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The Christmas Coin
After her grandmother’s death, Sammie finds herself thinking about the Christmas Coin and all the sweet memories attached to it. She decides to take a trip back to her grandmother’s house in Holly Hamlet, Vermont to find it. With the impending sale of the house, all Sammie wants as a keepsake of her grandmother is the coin and the story that she still holds close to her heart. With fifty years of possessions tucked inside the house, she realizes she has her work cut out for her. When the little girl next door innocently mentions the Christmas story, Sammie realizes that Ally could be the key to her finding the Christmas coin. As the weekend goes by, Sammie becomes attached to Ally, and subsequently her single father Jack. Her plans begin to change more than she could have imagined. Jack Stevens had heard about the impending arrival of his neighbor Mary Holt’s granddaughter. Seeing her bright red hair and immaculate red mustang, he knows a woman like that is just making a quick stop to get whatever it is she came to Holly Hamlet for. But as he and his six-year-old daughter Ally spend time with Sammie, he begins to see her in a different light. As he finds himself inviting Sammie to join he and Ally in their Christmas traditions, he worries about his little girl. She’s already had one woman walk out on her life. Sammie had told him she was only in town for a day or two. Seeing his daughter’s attachment to Sammie, and ignoring his own growing feelings for her, he’s worried about Ally’s heart breaking when Sammie leaves town. Will a decades old tradition and the sparkle of Christmas work its magic on two people who both need a gift that can’t fit under the tree?
140 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 8, 2018
5 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Christina Lorenzen
34 books102 followersI can’t remember a time when I didn’t love books. Though I can’t remember signing the back of my first library card, I do remember having a card at a very young age. Growing up in Queens,New York, I remember being in awe of the stacks at the Queens branch of the New York Public Library. What better place for a budding writer than New York City? I remember coming home with more books than my little hands could hold.
Beyond books, I love notebooks. Still do, and sometimes it seems I have more journals than the words in my head can fill. Before typewriters and computers I wrote three YA novels longhand. I only wish I knew what became of those early manuscripts, but regardless it spurred my love of writing on. Then came the day when I, in my mind, became ‘a writer’. My first typewriter. It was an old manual that my father, then a sanitation worker, brought home from work. Just wondering about the previous owner was fodder for an imaginative mind. I continued to write stories all through high school and eventually dipped my toes in the world of non-fiction, writing articles for a local newspaper.
Though I failed to pursue a writing related degree after high school, I continued to write as I jumped from job to job. Years later I now see that I was not alone in my erratic job history – it seems to me to be the hallmark of the writing life. Having become friends with many authors, I have found that most of them meandered through many ‘odds and ends’ jobs before settling into the writing life.
Fast forward to the years when I got married and became a mom to a precious baby boy (who today is a successful entrepreneur and still precious to me). Finally I had the time, or at least a different set of times, to pursue writing. I did. Not only did I write but I worked as a research assistant for other writers as well as teaching online. A baby girl, the light of my life, quickly followed in the tracks of that baby boy and though writing got pushed aside as I dealt with colic, terrible twos and more, I never really stopped writing.
As my children grew so did my writing career. That old typewriter relinquished its spot on my desk, demoted to a dusty box in the basement, as I began writing on my first word processor. As the years sped by I upgraded equipment as I added to my writing credentials. In 2006 I won a journalism award from the Society of Professional Journalists (spj.org). As excited as I was about winning that award, and despite the doors it opened for me, I had an urge to try something new. And so my fiction career was born. And what better place for a book lover to be than immersed in the exciting work of creating imaginary people and worlds?
With more than two hundred articles published in magazines, newspapers and websites, I jumped in with both feet. The water is nice. Yes, sometimes it’s a bit cold (rejecting your baby hurts) and sometimes it’s choppy (publishing is changing so fast you can barely keep your head above the water), but I love spending my days surrounded by my characters, immersed in small town life.
The Christmas Sugar Bowl is my latest release. I am the author of twelve novellas and one novel. I write sweet romance. I am currently working on a series of cozy mystery books. When I'm not writing or reading, you can find me walking my dog, talking to my herd of cats and spending time with my grandsons.
I am a member of the RWA (Romance Writers of America).
To find out my upcoming releases, visit my website at http://christinalorenzen.com/.
Subscribe to my newsletter at http://christinalorenzen.com/connect-...
If you're a reader who also enjoys reviewing, please talk to me about joining my street team, Christina's Bookworms ChristinaLorenzenBooks@gmail.com
Beyond books, I love notebooks. Still do, and sometimes it seems I have more journals than the words in my head can fill. Before typewriters and computers I wrote three YA novels longhand. I only wish I knew what became of those early manuscripts, but regardless it spurred my love of writing on. Then came the day when I, in my mind, became ‘a writer’. My first typewriter. It was an old manual that my father, then a sanitation worker, brought home from work. Just wondering about the previous owner was fodder for an imaginative mind. I continued to write stories all through high school and eventually dipped my toes in the world of non-fiction, writing articles for a local newspaper.
Though I failed to pursue a writing related degree after high school, I continued to write as I jumped from job to job. Years later I now see that I was not alone in my erratic job history – it seems to me to be the hallmark of the writing life. Having become friends with many authors, I have found that most of them meandered through many ‘odds and ends’ jobs before settling into the writing life.
Fast forward to the years when I got married and became a mom to a precious baby boy (who today is a successful entrepreneur and still precious to me). Finally I had the time, or at least a different set of times, to pursue writing. I did. Not only did I write but I worked as a research assistant for other writers as well as teaching online. A baby girl, the light of my life, quickly followed in the tracks of that baby boy and though writing got pushed aside as I dealt with colic, terrible twos and more, I never really stopped writing.
As my children grew so did my writing career. That old typewriter relinquished its spot on my desk, demoted to a dusty box in the basement, as I began writing on my first word processor. As the years sped by I upgraded equipment as I added to my writing credentials. In 2006 I won a journalism award from the Society of Professional Journalists (spj.org). As excited as I was about winning that award, and despite the doors it opened for me, I had an urge to try something new. And so my fiction career was born. And what better place for a book lover to be than immersed in the exciting work of creating imaginary people and worlds?
With more than two hundred articles published in magazines, newspapers and websites, I jumped in with both feet. The water is nice. Yes, sometimes it’s a bit cold (rejecting your baby hurts) and sometimes it’s choppy (publishing is changing so fast you can barely keep your head above the water), but I love spending my days surrounded by my characters, immersed in small town life.
The Christmas Sugar Bowl is my latest release. I am the author of twelve novellas and one novel. I write sweet romance. I am currently working on a series of cozy mystery books. When I'm not writing or reading, you can find me walking my dog, talking to my herd of cats and spending time with my grandsons.
I am a member of the RWA (Romance Writers of America).
To find out my upcoming releases, visit my website at http://christinalorenzen.com/.
Subscribe to my newsletter at http://christinalorenzen.com/connect-...
If you're a reader who also enjoys reviewing, please talk to me about joining my street team, Christina's Bookworms ChristinaLorenzenBooks@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 20, 2018
If your looking for a sweet and charming Christmas story, then The Christmas Coin by Christina Lorenzen is perfect for this upcoming season. So grab a warm cup of hot chocolate and grab a seat in your comfy chair as your mind takes you to the magical town of Holly Hamlet, VT.
Sammie has arrived in town after the death of her grandmother, Mary, so that she can go through the things in her house. She wants to find the Christmas coin that she’s cherished since she was a child. She plans to only stay a couple days until she meets her neighbors Ally and Jack. She quickly becomes acquainted with them and begins spending time with them. She discovers that Ally was close to her grandmother, Mary. She believes Ally might know something about the Christmas coin. When Jack sees Sammie and Ally forming a bond, he wants to make sure that Sammie doesn’t have the wrong intentions because he doesn’t want to see his daughter get hurt. Will Sammie and Ally find the Christmas coin? Will this Christmas be one to remember?
I really enjoyed this Christmas story. I have many good Christmas memories with my family including always getting excited to put up our artificial tree and decorations. This story held family traditions that we always look forward to. Ally captured my heart because she was so excited for the holidays. It reminded me of myself when I was a child. I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to give my honest opinion. I was not required to like this book. All opinions stated are my own.
Sammie has arrived in town after the death of her grandmother, Mary, so that she can go through the things in her house. She wants to find the Christmas coin that she’s cherished since she was a child. She plans to only stay a couple days until she meets her neighbors Ally and Jack. She quickly becomes acquainted with them and begins spending time with them. She discovers that Ally was close to her grandmother, Mary. She believes Ally might know something about the Christmas coin. When Jack sees Sammie and Ally forming a bond, he wants to make sure that Sammie doesn’t have the wrong intentions because he doesn’t want to see his daughter get hurt. Will Sammie and Ally find the Christmas coin? Will this Christmas be one to remember?
I really enjoyed this Christmas story. I have many good Christmas memories with my family including always getting excited to put up our artificial tree and decorations. This story held family traditions that we always look forward to. Ally captured my heart because she was so excited for the holidays. It reminded me of myself when I was a child. I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to give my honest opinion. I was not required to like this book. All opinions stated are my own.
September 14, 2018
If you’re looking for a sweet read for the upcoming Christmas season, be sure to add this book to your list!
Sammie has returned to Holly Hamlet, VT, in hopes of find the Christmas Coin from her childhood. Grandma Mary recently died, and the house will soon be going on the market. Sammie is overwhelmed with the memories as she sorts through her grandmother’s possessions.
Neighbors Jack and daughter Ally knew Mary, and Ally was quite close to her. In fact, Mary shared the Christmas Coin story with her, as well. It doesn’t take long for Ally to bond with Sammie, much to Jack’s dismay, as he knows the young woman has no plans to stay. He feels she may be using his daughter to find the missing coin. Unfortunately, he also knows he’s losing his heart to Sammie, right along with Ally. Could he be wrong about Sammie’s motives? Is it possible that they can find a holiday miracle?
Christmas is my favorite season, and many of my best memories include my grandma, so this story hit all the right points for me. I enjoyed the fact that Sammie had an unconventional career for a heroine. There is solid character growth, along with vivid detailing. I loved reading about the author’s personal connection to the story and learning the meaning behind the title. While all the characters are enjoyable, Ally easily steals the show (and the reader’s heart).
Sammie has returned to Holly Hamlet, VT, in hopes of find the Christmas Coin from her childhood. Grandma Mary recently died, and the house will soon be going on the market. Sammie is overwhelmed with the memories as she sorts through her grandmother’s possessions.
Neighbors Jack and daughter Ally knew Mary, and Ally was quite close to her. In fact, Mary shared the Christmas Coin story with her, as well. It doesn’t take long for Ally to bond with Sammie, much to Jack’s dismay, as he knows the young woman has no plans to stay. He feels she may be using his daughter to find the missing coin. Unfortunately, he also knows he’s losing his heart to Sammie, right along with Ally. Could he be wrong about Sammie’s motives? Is it possible that they can find a holiday miracle?
Christmas is my favorite season, and many of my best memories include my grandma, so this story hit all the right points for me. I enjoyed the fact that Sammie had an unconventional career for a heroine. There is solid character growth, along with vivid detailing. I loved reading about the author’s personal connection to the story and learning the meaning behind the title. While all the characters are enjoyable, Ally easily steals the show (and the reader’s heart).
October 5, 2018
Sammie has many memories of the Christmas Coin which is still in her grandma’s home in Holly Hamlet, Vermont. She travels there in hopes of getting it back from the house impending sale. She meets Ally, the little girl next door. Sammie comes to thinking that Ally may be crucial in finding the coin. When Sammie meets Ally’s dad, Jack, they become friends and perhaps even more. (No spoilers) Jack grows concerned for Ally becoming too attached to Sammie who has no plans to stay on in Holly Hamlet. A pleasing cozy tale and perfect for the upcoming Christmas season. Beware: Once you start reading, you’ll get sucked into this charming heartwarming read.
November 18, 2018
Sammie Holt, a busy businesswoman, has inherited her grandmother's house to small town Holly Hamlet. She arrives just before Christmas to get her Grandmother’s house to sell, but first she needs to find a special treasure from her childhood. Since Sammie hadn't visited her grandmother for several years, she doesn't know that Grandma befriended the handsome man next door and his little girl. She's somewhat dismayed that her grandmother has told the little girl the story of the coin. Since the story means so much to Sammie and is mentioned quite often, I was disappointed that the tale wasn't shared in this book. Otherwise, this is a cute Hallmark-like story.
January 21, 2020
The Christmas Coin is a unique story. Sammie Holt finds herself back in Holly Hamlet after her grandmother passes away. She is searching for the special coin that holds sweet memories. Her neighbor, Jack Stevens, is a single dad with an adorable daughter, Ally, trying to put his life back together.
I enjoyed visiting Holly Hamlet and following along as Sammie searched for the coin and found much more along the way. This is a delightful holiday novella.
I recommend this novella to those who enjoy sweet, Christmas stories.
I won a copy of the book. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
I enjoyed visiting Holly Hamlet and following along as Sammie searched for the coin and found much more along the way. This is a delightful holiday novella.
I recommend this novella to those who enjoy sweet, Christmas stories.
I won a copy of the book. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
November 21, 2020
Sammie has many memories of the Christmas Coin which is still in her grandma’s home in Holly Hamlet, Vermont. She travels there in hopes of getting it back from the house impending sale. She meets Ally, the little girl next door. Sammie comes to thinking that Ally may be crucial in finding the coin. When Sammie meets Ally’s dad, Jack, they become friends and perhaps even more. (No spoilers) Jack grows concerned for Ally becoming too attached to Sammie who has no plans to stay on in Holly Hamlet. A pleasing cozy tale and perfect for the upcoming Christmas season. Beware: Once you start reading, you’ll get sucked into this charming heartwarming read.
January 1, 2020
This is an easy read and quickly captures your attention from the first page. Such a cute Hallmark-like story that takes you away into a small, snow-filled city in Vermont. Thank you, Christina, for writing this Christmas story for us. Makes a perfect book to read during Christmas Break. Only reason this review is four stars, instead of five, is because of several typos and grammatical errors. Otherwise I highly recommend this book!
December 26, 2018
A touching Christmas story about finding more than what you are searching for! I enjoyed the characters and the developing story. Grab something a little different than a usual holiday romance! Enjoy.
November 19, 2018
I purchased this book with the intent to start reading this about mid November and it's proving to be
a perfect book to get into the Christmas spirit !
Sammie returns to her Grandmother's home for one last time ... She hadn't visited her deceased grandmother prior to her death for a few years and this ways on her emotionally as the story unfolds. She meets Ally , little neighbour girl, soon after her arrival. followed by her protective and sensible Dad. As the story moves forward the tug on my heart strings gets stronger .... a moving and wonderful story. ... I feel like I am actually present in this small town in Vermont and mingling with the characters while they go about their daily lives and Christmas activities. My curiosity is spiked and I definitely become more intrigued and want to know more about the meaning of elusive Christmas Coin and importance it is to Sammie !
a perfect book to get into the Christmas spirit !
Sammie returns to her Grandmother's home for one last time ... She hadn't visited her deceased grandmother prior to her death for a few years and this ways on her emotionally as the story unfolds. She meets Ally , little neighbour girl, soon after her arrival. followed by her protective and sensible Dad. As the story moves forward the tug on my heart strings gets stronger .... a moving and wonderful story. ... I feel like I am actually present in this small town in Vermont and mingling with the characters while they go about their daily lives and Christmas activities. My curiosity is spiked and I definitely become more intrigued and want to know more about the meaning of elusive Christmas Coin and importance it is to Sammie !
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews