Christmas books

Hello, friends! Today we have another guest visiting the blog. Throughout the next couple of weeks I’ll feature a series of holiday posts from authors who will share a little about themselves and their books. I asked them each to answer a few holiday-related questions. Let’s meet author Jana Richards. Welcome, Jana!

–What’s your favorite holiday movie and why? I love the old black and white version of A Christmas Carol from 1951. The special effects are cheesy, but for me, Alastair Sim is the quintessential Ebenezer Scrooge. He makes me believe he really is that character. He’s ruined me for all other Ebenezers!

–What’s your holiday “specialty?” I’ve got a couple of holiday specialties. Every year I make butter tarts, which are a sweet concoction of butter, brown sugar and raisins. I make them mostly because they’re my favorite and just so darn good. The other thing I make every year is a salad with cranberries, mandarin oranges, and pineapple, set in raspberry Jell-o. When I was a kid, jellied salads were very popular and we ate them all year long. Nowadays, this is the only jellied salad I make, and only at Christmas. It was my Mom’s recipe, and I guess it’s my way of paying tribute to her now that she’s gone.

Jana Richards writes romantic suspense, historicals set during WW2, and contemporary romance, including small town romance and romantic comedy. She loves to create characters with a sense of humor, but also a serious side. She believes there’s nothing better than peeling back the layers to see what makes a character tick.

When she’s not writing or keeping the dust bunnies at bay, she can be found reading a book. Jana lives in Western Canada with her husband Warren.

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Book blurb: CHRISTMAS AT SOLACE LAKE

An emergency brings Drew Barnes to Solace Lake Lodge, an inn deep in the Minnesota woods owned by his aunt and uncle. He’s sure desperation is the only reason they’d allow him to fill in as their bookkeeper. No one in his family has believed in him since his mistake got him fired from his previous job. Soon after he arrives, Drew is disheartened to discover thefts and financial irregularities. The last thing he wants is to be put in the middle of another crime.

Sous chef Celeste Bishop has made a good life for herself and her nine-year-old daughter in the three years she’s worked, and lived, at Solace Lake Lodge. After being unfairly fired, this was the only job she could get, and she’s grateful her gamble on the lodge paid off. The only sticking point is the isolation since she never learned to drive. How can she show her daughter independence when she’s always relying on others?

Drew sees Celeste’s frustration and offers to teach her to drive. A powerful attraction ignites between them, and soon deeper, stronger emotions blossom. Drew is all in, but Celeste resists her feelings. She’s nine years older than Drew. An interracial relationship didn’t work for her parents. And loving Drew feels like a betrayal of her deceased husband.

As Christmas approaches, the thefts escalate. Can Drew stop the thief and redeem himself in his family’s eyes—and his own? And can he convince Celeste they deserve the gift of a happily ever after this Christmas?

A favorite quote from the book:

The wonder in her eyes, the relief and joy, made him smile. Though he’d promised himself not to touch her today, he simply couldn’t resist. He pulled off his glove and, leaning across the console, laid his hand on her soft cheek. Drew stared into her beautiful dark eyes. The intoxicating combination of her warm, welcoming scent and the silky feel of her skin made his heart soar and his body catch fire. The need to kiss her nearly overpowered him, but he held back, knowing it wasn’t what she wanted.

Connect with Jana: https://www.janarichards.com

https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Solace-Lake-Love-Romance-ebook/dp/B0CH5DTYNS

Thanks for joining us, Jana. The book sounds amazing, and so does that Jell-o salad! Hey, readers, do you have a favorite holiday tradition? Please share!

Happy reading!

Darlene

It’s almost over–Christmas in July, where Summer Sizzle meets Holiday Magic! Tomorrow is the final day for these great deals on great books and the N.N. Light Christmas in July giveaway!

Celebrate Christmas in July all month long at N. N. Light’s Book Heaven’s seventh annual Christmas in July Fête.. .We’ve gathered some of the best Christmas and holiday-themed books by award-winning, bestselling and top-rated authors which we will be featuring for the duration of the event. Below you will find the links to each book spotlight all July plus the Rafflecopter giveaway where one lucky reader will win a $75 Amazon gift card.

Open internationally. Runs July 1 – 31, 2023. Drawing will be held on August 1, 2023.

Enter Here

Tall Pines Xmas in July

For the event, Christmas at Tall Pines is on sale. Grab your digital copy today! A sweet romance that’s perfect for escaping summer’s soaring temps while visiting the snowy mountains of Utah!

Book Blurb:

Melanie Beck is searching for an idyllic Christmas like the ones her small family used to have. Traveling solo and still grieving the loss of her parents, she’s counting on cozy Tall Pines Lodge tucked into the mountains of Utah to provide the elusive holiday feels with merry music, stunning decorations and traditional Christmas feast in a beautiful frosty setting.

But a blizzard turns the winter wonderland into a hazard, and a chance encounter with a now-famous high school crush has her reeling with emotions she’s never quite gotten over.

Tyler Shaw, a Hollywood heartthrob and silver screen star, is so over a grueling film schedule and persistent paparazzi. In disguise and using a fake name, he comes to Tall Pines to escape the spotlight and get some much-needed rest. He’s hoping the adrenaline rush of downhill skiing at the nearby slopes will give him the reboot he’s looking for.

Instead, he’s stuck at the lodge and is shocked to run into an old high school friend that he left behind more than a decade ago. He’s even more surprised to discover how much he’s missed her.

As their past and present collide, can an old flame ignite some Christmas magic?

Excerpt:

“Also, if you’re having an affair, keep that away from the camera.” His agent cleared his throat and hesitated a beat. “But if this woman is someone special, we can use that to our advantage. What’s the story?”

Tyler’s heart somersaulted. This woman. He’d talked to Aiden about women before, mostly to enlist his help when things went the way of a three-ring circus in the media. All of a sudden, the topic felt more personal, private. He should’ve hung up ten minutes ago. “I… She’s…” What story did he wanted to tell? Of course, she was someone special. Funny how crystal clear that was looking in the rearview mirror. Even in high school she’d been in a league of her own. The missed years weighed heavily on his mind. He had a feeling those years represented missed opportunities.

A low chuckle came across the line, and he wanted to kick himself for stammering around like an idiot.

“Well, well,” Aiden drawled. “This is an interesting development. Who is she?”

“We were friends in high school.”

“Uh-huh. And what are you now?”

Good question. And one he wasn’t sure how to answer. Friends? Potential lovers? A couple? As he considered the possibilities, his pulse skyrocketed.

“Don’t hold out on me, Shaw. I need to know what I’m dealing with.”

He let his glance wander to Annie’s book, and he lifted it from the table. Turning it over, he stared at her smiling face. Blood rushed to his head. He could definitely see himself spending more time with Annie. She was someone he’d be proud to be seen with in public, and someone he could relax with away from the prying public eyes. But he would not be “using her to his advantage.”

“Aiden,” he warned. “Leave her out of this.”

Happy reading to all!