Prickle Forrest Books – Holidays In the Heartland Anthology Author- Chrissy Hartmann – Christmas Tale 1

Prickle Forrest Books

Holidays in the Heartland

Ohio Christmas Tales

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Mistletoe Kisses

By Chrissy Hartmann

Christmas Tale One

*******

Well now, partner, let me tip my hat and fill you all in on the latest trail I’ve been riding. This summer found me wandering downtown Wooster for a little

old shindig called Christmas in July, where twinkle lights and jingle bells sure enough tangled with the heat of the sun. We roped in our first reader of the Holidays in the Heartland. We’re mighty thankful for her preordering one of these here books.

When I ain’t kicking up dust

at book festivals…

I’ve been wrangling words into my very own Christmas novella — Lord willing, it’ll be wrapped up in a bow by next Christmas… maybe sooner.

All the while, I’m making certain my mischievous little kitten knows she’s loved, even if Santa’s leaning toward leaving her a lump of coal for her sass.

The hubby and the Eagle scout? Well, they’re watching me close, wondering if I’ve gone plum Christmas-crazy… and maybe, just maybe, I have… Got a new hat. And boy howdy it’s a beauty! 🎄🤠

But if you want to find out more… follow me on social media @USAWriter355 or check out my website https://Chrissyhartmann.com

Thanks all!

Merry Christmas and Happy Chanukah!

Top 10 Things I Love at Christmas Time:

• Small-town diners with strong coffee and Christmas cookies

• Building a snowman in cowboy boots

• Crackling fires with hot cocoa

• The sound of sleigh bells

• Writing love stories with a western twist

• Family Christmas gatherings that always end in laughter

• Decorating the Christmas tree while listening to Christmas music

• Christmas lights in little towns

• Readers who believe in happily-ever-afters

******

9 weeks or 63 days until release.

Preorder your copy now, beat the Christmas rush!

https://books2read.com/HolidaysInTheHeartland

Autographed copies available upon request

Available on worldwide bookshelves Saturday, November 1st!

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Prickle Forrest Books – Real Cookbooks by Genre Authors

[delay: 2025-06-24 09:15:00 EST]

[category: cooking, recipes, Books, authors, update, Newsletter]

[tags: authors, cookbooks, mystery, fantasy/paranormal, western romance, contemporary romance, comfort food, small-town, western cooking]

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Prickle Forrest Books

June 2025

🌲Dear Readers,

We’ve been searching high and low for some other genre author cookbooks and finally came up with a list… a short list, but at least we found some more.

So, we thought you might want to check out these cookbooks. They’re not just by fancy Cordon Blue chefs, but instead from authors. And yes, even one of our *authors. These are fun and well worth trying out the recipes. And the tales, vignettes, and essays are entertaining to say the least. So grab your coffee and order your copy today. And never hesitate to ask your library to carry these cookbooks too… cause that’s the thing they love to do!!

🌲

*Author: Chrissy Hartmann

Book Title: The Grub Wrangler: Heartfelt Grapeseed Oil Recipes with Benefits

Series: Whiskey’s Salvation

Description: A collection of hearty, cowboy-inspired recipes ilspicey chili, BBQ chicken, skillet cornbread, and Texas carrot cake, The Grub Wrangler captures the rustic flavors of Whiskey, Texas, tying into the cozy, small-town vibe of Hartmann’s contemporary romance series with a culinary nod to southern comfort and cowboy life tales.

Type of Cooking and Cuisine: Home Cooking, American Western/Southern Comfort Food

Website URL: https://chrissyhartmann.com

🌲Author: Susan Mallery

Book Title: Susan Mallery’s Fool’s Gold Cookbook

Series: Fool’s Gold

Description: This cookbook brings the charming Fool’s Gold, California, community to life with seasonal recipes like summer berry tarts and winter squash soup, paired with romantic vignettes from the series, offering fans a taste of the small-town romance setting.

Type of Cooking and Cuisine: Home Cooking, American Seasonal/Comfort Food

Website URL: https://www.susanmallery.com

🌲Author: Rita Mae Brown

Book Title: Sneaky Pie’s Cookbook for Mystery Lovers

Series: with Sneaky Pie Brown

Description: Written from the perspective of Rita Mae Brown’s feline co-author, this quirky cookbook offers recipes for humans and pets, including Mother’s Fried Chicken and Veal Kidney for cats, inspired by the cozy mystery series featuring Mrs. Murphy.

Type of Cooking and Cuisine: Home Cooking, American/Eclectic with Pet-Friendly Recipes

Website URL: https://www.ritamaebrownbooks.com

🌲

Author: Chelsea Monroe-Cassel

Book Title: A Feast of Ice and Fire: The Official Game of Thrones Companion Cookbook

Series: Game of Thrones

Description: Inspired by George R.R. Martin’s fantasy series, this cookbook recreates medieval-inspired dishes like Lemon Cakes and Honeyed Chicken, blending historical recipes with modern adaptations for fans of Westeros.

Type of Cooking and Cuisine: Historical/Modern Fusion, Medieval-Inspired European Cuisine

Website URL: https://www.innatthecrossroads.com

🌲Author: Barbara M. Walker

Book Title: The Little House Cookbook: Frontier Foods from Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Classic Stories

Series: The Little House

Description: This cookbook compiles authentic 19th-century American frontier recipes like Corn Dodgers and Molasses Candy, drawn from Laura Ingalls Wilder’s historical fiction series, with historical context for home cooks.

Type of Cooking and Cuisine: Historical Cooking, American Frontier/Pioneer Cuisine

Website URL: None, author deceased; no official site found, but linked to publisher page https://www.harpercollins.com

🌲Author: Anne McCaffrey

Book Title: Serve It Forth: Cooking with Anne McCaffrey

Series: Dragonriders of Pern

Description: A collection of recipes contributed by science fiction and fantasy authors, including Sherried Walnut Cake and Spiderfish Stew, inspired by McCaffrey’s Dragonriders of Pern series and her broader literary community.

Type of Cooking and Cuisine: Home Cooking, Eclectic/Fantasy-Inspired American Cuisine

Website URL: None, author deceased; no official site found, but linked to publisher page https://www.warnerbooks.com

🌲Don’t forget, *authors who publish with Prickle Forrest Books come with an autograph and a discounted price when ordered through the publisher.

Contact us for more information, better yet, for your copy today.

🌲

For more books published by Prickle Forrest Books, check out the

Prickle Forrest Books Gallery

🌲

Christina Benchoff

Owner/Author/Editor

Sensitivity Advisor

NetGalley Reviewer

Readers Favorite Reviewer

Prickle Forrest Books LLC Copyright ©2025

Prickle Forrest Books – Cherish this Father’s Day Read!

[category: Newsletter]

[tags: authors, books, update, romance books, small town  romances, cowboy romance, second chance romance, Father’s Day]

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Prickle Forrest Books

June 2025

CHERISHING WHISKEY’S SALVATION

A Whiskey Salvation Novella

By Chrissy Hartmann

💔 This Father’s Day, take a walk in a cowboy’s boots… and a father’s heart.

A story of second chances, strained choices, and a love that doesn’t come easy in the small town of Whiskey, Texas.

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Welcome back to Whiskey!

If only a good cup of coffee could solve Charlie Stockton’s problems.

Not that his life allows time for a quiet sip.

Now a retired U.S. Army colonel and Texas cattle rancher, Charlie is no stranger to tough challenges. But his daughter’s decision to quit her six-figure job and reopen a run-down homeless shelter? That one just might break him.

Especially when siding with her feels like betraying his wife.

Add in a marriage on shaky ground, a stubborn daughter he can’t help but admire, and an unexpected band of clowns, and Charlie’s left wondering how to salvage the most important things in his life — without losing himself in the process.

🌵 A rugged romance about…

second chances, family, and choosing love even when it’s hard.

📚 Perfect for fans of Jennie Marts, Cowboys of Credence and Susan Mallery’s, Fool’s Gold series

A little snark, a little sass, a lot of heart.

Chrissy Hartmann Books

Buy now before the price changes!

Available in paperback and digital

Christina H. Benchoff

Developmental Editor

Western Romance Author

Short-Story Writer

NetGalley Reviewer

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PRICKLE FORREST BOOKS – Hot! Hot! Hot! 2025 June Summer Reads

[category: Newsletter]

[tags: authors, books, update, book genre, summer reads, YA Fantasy Romance, Regency Romance, Western Romance, Sports Romance, Mafia Romance]

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Prickle Forrest Books

Hot! Hot! Hot!

Summer Romances

June 2025

Dear Readers,

Whether you’re sitting by The pool, relaxing near the garden, or cozied up on the porch swing, the staff here at Prickle Forrest Books wanted to suggest these books to add to your June BTR — (books-to-read — list

THE THERANS: SECRETS BENEATH SCARS

By Cyndi Brec

YA Fantasy Romance

When orphaned teen cursed with dangerous, unpredictable powers — sets out on a quest to unlock her true self. she falls for someone she’s forbidden to love, her journey becomes a battle between freedom and the taboo.

THE EARL’S ANGEL: CAROLINE’S STORY

By Cary Harter

Regency Romance

With an arranged marriage, the Earl must choose between the wife he’s married or the one who’s always held his heart.

HAT TRICK

by Chelsea Curto

Sports Romance

Suffering from a career-ending injury, an NHL player grapples with his identity and recovery, while an unexpected connection with his athletic trainer complicates everything.

RESCUING WHISKEY’S SALVATION

By Chrissy Hartmann

Contemporary Western Romance

With discontent setting in, makeup heiress leaves the glitz and glam to reopen a homeless shelter only to go head -to head with the mayor, a troupe of clowns, and the small town’s favorite cowboy.

THE BUTCHER

By Penelope Sky

Mafia Romance

Following a brutal breakup, a heartbroken woman seeks one night of escape, only to fall into the arms of Paris’s most feared crime boss.

*Prickle Forrest Books receives no compensation for any purchases made from the above links. Our intent is only to share the books are staff enjoys.

Happy summer reading!

Christina H. Benchoff

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Prickle Forrest Books – May 2025 – The Book Readers Love… The Cover it Deserves!!

[category: Newsletter]

[tags: authors, books, update, book genre, book cover, Cowboys, Western Romances]

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Prickle Forrest Books

May 2025

RESCUING WHISKEY’S SALVATION

The story readers love. The cover it deserves…

• A 5-Star Readers Favorite

4.8 on Amazon

4.86 on Good Reads

Cosmetics royalty. Cowboy grit.

One shelter. One showdown.

Will love be the last thing standing?

— Sweet Contemporary Western Romance

— Small Town Romance

— Fish-out-of-Water Romance

— Heiress Cowboy Romance

— Protector Without Possession Romance

— Western Romantic Comedy

Now kick off your boots, grab a Whiskey, and settle in for some romance… with Chrissy Hartmann

Wrangle your paperback, digital eBook, or large print copy today!

https://ChrissyHartmann.com/books

https://Books2Read.com/Rescuing-Whiskeys-Salvation

Available worldwide

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Prickle Forrest Books – Calling All Romance Authors – Valentine’s Day Collection Needs you!

[category: Newsletter]

[tags: authors, books, update, book genre, anthology, Valentine’s Day]

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Prickle Forrest Books

April 2025

Dear Author,

We’re excited to invite you to contribute to a special Valentine’s Day Anthology, set for release in February 2026! This multi-author collection will feature 10 original romance stories that capture the spirit of love—whether sweet, sexy, or somewhere in between (no erotica).

Here are the key details:

  • Story Length: 10,000 words
  • Setting: Must take place in Ohio
  • Genres: Open to all—contemporary, historical, paranormal, mystery, etc.—as long as there’s a strong romantic element
  • Tone: Sweet to sexy romance (no erotica)

Submission Requirements:

    • Indie authors preferred.
    • Story must be unpublished
    • Professionally edited/proofread prior to submission
    • Author must be signed up on Draft2Digital

Financial Details:

  • Buy-in: $25 per author (used solely for ISBN, cover design, and promotions)
  • Royalties: Split equally among all participating authors via Draft2Digital
  • No publisher cut or additional fees—this is a group effort for mutual visibility and fun!

If you’re interested and want more details, please reach out to us at prickleforrestllc. We’d love to have you join this heartwarming collaboration and bring some Ohio love stories to life!

Warm regards,

Christina Benchoff

Christina Hartmann Benchoff

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Prickle Forrest Books Review: Author Jon Newton Cohesion Lost An Avar-Tek Short Story

Prickle Forrest Books

BOOK REVIEW

October 11, 2024

🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

Dear Readers,

John Newton is back! Here is a brain twister from his Avar-Tek short story series. Pay attention and hopefully this engaging short story won’t make you hate machines afterwards. You’ll definitely think twice… Enjoy, I did!

🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

Title: Cohesion Lost

Series: Avar-Tek

Author: John Newton

ASIN: B0DDZR45J2

Publisher: Firesmith Press

Pub Date: September 1, 2024

Review Date: October 9, 2024

Submitted Date: October 11, 2024

Genre: Sci-Fi, speculative fiction, short story

Pages: 30

Format: Digital eBook

Price: Free (limited time) 99¢

Availability: Amazon

NetGalley Reviewer: 1375356

🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

Description:

When the line between human and machine blurs, trust becomes a dangerous illusion.

Alex’s life seems ordinary—until vivid memories of battles, spacecrafts, and ancient empires haunt his dreams, threatening his grip on reality. As a mysterious illness takes hold, these visions intensify, pushing him to question his very identity. Desperation forces him to seek help, leading him down a path where the past, present, and future collide.

When a strange man approaches him with cryptic messages, Alex’s reality unravels. Are these just side effects of stress, or is there something deeper at play? With his life and the safety of his loved ones at stake, Alex must confront the truth, even if it means facing a reality far stranger than anything he could have imagined. His journey is just beginning, and the answers lie beyond the familiar.

Alex must face the ultimate question: What if everything you believed about yourself was a lie?

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My Review:

Alex thought his life was normal—until, well, it wasn’t. In *When the Line Between Human and Machine Blurs*, his dreams of ancient empires, space battles, and a mysterious illness all start to push him into a pretty serious identity crisis. Is he just stressed, or is there something a little too weird going on? As his reality crumbles, Alex meets a cryptic guy with messages that only make things worse (or more interesting, depending on how you look at it). With his life, sanity, and loved ones hanging in the balance, Alex has to figure out what’s real before it’s too late.

The story’s only 30 pages, but it packs a lot in. On the positive side, it’s a total page-turner—things escalate quickly, and you won’t be bored. The character development, especially for Alex, is surprisingly deep for such a short read. It’s a thinker, too—if you like your Sci-Fi with a side of “What is reality, anyway?” you’re in luck. On the downside, because it’s so short, some parts feel rushed. There’s not much time to explore the world fully, and you might end up with more questions than answers by the end. But hey, that’s also kind of the point with stories like this—keeps you thinking long after you’ve turned the last page.

If you enjoy short Sci-Fi stories that mess with your mind, think along the lines of Philip K. Dick or Ted Chiang. This one’s definitely worth your time. It’s quick, a bit of a brain bender, and will have you second-guessing just how much you trust those machines around you. All in all, it’s a solid 5—quick, smart, and keeps you thinking long after you’ve closed the book. Great job, Newton!

🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

My Rating:

My rating for this novel is … a solid 5 because when it keeps me thinking days after reading it, then it’s definitely earned the best one it can get *****. Now on to read his third short story of the Avar-Tek short story series. Stay tuned for another review, it’s coming soon…

🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

Thanks for checking out this review.

Christina Hartmann Benchoff

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Prickle Forrest Books: Author Cary Harter – The Earl’s Angel: Caroline’s Story Book Review

Prickle Forrest Books

BOOK REVIEW

October 2024

🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

Dear Readers,

Finally! It’s out. Cary Harter has released her debut novel, book 1 of the Sisters for a Season, “The Earl’s Angel: Caroline’s Story. This novel is one I’ve been waiting for a long time. And I do mean a long time. I got a whiff of it about ten years ago and due to unexpected circumstances it was shelved for many years. But, I’ll admit, it was worth the wait! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. And don’t hesitate to ask your library to carry it.

Well done, Cary!

🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

Title: The Earl’s Angel: Caroline’s Story

Series: Sisters for a Season

Volume: 1

Author: Cary Harter

ISBN: 1965780008

Pub Date: September 21, 2024

Review Date: October 9, 2024

Submitted Date: October 10, 2024

Genre: Regency Romance, Historical Romance

Pages: 381

Format: Paperback and Digital – Ebook

Price: Paperback $14.99 Digital/Ebook $3.99

Availability: Worldwide

NetGalley Reviewer: 1375356

🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

Description:

Caroline Aldridge was marrying a man she never met.

She had always known they would marry, but she believed they would meet first. Days before her wedding, she heard the rumours. Were they true? Was Edward one of the most despicable rakes in London?

Edward long ago succumbed to his demons. His father hoped marriage would turn him from his path of self-destruction, but Edward had other ideas. He would marry this girl to keep his inheritance, but wouldn’t give up his riotous living.

Their marriage night was an utter disaster, giving Caroline a disgust of her husband. But she felt her disgust fade, as she began to notice a change in him. Suddenly, Edward’s past resurfaces, threatening their tenuous relationship. Could Caroline find a way to capture the heart of her husband, or would she spend the rest of her days married to a man lost in his past.

🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

My Review:

The Earl’s Angel: Caroline’s Story kicks off Cary Harter’s, Sisters for a Season, series with a bang—and not the dainty kind you’d expect from your average Regency romance. This is a love triangle with teeth, a forced marriage, and two leads who can’t decide whether they want to throttle each other or give in to their undeniable chemistry. Fans of Mary Balogh and Julia London will find plenty to love here, but with Harter’s own twist of tension and wit.

Caroline, our heroine, is no wilting flower. She’s clever, independent, and ready to take on the world—or at least, London’s high society. The Earl, of course, is duty-bound, a little brooding, and inconveniently hot. Their forced union sparks all the tension you’d hope for, with a love triangle that adds just enough drama to keep you on edge.

Harter paints 1800s London with lush detail, so vivid you’ll feel like you’re right there, navigating society’s rigid rules and secretly rooting for Caroline and the Earl to break them. The slow-burn romance is tantalizing, the dialogue sharp, and when the heat shows up, it’s just spicy enough to get your heart racing without crossing any lines.

As the first book in the Sisters for a Season series, "The Earl’s Angel: Caroline’s Story" promises an addictive ride, with plenty of romance, rich character development, and just the right amount of scandal. Five stars, and I can’t wait for book two!

🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

My Rating:

My rating for this novel is … As mentioned above, Five stars, and I can’t wait for book two!

🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

Thanks for checking out this review.

Christina Hartmann Benchoff

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Prickle Forrest Books Update – Introducing The Earl’s Angel: Caroline’s Story A Captivating Regency Romance by Cary Hart er

[category: Newsletter]

[tags: authors, books, update, book genre, regency romance, new launch]

Prickle Forrest Books

Book Launch

September 2024

Dear readers,

We are thrilled to introduce you to the enchanting world of The Earl’s Angel: Caroline’s Story, the debut novel from the talented regency romance author, Cary Harter. Set against the backdrop of elegant ballrooms and sprawling estates, The Earl’s Angel promises a tale of love, intrigue, and the timeless pursuit of true passion.

Caroline Aldridge was marrying a man she never met.

She had always known they would marry, but she believed they would meet first. Days before her wedding, she heard the rumours. Were they true? Was Edward one of the most despicable rakes in London?

Edward long ago succumbed to his demons. His father hoped marriage would turn him from his path of self-destruction, but Edward had other ideas. He would marry this girl to keep his inheritance, but wouldn’t give up his riotous living.

Their marriage night was an utter disaster, giving Caroline a disgust of her husband. But she felt her disgust fade, as she began to notice a change in him. Suddenly, Edward’s past resurfaces, threatening their tenuous relationship. Could Caroline find a way to capture the heart of her husband, or would she spend the rest of her days married to a man lost in his past.

Cary Harter’s exquisite prose and keen understanding of the Regency era will transport you to a place where every glance and gesture hides a secret, and every heart yearns for a love that defies all odds.

Join us as we celebrate the launch of The Earl’s Angel: Caroline’s Storyand meet Cary Harter in person at the Bellevue Public Library Author Fair on September 28th. Cary will be available to sign copies of The Earl’s Angel: Caroline’s Story, offering you the opportunity to take home a personalized edition of this captivating novel.

Don’t miss out on your chance to experience the magic of The Earl’s Angel: Caroline’s Storyfirsthand. Dive into a world of romance and intrigue that will capture your heart from the very first page.

Secure your copy of The Earl’s Angel: Caroline’s Storytoday and embark on a journey of love and longing that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page.

We look forward to seeing you at the Bellevue Public Library on September 28th for an unforgettable afternoon with Cary Harter and The Earl’s Angel: Caroline’s Story!

If you can’t make it to the Bellevue Public Library, don’t worry! The Earl’s Angel: Caroline’s Storyis also available on Amazon in both paperback and digital formats, so you can enjoy Cary Harter’s captivating Regency romance from the comfort of your home.

Find the Earl’s Angel: Caroline’s Story here.

For more information on Cary check out her website and follow her on Facebook.

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Prickle Forrest Books – Book Review – The Christmas Inn – Pamela M. Kelley

Prickle Forrest Books

BOOK REVIEW

August 2024

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Dear Readers,

As the dust of my “Christmas in July” celebration finally settled, complete with a festive encounter with Santa downtown on the square, I found myself still in a holiday mood. So, what better way to keep the spirit alive than diving into a Christmas romance that hits the shelves in September? Yes, you heard that right—it’s not even fall yet, but I just had to indulge. After all, who can resist a heartwarming holiday tale when you’re already halfway through your summer eggnog? Here’s my review of “The Christmas Inn” by Pamela M. Kelley, perfect for those of us who can’t wait for the actual snow to start falling.

🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

Title: The Christmas Inn

Author: Pamela M. Kelley

ISBN: N/A

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Pub Date: September 24, 2024

Archive Date: September 2024

Genre: Contemporary romance, 2nd chance romance, Christmas romance, women’s fiction.

Pages: 281

Format: Digital eBook

Price: N/A

Availability: NetGalley, Amazon, worldwide

Review Date: August 6, 2024

Review Submitted: August 21, 2024

NetGalley Reviewer: 1375356

🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

Description:

Explore this delightfully cozy and joyful novel of second chances at the most wonderful time of the year, from USA Today bestselling author Pamela Kelley.

A feel-good novel as delightful and comforting as a cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter’s night, The Christmas Inn is bestselling author Pamela Kelley’s most heartwarming and magical book yet.

Riley Sanders didn’t plan on losing her job as a content marketing manager right before Christmas. When she calls her sister Amy to vent, she learns that their mother has broken her leg and could really use some help at the inn. Riley decides to head home to the inn, nestled along the shores of Cape Cod, in time for the Christmas rush. She is happy to help and needs something to distract her as mistletoe is hung and snowflakes begin to fall.

When she gets there, she not only finds delicious cookies and a crackling fire to lift her spirits, but also the sense of family she’s been missing all along. There’s Franny, a woman who has just lost her sister and has four unopened letters from her that she plans to use to open her up to new experiences on the Cape. And there’s Aidan, her high school sweetheart, now a widower, who is staying at the inn with his nine year-old son, Luke. What begins as a quick stay over the holidays to help her mom turns into something that means much more—a second chance at romance, a deeper sense of found family, and all the joy and wonder that comes with Christmastime on Cape Cod.

🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

My Review:

“The Christmas Inn” by Pamela Kelley is a delightfully cozy and joyful novel that embodies the magic and warmth of the holiday season. This feel-good story centers around the FMC, Riley Sanders, who after losing her job just before Christmas, returns to her family’s Inn nestled along the shores of Cape Cod. Her intentions to help her mother who has suffered a broken leg quickly becomes a journey of self-discovery and reconnection. The inn, decked out with mistletoe and snowflakes, provides the perfect backdrop for the unfolding drama, familial bonding, and romance.

There are plenty of positives in “The Christmas Inn.” The story is undeniably sweet and wholesome, making it a perfect Christmas holiday read. The author has crafted charming female characters, each contributing to the narrative’s heartwarming appeal. The novel features three romantic subplots, including a new romance and two second-chance love stories, adding variety to the reading experience. The intergenerational relationships add richness, as the novel spans three generations, emphasizing the timeless theme of returning home to family. Additionally, Pamela Kelley’s knowledge of food and wine is evident, adding a delightful sensory layer to the festive setting.

However, the book has its shortcomings. At times, the emphasis on food and drink to set the scene feels overdone, with an overload of hot chocolate and frequent references to wine and alcohol. The rapid succession of scenes often lacks depth, with some sections feeling more like telling than showing. Riley’s second chance at love with her old boyfriend comes across as somewhat flat, with little internal thought or emotion driving their actions, making the secondary character romances more compelling by comparison. The predictability of the main character’s storyline and the lack of a strong romantic struggle can be disappointing for readers expecting a more dramatic love story. Moreover, the descriptions of the setting could use more detail to evoke that old-world charm of a traditional Christmas holiday.

Despite these flaws, “The Christmas Inn” ends on an upbeat note, capturing the spirit of second chances and the joy of family. The novel’s charm lies in its ability to create a comforting, festive atmosphere that feels like a warm hug on a cold winter’s night.

A big “Thank you” goes to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to review this Christmas novel.

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My Rating:

I would rate it a solid 3.5 to 4 cups of hot cocoa (stars), as it succeeds in delivering a heartwarming holiday tale, even if it falls short in some areas.

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Thanks for checking out my review… Stay tuned … we’re heading into the realm of AI and Sci-Fi for my next review.

Christina Hartmann Benchoff

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