Promotional graphic for a standalone novella featuring Christmas-themed elements.

A Coastal Holiday Short

$2.99

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Caleb & Carmen

Book Type: eBook

eBook

Product variants

Later in Life • Librarian & Wounded Veteran • Christmas Party • Short & Sweet

Complete the Series

A Coastal Holiday Short

eBook

$2.99

About the Book

It's never too late for a second chance at happily ever after...

Librarian Carmen McGinley believed her chance at a happy ending passed her by when her beloved husband died suddenly.

Years later, when a former Army medic walks through the door of her library, she's captivated by his kindness.

Unfortunately, he lost someone too, and the walls he's built around his heart are solid as stone.

An unforgettable Christmas party will change everything between these two...but will it lead to love? Or more heartbreak?

Catch up with the residents of Hope Springs in this short Christmas novella set in the Coastal Hope world.

Note: This was previously titled "A Coastal Christmas".

Book Club must read!

I absolutely loved this book (and the entire Coastal Hope series). I chose this book for my pick in book club and everyone loved it! It gives Nicholas Sparks "Safe Haven" vibes and had so much action that I think my husband will enjoy it.

This book stirred up some great conversation for book club. I love how it asked the question that is so often asked of us as christians.... if God is real, why do bad things happen to good people? We talked about how God doesn't let you down, people do (Lance's words). It opened up the door for great conversation and gave great perspective for those who are asking the hard questions.

This book is filled with swoony romance (but no spice!) and so much suspense. The girls in book club were happy to learn there are options for Christian women wanting the romance without compromise. I highly recommend this book to all!!

Hi, Staci! Thank you so much for your kind words! I am so happy that your book club enjoyed the book!

Amazing series

I have read Coastal Hope series and The Hunt Brothers Search & Rescue series. I think I have read all of Jessica’s paperback books with the exception of the ebooks. I am old fashion! I love the way she writes, her characters and the clean Christian storyline. Many times I have stayed up well into the night reading because I can not put the book down. She has become one of my favorite authors and I look forward to her next publications! Thank you Jessica

Once I get started...

I can't put it down. The story thrills and captivates me. There is no good place to stop. (sombody might get killed while I'm not reading) I enjoyed this book so much. Thank you.

Emotionally beautiful

Jessica Ashley always I mean ALWAYS gets me with her emotion in the books she writes. As someone who loves emotional reads I couldn’t put this book down. I wasn’t ready for it to be over.

Great book

One of my favorites. I cried, laughed and was on the edge of my seat. This book reminds us to not let emotions get the best of us and to listen to the other person. Sometimes we make decisions on what we think best. One of my favorite part of this book was when Reyna talks to Michael Dad.

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Amazing!

I loved everything about this book! There was lots of action and danger, character development, faith woven throughout and some sneaky twists. I was looking forward to this book and it did not disappoint!

Friendship, Love, and Faith- Coming Full Circle

Sawyer and Anastasia are amazing characters living life in a real way. This is not only a 5-star book, but also a book that I will re-read, no question.

When it first started the book there was a difficult situation with the two main characters- a misunderstanding, a failure to communicate, hurt feelings. So many books drag out this kind of thing for chapters and chapters so I was dreading that. BUT imagine my surprise and my sheer delight when these two people handled their problem in a timely manner with maturity and actually talked to each other in a real, honest way. Just like I would have done. No unnecessary angst or continuing hurt, but rather humble honesty and real resolution so they could move forward into their story in a believable way. Because they did this, the focus of the story was not on an unnecessary drama, but rather how they moved forward and faced the challenges ahead. This was so completely refreshing, and I have to say I loved that because it set me up for really engaging with the story.

Jessica wrote both main characters in such a way we get a real picture of how they think, how they feel, and why. Each have difficult things to deal with, but they deal with them by relying on faith, relationships, and realistic expectations. All of these things combined make Sawyer and Anastasia a joy to read about and my favorite characters in this series. (If you can’t tell, I love character driven stories.)

The characters were engaging but so was the story. No spoilers here, but I honestly did not know “who did it” until very close to the end. I didn’t see it coming and I was shocked! Jessica wrote a great mystery/ suspense!

A favorite thing about this story- and so many others in the Jessica Ashley universe- is Sawyer and Anastasia are not perfect, nor are they unrealistic in any way. I can relate to many of their feelings and actions. I can relate to wrestling with the Lord and struggling with faith.

Other things about the book: The “Note from the Author” section is always something I look forward to, and it did not disappoint. So much good stuff there. And lastly, the dedication brings tears to my eyes: “To those who have fought their way back to God. And to those who wage war on their knees. WE WILL NOT FEAR.” Amen!

SEAL of Courage

Oh, Anastasia and Sawyer – so much pain. I love Sawyer. He is such a great human being. And, Anastasia is a beautiful woman. Both are great, but let their past keep them guarded and cautious. When Sawyer finally realizes he should’ve gone after Anastasia, he thinks it’s too late. They are beautiful together and the path towards each other when they open up to the potential to be more than friends and finally allow themselves to grow even closer is a heartrending journey. They both have a great support team around them and as danger closes in, their team rallies around them. Sawyer has struggled with his faith, but Zane helped him find his way back to the church.
“He [Zane] taught me about faith, about the love the Lord has for us, and I started to understand that God isn’t the one causing us pain – it’s us. We hurt each other.”
When they go off grid to keep Anastasia safe, Sawyer is the one that reminds her God is still present and He will help them through this. This story is a beautiful, painful journey as they find their way towards each other.

Seal of Courage

Seal of Courage follows the story of Sawyer and Anastasia. Sawyer has loved Anastasia for years, but stayed away until she finds herself in danger. Nothing will stop him from keeping her safe.

I have been dying for Sawyer and Anastasia's story since Seal of Honor and it was worth the wait. While friends to more is usually one of my least favorite tropes, their story was basically perfect. Jessica never shies away from tough topics, but always handles them with care and sensitivity. I loved this book and can't wait for the next.

Usually I‘m not the biggest fan of friends to lovers, but goodness did this book hit me, it just pulled me right in!
Seal of Courage is the third book in an incredible series and is about Anastasia and Sawyer, two best friends, navigating their path to love through obstacles like past and present hurt, trauma, mistakes and a whole lot danger.

Sawyer and Anastasia are literally made for each other, their chemistry is insane and they are both so beautifully written, coming to life in such a captivating and picturesque way, one can‘t help but fall for them.
But aside from the “obvious“ romance part in the book, the suspense is gripping and doesn‘t let you put it down. To be honest when I was done I picked it up again right away, you just can‘t get enough of them!

Also I must admit, the foreword alone had me in tears!
Once again, I feel incredibly blessed and grateful to have received this ARC!!

A Coastal Holiday Short

About the Book

It's never too late for a second chance at happily ever after...

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