The Christmas Kiss

I apologize again for the lateness of the blog post today. As most know, I’m now working at an elementary school and by the time I get home from school, I’m toast. Throw in Christmas time and the kids’ excitement while still trying to teach and I’m a zombie. Do I read to relax when I get home? You bet. Do I remember to write the review? Nope. I have no shame and I’m not afraid to admit it.

So why the admission? Because this is my last posted review of 2019 and I’m super excited that it is. Ms. McCullough knew exactly what I needed to relax, rewind and just forget for a few hours. This isn’t my first book from Ms. McCullough nor will it be my last. Unfortunately, I didn’t read the first book in this series but I understood the secondary characters, Mike and Ruby. However, I have since found out that Emma’s backstory is better explained in that book so, at times, I didn’t quite understand how she came about in the beginning.

Honestly, I didn’t care. I just liked Emma. She didn’t come off as self-pitying; instead, I found her endearing, funny and at times, self-effacing. She mocked herself at times when it came to money and most people wouldn’t do that. I also liked that she didn’t come off as weak when it came to Parker. Their banter at times was funny but also poignant. She was honest with him when she was describing her marriage. There was no real emotion (which I can understand given the circumstances) but she hadn’t given up on love.

Parker was kind of a jerk in the beginning. But he is made to be that way when it comes to Emma. He just views her as someone that throws money at things with no real emotional attachment. Hence, the injured birds. Oh, that owl. That poor baby. Even I prayed for its safe healing. Those scenes gave Parker a much-needed eye-opener when it came to Emma. He knew that she was different and could be trusted.

Trust is a huge issue for Parker given his ex-wife. Not to mention that he is dealing with a college-age daughter that still doesn’t understand why her mother left and is now somewhat begging for them to get back together. The ending of the book is spot on with Parker and his daughter. In fact, if you are looking for that big black moment, you really won’t find it here. Ms. McCullough writes about people that actually communicate with each other and deal with the issues at hand. Oh…and did I mention that Parker and Emma are older characters? Harlie LOVES it when authors write about older characters. Yes, they can still fall in love, deal with older children and exes. And they aren’t afraid to voice their opinions without the reader wanting to beat them over the head for the stubbornness that comes with younger characters.

Ms. McCullough wrote a book that I desperately needed with only two weeks left in school. It showed me some things that I would have never thought about, characters that I grew to love and an ending that was beautiful. Not to mention the birds in it and I learned a lot from Parker when it came to the care that wounded birds need. I miss the owl already.

This was another sweet Christmas read that features a couple who are older and more mature as they are in their late 30’s and early 40’s. It was refreshing to read about that age and the author does a good job of showing their maturity in their lives.

Parker Davis is newly divorced and he and his 18 year old daughter have moved to Bluestone River for his new job of helping to set up a bird sanctuary. I don’t normally like to read books about divorced people as the happily ever after is broken. But the author does show the devastating affects that divorce can have on a family, an individual, and a child-even though that child is an adult. I liked Parker. He was serious and a bit nerdy but he loved his daughter very much and often said things he shouldn’t to Emma.

I was delighted to get Emma’s story and find out more of her background. She is a widow, though her marriage was anything but happy, and she had an accident that severely limited her mobility. She is trying to recapture her life back and I liked her tenacity in doing so. She could have just set back and felt sorry for herself. But that was not the type of person she was. She had a quirky sense of humor and worked through her pain so she could come close again to her previous life. She is also rather wealthy which seems at first Parker holds against her.

I liked how they worked together especially in helping a very injured owl. That was interesting as Parker explained to Emma what he was doing. I never thought of birds in quite that way.

This was a cute holiday read that brought this family together.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

Get ready for that warm, fuzzy, Christmasy love feeling folks because this book fairly oozes with it! That’s right. This second instalment in the Bluestone River series brings Parker and Emma together at this perfect time of the year and it is nothing less than yummy. I adore this Heartwarming line as they are chock full of the feels without all that other ‘stuff’ to get in the way. This is my third this season and I have loved them all.
In The Christmas Kiss, Parker and Emma work together saving animals. *:Le swoon:* How can you not love a guy who puts his heart and soul into saving the lives of animals? And while they have kind of an insta-love, it works for these two with some ups and downs, some arguments and apologies just like a true-life couple. I think that is part of what sells the book so well. Ms. McCullough truly deserves a huge round of applause for providing us with one of the most wonderful reads of the Season.

5
2

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Even though I didn’t know there was a first book I still really enjoyed this book about Parker Davis and Emma O’ Connell.
In my opinion I came to see that they were going to be two special people that earned a place in my heart. I certainly enjoyed getting to know them.
I loved the community’s unusual name Bluestone River. I found myself looking it up to see if it was real.
I think that when the love bug hits certain people there’s no stopping it especially if God has a say in it. Destiny is meant to be!
I feel that I have read this author before. Her work is very familiar to me. I like how she can make her characters real and believable complete with 2nd chances at love.
Parker’s Bird Sanctuary fascinated me. I loved that he really cared about saving the birds. It was his passion and I certainly can understand that. I thought it brought out the best in him.
Just like my passion is reading and music.
The only thing I didn’t like at 1st was his unjust attitude towards Emma. Yes we all have baggage but please Emma most certainly did not deserve that!
But later on we learn why Parker has a nasty attitude. I wouldn’t want to experience something like that!
I was glad to see that as the story went on they actually learned how to get along with each other.
Emma has enough troubles of her own. I’m like Emma when it comes to injuries and surgeries. I went through something like Emma did so that is why I felt more connected to her.
I love Emma. She’s a kind hearted and generous soul. I believe however she’s a rare person to care about her town and it’s people. Not many people in real life do. We need more like her.
The person I felt for was Parker’s daughter. I can’t blame her for feeling the way she does.
Poor girl! I enjoyed getting to know her too.
I can’t stress how much I loved this book!
There really wasn’t much I didn’t like except Parker’s attitude at first.
This is a delightful book that will be sure to put you in the Christmas cheer!
I highly recommend this book
My thanks to #Prismtours for a complimentary copy of this book. NO compensations were received and all opinions are my own.

I love a friends-to-more story, especially when it takes place at Christmastime! In The Christmas Kiss, Emma and Parker initially seem like an unlikely pair, but they both have good hearts and care about others.

I wasn’t sure if I’d like Parker at first. He seemed a bit ill-mannered for my taste, but he soon grew on me. I learned how he is a great dad, wanting to provide stabilization and a good home for his daughter, and how his past shaped his behavior.

Emma is good hearted and generous, and I quickly liked her. She is also healing from her past and isn’t looking for love.

These two seemed to butt heads, but their attraction was palpable and grew as a slow burn. I’m glad it wasn’t an insta-love type of story. Building tension is so important.

It is so rare that I read a story that includes a main character with a disability. I love the inclusive nature and wholesome romance this author provided. I enjoyed this rich, full-bodied cup of Christmas love.

Source: I received a complimentary copy of this book as part of Prism Book Tours. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

The Christmas Kiss is the second installment from Virginia McCullough’s series, Back to Bluestone River. I loved the first book from the series, A Family for Jason, and this one does not disappoint. I do want to note that even though it is part of a series, I believe it can be read as a stand alone. I enjoyed getting to know Emma and Parker in this one. I thought the two were entertaining. I enjoyed the lessons learned in the story that we could all learn from.
I am giving The Christmas Kiss five plus stars. Readers who enjoy heartwarming and clean romance will not want to miss this one. I look forward to the next addition to the Back to Bluestone River series.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

It’s that time of year – Christmas. Not only a time for joy, gift giving, snow, and romance!

This is my first visit to Bluestone River with Parker and Emma. This is the second book in the “Back to Bluestone River” series. This is a perfect standalone title on its own.

Parker is recently divorced and focusing on his job which he hopes will provide stability for his daughter, especially during the holidays.

Emma O’Connell isn’t quite his boss, despite being one of the main donors and paying for much of the bills.

And, despite the two approaching everything differently, Parker is still intrigued by Emma, especially when they spend so much time together working on the events for Bluestone River.

When I thought of Parker as a single dad – I thought his daughter was younger. But, that wasn’t too much of a disappointment. What did tear at me was the divorce issue, which is especially harder on children – of any age. Nicole; Parker’s daughter; is torn between being mad at her mom for walking out on them, and hoping that her mom will invite her to move in with her. In addition, there is some manipulation that her mom is pulling behind the scenes that makes this more realistic.

Parker’s initial perceptions of Emma – being older is interesting. Despite Emma’s disability (which I loved the author included) and his perceptions of her – he enjoys her company as they work on the bird sanctuary in Bluestone River. McCullough does a great job of realistically weaving in the disability so that the character still enjoys her life and doesn’t feel sorry for herself.

The attraction between the two is immediate and apparent, but doesn’t rush through. It is a slow and natural progression with how they work together to bring the sanctuary to life.

This was an endearing story with all sides have equal representation.

As always, the Harlequin books have happy endings. And, especially the Heartwarming series. This is no exception.

If you enjoy a clean romance without Christian references – these books fit that description. This one was a “curl up on the couch, cup of cocoa, warm blanket, cloudy day” read. Cozy and beautiful.

Thank you again to Prism Book Tours and Virginia McCullough for including me in this tour. I received a complimentary copy for review purposes only. A positive review wasn’t required, and all words are my own.