Guest Author: E. A. West

This is another guest author/review week and since it’s getting closer to Christmas I decided to read a holiday book by a fellow clean romance author, E. A. West. Her most recent release is Christmas Harmony, and the musician in me was immediately drawn to the title. I pre-ordered the book and read it within a day of receiving it. I’ll share my thoughts below, but I asked E. A. to come and share a little bit about what went into creating Christmas Harmony – and she graciously agreed. Here she is!

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Traditions are a staple of the Christmas season. Whether it’s listening to Christmas music for the entire month of December or watching every Christmas special on TV, nearly everyone has something they like to do every year. For many people, one tradition is getting together with family for a celebration.

When I was a child, my family always gathered at my grandparents’ house on Christmas Day. The women prepared lunch and set the tables, while the men talked and the kids played. As the lone autistic in the family, I drifted between the playing kids, the bustling kitchen, and the quiet back bedroom where I could take a breather and relax before rejoining the chaos. After lunch, we all gathered in the living room and exchanged gifts while my grandfather took a million photos. Eventually, we all went home with a warm feeling after a day filled with family and love.

These days we do things a little differently. My grandparents passed away several years ago, and all of us kids are now adults. Several are married and have kids of their own. Instead of having a big gathering on Christmas Day, we spend that day with our parents (now the grandparents), siblings, and kids. Then on the day after Christmas, the whole extended family goes to my aunt’s house for dinner. Even though the tradition has changed, we still leave with that same warm, loved feeling.

Tawny Beschen, the heroine in Christmas Harmony, has a couple of traditions of her own. In the week leading up to Christmas, usually on Christmas Eve, she bakes cookies with her father. On Christmas Day, she and her father go to her grandparents’ house to see the extended family. Yes, that tradition is loosely based on my family’s tradition.

The hero of Christmas Harmony, Malachi Vandermeer, doesn’t really have any holiday traditions other than visiting his mother. You’ll have to read the book to find out more. *wink*

 

What kind of holiday traditions does your family have?

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Here’s more about Christmas Harmony:

Tagline

Honesty may be the best policy, but will it ruin Christmas?

 

Blurb

After a long semester, college student Tawny Beschen is more than ready for a relaxing winter break. Hanging out at rehearsals for her dad’s metal band is just what she needs. Familiar people, familiar music, and a familiar routine… It’s an overwhelmed autistic’s dream. Then the new guitarist walks in, and her safe, predictable world implodes.

Malachi Vandermeer is grateful for the opportunity to play guitar for Death Pardon. After a rough few years, the family-like relationship of the band is what he needs. Then he meets Tawny. Her sweet innocence creates an instant attraction, but his past makes him afraid to let it grow.

Can Tawny and Malachi overcome their challenges and have a merry Christmas together?

 

Christmas Harmony can be found at Amazon, Amazon UK, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and the Pelican Book Group website.

 

E.A. West can be found at her website and blog, as well as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads.

 

My thoughts:

This is a heartwarming book. The characters are strong and believable. I enjoyed seeing the relationship blossom naturally between Tawny and Malachi. I also enjoyed learning more about the issues they struggled with. This is a Christmas story because it’s set in the last part of the year, but can be enjoyed any time.

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