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ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: The Last Cottage on Pinewood Lane She’s his Christmas miracle. Now all he has to do is convince her of that…
Figure skater Tasha Ramson used to love the holidays. But with her career on the skids, she needs a break from the festive season—and Berry Lake is the perfect place to take it. Organizing a Christmas fundraiser was not on her agenda. Neither was falling for the small town’s handsome lawyer. But…she did… 🏠💝⛸️🎄🏠💝⛸️🎄🏠💝⛸️🎄
“Dog. Higgins. Stop.”
Pulse pounding, Elias raced out the door. His feet sank into the snow covering his front yard.
Higgins ran toward the end of Pinewood Lane. The blue leash dragged behind him like a malfunctioning kite tail.
The dog wouldn’t get far. Elias’s legs and strides would overtake the dog’s shorter legs soon.
His breath huffed. At least no cars. “Higgins!”
The dog didn’t slow but sped up.
So much for Higgins being smart and chill. The dog needed obedience lessons.
Or a new foster.
Elias picked up the pace, ignoring the stitch in his side and the burn in his thighs. He’d been away from the gym for too long if a brief run wore him out.
Higgins ran past the last cottage. He veered between the tall pine trees onto the path that led to the lake. For a dog who’d only arrived, he seemed to know where he wanted to go.
Please don’t go on the ice.
The lake remained frozen most of the winter, but Elias didn’t want Higgins out on the ice. It was solid enough near the edges for people to skate, but farther out wasn’t as thick.
“Higgins.” His voice hung on the wind.
Elias cleared the trees to a snow-covered area known as Pinewood Beach in the summer. Higgins sat facing the lake at the edge, where a short ridge of snow had built up. He walked slowly so as not to spook the dog.
Movement caught Elias’s attention. He glanced past Higgins to the lake and squinted.
Someone was on the ice.
He did a double take.
A figure skater, wearing black—except for her skates and a multicolor beanie—glided across the ice. Her graceful movements with outstretched arms and fast spins reminded him of the ice show his grandmother dragged him to when he was twelve. He’d gotten snacks, which made the two hours pass quicker, but he would have rather watched the Mariners or Seahawks. That was well before the Volcanoes, an expansion hockey team, arrived in Seattle.
No music played, yet she skated as if performing for a packed arena. She…captivated Elias.
The skater must have tucked her hair inside the beanie, and he wanted to know what color her hair was. Eyes, too, but he stood too far away.
And then he remembered…
Higgins!
The dog sat facing the skater.
Elias took a slow, careful step and then another. The dog didn’t flinch.
Only another two feet to go. Snow crunched under his left foot. He inhaled sharply.
Higgins bolted across the ice directly in the path of…
“Stop!” Elias yelled.
Neither the dog nor skater listened. The leash slid across the ice right in front of the skater, who skated with her chin up.
“Be careful!”
The scene played out in slow motion. Higgins froze. Her right skate hit the leash, and she stumbled. The skater tried to keep her balance by sticking her arms out, but her action didn’t stop gravity. She hit the ice with a thud.
Higgins jumped on top of her and licked her face.
The skater laughed. She reached into her jacket pocket. “Well, this is a first. Where did you come from, cutie?”
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PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
USA TODAY bestselling, award winning author Melissa McClone writes heartwarming women’s fiction and sweet contemporary romance novels for Tule Publishing Group, Harlequin Books, and Cardinal Press. She has also optioned two screenplays. When she’s not writing relatable characters and sigh-worthy happy endings, she spends her time in the rainy Pacific Northwest reading from her Kindle’s ever-growing TBR, napping with her Norwegian Elkhound and two mini panthers, and decorating her Happy Planner. Melissa graduated from Stanford University with a mechanical engineering degree, but discovered she prefers writing happily ever afters to jet engine testing and analysis.
Connect with Melissa by visiting melissamcclone.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.
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(1) winner will receive a Christmas Mystery Prize Pack including a $10 Amazon card, a $10 Starbucks card, and Christmas items!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight December 14, 2022 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on December 21, 2022. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. No shipping restrictions. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
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Welcome to the Blog + Review Blitz for A Christmas Bargain by Mindy Obenhaus, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
Title: A Christmas Bargain Why had she thought she could do this?
For once in your life, use a little common sense, Annalise, her mother’s voice echoed in her mind. This is foolishness. What do you know about running a business, let alone a Christmas tree farm?
Coming here had been a mistake. After all, reading about something wasn’t the same as doing it. She’d obviously underestimated the amount of work involved.
Tears pricked her eyes before spilling onto her cheeks.
“There you are.” Hawkins’ raised voice startled her.
She quickly swiped at her tears as he stepped in front of her.
“I wondered where you—” His gaze bore into her, his expression softening. “What’s wrong?”
“I can’t do this.”
He cupped her elbows in his palms, his warmth seeping into her. Confusion marred his handsome face. “Do what?”
“I’m not capable of running a Christmas tree farm.”
“What?” He took a step back. “Why would you think that?”
“Oh, come on.” She shivered. “I didn’t even look to see if there was gas in the mower.”
Hands now on his hips, he shook his head. “Have you forgotten about our collaboration? Our agreement?”
“It doesn’t matter.” They hadn’t signed a formal agreement yet, anyway. “Even my two-thirds of the trees are still too much.”
He dipped his head, urging her to look at him. “You do realize we’re playing catch-up right now? But we will catch up. Once we do that, the maintenance won’t be nearly as overwhelming.”
“There were six of us working today, and we barely made a dent.” To her chagrin, tears fell again, and she turned away.
After a moment, he moved in front of her. “Between Gary’s journals and preparation and your ideas to make this a real destination for families, I have no doubt that you can do this, Annalise. You’ve got my entire family excited about this endeavor. Including me.”
His words washed over her like a healing balm, soothing her disbelieving heart. No one had ever spoken such encouraging words to her before.
MY REVIEW:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A powerful story about healing, forgiveness, and finding true love when it's least expected . . .
This second installment of Author Mindy Obenhaus's 'Hope Crossing' series is a strong follow-up to book one, 'A Cowgirl's Redemption.' This story involves the brother of the lead female from book one, Gloriana Prescott.
Hawkins Prescott is a highly-intelligent, thoughtful, and caring man who is struggling to recover from a hurtful, disastrous relationship with a woman he barely knew. When a lovely widow with a delightful baby girl moves to the property next to Prescott Farms, Hawkins is beside himself—for a couple of reasons which the author reveals in her own good time.
Annalise Grant is recovering from the unexpected death of her husband, Dylan, a year earlier. She and her sixteen-month-old daughter, Olivia, are moving to Hope Crossing, Texas, to live in the home her late husband's uncle left to her upon his own death a few months ago.
Annalise has big plans for the Christmas tree farm which is growing on the side of the property that adjoins with Prescott Farms. A land encroachment dispute causes sparks to fly when Hawkins confronts Annalise about the problem. However, she is a quick-thinker and suggests a solution that will mutually benefit both families.
There are many interesting facets of this plot including the development of the Christmas tree farm. I enjoy reading about how small business people take an idea from the dream stage to the planning stage to the launch of the business. I think readers will enjoy seeing Annalise's dream come to fruition.
I have read several of this author's books, and I find her to be a master storyteller. Not only does she include the big things in life in her books, she writes about the small things in life that lead couples to fall in love, causes families to draw together in tough times, and shows positive parenting techniques through how her characters relate to and treat their little ones.
The faith thread runs throughout the story and is presented in a positive manner. The main characters in this story grow and progress in their faith. This book is completely clean in language and content.
I received a copy of the book from the author as a member of her launch team. All of my opinions and thoughts shared here are solely my own.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository | IndieBound | Christianbook | BookBub
Award-winning author Mindy Obenhaus is passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. She lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, two sassy pups, countless cattle, deer and the occasional coyote, mountain lion or snake. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, cooking and watching the Hallmark Channel.
Connect with Mindy by visiting MindyObenhaus.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.
(1) winner will receive a signed copy of A Christmas Bargain and a $25 Amazon gift card!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight December 7, 2022 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on December 14, 2022. 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.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
