Welcome to Franklin you'll be glad you came.
Sam Henry -- peace and solitude -- that's what he found in
his log cabin on his mountain. He lived a relatively
secluded life with Kaye his amazing housekeeper/cook. Kaye
was his conduit to the world outside his home.
Joy needed a place to stay while repairs were done on the
house she rented. She could work from her laptop anywhere.
Substituting for Kaye was a godsend -- even if it meant
working in Sam's house. Joy was thoroughly prepared for
the kind of man she would be cooking and cleaning for.
All Sam needed was that Joy respect his need for his own
space and they would be just fine.
But Joy was accompanied by a lot that was sure to upset
the gentle balance of Sam's world. A kind of light, beauty
and energy and worse her five year old daughter Holly. To
Holly Sam's house was a castle perfect for a little girl
obsessed with things princess.
So Joy and Holly were expected to spend a month during the
Christmas season under the same roof with this stiff
unwelcoming man. Well a girls got to do what she's got to
do. And if anyone could get through Sam's armor it would
certainly be her Holly.
And that's how Sam wound up spending a month with a little
girl searching for fairies and her beautiful mother who
made him feel things he didn't want. He's not mean -- he's
just crabby -- kind of says it all -- out of the mouth of
babes.
Fabulous story about love and the ability of the human
spirit to rise up out of the doldrums with a little help
from fairies -- real and imagined. I fear that people will
minimize the beauty -- joy -- impact of this book by Maureen
Child masterfully conveys. MAID UNDER THE MISTLETOE is way
more powerful than its title suggests. Maureen Child --
simply put -- is a master of dialog and character
development and MAID UNDER THE MISTLETOE is just her
latest example of her writing talent.
Joy and Holly are two of Maureen Child's best constructed
characters with Sam running a very close third. For Sam it
probably was a matter of trust. He had carefully schooled
himself in the art of hiding feelings. Joy seemed to have
the ability to see beyond that façade and was brave enough
to forge ahead. Holly practically dared Sam not to open up
and feel and would be the one to start thawing the ice
around his heart and life if he let her.
Can't even guess how many wonderful stories of Maureen
Child's I've had the luck to read and review. At this
point I never let one pass me by. Sure there are lots of
holiday stories available but if you are looking for a
remarkable tale of hope and determination MAID UNDER THE
MISTLETOE by Maureen Child should definitely be at the top
of your must reading list. It's that good. I've already
read it twice and I just know it is destined to become a
dog-eared favorite.
An upstairs-downstairs affair for Christmas…only from
USA TODAY bestselling author Maureen Child!
Single mom Joy Curran needs this temporary holiday
housekeeping job working for a reclusive billionaire. But
her sexy, aloof boss pulls at Joy's heartstrings—and her
long-denied desires—in unexpected ways…
Sam Henry never got over the loss of his wife and son, and
he's shut himself off from happiness, love…and the holidays.
But Joy and her sweet daughter bring laughter into his life.
And living with his new maid ignites a passion he can't
ignore. After one glorious night in Joy's arms, will this
beauty be the Christmas miracle that changes the beast forever?