Monday, November 4, 2019

Meet Kevin Holt from Restoring Christmas by Julie Arduini



My story, Restoring Christmas, first appeared in the 2018 boxed set, A Christmas to Remember. Now in Kindle and paperback format, Restoring Christmas features two people wounded by different circumstances who are thrown together at a tourist attraction that’s all about Christmas. One problem, the heroine, co-owner of The Christmas Mansion, Holly Christmas, hates Christmas.

The hero is Kevin Holt, and he was a joy to write. Kevin’s a special education teacher in fictional Geneseo Valley, based on the real college town of Geneseo, New York. He’s in charge of a project that allows students with minor challenges to participate in a community project. Since the local grocery store didn’t work out thanks to a game of pickle jar toss, they are at The Christmas Mansion, ready to help with renovations and updates.

Kevin lives with his best friend, Jonah Welling, and his son, Nathan. Jonah recently lost his wife, Lily, so Kevin helps out. Nathan is also one of Kevin’s students, and the tween keeps both men on their toes. Kevin doesn’t mind, he wants to see his grieving friend to heal, and his help allows Kevin to forget his own heartbreak.

What Kevin didn’t plan on was meeting Holly Christmas. She’s surprised by the class and their commitment to work at The Christmas Mansion, and Kevin’s mortified when Nathan blurts out upon meeting Holly that she hates Christmas. Thing is, Nathan discerned correctly.

One behind-the-scenes aspect regarding Kevin is my love of Superman. When the readers first meet Kevin, there is mention to his likeness to Clark Kent when Kevin wears his glasses. Jonah and Nathan have the name Welling, the last name of the actor who played my favorite version of Clark Kent. Tom Welling. I love writing fun tidbits like that.

I think you’ll enjoy getting to know Kevin, Holly, Jonah, Nathan, and Uncle Nick in Restoring Christmas.

To purchase Restoring Christmas, click HERE.




Filled with grief and regret, Holly Christmas returns to Geneseo Valley and the family business, The Christmas Mansion. Can Kevin Holt restore her love for the season and the memories she left behind?

***

Holly Christmas left Geneseo Valley and her family’s holiday tourist attraction, The Christmas Mansion, as soon as she graduated.Now both her parents have passed, and Holly returns when her uncleneeds her help running the mansion. On Holly’s first day back,a blunt middle-schooler proclaims Holly hates Christmas. His comment forces her to reconcile the past while planning for the mansion’s future.

Kevin Holt is invested in offering hope to students with challenges. His best friend’s son is in Kevin’s class, and Nathan needs guidance. Their community project placement at The Christmas Mansion is an opportunity to make a positive difference. When Nathan blurts out his thoughts to the beautiful co-owner, Kevin wonders if he has what it takes to help restore the mansion to its former glory, mentor Nathan, and convince Holly Christmas she’s exactly where she needs to be.

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8 comments:

Marilyn R. said...

Christmas books are always a pleasure to read.

Kathleen said...

I love this book! Thanks for sharing some behind-the-scenes info about Kevin. I didn't catch the Superman twist--cute!

Julie Arduini said...

Laura, thanks for letting me share a bit about Kevin and Restoring Christmas. I really apprecite it!

Julie Arduini said...

Marilyn, I agree! I enjoy Christmas romances so much. Thanks for reading!

Kathleen, thank you for your encouragement. It was a fun book to write!

Rita Garcia said...

I loved reading this delightful Christmas Romance. It put me in the mood to decorate for Christmas.

HeidiDruKortman said...

It's a lovely story. I could envision the million ornaments room, and Nathan's discernments provide such good tension and humor.

B. J. Bassett said...

It's always fun to hear from an author how they create a work of fiction.

Marie Bast said...

Cute story, thanks for sharing, Julie.

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