Catherine Lanigan

Joy was settled in New York. She couldn't get away from her hometown quickly enough, Now after a few years, she would have to return long enough to settle her beloved grandfather's estate.

Adam had suffered much loss in his life. The only real family he felt he had, other than his young son, was Frank, and now he was gone.

Joy had accepted his promise ring then fled and never kept in contact with him. Adam had been so close to her grandfather for years so was informed of what was happening in Joy's life. He was surprised, hopeful and angry when he ran into her. If he helped her, perhaps she wouldn't sell everything and leave again, never to return.

This is a wonderful, heartfelt story of love, betrayal, misunderstandings, confusion, forgiveness and grief. The setting is in a small town during the Holidays.

​The action of the story steadily flows from one scene to another, never allowing the reader's interest to leave the book.

The characters are so endearingly realistic, the scenes are described in a way they are easily visualized. The Book Title and Cover are simple, eye-catching, yet very applicable to the story.

*This book was gifted me with no pressure for a positive review. This is my honest review.… (altro)

Luke Bosworth is consumed by the clutches of grief after losing his young wife two years ago. He prefers to stay stuck in the past where memories of Jenny remain constant; he’s neglecting his two small children as a result, and can’t get his anger issues in check which could cost him his job if he doesn’t get help. So he does, and while doing so he’s reacquainted with the annoying woman with the out of control dog who he seems to keep running into. Sarah Jensen is also trying to overcome the grief that’s caused her to lose her focus and drive; and although she’s grappling with feelings of inadequacy and loneliness, she can help Luke’s children in so many ways if he’d stop being so overly-protective and prideful. She has her mind set on a monumental project that involves Luke’s children, but all she ever gets from him is anger, rage and negative feedback. The man needs serious help. But as it turns out, Luke is also a multifaceted person with many talents, including an ability to discern the motives and emotions of others, as Sarah soon learns during one of their grief-counseling therapy sessions. Both Sarah and Luke have issues that aren’t obvious to themselves, so why are they so apparent to each other?
I loved this book! It gave me all the feels. It was a tender, emotional story with an excellent cast of characters that continue to linger in my mind. I always enjoy reading Catherine Lanigan’s books. Her depth of knowledge and wisdom shines through in them. You can sense her life experience from the various objects, places, and expressions of human emotions and advice that’s written. There’s substance within its pages, and not superficial fluff. The contents gives me pause for reflection. I appreciate when there’s an obvious maturity level existent in a book because not only do I enjoy the story, but I learn new things as well.
Overall, Love Shadows was a great read that exceeded my expectations. At times it seemed borderline Inspy fiction, IMO, with the religious backdrop and views, so I’m giving you a heads up on that aspect of it. Nevertheless, I highly recommend it and look forward to reading more books in the series.… (altro)

I received a complimentary copy of "Home for Christmas" from the author Catherine Lanigan in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.

I love how Home for Christmas opens the door into Joy's life by a heartfelt wave of sentimental nostalgia for her grandfather's Thanksgiving at Indian Lake. This series has been anchoured through family and community through each of the installments I've thankfully had the chance to read and it made sense to me this is where the twelfth story should begin. Especially considering during the hours of Thanksgiving (mid-to-late November stateside) throughout the coming Christmastide - all of our memories feel crisper, firmer in clarity and are emotionally resting on the edges of our hearts. This is due to how much we each long for a re-glimpse back into the past to re-cherish the moments we shared with loved ones still amongst us and those whose journey took them into the next life. It is the kind of sombering flashback you can understand yourself and one which was a lovely small insight into where she lives in Manhattan - as even there, in the midst of one of the world's largest cities you can find 'reminders' of where you come from and what is important to you.

When life bolts after you quicker than lightning the adjustment period it takes your heart to catch-up to the events you're living through can take a bit longer than you realise - especially considering most of life which emotionally crushes our spirits happens without warning. I had a feeling the call Joy received about her grandfather was going to have a shattering effect on her spirit but also on her sense of self - she had fused her identity and her sense of family into the last living relative she had and that was going to put herself in a difficult place until she realised what she had outside family. You felt for her roommate and bestie Glory - wanting to do more but limited in what she could give as Joy wasn't prepared to receive anything other the necessities. It was a clever switch of direction - to offset Joy's presumption her life in the City was right as rain and re-situate her elsewhere were potentially she might see things in a different shade of light. At least this reader was hopeful of that because she definitely fell into that category of career women who felt they were the 'neat and tidy' brides to be where everything is inked and ironed out in finite detail but really what they want is the liveliness of spontaneity and a well-rounded life outside of their careers.

It never fails to wrinkle my brow whenever I see a parent who wants to instantly discourage a child from pursuing the arts. This of course was not the best way to warm up to Adam but it is rather infuriating whenever I see a child (IRL or a story) whose keenly interested in either performance or fine art (or any other medium therein) and find themselves treading water trying to explain their interest to their parents. You'd think we'd progressed far enough now to where the Arts could be equally embraced as future paths to walk down as readily as Science, Math, Engineering and Technology but I think some parents might forget that its not just 'STEM' its also "STEAM'.

The heart of the novel is connected to Joy's family poinsettia business - something I was thankful to see as the choice of holiday centered commerce in the story because of all the flowers I get giddy about seeing throughout the year, poinsettias have long since held a special place in my holiday expectations. Mostly because you can't meet a poinsettia which doesn't instantly uplift your spirits and its quite hard to admire one without smiling! The leaves are velvety soft, the colours are brilliantly darkened in reddy hues of crimson and there is a certain magic about how whenever the poinsettias go on sale, you start to see a flicker of hope for your community to be a bit less humbug and a bit more full of the holiday spirit!

I enjoy seeing the contemporary and modern elements Lanigan knits into her stories - how she keeps her stories lovingly anchoured to real-life topics and subjects of interest whilst endearing us to continue to find interest to re-visit Indian Lake as she carves out a series which feels as homey as our own families. You get to see different sides of the towne, different perspectives from those who call it home and overall, you get to see how Lanigan has created a place you can enjoy revisiting as the forward growth of the towne is right in line with the personal growth potential of its residents.

In this novel, Lanigan highlights the emotional baggage a foster youth would have who bolted away their emotions and had severe attachment issues when it came to being adopted. In essence, they did not attach and they did not accept the placement very well. It was merely a place to live and a place to grow up but in regards to having that coveted feeling of being 'home' and loved by 'family' remained elusive to the child who grew into an adult with a young son who was testing him for patience, tolerance and the natural course children embark on their own self-growth journeys. I found it a refreshing spin on characters involved in foster care and pointedly it highlights a lot of truth for adopted adults who have not resolved nor healed from their past where they were abandoned by their biological families. (such as the case with this character)

This story was a bit sweeter round the edges due to the Christmassy inclusions and the back-drop of this revolving round a favourite (and cherished!) holiday flower which is only available during the holiday seasons. Its a flower which makes a statement by its presence and a flower which gives a renewing sense of wonder about the holidays themselves. I can see why she was inspired to place the poinsettia at the centre of the story and why it became such an enjoyable read.

// This is a quotation of my full review originally shared via jorielovesastory.com… (altro)

Travel to Indian Lake for a sweet, second-chance romance this Christmas.

To sell her grandfather’s poinsettia greenhouse, Joy Boston returns to the town she left so long ago. Of course, she cannot return without crossing paths with her first love Adam Masterson—and his adorable, clever son Titus. Her life may no longer be in Indian Lake, but Adam determines to show her that it is still her home (with him). Is there enough Christmas magic to keep her from leaving again?

Catherine Lanigan’s Home for Christmas is everything I love to find in a holiday romance. Heartwarming and feelgood, it’s one to add to the Christmas TBR if you love contemporary romance.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.… (altro)