A Family Under the Christmas Treeby Terri Reed
Inspirational Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 340 pages
October 4th 2016 by Howard Books
In this heartwarming tale set during the Christmas season, a single father and a fashion photographer are brought together by a young boy and a mischievous Bernese mountain dog—but first they must learn to set aside their differences if they are willing to let their relationship bloom.
David Murphy never knew much about kids. But when his brother dies unexpectedly, David is granted custody of his six-year-old nephew, Troy, who he’s only seen once a year since he was born. He already has his hands full running his business, and he has no idea how to help the grieving boy. When Troy runs off one day, David finds him at a park playing with an adorable and rambunctious Bernese mountain dog—who leads him to Sophie.
Sophie Griffith has spent her life travelling around the world as a photojournalist. She has never stayed in one place for long, and her new assignment—helping her grandmother for a few weeks—is just temporary. Once Christmas day comes, Sophie is off the hook and can leave for a new adventure. Caring for her grandmother is a piece of cake—but caring for her new Bernese mountain dog, Riggs, is a different story. It doesn’t help that Riggs strikes up a friendship with a lost little boy one day at the park—and leads her to David.
Neither David nor Sophie have time for romance. But as they spend more time together, they start falling for each other even though they know it can’t go anywhere. Sophie will be gone after Christmas, and the last thing David needs is another distraction as he tries to comfort Troy. But as their faith and growing love for the boy and dog unites them, they wonder whether it’s more than a holiday romance…and maybe Troy might finally get his Christmas wish for a family.
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Guest Post
Favorite Christmas Moments
My favorite Christmas moments are unpacking the decorations and hanging them on the Christmas tree. When my husband and I were first married, we had no decorations of our own. At the time I worked for a mall department store in Sacramento California, so with my employee discount I bought a few ornaments—a set of diamond shaped mirrors, a box of round colorful bulbs and a pretty tree topper that sparkled. Not very many decorations for the four-foot tree that fit nicely in our snug little apartment.
We popped some popcorn and I bought a bag of whole cranberries and we strung them together into neat strands and wound them around the tree. We didn’t have lights but that was okay. Our tree was festive and filled with love. Over the years, I’ve collected more ornaments, each having a special meaning—like the beautiful diorama inside an eggshell that I found at a craft fair in Wisconsin or the glittery snowflake I bought from a boutique in Seattle. I add to my collection whenever I see something that speaks to me, whether I find it during the holidays or throughout the year.
We’ve also been gifted with ornaments by friends and family—one of my best college friends gave me a hand blown glass ornament with swirls of paint in pinks and blues that has a special place on the tree every year. My husband’s father and his wife have sent our kids each a new ornament every year since they were born. When the times comes and my kids each have their own tree to decorate, they will have their own set of ornaments to put on their tree.
In my Christmas story, A Family Under the Christmas Tree, I use the hanging of ornaments as a way for my hero and his nephew to bond as they share in the delight of remembering the special memories and moments from the past associated with each precious decoration. It’s good to dust off the memories, look at them, feel them, and talk about them. Keep them alive.
As Christmas approaches I hope you will find joy in unpacking your own Christmas memories and step into a bright and cheery future.
Have a merry and blessed Christmas!
— Terri
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Tour Schedule
December 11th: Launch
December 12th:
December 13th:
December 14th:
December 15th:
December 16th:
December 18th: Grand Finale
Tour Giveaway
- 1 winner will receive a copy of Love Inspired Classic 2 in 1, Love Comes Home and A Sheltering Love, a light up angle ornament, a Santa bookmark, A Family Under the Christmas Tree bookmark, a manicure set, and a Tule Book Girl book bag (US only)
- 1 winner will receive a $10 Amazon eGift Card (open internationally)
- Ends December 22nd
