The holidays are a time for cherished traditions and warm memories of Christmases past. But for some, Christmas also offers the gift of new beginnings.
THE CHRISTMAS COLLECTOR by Kristina McMorris
Jenna Matthews has made a career of decluttering other people's lives. After a childhood marked by her mother's hoarding, it feels satisfying to sort and evaluate possessions. Some items, however, defy simple categories-like the shoebox of WWII memorabilia she finds in an elderly client's home. Nestled alongside a Bronze Star is a photograph of a blushing army nurse and an adoring young serviceman. Estelle Porter, the box's owner, becomes curiously tightlipped at Jenna's discovery. Even Estelle's grandson, Reece, knows nothing about this secret in her past. But as Jenna delves deeper, she pieces together Estelle's heartrending story-one that paves new, unexpected paths for many.
GIFTED by T. Greenwood
Christmas Eve in New York City is a portrait in holiday cheer. Yet Alex, a young ballerina who's just been ousted from her ballet company, is contemplating a bittersweet homecoming-until she crosses paths with a stranger. At eighty, Simone's memory is rapidly failing, but something has led her back to the place where she began her career as a professional violinist. Different as they may be, both women understand the nature of ambition and self-doubt, joy, and regret. And in a moment of grace, in a place where journeys begin, each will be reminded of what matters most . . .
From bestselling, acclaimed authors Kristina McMorris and T. Greenwood, two heartfelt, poignant stories filled with Christmas magic and the gift of second chances...
The holidays are a time for cherished traditions and warm memories of Christmases past. But for some, Christmas also offers the gift of new beginnings.
THE CHRISTMAS COLLECTOR by Kristina McMorris
Jenna Matthews has made a career of decluttering other people's lives. After a childhood marked by her mother's hoarding, it feels satisfying to sort and evaluate possessions. Some items, however, defy simple categories-like the shoebox of WWII memorabilia she finds in an elderly client's home. Nestled alongside a Bronze Star is a photograph of a blushing army nurse and an adoring young serviceman. Estelle Porter, the box's owner, becomes curiously tightlipped at Jenna's discovery. Even Estelle's grandson, Reece, knows nothing about this secret in her past. But as Jenna delves deeper, she pieces together Estelle's heartrending story-one that paves new, unexpected paths for many.
GIFTED by T. Greenwood
Christmas Eve in New York City is a portrait in holiday cheer. Yet Alex, a young ballerina who's just been ousted from her ballet company, is contemplating a bittersweet homecoming-until she crosses paths with a stranger. At eighty, Simone's memory is rapidly failing, but something has led her back to the place where she began her career as a professional violinist. Different as they may be, both women understand the nature of ambition and self-doubt, joy, and regret. And in a moment of grace, in a place where journeys begin, each will be reminded of what matters most . . .
Author Biography:
Kristina McMorris is a New York Times, USA TODAY, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of historical fiction inspired by true stories, including Sold on a Monday, which has sold more than one million copies. She's the recipient of more than two dozen prestigious literary awards and nominations, including the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, RWA's RITA Award, and a Goodreads Choice Award for Best Historical Fiction. Prior to her literary career, Kristina was a television personality and actress who hosted an Emmy-award winning television show as a child, and most recently served as the host of the WB's Weddings Portland Style. She lives with her family in Oregon and can be found online at KristinaMcMorris.com.
Tammy Greenwood is an acclaimed author as well as the mother of a professional ballerina. A four-time winner of the San Diego Book Award whose novels have been translated into five languages, she has received grants from the Sherwood Anderson Foundation, the Christopher Isherwood Foundation, the Maryland State Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Six of her novels have been Indie Next Picks and her twelfth novel, Rust & Stardust, was a LibraryReads selection. She and her family split their time between Vermont and San Diego, California, where she teaches creative writing for The Writer's Center and San Diego Writers, Ink. She can be found online at TammyGreenwood.com.
