Straight from the Library: Straight Browsing from the Library: Christmas Comes to Dickens featuring Kathryn Hills

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. One randomly drawn winner will receive a a $30 Gift Card (of choice), and a free book from each of the ten authors. Click on the tour banner to see teh other stops on the tour.

READ THE BLURB FROM OPERATION SNOWBALL

John Gridley hasn’t set foot on the family Christmas tree farm in years. He walked away from his legacy and the quaint New England town of Dickens. But when his father looks to end their private war and reaches out for help with the hectic holiday season, John agrees to return home. He expected to work hard, and to face the reasons he left home in the first place. What he didn’t expect was to crash into love at first sight.

Heather Murphy has been a widow and single mother for five years. She’s busy raising a rambunctious ten-year-old girl and running The Library Cat Bookstore. Yet an annual visit to Gridley Meadows Farm to find “the perfect Christmas tree” sparks more than holiday spirit. Can the handsome Army veteran with tattoos and rough edges truly heal her heart? And will the townsfolk cheer on the drifter and the pretty widow? Or will their meddling cause the relationship to flicker out like a bad string of lights?

A homecoming story of hope and redemption, where love hangs on holiday wishes and the fate of a missing cat named Snowball.

READ AN EXCERPT

John worked for half an hour, tagging, cutting, and netting trees before loading them onto farm pickups for transport down to the buyer’s vehicles. He was just about to assist an elderly man and woman when he spied Heather Murphy and her daughter, stepping off a newly arrived hayride.

How could I miss the mother-daughter duo with the matching hair?

They looked happy yet confused as they wandered around the first couple of rows of trees.

A split-second decision had him signaling one of the other guys to help the older couple. With a sigh of resignation, he made his way over to the woman who intrigued him.

Heather’s eyes connected with his across the clearing, and they widened when he approached. Color flooded her pretty cheeks, yet she squared her chin, and said, “We meet again, Mr. Gridley.”

“Just John, remember?”

“Hi, John,” Hailey gave a little wave, totally at ease with the big man now, as if they were old friends. “Are you going to help us cut our tree? Mom said we could now that she doesn’t have to do it.”

“You bet. Point the way, boss. There are lots more trees further in.”

The girl ran ahead, leaving them to follow.

“She’s excited,” Heather explained. “She doesn’t remember much about the last time we cut our own Christmas tree, just that it was special.”

John glanced her way, noting a hint sadness on her face. He couldn’t help asking, “So…it’s been a long time since you visited the farm then?”

“We’ve come every year, for the past four, but we pick a tree that’s already cut.”

“Because you’re not strong enough?” he kidded.

She gave him a saucy grin. “I’m plenty strong. That’s just the story I tell Hailey.”

MEET THE AUTHOR

The rich history and many mysteries of New England are the perfect backdrop for many of Kathryn’s books. Winding roads lined by old stone walls, forgotten cemeteries, grand homes with shadowy pasts...all sparks for her imagination. Whether it’s a quaint seaside town or the vibrant city of Boston, it’s easy for this “hauntingly romantic” author to envision the past mingling with the present.

Taking it further—to have her characters experience the past and present, opposite to “when” they belong—is the fun part. No surprise, some of Kathryn’s favorite stories involve time travel. And ghosts! Sprinkle in some magic, and you’re off on a great adventure.

When not writing, this best selling author is researching, taking photographs, gardening, or cooking up something special in her chaotic kitchen. Kathryn shares her colonial home in the north woods with those she loves most – her wonderful husband and daughter, and three crazy dogs.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKathrynHills
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorKathrynH
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15860681.Kathryn_Hills
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kathryn-hills
Website: http://www.kathrynhills.com

READ THE BLURB FROM THE ANTHOLOGY

Welcome to Dickens—a quaint New England town bustling with excitement and anticipation for the upcoming Christmas holiday. We have the annual tree lighting in the town square, a snowman building competition, ice skating on Grosvenor’s Pond, and horse-drawn sleigh rides. You’re welcome to cut down your own Christmas tree at Gridley Meadows, or join in the caroling on the Common.

Dickens offers an abundance of heartfelt wishes, a few much needed miracles, and—quite possibly—a touch of magic! Families reunite, new friends are made, and old flames take a second chance at happiness. All while celebrating this most joyful time of the year.

Join us as our best selling and award-winning authors fill your holiday stocking with ten brand new novellas ranging from sweet to sassy.