Visit Destiny for the Holidays …

The weather outside is frightful, but kisses by the fire are so delightful …

Sue Ann Simpkins is working hard to rebuild her life and find some holiday spirit. A weekend away from Destiny in a cabin on nearby Bear Lake seems like the perfect Christmas gift to herself—until her ex's best friend, Adam Becker, shows up at the door, claiming the cabin is his! And if that's not trouble enough, how had she never noticed how gorgeous he was?

Alone for the holidays and forced to play a reindeer at the local department store, Adam's been feeling rather Scrooge-ish himself. But finding the smart, sexy woman he's admired since elementary school waiting in the house he rented is helping to brighten his humbug mood. And when a sudden snowstorm strands them together in very close quarters, leading to one very hot night together, Adam soon realizes that what he really wants for Christmas is a second chance at love. Now all he has to do is convince Sue Ann…

I knew when I decided to give Sue Ann her own story in the Destiny series that many readers would be surprised – and maybe even upset – given that in previous books I portrayed her as having the perfect marriage to the perfect man. But I gave Sue Ann a book for two reasons, one practical and one artistic. The practical reason is that when I created Sue Ann as a secondary character in One Reckless Summer, I had no idea that book would be the start of an ongoing series. And as the series developed, Sue Ann became such an integral part of the group of girlfriends the series is centered around – and so popular with readers – that it just made sense to give her a story. The artistic reason is that I knew it would be a tough novel to write and as a writer, I like to take on difficult topics and keep challenging myself. And given how many marriages end in divorce these days, it felt important to show that someone can go from the depths of despair during an unhappy divorce to finding true, lasting love and happiness again.

To focus on a more fun and light-hearted aspect of the book, I totally loved writing a Christmas-themed romance. In the romance genre, Christmas books are almost iconic in a way, and I've always wanted to write one. From falling snow to sleigh rides to Christmas cookies, I completely enjoyed creating an idyllic Christmas setting within the pages of this book. And let's just say that the concept of reindeer took on a life of its own before all was said and done – you'll see what I mean when you read it.

My greatest hope for this book overall is that readers will find lots of Christmas magic on Holly Lane!

"Blake balances cinematic imagery (a live reindeer in the backyard) with silliness (Adam in a reindeer suit inviting Sue Ann to play "reindeer games") while tugging on readers' heartstrings like a virtuoso harpist." ~Publishers Weekly

"Blake does it again with a Christmas tale that will make your spirit joyful. It's a compelling read with a little depth. The realistic characters make the story a treat and the small-town feel creates an intimate reading experience. You'll be glad you took another trip to Destiny." ~Romantic Times, 4 STARS

"Toni Blake's Destiny series has been a joy, and the latest tale adds to the string of successes. Adam and Sue Ann are well-drawn, realistic characters. Sue Ann's dance of distrust, in particular, is absolutely understandable and believable. The love scenes are thrillingly hot, and the Christmas season frames the tale perfectly." ~Heather Nordahl Files, Affaire de Coeur Magazine, 4 ½ STARS

"The characters are a joy to get to know, and all the residents of Destiny are back to lend their voices to this contemporary romance that will leave you all warm and fuzzy inside!" ~Sharon Galligar Chance, Fresh Fiction

"A truly wonderful tale! A fun, sexy, and uplifting book!" ~Patti Fischer, Romance Reviews Today

"(The first) sex scene is easily one of the most poignant I've read in years, and it's hot too. This book worked because Sue Ann and Adam seem like real people having a real romance. Toni Blake captures the nervousness, sexiness, and poignancy … in a way that's completely pitch perfect." ~Blythe Barnhill, All About Romance

"A delicious read, HOLLY LANE, the fourth novel in gifted author Toni Blake's DESTINY series, is a passionate and touching contemporary romance. Fresh, exciting, (and) unforgettable." ~Romance Junkies, 5 BLUE RIBBONS

"Fresh and fun. A good book and a good series that I highly recommend." ~Canterbury Bell, LASR Reviews, 4 BOOKS

"Holly Lane is the kind of wonderful, complex romance we've come to expect from Ms. Blake. The characters are human, their flaws - open and raw - are mended by love. A perfect read for any time of year, may it find its way into your heart this holiday season." ~Donna Pinto, Bookishly Attentive


"Holly Lane is one of my top books of 2011, as well as all time. It is full of emotions, healing, adorable Holiday stuff and a Christmas morning scene that made me bawl like a baby." ~Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews, 5 STARS

Holly Lane ~ Selected Excerpt

Sue Ann trudged through the department store, feet tired, shopping bags in hand, and the spirit of Christmas nowhere to be found despite – or maybe because of – the sound of "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" echoing through loudspeakers overhead.

Oh God, it was only the day after Thanksgiving – she had a whole month of this private hell to go. Or a lifetime, depending upon which particular private hell she chose to focus on. The private hell of this first Christmas without Jeff would last a month, but the private hell of losing her husband and their life together would keep right on lingering.

One day at a time. Just take one day at a time. That was the advice in the divorce self-help guide her bookstore-owner friend, Amy, had foisted on her. And the truth was, it was a simple but good rule to live by during tough times. So she resolved not to look ahead to all the potential problems she'd face in the future, and not to even let herself anticipate all the awkward, sad moments she would experience at holiday events in the coming weeks – just get through today. Finish your shopping, then get the hell out of Dodge.

Dodge, in this case, was her hometown of Destiny, Ohio, where she'd been born and raised and had lovingly refurbished a big Victorian house with Jeff on Holly Lane, just a few blocks from town square – a house that suddenly felt much emptier since he'd left nearly six months ago. So now she was escaping the house and everything else, just for the weekend – she'd rented a cabin on nearby Bear Lake to sort of just … collect herself, center herself, and gear up for the coming holiday season.

To her surprise, she'd learned that even in a small town where everyone knew you, it was possible to keep a low profile if you tried. Somewhat, anyway. And that was exactly what she'd instinctively done since Jeff's departure. But Christmastime brought invitations to all sorts of parties and events, and she had a child whose happiness meant the world to her – and all things considered, she knew it was time to face her loss and start living her life again, as best she could. Whether she felt ready for it or not.

It was her friend, Tessa, who'd suggested the cabin for Thanksgiving weekend – and Jenny and Amy, as well as their other friend, Rachel, had all thought it sounded like a good idea. Tessa had actually bought a cabin out in the woods when she'd been looking for some peace, and not only had she found it – she'd also inadvertently stumbled across the love of her life there, as well. And though a man was the last thing Sue Ann sought, the peace and solace sounded good. Like one final retreat inside her sorrows, and a time to gather enough courage to break out of this lonely shell she'd built around herself.

She headed for the department store's side door, thinking of the cooler full of Thanksgiving leftovers in the trunk of her car just outside. She was already in Crestview, the larger nearby town where Destiny-ites came for any significant retail needs, and Bear Lake wasn't far away. She'd also tossed Christmas cards and her real estate study guide in the car, too, just in case she got in the mood for such tasks. But mostly, her plan was to relax. Read a book. Sit by the fire. Maybe bundle up and take a walk outside to enjoy the scenery.

And perhaps it was all just some grand test she was giving herself – maybe she thought a woman who could enjoy a weekend alone in a cabin was a woman who was stronger than she'd felt these last months. But whether it was about relaxing, or gathering courage, or proving something to herself, she was ready to make her way to the lake and leave all the shoppers, music, and early holiday stress behind. Quiet cabin, here I come.

"Hi."

The deep male voice had come from somewhere nearby – but she was the only person currently in this part of the store. Taken aback, she stopped, looked around, and wondered if she was losing her mind.

And she was just about to continue on her way – when she heard it again. "Over here." It made her flinch. Then look around once more. And this time her eyes caught on a wooden structure to one side of the store aisle – with a life-size fake furry reindeer head protruding from it.

"What's wrong?" The reindeer's mouth moved as it spoke and its head even tilted pointedly, as if challenging her. "Haven't you ever talked to a reindeer before?"

Oh brother, this felt weird. Because someone was in there who she couldn't see, but he could see her. It didn't seem quite fair and left her feeling oddly intimidated. "Um … no," she finally said. Quietly. Because she didn't really want to be seen conversing with a reindeer.

"I mostly talk to kids," the reindeer said.

"Then … um … how did I get so lucky?"

"Because you're pretty."

"Oh." Dear God, was she blushing? Because a reindeer had told her she was pretty? She felt like an idiot. And yet … still oddly flattered. She hadn't felt anything remotely close to pretty in a long time.

"And I'm supposed to tell you the Cub Scouts are doing free gift wrapping by the Customer Service desk," the reindeer added. "I'd help them, but when it comes to scissors and tape, I'm all hooves."

"I see," Sue Ann replied, unwittingly amused but still wary. "Well, I'm on my way out."

"My loss," said the reindeer.

Which made Sue Ann blink, then pull in her breath. This was ridiculous. A reindeer was making her blush.

"Wanna come back to my stable for awhile?" he asked then – and this time she had to stifle a laugh. "We could have an eggnog or two. Then maybe, you know, play some reindeer games."

Her cheeks heated up all over again. Over reindeer games? Or was it that the reindeer's antlers now slanted at a jaunty angle that somehow actually felt suggestive? – even though that made no sense at all. And she wanted to be offended that the reindeer was being so forward – but she couldn't. Because he was funny. And sounded cute. And was making her feel … like a woman, a desirable woman, for the first time since Jeff had announced he'd fallen out of love with her.

"That's, um, flattering," she finally said, unable to hide a small smile now, "but I really have to go."

"You'd break a poor reindeer's heart? At Christmastime?"

She tilted her head and couldn't believe she was still having a conversation with a fake deer. "I'm sure some cute doe will catch your eye when you get back to the North Pole."

The reindeer actually managed to shrug, as if to say: Maybe, maybe not.

And Sue Ann tried to suppress a grin as she turned to go.

"Merry Christmas," called the reindeer.

"You, too," she said with a last glance in his direction, then headed for the door. She was still eager to get out of the store, away from the music, away from the crowds, away from everything.

But as silly as it seemed, that reindeer had made her day.

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