A Merry Little Christmas
by
Anita Higman
Summerside Press
October 2012
hardcover
ISBN 978-1-60936-688-9
$14.99
About the book . . .
Higman invites readers to fall in love with this cozy story about two people from different worlds. Franny Martin is an Oklahoma farm girl who’s preparing to spend the holidays alone... again. She has spent all of her adult life keeping the family farm going after her parents’ death, and she struggles to make ends meet. Franny has no money to speak of, but she is clever and spirited. Her love for music drives her dream to sell the farm and move to the city to find work in the radio business.
Then Charlie Landau shows up one day, all wealth and polish, and offers to buy Franny’s farm. Charlie has been trying to prove himself and meet the expectations of his wealthy father after
falling short on one business venture after another. He is determined to make his latest endeavor work —running a farm—that is, after taking a few lessons from Franny.
falling short on one business venture after another. He is determined to make his latest endeavor work —running a farm—that is, after taking a few lessons from Franny.
Even though Franny and Charlie come from very different backgrounds, they quickly find a common bond. In the back of her mind, Franny fears the bigger life that lies beyond her small world. At the same, Charlie is afraid of letting his father down yet again. Both must face their fear of failure and come to the realization that life on the other side isn’t always as it appears.
Drawing on her own experience of growing up in Oklahoma, Higman brings the Martin farm to vivid life. Yet, that’s not the only part of her childhood that she brings to the story. “Even though A Merry Little Christmas is really a love story, I felt it needed some additional conflict, and some of the racial struggles of the 60s seemed to be the right choice for this particular plot,” says Higman. “I grew up in the 60s, and I was always interested in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. In some ways I feel I’ve waited my whole life to write this book. It came easily to me in that it’s been percolating in my imagination for a long time, but it was also hard to write because I had to consider more deeply the injustices of that era. Even though it sounds like a cliché, A Merry Little Christmas truly was the book of my heart.”
As Sinatra croons from the radio and Christmas descends upon her charming farm, Franny teaches Charlie the curious and sometimes comical ways of country life. In the process, they unearth some discoveries of the heart —that sometimes love comes when you’re least ready for it. Will the holidays bring their most impossible dreams within reach?
A Merry Little Christmas is the first release in Summerside’s Songs of the Season™ line. Each year, readers will get into the spirit of Christmas with a seasonal romance novel bearing the title of a popular Christmas song. Each giftable hardcover book will combine romance and holiday charm in a nostalgic era.
For more information on Anita Higman and her books, visit www.anitahigman.com.
About the author . . .
Anita Higman is a CBA bestselling and award-winning author. She has written or coauthored
30 books including fiction and non-fiction for adults and children as well as plays. And she isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Higman has six books coming out in the next two years.
30 books including fiction and non-fiction for adults and children as well as plays. And she isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Higman has six books coming out in the next two years.
Even though she’s written in many genres, Higman does have her favorite. “I love inspirational romance. There’s just nothing else like it for writing and reading. It naturally makes you want to curl up on an overstuffed couch and read the day away.”
There’s something about writing Christmas stories for Higman. Love Finds You Under the Mistletoe (co-written with Irene Brand) made two bestsellers lists for Christian fiction. Her novella in the compilation, Once Upon a Christmas Eve, was given a four-star review in Romantic Times Book Reviews. Her latest release, A Merry Little Christmas, is sure to be a favorite of shoppers and readers this holiday season.
Higman has won two awards for her contributions to literacy and has raised thousands of dollars with her book, I Can Be Anything, while serving on the board of directors of Literacy Advance of Houston.
In addition to writing books, Higman has written for radio, e-zines and advertising. She also cohosts a monthly blog talk radio show at www.InFaithNetwork.com which is a part of Reader’s Entertainment Radio. She has a BA degree combining speech communication, psychology and art from Southern Nazarene University and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, and The Writer’s View.
She loves good movies, exotic teas and brunch with her friends. Higman and her husband live in Houston, TX.
Readers can keep up with Anita Higman by visiting www.anitahigman.com, becoming a fan on Facebook or following on Twitter.
Reader Review . . .
Franny Martin has lived alone on her family farm for the past twelve years when Charlie Landau arrives on the scene to buy her farm. Because Charlie has no farming experience, Franny stays around to teach him the basics. As the holiday season approaches, they both learn lessons about themselves and about love.
This is not your usual schmaltzy Christmas romance novel. While it is set on an Oklahoma farm, its 1961 setting is modern enough to set it apart from the pioneer and Amish novels prevalent in the bookstores today. By the same token, the references to the Civil Rights Movement gives it a historical context not found in a contemporary romance. For anyone who enjoys a good novel set in that time period, this novel should stand out.
3.5 stars
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Litfuse Publicity Group<http://www.litfusegroup.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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Author Anita Higman invites readers to kick off the season with a spirited holiday tale.
Anita is spreading the Christmas cheer by giving away FIFTEEN COPIES of the book.
To enter to win A Merry Little Christmas, just head over to THE CONTEST PAGE at Anita’s website and fill out the short form. Be sure to put BLOG CONTEST in the Subject Line. That’s it.
Winners will be announced on the Litfuse blog (and notified by email) on 11/9.
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I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. - Charles Dickens
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