REVIEW: The Hallmark Sequel "Haul Out the Holly: Lit Up" Is as Silly as the First One

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Emily and Jared are looking forward to celebrating the holidays together as a couple, and they prepare to work with their neighbors on Evergreen Lane to make this year's Christmas celebrations the best yet.  When a house on the block goes up for sale, the soon-to-be-neighbors are holiday royalty, but they are so competitive that they nearly ruin Christmas for everyone. Starring:   Lacey Chabert, Wes Brown, Stephen Tobolowsky, Ellen Travolta, Melissa Peterman, Seth Morris, and Jennifer Aspen Image:  Hallmark Media Haul Out the Holly:  Lit Up Has a Moral When the residents of Evergreen Lane learn that their new neighbors are the Jolly Johnsons--famous holiday reality stars--they are thrilled to welcome them to the block.  Everyone assumes the Johnsons will fit right in since they share their same affinity for elf culture. Emily, Jared, and the rest of the holiday crew quickly realize that the Johnsons aren't interested in joining in on the fun--they plan to take over. Image:  Tw
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Hallmark Publishing's "A Gingerbread Romance" Book GIVEAWAY!

 A Gingerbread Romance Was a Movie Before It Was a Book

Most of us are accustomed to reading a book first and then watching the movie when it's released later, but Hallmark Publishing often puts the cart before the horse.  Several of their movies are turned into books after the fact.  

Since movies have limited time frames, there's not much wiggle room for extra details.  Sometimes, this can make a Hallmark movie seem like the "diet" version of a good story--a little empty.

The novel, A Gingerbread Romance, reveals more intricacies --like what the characters are thinking and feeling.  It helps the reader wring more enjoyment from the story because, let's face it, the 2018 movie of the same title is pretty blah.


The story is about Taylor, an architect, whose firm enters her in a contest to build a life-sized gingerbread house.  Her success determines whether she is promoted to a position in Paris.  

She enlists the aid of Adam, a baker and single dad, who dreams of having his own business.  This opportunity is just the exposure he needs.

Taylor grew up in Philadelphia, but she moved so much all her life that no place has ever seemed like home.  After spending time doing festive Christmas activities with Adam and his daughter Brooke, she starts questioning everything.

This book even includes an original recipe for Gingerbread Cake with Lemon Butter Sauce.


How YOU Can Win A Gingerbread Romance Novel  

If you are a bookworm who especially loves to read clean romances, it's easy to enter this contest:

  1. First, you must be part of our Facebook group, Hallmark Christmas Movie Magic.  If you aren't already a member of the group, click on the link to join.
  2. Under the ANNOUNCEMENT tab in the Facebook group, you will find a post that reads, Have you ever built a gingerbread house?  From scratch or from a kit? Tell us about it or share a picture.  If you never have, you can still enter.  Just mention you've never made one.
That's it!  Every eligible person who comments will have their name entered into a random drawing. 

Lacey Baker is the author of A Gingerbread Romance

Contest Rules:

  • You must be a legal resident of the USA to enter and be 18 years of age or older.
  • You must leave a comment about your experience (or lack thereof) of making a gingerbread house under the contest announcement post within the Facebook group.
  • Winner will be randomly drawn and announced on Tuesday, September 29, 2020. 
TIP:  Once you enter the contest, don't turn off notifications to the post.  You will be notified via the Facebook group about your win, but if you don't respond within the allotted time frame, a new winner will be chosen.


Fun Fact About Gingerbread Houses

Have you ever seen a gingerbread house big enough and stable enough to walk in?  

The world's largest gingerbread house was actually built at the Mall of America in Minnesota in 2001.  It took nine days to build it.  (That doesn't seem very long, does it)?  It stood 67 feet tall and was decorated with 1,800 Hershey bars, 1,200 feet of Twizzlers, 100 pounds of tootsie rolls, 100 whirly pops, and thousands of miscellaneous candies.

Wow!

Tia Mowry-Hardrict and Duane Henry play Taylor and Adam in the movie

Giveaway is Not Associated With Hallmark or Facebook

The A Gingerbread Romance book giveaway is offered by Hallmark Christmas Movie Magic Facebook group and blog and not sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook or Hallmark, and participating in this giveaway is done independently by each person.  Facebook and Hallmark are released from any responsibility to entrants or participants.  



What If You Don't Win?

Even if you don't win, you can still find both the book and the DVD on Amazon to add to your Hallmark collection.

  

Good luck!

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