Review: A Match Made at Christmas by Courtney Walsh

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Hayes McGuire never believed the stories about a famous Nantucket matchmaker until she ropes him into taking over her duties in while she's off the island for Christmas.

So he enlists the help of the one person he can trust with this crazy scheme—his best friend, Prudence. Armed with a series of rules, a book of success stories and the promise of Christmas magic, the pair of old friends sets out to make a Christmas match.

Little do they know that magic doesn’t discriminate, and the pair soon finds their years of friendship deepening into something more. Will Pru and Hayes ignore the electricity in the air between them or will there be more than one match made at Christmas?

A Match Made at Christmas is a stand-alone holiday novella.

My Review

Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes, and this one was done so well, especially in a novella! Great character development- I quickly felt like I knew Hayes and Pru, as well as their history and struggles, but without an info dump. The author skillfully showed their relationship dynamic as they reconnect for the holidays, and the setting brought another level of coziness. The subplot of playing matchmakers to a pair of Nantucket locals adds an element of fun and also provides the impetus for them to reassess their relationship. There is a perfect amount of romantic tension and chemistry as they realize the only thing more important than their friendship is not regretting a missed opportunity. A wonderful holiday novella!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

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Don't miss the other books in the Nantucket Love Story series. . . 

Coming April 2021

Book Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: Dreaming of Tomorrow by Michelle De Bruin #DTPrism

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Dreaming of Tomorrow

By Michelle De Bruin

Christian Historical Romance

Paperback & ebook, 317 Pages

November 10, 2020 by Scrivenings Press LLC

Love leads them to a lifetime of commitment where the dreams they have held onto for so long start to come true.

Popular and eligible, Logan De Witt must convince the women in town that he is engaged to be married. A quiet, simple ceremony is what he has in mind for his wedding day, but when the date and time of his bride’s arrival is published in the newspaper, the whole town joins in the celebration proving to Logan and his new wife their sincere friendship and support. Added to the excitement of Logan’s marriage is the question of what the congregation should do with the unexpected donation of an orchard.

Karen Millerson is counting the days until her long-distance engagement comes to an end and she may travel to Oswell City to marry Logan. More than anything, she wants to share in his life as a help and support, but keeping a house and finding her place in the community requires much more work than she ever expected.

Learn, laugh, and love with Karen and Logan as they start a new marriage and work together ministering to the citizens of their small town.

(Affiliate links included.)

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

Excerpt

“How would you like to say goodbye?” He asked in a quiet voice.

Karen considered the question. “Take a walk with me.” There was still one place she wanted to visit with him. A peaceful evening and a spacious garden awaited them. She led him to the door she used when she slipped out to read his letters. A brick path curved around the house to the garden’s gate. Karen opened it and strolled at Logan’s side through hedges of hydrangea, groupings of lilies, butterfly bushes, and a wide variety of late summer flowers. They reached the scrolled iron table and chairs on the far side of the fountain.

“I could marry you tonight.” Logan draped his suit coat over the back of one of the chairs and took her in his arms. “You know that, don’t you?”

“Of course I do.”

“Then we wouldn’t have to part. I could take you with me to Oswell City and begin our life together right now.”

“I’d quit my teaching job and go with you.”

A grin spread across his face in the darkness. “We have a preacher. You’re wearing white. We could make a bouquet from your aunt’s flowers and have a little ceremony right here.”

“Who would be our witnesses?” Karen’s brow wrinkled.

Logan’s gaze moved to the stars overhead. “The moon … and the Lord.” His eyes traveled the darkened sky before returning to her face, and the grin appeared once more.

“Good enough for me, but Julia would never forgive us.”

“Neither would the Ladies Mission Society.” Logan chuckled. “They’re all making big plans for you and me.”

“It sounds like we’d better hold off before you have the entire town in an uproar.” Karen raised a brow to match his teasing mood.

He laughed again, a happy, unfettered sound consistent with his nature and relaxed outlook. “You know I love you.” His tone grew serious.

“I know.” Karen closed her eyes before the tears came.

That kiss she dared to hope for came forth in complete reinforcement of the words he’d just spoken. It ended too soon. A breeze picked up scattering petals from a nearby bush across the moonlit lawn. Logan reached for his jacket and accompanied her inside the house with just enough time left for him to gather his luggage, kiss her once more, and go with Hank to catch the ten o’clock train to Iowa.

 

Other Books in the Series

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About the Author

Michelle De Bruin lives in Iowa with her husband and two teenage sons. She has a bachelor’s degree in Religion with a Christian Ministry emphasis, and in Music. Michelle is the spiritual services provider for an organization that offers services for people with mental and physical disabilities. She has been a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) since 2015. Michelle writes inspirational historical romance about people who live in rural communities. Characters that bring to life the delights of farm and small-town living, whispers of Dutch heritage, and Christian faith make Michelle’s stories distinct. A romantic at heart, Michelle is always on the lookout for glimpses of God’s love through the window of a good story.

Her first book, Hope for Tomorrow, released in 2018. The sequel, Promise for Tomorrow, released November 2019. The third book in the series, Dreaming of Tomorrow, releases November 2020.

Website | Goodreads | BookBub | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Amazon

Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive a $20 (USD) Amazon Gift Card and a copy of Dreaming of Tomorrow (winner can choose print if in the US and ebook outside the US)

Open internationally

Ends November 25, 2020

ENTER HERE

Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: Dreaming of Tomorrow by Michelle De Bruin

 Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Dreaming of Tomorrow by Michelle De Bruin, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

 

Title: Dreaming of Tomorrow 
Series: Tomorrow #3
Author: Michelle De Bruin
Publisher: Scrivenings Press LLC
Release Date: November 10, 2020
Genre: Inspirational Historical Fiction

Love leads them to a lifetime of commitment where the dreams they have held onto for so long start to come true. 

Popular and eligible, Logan De Witt must convince the women in town that he is engaged to be married. A quiet, simple ceremony is what he has in mind for his wedding day, but when the date and time of his bride’s arrival is published in the newspaper, the whole town joins in the celebration proving to Logan and his new wife their sincere friendship and support. 

Added to the excitement of Logan’s marriage is the question of what the congregation should do with the unexpected donation of an orchard. 

 Karen Millerson is counting the days until her long-distance engagement comes to an end and she may travel to Oswell City to marry Logan. More than anything, she wants to share in his life as a help and support, but keeping a house and finding her place in the community requires much more work than she ever expected. 

Learn, laugh, and love with Karen and Logan as they start a new marriage and work together ministering to the citizens of their small town.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound

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EXCERPT

“I think I’ll take a look at this now.” Karen held up her gift.

Logan smiled, so she unwrapped the box. No writing on the outside indicated the contents. Karen opened the box and pulled out a small glass container oval in shape with a liquid inside.

“Read it.” Logan turned the glass bottle around.

“Song of the Spring.” A whiff of flowers reached her nose. “You bought me perfume.”

“I didn’t exactly buy this gift either. You remember me writing to you about an elderly woman named Mrs. Akerman?”

“I do.”

“She gave me this bottle of perfume and told me to give it to my new wife. She’s so happy for me to get married. Her husband fought in the Civil War and never came home. Watching me prepare for marriage brings back her old memories. She needs a reason to recall them. I’m happy to help her remember because it helps her heal. Do you remember reading the name of the Akerman orchard in one of my letters?”

“They were Dutch words that said something about orchards and love.” Karen set the perfume on a nearby stand.

“You’re right. Orchards of Love. Fruit trees bloom in the spring. Getting married is teaching my heart how to sing a whole new song. I love you, Karen, and I pray that what is blossoming now at the beginning of our life together will reap a rich harvest of love in the years to come.”

Karen’s eyes misted over, but she blinked the moisture away so it wouldn’t prevent her from memorizing how Logan looked at this moment. Preacher and poet, he’d spoken a beautiful prophecy over their tomorrows. She picked up the bottle and spritzed a bit onto her wrist. The floral fragrance filled the room. 

 

Logan reached for her scented wrist and kissed her hand. Memories from Christmas night a year ago flooded her mind. Seated before a cozy fire and talking about building a life together, this night had much in common with that one. Even the late hour noted on the grandfather clock was similar. For two years in a row, the best gift Christmas gave her arrived after every other celebration had ended.

 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

 

Author Michelle De Bruin writes Christian historical fiction about people who live in rural communities. Michelle lives in Iowa with her husband and two teenage sons. She provides spiritual services during the week and leads worship on the weekends. A romantic at heart, Michelle is always on the lookout for glimpses of God's love through the window of a good story. 

CONNECT WITH MICHELLE:  Website | Facebook | Twitter

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

 

(1) winner will receive an ebook copy of Dreaming of Tomorrow and a $20 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight November 17, 2020 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 24, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

 

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.