The Thirteenth Guardian
(The Thirteenth Guardian #1)
Book reviewers raved that the opening chapters of The Thirteenth Guardian hooked them immediately: so, I am excited to release the first four chapters (and a bonus excerpt) in free audio format. The audio chapters are available on all major podcast platforms—including iTunes, GooglePlay, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher and TuneIn. Check them out here.

I interviewed quite a few voice actors. I chose the “Three Days” excerpt (which I released first) as the real test of the voice actors because the chapter, in many ways, represents the overall tone of the novel - fast paced, full of suspense, and totally gut wrenching. I needed a voice that would truly capture the weight of the story and convey the gravity of what unfolds in the book. I still shudder every time I listen to the “Three Days” audio excerpt—its pretty powerful. The feedback so far has been overwhelmingly positive.

I also wanted to provide a window into what was going through my mind as I wrote the novel. So I thought a short behind-the-scenes commentary tied to each of the free audio chapters would be a cool addition. The Thirteenth Guardian is a pretty daring novel, and I think the commentary gives the reader an added dimension to the story that really brings it to life.

—K.M.

Home for Christmas was pure Joy for me—in every chapter and word. I was thrilled when my editors gave me the green light to write this, the first Christmas story set in Indian Lake. I certainly hope it’s not the last for my beloved characters.

This story is especially dear to me because it’s cut right out of my life. In my hometown of La Porte, Indiana, there was a magical all-glass greenhouse just like the one Joy Boston inherits. From my earliest memories of Christmas, visits to the Bernacchi Greenhouse to choose the right poinsettias for aunts and friends was practically part of my DNA. For decades, even when I moved out of town and lived in big cities and foreign countries, Christmas memories always began in those greenhouses. . .


"I absolutely loved the setting, too! The poinsettia greenhouses anchor this story with their potential and fascinating, town-edifying history. Grandfather Frank’s dreams are renewed, and his memory is revived in a surprising and sweet way. Home for Christmas infused me in the spirit of Christmas and satisfied me with its ending."


"This is your typical second-chance romance with a bunch of Hallmark movie thrown in. And because it is a Christmas book, that makes it fit absolutely perfectly. You can't help but love this formula at this time of year, because it always makes you feel good."


Joy shoved the phone in her purse and saw the Uber driver at the bottom of the escalator, holding a sign with her name on it.

She walked up to him. “Hi! I’m Joy Boston.”

The middle-aged man nodded. “I’m Roy. Happy to see you. I’ll take your bags for you. Do you have more luggage to claim?”

“No, this is it. I won’t be staying long.”

“Oh, that’s a pity,” Roy said, as he politely ushered her toward the outer door.

“Why’s that?”

“Indian Lake is so lovely at the holidays. So many decorations and activities. The Christmas Concert. The symphony. The children’s Christmas pageant. The caroling parties. The Candlelight Tour…”


"This was like Hallmark in a book. Another sweet second chance romance between two people who have had their love rekindled again."


A CAROLING WE GO

This is my front door where yes, last year, a small group came to my door and sang Christmas carols. Luckily, I still had some Christmas cookies to gift them. . .


". . . the second chance romance, Christmas setting, and lovely characters all bring the book together in a lovely way. I would highly recommend for fans of Hallmark movies- this is a sweet and heartwarming (clean) book!"


"Home For Christmas displays how the magic of community and holiday spirit come together to rejuvenate a person’s spirit. Even if you’re away from an extended period time, one can truly return home and find the key to inner peace. I would definitely recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a holiday tale with a strong sense of community!"


"I really loved this book. If you are looking for a book to get you into the holiday spirit look no further. This one did get me a little teary eyed in the beginning because it is sad. This book gave me plenty of heart and feels. It's also a great second chance romance."


"First of all, this is a beautifully-composed, sweet romance with no offensive content. In fact, if you love Christmas rom-coms that appear on the Hallmark Channel every year, this is the book for you. This is just like a Hallmark Christmas movie, except it’s even better!"


Roy drove into town, past the red sandstone county courthouse with its one-hundred-and-forty-year-old clock tower and onto Maple Boulevard. They passed houses she remembered, belonging to Sarah Jensen and Mrs. Beabots. Saint Mark’s Church. The Indian Lake Police Station. Specters of past, happy days flew around Joy, pulling her back to Indian Lake like magnets. And with each memory, she missed her mother, her father and especially her grandfather all the more.

That was why when Roy drove up to the three glass greenhouses, which her grandfather had built right after World War II, her vision had been blurred by her tears. She couldn’t possibly be seeing correctly.

“What is this?” she asked Roy, like a stupefied tourist.

“Boston Greenhouses.” He waved his hand across the expanse of the windshield. “This is it.”


"Home for Christmas was just the right book to get me in the mood for Christmas. I really enjoyed following Joy and her friends as they prepared to reopen the old greenhouses Joy’s grandfather loved so much. It was interesting to learn everything involved to reopen the greenhouses. . . . If you are looking for good Christmas stories to read during the Holiday season, this is a really great one to check out."


"Whether you’ve been a fan of Lanigan’s long-running Shores of Indian Lake series from book one or you’re just arriving on the scene, the close-knit small town’s charm will quickly wrap you in twinkle lights and hot chocolate. Joy and Adam’s story is a look at grief, bitterness, forgiveness, restoration… and coming home again. Second chances abound in more ways than one in Home For Christmas, and you’ll love discovering each one."


"Home for Christmas by Catherine Lanigan is a great book that I devoured it. Joy jumped out of the pages and into my head along with the other characters. I love happy endings. Ms. Lanigan is an excellent writer. I am giving Home for Christmas five stars and recommending it to everyone."


TREE FARM DAY

It was a year to pull out all the stops. And I did.

The tree farm was the first stop. I hadn’t been to our “Pine Country Tree Farm” in decades. What an eye-opener. Trust me, the scenes in any movie you’ve seen don’t compare to the real thing. What an operation. There was a gift store. A Santa all suited up sitting in his own cabin! Florals, garlands, wreaths were being shipped out by truckload. A horse-drawn wagon took folks up to the rolling hills to chop down their own tree. Hot apple cider and cocoa awaited them upon their return. . .


"Home for Christmas set a beautiful scene for the upcoming holidays for me as I read it. This second chance love story had such heart ad a great setting. . . . This was a very heartwarming story and was lots of fun to read."


"Home for Christmas is a touching story of forgiveness and second chances – on a personal level between Adam and Joy, and also as the community comes together in support and help. Home for Christmas would make a moving Hallmark movie and the company is missing a great opportunity if they don’t snatch this one up. But the book is even better than a potential movie because of all the richness and depth that a movie can’t convey."


THE CHRISTMAS POPS CONCERT

The Christmas Pops is truly unique. It’s held at our Civic Auditorium, built in the 1920’s and houses over 3,000 people. The main floor, where basketball used to be played when I was in high school, is filled with linen covered tables and chairs, decorated with flowers and candles and the ceiling is draped, flung and crisscrossed with thousands of Christmas lights. The La Porte County Symphony plays as various choral groups, the Children’s Choir, soloists and local harmonizing groups perform. The night is upbeat and fun. Everyone dresses up, lots of tuxes and gowns; Christmas dresses and fun Christmas ties, I have to say. . .


"This is a wonderful, heartfelt story of love, betrayal, misunderstandings, confusion, forgiveness and grief. The setting is in a small town during the Holidays. . . . The characters are so endearingly realistic, the scenes described in a way they are easily visualized. . . . I feel this novel earns a Five Stars rating. . ."


"Another hit by one of my favorite heart warming authors! Lanigan has done it! Once again, she has created a Hallmark worthy story for readers. Every page turn pulled me farther into the story, and help me captive until the very end."

She looked toward the back of the retail gift area. Two French doors led to a smaller greenhouse where specialty orchids, amaryllis and hybrid poinsettias used to be displayed on long wooden tables. That was Joy’s favorite area, where her grandfather would test his yearlong projects of coral-and-white-striped poinsettias, yellows, ambers, and try as he might, the absolute impossible task of creating a blue poinsettia. Blue poinsettias didn’t exist naturally, and he would dye white ones to please designers in Chicago, but he was a dreamer. He’d often told her he wanted to create a flower that was not only beautiful but timeless. Something the world would never have seen if it hadn’t been for him.


"The book has so much meaning to it. There are lessons we can learn — especially one concerning Joy’s grandfather."

Adam took off his hat, and as he did, his thick black hair fell over his forehead.

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