.
With as much stealth as possible, he made his way through the door that led to the bar. Silver Bay was a safe town. Everyone knew everyone and doors were left unlocked everywhere. The thought of someone in his bar this early in the morning to rob him wasn’t rational. Yet he couldn’t deny what he heard.
As he stepped around the bar, the footsteps became rhythmic, and the sound of music made its way downstairs from the balcony up above.
Someone was in his bar listening to music and…dancing?
Garrett made his way up the stairs, still on alert because he had zero idea of what he was about to find. As he turned when he reached the balcony, his mind certainly wasn’t prepared for what he saw.
Angelica was dressed in jeans, old tennis shoes, and a black top that hugged her curves and was splattered with paint. Her hair was jumbled up on top of her head in a way that looked messy, as well as super sexy. He’d only seen her with her hair down and brushed perfectly. This somewhat disheveled look fit her well.
A small speaker sat on a table with her phone next to it. The source of the music. Two cups from Jamie’s Java sat beside. Angelica sang along, something about what happened last Christmas. Her back to him, she danced her way toward a ladder that stood near the far wall, a paint brush in hand that she waved above her head. He bit back a laugh at how many paint flecks were coming from it and landing in her hair.
He took a moment to appreciate the woman before him, watching as each step of the ladder she climbed was a dance step. It was clear she’d shown up even earlier than he had to get started on the upstairs. How she’d dragged all the stuff she needed to do so inside and upstairs by herself, he had no clue. But this was Angelica, and from what he’d seen of her so far, she had a strong will and believed there was always a way.
Not only that, but she also moved without any inhibitions, dancing as if no one was watching. Although in all fairness, she didn’t know anyone was watching. Aware that if he waited any longer, he ran the risk of frightening her or reaching creeper status, he cleared his throat to let her know he was there. The volume of the music must have kept her from hearing him because she continued to wiggle to the music as much as was possible while standing on a ladder and painting a wall.
He moved closer, hoping she would hear him and not get startled.
He cleared this throat again and said, “You’re here early.”
“Oh!” She jumped, the paintbrush falling from her hand. As her body twisted to face him, her foot caught on the rung of the ladder, and she lost her balance.
On instinct, Garrett made it next to the ladder just in time for Angelica to fall right into his arms.
This time, there was no apology by her, no pulling back to dust off dirt. This time, he had his arms around her waist, her hands pressed up against his chest. Their eyes met and held.
“We keep bumping into each other,” she said, the corners of her mouth turning up in a smile.
Every witty response Garrett had in his mind vanished. All he could see were those eyes of hers. The greenish-blue ocean depths he wanted to swim in for days. A lock of her hair had fallen over her forehead. He tucked it behind her ear then cupped her face in his hand. Without another thought, he leaned down and pressed his lips to hers.
Writing stories since she was a young girl, Lara Van Hulzen’s dream of being a novelist became a reality with her Men of Honor series. An avid reader, she worked as a book reviewer for 18 years with various organizations. She has a BA in Journalism and a Masters of Divinity in Chaplaincy. Lara loves tea, baseball and living in Idaho with her husband and Great Dane.
Cowgirl Vivian Bryant needs a winning horse to fulfill her rodeo champion dream, and equestrian trainer Josh Sloan agrees to help. But when Vivian fibs to her family that Josh is her boyfriend, their pretend relationship slowly evolves–while planning a Three Springs, Texas, gala together. She’s competing for a trophy that will secure their separate futures, but the real prize just might be finding love…at Christmas.
USA Today Bestselling Author
From Harlequin Heartwarming: Wholesome stories of love, compassion and belonging.
Excerpt
An unfamiliar silver truck pulled to a stop in front of his. He skipped his gaze from the Arizona license plate to the driver’s-side door, ready to tell the helpful stranger he had everything handled.
Then a pair of brown cowboy boots appeared and out stepped a cowgirl, who quite simply stole his breath. It wasn’t her suede boots, which nearly reached her knees. Or her worn straw cowboy hat propped at an angle on her head. Or her braided dark hair that fell charmingly over one shoulder. It was her dimples that framed the widest, most genuine smile Josh had ever seen aimed at him.
Hers was a smile that could make a jaded cowboy like him amend all his vows never to fall head over boots in love again. Good thing Josh had been raised never to go back on his word. He collected himself and found his voice. “Can I help you?”
Cari Lynn Webb lives in South Carolina with her husband, daughters and assorted four-legged family members. She’s been blessed to see the power of true love in her grandparent’s 70 year marriage and her parent’s marriage of over 50 years. She knows love isn’t always sweet and perfect, it can be challenging, complicated and risky. But she believes happily-ever-afters are worth fighting for. She loves to connect with readers.
Connect with Cari by visiting carilynnwebb.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.
Tour Giveaway
(2) winners will win a $25 Amazon gift card and two backlist titles by Cari Lynn Webb!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 8, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 15, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Doctor’s Christmas Dilemma by Danielle Thorne, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About The Book
Title:The Doctor’s Christmas Dilemma Author:Danielle Thorne Publisher: Love Inspired Release Date: October 24th, 2023 Genre: Inspirational Romance
Home for the holidays…
Or home for good?
Once upon a time, Ben Cooper left his hometown to follow his dreams of becoming a big-city doctor. Now he’s back to run his father’s clinic and spend Christmas with his daughter, not to fall for McKenzie Price, the woman who broke his heart. But when McKenzie steps in to help Ben reconnect with his little girl, and old sparks begin to ignite, will Ben give up city life for a second chance at love?
From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.
Excerpt
Rustic copper locks the same shade as the mums outside the door stopped McKenzie’s usual greeting from reaching her lips. The blood drained from her cheeks as a man with an expensive watch stared at on her name tag. If she imagined him thinner, added gold-rimmed glasses and a generous smattering of freckles, she’d be seventeen again. And so would he.
“Ben Cooper.” She found her words as she wrestled with a confused feeling of pleasant surprise. “I go by McKenzie instead of Mac these days.”
“Well, other than that, you haven’t changed.” Ben smiled, but McKenzie’s response caught in her chest. She knew they’d meet again one day. And with his father ill, she’d recently suspected it would probably be sooner rather than later. “You still wear your hair in a ponytail,” Ben said, as if he didn’t know what else to say.
It’d been twelve years, but McKenzie knew what he was thinking despite the friendly charade. This was the same place she’d worked during high school, and the only thing new about her was she’d changed her nickname back to her full name. But the truth was, she was the same. No family. No career. Not even the little bookstore she’d always said she would own someday.
Danielle Thorne writes happily-ever-afters set in the South for Harlequin Love Inspired. A graduate of BYU-Idaho, she also writes stories about Regency ladies, pirates, and not-so-distressed damsels from her home south of Atlanta. Free time is filled with documentaries, too much yard work, and not enough travel. When not writing wholesome romances, Danielle hangs out with friends or chases cats. She enjoys the outdoors and serving in her church and community. Danielle’s been married to the same fellow for thirty years, has four sons, four bonus daughters and two grandbabies. She loves them more than life.
Connect with Danielle by visiting daniellethorne.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will win an autographed print copy of The Doctor’s Christmas Dilemma, a bookmark, and a $25 Amazon gift card!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 7, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 14, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Have you gotten your holiday reading all lined up? If not, my First Line Friday spotlight will get you started. Today’s book is You Make It Feel Like Christmas by Toni Shiloh. This contemporary romance is just the thing to welcome the holiday spirit. Toni will be attending Turning A New Page Book Festival on January 27, 2024 in Perry, Georgia. If you are anywhere near, come meet her and other great authors.
Here’s the first line:
Starr Lewis hated to return home a failure, but at least she had the cover of the holiday season to hide her embarrassment.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year–for everyone except Starr Lewis.
As if going home for the holidays jobless and single wasn’t bad enough, she’s dragged into a holiday season full of activities leading up to her sister’s uber-romantic Christmas Eve wedding–to Starr’s ex-boyfriend. But when her brother’s best friend, Waylon Emmerson, attends their family Thanksgiving, she starts to wonder if maybe coming home for Christmas isn’t so bad after all.
As Starr finds the perfect distraction in helping Waylon make over his late mother’s Christmas shop, the most wonderful time of the year works its magic and the spark between them grows. But with the holidays fast approaching, Starr must decide what she wants out of life after the gifts are unwrapped and the ornaments are put away–to go back to New York City or to open her heart to a love that will last beyond Christmas Day?
Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and an award-winning Christian contemporary romance author. She writes to bring God glory and to learn more about His goodness. Her novel, In Search of a Prince, won the first ever, Christy Amplify award. Her novels, Grace Restored, was a 2019 Holt Medallion finalist, RiskingLove a 2020 Selah Award finalist, The Truth About Fame a 2021 Holt Medallion finalist, and The Price of Dreams a 2021 Maggie Award finalist.
A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and of the Virginia Chapter, Toni seeks to help readers find authors. She loves connecting with readers and authors alike via social media. You can learn more about her writing athttp://tonishiloh.com.
Many of the books I review are provided to me free of charge from publishers, authors, or other groups in return for a review. The opinions expressed in the reviews are mine and mine alone. No monetary consideration is given. This disclaimer is in accordance with FTC rules.
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