- No Holly for Christmas
- Author: Julie N. Ford
- Publisher:Whiskey Creek Press
- Published: Fall 2011
- Paperback/Kindle: 390 pages
- Genre: Romantic/Suspense
- ISBN-13: 978-1611602944
Book Description:
As Brian McAlister struggles to move past
being jilted not once, but twice by the only woman he's ever loved, he's
all but given up on relationships. Then, on special assignment for the
DA's office, he crosses paths with ex-socialite turned social worker,
Holly Cavanaugh Winter-and romance blossoms.
Widowed, practically penniless, and reduced to shopping at WalMart,
Holly is dreading the approaching Holiday Season. However, her angst
isn't due to her husband's untimely death the previous December 25th,
but because of a secret that could reveal itself unless she can find a
way to avoid the coming Christmas.
Love at first sight quickly turns frigid for Brian and Holly when Holly
gets pulled into a manhunt for an accused murderer who now has his
sights set on her. His case unraveling, Brian finds himself tasked with
keeping Holly and her two daughters safe while bringing an assassin and
the powerful man who hired him to justice.
A heart-warming story of suspense, healing, giving and receiving, No
Holly for Christmas is the perfect addition to everyone's holiday
reading list.
Here's what I had to say about the book:
My Review:
No Holly for Christmas is a love story with a lot of suspense. I really
like the main characters in this novel because they are not your typical
hero and heroine in a romance novel. In fact, the male and female are
both quite flawed. I think that is why I liked them so much. The main
female character, Holly,formerly a rich socialite, is frankly a snob,
and very, very beautiful. The main male character, Brian, is a jerk at
times and not very sensitive to Holly or others. But, they both really
grow on you as the story goes on. Julie has a wonderful way of writing,
that soon you are fully invested in the story and care deeply about the
characters. Holly is a single Mom. I am also a single Mom, so I probably
get her, and why she acts the way she does,more than other people
might. She also is a widow whose husband had been unfaithful to her
before his death.Brian is aloof and acts the way he does because he has
been hurt from a previous relationship. In other words, they both carry a
lot of baggage.
The suspense part of the story is very good. There is one scene that totally creeped me out. A crazy man is after Holly and breaks into her home, You are holding your breath as she enters her home and realizes that someone is/has been there. That has always been something I have feared, so this scene really shook me. Brian assigns himself, he is the assistant DA, to protect Holly and her two daughters by moving in with them. There is a lot of romantic tension that takes place between Brian and Holly. But, nothing too sexual happens between the two characters which I appreciate. It does get frustrating when they keep bating each other and being stubborn. They fight and kiss and make up, then fight and kiss and make up again.
The overall story is strong, suspenseful and I love the romance. I don't want to give anything away about how the suspense part turns out, but let's just say it is very exciting! I love Julie's writing and also loved her other book I reviewed called, Countdown to Love.
There is a giveaway to go with the blast. Here are the details...
Giveaway
details:
Enter to win
a $25.00 gift card from Barnes & Noble when you purchase the .99 ebook and/or
hard copy from Barnes & Noble or Amazon. Just email your confirmation
number to Steph&Jules at bloggers@vbooktours.com
by Nov. 1st.
Two
additional ways to win:
Enter to win
a free hard copy and/or ebook (your choice) of No Holly for Christmas when you
do one and/or both of the following between Monday, October 29th
and Thursday, November 1st:
Like Julie
N. Ford on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/
or
Follow Julie
N. Ford on Twitter https://twitter.com/JulieNFord
Hadn't heard of this one. I'm enjoying reading Christmas stories right now.
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