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The Heart of Main Street #6
Cozy Christmas
Season Of Cheer
For the first time in years, Christmas brings hope to Bygones, Kansas. But for Josh Barton, Main Street's coffee shop owner, it brings back sad memories he'd rather forget. He's a new man, with a new life and faith now. Still, he hides a huge part of himself from his neighbors—and from one very inquisitive reporter. Whitney Leigh seems determined to uncover the mystery of the town's recent windfall, and Josh could help her. But that would mean opening up his guarded heart. Can a man who thought family and Christmas were only for others find a forever home where he least expects?
The Heart of Main Street: They're rebuilding the town one step—and heart—at a time.
For the first time in years, Christmas brings hope to Bygones, Kansas. But for Josh Barton, Main Street's coffee shop owner, it brings back sad memories he'd rather forget. He's a new man, with a new life and faith now. Still, he hides a huge part of himself from his neighbors—and from one very inquisitive reporter. Whitney Leigh seems determined to uncover the mystery of the town's recent windfall, and Josh could help her. But that would mean opening up his guarded heart. Can a man who thought family and Christmas were only for others find a forever home where he least expects?
The Heart of Main Street: They're rebuilding the town one step—and heart—at a time.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
36 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
Valerie Hansen
185 books250 followersValerie Hansen is the pen name of Valerie Whisenand.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Although I have been a published author since the mid 1980s, I have been writing women's Christian fiction almost exclusively since 1999.
There is a longer, more detailed bio on my website so there's no need for me to repeat all that here. Right now, I write for all three Love Inspired lines, Romance, Suspense and Historical. I'm delighted to have been included that broadly and besides, it keeps me so busy that I stay out of trouble. Well, mostly.
You'll find me on the LI Historical blog as well as other LI features. If I try to do much more I won't have time to write my books!
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Although I have been a published author since the mid 1980s, I have been writing women's Christian fiction almost exclusively since 1999.
There is a longer, more detailed bio on my website so there's no need for me to repeat all that here. Right now, I write for all three Love Inspired lines, Romance, Suspense and Historical. I'm delighted to have been included that broadly and besides, it keeps me so busy that I stay out of trouble. Well, mostly.
You'll find me on the LI Historical blog as well as other LI features. If I try to do much more I won't have time to write my books!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
August 20, 2017
Determined to discover the source of Bygones, Kansas recent windfall of cash very inquisitive reporter, Whitney Leigh is on the case. Josh Barton knows Christmas is something he would rather just forget since it just brings back unhappy childhood memories. His father just used Christmas as a way to further his business and didn't celebrate it family or church wise. His mother was intimidated by his father so she just went along with it. Reporter, Whitney needs Josh's help ferreting out this mystery but he doesn't seem to want anything to do with it. When a reveal is made that hurts Whitney will there be a chance of a reestablished relationship?
December 3, 2017
Cute Christmas romance.
November 14, 2013
Cozy Christmas by Valerie Hansen was the last book in "The Heart Of Main Street" series. the six book set was each by a different author. The books all ran nicely into the next book. Whitney writes for a newspaper. She is determined to find out who the secret benefactor is, who has brought new businesses to the town. The person is doing this for their, mom who grew up in the town and found out the town was in need of help. Whitney finds love in the end. I won't say who the benefactor is. Everyone will have to read the series to find out. Wonderful series.
July 20, 2023
This is the 2nd book I read by Valerie Hansen. I'm sorry I stopped reading this story at chapter 2 because it didn't hold my interest.
April 15, 2022
I had serious issues with this one.
First, Josh ran hot and cold, all through the book. "Oooh, I like her." "Oh, no, here comes that nosy reporter again." "Hey, isn't she cute?" "Ugh, gotta hide...!!" Either you WANT to see her, or you don't. It was like having whiplash. In a not-so-nice way. ((IS there a nice way to have whiplash?))
Additionally, Hansen keeps telling us how 'aloof' Josh is. Um, no. There were FIVE books before this one, and in every one, Josh is helping paint houses, hosting meetings, out with the kids, up and down the street visiting people... he. is. not. aloof. I get that you want YOUR Josh to be aloof for the sake of your story, but it's not just your story. Not in *this* series. So that kinda really sucked.
Also... at 27 he's a multi-millionaire, can pilot a helicopter, owns a business with gov't contracts, can telecommute while running a barista and renovating a theatre, all single-handedly? Seriously? How about we suspend a little *MORE* reality. (((((TOO. YOUNG.)))))
Then there's Whitney. The name alone drove me nuts, and I can't even tell you why. But stories about nosy reporters are a major turn-off for me. I should've seen it coming all along, the way Whitney was in every other book, but maybe my subconscious was hoping the Main Street Writers wouldn't go cliche, in the end. Too much to hope for, apparently.
I really just read it to find out who the anonymous donor was, and I'd had my suspicions since book two... and they turned out right. By page FIFTEEN. Ugh, why bother with the rest of the story, after that reveal was blown so early? What stick around and watch a big-wig in pauper's clothing hook up with the relentless and annoying small-town newspaper chick? ((((wince.))))
Wouldn't it have been *FUN* if it had been Miss Ann Mars who was the mysterious donor? Or even better still, the funeral director guy, Dale. THAT would've been amazing. 'Judge not as to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment'. But no. Of course not. We put people in boxes and draw caricatures on the front. Because of a general lack of going for the unimaginable.
And of course her bridesmaids were all the previous book girls and the groomsmen are all the previous books heroes... because why would she use her own friends from the town?
As for the writing, it was downright absymal in places. "Because of the time change in the fall, it was darker in December." Nooooo, really? Why not reference Winter Solstice, since that's more relevant to an X-mess story? Or is that too pagan - the shortest day of the year? ((sigh.))
Speaking of... The 'true' (←hahahahahem) meaning of X-mess thing always irks me to no extent. Especially since it throws away God's calendar, bastardizes a major event, and mixes light with darkness in a hideous way. Mithras is NOT Messiah's birth, Sukkot is, and I can prove it with verses. That's more than christians can - because there ARE no verses to support X-mess. But I won't get started, I promise.
Apparently Solomon was right when he said there's nothing new under the sun. And it wasn't even written beautifully - no prose, no description, no details, no grace, no creative writing. Just plowing through to a great big 'THE END'... which lacks, as a finale, for the record.
First, Josh ran hot and cold, all through the book. "Oooh, I like her." "Oh, no, here comes that nosy reporter again." "Hey, isn't she cute?" "Ugh, gotta hide...!!" Either you WANT to see her, or you don't. It was like having whiplash. In a not-so-nice way. ((IS there a nice way to have whiplash?))
Additionally, Hansen keeps telling us how 'aloof' Josh is. Um, no. There were FIVE books before this one, and in every one, Josh is helping paint houses, hosting meetings, out with the kids, up and down the street visiting people... he. is. not. aloof. I get that you want YOUR Josh to be aloof for the sake of your story, but it's not just your story. Not in *this* series. So that kinda really sucked.
Also... at 27 he's a multi-millionaire, can pilot a helicopter, owns a business with gov't contracts, can telecommute while running a barista and renovating a theatre, all single-handedly? Seriously? How about we suspend a little *MORE* reality. (((((TOO. YOUNG.)))))
Then there's Whitney. The name alone drove me nuts, and I can't even tell you why. But stories about nosy reporters are a major turn-off for me. I should've seen it coming all along, the way Whitney was in every other book, but maybe my subconscious was hoping the Main Street Writers wouldn't go cliche, in the end. Too much to hope for, apparently.
I really just read it to find out who the anonymous donor was, and I'd had my suspicions since book two... and they turned out right. By page FIFTEEN. Ugh, why bother with the rest of the story, after that reveal was blown so early? What stick around and watch a big-wig in pauper's clothing hook up with the relentless and annoying small-town newspaper chick? ((((wince.))))
Wouldn't it have been *FUN* if it had been Miss Ann Mars who was the mysterious donor? Or even better still, the funeral director guy, Dale. THAT would've been amazing. 'Judge not as to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment'. But no. Of course not. We put people in boxes and draw caricatures on the front. Because of a general lack of going for the unimaginable.
And of course her bridesmaids were all the previous book girls and the groomsmen are all the previous books heroes... because why would she use her own friends from the town?
As for the writing, it was downright absymal in places. "Because of the time change in the fall, it was darker in December." Nooooo, really? Why not reference Winter Solstice, since that's more relevant to an X-mess story? Or is that too pagan - the shortest day of the year? ((sigh.))
Speaking of... The 'true' (←hahahahahem) meaning of X-mess thing always irks me to no extent. Especially since it throws away God's calendar, bastardizes a major event, and mixes light with darkness in a hideous way. Mithras is NOT Messiah's birth, Sukkot is, and I can prove it with verses. That's more than christians can - because there ARE no verses to support X-mess. But I won't get started, I promise.
Apparently Solomon was right when he said there's nothing new under the sun. And it wasn't even written beautifully - no prose, no description, no details, no grace, no creative writing. Just plowing through to a great big 'THE END'... which lacks, as a finale, for the record.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2013
I have read many books by Valerie Hansen but I do believe this is her A-#1 of all time!! I LOVED it and it is definitely a re-read!!!! The other stories in this series were really good but this one was the best of all! It is amazing to me, how you can write like this! Definitely a God-given talent! Thanks so much for sharing that talent with your faithful readers!! May God continue His blessings on you and I eagerly await your next book.
February 24, 2014
The final Saving Main Street book was full of surprises. Josh the Cozy Cup owner and Whitney the reporter spend time together as she tries to figure out who Mr. Moneybags us. And what a pleasant surprise!
A job well done by all 6 ladies who contributed to this continuity series!
A job well done by all 6 ladies who contributed to this continuity series!
December 3, 2013
Such a great story! Loved this series!!!! I hope they will write more since the town will be getting new people.
August 12, 2015
This was good, but I'm sure I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the other books in the series first. Didn't realize it was part of a series until I started reading it...
December 7, 2017
I don't read much Christmas book, but I wanted to get in the Christmas spirit. It helped. I liked all the characters. All nice people. Makes me want to be a resident in Bygones. What a nice Christmas story. This is the first book (book #6) in the series that I've read. You don't have to start at book #1 to understand.
November 11, 2023
I thought this series was super cute while maintaining the same story each author was able to add something special I was surprised to find out who "Mr money bags" was in a good way not what I was expecting at all.
April 1, 2018
Nice cozy romantic Christmas read. Nice escapism and chance to think about the saving of a small town and older fashioned ways. Some interesting quirks to the story!
March 16, 2020
Delightful story
Heartwarming story . Wonderful to read about the saving of a great little town. Interesting characters. Marvelous ending to the story.
Heartwarming story . Wonderful to read about the saving of a great little town. Interesting characters. Marvelous ending to the story.
April 26, 2022
Very heart warming story . Loved it !
October 26, 2022
Whitney and Josh are a cute couple. Good ending, to a good series.
December 29, 2024
Great book.
This was a really good book. It was heart warming. Valerie is a really great author. I will defend reading more of her books.
This was a really good book. It was heart warming. Valerie is a really great author. I will defend reading more of her books.
December 29, 2023
3 ⭐️
honestly sometimes i didn’t like whitney (oops). but betty and coraline are real ones and i need a coraline x robert spin-off asap !!
honestly sometimes i didn’t like whitney (oops). but betty and coraline are real ones and i need a coraline x robert spin-off asap !!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2013
I won this book in a contest on another blog and when the author sent this book to me, I decided to read it right away since it is a Christmas book. I have had a lot of fun reading Christmas stories over the holidays and this is another story that I really enjoyed.
The author has done a wonderful job of creating a sweet, hometown atmosphere and a truly cozy Christmas (as the title implies). The storyline is clever and the characters are likeable. The heroine of the story, Whitney, was sometimes a bit pushy, however, that really goes along with her personality and career. She is a journalist, after all, and intent on uncovering some hidden information in her town.
Josh is the local coffee shop barista, and is very hesitant to have Whitney asking him so many questions and wanting his help to uncover the mysterious town benefactor. As feelings grow between the two, will Whitney’s determination to figure out the truth undermine what could be true love?
If you are looking for a sweet Christmas love story, with a twist, you will find it in Cozy Christmas. I am glad I read it during the holidays, however, I must admit that I will also read holiday stories at other times of the year, too!
I won this book in a contest on http://iblog4books.blogspot.com/ and received this book from the author. I was not required to write a review, but happily do so.
You can read this review on my blog at:
http://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.co...
The author has done a wonderful job of creating a sweet, hometown atmosphere and a truly cozy Christmas (as the title implies). The storyline is clever and the characters are likeable. The heroine of the story, Whitney, was sometimes a bit pushy, however, that really goes along with her personality and career. She is a journalist, after all, and intent on uncovering some hidden information in her town.
Josh is the local coffee shop barista, and is very hesitant to have Whitney asking him so many questions and wanting his help to uncover the mysterious town benefactor. As feelings grow between the two, will Whitney’s determination to figure out the truth undermine what could be true love?
If you are looking for a sweet Christmas love story, with a twist, you will find it in Cozy Christmas. I am glad I read it during the holidays, however, I must admit that I will also read holiday stories at other times of the year, too!
I won this book in a contest on http://iblog4books.blogspot.com/ and received this book from the author. I was not required to write a review, but happily do so.
You can read this review on my blog at:
http://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.co...
June 8, 2014
I really liked this book. The only reason it didn't receive 4 stars is because there was a lot of talk about the other romances in the beginning that distracted me from the story. I kept wondering about the other couples and was confused since I had not read the other books. (Since this author did not write the other books, I didn't realize that this was the last in a series until the author's note at the end of the book. If I had known up front this was the last in the series, I might not have felt the same because I would have made exceptions for it.)
I think this book would have been awesome if I had read the other books in the series first. For the record, I am adding the other Main Street books to my "to read" list.
I think this book would have been awesome if I had read the other books in the series first. For the record, I am adding the other Main Street books to my "to read" list.
Read
December 29, 2014"This neatly wraps up the Heart of Main Street series, finally revealing the secret that readers have been longing to learn. The charming characters and welcoming spirit suit the holiday season, reminding us that the 'God-incidences' in life, not money, bring true happiness". (RT Book Reviews, rated 4 1/2 stars)
Miniseries: The Heart of Main Street
Miniseries: The Heart of Main Street
May 14, 2014
What a fantastic conclusion to an amazing and entertaining series! "Cozy Christmas" was phenomenal and I enjoyed every minute of it. Josh and Whitney were exceptional characters and I enjoyed them very much. And I was finally able to discover out who the secret mystery benefactor was. I don't want to spoil the surprise for anyone so you'll just have to read and see!
September 10, 2014
Cozy Christmas is part of a series that I have never read, but it works well as a stand alone book. It is a christmas story with the true meaning of Christmas embedded. The magic of the season is revealed by secrets unvailed and faith in true love.
August 11, 2016
The character of Whitney became annoying over the course of the story. The more persistent she got, the less I liked her. She seemed overbearing and desperate. I still liked the storyline and I really liked the character of Josh.
November 28, 2013
This is the 6th in The Heart Of Main Street series..This is Josh and Whitney's story and is wonderful..This is the book that ties it all together and brings us up to date with all the other people of Bygones,Kansas..Very heartwarming..
May 31, 2014
Cozy Christmas
This is the last in the series for the heart of Main Street. Whitney is the reporter in town and wants to find out who the one is helping the town of bygones get better financially. She and Josh who owns the coffee shop falls in love. A very good book and good series.
This is the last in the series for the heart of Main Street. Whitney is the reporter in town and wants to find out who the one is helping the town of bygones get better financially. She and Josh who owns the coffee shop falls in love. A very good book and good series.
June 6, 2017
I thought this series was super cute while maintaining the same story each author was able to add something special I was surprised to find out who "Mr money bags" was in a good way not what I was expecting at all.
Read
December 29, 2014Received 4 1/2 stars at RT Book Reviews
Miniseries: The Heart of Main Street
Miniseries: The Heart of Main Street
December 8, 2013
Fun, different, exciting Harlequin Christmas. Loved the characters and the plot. A must Christmas read.
August 4, 2015
The story wasn't bad, just predictable.
December 18, 2015
This was the typical Christmas romance book. There were good points brought out and for the most part held my interest.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews