If you are looking for a festive read, look no further than Lindsay Harrel’s Port Willis Romance, Like a Christmas Dream! And how cute is that cover?!

This is the second Port Willis Romance novel, a spinoff from Lindsay’s The Secrets of Paper and Ink. Each story stands alone, but I always recommend reading books in order to get the most benefit from the connected characters.

I’m delighted Lindsay is sharing with us today – and on her birthday! Enjoy meeting Sarah Bentley and be sure to add the Port Willis Romances to your Christmas novel collection.

Over to you, Lindsay…

“Follow your dreams” is not her family’s motto.

But this Christmas, Sarah’s doing the unthinkable—defying her wealthy parents.

Instead of fulfilling expected holiday obligations, she visits a quaint English village to help her estranged sister open her dream bakery. And yes, Sarah fully expects things to be awkward between them.

What she doesn’t expect?

Michael Hammett.

The charming British photographer challenges her perspective in more ways than one. Maybe, just maybe, she can choose a life outside of her parents’ control.

But when her father threatens the thing Sarah cares about most, will her newfound perspective be enough—or will living life on her own terms always be a distant dream?

You’ll adore this faith-filled romance, because everyone likes a heartwarming tale of sisterhood and love that can be enjoyed all year long.

Sarah Bentley

Physical Stats

Height: 5’7”

Hair colour & style: Auburn, shoulder-length hair

Eye colour: Hazel/brown

Dress sense: Stylish; she’s wealthy and wears designer clothing; lots of skirts, boots, heels, a Michael Kors red ruffle belted wool trench coat

Resembles…

JoAnna Garcia Swisher

Can’t live without…

Coffee and/or tea—basically anything that gives her a shot of caffeine for all her long workdays

Strengths

She’s a shark in the courtroom and will fight for other people and what they need.

Vulnerabilities

She’s allowed her parents to dictate what they want for her life in almost every area of her life, even her faith. When it comes to herself, she won’t fight because she’s afraid of losing her family’s love.

Passions

While she’s an attorney at her father’s company, her real passion is a non-profit she and a friend have started that helps battered women leave and fight for custody of their children.

What book would they recommend?

John Grisham’s A Time to Kill
 
Your inspiration for the character:

When I originally wrote Sarah’s sister Ginny’s story in my book The Secrets of Paper and Ink, I explored how her family had essentially estranged themselves from her because of her choice to escape their expectations of her.

It made me wonder why her siblings, who I mentioned briefly in that book, would have stayed and what their lives would have been like. Did they chafe under their parents’ strict and very high expectations like Ginny had? Ginny assumed that her siblings looked down on her as being weak—but what if they really thought of her as the strong one for leaving? It was enough to make me want to explore Sarah’s story.
 
Background to the story

I’ve had a lot of fun writing about Port Willis, the fictional town in seaside England where (now) three of my books are set. I wanted to continue on with Ginny’s story and give her the family reconciliation that she’s always craved, at least with her sister. And I thought the opening of her bakery was the perfect opportunity to do that!

That was the initial story idea, but Sarah’s story soon took on a life of its own. I found that I really felt for this woman who could be strong in every circumstance for every other person except when it came to dealing with her parents’ expectations for her.

I also wanted to explore the relationship between the sisters and themes of forgiveness, faith, and fighting for what you believe in.

Thanks Lindsay! Sounds like the perfect Christmas read 🙂

Lindsay Harrel is a lifelong book nerd who lives in Arizona with her young family and two golden retrievers in serious need of training. She’s held a variety of writing and editing jobs over the years, and now juggles stay-at-home mommyhood with writing novels. When she’s not writing or chasing after her children, Lindsay enjoys making a fool of herself at Zumba, curling up with anything by Jane Austen, and savoring sour candy one piece at a time. Connect with her at www.LindsayHarrel.com.

Relz Reviewz Extras

All Things Harrel @ Relz Reviewz
Visit Lindsay’s website and blog
Buy at Amazon: Like Christmas Dream or Koorong