Christmas With You Anthology by LP Dover, Cindi Madsen, Amy Briggs, RJ Prescott & Heidi McLaughlin-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

CHRISTMAS WITH YOU by LP Dover, Cindi Madsen, Amy Briggs, RJ Prescott and Heidi McLaughlin-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 20, 2018

Bestselling authors Heidi McLaughlin, L.P. Dover, Cindi Madsen, R.J. Prescott, and Amy Briggs invite you to celebrate Christmas in Friendship, Massachusetts, where small-town values mean that everyone gets into the holiday spirit and lends a helping hand. When an unlikely newcomer decides to join in and play matchmaker, five couples—each a complete love story by each of our five authors—get their happily ever afters during the happiest time of the year. And these authors share what the season truly means to them.

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OVERVIEW: CHRISTMAS WITH YOU is a multi-authored Christmas anthology focusing on the people of Friendship, Massachusetts, and Gabe, an apparent homeless man who is determined to help people find each other or rediscover the magic of Christmas. Charming and magical, CHRISTMAS WITH YOU is a festive and merry collection of clean romances and growing love stories perfect for the holiday season.

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SNOWFLAKE LANE INN by LP Dover

REVIEW: Told from dual first person points of view (Colin and Layla) SNOWFLAKE LANE INN follows the building romance between Snowflake Lane Inn owner Colin Jennings, and fashion designer Layla Aberdeen. Layla Aberdeen was struggling. Her latest fashion line was a failure, and our heroine needed some time alone to rethink in which direction she wanted to go. Christmas in Friendship, Massachusetts seemed like the ideal retreat but meeting Colin Jennings found our heroine reconsidering the direction of her private life. What ensues is the building relationship and romance between Colin and Layla, as our couple celebrate the holidays together.

SNOWFLAKE LANE INN is a sweet story; a cute romance between two people pushed together by a stranger, a homeless ‘Santa’ playing matchmaker for the people of Friendship, Massachusetts. The premise is a charming story with a clean romance, and an adorable couple.

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RUNAWAY CHRISTMAS BRIDE by Cindi Madsen

REVIEW: Told from dual third person perspectives (Emmett and Regina) RUNAWAY CHRISTMAS BRIDE follows in the aftermath as Regina is dumped at the altar. Heading to places unknown, our heroine arrives in Friendship, Massachusetts where she proceeds to get drunk, and is welcomed to town by Sheriff Emmett Haywood. What ensues is the building relationship between Emmett and Regina, when Regina is booked at the Cozy Cottage, and the old ladies of Friendship begis to play matchmaker for our leading couple.

RUNAWAY CHRISTMAS BRIDE is another sweet story; a clean romance wherein two people are pushed together by a homeless ‘Santa’, and the nosy busybodies of Friendship Massachusetts. A delightful novella wherein our heroine is given a second chance at love.

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CHRISTMAS LIGHTS by Amy Briggs

REVIEW: Told from dual first person perspectives (Samantha and Jason Hayes) CHRISTMAS LIGHTS follows Samantha as struggles to enjoy the Christmas holidays since the death of her beloved parents. Heading from the warmth of Florida, to the cold snowy sights of Friendship, Massachusetts, Samantha will meet mechanic and pilot Jason Hayes, who will make all of her dreams and wishes come true, starting with ‘Operation Christmas Flamingo’.

We are introduced to Samantha’s sister Robin, and Robin’s daughters Delilah and Daisy, as well as Jason’s eight year old daughter Emily. Hoping to recreate the Christmas’ from her past, Jason sets a plan into motion to give Samantha the perfect holiday experience. CHRISTMAS LIGHTS is a charming, clean, and animated short story .

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CHRISTMAS ENCOUNTER by RJ Prescott

REVIEW: Told from dual first person perspectives (Jensen and Lauren) CHRISTMAS ENCOUNTER follows British Formula One driver Jensen Caldwell, as he heads to Friendship, Massachusetts for the funeral of a close friend. Meeting grifter Lauren Matthews tugs at something within Jensen’s heart but Lauren’s father’s reputation in Friendship has marked our heroine, for all of the wrong reasons. A few days together finds Jensen in love but Lauren knows it is only a matter of time before things spiral out of control.

CHRISTMAS ENCOUNTER is a little darker than the previous story lines. A tale of betrayal, heartbreak, and humiliation, CHRISTMAS ENCOUNTER is a colorful and dramatic tale about two people thrown together by circumstance and love.

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IT’S A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY by Heidi McLaughlin

REVIEW: Told from dual first person perspectives (Rory and Gwen) IT’S A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY focuses on investment banker Rory and his wife Gwen. On the verge of a divorce from his beloved Gwen, workaholic Rory Sutton struggles to let go of the memories of what was and what may never be. When a homeless stranger gives Rory some sage advice, our hero takes the steps necessary to bring his family back together.

IT’S A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY is a reimagining of Frank Capra’s It’s A Wonderful Life. An investment banker seeks the meaning of life only to discover he had everything all along. An enchanting and moving story IT’S A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY is a charming tale, with spirited characters and a happily ever after.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Excerpt from Heidi McLaughlin’s IT’S A WONDER HOLIDAY!

 

The mid-afternoon holiday shoppers walk by the large picture window of my office. The blowing snow, which piles up on the window ledge like a quintessential painting from Norman Rockwell, gives the town of Friendship a classic New England feel.
Like most storefronts in town, the Bank & Trust building has large picture windows that look out onto the town square. Sighing, I stare out the window, hoping to catch a glimpse of Gwen coming out of a store, parking her car, or even walking down the street. I haven’t seen her since I moved out.
The blotter on my desk, with its sporadic notes and dates, piques my attention. Leaning forward, I push a small pile of papers out of the way so I can read what today says. Meet divorce lawyer.
Instant melancholy sets in as I frown at the calendar and what my life has become. A divorce is the last thing I want, but I haven’t done a very good job of showing Gwen that she and our daughter Ruby were important. Are important.
My sports coat hangs on the back of my chair. I grab it, slip my arms into it, and take my long winter coat off the rack. A quick glance at the clock shows me I’m about out of time and need to leave now if I’m going to make my appointment.
It seems colder than when I was outside earlier, and I find myself pulling my coat closer and pushing my hands deep into its pockets. Despite the coat’s thickness, it does nothing to take the bite out of the air or keep the wind from stinging my cheeks.
I cross the street and head up the granite stairs leading to my attorney’s office. The heat inside the building is stifling, and my frozen fingers work to undo my coat. Taking the staircase two steps at a time, the old wood creaks under my weight.
The law office is small but has an odd homey feel. I hang my wool coat and give a slight nod to the receptionist. She smiles, sort of. It’s more like a half smile-half grimace. Living in a small town, everyone knows your business.
“Mr. Sutton, please come in.” Terence Sims has been an attorney longer than I’ve been alive. My parents used him for a few legal transactions, and it only made sense I seek out his help as well. “Have you given much thought to how you want to respond to Gwen’s proposal?” he asks. He swivels in his chair to look at me over the rim of his glasses.
“Honestly, I haven’t looked at it.”
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t want this divorce.”
Terence leans back, and his fingers form a steeple. “Divorce is hard, especially when one party is blindsided. Do me a favor. Talk to Gwen. See if you can work something out that benefits the both of you.”
He has given me an idea. I’ll talk to Gwen, but it won’t be regarding a settlement. I’m going to do what I should’ve done all along, be the husband and father I’m supposed to be.
I’m going to get my family back.


 

LP DOVER

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author L. P. Dover is a southern belle living in North Carolina with her husband and two beautiful girls. Before she began her literary journey she worked in periodontics, enjoying the wonderment of dental surgeries.

She loves to write, but she also loves to play tennis, go on mountain hikes and white water rafting, and has a passion for singing. Her two youngest fans expect a concert each and every night before bedtime, usually Christmas carols.

Dover has written countless novels, including her Forever Fae series, the Second Chances series, the Gloves Off series, the Armed & Dangerous series, the Royal Shifters series, the Society X series, the Circle of Justice series, and her standalone novel Love, Lies, and Deception. Her favorite genre to read and write is romantic suspense, but if she got to choose a setting in which to live, it would be with her faeries in the Land of the Fae.

L.P. Dover is represented by Marisa Corvisiero of Corvisiero Literary Agency and Italia Gandolfo of Gandolfo Helin & Fountain Literary Management for dramatic rights.

Website/ Facebook/ Twitter/ Google+ / Amazon / Goodreads / Newsletter

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CINDI MADSEN

Cindi Madsen is a USA Todaybestselling author of contemporary romance and young adult novels. She sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting, revising, and falling in love with her characters. Sometimes it makes her a crazy person. Without it, she’d be even crazier. She has way too many shoes, but can always find a reason to buy a pretty new pair, especially if they’re sparkly, colorful, or super tall. She loves music and dancing and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband, three children, and one overly-dramatic tomcat.

You can visit Cindi at: www.cindimadsen.com, where you can sign up for her newsletter to get all the up-to-date information on her books. Follow her on Twitter @cindimadsen. 

Connect with Cindi:

Website| Twitter| Facebook| Street Team| Instagram| Pinterest| Goodreads| Newsletter

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AMY BRIGGS

Amy Briggs is a Texas based writer. Formerly a firefighter and EMT in New Jersey living next to a military base, Amy was initially drawn to creating stories around emergency services and the military, and draws on her experiences to show the depth and emotional side of the lifestyle. Her love of fairy tales carries through each of her novels and she hopes to inspire readers to fall in love with love.

Amy loves being in touch with her readers and can be found on all the social media here:

Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter /

RJ  PRESCOTT

RJ Prescott was born in Cardiff, South Wales although she left to study law at the University of Bristol, England. Four weeks before graduation RJ fell in love, and stayed. Ten years later she convinced her crazy, wonderful fire fighter husband to move back to Cardiff with her where they live with their two equally crazy sons. Juggling work, writing and family doesn’t leave a lot of time, but curling up on the sofa with a cup of tea and a bar of chocolate for family movie night is definitely the best part of her week. “The Hurricane” is her debut New Adult Novel.

Goodreads / Website / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest

HEIDI MCLAUGHLIN

Heidi is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author.

Originally from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband and two daughters. Also renting space in their home is an over-hyper Beagle/Jack Russell, Buttercup and a Highland West/Mini Schnauzer, JiLL and her brother, Racicot.

When she’s isn’t writing one of the many stories planned for release, you’ll find her sitting court-side during either daughter’s basketball games.

Heidi’s first novel, Forever My Girl, will be in theaters on October 27, 2017, starring Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Newsletter /Instagram /Pinterest

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Highland Honor (Wild Thistle Trilogy #3) by Madelyn Hill-Review and Guest Post

HIGHLAND HONOR (Wild Thistle Trilogy #3) by Madelyn Hill-Review and Guest Post

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 16, 2018

The final book of the captivating Scottish Historical Wild Thistle Trilogy

Lady Honor MacAllister can heal everything but a broken heart . . .

Lady Honor does not believe in marriage. Her father’s death broke her mother’s spirit and took her from her daughters emotionally well before her own death. When Honor is attacked in the forest, she keeps the event to herself, lest her lairds search for the man and strike him down. As a healer, she’ll do anything it takes not to cause harm. Rumors of attacks in the Highlands forces the lairds to increase guards and security measures. When Bryce Calder is assigned to protect Lady Honor, she fights the burgeoning attraction for the man, knowing she’ll never risk her heart to love.

Warrior Bryce Calder trusts no woman. Women only strive to better themselves through cunning, as his father warned throughout his childhood. When he is asked to escort Lady Honor while she gathers healing herbs, he is vexed. Training the men and protecting the clan are his duties, not following the sharped-tongued lass about the wood. With each passing day, Bryce becomes enchanted by Lady Honor, despite his father’s words, but his unworthiness halts any proclamation of his desire.

An unlikely partnership develops during the frequent trips to the forest and work in the apothecary. The walls each has erected to protect their hearts and their future crumbles. Until a stranger arrives at the keep. Lady Honor’s secret is threatened to be revealed putting in jeopardy the growing romance between the ardent healer and the reluctant warrior-suitor.

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REVIEW: HIGHLAND HONOR is the third and final instalment in Madelyn Hill’s historical, Highland WILD THISTLE romance trilogy focusing on Faith, Hope and Honor of Clan MacAlister. This is Lady Honor MacAlister, and Highland warrior Bryce Calder’s story line. HIGHLAND HONOR can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from several third person perspectives including Honor and Bryce HIGHLAND HONOR follows the building relationship between is Lady Honor MacAlister, and Highland warrior Bryce Calder. Someone is stalking the forests of the Highlands surrounding Wild Thistle Keep, taking aim at the women in horrific acts of assault. As the family healer Honor MacAlister needs access to the large assortment of herbs and plants growing in the forests surrounding their home but she is no longer allowed to leave the Keep unaccompanied. Enter Highland warrior Bryce Calder, assigned as protector and guardian of Honor MacAlister, and the man with whom Honor will fall in love. What ensues is the building romance between Honor and Bryce, as the members of Clan MacAlister continue to hunt for the person responsible for the attacks against the women surrounding Wild Thistle Keep.

The attraction between Honor and Bryce does not go unnoticed by the people at Wild Thistle Keep but Honor struggles with memories of the past: how her mother suffered following the brutal death of their father; as well as her own secret and shame. Bryce’s attraction to Honor is visceral but his duty is first and foremost as a warrior, and protector of the woman with whom he will fall in love.

All of the previous story line couples play secondary and supporting characters including Lady Faith MacAlister, and Captain Graeme Ross (Highland Faith #2), and Lairds Hope MacAlister and her husband Aidan MacKerry, as well as the return of Nora and old man Connor, a former warrior battling wisdom and age.

Like the previous instalments HIGHLAND HONOR is a story of family, of honor, of hope and of faith. The premise is intriguing and captivating; the romance is clean and sweet; the characters are heart warming and inspiring.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Highland Hope
Highland Faith
Highland Honor

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Creating Memorable Characters

By: Madelyn Hill

Creating memorable characters is the goal of all writers and we all have our favorites from books we treasure. Mine? I love Kit from The Witch of Blackbird Pond, Jane from Jane Eyre, Ave Marie from Big Stone Gap Series. And of course Harry from Harry Potter, in fact most of the characters from Harry Potter! Well-drawn characters stand the test of time, so the task is arduous.

As I create characters, I do a word sketch of their looks, habits, endearing traits, goals, motivation and conflict. If I am still uncertain about their singular focus as a character, I complete a poem called, I Am. This helps flesh out the true nature of the character. In my opinion, these facets must be known prior to writing. Of course there may be shifts along the way when your muse decides to skew the story in some manner, but having the background information completed can help with characterization consistency.

At the beginning of each novel, I add the character sketches before chapter 1 so I have quick access as I am writing. This is done for main and secondary characters. Then I create inspirations boards in Pinterest so I have a visual and can locate research content using an organized, easy to locate tool.

In the Wild Thistle Trilogy, the characters are driven by their father’s dying words: “Through Hope, Faith, and Honor, ye can rule.” These parting words truly direct the goals of each character as well as their conflict. For Hope of Highland Hope, the statement increases her loyalty to the clan and her need to lead them to the best of her ability. For Faith of Highland Faith, the pledge is conflicting. Faith loves adventure and hunting and doesn’t want to remain at the keep, she wants to explore. Both are strong, fierce women who do not let traditional conventions stand in their way. Lady Honor of Highland Honor, is the peacekeeper between her sisters and the clan healer. Her skill directs her thoughts and actions and while her father’s death inspired her position of healer, she does her duty quietly without the fiery spirit of her sisters. But there is surprising strength in the quiet Honor.

And for the men. Ah, the men who have captured the hearts of these heroines, who are strong, loyal, and determined to forge their way in the clan as well as in the heroines’ hearts. Aidan of Highland Hope is determined to take what is rightfully his—the Lairdship—no matter if it means taking it from the beautiful Hope. Graeme of Highland Faith is conflicted between his love of the sea and his need to prove himself to his father. When he stumbles upon Faith as she hunts, he knows her ransom may be the answer to all of his prayers. He is a rogue, to be sure and finds Faith’s strength of character to be one of her best characteristics. And Bryce of Highland Honor, he is a warrior who pledges to protect the clan and clansmen at all cost. He trains the men hard and doesn’t understand why Honor refuses to see the value of his position and skill within the clan.

As a writer, creating memorable characters is a tough, but paramount. What may captivate one reader may annoy another. I feel consistency of characterization is key to ensure your characters are true to their goals, motivation, and conflict. Strong characterization and a compelling plot will create a story which may land your characters on someone’s favorite character list.

To see my inspiration, for each novel of the Wild Thistle Trilogy, click on the links below.

 

Pinterest Inspiration Boards:

Highland Hope: https://www.pinterest.com/madelynhill68/highland-hope-book-1-wild-thistle-trilogy/

Highland Faith: https://www.pinterest.com/madelynhill68/highland-faith-book-2-wild-thistle-trilogy/

Highland Honor: https://www.pinterest.com/madelynhill68/highland-honor-book-3-wild-thistle-trilogy/

Highland Hope: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk /

Highland Faith: Amazon. com / Amazon.ca / Amazon. uk /

Highland HonorAmazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

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Madelyn HillI’m a mom, wife, and writer just living life to the fullest. A Michigan native, I’ve moved from one Rochester to another Rochester to marry the love of my life. Life is exciting, exhausting, chaotic and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I love writing historical novels with a Celtic flair. Scotland and Ireland are my favorite locations to set my novels. Nothing is better than a hero in a kilt and a strong heroine to give him the run for his money!

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