Blog Tour & Giveaway for Christmas in Snow Valley Boxed Set

Welcome to my stop on the blog Tour for Christmas in Snow Valley.  I will be featuring a review of each story in the anthology during this week, one story each day until I have reviewed each story.  You can follow the rest of the stops on the Tour Schedule.  

     

About Christmas in Snow Valley

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 t 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.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo * Smashwords * iTunes

 

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.”

Fans of sweet holiday romance looking for a lunch time reading snack need look no further than An Unexpected Kiss by Cindy Roland Anderson.  Likable characters, good dialogue and a romance that begins with a kiss between strangers, Ms. Anderson’s story had me turning the pages from start to finish.  An Unexpected Kiss is a great beginning for this anthology. 

Going home to Snow Valley for the Christmas Holidays, Lucy Phillips is excited about seeing her family but is upset to discover her mother is still trying to act like a match maker and arranging for Lucy’s high school boyfriend to pick her up at the airport.  When he shows up with a dozen roses, Lucy grabs the single handsome stranger who sat near her and gives him a kiss.  Which leads to a second kiss when he responds.  When she discovers the stranger, Cole Taggart, is the new doctor in town, she finds herself drawn into helping him discover the magic of Christmas and falling for the stranger she kissed.

Ms. Anderson does a good job developing both Lucy and Cole’s characters; both smart, successful at their separate careers, and from completely different backgrounds, they make a connection they can’t deny.  Especially since both of them want to help others and end up working on a “Secret Santa” project together.  I especially liked how Ms. Anderson involves many of the people in town in their project, and showcases what the holidays are really about.

Will a kiss between strangers lead to a real Christmas romance?  Will Lucy and Cole’s “Secret Santa” project lead to lasting happiness?  You’ll have to read An Unexpected Kiss to find out.  I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

My Rating:  4.5 out of 5 Crowns

Blog Tour Giveaway

• $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 11/20/14
• Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash.
• Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary.
• You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you.
• The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.
• This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified.
• The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning.
• Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author.
• VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Presented by 

FTC Disclosure:  I received a complimentary copy of this book as a part of a book tour for a fair and honest review.  I received no additional compensation for my opinion of the reading material provided.