The Lodge on Holly Road by Sheila Roberts Published by Harlequin on 2014-11-01
Genres: Contemporary, Fiction, Holidays, Romance, Suspense, Thrillers
Pages: 400
Goodreads
How Santa Gets His Christmas Spirit Back…
James Claussen has played Santa for years, but now that he's a widower, he's lost interest—in everything. So his daughter, Brooke, kidnaps him from the mall (in his Santa suit!) and takes him to Icicle Falls. She's arranged a special Christmas at the lodge owned by long-widowed Olivia Wallace and her son, Eric. And yet…Brooke wants Dad to be happy, but she's not ready to see someone else's mommy kissing Santa Claus. Single mom Missy Monroe brings her kids to the lodge, too. Lalla wants a grandma for Christmas, and her brother, Carlos, wants a dog. Missy can't provide either one. What she'd like is an attractive, dependable man. A man like John Truman… But John's girlfriend will be joining him in Icicle Falls, and he's going to propose. Of course not everything goes as planned. But sometimes the best gifts are the ones you don't expect!
PLEASE WELCOME SHEILA TO BOOKHOUNDS
- Do you have a special recipe that gets you in the holiday mood?
Every year my daughter and I make Andes Mint cookies. A friend gave me this recipe years ago and swore me to secrecy. But after I saw the recipe in Prevention Magazine, for crying out loud, I decided the secret is out. If anyone would like to make them, here it is:
Ingredients:
3/4 cup butter
1 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar (recipe calls for dark brown but I use light)
2 Tbsp water
2 cups (12 oz) semisweet chocolate chips
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/4 tsp soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 boxes (actually, I use 3) Andes mints (or 2 bags)
Directions:
In a large, heavy saucepan over low heat, melt butter, sugar and water until butter is melted. Add chocolate chips and stir until partially melted. Remove from heat and continue to stir until chocolate is completely melted. Pour into large mixing bowl and let stand 10 minutes to cool slightly. With mixer at high speed, beat in eggs, one at a time. Reduce speed to low and add dry ingredients, beating just until blended. Chill dough 1 hour for easier handling. Preheat oven to 350. Line 2 cookie sheets with foil. Roll teaspoonfuls of dough into balls and place 2 inches apart on cookie sheets. Bake 12- 13 minutes. No longer. (Cookies will crisp as they cool.) Remove from oven and immediately place a mint on top of each cookie. Allow to soften, then swirl over top. If desired, decorate with chocolate sprinkles. Remove from cookie sheets and cool
Makes about 80.
Stop by my website for some more recipe ideas: http://www.sheilasplace.com
- What was the most memorable holiday gift, for better or worse, you have received?
I have received some wonderful gifts over the years, and memorable for so many reasons. Here’s a funny one. One year my husband got me a filing cabinet. Now, I’m the kind of girl who likes perfume, jewelry, clothes, candy—anything that is fun and girly. About the last thing on the planet I wanted to find under the tree was a filing cabinet. I almost shut his head in it! (Okay, not really but I was strongly tempted.) “You said you wanted to get organized,” he defended himself. Well, there’s organized and there’s organized. At the time, I felt a little frosty about the whole thing. But I got over it in plenty of time to enjoy Christmas dinner. Of course, now it just makes a funny story.
- Since you already have a few holiday movies on television, which book would you most like to see on screen next?
Wow, that’s a hard one. I’d sure love to see Merry Ex-mas hit the small screen. I think it could be very fun and very funny. And I’d lov them to use the song we wrote for the book (you can check it out on Youtube. So fun! BTW, that’s me getting hauled off by Santa. . I’d also love to see The Lodge on Holly Road become a movie. It’s probably my new favorite and readers seem to be really enjoying it.
- Do you have a favorite holiday movie?
Oh, yes! It’s a Wonderful Life. Best Christmas movie ever!
And speaking of best Christmases, I hope you and all the Book Hounds friends have a wonderful one!
Sheila Roberts: Sheila Roberts lives on a lake in the Pacific Northwest. She’s happily married and has three children. Her books have been best-sellers, Amazon top ten romance picks, and her popular holiday novel, “On Strike for Christmas” was made into a movie for the Lifetime channel. When she’s not speaking to women’s groups or at conferences she can be found writing about those things near and dear to women’s hearts: family, friends, and chocolate. Readers can find out more about Sheila at her website www.sheilasplace.com.
Looking for more holiday-themed reads? Click here to discover.
The Harlequin Holiday Reads prize-pack includes:
- One mass market paperback of each of:
- Christmas with the Billionaireby Carole Mortimer, Maisey Yates and Joss Wood
- Maybe this Christmas by Sarah Morgan
- Snow Angel Coveby RaeAnne Thayne
- The Heart of Christmasby Brenda Novak
- The Lodge on Holly Road by Sheila Roberts
- One copy of Her Holiday Manby Shannon Stacey in the digital format of your choice
- One package of ornament charms
- One box of Harlequin-themed gift tags
I like reading in a big stuffed easy chair we have in our loft
my favorite place to enjoy my holiday reads is curled up on my couch next to my husband.
My favorite place to read is in bed.
in a comfy chair at home
A big thanks to Book Hounds for hosting me. All these cozy reading places! I love to read in bed, too. Except I’m better off in a chair. Reading in bed at night I often fall asleep with the book on my face. 🙂
Sheila Roberts is a great assition. I love her books!! My most memorial CHRISTMAS gift is a two part answer. Our first CHRISTMAS after marriage, we were living on a shoestring during college days. I had been wanting a microwave, and my husband somehow saved up to get me one. BUT, though I really appreciated it, I also told my husband that appliances could be family gifts, but I wanted personal gifts for me. The next CHRISTMAS he gave me a beautiful Ruby ring. Loved it!!
Ups!! And my favorite place to read is in my cozy recliner in the front room where I can also look out on lots of my flowers.
I love to read on the couch, with the dog next to me.
In my room with my little dog where none of the other dogs can bother me.
My favorite place is on my bed.
I love to read on a chase lounge with a cup of hot chocolate and soft music playing in my room.
So peaceful as holiday music plays sofyly in background. Thanks for this amazing givaway chance.
Carol L
In my recliner in the living room with a diet coke and snacks within easy reach.
My favorite reading place is in my favorite comfy chair by the fire place.
I put my soft comfy blanket on, have my cat in my lap and my hot tea by my side.
I gets lots of reading done this way as I settle in. Thank you for the giveaway, love Christmas feel good books like these.
I love to read on the couch with some hot chocolate!
At this time of the year I enjoy reading in the family room near the fireplace. Thanks for the fantastic giveaway!
In a comfortable chair in the living room! Thanks for this awesome giveaway!
I like to read in bed before going to sleep.
Ann
I love to read in bed.
Curled up under the covers in bed.
my favorite place to read is on the living room couch wrapped in a blanket
On the couch with a fuzzy blanket, thanks for the giveaway!