Fall into Love with New Books! by @BonnieEdwards #RomanceGems

Back in 2019, before the world fell into disarray because of COVID-19 I had a brilliant idea. I decided that my next book should combine two of my favourite series: Return to Welcome and my Love at Christmas series. Wonderful, I thought. The title was the easiest one I've come up with: Christmas to the Max. (catchy, right?) I  began a first rough draft during our winter break in Portugal. When we returned my world fell apart as my sister and brother suffered through illnesses that eventually took their lives, 7 months apart.

I set aside my story through much of that year. I picked it up again in early 2020 when we travelled back to Portugal, determined to do it justice. I didn't. My brother's illness took him while we were away and all I could think was how grateful I was that I'd rushed to see him before we left. Before the end of our break, enter the pandemic. It was eerie being so far from home at that point. The day we were leaving, the government declared a state of emergency and the airport was in a confused state. Through a series of missteps, we got out a day later and with much lighter pockets...but we got home. 

Again, this book was set aside until I couldn't take it anymore. I HAD to get these characters on the page. I HAD to fall in love with them again. It took time, some stern self-talk, too. After all, I was heartbroken while I was writing the early parts of the story. I'm still not sure it hangs together in those early pages. But it will! I finished the first draft yesterday. Today, I'll begin reading hard copy and making notes for revision.

My plan is to release this book on November 2. You read that right. The day before the US election.  I know some of you will need to take a break from headlines and pandemics and, well...life as it is right now. I WANT to get this book out FOR YOU, because I know you'll need some joy. 

Giving joy and solace is what romance writers do. More now, I think than ever before. And, quite frankly, I NEED to do this. Once I got back into the book, it became a balm to my soul. Here's a bit about the story...

Max Whyte (Love at Christmas) moves to Welcome, WA. (Return to Welcome) Max Whyte has moved to Welcome WA to live closer to his daughters after their mother remarries. He wants to fix up an old home, settle into his new position at an IT firm, and try not to think about turning forty alone. Burned by a single mother in the past, he vows not to get tangled with another woman with children. When he saves the life of a small boy, he finds himself tangled in more ways than he could imagine.

When the boy’s mother turns out to be the perfect person to do his renovations, Max tries to keep his personal feelings out of their employer/employee relationship.

Kaylin Simpson has returned to Welcome to give her boys the kind of home she wanted as a child. She needs a fresh, stable start and wants to run her own business. Her three-year-old twins keep her hopping, but after she finishes the renovations for Max, she hopes to have her life well in hand.

Max is drawn to Kaylin and her adorable boys. Her wit and feisty spirit pull at his heartstrings until he remembers being a stepfather is never what he wanted. 

Christmas in Welcome can be a time to heal and move forward and Max and Kaylin must set aside their old hurts to allow love to blossom, if they can.

For more release information please consider joining my mailing list. Bonnie's Newsy Bits I'll share the purchase link for Christmas to the Max there first. 

If you're missing the summer, Last Chance Beach is still available! Check it out here:  Amazon

What creative projects have you completed that worked as a balm to your soul?