Author Cindy C Bennett: Christmas Countdown Blitz Day 12

Saturday, December 17, 2016

Christmas Countdown Blitz Day 12

Laura L. Walker grew up in a large family in the beautiful Gila Valley of southern Arizona. From the time Laura was young, ideas for stories bombarded her brain. She would spend hours drawing her characters on paper and fantasizing about their adventures. Life became more serious, however, when Laura met her own hero while at college in northern Arizona and they later became the parents of six children. In between spurts of grocery shopping, sewing costumes or quilts, transporting kids to practices, and making dinner, Laura still enjoys putting her imagination to good use. Laura is the author of two LDS contemporary romances, Pierced by Love and The Matchup. Caitlyn’s Christmas Wish is her first e-novella.

Q & A With The Author:

1. Describe yourself in 50 words or less.

To the average person, I might seem quiet and shy. But once you get to know me, you'll discover I have an opinion on most everything. I like solitude and time for reflection. I love creative writing and fun sewing projects. And only my family knows that I like to sing.

2. What do you love most in the world?

My family and faith.

Connect with the Author here:

~ Facebook ~ Pinterest ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~

Just when former model and single mother Caitlyn Drevier Reel has finally put her life back on track after a divorce and six-month stint in rehab, she is surprised to receive an invitation from her ex-in-laws to spend Christmas with the family. After all, she reasons, her ex-husband Grant is constantly on the road with his band and it's only fair to allow them to get to know her young son, Brody. What Caitlyn isn't prepared for, however, is the spark of attraction she feels for Ridge, Grant's older brother, or the sense of belonging to their wonderful family once again. Ridge, who is recovering from his own personal heartache, seems to feel the same about her. As they work together to ensure the success of the Winter Festival that his parents have organized for their small Wyoming town, Caityln begins to envision a bright future. But will Grant's unexpected arrival keep her Christmas wish from coming true?

~ Amazon ~ Amazon UK ~

~ Amazon Australia ~

Snippet:

Glancing over at Caitlyn, Ridge was surprised to see that her smile had faltered. “What’s the frown for?”

“Who said I’m frowning?”

She lifted the corners of her mouth again but Ridge wasn’t fooled. “I know what I saw. What’s going on inside that pretty head of yours?” Her silence prompted him to repeat, “Caitlyn?”

He hoped by turning his attention back to the interstate that she would feel comfortable enough to answer. He was right.

“I don’t mind helping your parents out. They have worked so hard to put this festival together. Last night, I caught a glimpse of the toll it has taken on your mom. And frankly, all of you have helped me so much to conquer my addiction to diet pills and my eating disorder and feel like a normal human being again that I couldn’t possibly refuse.”

Ridge silently acknowledged the truth of her statement. Even before Caitlyn had married Grant, she’d been a walking stick. Turned out she was fighting an eating disorder that had developed from her mother’s efforts to control her weight in order to procure top modeling spots through the best agents in the business. “I’m glad my parents got you into rehab when they did. It could have ended badly.” Caitlyn finally hit rock bottom when she discovered that she was pregnant just after she and Grant divorced. That was when his parents decided to intervene.

“Yes. It wasn’t an easy road. Without their support, I wouldn’t have a healthy little boy. I might not even have survived much longer. I got down to a horrifying one hundred and three pounds.”

Ridge remembered how thin she’d been, remembered warning Grant that she needed help. Grant hadn’t appreciated his interference. Ridge might not know what it was like to go through an addiction on top of an eating disorder, but he knew what it was like to be so mired in guilt that personal care no longer mattered. He’d seen Caitlyn’s destructive tendencies for what they were—a cry for help.

Caitlyn had worked hard to become physically and mentally healthy once again, which took the better part of her pregnancy to accomplish. “You should be proud of yourself.”