#christmasread

A Nutcracker Christmas by Laurie Winter

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

A Nutcracker Christmas

By Laurie Winter

Sweet Contemporary Romance, Magical

Paperback & ebook, 210 Pages

October 11, 2021 by Champagne Book Group

Suddenly let go from her news anchor position, Aria Roberts heads north to stay at her late Great-Aunt Clara’s house. She has many good memories there and wishes to give Clara’s Christmas Shoppe, which is located on the first floor of the Victorian mansion, one final holiday season. When Aria arrives, she finds the special gift Clara left for her—an antique nutcracker with a poem hidden under the back lever. Aria reads the poem out loud. At sundown that night, those words magically bring the nutcracker to life.

Kort Zellner awakes inside the familiar surroundings of Clara’s house but learns she has passed away and now her great-niece resides there. The curse placed on him three hundred years ago traps him in the form of a nutcracker but allows him to return every December 1st through midnight on Christmas Day—only between sundown and sunrise.

After some convincing, Aria believes Kort’s strange story. She helps him experience life as he is gifted so few hours alive and in doing so, falls in love. He knows his curse makes it impossible to give her the constant relationship she deserves. His plan to leave her forever on Christmas Day collides with Aria’s desire to build a future together, even if for only twenty-five nights a year.

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About the Author

Multi-award winning author Laurie Winter is a true warrior of the heart. Inspired by her dreams, she creates authentic characters who overcome the odds and find true love. She keeps her life balanced with regular yoga practice and running with her dog, Shadow. When not pounding the pavement or the keyboard, she’s likely fueling up on wine, cheese curds, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.

Excerpt

She’d metaphorically offered a hand, and he’d pushed it away. He’d hurt her. Aria deserves better. He drifted toward her, then set his large hands on her shoulders, one on each side, and turned her around to face him. “Many…many years ago, I lived with an elderly earl who owed a large country estate outside of London. He had a massive library, and I’d spend most of my waking hours reading.” He focused his gaze on her face, drinking in her beautiful warm eyes and smooth skin.

“I like where this story is going.” The edges of her mouth lifted.

He worked to calm his nerves. Being vulnerable hadn’t come naturally at any point in his life. “Some of my favorites were collections of poems by John Keats. Touch has a memory, he wrote in one of his works.”

Kort brushed back the hair from her face then ran the pad of his thumb across her forehead. How much longer do we have together? If he fell in love with her, would she become a memory as well, haunting him like all the rest?

“Keats was correct. I still remember the texture of my wife’s hair when I ran my fingers through it, although I can’t recall her face. I can feel the weight of my children as they sat on my lap, but I can no longer hear the sound of their voices in my head.” He took a deep breath, needing to control the threatening tears. “They’ve faded away. Now all I have left is the memory of their touch. I’m trapped, with no hope of escape.”

Tears ran down her cheeks. Her gaze darted away before returning to him. “There’s always hope.”

Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive a print copy of A NUTCRACKER CHRISTMAS or ONCE UPON A PRINCE by Laurie Winter, $25 Amazon gift card, and a nutcracker Christmas ornament (US only)

Ends December 8, 2021

ENTER HERE

December 2, 2021 by Kim Blitz Giveaway

You and Me by Becky Wade

Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

About the Book

Title: You and Me
Series: A Misty River Christmas Novella
Author: Becky Wade
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance
Release Date: November 23, 2021

Easy-going, artistic Connor Bryant fell hard for his friend Shay Seaver when they were both in the seventh grade. Sixteen years later, he’s returned to Misty River. She’s finally between boyfriends. And his crush on her hasn’t wavered. Now’s his chance.

He tells Shay that he’s found someone he wants to date and is in need of a makeover when it comes to his appearance and dating strategies. He asks if she’ll serve as his consultant — in hopes that he’ll learn how he can become her ideal man. What he doesn’t tell her? That she’s the one he wants to date.

Sporty stationery shop owner Shay immediately agrees to Connor’s request because he’s one of the best guys she knows. However, she quickly realizes she’s in over her head. She’s pledged to help him win the affection of another woman — even though she dearly wants to claim his heart.

It’s Christmas in the mountain town of Misty River! This sweet contemporary romance novella, penned by Christy-winning author Becky Wade, can be read alone or paired with the other books in the series.

Purchase your copy here!

About the Author

During her childhood in California, Becky frequently produced homemade plays starring her sisters, friends, and cousins. These plays almost always featured a heroine, a prince, and a love story with a happy ending. She’s been a fan of all things romantic ever since.

Becky and her husband lived overseas in the Caribbean and Australia before settling in Dallas, Texas. It was during her years abroad that Becky’s passion for reading turned into a passion for writing. She published three historical romances for the general market, put her career on hold for many years to care for her kids, and eventually returned to writing sheerly for the love of it. She’s delighted to be penning warm, wry, and heartwarming contemporary romances for the Christian market. She’s the Christy and Carol award winning author of My Stubborn Heart, the Porter Family series, the Bradford Sisters series, and the Misty River Romance series.

These days Becky can be found failing but trying to keep up with her housework, power-walking her neighborhood, carting her kids around town, hunched over her computer, eating chocolate, or collapsed on the sofa watching TV with her husband.

My Review

You and Me
by Becky Wade
A Misty River Romance Christmas Novella
Rating: 4/5

As a fan of Becky Wade, I was excited to get an ARC of this Christmas novella. If you’ve ever seen How to Fall in Love on the Hallmark channel, this story gave me similar vibes. Who doesn’t want to root for the guy that’s still in love with his childhood crush? I liked how Shay described her advice as polishing the diamond that Connor already was. That polish and the time spent together seemed like just the thing to have Shay wake up to her feelings about Connor.

“Connor was a unicorn—both gorgeous and modest.”

It was especially fun for the story to occur around Christmas. It’s such a special time of year and the live nativity part was lovely. I enjoyed Shay’s reaction to being in the live nativity. This story was such a fun and cozy romantic read for Christmas that you won’t want to miss!

Highly recommend if you enjoy Christmas novellas with romance, humor and lots of heart.

My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

I definitely ordered a copy for myself.
P.S. Thanks for the Veronica Mars reference 😉

ALSO AVAILABLE

***Read my review of Let It Be Me here!

Sneak Peek for TURN TO ME coming in January 2022!

Guilt has defined Luke Dempsey’s life. But it was self-destructiveness that landed him in prison. When his friend and fellow inmate lays dying shortly before Luke’s release, the older man reveals he’s left a string of clues for his daughter Finley that will lead her to the treasure he’s hidden. Worried that she won’t be the only one pursuing the treasure, he begs Luke to protect her, and Luke promises he will.

Finley Sutherland, owner of an animal rescue center and dogged defender of lost causes, accepts Luke’s help with the treasure hunt while secretly planning to help him in return — by coaxing him to embrace the forgiveness he’s long denied himself.

As they draw closer to the mysterious cache, their reasons for resisting one another begin to crumble and Luke realizes his promise will be harder to keep than he’d anticipated. He’ll do his best to shield Finley from unseen threats. But who’s going to shield him from losing his heart?

November 23, 2021 by Kim Book Reviews

The Wish Book Christmas by Lynn Austin

About the Book

Title: The Wish Book Christmas
Author: Lynn Austin
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction
Publisher: Tyndale
Release Date: September 7, 2021

From the bestselling author of If I Were You comes a nostalgic and endearing holiday story that reminds us that sometimes the most meaningful gifts are the ones we least expect and don’t deserve.

Best friends Audrey Barrett and Eve Dawson are looking forward to celebrating Christmas in postwar America, thrilled at the prospect of starting new traditions with their five-year-old sons. But when the 1951 Sears Christmas Wish Book arrives and the boys start obsessing over every toy in it, Audrey and Eve realize they must first teach them the true significance of the holiday. They begin by helping Bobby and Harry plan gifts of encouragement and service for those in their community, starting by walking an elderly neighbor’s yellow Lab—since a dog topped the boys’ wish list for Santa. In the charming tale that follows, Audrey and Eve are surprised to find their own hearts healing from the tragedies of war and opening to the possibility of forgiveness and new love.

Grab a copy as a Christmas gift here!

About the Author

Lynn Austin has sold more than one and a half million copies of her books worldwide. A former teacher who now writes and speaks full-time, she has won eight Christy Awards for her historical fiction and was one of the first inductees into the Christy Award Hall of Fame. One of her novels, Hidden Places, was made into a Hallmark Channel Original Movie. Lynn and her husband have three grown children and make their home in western Michigan. Visit her online at lynnaustin.org.

Connect with Lynn Austin: Facebook | Instagram | Bookbub | Goodreads | Twitter

My Review

The Wish Book Christmas
A Christmas Novella from the world of If I Were You
by Lynn Austin
Rating: 4.5/5

If you were at all a fan of If I Were You, you will truly enjoy this “sequel” to the story where we find out what happened to our friends, Eve and Audrey. Harry and Bobby are such a delight and I was captured by their childlike wonder and joy found as they discovered the joy of giving vs. receiving.

“God isn’t Santa Claus. He’s more like you and me, giving gifts to His children because He loves us.”

I loved the development of the boys as they went from wanting everything in the Sears Wish Book to doing chores to earn money to buy more gifts for others. I firmly believe in teaching kids to share and to give generously and appreciated that Audrey was concerned about Bobby getting spoiled. Their development was well done; however, I think Eve’s story was a bit rushed at the end which is understandable but still was effective enough to make an impact and give me a happy ending. I liked Audrey’s story too and it was nice to gain some closure regarding her family.

The author was able to weave a heartwarming, hilarious, and precious story about forgiveness and healing during the most wonderful time of the year. The wise men gifting was genius and impactful.

Highly recommend if you enjoy a beautiful Christmas story about two energetic boys who discover the true meaning of Christmas and experience the joy of giving.

My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

Q & A with Lynn Austin from Family Fiction

FF: What prompted you to write a Christmas novella?
I love Christmas stories and the Christmas movies that our family watches year after year. (My favorite is How the Grinch Stole Christmas.) I have always wanted to write a Christmas-themed book but never had time—until the pandemic struck and all of our travel plans, family get-togethers, church events, and other fun activities were canceled, giving me plenty of extra time. My idea was to write a Christmas novella that was a mini sequel to one of my full-length novels, giving readers an enjoyable update on some of their favorite characters. The Wish Book Christmas brings readers back to the people and setting they first met in my novel If I Were You.

FF: In The Wish Book Christmas, what message do you hope to convey about Christmas?
Christmas is about the greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ, given to us in love by our heavenly Father. He should be the focus of all that we do to celebrate. Christmas shouldn’t be just a spending spree with long lists of all the presents we need to buy and the gifts we hope to receive. Instead, it’s a time to return God’s love by freely giving ourselves, our time, and our talents to others, expecting nothing in return. This is the best way to glorify God and celebrate His Son’s birth at Christmas.

FF: Please tell us a bit about the setting of your novella.
The Wish Book Christmas takes place in a small Connecticut town in December of 1951. Christmas is one month away, World War II is in the rearview mirror, and Americans are enjoying renewed prosperity along with a “baby boom.” The main characters, Eve Dawson and Audrey Barrett, are British war brides who are struggling to raise their fatherless sons in the postwar bungalow they share. Readers first met Eve and Audrey and their five-year-old sons, Harry and Bobby, in my novel If I Were You, but this novella also reads very well as a stand-alone story.

FF: Can you provide a brief backstory of your characters?
Eve Dawson and Audrey Clarkson Barrett were childhood friends in England, where they grew up. Audrey and her wealthy family owned Wellingford Hall, a huge estate where Eve and her mother worked as servants. Their friendship flourishes in spite of their differences, and when World War II begins, the women enlist in the British army together, driving ambulances. They each fall in love with an American soldier and give birth to a son. But Audrey marries her son’s father and Eve does not. Audrey prepares to join her husband in America, but her plans end in tragedy when her husband dies suddenly. She decides to remain in England. Eve, who has no way to support her son and herself, decides to steal Audrey’s identity and move to America in her place. Eve’s deception is uncovered four years later when Audrey and her son arrive in America unannounced. Unscrambling the mess and restoring the friendship provides the plot for If I Were You.

FF: Your novella is set in 1951. Why do you feel the themes of this story are so relevant, both then and now?
I think 1951 and 2021 are both times of great change and also prosperity. In both eras, the values and traditions of the past are being questioned and, in many cases, discarded for something new and modern. This is especially true of biblical values. As suburban life becomes busier and more secular in both time periods, the true meaning of Christmas as Christ’s birth is lost as the holiday becomes commercialized. In both 1951 and 2021, we long to recover the simple beauty and meaning of the holiday.

FF: This story is a nostalgic harkening back to the iconic Sears Wish Book catalogue. Was this catalogue part of your childhood Christmases? Please explain.
Oh yes! The Sears Wish Book was something my two sisters and I looked forward to every season. I remember the three of us poring over it together the way the two boys in my novella do, choosing among page after page of toys and dreaming of finding them all beneath the tree on Christmas morning. Like the mothers in the novella, our mother also made us limit our choices—which was often difficult to do! The catalogue would be limp and dog-eared by the time we gave Santa our final lists.
When I was researching this novella, I was surprised and pleased to find back issues of the original Sears Wish Book online, dating back to the 1940s and ’50s. It was great fun to be reminded of all the toys from my childhood. And although the prices seemed ridiculously cheap by today’s standards, parents probably found them costly at the time.

FF: If someone is standing in a bookstore considering your novella, what might you say to them to encourage them to read it?
We all need a reminder now and then that Christmas isn’t about creating the perfect “Hallmark Christmas” with all the trappings and trimmings—and exhausting ourselves and our credit card limits in the process. The Wish Book Christmas offers inspiration for keeping the true meaning of Christmas at the forefront as we celebrate Christ’s birth. Readers with children and grandchildren will find some ideas for managing their kids’ expectations and teaching them to give.

FF: What is your hope for this novella?
My hope is that The Wish Book Christmas will rekindle the joy of giving and inspire creativity in shaping our Christmas traditions. The beauty of Jesus’ birth can be celebrated in simplicity and should be shared with neighbors who don’t know Him. I think most children are naturally generous, and I hope the story inspires parents to teach their children new ways to give at Christmas.

FF: What lessons from this story do you hope will resonate with your readers?
One of the characters in the novella, Eve Dawson, has a difficult time accepting God’s forgiveness for her past mistakes, feeling that she has to do something to earn it. I hope the message is clear that Jesus is God’s gift of grace to us so that our past can be forgiven. Like Eve, we can have a new life and a new beginning in Christ.

FF: How did writing this story change you and your own perspective of Christmas?
I love to lavish presents on my children and grandchildren, but writing this story reminded me that it’s more important to teach them, by my example, how to give generously to others. I want to reach out to my neighbors in new ways this Christmas and pare down all the expectations of what makes a “perfect” holiday.

(Source: Family Fiction)

Austin, L. (2021, September 28). Historical Christmas Author Q&A: Lynn Austin (The Wish Book Christmas). Family Fiction. Retrieved October 28, 2021, from https://familyfiction.com/christmas-romance-author-qa-lynn-austin-wish-book-christmas/

November 4, 2021 by Kim Book Reviews

Inside the Wong Mind: Reading is my therapy

Hello. This blog is all mine and I will do my best to post what interests me and what books I read with honest reviews. I am a lover of good Christian fiction with a touch of romance, mystery, intrigue, humor, fun, etc. I invite you to join me as I read my way through books and life. I am currently pursuing my residency training as a family medicine physician!!! I have to carefully choose what I want to read for fun. My name is Kim and you are entering the Wong Mind.