Spotlight & Giveaway: A Christmas to Remember by Beverly Jenkins

Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author Beverly Jenkins to HJ!

Hi Beverly and welcome to HJ! We’re so excited to chat with you about your new release, A Christmas to Remember!

 
Hello lovely readers.
 

Please summarize the book for the readers here:

ACTR is the 11th book in the small town Blessings series. Town owner Bernadine Brown purchased the historic town of Henry Adams KS on ebay in book 1 and arranged for 5 at risk kids to be adopted by residents there. It’s a story of found families, second chances at both life and love, adventures that make you laugh out loud and others so heartfelt you’ll be reaching tissues. Book 11 is set during the Christmas season. Series readers have been eagerly pulling for the wedding of Bernadine and her beau Malachi July, but will they?
 

Please share your favorite line(s) or quote from this book:

“So, can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.”
“How does a guy go about courting a lady reverend?”
She froze.
He added, “Asking for a friend.”

Please share a few Fun facts about this book…

The Christmas parade has the town’s resident hog dressed as Santa. There are two cats named after Elton John songs. There are bobbleheads of a bride and groom. The rehearsal dinner menu consists of waffles and bacon. On the town’s huge Christmas tree is an ornament that features a 19th century lady outlaw’s Wanted Poster.

What first attracts your Hero to the Heroine and vice versa?

Malachi is attracted to Bernadine in book 1 because she’s a curvy, size 18 beauty. She’s not attracted to him at all because he’s a 60 plus year old playboy whose mom says is full of snake oil. As the series progresses, she learns who he is beneath the surface and she comes to appreciate his kindness and ability to make her reevaluate her Type A, always working personality.

Did any scene have you blushing, crying or laughing while writing it? And Why?

Our teen couple of Leah and Preston are having issues. Leah’s insecurities have convinced her that when they graduate from high school next year and Preston goes off to MIT and she heads to Stanford to study astrophysics, Preston will dump her because he’ll meet someone prettier. Preston doesn’t agree with her take at all, When they finally hash this out, they’re crying and so was I.

Readers should read this book….

Because it’s rich, nuanced and w ill fill your heart and spirit with joy,

What are you currently working on? What other releases do you have in the works?

Now working on an indie romantic suspense project. Book 12 in the Blessings series will follow.
 

Thanks for blogging at HJ!

Giveaway: I’m giving away two copies of A Christmas to Remember. US only.

To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and Post a comment to this Q: What draws you to small town romance?

 
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Excerpt from A Christmas to Remember:

“So, can I ask you a question?” he asked.
“Sure.”
“How does a guy go about courting a lady reverend?”
She froze.
He added, “Asking for a friend.”
She couldn’t suppress her amusement. “A friend,” she replied doubtfully.
“Yes.” He sat back against his chair and folded his arms. “What should he know?”
She studied him for a long moment, wondering where this might lead. “First and foremost, he should know that she’s not a bed bunny.”
He laughed. “A bed bunny?”
“Yes. If your friend is looking for someone to hop around in bed with, she’s not the one.”
“I’m pretty sure he already knew that, and honestly its nowhere near the top of his list.”
She liked hearing that but had no idea how truthful that was. Instead of worrying over it, she set it aside, gave him the benefit of the doubt, and framed her next response. “He should also know that he’ll have to bat second to her faith and commitment to Christ.”
He nodded. “Understood. Is it okay if he calls her by her given name?”
“It is,” she replied softly.
He looked away as if thinking and she wondered what he’d ask next.
“What brings Paula joy? Not the reverend, but Paula.”
“Your friend has some intriguing questions.”
“He’ll be glad you said that.”
She was enjoying this gentle and yes, novel interrogation. “Well, let’s see. That’s a hard question to be honest. She’s spent so much of her life focused on others … . Can she come back to that one later?
“Of course.”
She honestly had to think on that one, and wondered if not having a ready answer made her life seem lacking in some way? She didn’t believe serving her faith made her less of a person, even if others might think it did. “Does that make her less in your friend’s eyes?”
He shook his head. “No. It just makes him want to help her discover what that personal joy may be if she’s open to exploring it.”
“She might be.” A thought occurred to her. “She does love the Cuban and Haitian food of southern Florida and misses it big time. Will that answer do?”
“More than do. He’ll think you’re a woman after his own heart.”
That left her so shaken, she forced herself to look away. “How old is this friend of yours?”
“Forty-eight.”
“Does he know that she’s fifty-four?”
“No, but a six year difference doesn’t matter to him. He’s interested in her. Not her age.”
She turned back and saw the honesty in his eyes.
He added, “And he wants her to know that he’ll do everything in his power not to embarrass her, belittle her faith or make her question her value and worth. He’s also has been married once and is divorced. He’d want me to throw that in. His ex didn’t like batting second to what he does for a living.”
That he’d used her words to describe his failed marriage showed he understood what being committed to something like faith actually meant. His questions and responses were intriguing, and so was he.
“May I ask one last question,” he said to her.
She nodded.
“Will you go to the movies with me Friday night.”
She smiled and didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
 
 

Book Info:

Ever since Bernadine Brown bought the town of Henry Adams, her relationship with diner owner Malachi “Mal” July has had its share of ups and downs. But now they’re finally ready to say “I do.”

Or are they? As wedding preparations go into full swing, and families both local and extended begin to gather for the festivities, that long awaited walk down the aisle hits a speed bump that may derail everything.

But Mal and Bernadine’s relationship isn’t the only one being tested.

Preston Mays aka Brain, loves his girlfriend as much as he does physics but when she decides being a couple is no longer a good thing, his heart is broken. Will connecting with his bio dad’s family ease his pain?

Reverend Paula Grant has been patiently waiting for God to send her someone to share her life. When the town’s charming new chef arrives in town, she wonders if he could be the one.

And then there’s former mayor Riley Curry who throws a parade with his hog Cletus! There’s always a lot going on in Henry Adams, and this will be a Christmas to remember.