The Christmas Key audiobook

The Christmas Key is a story of fate, healing and moving on for two very deserving individuals. It’s Christmas time again in Twilight and Naomi Luther is determined to make this the best Christmas for her nephew Hunter. A year ago, they got the devastating news that her brother Clayton was killed in Afghanistan. Her life has turned upside down with moving home again and in the process of adopting Hunter. Things are going well until she accidentally hops into the wrong car and comes face to face with the man from her dream. There is a myth in Twilight that if you sleep with a kismet cooking under your pillow on Christmas Eve you will dream of your one true love. She can’t believe it when she sees him and wonders if her dream had something to do with it or is there truly something fateful working here.Mark Shepherd found order in the military but one bad mission changed all that in an instant. He lost one of his men when he didn’t follow the rules and got himself and others injured when trying to rescue him but unfortunately had to leave him behind. Now he feels enormous guilt and can’t seem to stop blaming himself. His shrink sends him on one last mission to return a key to Clayton’s family and he hopes that he can forgive himself and move on with his life. Mark also slept with a kismet cookie on Christmas eve and had a vivid dream of a woman and now she’s sitting in his jeep. Can this be really happening? Before he knows it, he’s mistaken for a handyman and Clayton’s father won’t let him explain his reason for being here in Twilight. Things are happening fast and spending time with Naomi and her family gets him feelings things he thought he never have in his life and wondering if this could be what happiness and love is all about. The Christmas Key was definitely a trip down memory lane because I got to revisit Twilight at Christmas time. Twilight celebrates Christmas in their own unique style and the myth of the kismet cookie plays a small part with Mark and Naomi’s romance. There are also some key people who help Mark with his PTSD and give him support while in town.What I love most about her writing is the depth of the characters she creates and how those flaws make them who they are. Mark and Naomi both have personal issues and demons to slay and they get new perspectives when each are confronted with them. These characters gain new insight and come to the realization that things could be different and/or better if they’d accept things for what they are or that feelings have changed over time. The author deals with both Naomi and Mark’s issues carefully and gives both of them ample time over the course of the story. Lori Wilde writes beautiful love stories with messages of hope and healing and The Christmas Key is one of her finest. Twilight, Texas is a hometown I love to visit and I’m so glad she brings this place to life for me.

Reviewed for Romancing the Readers Blog: https://romancingthereaders.blogspot....Here we are back in Twilight, Texas. I just love this town and the people in it. Also throughout the story I'm always thinking about cookies so that's a plus in my books. You've got to read the books to understand what that statement means. Or just look at the blurb. What ever is easier for you. Ha!This one was a very emotional one. Poor Mark is beating himself up for something that's not his fault at all. His guilt is eating him alive. Not only is he dealing with his shit, the Luther's are dealing with the fallout of what happened to their son/brother. Like I said, so emotional. The great part is a Christmas story is made for emotions. It's the time of giving and forgiving. Time to give up your worries for a little bit and be with family and friends. Time to remember those who've passed with a happy heart. Yes, even a little bit of sadness for what's not. Right away I liked both Mark and the Luther family. Mark for being such a good guy even when he doesn't believe it himself, and the Luther's for taking him in. Poor Mark needs to work out his guilt and Naomi needs someone in her life that makes her think about herself first every once in a while. These two together and perfect they just work. They crack me up with the way the tease each other. Right away you see how well the fit. They mesh well together. Mark is also so good with a confused little boy who keeps calling him daddy. Not once does he make a big deal out of it and acts like he needs to run away from that title. Together they are so good. They have a bunch of things to work out, her boyfriend and his not telling the truth but once they do, it's clear sailing from there. You'll enjoy this book/series. The Christmas Key is easy to read and makes but yearn for the holidays. You'll also enjoy the ending where you learn a twist/secret. This is the perfect story to read with the Christmas tree lights in the background. Follow me on:https://www.facebook.com/RomancingThe...https://twitter.com/RomancingreaderARC received for a honest review

This book grips you from page one with an emotional gut punch and never lets go. The story of a wounded, guilt-torn soldier who must deliver a Christmas key to his deceased fellow marine’s family and ends up being drawn into the family and falling for his courageous, determined sister and his sweet three-year-old son, finding the love, mercy, and forgiveness he needs. Complex, loveable characters, an off-the-charts romance, and plenty of Christmas magic! Unputdownable. Highly recommend.

Reviewed for www.buriedunderromance.com The Christmas Key by Lori Wilde is a wonderful, heartfelt Christmas story that had me in tears on more than one occasion. It is filled with wonderful characters and an emotional storyline that can’t help but hook you right from the start. Mark Shepherd feels responsible for the death of Clayton Luther, one of the marines under his command, on Christmas day. He is given a special key with a note from Clayton stating that the key would have significant meaning to his family and requesting that Mark deliver the key to his family in person if he were to die. After nearly a year spent recovering from his own injuries suffered in the attack, he travels to Twilight, Texas to deliver the key. Once he arrives, he realizes that he doesn’t want to upset the family again at Christmas time and he decides to wait to give them the key until later. This decision is made even easier when he is mistaken for a handyman that has come to make repairs to the local church. He goes along with the mistaken identity, and becomes involved with the family, the church and the town. He is especially taken by Clayton’s sister Naomi, who is in the process of adopting Clayton’s orphaned son and is still grieving deeply for her lost brother. The book tackles serious topics from PTSS to suicide with respect and empathy, while keeping a light-hearted feel with Christmas and small-town traditions. The characters are all strong, well-written and believable. They are doing their best to cope with horrible situations and yet, despite the despair, there is a feeling of hope that everyone will come out healthy and happy on the other side. The entire book is a true rollercoaster of emotions. The entire book is beautifully written, but I must call special attention to the first love scene. While I’m not usually a fan of explicit sex and would rather the authors shut the door and leave it to my imagination, I was intrigued by the writing in this scene. It was done in lyrical prose with an intensity that was accentuating the action that was taking place. While I normally might have skipped those pages, in this case, I was so caught up in the writing that I found myself reading every word. I have not read any of the other books in the series (yet!), but I never felt that I was missing any information. This is a very good standalone book and a five-star read. What a great addition to the annual onslaught of Christmas novels. I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~This is the 9th book in the series, and whilst one needs to have an open mind to the special brand of magic that the Twilight inhabitants believe in, it could be read as a standalone and be thoroughly enjoyed. Understanding Nate, and the rest of the gangs pasts will, however, reassure you that Mark is in the very best place for his future happiness. There is a lot to like in this book, and it definitely has a Christmas goodness vibe running through it - very sweet, and yet dealing with some very difficult issues really well. I thought Mark's reasons for being a rule keeper were revealed in a clever and thoughtful way, and made the reader really understand just how important having structure was for him. So as we see him learn to trust himself and sometimes employ tact, and caution rather than honesty, it is endearing. The twist was somewhat unexpected, and really cool - although risky - and the outcome was everything that any romantic reader would wish. Although Naomi's father is a pastor, none of the family are preachy, so don't be put off by that fact. From sadness and loss comes a new beginning for the Shepherd / Luther family - enjoy!

The Christmas Key by Lori Wilde left me speechless. With that said, I’m going to do my best to put into words how impactful this Twilight, Texas novel is. How incredibly perfect Lori Wilde made the characters of Mark Shepherd and Naomi Luther. How my heart was pulled in directions that I didn’t even know existed. The Christmas Key is truly a story that will impact you in unimaginable ways. It had been a year since Mark Shepherd, a United States Marine, returned home from the battlefield suffering from PTSD and nursing a bummed knee. While there, he lost a fellow soldier leaving Mark laden with guilt for his death. The young Clayton Luther was under his watch, his responsibility. A heavy burden for anyone to bear for an entire year. Mark bonded with Clayton that fateful Christmas Eve when the young man gave him a kismet cookie sent from his hometown to lay under his pillow with promises of it revealing his one true love. HA! Like Mark believed that hoopla! But sleep with the kismet cookie under his pillow he did and boy did he have the most vivid dream of the most gorgeous woman he’d ever seen. Wishful thinking? Maybe. Soulmate? Not likely. Now, on a personal mission from Clayton himself, Mark sets off to the small town of Twilight, Texas to deliver a mysterious white skeleton Christmas key to the Luthers. What the key meant to the family was beyond Mark’s knowledge, but he was a man of his word and owed this mission to Clayton and his family. His first day in Twilight was life altering to say the least when a bubbly and beautiful woman mistakenly climbed into his Jeep. This woman, his mystery angel, his butterfly, was the same one he dreamt about that Christmas Eve when he slept with a silly cookie under his pillow. He’d found her. Mind. Blown. Naomi Luther had had a tough year since her younger brother died. You never would have known just how hard because her winning smile was ready to be pasted on at every second of every day. With her thriving personal shopping business, the adoption of her orphaned nephew, and the responsibility of looking after her parents, she was determined to make things as perfect as possible. This was their first Christmas without her brother, Hunter’s dad, and her parent’s son. Her hopes of ever finding that dream boat soulmate she dreamt about last Christmas Eve would have to wait – stupid kismet Christmas cookies. It was a legend anyways, right? Wrong! As soon as she realized her mistake of climbing into the wrong vehicle with a tall and handsome stranger, she knew. She knew he was the dark-haired man she dreamt about last Christmas Eve, when she’d slept with a kismet cookie under her pillow. Sweet Holy Mother of baby Jesus… Mark’s mistaken identity as the new church handyman buys him the time he needs to heal, mourn, and grow from a broken soldier to a man worthy of love. There are so many moments in this novel in which Lori Wilde brought the feels and emotions to the surface, transporting my heart in the moment, every step of the way with Mark and Naomi. The Christmas Key is as wonderful as its magical kismet cookies, dreams of hope, forgiveness, and happily-ever-afters. ENJOY!

It's been over 5 years since I last read Lori Wilde. I'm so happy that her writing style and voice hasn't changed. The Christmas Key was a wonderful story full of love, friendship, family, and forgiveness. Welcome to Twilight, Texas “This is where the healing begins.” I'm new to the Twilight, Texas series. Thus, I can safely say the books are standalones. Readers of this series will be happy to see past characters show up to help drive the story.A year ago, on Christmas Day, Mark Shepherd’s life changed in one of the worst possible ways. In a rescue mission gone awry, his contingent of Marines were attacked. One was killed, Mark and another Marine were seriously injured. Mark has battled back, but he's left disabled and guilt-ridden. Forced to retire from the Marines, Mark finds himself not knowing what to do with the rest of his life. When he's told Clayton Luther left a letter for him in his possessions, Mark is filled with dread. Clayton's letter asks Mark to personally deliver a key to his family in Twilight, Texas, telling him that they will know what to do with it. With Mark feeling responsible for Clayton's death, he knows it's the least he can do.They say it's not just the person in the military who makes a sacrifice, but also their family. Naomi Luther is definitely sacrificing a lot. Naomi is not only sacrificing time and money to send care packages to her younger brother Clayton, but she's also sacrificing her time, energy and life after Clayton is killed and his young wife Samantha dies. Naomi has chosen to adopt Clayton's son Hunter, even at the cost of losing her long-term relationship with her boyfriend.Feeling nostalgic, Naomi places a kismet cookie under her pillow, while half a world away Mark does the same at Clayton's urging. “If you sleep with a kismet cookie under your pillow on Christmas Eve, you will dream of your one true love.” Naomi's shocked to not dream about her high school sweetheart, but a stranger she's never seen. Mark isn't sure what to make of his dream. Both Mark and Naomi are shocked when almost a year later, they come face-to-face and realize the person they dreamed about is real. “There's magic afoot in Twilight.”When Mark meets Clayton's father, he’s mistaken for someone else. Figuring he can help out the Luther's with various chores, Mark goes along with this assumption. He knows he has to tell the Luthers who he really is, but he doesn’t want to ruin the family’s first Christmas after the death of their loved ones. Mark becomes friends with a couple of other vets in town, who he tells his truth to. Over time, Naomi and Mark also start to acknowledge their attraction for each other. “He's a man who strives to do the right thing.” But when the truth comes out it's a bitter pill for Naomi to swallow. There's no way she can be in love with a man who killed her brother. “Forgiveness is a powerful tool.” It’s going to take forgiveness and redemption to bring these two together.The Christmas Key was simply a wonderfully amazing story. The characters of Naomi and Mark are so easy to like and feel for. The secondary characters are equally as great. “Love is a great mystery.” It's also a journey. Mark and Naomi’s journey to true love is a difficult one. It's filled with happiness, heartache, guilt, and pain. But most importantly love. Prepare to smile, laugh, and cry as you read and enjoy The Christmas Key.**Received a copy of the book from the publisher and voluntarily reviewed.**

Mark Shepherd goes to Twilight, Texas to confront the family of his marine buddy who was killed in action and who Mark feels he could had saved. Meeting Clayton Luther's will be anything but pleasant but Mark has a special key which Clayton's family needs because it was Clayton's last request.Mark never realized Naomi Luther ,who was Clayton's sister was raising her nephew and caring for her mother who was in a wheelchair with RA.Mark and Naomi met in a strange way but their relationship bloomed and neither one felt it should really be happening. The story line goes in roller coaster depth and sends the reader on a great adventure of many twists and turns.Forgiveness, love, compassion and many mixed emotions will be found in the story and it's one book that can't be put down to the end. The end has a very surprised to it and something I did not see coming.I highly recommend this book to anyone who has love and compassion for two people who are finding themselves. Mark and Naomi has all of this and more.

I was so enthralled with Lori Wilde's new book: The Christmas Key (Twilight, Texas #9)! I got so immersed into the story of this book that it was hard to set it down! This book is about the bittersweet meeting and romance between Naomi Luther and injured Marine Vet Mark Shepherd. Mark is battling his demons from being injured and the guilt from losing a young Marine that was under his command. He has been hospitalized and gone through psychological therapy. He is suffering from PSTD and is sent on a mission to try to bring some forgiveness and peace into his life. He goes to Twilight, Texas to complete a promise for Naomi's family. He is mistaken by the Luther family to be their new handyman upon his arrival. Naomi's father is the pastor of the church who has been waiting for the new church handyman! He is given this job and a place to live. The Christmas spirit, faith and love from the Luther family and the town of Twilight envelopes Mark! He learns that he can be forgiven and healed with the love from Naomi and her family; as well as the amazing people of Twilight. I cried, laughed and rejoiced from reading this book! This book brings happiness, forgiveness, love and the true spirit of Christmas for the reader! I highly recommend this book and warn the reader to be prepared to feel like they are experiencing this book themselves.

♡ 5 Stars for "The Christmas Key" ARC Review ♡This return to Twilight, Texas did not disappoint. I was immediately drawn to Mark Shepherd and Naomi Luther. They both had issues to overcome and were destined for each other from the beginning. I could not put this book down because I had to know how the events unfolded. I was not disappointed. I highly recommend this Christmas story to all. I love when romance books have more than a wonderful love story and this definitely fits the bill. ♡

Mark Sheperd joined the Marines after high school and the Army was his life for the next 12 years. A knee injury and losing a brother-in-arms in Kandahar put a stop to it and now he's got to adjust to civilian life, recuring nightmares, PTSD and guilt of the survivor. Mark is not sure how he's going to do it, but his first step is in Twilight, Texas. Before his death, Clayton left a note and a key asking him to bring it to his family and they'll know what to do with it. When he arrive, the pastor, his friend's father, mistake him for the handyman he hired. Mark try to tell him the truth many times but the man always change subject. When he meet Clay's sister, it feels as if he really know her. Naomi also recognize him, because she dreamed of him before, but she ignore he was her brother's fellow soldiers and that he feel responsible for his death. She have a lot on her plate, trying to keep control on her emotions for her parents and wanting to adopt her nephew, and not sure what to do with her on and off boyfriend and their long-distance relationship where they almost never talk.What an heart-wrenching story! Difficult no impossible to not fall for Mark and Naomi and feel giddy at seeing them find each other and watching them fall in love. But as sweet and profound the romance was, the sweetest thing in the story for me was the strong sense of community.

There’s a legend in Twilight, Texas. If you sleep with a kismet cookie under your pillow on Christmas Eve, you will dream of your one true love.She saw him in her dreams…It’s impossible! Naomi Luther was standing face to face with the man she’d dreamed about over a year ago. Was it the magic of Kismet Christmas cookies that brought him to her? Or is there even a greater force at work? All Naomi knows is she is falling, hard and fast, for the one man all good sense says she should not have.Rebellious Mark Shepherd found order in the Marines but chaos on the battlefield. In a mission gone wrong, Mark is injured and Naomi's brother loses his life. Haunted by guilt, he arrives in Twilight to keep a solemn promise. But when the Luthers mistake him for their handyman, he’s swept up in playing Santa to his buddy’s orphan son…and falling hard for Naomi’s irresistible bright spirit and sweet, sexy smile. But what will happen when she learns the truth?Mark shows up at the luther's to get forgiveness but when he shows up he is mistaken for someone else. With his guilt he gets to know the family and falling for Naomi and her nephew was not what he had planned. But Naomi is full of anger of the men she thinks let her brother die. As you keep reading you know that Mark will tell Naomi what really happened and the guilt he has. Naomi has so much hurt and grief that she tries to make everyone happy around her to cover it all. But will she forgive Mark once he tells her what happened. I loved these 2 characters and their emotions are so raw that you want to reach through the book and comfort them. I also enjoyed knowing the other people in this town and how they come together to celebrate the holidays. I received this through Pure Textuality to review.