When Life Changes in a Moment.. by Christine Bush

 My mother in law, Amelia is101 years old. She was born in 1917. Can you imagine the changes she has seen in her amazing lifetime?

Think about it. Cars. Phones. Air flight. Medicine. Television. The internet. The list is endless.

 

 

Amelia lived through World War 1, World War 2, The Korean War, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, praying for many soldier family members through the generations.

 

 

She raised six awesome kids, and has a ton a grands, great grands, and a few great-great grands.

Life has had its ups and downs, its gifts and challenges over 101 years, and she has embraced every one of them as they came her way, flowing with the change.  She’s an amazing lady.

But a few weeks back, Amelia was dealt a gargantuan challenge.  She has lived in the Paradise, California area for 47 years, in her tidy little house amid the trees and foothills of the mountains that she loves. Her daughter, my sister in law, Carol, has lived with her as her caretaker for the past few years.

Then the Paradise Camp Fire struck. The devastation was immediate, fierce, and all encompassing. Choking smoke filled the air and stung the eyes.  With God’s grace, Carol and Amelia successfully evacuated from their blazing neighborhood. Some neighbors were not so fortunate.

Amid the joy and relief that they had escaped came the heartwrenching realization of all they had lost. Many possessions,memorabilia, pictures, familiar surroundings. Their church, the school, the whole town. Life changed in a big way.

 

 

They are safely with family, until decisions are made for relocation. While Amelia is sad, of course, she is handling this like she has handled so much in her life. She is a woman of dignity and grace. Awesome and strong.

 

I watched this acceptance as we celebrated Thanksgiving, communicating from across the country.  It humbled me.  I can take so much for granted. Little problems can loom large until I put them in perspective. Right now, I am FILLED with gratitude for all I have in my life, especially the people I love.

I am so proud of Amelia and Carol, and the thousands of others who face the tough changes from this disaster, choosing to look forward with a smile.  And I am so proud of the many people who have (and are) stepping forward to rescue, help, encourage and share with those in need, showing us all the heartwarming side of human nature. We're all in this thing called life together!

At 101, Amelia is thriving and loving, even with this difficult loss and change.  And my husband and I are very, very grateful.  May we all face the challenges that life brings with such wisdom and strength.

Have you ever faced tragedy? What helped you get through?

Christine Bush is a USA Today Bestselling author of romance, romantic mystery, and suspense.  She can be found living in the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania with her husband and 2 lazy cats, and spending time with her 12 grandchildren.   When she’s not writing, she’s teaching Psychology at a local college, and working with clients in her private practice as a Marriage and Family Therapist. She loves to hear from readers and writers!

Christine's  “Sunny Smile” is a sweet romantic mystery set on the Navajo reservation!

https://www.amazon.com/Sunnys-Smile-Christine-Bush-ebook/dp/B071NS96NP/

 

 

www.ChristineBush.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Christine-Bush-Author/213919128638762
http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Bush/e/B001KHSLRG/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1392688497&sr=1-2-ent

Remembering Christmas Presents Past by Kristin Wallace

The lights are twinkling all over and my (mini) Christmas tree is up. Now, it's time for Christmas shopping. Christmas always makes me think of being a kid and the excitement of the big morning. We always went to church on Christmas Eve for the candle lighting service, which is the most beautiful thing. Sometimes we’d open presents on Christmas Eve because we usually drove to see my aunt, uncle and cousins for Christmas. When I was a kid I wanted an Easy Bake Oven. 

Another year Cabbage Patch Dolls were the rage. I remember they were on back order and it took months to get them. I got one in the summer, which was a preemie, and then I ended up getting two at Christmas. I still have them. I found them in a box when my parents were moving a couple years ago. They still look pretty good, right?

But I think my favorite present ever was a huge, stuffed bunny that I got when I was about 4 or 5. It was yellow and soft and I could sit on its lap. Yes, that's actually me with the bunny.

These days it’s harder to figure out what I want. Well, actually my real wish is to be a world-famous author and make my total living off my writing, lol. I’m not sure anyone can give me that present, not even Santa Claus. 

What are your favorite Christmas memories from growing up? Was there was special present you really wanted? 

Kristin Wallaceis the USA Today Best Selling Author of inspirational and contemporary romance, and women’s fiction filled with “Love, Laughter and a Leap of Faith”. Kristin’s latest release is SECOND CHANCE CHRISTMAS, a new entry her Palm Cove Tales series. 

Second Chance Christmas

A delightful holiday novella that continues the Palm Cove Tales, with appearances from some of your favorites “Heiress Games” characters. This new series focuses on the family of security expert, Damon Grant.

Ten years ago, Mia Reynolds and Win Barrington spent one magical Christmas together. Until lies and manipulation at the hands of Win’s wealthy family tore them apart, leaving Mia to raise a daughter on her own. Now, both have returned to their hometown of Palm Cove, Florida. Once they uncover the truth about what happened, can Mia and Win rediscover the love they once lost and celebrate a Second Chance Christmas with their daughter?

Download your copy today!

AMAZON      /       BARNES & NOBLE        /       ITUNES        /      KOBO

Cover Reveal for Jean C. Gordon's No Time for Apologies

Isn't it gorgeous? 

The No Brides Club
Six no marriage vows. Six Mr. Rights. Will a group of strong, independent women break their pledge to one another and choose love over a career?

No Time for Apologies
Releases February 2019
Kate Lewis left the family dairy farm in Western New York for NYU and fell in love with living in New York City. Now a senior analyst for a mutual fund, she’s put everything but her career on hold until she’s grabbed the golden ring of portfolio manager. She’s been passed over twice already, so she’s not letting anything get in her way—not the pang of jealousy she feels when her much younger sister announces her engagement, nor the lingering feelings of inadequacy fostered by her brother’s childhood taunts of “you’re just a girl.” And certainly not any feelings stirred by her new assistant Jon— blast from her past, high school math nerd turned confident competitor for her dream job.

Growing up, Jon Smith felt like a square peg in a round hole. Coming from a family of physicians, he was expected to be a doctor, too. Shy, pudgy, and awkward, he rebelled and majored in mathematics in college, which he paid for himself. He also discovered competitive swimming, shed his extra weight, and grew into his features, but he still remembers being the ugly duckling Jon recently jumped off the career hamster wheel to help his grandfather manage a small beef cattle operation Upstate and teach financial planning at the local community college. He takes a job with the mutual fund company just for the summer for some extra cash to help out his grandfather. But working for Kate, his high school crush, is an added benefit.

Attraction ignites on both sides as the demands of work throw them together. A true No-Bride Club member would never fall for the man who may be here to steal her hard-earned promotion. Despite the long-buried feelings for Kate, Jon fears she may, like his parents, love her work more than she loves him. Is Kate willing to believe Jon and break her no-bride vow for the true joy their love could bring? Is Jon ready to trust his heart and embrace the love an ugly duckling never believed he’d find?

Advance Order Special
Save $10! This 6-book Sweet Contemporary Romance series from Sweet Promise Press features a group of best friends from NYC who have sworn off marriage in favor of their careers. When they meet their Mr. Right, they must each decide if they will take a chance on love. Pre-order the complete set to not only save $10 (that's like getting 2 books for free), but also to receive the full set on January 4 when book 1 launches. Are you ready to dive into this great new series?

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Only 99¢ Through Sunday
Save $3! on these three heartwarming holiday tales.

Holiday Escape
Bridget O’Brien lost her fiancé to a dangerous job. And, while she’d love to have a relationship like the one she lost, the last thing she wants is one with another man who willingly puts his life in danger. Luke Foster is a motocross racer whose track record with women runs short and no-strings-attached on both sides. He’d never seriously pursue a forever-after woman like Bridget. All they want is a holiday week away. Bridget from her well-meaning family’s condolences about her planned Christmas Eve wedding and her memories of a future that won’t be. Luke from his family’s annual critique at which he and his life choices always fall short of expectations. But, under the blue Caribbean skies, anything can happen.

Team Macachek Christmas
Sparks fly from a Christmastime reunion of motocross racer Jesse Brewster and his ex-girlfriend Lauren Cooper. Being thrown together to plan the race team's Christmas party reignites a flame Lauren thought she'd extinguished when she broke up with Jesse six months earlier. But will Jesse's well-meaning secret Christmas gift—meant to help win her back—compromise the independence Lauren is fighting to establish? Is it, as she maintains, the wrong time for their love?

Christmas Pizza to the Rescue
Jilted at the alter two weeks ago, motocross champion Royce Evans plans to make an appearance at the Team Macachek Christmas party to show the guys he’s just fine. Then he’ll hunker down alone at the team barracks for the rest of the holiday season. Out-of-work investigative reporter turned pizza delivery person Samantha Linder needs money for her younger sister’s special school tuition and needs to re-establish her cred as a reporter. When a freak winter rain storm strands them alone at the barracks, they strike a bargain that benefits them both. But after Sam appears to break that bargain, can even the spirit of Christmas save their blossoming love?

BUY: 99¢ eBook | Print

And don't miss our Holiday Party at the Sweet Romance Reads Cafe on Facebook.
 

Wishing you a blessed Christmas... Roxanne Rustand

This will be my only December blog post,  so this is my chance to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

I love writing novels with a Christmas theme. Montana Mistletoe is out now, and is the first of three novels in my Love Inspired Rocky Mountain Ranch series.   Here's the blurb...

Wanted: a nanny for Christmas!
The only job Abby Halliwell can find in her Montana hometown is temporary nanny to two mischievous little girls...but it's on her ex-boyfriend Jess Langford's ranch.  He desperately needs help raising the twins suddenly left in his care.  

Neither he nor Abby are interested in romance, but between unexpected holiday happenings and the efforts of his grandma and two pint-sized matchmakers, will their business arrangement turn into something more?


Do you have some special treats you like to make over the holidays?  Those leaving a comment will be in a drawing for an e-copy of my novella,  An Irish Christmas Blessing---with two winners!

Here is a recipe for the Christmas cut-out cookies I have been making for decades.  It's easy to use--and can be rolled out numerous times if you have little helpers.  :)  I usually only use butter in my cookies, but this recipe does need shortening instead.

Roxanne's Christmas Cookies 

1 cup white Crisco (not butter flavored)
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp real vanilla
2 Tbsp milk

Cream well, then add the dry ingredients:
4 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt

Roll out, cut into shapes, and bake 8-10 min at 350. I just love red hots....can you tell which one is going to mine? :) Now I need to bake these, and get back to writing!


I would love to hear about your favorite holiday recipes!

Roxanne

#99¢ Book Bargains from the #SweetRomance Reads Authors

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Save $3 through Saturday Only! Three heartwarming holiday tales in one.

Holiday Escape
Bridget O’Brien lost her fiancé to a dangerous job. And, while she’d love to have a relationship like the one she lost, the last thing she wants is one with another man who willingly puts his life in danger. Luke Foster is a motocross racer whose track record with women runs short and no-strings-attached on both sides. He’d never seriously pursue a forever-after woman like Bridget. All they want is a holiday week away. Bridget from her well-meaning family’s condolences about her planned Christmas Eve wedding and her memories of a future that won’t be. Luke from his family’s annual critique at which he and his life choices always fall short of expectations. But, under the blue Caribbean skies, anything can happen.

A Team Macachek Christmas
Sparks fly from a Christmastime reunion of motocross racer Jesse Brewster and his ex-girlfriend Lauren Cooper. Being thrown together to plan the race team's Christmas party reignites a flame Lauren thought she'd extinguished when she broke up with Jesse six months earlier. But will Jesse's well-meaning secret Christmas gift—meant to help win her back—compromise the independence Lauren is fighting to establish? Is it, as she maintains, the wrong time for their love?

Christmas Pizza to the Rescue
Jilted at the alter two weeks ago, motocross champion Royce Evans plans to make an appearance at the Team Macachek Christmas party to show the guys he’s just fine. Then he’ll hunker down alone at the team barracks for the rest of the holiday season.  Out-of-work investigative reporter turned pizza delivery person Samantha Linder needs money for her younger sister’s special school tuition and needs to re-establish her cred as a reporter. When a freak winter rain storm strands them alone at the barracks, they strike a bargain that benefits them both. But after Sam appears to break that bargain, can even the spirit of Christmas save their blossoming love?

BUY: 99¢ eBook or Paperback

~  ~  ~  ~ ~

An Almost Perfect Christmas by Donna Fasano

For fans of ‘Me Before You’ and ‘The Fault in Our Stars’—An Almost Perfect Christmas brings together two people in need of the kind of love that can overcome tragedy. A heartbreakingly romantic novel that challenges each of us to live—and love—to the fullest… even when life is less than perfect.

When it comes to business, Aaron Chase knows how to succeed. But when his daughter, Izzie, asks him for the perfect family Christmas, the handsome widower feels at a loss about how to make his little girl’s dream come true.

Pediatric Nurse Christy Cooper has dedicated her life to taking care of children. She agrees to act as Izzie’s stand-in mom for this special holiday and throws herself into making the child’s Christmas wish a reality. Maybe this selfless act will somehow alleviate her secret regrets and failures of the past.

The holiday is filled with fun and laughter, and it’s amazing how three short days can be so life-changing. When the impish eight-year-old talks the adults into acting out a silly, make-believe wedding, young Izzie is certain the magic of the season will turn the pretend vows into the real thing. The little girl wants her daddy to have Christmas in his life—every single day.

Save $3! Buy the eBook for $0.99 in the Kindle Store

or at regular price in Paperback

~  ~  ~  ~  ~

Christmas Ball? Check. Quaint small town with an uncertain future? Check. Handsome, exasperating, human roadblock to every new idea? CHECK! NYC transplant Midnight Shelby has her work cut out for her, if she's going to create a life in Legend, Tennessee. Single dad Martin McClain wants to keep Legend as idyllic as when he was a kid. Legend's future - and theirs - may depend on a compromise.

Nothing in her successful career in New York City could have prepared Midnight for a small town holiday in Legend, Tennessee. Downtown is as pretty as a postcard, and annual events like the Christmas Ball and community Christmas Eve service warm her heart. She risked everything by investing in the big building on Main Street that she found on a realtor's website. Folks are nice enough, but the shop she's dreamed of, selling locally-made arts and crafts, hasn't a chance until the community accepts and trusts her plans. One man in particular stands in her way.

Martin McClain was born and raised in the Legend area. His family has lived there for generations, and he feels a duty to preserve the past. The website his son Daniel created is good for business, but although Martin is a real estate agent by trade, he’s wary of newcomers’ motivations. Especially Midnight Shelby, who seems bent on changing everything...even him.

Legend has struggled for years. Local employment is at an all-time low, and most graduates of Legend High have no chance of making a living in the town where they were raised. Now a new company making big promises is in talks with the mayor and town council.

The people of Legend have always worked together in times of crisis. How will they survive this one?

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Blaming himself for the collapse of a storm shelter that took the lives of his wife and son in a violent tornado, Cody has spent the last three years running, moving from place to place, taking whatever odd job is available to sustain his empty life.

Piper knows what it takes to endure and hope in the face of the odds, especially at Christmas, so when the ruggedly handsome man with the desolate look in his face steps into her cat cafe to deliver a box of stray kittens, something tells her it could be a very special holiday.

"This is a wonderfully unique story of two souls running from their past." ~5 stars from Books and Pals 

99¢ on Kindle

Her Mr. Miracle - New Release by Donna Fasano @DonnaFaz #SweetRomance

I’m excited to share my New Release with you. Her Mr. Miracle is the 8th book in my Ocean City Boardwalk Series. Please note that the first 3 books in the series are contemporary romance novels and might be a little more steamy than Sweet Romance Readers might prefer; however, all the other books in the series (Books 4 through 8) are sweet, stand-alone stories that I know you’ll enjoy.

The awesome thing about Her Mr. Miracle is that the story went in directions I was not expecting. I love it when that happens. One secondary character in particular showed up out of the blue, and she made a decision that I found, well… shocking. But once the scenes were written, I found myself coming to a place of compassion and understanding for her.

Here’s a little more about Her Mr. Miracle:

Veronica “Ronnie” Clark has had it up to here with her family. So she shoves her suitcase into the trunk of her car along with that billowy, lacy, monstrosity of a bridal gown and hits the road. Unfortunately, her old Volvo gives out, leaving her stranded on Christmas Eve in the nearly deserted seaside town of Ocean City, Maryland. Oh, boy, does she ever need a miracle!

And like Christmas magic, her Mr. Miracle appears. Adam Rone stops to offer her assistance, and once the tow truck drives away with the Volvo, he suggests she stay at Ocean Dreams, the hotel he owns and operates in the tourist town. 

Ronnie is drawn to the compassionate single dad, and the attraction they feel is undeniable. But when she learns all he’s going through to keep his family together, she can’t bring herself to reveal to him that she’s running from hers. All she wants is for him to take her in his arms and kiss her, but he keeps asking about that stupid wedding dress!

Find Her Mr. Miracle:

Kindle

Paperback

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USA Today Bestselling Author Donna Fasano has written over 30 romance and women’s fiction novels. Her books have won awards and have sold 4 million copies worldwide. Her work is available in paperback, audiobooks, and ebooks for Kindle, Nook, Kobo, iBooks, and Google Play. Learn more about her at her blog, check out her books, and connect with her on Facebook,Twitter, and Pinterest. She loves to hear from readers.

Lyn Cote-What I Never Told My Editor~

Lyn Cote here-I’m usually a forth-coming person, honest and frank, but some words are hard to say. And over a decade ago when I signed a contract for a new four-book historical inspirational series, I was told that the publisher had already chosen the title for the series. Okay--it was fine. I got busy and started writing. I’d been writing contemporaries and now I was writing my first love, historicals again. And writing a series of four generations of women in one family spanning the 20^th century was a dream come true. I was pumped. The first book came out and I decided to google the series and see if anyone had noticed it.

That’s when the AWFUL TRUTH was revealed. Evidently my publisher HAD NOT googled the title. Imagine my horror--when my inspirational romance series shared a name with a PORN SITE--boasting the most beautiful women on the net. ACK!!! After some thought, I decided NOT to let my editor know. Evidently she never googled it so we never had an uncomfortable conversation. Some words are better left unsaid. 

I’ve renamed the series: “The Carlyle Women” and the last of the four ebooks (also each with a new title) Blurb: A troubling secret separates Leigh from her daughter Carly. After surviving a childhood trauma, Carly is driven to test herself, trying to be free of the past she doesn’t understand. In 1990, instead of going off to college at seventeen as expected, Carly does the completely unexpected. She enlists in the army. Her mother cannot reconcile her daughter’s choice with her memories of the Vietnam era.

Arriving at bootcamp, Carly realizes she will finally get the challenge she has always wanted--to prove to herself that she need be afraid no more. The end of the 1980’s brings another worldwide event that swallows Carly. As the battle lines form, Carly will face death and more--the revelations of the past. And in the end all four generations will confess their secrets and sins. Will they find forgiveness? Reconciliation? Or will their family shatter?

The Carlyle Women-four generations, 

each facing the challenges of her time 

and each harboring her own painful secret~

What Love Is, is debuts today, Dec 1^st. If you’d like more info, here’s the link. https://booksbylyncote.com/SWBS/books-by-lyn/what-love-is