Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author Jenny Hale to HJ!
An uplifting, beautiful story about never letting go of your dreams, the special magic of a family Christmas… and the rush of falling in love under the mistletoe.
Please share your favorite scene from Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses:
Music has an enormous creative impact on me. I like all sorts of genres and every song is so unique; each one affects me differently. I might connect to a phrase or a particular drum beat. Sometimes, just the emotion in a song will demand that I write it. The scene that I write could be totally different than what’s portrayed in the lyrics, because the feeling of it takes me somewhere else.
What I liked about the scene that I’m sharing with you today was how the main character Abbey was transported to a place so far inside her memories that it actually caused an outward reaction. By exposing her feelings, the hero Nick could allow himself to get in touch with his own emotions and the two share a moment of understanding. The presence of the music allowed them to take that step past simple pleasantries and actually see each other.
So, let me set up the scene for you: Nick is a very quiet, reserved guy. He plays piano and composes, yet even his own family members have never heard his original music. Abbey convinces him to play one of his songs for her. This decision is quite difficult for Nick because it makes him vulnerable and he isn’t used to that. But he trusts her, so tentatively, he puts his fingers on the keys and begins to play.
Without further ado, the piano scene from Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses.
Excerpt of the Scene in Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses
The sound was so beautiful that she closed her eyes to hear it better. It was tinkling and smooth at the same time, the notes bouncing around together softly. She’d never heard anything like it. It was the most beautiful lullaby. Just hearing it took her back to those sleepless nights she’d had, a terrified new mother, all by herself with Max when he was a baby. It reminded her of rocking him, listening to his little sucking sounds once he’d fallen asleep, the smell of his hair. Like a slideshow, she thought of the smile Max had in his crib every morning, his first steps, the smear of birthday cake on his one-year-old lips, hit first hit at his baseball game—so many memories.
Without warning, she could feel the rise of tears in her closed eyes, and she sniffled. Nick hadn’t even finished playing yet, and she already wanted to hear it again. Abbey opened her eyes and a tear escaped down her cheek. She wiped it away. Never before had she had this kind of experience, and it made her feel differently in that moment. She felt like anything was possible.
The song ended and Nick turned to her, immediately showing concern when he realized she was crying. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Nothing at all.” She smiled and sniffled again. “It was beautiful.”
He stared at her as if deciding something. Then, he leaned in slowly, her heart speeding up with the realization of what was happening. He stopped just before meeting her lips. She could feel his breath, every inch of her body wanting to press herself against him. She couldn’t get close enough to him and the space between them was killing her. “I’m glad you liked it,” he whispered.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Thanks for blogging at HJ!
Giveaway: Print copy of CHRISTMAS WISHES AND MISTLETOE KISSES by Jenny Hale
To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and Post a comment to this Q: What moves you? What can bring you to tears or make you laugh hysterically? Have you ever thought about it? How could you fit more of it into your life?
Book Info:
Single mother Abbey Fuller loves her family more than anything, and doesn’t regret for a moment having had to put her dreams of being an interior designer on hold. But with her son, Max, growing up, when a friend recommends her for a small design job she jumps at the chance. How hard can it be?
Nick Sinclair needs his house decorated in time for his family’s festive visit – and money is no object. What he doesn’t need is to be distracted from his multi-million dollar business – even if it is Christmas.
When Abbey pulls up to the huge Sinclair mansion, she has a feeling she might be out of her depth. And when she meets the gorgeous, brooding Nicholas Sinclair, she knows that she’s in real trouble…
With the snow falling all around, can Abbey take the chance to make her dreams of being a designer come true? And can she help Nick to finally enjoy the magic of Christmas?
Meet the Author:
Jenny Hale is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic women’s fiction. The film adaptation of her novel Coming Home for Christmas aired on the Hallmark Channel. Her stories are chock-full of feel-good romance and overflowing with warm settings, great friends, and family. Grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and join the fun!
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram |
Rachael
Books or sad scenes on tv/films can make me cry and sometimes seeing other people cry, can get me tearing up a little bit too
Mary Preston
It’s complex, but something that tugs at my heart will make me cry, clever and witty will make me laugh.
Debra Guyette
The news makes me cry lately. It is hard to say what will make me laugh.
Natalija
Books about flawed everyday people with actual struggles I can relate to.
janinecatmom
It doesn’t take much at all to make me cry lately.
hartfiction
Human kindness makes me do all of those.
Sue C
My German Shepherd and my cats make me laugh. Movies make me cry.
Amy R
It depends on my mood so I haven’t found anything that constantly makes me laugh or cry.
lraines78
Children and pets.
Tammy Y
My daughter and cats
penneywilfort
Books make me happy, for sad it’s news on tv sad movies
This sounds very good thank you, great review
Penney
Cora Hannold
Our dog can make me laugh my head off at the drop of a dime. He knows when I’m down and will do something out of the blue that will make me laugh.
Daniel M
haven’t thought about it
Olga
There are many things that can make me happy or cry. I am emotional person.
Kathleen Bylsma
I can be reduced to tears by moving scenes, music, beauty…pretty much anything, including that old McDonald’s commercial where the elderly couple met for coffee..
katsbookcornerreads
Awesome cover and giveaway!! Shared on all my socials!!
Pumpkin von Spookypants (Elley Murray) (@ElleyOtter)
My kids are a strong contender for what moves me. Sometimes they say and do the darnedest things! For example, my 4 year old set a trap for Grandpa in the closet the other day. “I put potato chips in the closet to make a trap for Grandpa, because potato chips are his favorite, but I need an alarm so I know if he took the bait. Can I have your phone?” HAHAHAHAHHAA. Oh boy! And then sometimes they are just the absolute sweetest angels on the planet, especially when I am sad and they come give me a hug, or when my 2 year old waves bye to me when I drop him off at daycare and tell me to “have a fun day, Mommy!”
dholcomb1
I’m an extremely emotional person, it doesn’t take much to bring me to a laugh or tears.
bn100
depends
isisthe12th
The kindness of people move me immensely and I strive to be more kind in my day to day life. Thank you
rkcjmomma
Books, the news, hallmark movies. Great things my kids do. Sad things that have happened to our family this year!
Caro
Kid and animals. They make me smile with their antics, but totally make me cry when I read sad stories about them.
Julie Curtis
Sad songs and films make me cry and my dogs make me laugh especially my Westie
Teresa Williams
Sad songs make me cry..My grandchildren make me laugh.Except last weekend I cried watching my granddaughter wa!I down the aisle to marry.
Cherie J.
My kids move me in many different ways, whether with laughter or tears, they fill my life with precious memories.
Mary C.
My nephews, my nieces and family pets.
BookLady
Depending on the subject, books and movies can make me laugh or cry.
Nicole (Nicky) Ortiz
My nieces and nephews make me laugh. Some books and movies can make me laugh and cry depending on the storyline.
Thanks for the chance!
Jana Leah
Time spent with my cousin makes me laugh. We crack each other up.
Irma
Children. Mostly when I see them suffer.
Ellen C.
Sometimes just being silly with my husband can make me laugh hysterically. Crying happens when I’m angry or incredibly sad.
lindamoffitt02
My kids and thinking about them for both
Laughs and Tears
Terrill R.
Since my son is growing up and per normal for his age, separating himself for me, I love when we get to spend one-on-one time together. As a 17 year old, he has come into his own and is bright and funny. He always makes me laugh.