Today we welcome a lovely character, Heather Murphy, from Operation Snowball by Kathryn Hills. Operation Snowball is one of the contemporary romances contained in the Christmas Anthology, Christmas Comes To Dickens.
Let's learn more about Heather!
Let's learn more about Heather!
Where do you live and why? What is your profession, and do you enjoy it?
My daughter Hailey (she’s 10) and I live in the apartment above my business, The Library Cat Bookstore. We love it there and in the small town of Dickens. Especially at Christmastime!
We moved to Dickens five years ago, after the death of my husband, Hailey’s father, David. I was an editor at a publishing house prior to that. I’m happy at the bookstore, although it can be lonely at times. I’m attempting to write my first book—a romance—but I’m having trouble being inspired.
How would others describe you? Are they accurate?
I’m quiet and try to keep to myself. I have friends, mostly acquaintances, a group of other moms. It’s been hard. Losing my husband left a big hole in our lives. I’ve focused for the last five years on raising Hailey and running the bookstore. So, I think folks in Dickens would say I’m a mother and widow who works hard.
When you met John Gridley was it love at first sight?
No. Yes. Okay, let me explain… John literally crashed into me when we were visiting Gridley Meadows Christmas Tree Farm. Spilled an entire coffee all over me. He’s really good looking, so I was immediately attracted to him. Yeah, maybe say it was “lust” at first sight. Can I say that?
Was it love at first sight for him?
John admitted he tried to ignore me, but that I was “too darn cute.” You see I bought this huge Christmas tree. Way too big for my little car, so he delivered it. He totally wanted to see me again! We women know these things. *laughing*
What do you like most about John?
That’s an easy one, and it’s what surprised me most about him. He’s a very kind man. Gentle, even. Which is saying something considering he’s a big, burly guy. Lots of muscles! And—oh my God—he has these tattoos, starting on his neck... Suffice to say I was attracted to the “sexy man” part of him, but I fell in love with the genuine, thoughtful, big-hearted man he truly is.
What does he like most about you?
I don’t know. He does like my bookstore. Hahaha. He reads a lot of history. And honestly, he loves Hailey. But you asked about me. John often says he’s proud of the way I juggle being a single mom with owning a business, and now writing a book. Plus, I still have time to make him insanely good pie. *wink* It’s a private joke. You’ll have to read the book.
If you could travel anywhere where would you go?
I’m not going anywhere. I love Dickens at Christmastime. It’s the perfect little town. You should visit.
What’s one thing you’ve learned from your personal love story?
It’s okay to focus on me for a change. I can be a good mother, a business owner, AND still a woman deeply in love with a wonderful man.
How right you are, Heather! I love that you own a bookstore, and that you're trying to write a romance novel! They're a lot of fun to write and read!
My daughter Hailey (she’s 10) and I live in the apartment above my business, The Library Cat Bookstore. We love it there and in the small town of Dickens. Especially at Christmastime!
We moved to Dickens five years ago, after the death of my husband, Hailey’s father, David. I was an editor at a publishing house prior to that. I’m happy at the bookstore, although it can be lonely at times. I’m attempting to write my first book—a romance—but I’m having trouble being inspired.
How would others describe you? Are they accurate?
I’m quiet and try to keep to myself. I have friends, mostly acquaintances, a group of other moms. It’s been hard. Losing my husband left a big hole in our lives. I’ve focused for the last five years on raising Hailey and running the bookstore. So, I think folks in Dickens would say I’m a mother and widow who works hard.
When you met John Gridley was it love at first sight?
No. Yes. Okay, let me explain… John literally crashed into me when we were visiting Gridley Meadows Christmas Tree Farm. Spilled an entire coffee all over me. He’s really good looking, so I was immediately attracted to him. Yeah, maybe say it was “lust” at first sight. Can I say that?
Was it love at first sight for him?
John admitted he tried to ignore me, but that I was “too darn cute.” You see I bought this huge Christmas tree. Way too big for my little car, so he delivered it. He totally wanted to see me again! We women know these things. *laughing*
What do you like most about John?
That’s an easy one, and it’s what surprised me most about him. He’s a very kind man. Gentle, even. Which is saying something considering he’s a big, burly guy. Lots of muscles! And—oh my God—he has these tattoos, starting on his neck... Suffice to say I was attracted to the “sexy man” part of him, but I fell in love with the genuine, thoughtful, big-hearted man he truly is.
What does he like most about you?
I don’t know. He does like my bookstore. Hahaha. He reads a lot of history. And honestly, he loves Hailey. But you asked about me. John often says he’s proud of the way I juggle being a single mom with owning a business, and now writing a book. Plus, I still have time to make him insanely good pie. *wink* It’s a private joke. You’ll have to read the book.
If you could travel anywhere where would you go?
I’m not going anywhere. I love Dickens at Christmastime. It’s the perfect little town. You should visit.
What’s one thing you’ve learned from your personal love story?
It’s okay to focus on me for a change. I can be a good mother, a business owner, AND still a woman deeply in love with a wonderful man.
How right you are, Heather! I love that you own a bookstore, and that you're trying to write a romance novel! They're a lot of fun to write and read!
Here's a little peek into Operation Snowball!
“Oh, wow, look at the line,” Heather exclaimed as they approached the entrance to the farm.
“What do you mean? We can still go, right?”
“Don’t worry. Let’s see if I can sneak around to where the workers park. We need to be near the back entrance anyway to deliver these books.”
Sure enough, there was a tight spot behind the barn.
“Yes,” Hailey exclaimed when Heather slipped in with her little sportster and shut off the engine.
Together they loaded boxes of books onto a handcart and started for the building.
Just as Heather reached the back door, it thrust open, popping the lid on her coffee cup, and spilling the full contents all over the front of her jacket. “Woah,” she cried, stunned to be soaked and steaming in the frosty morning air.
“Mom!”
“Sorry, I didn’t see you,” a deep masculine voice shocked Heather further. “Let me help.”
Suddenly, there were big man hands in work gloves, swiping at her clothes and patting down her chest. Coffee droplets splattered her face. “I’m fine. Really. It’s okay. Stop,” she yelled, swatting the stranger’s hands away.
Her gaze rose to assess the coffee-dumping culprit. Six foot something of hulking man. Dark hair, beard, wearing a red Gridley Meadows Farm sweatshirt with a black scarf.
Heather’s mouth fell open. Nothing, not even a breath, squeaked out as she gaped at him. He was drop-dead gorgeous. Strong features sharpened by concern. And his eyes? Dark grey, like an impending snowstorm.
“Oh, wow, look at the line,” Heather exclaimed as they approached the entrance to the farm.
“What do you mean? We can still go, right?”
“Don’t worry. Let’s see if I can sneak around to where the workers park. We need to be near the back entrance anyway to deliver these books.”
Sure enough, there was a tight spot behind the barn.
“Yes,” Hailey exclaimed when Heather slipped in with her little sportster and shut off the engine.
Together they loaded boxes of books onto a handcart and started for the building.
Just as Heather reached the back door, it thrust open, popping the lid on her coffee cup, and spilling the full contents all over the front of her jacket. “Woah,” she cried, stunned to be soaked and steaming in the frosty morning air.
“Mom!”
“Sorry, I didn’t see you,” a deep masculine voice shocked Heather further. “Let me help.”
Suddenly, there were big man hands in work gloves, swiping at her clothes and patting down her chest. Coffee droplets splattered her face. “I’m fine. Really. It’s okay. Stop,” she yelled, swatting the stranger’s hands away.
Her gaze rose to assess the coffee-dumping culprit. Six foot something of hulking man. Dark hair, beard, wearing a red Gridley Meadows Farm sweatshirt with a black scarf.
Heather’s mouth fell open. Nothing, not even a breath, squeaked out as she gaped at him. He was drop-dead gorgeous. Strong features sharpened by concern. And his eyes? Dark grey, like an impending snowstorm.
Operation Snowball
Contemporary Romance
Christmas Comes To Dickens - Anthology
John Gridley hasn’t set foot on the family Christmas tree farm in years. He walked away from his legacy and the quaint New England town of Dickens. But when his father looks to end their private war and reaches out for help with the hectic holiday season, John agrees to return home. He expected to work hard, and to face the reasons he left home in the first place. What he didn’t expect was to crash into love at first sight.
Heather Murphy has been a widow and single mother for five years. She’s busy raising a rambunctious ten-year-old girl and running The Library Cat Bookstore. Yet an annual visit to Gridley Meadows Farm to find “the perfect Christmas tree” sparks more than holiday spirit. Can the handsome Army veteran with tattoos and rough edges truly heal her heart? And will the townsfolk cheer on the drifter and the pretty widow? Or will their meddling cause the relationship to flicker out like a bad string of lights?
A homecoming story of hope and redemption, where love hangs on holiday wishes and the fate of a missing cat named Snowball.
Contemporary Romance
Christmas Comes To Dickens - Anthology
John Gridley hasn’t set foot on the family Christmas tree farm in years. He walked away from his legacy and the quaint New England town of Dickens. But when his father looks to end their private war and reaches out for help with the hectic holiday season, John agrees to return home. He expected to work hard, and to face the reasons he left home in the first place. What he didn’t expect was to crash into love at first sight.
Heather Murphy has been a widow and single mother for five years. She’s busy raising a rambunctious ten-year-old girl and running The Library Cat Bookstore. Yet an annual visit to Gridley Meadows Farm to find “the perfect Christmas tree” sparks more than holiday spirit. Can the handsome Army veteran with tattoos and rough edges truly heal her heart? And will the townsfolk cheer on the drifter and the pretty widow? Or will their meddling cause the relationship to flicker out like a bad string of lights?
A homecoming story of hope and redemption, where love hangs on holiday wishes and the fate of a missing cat named Snowball.
Christmas Comes To Dickens
Anthology
Contemporary Romance
Welcome to Dickens—a quaint New England town bustling with excitement and anticipation for the upcoming Christmas holiday. We have the annual tree lighting in the town square, a snowman building competition, ice skating on Grosvenor’s Pond, and horse-drawn sleigh rides. You’re welcome to cut down your own Christmas tree at Gridley Meadows, or join in the caroling on the Common.
Dickens offers an abundance of heartfelt wishes, a few much needed miracles, and—quite possibly—a touch of magic! Families reunite, new friends are made, and old flames take a second chance at happiness. All while celebrating this most joyful time of the year.
USA Today and Top 100 Best Selling & Award-Winning authors Nancy Fraser, Maddie James, Caroline Clemmons, Bonnie Edwards, Liz Flaherty, Kathryn Hills, Peggy Jaeger, Kathleen Lawless, Lucinda Race and Jan Scarbrough will fill your holiday stocking with ten brand new novellas ranging from sweet to sassy.
The CHRISTMAS COMES TO DICKENS romance anthology, which includes OPERATION SNOWBALL by Kathryn Hills, is only 99cents. Give yourself the gift of a Dickens holiday!
While you’re shopping, don’t forget to grab the FREE “IT’S A DICKENS OF A COOKIE!” companion recipe book!
Bio: Kathryn Hills
Best-selling and award-winning romance author, ghost hunter, dog lover, and coffee addict. Hauntingly romantic …unless I'm writing sweet. Oh, the many sides of me!
AMAZON | WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER
Bio: Kathryn Hills
Best-selling and award-winning romance author, ghost hunter, dog lover, and coffee addict. Hauntingly romantic …unless I'm writing sweet. Oh, the many sides of me!
AMAZON | WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER
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