Blog Tour Review, Excerpt, & Giveaway: Christmas in Snow Valley

Christmas in Snow Valley (1)

Christmas in Snow ValleyChristmas in Snow Valley
A Christmas Romance Anthology
by Cindy Roland Anderson, Taylor Hart, Jeanette Lewis, Lucy McConnell, Kimberley Montpetit, & Cami Checketts
Adult Romance, Christmas, Clean
Kindle Edition, 580 pagesNovember 3rd, 2014               

Summary

Christmas in Snow Valley is packed with six wonderful Christmas novellas sure to bring romance into your holiday season.

Snow Valley, Montana, is a small community with the tradition of doing Christmas big. Festivities begin with tree lighting in the town square the day after Thanksgiving and continue until the culminating romantic Christmas Ball. From the Polar Express to a Winter Carnival, there’s something for every wonder-filled child—and every couple who’s in love—or about to be.

An Unexpected Kiss by Cindy Roland Anderson
Lucy Phillips doesn’t want to spend her Christmas vacation dodging her ex-boyfriend, so when he turns up at the airport to give her a ride home, Lucy panics and asks a complete stranger to kiss her. Although the kiss is incredible, Lucy never expects to see the guy again. Is it bad luck or destiny when Lucy comes down with a sore throat and the new doctor in Snow Valley is none other than the guy she kissed at the airport?

Feels Like Love by Jeanette Lewis
Christmas in Snow Valley is the perfect way for April Winston to introduce her city slicker fiancé, Scott Mecham, to life on a farm. If only Wade Hadley, hometown boy and high school sweetheart, will cooperate! But Wade has no intention of letting April go without a fight. This Christmas, Wade is determined to overcome their painful past and show April that she already has what she’s been seeking all along.

Full Court Devotion by Cami Checketts
Kazlyn is too busy with her schooling and future plans to enjoy life, let alone fall in love with a man who has heartbreak written all over him. Tyrese Hamilton, a college basketball star and major heartthrob, is intrigued when Kazlyn doesn’t pursue him or even seem interested. Ty’s career is in jeopardy, and he needs a miracle and Kazlyn to save him.

The Christmas Eve Kiss by Taylor Hart
When Molly O’Hare gets a prediction that she will kiss her true love on Christmas Eve, she thinks it’s utterly ridiculous. But when she gets teamed up with Kevin Snow, aka her ex-boyfriend, to decorate a Christmas tree, things start to change. Too bad getting over the past is hard and seeing him kiss another girl is even harder. Now Molly is left with a choice—run away from home and heartbreak or let Christmas work out a miracle all of its own.

Risking it all for Love by Kimberley Montpetit
Succumbing to family pressure, Jessica Mason reluctantly comes home for Christmas. Ever since her high school boyfriend’s death from a car accident three years earlier, Jessica and religion have not been compatible. So, when she visits Michael’s grave, she’s surprised to meet the handsome James Douglas, Pastor John’s nephew, who’s studying for the ministry. James can not only dish back Jessica’s finely-tuned sarcasm but understands grief all too well, turning Jessica’s world upside down. Is she ready to take another risk on love?

Blue Christmas by Lucy McConnell
As head of Snow Valley hospital’s fundraising effort, Paisley Hackett barely has time to organize the craft show, cookie decorating party, and the annual Christmas Ball. What she doesn’t have time for is falling in love with Clay Jett, the incredibly handsome bass player who sweeps into town. She’s been burned by a tourist romance before and, with everything going on, Paisley will have to work overtime to protect her heart from Clay and his swoon-worthy ballads.

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My Review

This was a very fun and sweet holiday collection! I definitely liked some of the stories more than the others, but overall it was a great and enjoyable read. There were some inspirational moments and I really loved how Pastor John was such a part of the town and the characters' lives in some way. The town was really cute and I loved all the Christmas traditions. I also loved that the small town feel definitely came across in each story. Here's what I thought about each one:

An Unexpected Kiss by Cindy Roland Anderson
This was probably me favorite from this collection. I loved the spontaneous first kiss between the heroine and hero and I really liked the MC's personality. I also really liked Cole. He was charming, fun, but serious when he needed to be. I loved when he would become amused with Lucy and when he would also be direct. The story also worked for me. I didn't feel it was rushed, but that these two were pushed together enough to develop a decent friendship and romance.

Feels Like Love by Jeanette Lewis
I really enjoyed this story. I really liked Wade. He was just a great guy all around. He and April definitely did have some issues though. I didn't like that April was a little untrue to her fiance, but I also knew almost immediately that Scott wasn't right for the farm girl. I liked that the story showed how someone could love two men for different reasons. Another cute story.

Full Court Devotion by Cami Checketts
This one was fun! I loved Ty and all the flirting and banter between him and Kazlyn. I also thought they both were great characters. There was some heartbreak in this one. I was reading along thinking that it was a perfect set up for something  specific to happen, but that the author wouldn't do it. I should have thought more about who was writing this one and all the suspense novels she's written. So of course she went for it! Thank goodness it turned out happily.

The Christmas Eve Kiss by Taylor Hart
I pretty much loved this story until almost the end. There was a part where we finally find out what the MC, Molly, found out that made her leave home and never come back. I thought it was going to be something really, really serious. It was in its own way, but there was way too much drama and I felt like Molly reacted more like a teenager than a college-graduate and about-to-manage-her-own-retail-store kind of woman. Plus she had years upon years of something being proved to her and yet she just threw all that out? Okay, so there were other things I did really like, such as the shared memories with Wade and the very fabulous ending. :)

Risking it all for Love by Kimberley Montpetit
I loved James the first time he appears in the story. It reminded me a little of Darcy in the newest theatrical version of Pride and Prejudice walking across the landscape in the early dawn to meet Lizzy. The whole duster and dark hair, some of it swept across his brow... Yeah. You get the picture. I also loved James' teasing and dialogue with Jessica. I could see Jessica's side and how difficult and painful losing her best friend was and how she really struggled with moving on. I loved how James brought her out of that dark place and made her realize that maybe there was someone worth changing for. The change was a little quick, but this is a novella. There was definitely also some drama from Jessica. This story had these great quotes from the church's billboard out front, such as: "Church Parking Only: Violators will be Baptized." or "Prayer: Wireless Connection to God with no Roaming Fees." to name a few. I really enjoyed this one!

Blue Christmas by Lucy McConnell
This one vied for the favorite spot next to the first story, An Unexpected Kiss. I basically loved the whole thing. I loved Clay, Paisley with her fears and work ethic, Paisley's family, and how Clay and Paisley's relationship developed. There were some really sweet moments. I loved how Clay reminded Paisley that she was worth so much more than she thought she was. Yep. This one still makes me smile.

I'd definitely recommend this collection to romance readers who are looking for a little Christmas cheer in some short and sweet stories. The stories were overall fun and cute and made me smile and sigh with their happily-ever-after endings.


Content: There were a few mild swear words and some very mild innuendo, but otherwise clean.

Source: From the tour host, which did not affect my review in any way.

Excerpt

From An Unexpected Kiss by Cindy Roland Anderson

Unlocking her door, Lucy opened it and slid in behind the wheel. She closed the door, knowing Cole probably wondered what was wrong with her. Just as she started the car, a knock on the driver’s side window made her jump.

Cole stood there watching her, his face reflecting both a mixture of confusion and amusement. Lucy lowered the window, and he leaned down so they were eye level. 

“Are you running away from me?” 

Why did he have to be so direct? 

“Yes.” 

He grinned. “That’s the second time you’ve done this. I’m beginning to think you don’t like me.”
She snorted an unladylike laugh. “Right.” 

“Don’t laugh. I’m getting a complex.”

“If it’s any consolation, it’s me not you.” 

That earned her another perplexed look. “That’s a little cliché. I’m sure you can do better than that.” 

Yeah, she could, but she didn’t dare blurt out how much she liked kissing him, and admit that that was what scared her. 

Inadvertently, her gaze dropped to his mouth. She noticed the faint shadow of dark whiskers along his jaw, and she suddenly wanted to kiss him again. 

“Aren’t you freezing?” she asked, hoping to distract him as much as herself. 

“Yes.” He unexpectedly rounded the car, opened the door and took the passenger seat. “That’s better.” He held out his bare hands in front of the vent, which blew mildly warm air. 

The scent of his cologne permeated the air, and having him so close started a slow burn inside Lucy’s belly. Who needed heating systems with this man around? 

“What are you doing?” 

“Trying to get warm.” He looked her way, that smile back on his face. “And trying to get a straight answer out of you about why you keep running away from me.” 

“I don’t want to talk about it.” 

“Is it about that kiss we just shared?” His blue eyes twinkled. “Or about the ones in the airport?” 

Both. “I said I don’t want to talk about it.” 

“Okay. What do you want to talk about?” 

She laughed. “I never said I wanted to talk about anything.” 

Cole studied her silently, like he was really trying to figure her out. Lucy felt the intensity of his gaze, and was unable to pull her eyes away. The interior of the car seemed to shrink, and the air pulsed with an electrical energy that prickled her skin with goose flesh. 

As if a giant gravitational force was at work between them, she felt herself leaning toward him. Cole slanted closer until she felt his warm breath mingle with hers. She should move away, make some wisecrack…anything to stop this crazy attraction. 

Instead, her eyes fluttered closed as their lips connected. Slowly, he moved his mouth against hers, and like a beautifully choreographed dance, she returned the kiss. Heat infused every part of her, leaving her limbs languid. 

Her heart thumped wildly, and a sigh escaped as he deepened the kiss. Barley cognizant of her surroundings, Lucy was both relieved and frustrated when Cole ended the kiss and edged slightly back. 

“Lucy, I’m coming to pick you up tomorrow.” His voice was rough with emotion, his eyes serious. 

She swallowed, and knew it was pointless to argue. “Okay.”


Tour-Wide Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 11/20/14

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5 comments

  1. Awesome! I love novellas and giveaways :)

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  2. Thanks for stopping by, Cami! I liked how you let your characters struggle a little. A story always feels a little more authentic when everything isn't always perfect. :)

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  3. Me too, Heidi! If you haven't read these, I think you'd like them.

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  4. Great reviews! I agree with you that the first story was my absolute favorite with the last one coming in a close second.

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  5. Glad you felt the same way! :) I also thought they were all decent for being novellas in a compilation.

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