A compelling and emotional romance, KEEP ME WARM AT CHRISTMAS by Brenda Novak is the perfect read to cosy up with this holiday season.

Tia Beckett had the world at her feet but when a tragic accident leaves her scarred, she craves solitude and anonymity to recover. When her producer offers her their secluded home in Silver Springs, it seems like the perfect solution. But life is never quite that simple and Tia soon finds herself with a roommate in the form of artist, Seth Turner. Seth, who is dealing with his own trauma after the death of his wife, didn't expect to find an A-list celebrity in his midst. He is here to help out some troubled teens at the nearby ranch and doesn't need any more complications in his life. But as Seth and Tia become closer, could they help each other figure out what they want from their future, and could it possibly be together?

A beautiful setting and two characters who really burrow into your heart, and KEEP ME WARM AT CHRISTMAS hits just the perfect note for a holiday romance. Tia is struggling with the change in her appearance and how the world will react and treat her, while Seth is deeply scarred from the loss of his wife and how he is expected to live his life from now on. But together you can see them help each other figure things out one step at a time, and it was a pleasure to watch.

KEEP ME WARM AT CHRISTMAS by Brenda Novak is a heartwarming, moving story of new beginnings, and I highly recommend it to all romance readers.

Tia Beckett had it all. A holiday career she dreamed of. Made famous in Hollywood. However, she had a fatal car accident that left terrible scars on her face. She is hiding away from everyone, especially the paparazzi. She has found a place to hide away and is glad to be alone. Well, that didn't last long. She discovers that someone else has booked a place at the estate where she is now staying.

Seth Turner is missing his wife. It is coming up on the anniversay of her death and the pain still cuts him like a knife. He is an artist and has agreed to teach art classes at a boys ranch. Seth discovers that he has a roommate for the duration. She is an enigmatic woman and Seth cannot help to be drawn to her. However, he soon finds his growing attraction to Tia rather disturbing, as he is still fighting his feelings for his wife.

Tia is drawn to Seth, and even learns how to deal with her scars and possibly open herself for the opportunity for love. How will Seth deal with what she finds to be terrible, and how will she find a place in his heart when he still loves his wife?

What a touching story. Oh my. I felt for both Tia and Seth. For Tia, her pain was palpable. Her fear about her appearance. especially when beauty means everything in Hollywood. What about Seth? She cannot imagine him looking past her scars.

I felt for Seth as well. His love for his wife after losing her was just so sad. But his strength of character shone through time and again. Not only was he coping with feelings of loss and trying to give himself a chance for love, the fact that he was able to see past Tia's scars was just so incredibly touching.

Brenda Novak is a remarkable author and this book was a true delight. I found it an excellent read as a standalone since I had not read the previous books, but I plan on correcting that as soon as possible.

Many thanks to Mira Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

A Hollywood starlet is still recovering from a major car accident that scarred her face, Tia Beckett is secluding herself from everyone in the home of a producer while he is away for the holidays. She will be helping take care of his parrot and is hoping for a quiet holiday season as she decides what she wants to do next, but it may be not be as quiet as she hoped. As artist Seth Turner is also hoping to take up residence during the holidays in this producer's home and create some art and prep to help his adoptive mother with art lessons at her school.

This book was a different behind the scenes of Hollywood life. I appreciated the raw realness of Tia as she was dealing with the affects of her accident and how that would impact her career and her life. I love a good behind the scenes book and I appreciated reading about how she was hiding in a home and the pursuit of a picture by a paparazzi. Seth Turner was also a great character, an artist with a complicated past of his own and still dealing with the death of his wife and a rough relationship with the former in-laws. Their love story had great ups and downs and I enjoyed the journey in this one.

Now this is defined as a holiday romance, but for me this one didn't have enough of the Christmas cheer. There were a few scenes with some holidays in them, but I like my holiday romances to be stock full of holiday cheer from beginning to end!

Last Christmas I read Brenda Novak's A California Christmas (my review is here), the seventh book in her Silver Springs series and was pleased to see we return to Silver Springs again this Christmas for Keep Me Warm at Christmas.

Tia Bennett is a young actress recovering from a terrible car accident that left her face disfigured. She is recuperating at the home of Maxi, the producer of her breakout film, which has just been released and is garnering Oscar buzz for Tia and the movie.

The paparazzi swarmed her Los Angeles condo, so Tia takes Maxi up on his offer to hide out at in the guest house of his gated home in the small town of Silver Springs. All she has to do is feed and care for his pet parrot while is he out of the country.

While Tia is severely depressed about her situation, she discovers that Maxi has also invited Seth, a reknowned artist and sculptor, to stay in the main house. Seth is still mourning the loss of his young wife three years ago. He grew up in Silver Springs, one of many young boys adopted by Aiyana, the woman who runs a school for troubled teens.

Seth is back to teach an art class Aiyana's school. While he loves Aiyana, he is still troubled by his past. His birth mother gave him and his two brothers up, and later reclaimed his older and young brother but not him. As a young teen, Seth had problems with the law, but straightened his life out.

After Seth sees how depressed Tia is, he becomes determined to reach out to her. He cooks for her, encourages her to exercise, and when a paparazzi comes looking for her, Seth protects her.

Tia and Seth are both going through difficult times. Tia fears her burgeoning career is over, and her Mennonite family is pressuring her to come home to Iowa. Seth is missing his wife and dealing with his in-laws who see him as only an ATM. Can they bring each other out of the depths of their sadness?

Keep Me Warm at Christmas is about forgiveness. Seth has to decide if he can forgive his birth family and in-laws, Tia has to work on forgiving her family, and Tia has to think about forgiving Seth for something he says that hurts her deeply.

We learn a little bit about the Mennonite religion in this novel, something I found interesting as I don't know much about the relgion. We don't see much of Aiyana and her family as we did in the last book, this one really revolves around Tia and Seth. I hope to revisit Silver Springs again next Christmas and see more of Aiyana and her family.

I love it when an author takes me on an emotional journey and that's certainly what I experienced in this book. Seth and Tia are both complex, layered characters, each with deep emotional wounds and in Tia's case, a physical one as well. I enjoyed how the author skillfully, but gradually, moved them forward toward healing while also creating a friendship between them that gradually deepened into more. The various threads interwoven throughout the book added texture to the personal stories as well as a bit of a mystery that heightened my connection to the characters and my investment in their lives. I enjoy being surprised by both a book's characters as well as their journeys and I'm happy to say the author accomplished both in this instance. Those twists (and there were more than a few) kept me flipping pages, unsure in which direction the story might turn around the next corner, and happily celebrating the hard-won conclusion when it arrived.

Keep Me Warm at Christmas is the ninth book in Brenda Novak's Silver Springs series. There are a few characters from previous books that have key roles in this one but readers new to the series should have no problem enjoying this new book on its own.

*ARC received via NetGalley for fair and unbiased review

When I started reading this book I had no clue it was the 10th in a series. Brenda wrote the book so well that it read as if it was a stand-alone story even though we met many of the characters from previous books. With that said I really loved this book.

When we first meet Tia she is recovering from a terrible accident. An accident changed the course of her life completely and I felt for her. Then in walked Seth.

At first, Seth comes across as slightly arrogant but we quickly realize he to is healing from a tragedy of his past.

Together Tia and Seth begin to heal and live again.

The story of Tia and Seth isn't just a love story but a story of trust, healing, love, friendship, and the ability to find joy and happiness again when you feel you have lost everything.

Brenda created a story so completing that I was swept into the lives of these characters. I am excited to go back to the beginning the read more about the people of Silver Springs.

Tia Beckett is a Hollywood starlet whose career was just beginning to soar when she was involved in a devastating car accident, leaving her face scarred, maybe permanently. She retreats to her producer’s secluded guest house at his home in Silver Springs to recover emotionally and avoid the paparazzi. Unfortunately, her producer has also opened up the main house to another friend, artist Seth Turner. He’s home for Christmas and to teach a workshop for students at New Horizons, his mother’s school for troubled teens. Seth has his issues, too, as he’s still dealing with the loss of his wife who died a few years ago. Both of them have to find a way to coexist in the meantime.

This is a rather poignant story where two people are trying to find their way out of personal suffering. There are times when Seth gives Tia needed support in the moment to lift her out of self isolation and occasions when she offers him a shoulder and ear for his issues. It felt like destiny at times without being overly predictable. They both had their flaws but had good hearts with the best of intentions. I liked them individually and as the eventual couple they evolved into.

The story isn’t without conflicts as Tia’s privacy is threatened by a paparazzo looking for that one picture to reveal her injuries. Seth is also dealing with difficulties involving his former in-laws. It just made for a more compelling story without detracting from the loveliness of the burgeoning relationship, the spirit of the season and the sense of community. I love returning to this town and this was a wonderful addition. I listened to the story and the narrator is the voice of the series. Her storytelling skills enhance the experience and I liked her characterizations of Seth and Tia. I’ll always opt for the audio version because of her performance.

What do you o with loss. Especially lose that changes your career path. Tia and Seth have both experienced loss and getting together is just not in the books. I loved had Tia finally choose how to expose her loss. Now Seth just has to wise up. If he does I see a HEA fo both.

Love Brenda Novak! Her writing style is so warm and inviting and this story is no different. Her characters are real, relatable and I love the complex relationships.

What an amazing story Brenda wrote right here! 5 holiday stars for this one!
Tia finally got her big break in Hollywood and became a star in a movie, her dream had come true after years of hard work, only to have it all taken away when she's in a car accident that scared her face so badly, she never wants to be seen again. When her friend offers her his guest house for the holidays while he's away, she jumps at the chance to get away from the photographers trying to get a photo of what she looks like after the accident. She'll be living there and going into his main home to take care of his bird. So the last thing she expects is to see a man, Seth, who will also be staying in the main house. How can she feed the bird now, she doesn't want anyone to see her.
Seth needed a get away, and to be home in Silver Springs for the holidays, so when he arrives at his friends home and finds Tia, hiding behind bandages, he sees that she's damaged and feels the need to help her through this, even though he's fighting his own battles after losing his wife three years ago.
These two form a bond, helping to heal each other, but can Seth ever be healed after losing the love of his life? Can he ever trust love again? Read along and enjoy their story!

I adore Brenda Novak’s Silver Springs series and the latest installment Keep Me Warm at Christmas is one of my top favorite holiday reads I’ve read in a long time! Centering around Tia Beckett, who is a up-and-coming Hollywood superstar who has found her self in need of solitude after suffering a face altering accident. When her friend allows her to seek refuge in their guest house while they are out of town, Tia jumps at the opportunity! It was exactly what she had anticipated, that is until she discovers the main house will be occupied by Seth Turner! Seth is an incredibly successful and talented artist…who is also incredibly good looking! Seth has is own trauma he’s recovering from, but his kind heart sees Tia as a person in true need of a friend. It was from this point that I knew I wouldn’t get sleep until I read what Brenda Novak had in store for these two!

What a great holiday novel! Truth be told, this novel would be perfect to read any time of the year, but it really put me in the Christmas spirit! I love the entire cast of characters and Silver Springs, California is town I so badly wish was real because I want to visit (or move to lol)! Keep Me Warm at Christmas is a 5 star book that I really enjoyed! As per usual, when I finish a Silver Springs novel, I always look forward to more!

A good and compelling Christmas story, a bit darker than the rest and quite enjoyable.
There's plenty of emotions, drama, flawed characters and a lovely setting.
I liked the characters and liked how their relationship evolves.
Fleshed out characters, lovely setting.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This is not a typical light-hearted romance because there are some deep themes in this novel that are thought-provoking. Tia is a Hollywood rising star who has just finished a film when she is in a horrible accident that scars her face. Fleeing to Silver Springs, she finds refuge in a friends guest house at his secluded mansion, caring for his parrot and hiding from the world. Maxi, her good friend and benefactor, has also offered the use of his estate to world-renowned artist Seth. The clash between the two at first lent humor to the story. Seth is also suffering from the loss of his beloved wife Shiloh, so the two do have suffering in common, but other than that, they just agree to stay apart. The story is a familiar one in which they eventually discover respect and compassion for each other and ultimately love. But how they get there is an amazing, multi-layered story. The plot is well written and intricately designed around the town of Silver Springs and familiar characters from previous books in the series. I really enjoyed the character of Aiyana, Seth’s adoptive mom, who is as wise as she is kind and generous. Of course, I also enjoyed getting to know Tia and Seth, both of whom need to come to grips with a bad hand that the past has dealt them in order to move on into the future. That is a recurring theme here and a lesson to take from the novel. Family relationships is also an important theme in this book, both betrayals from the past and establishing new relationships for the future. Finally, there is the theme of being able to trust those around you, the ones whom you hold close. With all of these layers and complex, well-developed characters, this book delivered a romance for the ages, with heartfelt desire and the real need to find a lasting connection. I loved this book and truly did not want it to end, especially since it is the culmination of such a wonderful series. However, the story that was told here and the characters that were introduced were a perfect ending to the love story that is Silver Springs. Although this is definitely part of a series, it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I also purchased my own autographed copy from the author’s store online. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

A great story about healing but that ending was way too fast.
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There is just something about Christmas stories that brings out the best in you. They make you smile and the feeling of warmth and family wraps you up and cocoons you. Novak is just the author to bring that feel-good story to the masses.

These two characters were so perfect for each other. I love how they balanced out their hurts and pains, then developed a beautiful story together. Once Tia came out of her shell, the story took off. Seth was a sweetheart and so in-tune with her needs, even when she didn’t realize it.

Novak brings in a bit of family time with some of the characters from Silver Spring that you may have read before. They are easily developed into the book and definitely not a requirement to read any prior books before this one.

Keep Me Warm at Christmas is balanced just right with the romance angle and family ties to create a refreshing story that leaves us with a happy ending and a happy heart. I just wish that ending did not come so quickly! I needed more of their together time! Give us an epilogue, please!

Heartwarming and wholly satisfying!

"Everyone has scars, Tia. Some are just more visible than others."
I really enjoyed this story of two individuals who are hurting and just want to be left alone. It has some family drama, challenges to overcome, healing, romance, and a second chance at life. The characters are believable and I was rooting for them. The author did a wonderful job of progressing their relationship. What I liked was that Tia’s accident was a mistake on her part; in a lot of books, a character that has something bad happen to them often is due to someone else. This was different and showed a human side to the character. Well done!
(Reviewed October 12, 2021)
ARC received from publisher via Netgalley
Purchased copy via monthly Brenda Novak Book Box subscription

Tia is a star who was in an accident just when she could've been big she got into an accident that left her scarred. There is no way she can go back to her old life so when her producer gives her an offer of house sitting for him in the guest house and take care of his pet she accepted that. Alone while she licks her wounds sounded like a great idea until she finds at the producer artist friend is staying in the main house as well. Both have wounds that are still healing and they maybe spending time there for Christmas might as well do it together.

This was an interesting book, didn't even feel that long I kinda jumped it and hours later finished this book as quickly as I started it. There was plenty going on that there was never a dull moment. I mean Tia is a start who was in an accidently clearly there are going to be people looking for her so it was a question of how that would turn out. She was also dealing with confidence issues, I mean she was great looking and now has to deal with a different look and knowing her career maybe over and looks are everything in her line of work. It was interesting getting to know her characters and why she didn't just go back to her parents or something else. Then there was Seth still dealing with the death of his wife and his struggling relationship with her parents. Seths past wasn't peaches and cream and you can see there was so much more to him and you can't help want something good to go for him for a change. I loved seeing that romance form between the two and how they were able to be there as a support and it was just a sweet book overall. But if you are here for the holiday spirit there was very little of the holidays, I mean it was set during that time but doesn't scream holiday but if you are looking for a good romance then pick this book out.

Tia Beckett is the next big Hollywood star until an accident turns her life upside down. She’s left with an life changing facial scar and what she assumes is the end of her career. She’s hiding from the world in her friends guest house until a unexpected visitor shows up. Seth Turner is in town for his new job and is staying at his friends house but doesn’t know about Tia. Their worlds collide and they have to learn to coexist for the holidays. I really loved Keep Me Warm at Christmas! It’s everything you want in a holiday romance!

I always enjoy my visits to Silver Springs. This is a series that has recurring characters, but I have had no issues reading this series out of order. This is the newest book in the series and it is a great Christmas romance. Hollywood starlet Tia Beckett just finished her first movie when she had a serious car accident. It left her face with terrible scars and she is in hiding. She is staying at her producer's estate in Silver Springs to housesit and look after his parrot. What she was not expecting was another person sharing the estate over the holidays. Artist Seth Turner is also trying to keep a low profile after returning to Silver Springs. His wife died shortly after their marriage and not only is he still grieving her, but her parents blame him for her death. With paparazzi skulking around and a the two of them being kindred spirits, they become friends and maybe just a little bit more.

This was a quick and enjoyable read. There is a Christmas setting, some family drama, baggage carried by both characters/tragedies to overcome, and of course romance. I liked both Tia and Seth. They are flawed, but still generous, caring and kind. There is a bit of tension between them at the beginning and I enjoyed watching that relationship change and grow throughout the story. They were relatable wit realistic emotions and actions. The secondary characters were relatively well developed. There were some I liked and others who played the parts of adversaries. Overall, this was a delightful Christmassy story with romance and a happy ending.

It's Christmastime in Silver Springs. Seth Taylor, a talented artist and one of Aiyana's sons is staying at the home of his biggest benefactor and a Hollywood producer. It's a tough time of year for him because his wife died just three years earlier and now his former in-laws need another financial bailout. Also staying on the grounds in the guest house is a young actress with one hit movie before an accident ended her dream of more roles. Her face was disfigured and now she fears the paparazzi who want the first pic of her. With challenges like those Seth and Tia try to find the courage to envision a new future. It's definitely not a Hallmark type Christmas story and I'm okay with that. There's a grittier feel to the Silver Springs series and yet Brenda Novak always makes me care about her characters. Keep Me Warm at Christmas is another good book in the series! It can stand alone but I'm glad I got in with book 1.

I enjoyed this book and thought it had a very unique storyline for a Christmas-themed book. The story was good and I thought the romance aspect of the story was well written. I would definitely read this author again. I was happy to receive the ARC version for free for my honest review. I do wish that the publisher offered it in a format other than the pdf, that makes it very hard to read on your mobile device. I would recommend this book.