Overview
A relentless campaign by phone, letter, and email has persuaded Hollander Latham's parents to purchase the home of her dreams: Spring Hill, a beautiful North Carolina plantation where Holly spent her memorable thirteenth summer. Now a successful architect, Holly is intent on reuniting with Spring Hill's neighbor and her love from that long-ago summer, wealthy heir Laurence Beaumont β she dreams of working her way into Lorrie's heart while restoring his historic estate, Belle Chere. But as Christmas fast approaches, Nick Taggert β a mysterious stranger who makes her laugh and tempts her with a surprising passion β turns her plans upside down. One man can seduce her with fortune and privilege; the other can promise her the simple gift of love. And on a frost-covered Christmas night, Holly's choice will unmask astonishing truths and hidden dangers β revelations that will forever change her charmed life and her vulnerable heart.
Synopsis
A relentless campaign by phone, letter, and email has persuaded Hollander Latham's parents to purchase the home of her dreams: Spring Hill, a beautiful North Carolina plantation where Holly spent her memorable thirteenth summer. Now a successful architect, Holly is intent on reuniting with Spring Hill's neighbor and her love from that long-ago summer, wealthy heir Laurence Beaumont — she dreams of working her way into Lorrie's heart while restoring his historic estate, Belle Chere. But as Christmas fast approaches, Nick Taggert — a mysterious stranger who makes her laugh and tempts her with a surprising passion — turns her plans upside down. One man can seduce her with fortune and privilege; the other can promise her the simple gift of love. And on a frost-covered Christmas night, Holly's choice will unmask astonishing truths and hidden dangers — revelations that will forever change her charmed life and her vulnerable heart.
Library Journal
When Holly Latham's penchant for exploring derelict historic homes lands her in a 12-foot-deep pit-with a rattlesnake looking on-the handsome hunk who rescues her is the last person with whom she expects to have a wild fling. But relief and passion catch them both off guard-and the results are more far-reaching than either expects. An old plantation with a sordid past, a legendary treasure, and a pair of protagonists who want to be loved only for themselves combine with jealousy, obsession, and class issues in a fast-paced tale with more than one deadly twist. Barely within the "Holiday" camp-the final chapters take place at Christmas-this sexy story is loosely linked to Deveraux's recent Forever and Always, and fans will already be waiting. Deveraux is a New York Times best-selling author and lives in North Carolina. [Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 7/03, as A Christmas Tale.] Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Editorials
From Barnes & Noble
The Barnes & Noble ReviewReaders who like their Christmas on the hot side should go straight to Holly, a Christmas romance from Jude Deveraux, New York TimesΒbestselling author of Forever and Always.
The plot of this Yuletide confection revolves around a passionate fling that erupts by chance between wealthy young Hollander "Holly" Latham and mysterious Nick Taggert when they meet at the site of an old plantation. Holly, who inherited a passion for restoring old homes as a teenager -- the same year she fell in love with Lorrie Beaumont -- has persuaded her parents to buy the Spring Hill Plantation, a property that has seen better days. But Holly's interest in restoring the plantation is surpassed by her desire to rekindle a relationship with her new neighbor, Lorrie. Nick Taggert, a handsome doctor masquerading as a trucker, is hiding out from the aftermath of a bad breakup by riding a motorcycle and staying in a friend's garage in the area. The two first meet when Holly falls into an old cistern, and Nick comes to her rescue. But nothing is what it seems to be in this romance with a dash of mystery and threat. Are the money and status that Lorrie offers enough to make Holly turn her back on the powerful attraction she feels to Nick? The love triangle comes to a peak on a tumultuous Christmas Eve. Ginger Curwen
Library Journal
When Holly Latham's penchant for exploring derelict historic homes lands her in a 12-foot-deep pit-with a rattlesnake looking on-the handsome hunk who rescues her is the last person with whom she expects to have a wild fling. But relief and passion catch them both off guard-and the results are more far-reaching than either expects. An old plantation with a sordid past, a legendary treasure, and a pair of protagonists who want to be loved only for themselves combine with jealousy, obsession, and class issues in a fast-paced tale with more than one deadly twist. Barely within the "Holiday" camp-the final chapters take place at Christmas-this sexy story is loosely linked to Deveraux's recent Forever and Always, and fans will already be waiting. Deveraux is a New York Times best-selling author and lives in North Carolina. [Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 7/03, as A Christmas Tale.] Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.From the Publisher
"Deveraux's touch is gold..."β Publishers Weekly