Book Spotlight: Books With Ratings?

This time of year, it's easy to get caught up in cheesy holiday movies on TV, but do you pay attention to the ratings? My friend and fellow author, Regina Rudd Merrick is here today to tell us how those ratings inspired a scene in her newest book.

Christmas books are fun to write. Christmas Rewired is book 4 of my RenoVations, Inc. series, but, like last year’s Christmas story, 12 Days of Mandy Reno, it’s not a mystery—it’s just a little romance, a little fun, and a lot of Renos.
 
A few years ago, after years of avoiding them, my oldest daughter introduced me to the mindless joy of watching Hallmark movies. They come in all genres, and some are better than others. My favorites are the Rom-Coms.
 
I realized, then, that these movies are exactly the kinds of stories I like to read as well as watch!

After seeing a few in a row during Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks, I began to pay attention to the rating system television uses these days and applied them to Hallmark movies. The most risqué films I’ve seen are Rated PG-13, so I think we’re safe.
 
As I wrote, I found Trace, my male main character, at loose ends and lounging in the living room, watching a Hallmark movie with his grandparents on a cold December evening. Grandma’s crocheting, Grandpa’s asleep, and when he wakes, they tease him about agreeing to watch these movies because they’re less than ninety minutes long.
 
Here’s Grandpa waking up and then Trace (and me!) explaining his idea of what to expect in a Christmas movie:
 
“Is it bedtime yet?”
“Sweetheart, it’s seven-thirty.”
“Hate this time change. What’d I miss?”
He’d (Grandpa) fallen asleep an hour ago, about twenty minutes into the movie they’d picked.
“Too much to explain.” Grandma shook her head at her husband.
“You didn’t miss much, Grandpa. Small-town guy in danger of losing the family peach orchard. Big-city girl comes to town to buy them out and realizes she’s always wanted to live in the boonies and work an orchard with the man of her dreams.” Trace held out a hand and nodded toward the television. “And, finally, there’s the kiss.”
“Sounds like you’ve watched your share of these.” Grandpa laughed.
Trace growled in disgust. “Guilty. Have you met my sister?”
“Now and again.”
“Eddie Clarence Reno, you know good and well the only reason you only agreed to this one is because it lasted exactly eighty-four minutes.” Grandma blustered with good humor.
“I’ll admit, the length of those movies is a draw, plus the lack of objectionable activity—”
“And bad language,” Grandma interrupted.
“I know. But would it hurt them to blow up something every once in a while?” Grandpa winked at Trace when Grandma shook her head.
“Since I have almost no social life, Sis and I came up with an informal breakdown according to the television rating.”
“Did you, now?” Grandma was getting tickled.
“Yep. Rated G, you’re lucky to get one very chaste kiss at the very end. Same with ‘seven plus.’ PG and ‘thirteen plus,’ maybe two or three, and they’ll be a little steamy, but not too much.”
“What about ‘PG-13’ movies?”
Trace shook his head solemnly. “Grandma, you watch those, you’re in danger for your soul."

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Yes, I got the idea from my husband. He loves short movies, and he also loves to fall asleep watching them, knowing I’ll begrudgingly tell him what he missed.
 
I hope you’ll check out Christmas Rewired, and give grumpy Trace Reno a chance to be a hero for once!
 
Many twinkling lights and blessings to you as we enter this holiday season!!
 

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Christmas Rewired

In electricity, as in love, opposites attract.

When electrical engineer Trace Reno loses his job during the holidays, he decides it’s time for a change. He hires on with the family contracting firm, RenoVations Inc., as assistant to the licensed electrician, Hannah Buckner.
Hannah is known for her sunny disposition, but lately, she has decided God must have forgotten her as her friends all around her find “the one,” and she hasn’t. When the only man in her life who shows an interest is the grouchy Trace Reno, she tries to be patient, but in her opinion, he’s bossy. And even worse, he knows nothing about construction. She’d rather be single.
Love at first sight for him—pure irritation for her.
A mishap on a last-minute Christmas Eve job gives them the time together Trace craves, and Hannah makes the best of it. Could it be possible that Trace has a gooey center beneath his crusty exterior?
 

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​Multi-published author Regina Rudd Merrick writes Southern stories of faith and romance. Beyond writing, Regina is a church musician, wife, mother, former librarian, lover of all things fun, beachy, and chocolate, and a grateful follower of Jesus Christ. Married to her husband of 40-plus years, she is the mother of two grown daughters and lives in the small town of Marion, KY. Connect with Regina on Facebook, Instagram, or her website at https://www.reginaruddmerrick.com .

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Regina-R-Merrick-512257938964888/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
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