Length: 52,362 words
Cover Design: Designs By Sloan
______________________________________________
Laurel Holidays Series
Book One - The Christmas Oaks
______________________________________________
Evan Griffiths is enjoying his tenure as the mayor of Cedarburg, Pennsylvania. While it may barely be a blip on the state map, it’s where he grew up, and he’s thrilled to be at the helm of the tiny rural community. With the recent election in the past, Evan can focus on his agenda to bring Cedarburg out of the fifties. Being the first gay mayor in the town’s history is a good start but there’s plenty more to do. His first big job is expanding the yearly Christmas Carnival to lure tourists to his fiscally challenged birthplace. Things seem to be moving along at a good pace then a ghost from Christmases past arrives on the morning bus.
As soon as Gideon Pierce returns to Cedarburg he picks up right where he left off back in elementary school—tormenting Evan at every turn. Only this time instead of shoving Evan down on the playground, Gideon is bedeviling him with snippy editorials in the local paper. Gideon is no longer the gangly, bucktoothed kid he used to be. When his gaze keeps touching on Gideon’s mouth and the appreciative fire in his brilliant holly green eyes, Evan finds it harder and harder to keep his mind on witty replies to Gideon’s cutting viewpoints.
_____________________________________________________________________
My Rating - 4.5 Stars!
The Christmas Pundit is a fabulous redemption romance. The second book in VL Locey's Laurel Holidays series, it's easily read as a standalone. And ohhhh....the cover!!! I love this cover.
This tale is a great mix of an enemies to lovers meets small town romance. It's a fun political read, as Evan is the town's mayor, setting us up for good small town politics, including small town antics at it's finest.
Gideon's back in town after years away and I adore the way the truth about the past comes to light.
There are plenty of family issues. Oh my, Gideon's past is heart breaking. The story of his upbringing and all his childhood entailed is a tough read, but definitely helps with his character development.
A large part of this story revolves around Evan's mother and her attitude about the past. She struggles in a completely realistic way, as it's hard to forgive someone who hurt your child. Oh, how I can relate. I appreciate the way this is handled.
I will admit that I didn't care for all the political discussions though. I agree with them, but I read to escape, and this just reminded me way too much about the problems in politics right now.
The Christmas Pundit is a nice, sweet, small town Christmas read. VL Locey will definitely leave you happy for these two men to find another and get over their past. If you enjoy redemption romances, you will love this one.
_________________________________________________________________________
V.L. Locey loves worn jeans, yoga, belly laughs, walking, reading and writing lusty tales, Greek mythology, Torchwood and Dr. Who, the New York Rangers, comic books, and coffee. (Not necessarily in that order.) She shares her life with her husband, her daughter, one dog, two cats, a pair of geese, far too many chickens, and two steers.
When not writing spicy romances, she enjoys spending her day with her menagerie in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania with a cup of fresh java in one hand and a steamy romance novel in the other.
_______________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
No comments:
Post a Comment