Wrapped Up in Christmas Joy by Janice Lynn

Unbelievably, it's been a year since my last sweet romance, Wrapped Up in Christmas, from Hallmark Publishing was released. What a wonderful, fun experience that was! On Tuesday, it's sequel, Wrapped Up in Christmas Joy, hits the shelves and I'm so excited to share some sneak peeks from book #2 with you. 

First, Wrapped Up in Christmas Joy is a stand alone story. So, if you've not read the first one, no worries. But if you've read the first book you'll have a few extra smiles and insight into some reoccurring characters as the Butterflies are back. As with my first Hallmark, I attempt to shed light on an amazing organization called Quilts of Valor Foundation. QOVF is an organization that's mission is to wrap quilts of healing around military past and present. As a military mama, I love that. Our military and their families go through so much to help keep us safe. I want to show that depth in my characters, but while keeping the story true to Hallmark, so upbeat and positive and full of Christmas. Cole is my wounded warrior hero and Sophie is my quilter heroine who is convinced Cole needs wrapped up in a QOV. Only Cole doesn't see himself as a hero and is having no part of it. It's a romance, so we know it's going to have a happy ending (that promise is WHY I read romance), but hopefully you'll have a few oooh and aaaahs along the journey to their happily-ever-after. You might even have a few misty-eyed and laugh-out-loud moments.

Sarah, Bodie, and Harry from book 1 make an appearance and you get a glimpse into their lives together as Sarah invites Sophie and Cole to go sledding and then to Hamilton House, her B & B, for hot cocoa and games. Coming up with just what game I was going to have them play and how I would work that into the story's plot was interesting. If you read the book, you'll have to let me know what you think.

My mains, Sophie and Cole--let's just say I loved writing their love story. Partially, because it was so fun letting Cole's friends poke fun at his getting chosen to play Santa. I loved the dynamics between him and his two best buds, Andrew and Ben. Writing them had me giggling at times. But also because of how so many true heroes I've encountered don't see themselves that way and have a difficult time believing it. Cole is that true hero. Sophie is gunk ho on life and Christmas and is always in the midst of something. She loves Quilts of Valor and uses her quilt shop to help promote the cause. This is personal for her as her father was a veteran who didn't transition back into civilian life well and every quilt she makes is made with him in her heart. 

And then there's this cat, you see, who makes an appearance (just whenever he feels like it, though) and he has a growth arc through the story, as well. :)  Yeah, naming that cat was an adventure for me and for Sophie.

Speaking of cats, in the story, Sophie makes the most adorable pet bandanas. I'm
not nearly the seamstress that Sophie is, but I have made some WRAPPED UP IN CHRISTMAS JOY pet bandanas that I'll be giving away over the next few weeks--and I'm giving away one here to one lucky commenter on this blog post and another to one commenter on this post over at the sweet  romance reads cafe so be sure to leave a comment on both for two chances to win.

(Not a cat, but my precious Halo modeling a Wrapped Up in Christmas Joy pet bandana.)

I'd love to see a photo of your pet or pets. Do you put them in ribbons, bows, or pet bandanas? Do you dress them? Any fun photos in costumes you'd like to share?