What do you think?
Rate this book
WITSEC Town #3.5
A Sanctuary Christmas Tale
Estranged from his father, Doctor Elliot Noel gets a nasty surprise right before Christmas when the old man shows up--swiftly followed by gunmen. Danger wasn't on Elliot's wish list for the holiday season, and neither was an unplanned trip to a witness protection town.
Shelby Merrin isn't interested in a holiday romance. She already has everything she needs...until Santa comes to town.
A WITSEC Town Series Short Story
*Christian Romantic Suspense*
Shelby Merrin isn't interested in a holiday romance. She already has everything she needs...until Santa comes to town.
A WITSEC Town Series Short Story
*Christian Romantic Suspense*
98 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 15, 2015
51 people are currently reading
160 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Phillips
167 books871 followersLisa Phillips is a USA Today and top ten Publishers Weekly bestselling author of over 80 books that span Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line, independently published series romantic suspense, and thriller novels. She’s discovered a penchant for high-stakes stories of mayhem and disaster where you can find made-for-each-other love that always ends in happily ever after.
Lisa is a British ex-pat who grew up an hour outside of London and attended Calvary Chapel Bible College, where she met her husband. He’s from California, but nobody’s perfect. It wasn’t until her Bible College graduation that she figured out she was a writer (someone told her). Lisa is a worship leader, tea aficionado, and dog lover of two crazy Airedales.
Lisa is a British ex-pat who grew up an hour outside of London and attended Calvary Chapel Bible College, where she met her husband. He’s from California, but nobody’s perfect. It wasn’t until her Bible College graduation that she figured out she was a writer (someone told her). Lisa is a worship leader, tea aficionado, and dog lover of two crazy Airedales.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 8, 2020
This was a Christmas story set in an isolated place where the whole town is in the WITSEC program. Fascinating details that make you want to read the rest of the WITSEC stories in this series.
Can this town stay protected and still have a Jolly Christmas? Find out in this quick read.
*I won this book. All opinions are my own.*
Can this town stay protected and still have a Jolly Christmas? Find out in this quick read.
*I won this book. All opinions are my own.*
January 14, 2016
Pretty good story
I am always excited to read a good story that proves it is not necessary to include foul language or gratuitous sex scenes. I would have liked to known more about the relationship between Elliott and his father and maybe a little more character development all around, but I'm a reader not an author. Lisa, you keep producing this type of product and I'll keep reading them.
I am always excited to read a good story that proves it is not necessary to include foul language or gratuitous sex scenes. I would have liked to known more about the relationship between Elliott and his father and maybe a little more character development all around, but I'm a reader not an author. Lisa, you keep producing this type of product and I'll keep reading them.
November 14, 2024
I am enjoying my time in Sanctuary. When I started reading the fifth book in the series it mentioned Shelby and Elliot, and since I had no idea who they were, I stopped reading it and started reading A Sanctuary Christmas Tale first.
It is a short story (only 98 pages), so there is not much I can say without spoiling something. However, I did enjoy getting to know Elliot and Shelby in this short story. Their relationship develops quickly—not quite insta-love, but pretty close.
This story also features quite a few of the characters we have gotten to know and love. Despite being short, it is a nice addition to the series.
It is a short story (only 98 pages), so there is not much I can say without spoiling something. However, I did enjoy getting to know Elliot and Shelby in this short story. Their relationship develops quickly—not quite insta-love, but pretty close.
This story also features quite a few of the characters we have gotten to know and love. Despite being short, it is a nice addition to the series.
July 6, 2025
Lisa Phillips is one of my go to authors, but this novella just didn't cut it for me. As a novella, I felt like the two main characters were not developed enough, the storyline wasn't deep enough, and generally the book just didn't catch my attention. I read other books in this series and found them much more interesting and well developed.
November 23, 2015
Wonderful Christmas story
This was a wonderful Christmas short story, that didn't seem short. I loved it and it was nice learning more about the people in Sanctuary.
This was a wonderful Christmas short story, that didn't seem short. I loved it and it was nice learning more about the people in Sanctuary.
January 5, 2016
A Sanctuary Christmas Tale
Interesting story about people who are in the Witness protection program and live in a WITSEC town in the mountains called Sanctuary.
Interesting story about people who are in the Witness protection program and live in a WITSEC town in the mountains called Sanctuary.
March 8, 2018
A cute short story.
This was a good way to introduce anew series. I like the characters abut was sorry there wasn't more time for the reader to learn more about them. I plan to check out the series to see where it picks up. Hopefully I will some of these chatactes again.
This was a good way to introduce anew series. I like the characters abut was sorry there wasn't more time for the reader to learn more about them. I plan to check out the series to see where it picks up. Hopefully I will some of these chatactes again.
July 20, 2019
Perfect Christmas
I almost wish I had waited till Christmas to read this story!
I loved every moment of it. Excitement without being gory and sweet without being cloying
Check out Lisa Phillips
I almost wish I had waited till Christmas to read this story!
I loved every moment of it. Excitement without being gory and sweet without being cloying
Check out Lisa Phillips
February 15, 2023
Fun story with heart
I enjoyed this short story by Lisa Phillips. Her books are a sure thing on my “TBR” list! It’s a short but sweet story that takes you deeper into Santuary, where the adventure and romance never end!
I enjoyed this short story by Lisa Phillips. Her books are a sure thing on my “TBR” list! It’s a short but sweet story that takes you deeper into Santuary, where the adventure and romance never end!
December 20, 2017
This book had great potential but fell short.
October 18, 2018
Warm Christmas Fiction
This is a terrific short story that fits in with the rest of the Sanctuary series.
You won't be disappointed.
This is a terrific short story that fits in with the rest of the Sanctuary series.
You won't be disappointed.
November 24, 2023
Sweet Story
I received a copy of this book.
Sweet story and sweet characters.
Looking forward to reading more books by this author.
I received a copy of this book.
Sweet story and sweet characters.
Looking forward to reading more books by this author.
January 3, 2024
2.5 stars
Interesting characters but no plot to speak of and a lot of disconnects how things fit together. I’ll try others of hers but this was a miss for me.
Interesting characters but no plot to speak of and a lot of disconnects how things fit together. I’ll try others of hers but this was a miss for me.
December 26, 2015
XMAS in WITSEC
XMAS is the best hope for example for peace & love in this special town of Sanctuary. Sanctuary represents a chance for a new beginning with no fear of judgment from others. There was a television show that had the same premise of this but in Sci-first.
What was amazing is the author's ability to get to show emotions of many people in the WITSEC program. You don't think about it but know it is out there to be needed. I enjoyed reading and want to read others in the series.
XMAS is the best hope for example for peace & love in this special town of Sanctuary. Sanctuary represents a chance for a new beginning with no fear of judgment from others. There was a television show that had the same premise of this but in Sci-first.
What was amazing is the author's ability to get to show emotions of many people in the WITSEC program. You don't think about it but know it is out there to be needed. I enjoyed reading and want to read others in the series.
February 7, 2016
The Magic Of Christmas Is Found Everywhere
This is a book that touches all faucets of life and brings hope, a shot at happiness and a chance of understanding that can lead to forgiveness. A well written book that has a very real pulse on reality.
I will definitely be reading more books from Lisa Phillips and sharing with my friends that I have found another good Christian writer!
This is a book that touches all faucets of life and brings hope, a shot at happiness and a chance of understanding that can lead to forgiveness. A well written book that has a very real pulse on reality.
I will definitely be reading more books from Lisa Phillips and sharing with my friends that I have found another good Christian writer!
January 26, 2016
I am a fan of the Sanctuary series by Lisa Phillips, and while this was an okay short holiday read, it did not pack the same punch for me as do her full-length Sanctuary novels. I found the characters to be a bit under-developed, especially both Shelby & Elliot, but given the length of the story I guess that's to be expected. Looking forward to the next full-length novel in the series...
December 27, 2015
Really sweet short story.
Great character development. This would make a very entertaining series. Not your typical holiday story. I genuinely enjoyed the characters and their individual stories. Would love to follow the characters throughout the year.
Great character development. This would make a very entertaining series. Not your typical holiday story. I genuinely enjoyed the characters and their individual stories. Would love to follow the characters throughout the year.
January 21, 2016
For a novella, this was a really good story. The characters were well developed and the story flowed easily. I enjoyed so much that I am definitely interested in reading more about the town of Sanctuary and the unique people that live there.
June 24, 2017
Great Christmas read
This was a good one! Definitely want to read her others. I really liked the genealogy angle a always God's forgiveness reigns.
This was a good one! Definitely want to read her others. I really liked the genealogy angle a always God's forgiveness reigns.
December 13, 2015
A nice Christmas novella in my favorite town of Sanctuary.
I enjoyed the characters and the story about St. Nicholas
I enjoyed the characters and the story about St. Nicholas
April 23, 2017
A great addition to the series!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews