A Heartfelt Christmas Promise: A Novel

A perfect blend of Christmas with change, nostalgia, and forgiveness. And proof there really is magic to the season. The picture perfect settings I envisioned as I read along, taking me back as well, to treasured memories of Christmases past, just as the people of Frasier Hills still embraced currently. The power of a small town should never be underestimated. There are so many wonderful characters in here, each playing an integral part to the survival of this lovely, quaint town. Hopefully they would all maintain their Christmas Spirit, given what Vanessa was tasked to do with Porter's Fruitcake factory upon her arrival. However, the first day she's in town there comes a big vibration, when what does she see, but the most beautiful sight ever to be. A team of very regal-looking, and huge Percherons pulling a large wagon right down main street. Driven by an equally impressive, and handsome man she later finds out has a huge tie to the town and it's residents. A Happily Ever After.

I have to confess before I write this review, I look forward to reading a Christmas romance by Nancy Naigle every year. And, no, it doesn't even have to be anywhere near Christmas, I read them any time of the year. A Heartfelt Christmas Promise is a marvelous holiday tale with a cast of characters second to none. I adore the characters in this book. Vanessa was looking forward to having Christmas with her cousin at whatever great destination her of her next assignment. Instead of Paris, she's stuck with closing down a fruitcake factory and clearing the buildings for warehouse space. Mike and his teenage daughter live behind the factory and he breeds and raises Percherons, his daughter works at the factory. Vanessa and Mike's story is loaded with ups and downs, drama, humor and just a touch of spice and suspense. I loved every page of this book and look forward to my next book by Nancy Naigle. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Heartfelt Christmas Promise was a heartwarming and wonderful holiday novel. I honestly felt like I was reading a Hallmark Christmas movie! Vanessa Larkin works for an acquisition company in Chicago. She's up for her next assignment and she is anticipating spending the holidays in either Washington state or Paris, France. She would be happy with either as long as her cousin is able to spend the holidays with her there. Color her surprised when she ends up getting an assignment in the small town of Fraser Hills, North Carolina, population under 2,000. Vanessa figures that she'll be able to go into the small town and do her job efficiently and have everything tied up in a nice tidy bow by the new year, but you know how best laid plans go, right?! Vanessa begins to meet the townspeople, learns about Fraser Hills, about Porter's, the company she is to be closing, and suddenly she's not particularly upset to be spending time in the quaint town. Mike Martin is a widower who works with Percheron horses. He's big on tradition and doesn't like change all that much. His sixteen year old daughter, Misty, works at Porter's and is wise beyond her years, which is both a blessing and a curse for him! He's a great guy who works hard and wants the best for his family and his town. Vanessa is solely focused on work, but being in Fraser Hills helps her to begin to refocus her priorities. Misty and Mike help with that along the way as well. The relationship that Vanessa has with her cousin Anna is wonderful as well. In the end will she end up taking down a business that makes the town what it is, or will she do the exact opposite? People like Mike, Buck, Misty, Anna and Lilene help to make this story what it is. It's the relationships you forge and the help you get from those people when you may need it the most and don't even know it and that's something that Vanessa learns along the way. I absolutely loved Scooter and the role he plays in this story. A lovely holiday novel to get you in the spirit of the season!