Release Day Blitz & Review::: Christmas with You Anthology

by Lora - 8:20 AM

Title: Christmas With You

Authors: Heidi McLaughlin, LP Dover, Cindi Madsen, RJ Prescott & Amy Briggs

Genre: Holiday Contemporary Romance

Release Date: November 20, 2018

Hosted by: Buoni Amici Press, LLC.

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.

OVERALL RANKING: 4 1/2 out of 5 stars!

Snowflake Lane Inn by LP Dover

4 1/2 out of 5 stars

This was a super cute story. Colin is totally delicious!! Layla isn’t the typical celebrity which was what made it easy to love her, too. I loved the interactions with all of the townspeople and other characters in the story.

Runaway Christmas Bride by Cindi Madsen

5 out of 5 stars

Oh man… this story had a soft smile on my face the whole time and when I finished, I cried happy tears just like you would at any wedding. Super sweet story!!

Christmas Lights by Amy Briggs

4 1/2 out of 5 stars

Samantha and Jason are cute together. I love the fact he is so understanding and really gets what she needs better than even her sister (who I almost wanted to punch a time or two while reading). This was a cute story with lots of heart

Christmas Encounter by RJ Prescott

5 out of 5 stars

WOW! This story was perfectly played out. Jenson, the celebrity visiting from out of town, came from a life that wasn’t unlike Lauren’s, the drifter who was staying at the local “roach motel”, but he found his way and I loved how he helped her find her way, too. This was by far my favorite story in the anthology!

It’s a Wonderful Holiday by Heidi McLaughlin

4 out of 5 stars

This was a good story and I enjoyed the second chance aspect. Gwen and Rory fought for their love and it was sweet to watch!

Read an Excerpt from Heidi McLaughlin's Story

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.