by: Danielle Thorne
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance/Christmas Romance
Release Date: October 24, 2023
Publisher: Harlequin Love Inspired
Home for the holidays…
Or home for good?
Once upon a time, Ben Cooper left his hometown to follow his dreams of becoming a big-city doctor. Now he’s back to run his father’s clinic and spend Christmas with his daughter, not to fall for McKenzie Price, the woman who broke his heart. But when McKenzie steps in to help Ben reconnect with his little girl, and old sparks begin to ignite, will Ben give up city life for a second chance at love?
Love Inspired — Heartfelt stories that show that faith, forgiveness and hope have the power to lift spirits and change lives.
Blessed—and so thankful. Fall is my favorite season and my last single son just married this month, so life is good. I’m really looking forward to the holidays this year and having a new book out with a Christmas theme makes it even more exciting.
Please tell readers about your latest release, The Doctor’s Christmas Dilemma.
I’d love to! This story is my third standalone Love Inspired book set in the fictional town of Kudzu Creek. McKenzie Price has already been around during the series. She’s the friendly face at the Southern Fried Kudzu Café who loves cats, children, and books. Her parents aren’t a part of her life so she lives with her sister and niece and works hard for them rather than chasing her dream of owning a bookstore. But her dreams—and feelings—change when her best from high school returns home single—and more handsome than she remembered.
Tell us about Ben, McKenzie, and Ben’s daughter, Megan.
Ben was serious and studious growing up. McKenzie and he were best friends because he understood her dysfunctional family. While he was bullied for being the son of the local well-to-do doctor, it made him determined to leave town and succeed to prove to everyone he could make it on his own. A brief marriage in med school brought along his five-year-old daughter, Megan, but she’s been raised by his parents in Kudzu Creek and treats him like a stranger.
When I first read the blurb, I assumed this was a “true” second-chance romance. While this is a second-chance romance, McKenzie and Ben have never been a couple. Why did you choose to have them only be friends back in the day?
So many special relationships in our lives are true friendships, and occasionally, they lead to romance. This didn’t happen for McKenzie and Ben right away, although he had feelings for her. She didn’t return them when he asked her to consider going away to college with him, and the rejection drove a wedge between them that kept them apart until his return to help out his father and get to know his little girl.
McKenzie steps in to help Ben reconnect with Megan. Did you incorporate any of your favorite Christmastime activities to help these three heal and come together?
I was a band mom, so I attended many band concerts for my four boys. Shoutout to you trumpets, tuba, saxes, and trombone sections! I’ve always loved art, music, and dance performances during the holidays, especially with family and friends. I thought a little girl’s Christmas dance recital with her father would be a beautiful way to bring everyone together since McKenzie takes her niece to the same class Ben’s little girl attends.
Looking at your Harlequin books, they all involve children. Why do you like having kids in your stories?
In the end, I believe romance is about family. It’s the spark that lights the road for generations to come. My contemporary romances often feature children because they’re a real part of our lives and relationships. Many single women over eighteen have nieces, nephews, stepchildren, and even siblings they are helping raise if they aren’t already raising a little one of their own. Children bring innocence and sometimes epiphanies into our lives. Plus, as the mom of four boys and grandma of twin grandsons, I know they’re good for a chuckle.
What was your favorite part of the book to write and why?
My favorite part of writing every story is the first three chapters. I love meeting my characters, throwing a problem between them, and creating a setting they have to adjust to as they work through their issues. My favorite part of this story was writing in McKenzie’s new boss because he was so square and annoying I wanted to laugh and shake him at the same time. He was good entertainment. We all need people in our lives that teach us tolerance!
Finally, can you tell me about one of your favorite scenes and why it is your favorite?
Besides McKenzie’s discovery of Ben’s decision as to whether or not he will return to his big city career in Chicago, my favorite scene is with the elderly Ms. Olivia, who is featured in two of my other books. She is a witty, colorful character who wears a hairpiece and speaks her mind. When Ben must assist her in a critical moment, her tender counsel reminds him of the things that really matter in life—and they aren’t careers, salaries, or image. My favorite line is when she remarks on her physical pain: “If I didn’t hurt, I wouldn’t know I was alive.” We can’t live to our fullest potential if we always avoid getting hurt emotionally. It’s a part of growth. It’s a part of love. It’s a part of life.
Danielle, I have that line as one of my favorite lines from the book. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer some questions for me.
Thank you for having me and letting me share all about Kudzu Creek, and Ben and McKenzie’s happily ever after. Happy holidays!
Purchase The Doctor’s Christmas Dilemma from:
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📖 You can read my review of The Doctor’s Christmas Dilemma here. 📖
Connected Stories:
Danielle Thorne writes happily-ever-afters set in the South for Harlequin Love Inspired. A graduate of BYU-Idaho, she also writes stories about Regency ladies, pirates, and not-so-distressed damsels from her home south of Atlanta. Free time is filled with documentaries, too much yard work, and not enough travel. When not writing wholesome romances, Danielle hangs out with friends or chases cats. She enjoys the outdoors and serving in her church and community. Danielle’s been married to the same fellow for thirty years, and has four sons, four bonus daughters, and twin grandbabies.
Places to find Danielle Thorne:
You can follow The Doctor’s Christmas Dilemma Blog Tour here.
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