Christmas Blessings??? Christmas Romance?

 Lyn  Cote here~I'l like to share one of my Christmas blessings.

My husband and I moved to the northwoods of WI in the early 2000’s. On the first Christmas morning I witnessed something called sublimation. Not psychologically but in chemistry. Here’s what I mean. 

I was standing at the kitchen window and looked out and I saw what looked like snow but special snow I’d never seen before. And the sun was shining brightly--not a cloud in the clear blue sky. Where could snow come from without clouds?  And it was the most beautiful snow I’d ever seen--like cascades of crushed diamonds--veils of them coming down in shimmering waves. I was transfixed. And when the blessing finally ended, the snowy ground glittered like a field of diamonds. I was uplifted, filled with joy. And this happened again on another Christmas morning. Twice--I was amazed.

My husband explained sublimation. Here’s the dictionary definition.

Chemistry.--to convert (a solid substance) by heat into a vapor, which on cooling condenses again to solid form, without apparent liquefaction.

He explained to me that the vapor was being translated into solid form--snow--without becoming liquid first.

Since it happened twice and both times on Christmas morning, I took both as a special gifts from God--for all of us who witnessed it. Have you ever experienced a special blessing like this at Christmas? It doesn’t have to be from nature but from another person. BTW, I received two other Christmas blessings, both my children were born in December. :-) 

Here’s a short-short story I wrote about another Christmas blessing, Love.

Christmas Eve at Old Ft. Bowie  

by Lyn Cote

Gazing out at the scrubbed-covered mountains, Emmeline dabbed her eyes.  In spite of her efforts, her husband had sensed her unhappiness earlier at breakfast.

“What’s wrong, dearest?” he’d asked, gently touching her hand.

She’d forced a smile. “Homesickness. I doubt we’ll have a Christmas tree.”

Yes, Fort Bowie, Arizona, was nothing like pine-forested Wisconsin. But six months ago, she’d chosen to trust God to lead her to a good man. He had through a letter sent to the Milwaukee newspaper, asking if any brave woman would take a chance on marrying a lonely soldier in the West. After many letters and an arduous railroad journey, she’d married Captain Gardner Winslow, becoming an army wife with all its worries. 

Their fort guarded a natural spring, life itself here in the desert. With Geronimo on the loose, her husband was again out keeping the stage route safe. And that’s why I’m foolish to be sniffling over a Christmas tree. Gardner is risking his life protecting others.

Emmeline hurried to her kitchen. She’d have a smile on her face and atasty meal waiting whenever her captain returned tonight!

***

Much later dozing in the chair, she awoke in near darkness.

Gardner stood before her with---

“I know it’s the sorriest excuse for a Christmas tree ever.”

The tree was a scraggly scrub all right. Rising, she hugged Gardner with the fragrant pine between them, pressing against his firm chest. “I’m sorry I even brought it up.” 

“Emmeline, you gave up a fine life for me.” 

“I gave up a fine life for a finer man.”

***

Hope you enjoyed this little peek into a long ago Christmas and Merry Christmas to You!

BTW, want to read a sweet Christmas novella? How about my Mavis's Forever Christmas?

A later in life hero and heroine join forces to help an expectant mom and a stray mama dog and her pups~

Never married, Mavis, a retired college librarian, has made a new life for herself near her “adopted” niece Ellie. Over a year ago, John lost his wife, who was Mavis's best friend for nearly forty years. He has spent the past months traveling with his trailer, trying to figure out this new life. But when his only daughter Ellie faces complications with a difficult pregnancy, he’s pulled back to her hometown. 

Helping Ellie brings Mavis and John close once again, and new feelings and attractions spark. Maybe falling in love isn’t just for the young, but is it right? And it feels like a betrayal of his wife and/or her best friend, but is it? By a Carol Award-winning author, this emotional, small town, family drama will touch your heart. And an adventurous little puppy will make you smile.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B9K9Z2TK/

 

Christmas Comes Early by Laura Scott

 

Merry Christmas!

Okay, I know it's technically the last day of November, but I'm thrilled to be releasing Cassidy, the last book in my Oath of Honor series on December 3rd. That's only three days away! Treat yourself to an early Christmas gift and get Cassidy before the holiday. You'll love Cassidy and Gabe's story.

If you'd like to get this book for 15% off you can buy directly from my website:laurascottbooks.com. Just enter the code Laurascott15 for your discount!

I have heard from several readers who wanted Gabe's story, so I decided he and Cassidy should have their happily ever after. Their relationship becomes complicated when Gabe is attacked and suffers from amnesia. Will he remember what happened and save his younger half brother before it's too late?

Cassidy by Laura Scott $3.99

Amazon B&N Apple GooglePlay Kobo Laura's Website

I've had so much fun writing this series and I will miss these wonderful characters. But you know me, I always have another series cooking away in the back of my brain. Next year I'll kick off my Sullivan K9 Search and Rescue Series. This is a family that dedicates their time by offering Search and Rescue services. Much like the Finnegan family, these siblings are close and help each other out when getting in trouble. Dog lovers will adore this series. And just like Cassidy, if you'd like to buy directly from my website you can get Scent of Danger for 15% off by using the code Laurascott15. 

Scent of Danger By Laura Scott $3.99

Kidnapped in Wyoming!

DEA Agent Doug Bridges is angry to realize his stepsister has been kidnapped after her night shift at the hospital. He goes into full agent mode to investigate, but soon runs into dead ends. Winter in northern Wyoming is no joke and he needs help, fast. When he’s referred to the Sullivan K-9 Search and Rescue team, he convinces Maya Sullivan and her Siberian Husky Zion to help him find Emily.

The oldest of nine siblings, Maya knows Emily through her youngest sister Kendra and doesn’t hesitate to offer her K-9’s tracking skills. But two episodes of gunfire, followed by a personal attack against Maya leads to more questions. Was the attack against Maya connected to Emily’s kidnapping? As a blizzard threatens to blanket the city with a foot of snow, Maya and Doug are in a race against time. Will they find Emily and a chance at love before it’s too late?

Amazon B&N Apple GooglePlay Kobo Laura's Website

Kazuri: Women Helping Women, by Susan Aylworth

Kazuri is a Swahili word meaning "It's good." The Kazuri bead factory and shop in Nairobi, Kenya is good. Founded by a single mom who learned she could make and sell pretty beads, the facility now hires only single moms, and what they accomplish is amazing. Good people who help others are among the many gifts for which I am grateful this season.

When our group pulled in beside the factory, we were greeted by Stella who introduced herself as our guide. She toured us through the factory and the shop, showing us the work in progress along the way.

Everything we saw, even the lights in the factory, was decked in ceramic beads. We watched talented creators form beads from the clay of Mt. Kenya mixed with silica and other substances. Other women shaped tiny ceramic elephants or other creatures intended as keepsakes. 

An accomplished team put formed ceramic products into a kiln while others painted the finished beads. Each of the women has developed a signature style for her work. Some of the beads simulate natural stones or gems; others are shapes and colors not found in nature. 

The beads they produce come in varied styles, some elegant and some whimsical, and are eventually put together in different earrings, bracelets, and necklaces in many sizes. 

While I very much admire the work these talented women produce, I am equally impressed with their purpose. One single mother found a way to support her family, and she is now paying it forward, bringing teams of other women into her work. It's women helping women, and our world can always use that.

You can see the work these ladies produce, and possibly even indulge yourself or a loved one with a lovely gift at the Kazuri Beads online store. As the Swahili name says, "It's good."

When you're thinking of a small indulgence, check out All Roads Lead to Christmas Town, available now for preorder and releasing November 29. It's a collection of the first three Christmas Town novels, three full books in one for only $1.99. 

May you enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, my friends. Know I am grateful for you all. 

Susan Aylworth is the author of 26 published novels including two small-town sweet romance series set in and near the Navajo Nation and in the Sierra Nevada foothills, as well as five books in the Christmas Town series. Susan lives near Utah's Rocky Mountains. CHASING RAINBOWS, Book 10 in her Rainbow Rock Romances, was released in September, the anthology ALL ROADS LEAD TO CHRISTMAS TOWN releases this week,  and Book 6 in the Christmas Town series, A VALENTINE IN CHRISTMAS TOWN, is coming in January. Susan loves travel, music, her large and scattered family, perfect raspberry jam, and hearing from readers. Contact her at her website: susanaylworthauthor.com,  or via susan.aylworth.author@gmail.com, also @SusanAylworth. 

Camille Elliot Behind the Scenes: Original Cover

Prelude for a Lord (the extended version) releases on Amazon on December 2! You can buy it early at a discount from my website.

(Want to join my Launch Team?)

The current cover is actually the second version of the cover for this book. Here’s what the original cover from my publisher, Zondervan, looked like.

The original stock photo was of a blonde woman, and when I pointed out the error, the graphic designer at Zondervan did a nice job coloring her hair brown.

For the new cover, I kept the orange and blue colors but chose a model in profile rather than with her entire face hidden.

This new re-release is an extended version of the original book. Zondervan had a strict word count of 100,000 words, but my original manuscript was 120,000 words, so I had to cut 20,000 words.

But when I got my rights back and started planning to re-release it, I realized I could release the original manuscript before it was cut. So the version coming out is the uncut, extended version.

Here’s the back cover description:

Book One in the Gentlemen Quartet series

An awkward young woman. A haunted young man. A forbidden instrument. Can the love of music bring them together . . . or will it tear them apart?

Bath, England—1811

At twenty-eight, Alethea Sutherton is past her prime for courtship; but social mores have never been her forté. She might be a lady, but she is first and foremost a musician.

In Regency England, however, the violin is considered an inappropriate instrument for a lady. Ostracized by society for her passion, Alethea practices in secret and waits for her chance to flee to the Continent, where she can play without scandal.

But when a thief’s interest in her violin endangers her and her family, Alethea is determined to discover the enigmatic origins of her instrument . . . with the help of the dark, brooding Lord Dommick.

Scarred by war, Dommick finds solace only in playing his violin. He is persuaded to help Alethea, and discovers an entirely new yearning in his soul.

Alethea finds her reluctant heart drawn to Dommick in the sweetest of duets . . . just as the thief’s desperation builds to a tragic crescendo . . .

Buy Prelude for a Lord

Wrapped Up in Christmas Love by Janice Lynn

Okay, so Wrapped Up in Christmas Love is the title of my latest book and I love talking about Zach & Isabelle's story. But, for once, I'm actually talking about a different type of being Wrapped Up in Christmas Love. :) 

So, I haven't started decorating for Christmas yet. I usually do this the Saturday after Thanksgiving. We have a family gathering at my house on "Black Friday" and I like having the house look fallish for that dinner. However, my son & his wife will be home for Christmas the week of December 8th so we are doing Christmas early so as many of us as can be together at once can celebrate together. 

When I start thinking about decorating, then I have to think about presents. I've got some work to do there as I've only bought gifts for the Grands. :) For those sweeties, I'm ahead of the game. :) Not that I've wrapped any of those adorable gifts, but I'll share one from last year. We've had a lot of fun with this blue bear & book. :) 

Which leads me to what my blog is actually about--wrapping presents! Are you an expert wrapper to where every gift is in matching paper and ribbon? Do you just wrap them up with whatever paper has caught your eye? Do you buy bags and put the presents inside? Or the gift boxes where you just place the present into them? Or more like me and have a smorgasbord of all of the above? 

I have started doing a wrapping trick to make my life a little simpler. I try to use the same paper for an event. That means if I'm going to my parents, I try to wrap all the presents that go to their house for various family members in the same or similar paper. I also try to put them all together. For Michael's family, I use different paper and try to put those presents together. And, so forth. When I do this, it makes my life much less stressful. I don't want to forget anyone's gift and feel this helps cut down on the risk of my doing that. It also helps keep me from having to dig around under the tree. I tend to knock ornaments off when I do that, so my not having to do that is a good thing. 

How about you? Do you have any great wrapping tricks/tips that simplify your life?

With all that time you'll save on wrapping and searching, maybe you'll have extra reading time to check out Wrapped Up in Christmas Love, the fourth book of my Wrapped Up in Christmas series from Tule Publishing. The first three books were originally published with Hallmark. This fourth book features a Quilts of Valor, the Butterflies, and is Isabelle Davis's love story. It's a special one!WRAPPED UP IN CHRISTMAS LOVE November 12, 2024 from Tule Publishing. Order your copy today. Amazon Barnes & Noble

Wrapped Up in Christmas Hope https://amzn.to/3Twuyec
Wrapped Up in Christmas Joy https://amzn.to/47wB8qW
Wrapped Up in Christmas https://amzn.to/4gvI1wP

USA Today, Wall Street Journal, & Publishers Weekly Bestselling author JANICE LYNN lives in Tennessee with her Prince Charming and their princes and princesses, her vivid imagination, an adorable Maltese named Halo who's the true royalty of the house, and bunches of unnamed dust bunnies that moved in after Janice started her writing career. In addition to writing romance, Janice is a nurse practitioner, a quilter, a military mama, and an avid supporter of the Quilts of Valor Foundation. www.janicelynn.com  

From Real Life to Romance: The Story Behind Frosted Mistletoe Kisses

Real-life moments often hold the spark of a great story—those little encounters, quiet places, or chance connections that inspire something bigger. Sometimes, life’s most ordinary experiences plant the seeds for extraordinary tales.

What happens when the walls of a historic building whisper secrets of love, hope, and second chances? In Frosted Mistletoe Kisses, those whispers turned into a story worth telling.The inspiration for Frosted Mistletoe Kisses stems from a real-life experience: renting a room in a historic building in Great Falls, Montana.

This grand old building, with its wooden staircases and creaky floorboards, provided the perfect backdrop for a heartwarming love story.

Amelia and Lucas are neighbors in this historic building. A mutual friend’s wedding, taking place on the bottom floor of the building, will open the doors to their happily ever after.  This historic setting not only inspired the backdrop

for Frosted Mistletoe Kisses but also shaped the tone of the story—a blend of warmth, nostalgia, and a hint of mystery. The building, much like the characters, has layers of history that hide secrets and stories waiting to be uncovered. In the excerpt below, you’ll see how Amelia’s surroundings mirror her journey of transformation and connection, and how a chance meeting with Lucas at the staircase adds a spark of anticipation to her day.

Here’s a glimpse of the story where love shines, a hidden identity will be revealed, and mystery and second chances intertwine in the historic Granville building.  

 ❤️ 🎄 📖 ❤️ 🎄 📖 ❤️ 🎄 📖

Amelia felt a gentle connection with the apartment building, remodeled to meet contemporary demands. It symbolized her life. She’d seen some things, but she had emerged from the problems better suited to friendships and the world in general. 

Caught in the pleasantness of her thoughts, Amelia didn’t hear the door down the hall open, but her ears had caught the sounds from the quiet meeting of wood against the frame and the jingling of keys turned in a lock. The carpet muffled the neighbor’s footsteps on his or her way to an errand—or a job. 

It could have been anyone. A couple of the apartments were rented to her former housemates—or one of the owners of the businesses who rented the storefronts on the first floor. —it could have been Amelia’s favorite person. 

She glanced up. It was him. Lucas. Neither former housemate nor business owner, Lucas also lived on the second floor of the historic Granville building.  Whoever owned the building was gracious enough to offer him an apartment that was priced according to his income as well. He’d been the handyman of the Second Chances Center.

The absence of a coat hinted that he was headed to the same place as Amelia. Rex’s coffee house. Amelia admired his rugged look, jeans, and a buttoned denim shirt. His hair was slightly mussed, and his closely shaved salt-and-pepper beard gave his chin a gravelly texture. 

Their paths converged at the top of the stairs that would take them from the second floor of the older building to the first. The third floor was an apartment all unto itself. Amelia glanced up, chancing a peek hoping for the answer to the question she hadn’t voiced. Who lived up there? She’d heard movement late at night but had never met the person behind the doors. Nobody knew.

Occasionally, from the outside, they’d seen a figure in the window, but they’d never seen a face.  Everyone speculated that it was a grumpy older man who hated people but liked the prestige of living in central Hope Springs. 

From what she saw from her perspective, at the bottom of the stairwell leading to the front doorway, the entryway to the third-floor clearing was dull. No Christmas lights were lining the top of the wall. Nothing about that area could be interpreted as festive. It sent a chill down her spine. She wrapped her plaid scarf around her neck to fend off the cold. Then she tugged her ponytail free of the temporary tangle. 

“Ready for all the excitement?”

❤️ 🎄 📖 ❤️ 🎄 📖  ❤️ 🎄 📖 

Mark your calendars! Frosted Mistletoe Kisses launches on November 28th as part of the heartwarming Mistletoe Kisses romance series. Starting now through mid-December, a new short and sweet holiday read will debut every day in the Kindle Unlimited Library. Don’t miss this festive celebration of love and happily ever afters! Check out the Weekly releases here:

❤️  https://www.cleanromancebookgirlies.com/mistletoe-kisses-week-4-releases/ ❤️

❤️ 🎄 📖 ❤️ 🎄 📖  ❤️ 🎄 📖 

One last thing......My husband and I share a love for exploring old buildings, and this story was inspired by one of our favorite visits. If you know of any historic spots we should check out, drop a comment below! We’re always looking for new places to explore—and who knows, they might just inspire my next romance.

Fall Colors by Merrillee Whren

 Last month I talked about going on cruises. This month I'm going to share photos from our most recent cruise to New England and Canada. The cruise sailed from Boston. The weather was lovely the day we sailed, and thus, I forgot the coat I had dragged all the way from hot Arizona. So I got a new coat in Bar Harbor, Maine, our first stop on the cruise. Here I am in my new coat, while I stood at the entrance to the public gardens in Halifax, Nova Scotia. 

 Here is a photo that I took in the public gardens. The flowers were gorgeous.

 

 

On our next stop, Sydney, we rented a car and drove into the countryside and stopped in the little town of Baddeck. On the way we saw beautiful fall colors. We had lunch there. I had the most amazing grilled cheese sandwich. Here is a photo of the colorful foliage.

 

 

 

Our next stop was Prince Edward Island, which is famous for the Anne of Green Gables books. Here's a photo of the house that inspired the house in the books.

 

After our visit to Prince Edward Island, we sailed down the St. Lawrence River toward Quebec City. The leaves along the shore were spectacular, as was the foliage in and around Quebec City. The title photo was taken just outside the city near the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Deaupre. Here is a photo of the foliage along the river. 

We stayed a couple of days in Quebec before renting a car and driving to Montreal. Unfortunately, the weather was rainy and cold in Montreal so other than taking a bus tour we didn't get to do much sight seeing. Here is a photo I took from our hotel room.

In keeping with the fall colors theme, I have a couple of books that start in the fall, and both of them end around Christmas time. You can find information about Second Chance Love by clicking or tapping on the title.

The other book is A Family to Call Ours. Again you can find information about the book by clicking or tapping on the title. 

What is your favorite thing about fall?

Merrillee Whren is the winner of the 2003 Golden Heart Award presented by Romance Writers of American. She is married to her own personal hero, her husband of forty-plus years, and has two grown daughters. Connect with her on her Facebook page and sign up for her newsletter.

Beloved Enemy - A Christmas Story by Vickie McDonough

Yesterday, we celebrated Veterans Day in America with parades, special gatherings at Veteran's facilities, and prayers of thanks for the people who risked their lives to give us the freedoms we enjoy today. My dad, father-in-law, and my third son were all in the military. I've witnessed firsthand the struggles my son has endured after being deployed four times, with two years in Iraq. Sadly, many soldiers don't return to a happy place. I'd like to share with you a story about a Civil War veteran whose homecoming isn't quite what he was expecting. Don't worry, though, this story has an HEA. (Happily Ever After)

Here's what Beloved Enemy is About:

As a Union sniper, killing has become easy for Captain Christmas “Chris” Haley. After four long years of fighting against his own countrymen, the once naïve farm boy is now a war hardened soldier whose faith in God is shaken. Chris is ready to set aside his rifle and return to his Kansas farm. But will his family accept the man he’s become—angry and unsure if he still believes in God?

Chris struggles with being home. His mother's pretty caregiver catches his eye and begins to give him a reason to go on each day. In spite of his bitterness, his heart is softening. But what happens when he learns the secret Hannah is keeping?

Sample:

Scenario: The soldier has just arrived home after four years at war:

    Chris slid off the back of the farmer’s wagon and stared at the trail leading to his home. “Thanks for the ride.” He waved good-bye. The farmer clicked out of the side of his mouth, and the wagon jerked forward. 

    Chris’s eyes drank in the familiar landscape. Seven months after the war ended, and he was finally home. The ranch seemed to have weathered the war fairly well. A few sections of fence were down, the big oak that shaded the house was gone, but the barn and house still stood. Excitement at seeing his family after so long battled the raging hunger in the pit of his belly. 

    Taking a deep breath, Chris hurried down the path in the dead knee-high grass toward home. He wanted to run, but months of recuperating in an army hospital and then nearly dying of typhus had taken their toll. Walking from eastern Georgia almost all the way to Kansas hadn’t helped, either.

A horse’s whinny echoed from the barn, snagging his attention as he passed by. 

    Chris turned toward the sound, grabbing hold of the corral fence and waiting as a wave of dizziness washed over him. After a moment, he made his way to the well, dipping the ladle into the already drawn bucket. Swigging the cool water, he closed his eyes and enjoyed the relief it brought to his parched lips and throat. He wiped his mouth on his sleeve. The house was weathered and needed a new coat of paint. The barn had seen better days, too.

    Had Sultan, their prize stallion, survived the war? It seemed impossible to believe he had. Chris looked toward the house again, thankful it was still standing when so many others had burnt to the ground. Once his mother saw him, he wouldn’t get the chance to ask about Sultan for a while, what with all the rejoicing that would commence. He’d best take a peek now. 

    The barn door eased open on a high-pitched squeak and a groan, and the comforting odor of fresh hay, leather, and horses wrapped around him like an old familiar blanket. The sting of tears blurred his vision, but Chris blinked them away. At times he’d wondered if he would ever see this old barn again. 

    Six stalls ran along one side; five of the doors hung open, stalls empty. Chris heard a soft nicker. Sultan thrust his big black head over the side of the stall at the back of the barn, and Chris’s heart soared. His old friend was still alive. Ebony ears flicking, the horse eyed Chris with a mixture of curiosity and wariness.

    He heard a click, and the stall gate swung open. A pretty woman with blond hair braided and pinned in a tidy bun walked out, leading Sultan by the halter and whispering softly to him. Her brown dress swished around her slender body. 

    She looked up, catching her first glimpse of Chris, and stopped dead in her tracks. Her gaze darted from side to side, as if she were looking for something—or someone. 

Chris narrowed his eyes. Horse thieves weren’t uncommon, even before the war. But now, with so many fine animals killed in battle or butchered for someone’s dinner table, he imagined thieving was a huge problem. What would drive such a pretty young woman to stoop so low?

    No matter, Sultan hadn’t survived all these years of war just to be stolen right out from under his nose on the day he returned home. “Just hold it there. You aren’t going anywhere with that horse.” He straightened, as tall as his weary body would allow, desperately wishing he still had the rifle he’d swapped for some food and a night’s lodging. 

    The woman gasped. Her eyes widened in surprise. She glanced to her left, dropped Sultan’s lead rope, and lunged toward the side of the barn—right where the pitchfork rested against the gray wooden wall. 

    Surprised by the sudden energy flowing through his body, Chris sprang forward. Sultan whinnied, reared up, and then backed into his stall as if the excitement were too much for him. 

    The woman snatched the pitchfork and turned toward him. Chris dove through the air, knocking the weapon from her grasp. A pitiful squeal—something like an animal caught in a trap—erupted from her pretty mouth. They collided, and the force of his leap knocked them both to the ground.

The woman whimpered, twisting and writhing beneath him. Her golden hair flopped over her face as she threw her head from side to side. Her strength amazed him, considering her small stature. 

    With one hand pushing against his chest, she crashed her fist into Chris’s cheek, sending slivers of pain radiating through his head and neck. The metallic taste of blood slid over his tongue. He ducked her next attempt and grabbed her wrist. 

    Chris threw his leg over the woman’s body, straddling her. Grabbing her other wrist, he plopped down on her stomach, forcing a heavy puff of air out of her and into his face. It smelled of coffee—real coffee. Panic contorted her features. Eyes wild, like those of a crazed mustang, stared back. Blue eyes—pale blue. 

    Locked in his grip, she settled under his intense gaze. Her chest heaved, and a tear slid out of the corner of her eye. Who was she?

    “No, please,” she squeaked in a soft, hoarse voice, shaking her head. Pieces of hay clung to her disheveled hair. 

    Chris struggled to calm his trembling limbs. Now that he had captured his prisoner, what was he going to do with her? This wasn’t exactly the homecoming he had planned.

“Do they still hang horse thieves in this part of the country?” he asked.

    Her golden eyebrows tilted in confusion. Suddenly her eyes widened and then filled with something that looked like relief as she looked past him.

    Chris stiffened. He glanced over his shoulder just in time to see his shovel-wielding mother two feet away.

“You let her go, you beast—” A sharp pain radiated from the spot where the back of the shovel connected with his forehead. His mother blurred into two figures as darkness descended.

I think you'll enjoy this fun Christmas stories as the hero and heroine struggle to overcome their own personal predjudices and open their eyes to find something very special. Beloved Enemy is a story of hope, healing, faith and love.

Available on Amazon