The
Perfect Christmas?
by
Anna J. Stewart
I
know, I know. Yet again I'm celebrating Christmas in August. While that might
make a lot of people cringe (that's right, I can see you!), I LOVE it! The
holiday season is something I look forward to every single year. Maybe not the two
days I spend decorating and hauling the fake tree (that's wrapped up like a
dead body) out of my garage cabinet, or untangling those blasted lights (even
though they look awesome when they're done). Everything else? Love. Love, love,
love.
As
I'm putting the finishing touches on my upcoming holiday novella, ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS (available in A HEARTWARMING HOLIDAY boxed set, up for
pre-order NOW!), I've come to the harsh realization (and okay, I did know
this), that the holidays are not always easy for some people. It definitely
isn't easy for my hero, Grant Carver. You see, Grant isn't what you'd consider
a "people person.” He's a scientist--an astronomer--and he's spent most of
his life with his head either in the stars or with his nose in a book. Being
brought up in Christmas Town, surrounded constantly by a holiday that's never
been anything but painful for him, Grant has become one of "those"
residents. You know the type I'm talking about (or you will when you read the
story!).
Grant's
had a tough year. The professional success he'd always hoped for finally
arrived, but days later his only sibling died, leaving Grant as sole guardian
of her son and daughter. Addison and Wesley are used to big Christmases,
celebrations that last for weeks with bright lights and gingerbread houses and
all the magical touches their mother could give them. Christmas Town, Maine,
seems the perfect place for their first holiday season without her, but nothing
is going right. When stringing the lights leaves Grant incapacitated with a
broken leg, Addison takes matters into her own hands and hires Charlotte
Powell, holiday designer extraordinaire, to give her little brother the
Christmas of his dreams.
A
nerdy Scrooge and an enthusiastic holiday addict? What could possibly go wrong?
I've had so much fun finding out! Charlotte is one of those take-charge
characters. She's also one of those "charge!" women, so Grant better
watch out. She's determined to make Christmas perfect for all three of these
wounded souls.
I've
enjoyed exploring the emotional wounds (as author Melinda Curtis would call
them) some people have regarding the holidays. The wonderful thing about
writing romance is the HEA and by the end of this story, not only will Grant
come to realize there's more than one way to celebrate, he'll find that he's
truly been given the greatest gift of all: a family of his own.
I
hope you enjoy their story as much as I loved writing it.
Happy
reading!
And don't forget, included in A
HEARTWARMING HOLIDAY is an exclusive coupon worth $1.00 off any Heartwarming
title from Harlequin.com. Who doesn't
love heartwarming romances?
~Anna J
***
This holiday season, warm your heart with 15 connected sweet,
clean & wholesome holiday romances set in Christmas Town from 15 Harlequin
Heartwarming authors who are USA Today,
national bestselling, and award-winning authors.
There are five connected books in A Heartwarming Holiday. That means each set of three novellas
shares characters and storylines! This collection of PG-rated holiday romances
are all set in Christmas Town, Maine, a location introduced in the 2014
Harlequin Heartwarming release Christmas, Actually. A Heartwarming Holiday will
bring you laughter, tears, and happily-ever-afters.
Book 1: Once Upon a Holiday by Anna Adams, Anna
J Stewart & Melinda Curtis
Book 2: Holiday Heroes by Leigh Riker, Tara
Randel & Cari Lynn Webb
Book 3: 24 North Pole Lane by Carol Ross, Amy
Vastine & Cheryl Harper
Book 4: Magic Moments by Tara Taylor Quinn, Shirley
Hailstock & Liz Flaherty
Book 5: Nutcracker Sweethearts by Dana Mentink,
Roz Denny Fox, & Amie Denman
Amazon http://ow.ly/nXVO302pwTe
Google http://ow.ly/Ki7b302pwJH
iTunes http://ow.ly/sajU302pwWP
If this boxed set appeals to you, look for our previous holiday anthology: A Heartwarming Christmas. http://amzn.to/2a6JWcK
USA Today and national
bestselling author Anna J. Stewart can't remember a time she didn't have a book
in her hands or a story in her head. Early obsessions with Star Wars, Star Trek and Wonder Woman set her on the path to creating fun,
funny, and family-centric romances with happily-ever-afters for her independent
heroines. Anna lives in Northern California where she deals with a serious Supernatural & Sherlock addiction, surrounds herself
with friends and family and tolerates an overly affectionate cat named Snickers
(or perhaps it's Snickers who tolerates her). Visit her online at
www.authorannastewart.com.
Thanks so much for hosting me today!! Happy almost holidays!! *ducks and covers* :)
ReplyDeleteAnna, I'm really looking forward to reading all novellas in the set. I need to start thinking about Christmas. As a rule I have little gifts for the family tucked away by now. Yikes, not yet. I've been too busy. I also love Christmas.
ReplyDeleteAnna, I can't wait to read this story! I'm already smiling thinking about the love/hate Christmas conflict. Add the kids in the mix (poor things just lost their mom) and this is gonna be great(:
ReplyDeleteI can't wait, and the longer we promote, the anxiouser I get!
ReplyDeleteLove your story premise!
ReplyDelete