Holding Holly

A Holiday Novella

Love and Football Series- Book 4.5

By Julie Brannaugh

Synopsis

Julie Brannagh’s delightful Love and Football series returns in time for Christmas …

Holly Reynolds has a secret. Make that two. The first involves upholding her grandmother’s hobby of answering Dear Santa letters from dozens of local schoolchildren. The second … well, he just came strolling in the door.

For the last two years, Holly has not been able to stop thinking about gorgeous Seattle Shark Derrick Collins. His on-field exploits induce nightmares in quarterbacks across the NFL, but she knows he has a heart of gold.

Derrick has never known a woman he wanted to bring home to meet his family, mostly because he keeps picking the wrong ones—until he runs into sweet, shy Holly Reynolds. Different from anyone he’s ever known, Derrick realizes she might just be everything he needs.

When he discovers her holiday letter writing, he is determined to play Santa too. And as the pair team up to bring joy to one little boy very much in need, they discover the most precious Christmas gift of all: love.

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Michel’s Review

*** Arc Copy provided by publisher, via Edelweiss, for a fair and honest review. ***

Back in November Smut Book Junkie Reviewers were searching for Holiday Themed Romances to feature throughout the month of December.  I came across this book and it sounded very intriguing.  First of all, I am a huge fan of Sports Romances.  I love a good romance that engages a professional athlete in the game of love.  Secondly, I love Holiday Romances.  These kind of books always get me in the holiday spirit.  The combination is bright and merry and leaves the reader with an uplifted spirit.

Holding Holly was everything I hoped for.  It had the magic of Christmas, the spirit of giving, a heartwarming romance, and exceptional characters.  This book was highly entertaining even though it was on the milder side of the romance heat index.  It didn’t matter because the story itself was captivating.

When Derrick Collins takes his mother and grandmother out for some holiday shopping in the small town of Noel, he stumbles upon more than a town full of holiday cheer.  He runs into Holly Reynolds.  He has secretly had a crush on Holly from the previous summer football camp.  She is a shy, kind , and beautiful woman that intrigues his interest.

When Derrick asks Holly on a date, little do either of them know that this date will change both of them.  Trapped in a snow storm with Holly’s grandmother will give them another reason to be together.  Holly’s grandmother has had a 30 year Christmas project that she needs help with.  She enlists Derrick, Holly, and the Sharks to give one family in Noel a very special Christmas.  This project will give Derrick and Holly the gift of love in many ways.

I absolutely loved this magical holiday romance.  Little did I know that this book was a novella in the Love and Football series.  I liked Julie Brannagh’s style of writing.  Her characters are larger than life and full of personality.  Her writing flows with ease.  I had to look up the other books in this series and get them on my ereader.  Like I said, I am a sucker for Sports Romance.  I am now a fan of Julie Brannagh’s writing.  I highly recommend Holding Holly.  It will make your holiday season merrier.

Love and Football Series

Blitzing Emily – Book 1

All’s fair in Love and Football . . .

Emily Hamilton doesn’t trust men. She’s much more comfortable playing the romantic lead in front of a packed house onstage than in her own life. So when NFL star and alluring ladies’ man Brandon McKenna acts as her personal white knight, she has no illusions that he’ll stick around. However, a misunderstanding with the press throws them together in a fake engagement that yields unexpected (and breathtaking) benefits.

Every time Brandon calls her “Sugar,” Emily almost believes he’s playing for keeps—not just to score. Can she let down her defenses and get her own happily ever after?

Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ ITunes

Rushing Amy – Book 2

For Amy Hamilton, only three Fs matter: Family, Football, and Flowers. It might be nice to find someone to share Forever with, too, but right now she’s working double overtime while she gets her flower shop off the ground. The last thing she needs or wants is a distraction … or help, for that matter. Especially in the form of gorgeous and aggravatingly arrogant ex-NFL star Matt Stephens.

Matt lives by a playbook—his playbook. He never thought his toughest opponent would come in the form of a stunning florist with a stubborn streak to match his own. Since meeting her in the bar after her sister’s wedding, he’s known there’s something between them. After she refuses—again and again—to go out with him, Matt will do anything to win her heart … But will Amy, who has everything to lose, let the clock run out on the one-yard line?

Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ ITunes

Catching Cameron – Book 3

Star sports reporter Cameron Ondine has one firm rule: she does not date football players. Ever. She tangled with one years ago, and it did not end well. Been there, done that.

But when Cameron comes face-to-face with the very man who shattered her heart—on camera, no less—her world is upended for a second time by recklessly handsome Seattle Shark Zach Anderson.

Zach has never been able to forget the gorgeous blonde who stole his breath away when he was still just a rookie. They’ve managed to give each other a wide berth for years, but when their jobs suddenly bring them together again and again, he knows he has to face his past once and for all.

Because as they spend more time together, he becomes less focused on the action on the field and more concerned with catching Cameron.

Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ ITunes

Covering Kendall – Book 4

Kendall Tracy, General Manager of the San Francisco Miners, is not one for rash decisions or one-night stands. But when she finds herself alone in a hotel room with a heart-stoppingly gorgeous man—who looks oddly familiar—Kendall throws her own rules out the window … and they blow right back into her face.

Drew McCoy should look familiar; he’s a star player for her team’s archrival, the Seattle Sharks. Which would basically make Drew and Kendall the Romeo and Juliet of professional football … well, without all the dying.

Not that it’s an issue. They agree to pretend their encounter never happened. Nothing good can come of it anyway, right?

Drew’s not so sure. Kendall may be all wrong for him, but he can’t stop thinking about her, and he finds that some risks are worth taking. Because the stakes are always highest when you’re playing for keeps.

Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ ITunes

Author Bio:

Julie Brannagh has been writing since she could hold a pencil. She lives in a small town near Seattle, where she once served as a city council member and owned a yarn shop. She shares her home with a wonderful husband, two uncivilized Maine Coons and a rambunctious chocolate Lab.

When she’s not writing, she’s reading–or armchair-quarterbacking her favorite NFL team from the comfort of the family room couch. Julie is a Golden Heart finalist and the author of contemporary sports romances.

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