Happy Christmas in July! Welcome to the 6th blog in this Christmas in July Reader Giveaway, which runs July 12-23, 2021. At the bottom of each author’s blog post, you will find the secret words. Write them all down and provide the entire answer on this Google form.
Note: You must grab all the secret words from every author in the Christmas in July Reader Giveaway to be eligible to win a $400 Amazon gift card. At the end of this blog post is a link to the next blog, and so on, to the final blog post (20 in all). At each blog stop, the author will also give away a copy or copies of their featured Christmas book.
Growing up in rural New York State, Christmas was always a magical time of the year for me. From going to the tree farm, picking a fresh tree, and cutting it down to snowy days spent outdoors sledding down the neighbors’ steep hill. At the end of the day, we’d collapse in front of the fireplace, a mug of hot chocolate in hand, anticipating the Christmas holidays.
All these childhood experiences, and more, influenced me as I plotted The Mistletoe Contract. Well, that, and a lot of Hallmark Christmas movies!
I’ve always loved marriage of convenience stories. Most of the ones I’ve read are historical with a few modern-day marriages of convenience thrown in. I started to notice, however, the majority of the time, the characters don’t know each other when they decide to get married After watching the reality show, Married at First Sight, the idea hit me, “what if this couple, Meredith and Nate, actually knew each other before they were married?” What if they actually dated and then broke up? The more “what if” questions I asked, the more the story just seemed to take shape in my mind.
In my novel, I reference McAdenville, NC as Christmas Town USA. This is an actual town in North Carolina, located about 20 miles south of Charlotte. Over the years, I’ve visited this tiny hamlet, which always gets me in the Christmas spirit. I also wanted my fictional couple to experience this special town, too. There’s just something special about seeing Christmas lights, on a cold winter’s night, illuminating the night sky. If you’re ever in North Carolina during the Christmas season, check it out!
Nate and Meredith encounter numerous obstacles and misunderstandings along the way to their happily ever after. Throw in a nosy sister, an ex-fiancé, business executives with their own agenda, and a heroine who doesn’t like Christmas and you pretty much have a recipe for disaster. In the end, both Nate and Meredith have to forgive each other and let go of past hurts.
I will be giving away one digital copy to one lucky winner after the giveaway ends. I hope you enjoy The Mistletoe Contract as much as I did writing it. Oh, and it’s free on Kindle Unlimited right now, too. Sign up for my newsletter HERE and receive a free short story!
Now, it’s time to for the secret words: Naked, forgive
Save the secret word(s), and when you reach the final blog, enter all the secret words on this form for a chance to win a $400 Amazon gift card!
Thank you so much for visiting! The next author on the tour is Laurie Wood and her Christmas book Northern Hearts. You can find it at this link. Remember, this Christmas in July Reader Giveaway will end on July 23 at 8 PM EST!
I’d love to win this!
Good luck! I hope you do too!
I like the modern twist you’ve given to the traditional marriage of convenience books 👍🏽.
Thank you for your kind words – that always makes my day!
Thank you! Hope you’ll like it as much as I did writing this story!
When I saw the title and cover I thought this looks like a movie. Lol! I like it and maybe Hallmark will pick it up. It sounds fun!
Thanks! I really wish Hallmark would option it – I think it would fit right in with their Christmas movies. but you never know, right? Fingers crossed!
Thanks so much – I’d love for it to become a Hallmark movie!
This is so much fun!
So glad you’re having a good time! It’s always exciting to be introduced to new authors.
So glad you’re enjoying our blog tour!
This is fun!
Glad you’re enjoying this blog tour!
Your book sounds amazing! Thank you for participating in this thoughtful Giveaway.
Aww – thank you! And thanks for joining us this week for our Christmas in July giveaway!
Thank you for your kind words. I loved writing Nate and Meredith’s story!
sounds wonderful!
Thanks!
Thank you!
I love these kinds of stories.
Thanks! Me too!
It would be great winning your book. You are a new author for me. Marriages of convenience are always intriguing to read!!
Thanks so much for joining us! I love a good marriage of convenience story myself. Best of luck!
Intriguing plot line! Wonder what twists are in the story.
Good question! I can’t give away all the plot twists, now, can I?? Meredith hates Christmas so Nate works very hard to give her a Christmas she won’t forget.
This sounds like a fun story.
It was a lot of fun to write – and plot out! I love all things Christmas!
Thank you so much. Your book sounds fabulous. God bless you.
Thank you for your kind words. I had a lot of fun plotting and writing Nate and Meredith’s story.
I love holiday stories and Christmas stories are my favorite.
Thank you! I love Christmas stories too!
how fun
Hope you enjoy all the blogs!
Merry Christmas in July! Your book sounds so good and I can’t wait to read it. Thank you for participating in this giveaway. It will add joy to some lucky person’s holiday.
thank you for your kind words! Best of luck!
I love CHRISTMAS!! It’s my favorite time of the year! I watch alllll the hallmark Christmas movies! I normally start watching Christmas movies the day before thanksgiving or even after Halloween!
Me too! My sister will even listen to Christmas music in July!
What an incredible giveaway!! Your book sounds absolutely charming and lovely!! I have never been to North Carolina before, but if we’re ever in the area, I will most definitely check out the town that inspired your book!! Thank you for the chance, both with the incredible main giveaway and with your awesome book giveaway!!
Thank you for your kind words about my book! I wanted to give my fictional town that same small-town charm that I grew experienced. Christmas, to me, was always a magical time of the year. North Carolina is a beautiful state. We have everything from the low country, the beaches to the Piedmont and the Blue Ridge and the Smoky Mountains!
Thank you! I love Christmas books!
Me too! I’m up for a good Christmas romance, no matter what time of the year.
Me too! Hope you win a copy!
I enjoy reading Christmas stories year round.
Me too, Karen. There’s just something about Christmas lights, Christmas cheer and the whole spirit of the holiday.
Such a fun giveaway!
It is – and I just love all things Christmas!
Your book sounds so intriguing. Sounds like another to add to my Christmas reading list.
Thanks for being part of this exciting giveaway!!
Thank you for your kind words. Glad you could join us for this Christmas giveaway!
Sounds great! Thanks for the chance to win!
You’re welcome! Good luck.
Another lovely book to add to my TBR pile. I so love Christmas stories. Thanks for the chance to win more and to find out about yours.
Donise – so glad you’re able to join us for our blog tour. Hope you enjoy my book!
Sounds great. Thank you for sharing.
You’re welcome! And thanks for visiting!
I grew up in NE New York State and enjoyed cutting our own tree, sledding all day, and ice skating. I miss the snow and walks in the snowy woods. We live in TN now and do get snow, but it isn’t quite the same. We will have to go to McAdenville. It isn’t that far and sounds delightful.
I hope you are having a good summer.
I’m a little nostalgic for Christmastime too, Patricia! It’s just not the same here in the south. Don’t get me wrong, I love the mild winters but every once in a while I wish I could go back and experience my childhood one more time! McAdenville is beautiful when it’s all lit up. There is always a line to get into the tiny hamlet but it’s worth the wait. Hope your summer is going well too. Take care.
Hello! Quick question that’s completely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My weblog looks weird when browsing from my iphone4. I’m trying to find a theme or plugin that might be able to fix this problem. If you have any suggestions, please share. Thanks!
Leigh, I am not sure. I haven’t had anyone else mention they were having a difficult time viewing my webpage on their phone. I checked it on my iPhone the other day and it was fine. I’m sorry I’m not of more assistance.
I’d love to win a copy of your book. Sounds like a good read.
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you win too!
Your books sound great
Thank You for Being Part of this Fun Blog Hop
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed reading about the different books.