Nov 182011
No Holly for Christmas
Author: Julie N. Ford
Publisher:Whiskey Creek Press
Published: Fall 2011
Paperback/Kindle: 390 pages
Genre: Romantic/Suspense
ISBN-13: 978-1611602944
Reviewed by: Sheila
FTC FYI: Review e-copy
Book Description:
As Brian McAlister struggles to move past being jilted not once, but twice by the only woman he’s ever loved, he’s all but given up on relationships. Then, on special assignment for the DA’s office, he crosses paths with ex-socialite turned social worker, Holly Cavanaugh Winter-and romance blossoms. Widowed, practically penniless, and reduced to shopping at WalMart, Holly is dreading the approaching Holiday Season. However, her angst isn’t due to her husband’s untimely death the previous December 25th, but because of a secret that could reveal itself unless she can find a way to avoid the coming Christmas. Love at first sight quickly turns frigid for Brian and Holly when Holly gets pulled into a manhunt for an accused murderer who now has his sights set on her. His case unraveling, Brian finds himself tasked with keeping Holly and her two daughters safe while bringing an assassin and the powerful man who hired him to justice. A heart-warming story of suspense, healing, giving and receiving, No Holly for Christmas is the perfect addition to everyone’s holiday reading list.
My Review:
No Holly for Christmas is a love story with a lot of suspense. I really like the main characters in this novel because they are not your typical hero and heroine in a romance novel. In fact, the male and female are both quite flawed. I think that is why I liked them so much. The main female character, Holly,formerly a rich socialite, is frankly a snob, and very, very beautiful. The main male character, Brian, is a jerk at times and not very sensitive to Holly or others. But, they both really grow on you as the story goes on. Julie has a wonderful way of writing, that soon you are fully invested in the story and care deeply about the characters. Holly is a single Mom. I am also a single Mom, so I probably get her, and why she acts the way she does,more than other people might. She also is a widow whose husband had been unfaithful to her before his death.Brian is aloof and acts the way he does because he has been hurt from a previous relationship. In other words, they both carry a lot of baggage.
The suspense part of the story is very good. there is one scene that totally creeped me out. A crazy man is after Holly and breaks into her home, You are holding your breath as she enters her home and realizes that someone is/has been there. That has always been something I have feared, so this scene really shook me. Brian assigns himself, he is the assistant DA, to protect Holly and her two daughters by moving in with them. There is a lot of romantic tension that takes place between Brian and Holly. But, nothing too sexual happens between the two characters which I appreciate. It does get frustrating when they keep bating each other and being stubborn. They fight and kiss and make up, then fight and kiss and make up again.
The overall story is strong, suspenseful and I love the romance. I don’t want to give anything away about how the suspense part turns out, but let’s just say it is very exciting! I love Julie’s writing and also loved her other book I reviewed called, Countdown to Love.
To purchase No Holly for Christmas go here.
2 Responses to “Review of No Holly for Christmas by Julie N. Ford”
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Is the kiss and makeup thing really irritating? Does it look like that’s how their relationship will continue to go?
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