This Mama Loves

Connecticut lifestyle blog featuring food, crafts, travel, entertainment, tech, family and more

Never Miss A Minute of The Fun!
Subscribe Now And Get All Our Posts
Direct To Your Inbox!

in Books· Christmas· Entertainment· Giveaways· Main Dishes· Recipes

“Wrapped Up in Christmas Hope”out Oct. 26th from Hallmark Publishing Review + Giveaway!

One of  my favorite things about October is that it starts to bring Christmas around. Not like full out Christmas, but I love the hints and glimmers of the holidays that pop up. I do. Don’t get me wrong, we are in full Halloween mode over here, but there’s just something so fun about seeing the Hallmark Christmas movie lists, seeing what new holiday books that Hallmark Publishing is releasing…it’s just fun. It reminds me of what’s to come, and especially after a year and a half of dealing with covid and all that comes with it emotionally – little bits of brightness seem to shine just a little bit more than normal. I LOVE Christmas anyway, but Hallmark’s stories just hit you right in the feels. It’s family friendly, feel good stories told with a holiday backdrop. I’m here for it. Last year, I indulged in my first Hallmark Christmas books…and now I’m excited to partner with Hallmart Publishing again to introduce you to this year’s new books, all available in Paperback, e-book, and Audiobook. This year’s lineup include: On Christmas Avenue (9.21), Mistletoe in Juneau (10.19), Wrapped Up in Christmas Hope (10.26), and Christmas in Evergreen: Bells are Ringing (11.2)! 

“Wrapped Up in Christmas Hope”out Oct. 26th from Hallmark Publishing

When you pick up a book from Hallmark Publishing, you know before you open it that there’s probably going to be a happy ending. After all, that’s kind of Hallmark’s thing…but in between turning the page to begin (or pressing play to listen), there’s a whole world of wonderful characters nestled into some kind of community, with ups and downs and maybe even some really challenging obstacles to overcome- before that happy ending comes. That’s where you get drawn in- when you meet the people in the stories. In Wrapped Up in Christmas Hope, we meet Andrew, a self-proclaimed lifelong bachelor firefighter who’s really considering leaving his hometown, friends and family behind to head out across the country to fight wildfires. But then this widowed single mom named Morgan moves to his small town, and he meets her and her Christmas tree green eyes at her son’s Kindergarten classroom, and then her son …and suddenly, his long term plans seem to be a bit undecided. Morgan and Andrew cross paths a lot while sewing for the Quilts for Valor Foundation, and with each stitch, it seems, they draw closer to one another. It’s a sweet story, and will leave you with a smile!


“Wrapped Up in Christmas Hope” by Janice Lynn:

Morgan’s late husband was a daredevil…and now she’s a widowed single mom. All she wants now is to set up a stable life for herself and her son in the small town of Pine Hill, Kentucky.

Andrew’s a firefighter who thrives on the rush of saving others. His secret dream is to become a smokejumper and fight raging wildfires across the country. But it’ll mean leaving his hometown and the people who rely on him.

Morgan and Andrew are drawn together as they both volunteer to make quilts for veterans at the local quilt shop. Morgan’s son looks up to Andrew, and Morgan can’t help but notice how good Andrew is with him. Meanwhile, Andrew’s torn between his ambition and his growing attraction to Morgan. They both have choices to make about their future…and about each other.





Loving the story? Try this delish Lemon Chicken Scaloppini recipe to keep the magic going…

Lemon Chicken Scaloppini 

 

Yield: 6

Lemon Chicken Scaloppini

Lemon Chicken Scaloppini

This succulent chicken dish is a big winner…and anyone you serve it to will be just as impressed with the lemony flavors paired with capers and some white wine in the sauce.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • ½ cup butter
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • ¼ cup white wine
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons capers, drained
  • 1 lemon, sliced very thin
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • ½ cup parsley, finely chopped

Instructions

  1. Place chicken breasts on cutting board and slice in half horizontally, forming 8 thin filets
  2. Place each chicken filet between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound until ¼inch thin.
  3. Combine flour and salt in shallow container. Dredge pounded chicken in seasoned flour; shake off excess flour.
  4. Heat butter and oil in large skillet. Working in several small batches, sauté chicken for 5 minutes over medium heat, turning once.
  5. Add white wine and chicken broth. Simmer until the liquid is reduced by half.
  6. Add lemon pieces and capers.
  7. Season to taste; garnish with parsley.
© Brett

 

 




About Author Janice Lynn:


Author Janice Lynn loves to spin a tale that puts a smile on her reader’s lips and a tear in their eye as they travel along her characters’ journey to happy ever after. Her favorite read is one with a strong heroine who is able to laugh at herself and a hero who appreciates the heroine’s strengths and imperfections.

Janice’s books have won numerous awards including the National Readers’ Choice Award and the American Title, but she is most proud of her seven children. From actor, engineer, nurse, student, to Army National Guard, they are her greatest accomplishments.

Janice lives in Tennessee with her family, her vivid imagination, lots of crafting and quilting supplies, and numerous unnamed dust bunnies.

About Hallmark Publishing:



Now, you have even more ways to relax and indulge in a Hallmark story. The kinds of heartwarming romances and intriguing mysteries you love are now available as books! In addition to companion novels to beloved Hallmark movies, you’ll discover brand-new novels to brighten your day and leave you feeling good about life. With the same attention to storytelling that goes into every Hallmark movie, we’ll bring you new characters, relationships, romances, and intriguing mysteries. And each book includes an original recipe inspired by the story!

GIVEAWAY:


(1) One winner will receive a copy of Mistletoe in Juneau + $25 Visa Gift Card + (1) Hallmark Channel Wine Gift Card

 

 

About Brett

I'm a 40 something lifestyle blogger living in Connecticut with my husband and our 3 kids, plus our two rescue pups. We love to hike, travel, play games, watch movies, and just be outside together! Having 3 active kids makes for a hectic schedule and I try to share content, recipes and other things that can help to make today's busy family life simpler, easier, or just plain more fun!

I started working full time at a local middle school in fall 2021 and some of my students are insistent that I am mean.

Comments

  3. Laurajj says

    One of the best I think is The Christmas Shoes! Always makes me cry…but I have to watch every year!

  12. Cindy Merrill says

    My husband and I watch “A Christmas Carol” every year, it’s our holiday tradition. Patrick Steward was the best Scrooge thus far.

  15. Laurie Nykaza says

    I’m looking forward to decorating the house with my kids. We still can;t see anyone because of our health my child having a transplant.

  26. Carolsue says

    I am looking forward to seeing my grandson whom I haven’t seen for over a year because of Covid.

  37. neiddy ruiz says

    Looking forward to watching Hallmark Christmas movies with my girls, baking and enjoying yummy sweet treats and hot chocolate with them. Thank you for the chance to win!

  40. heather says

    We watch Rudolf every single year during the holidays I love it reminds me of when I was a child.

  41. Deborah G. says

    My sister and her daughter moved in with my family so I’m excited to spend Christmas with them!

  47. Cindy Merrill says

    My favorite Holiday Movie is a Christmas Carol- the version with George C. Scott was really good.

  51. Cindy Merrill says

    Downton Abbey ( The movie) had some lovely Christmas scenes- breathtaking decorations.

  58. Julie Wood says

    I love the movie Its a Wonderful like. I watch this movie every year during the Holiday season.

  62. Laurajj says

    I am looking forward to all the decorations and lights! We love decorating and its so fun to drive around and see all the beautiful lights and displays!

  68. Amy D says

    I love the classic Christmas movies like Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman. I watch them every year with my family.

  69. Amy D says

    I am most excited in baking gingerbread cookies with my daughters who are 6 and 8 years old. We also love making holiday crafts together and homeade cards for neighbors and family. I also love playing Santa and giving my daughters gifts and seeing their sweet faces.

  76. Julie Wood says

    One of my all time favorite Christmas movies is Miracle on 34th Street. That is the first movie that we watch every year!

  77. Julie Wood says

    I am looking forward to getting to see my sister and her kids this Christmas. I was not able to because of the lockdown.

  81. kelly tupick says

    I’m looking forward to spending time with family again, having a nice dinner and just having fun.

  86. Jackie says

    One of our favorite Christmas movies is a Christmas Story. We also love It’s a Wonderful Life.

  88. heather says

    My favorite holiday movie is National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and my favorite book is the bible.

  89. heather says

    I am looking forward to seeing old friends and family this holiday season and also baking for them all.

  92. Cindy Merrill says

    I look forward to an old fashioned Christmas this year, complete with a Roast Goose dinner.

  94. Tim says

    This Christmas and Thanksgiving will be more of a return to normal compared to last year. We didn’t have any family gatherings last year, and this year we are at least going to have a few.

Lets Connect

By Month

By Category

Amazon Associates

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. com and affiliated sites.

[instagram-feed id=”28999805″]

Skip to Recipe