MondayRe, January 03, 2011
Book Review -- Santa is a Lady by L. J. Holmes By Rochelle Weber
Acey likes to sit in my desk drawer and supervise.
Having read Santa is a Lady in one sitting, I found the story touching and funny. The heroine, Angie Brightwell, has survived a car crash that should have killed her. She has defied her doctors’ prognoses and fought to walk again. Legally blind from the crash, she has even found a car with a complicated navigation system that allows her to get around without a driver. Feisty and independent definitely describe Angie. But, she has practically become a recluse to avoid pity. So it takes a lot for her friend, Beck Cavington, to talk her into playing Santa when the professional Santa she hired is arrested four days before Christmas.
Cameron Drayton has gone through the wringer trying to retrieve his half-Iraqi daughter after her vengeful uncles had their own sister murdered for the sin of not only loving and eloping with him, but of bearing a girl. One would think allowing the infidel to take her back to his country would solve their problem, but in their rage against Cam, they kidnapped Johara, produced a fake birth certificate, and left her in an orphanage. It took two years and thousands of dollars in ransom to find out where she was, more money to prove he was her father to both the U.S. and Iraqi governments, get custody and bring her home. Needless to say, he wants her first Christmas to be perfect and a lady Santa isn’t part of that plan.
One of my cats, Acey Deucy, supervised me while I read the story. He was quite taken with the antics of Mama Bear, Angie’s cat. (Not that way; he’s been neutered, fer gossake!) He was very angry at me when I laughed so hard at her I dislodged him. He stalked off with his tail in the air, flicking it in disdain. At me, not the book. I’m sure he liked it as much as I did. I know he’d like to see more of Mama Bear. (No, really— he’s neutered!)
My heart went out to Angie and Cam as they struggled to heal the wounds that don’t show—the ones that hurt the worst. I highly recommend this book. Have tissues ready, and be sure you’re in a chair you can’t roll out of when you’re laughing. Oh, and if you still text while you drive, read this book; and then think again.
Santa is a Lady is available now at MuseItUp Publishing. This is the first of several books L. J. Holmes has coming out over the next year and the first of the Christmas Miracles series. I, for one, can’t wait for her next book, Forever with You, due out February 1, 2011 from MuseItHOT, just in time for Valentine’s Day. Saturday, December 11, 2010
Santa is a Lady by L.J. Holmes - Reviewed by Kay Dee Royal
I read another wonderful Christmas story. My first for the season was Elizabeth Coldwell's Be Good to Your Elf, and the last couple of days I've had the pleasure of reading Santa is a Lady by L.J. Holmes.
I'm going to share my review of L.J.'s holiday book.
I'm going to share my review of L.J.'s holiday book.
Santa is a Lady
L.J. Holmes
ISBN e-book: 978-1-926931-06-7
Seasonal – sweet romance
Muse It Up Publishing – December 2010
Book Review by – Kay Dee Royal
Eight years ago Angie Brightwell almost lost her life in a car accident. She came out of it changed forever. Two years ago Cam Drayton suffered a terrible tragedy, changing his life forever.
Threads of synchronicities bring Angie and Cam together at the most spiritual and vulnerable time of year, during the Christmas holiday season.
Ms. Holmes weaves a stunning blend of strong characters, from Angie’s disabilities and her acceptance of the life she must live, to Angie’s best friend, Becca and all of her selfish reckonings, and then to Cam’s return from service with a young child and a broken heart. Ms. Holmes breaths life into each of them, building tensions in relationships in a way that both pulls the reader along and also thoughtfully holds the reader long after the story is over.
This short book is a Christmas delight, giving all of the warmth and delightful spirit appreciated all year round, but most especially during the Christmas holiday.
Santa is a Lady is a definite must read worthy of making it onto Santa’s gift list.
2 comments:
Ginger Simpson
Review - Santa is a Lady (The Christmas Miracle Series) Sweet Romance
Angie Brightwell is in pain most of the time. She barely survived a horrible car crash that damaged both her eyes and forces her to walk with a cane. Imagine her shock when her best friend from childhood, Beck Cavington, insists Angie play Santa in her Sweet shop. It seems the man Beck hired has been arrested for pedophilia just five days from Christmas, and she’s shy one fat guy in a red suit.
Of course Angie’s first reaction is “no way,” but Beck is good at browbeating and has plenty of pillows for stuffing. Angie soon finds herself wrapping her cane in red ribbon to match her new found attire. Holding the children and listening to their holiday wishes is good for her soul, though it pains her to know that because of the accident she may never have one of her own. Her true identity is revealed when a darling little girl pulls off her beard and bares Angie’s face to the world. Jo’s daddy, Cam, is more than upset to find a female playing a male role, at least until he overhears an argument between Angie and Beck.
Cam has his own problems, and raising a daughter without a mother isn’t an easy feat, especially when she’s part Iraqi and her unscrupulous uncles want to bring her home for all the wrong reasons. Two people with troubled pasts and challenged futures find hope in one another…or do they?
L.J. Holmes holiday offering is a pleasant read that gets you in the festive mood for decorating and celebrating. You’ll swear you smell the pine tree and see lights twinkling in the distance. When you finish and find yourself wanting more from this talented author, then chin up…book two is schedule for release in December 2011. Most people love books with the “ah” factor, and this is definitely one of those. Sorry to tell you this book won’t be available until December 2010, but when it releases, treat yourself to an early holiday gift.
L.J. Holmes is the creator of what one would call “stationary trailers,” having made one for just about every book contracted at Muse It Up Publishing. You can view her awesome contributions on her blog. You can find more about her on her MIU Author’s page.
Review of Santa is a Lady, By Roseanne Dowell