KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH: Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!

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HEARTS, HOMES, & HOLIDAYS
A Sweet Romance Charity Anthology
Filled with Family, Friends, & Faith (Romantique Treasury)
By Michele Pollock Dalton, Michele Brouder, Nancy Fraser, T.C. Hester, Jean Jacobsen, Caroline Lee, Kirsten Osbourne, Rose Pearson, & Christine Sterling

Blurb

This 9 story Christmas anthology is a fundraiser for Reese’s Rainbow, a non-profit helping orphans and their forever families with special needs. Three of the authors are USA Today best-selling authors! There are 7 contemporary stories and 2 historical ones.

Family Ever After

Longing hearts, loving homes, and lively holidays combine in this Romantique Treasury. This warm-hearted anthology combines friends, families, and faith as hope blossoms in the lives of orphaned children.

ADOPTED IN ARKANSAS

Socialite Emily Simpson feels out of place. So, when Emily consults her aunt, Lachele suggests she use Matchrimony to find a husband. For farmer Derrick Bobo, he hopes an arranged marriage will give him a better chance of gaining custody of his autistic nephew, Zach. Can Emily adjust to a farm wife’s lifestyle? And more importantly, how will she deal with a boy on the spectrum?

A HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

Madeline Collier finds solace in charity work and fundraising for a local children’s home. Peter Townsend moves west from Philadelphia to escape his past and begin a new life. When an idea is planted for an orphan’s possible future, Madeline realizes she needs help. Can Maddie persuade Peter to commit to a marriage of convenience and, in so doing, help her give a child a forever home?

A NEW FAMILY

Eliot Graveney fought his entire life to be seen as the equal of those around him, but a flash of fire enters his world in the shape of heiress Marianne Daltrey. And Eliot’s life will never be the same. Can Eliot outsmart a wealthy man to help Marianne get her inheritance? Will he lose his heart in the process?

FOREVER FAMILY

Susan Vuichard is committed to making sure no child is forgotten in the foster system, which means opening her family farm to three sisters that have nowhere else to go. Richard Petra still suffers from a tragic loss, but sparks fly when he finds his high school sweetheart. Can this group somehow become a forever family?

JUST LIKE CHRISTMAS MORNING

Anna Beckett has a soulless job at Gallagher Industries. When she becomes a volunteer cuddler, holding the sickest babies in the neonatal unit, Anna begins to realize there’s more to life than work. Thrust into a Santa Claus suit at the children’s hospital, Jack Gallagher is surprised to recognize the accountant from work. Can they overcome their misguided perceptions to form a lasting bond?

KANDIE KISSES

Frazzled by a hectic lifestyle, Rachel Boulton has no choice but to rearrange her priorities when a surprise gift is left for her at work. With the help of her secret crush, Mick Polenz, can Rachel meet the overwhelming needs of this special delivery, or will she lose the greatest joy she’s ever known to the demands of unfulfilled ambitions?

LONG TO BELONG

Mark Diamond has never had a family of his own, but being on the spectrum makes relationships extra complicated – until Katie Reed, owner of the Bountiful Blueberry Coffee Shop, stole his heart faster than an underpriced IPO offering. For Katie, her shy beau has been as yummy as a dandelion-cocoa latte, but can they handle each other’s situation, or will their dreams be thrown out like yesterday’s brew?

MACY’S GIFT

Macy Williams loves her career as a photojournalist, but when her brother and sister-in-law die, Macy is drawn back to her small hometown to handle their estate. Cord Adams is surprised by his deceased friend’s choice of guardian. He only met Macy once, and the meeting was anything but cordial. Can two strong-willed individuals set aside their differences for the good of two young girls?

NOT PART OF OUR EVENING PLANS

As one of the couples who found love at River’s End Ranch, Jace and Dinky Cunningham struggle with the loss of their dreams for a family; but, circumstances can shift in a split second. Dare they hope this change of plans will bring them everything their hearts desire?

Proceeds from this collection of inspiring stories will benefit special-needs adoption grants through Reece’s Rainbow.

HEARTS, HOMES, & HOLIDAYS
A Sweet Romance Charity Anthology
Filled with Family, Friends, & Faith (Romantique Treasury)

HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
BY JEAN JACOBSEN

Blurb: A heart-warming historical romance of adoption at Christmas

Denver City, Colorado 1876.

She is a widow on a mission to save an orphan. He is an old friend newly arrived in town. Can these two come together in time to make adoption magic happen just in time for Christmas?

Young widow and Ladies Society of Denver member Madeline Collier finds solace in charity work and fundraising for a local children’s home. There she meets and befriends the orphaned Chloe, a young lady with a tragic past and great potential for the future.

Peter Townsend moves west from Philadelphia to escape his past and begin a new life. He purchases the Rocky Mountain Star newspaper, determined to bring the fledgling business to vibrant life and thus, record the birth of the fast-evolving boomtown.

An unexpected meeting brings Maddie and Peter together to promote a charity event. It doesn’t take long for their past friendship to renew and bloom into something more. When the seed of an idea is planted for Chloe’s possible future, Madeline realizes she needs help to see it to blossom to fruition. Can she involve Peter enough to commit to a marriage of convenience and in so doing, help her give Chloe a forever home?

Excerpt

Although dressmakers were available, Maddie and her friends only used them for special occasions. As a matter of fact, they all had an appointment at La Salle Salon to fashion elaborate gowns for the Charity Ball and Dinner to be held in December. Today, they were looking at on the rack dresses, which were becoming popular. The process of dressing and undressing was tiring, and the foursome soon declared it was time to return home.

Maddie’s was the first stop. To her surprise, her friends exited the carriage along with her. She thought it strange, then considered they meant to help with her packages, of which there were many. With their arms full and their spirits high, Maddie found the front door locked. That was strange. They hardly ever locked the door. She engaged the large brass door knocker and was surprised when Mary Jane from the orphanage opened the door.

“Mrs. Collier, welcome home. May I assist with your parcels?”

Too stunned to answer, Maddie stood stock still until the others pushed their way in. They were met with a resounding, “Surprise,” by Peter and the husbands of her friends.

Mary Jane and her two helpers retrieved the packages as Peter made his way to Maddie. “Happy birthday, darling. I wanted to do something special for you on your birthday. These good people were kind enough to help me.” He kissed her on the cheek.

Maddie fought hard to hold back the tears forming in her eyes. She was indeed blessed to have such loving, caring friends.

“You are all too clever. You managed to keep the secret all the while we were in meetings and attending social gatherings with one another. I couldn’t ask for better friends.”

About Author Jean Jacobsen…

Links to Jean’s website, blog, books, #ad etc.:

Amazon: $.99 on Pre-order until October 29, 2021
https://amzn.to/3mTPQBy

Website: www.jeanjacobsenauthor.com

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Special Giveaway: Jean will give away an ebook copy of HEARTS, HOMES, & HOLIDAYS to one lucky reader who comments on her Karen’s Killer Book Bench blog. Good luck!

Happy Reading!

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Thanks, Jean, for sharing your story with us!

Don’t miss the chance to read this book!