The Hallmark Christmas Tradition by Kristin Wallace

The first ornament, 1976

Christmas is all about traditions. Every family has one. Mine has to do with Hallmark. My family started collecting Hallmark dated ornaments in 1976. We've bought one every year since. (That’s 38 years for those who like to add.) Since I’m not married I still get to decorate the family tree at my parents’ house.

This year's entry.

It’s always such a treat to open the boxes and take them out every year. So many memories to uncover. There’s a Santa carrying an Olympic torch to symbolize the 1984 games in L.A. We’ve got a few angels singing because my entire family sings in the choir and we always have a Christmas program. I have some personal ones featuring books because I’m always either reading a book or writing a book. A baby’s first Christmas from the year my niece was born. It’s my dad’s job to take the ornaments out of each box while my mom and I hang them on the tree. We always joke about how he stops for each one, marveling at how the early ones were so inexpensive, and of course, there are a lot of “Oh, I remember this one.”

A box filled with memories…literally. My favorite part of Christmas. Does your family have any traditions when it comes to decorating?

Kristin Wallace writes inspirational romance and women’s fiction filled with “love, laughter and a leap of faith”. She is the author of the Covington Falls Chronicles, romances set in a quirky Southern town with a character all its own. Her latest Chronicle is a sweet holiday romance, BY CHRISTMAS. You can visit her at Kristin Wallace Author

Don’t forget to join us for Santa’s Sweet Romance Reads Bash on December 17^th from noon to 8pm. There will be tons of games, prizes & so much fun to be had. Don’t miss it! Christmas Bash

A Perfect Christmas: Flash Fiction by Shaleen Kapil

Flash fiction is an extremely brief short story, approximately 300-500 words in length. It tells a story in a "flash," a quick scene. I hope you enjoy this Christmas Treat!

It didn’t feel like Christmas. Selena was sad, but she tried hard not to show it. The children would pick it up and want to know why, and they already had enough sadness in their lives. Selena didn’t want to add to it.

Four months ago, Christmas had seemed so far away that she hadn’t really thought of what it would be like not to be at home for Christmas. Her first Christmas away from family. She missed sitting near the fire watching old holiday movies and singing with her sister.

 Still, she wouldn’t have given up this experience, no matter how painful the holidays were. She had followed her new husband, Shane, and his work for his nonprofit establishing schools to India. It was wonderful, rewarding work to see orphan girls like Veejaya come out their shells. Seeing her husband caring for and helping all of these children had allowed Selena to fall even more deeply in love, and she hadn’t known that was possible.

Veejaya skipped into the little classroom. With two long braids hanging down her back and a toothy grin, Selena couldn’t help but smile.

“Miss, miss,” the little girl said, pulling on her hand. “Come, please.”

The little girl led her down the hall to the room that functioned as office, living room, and library. Selana’s mouth dropped open when she saw how it had been transformed. Blue paper snowflakes hung from the ceiling, and diwas, Indian candles in small pots, burned from the tables. A Christmas tree made of strips of newspaper painted green was pinned to the wall.

Shane stood in the middle of the room with a small wrapped box. “Merry Christmas,” he said cheerfully.

Veejaya pushed a button on the remote to the small T.V. and a video player that must have been borrowed. The movie White Christmas began playing, and Selena began to cry.

 “I remembered how much you and your sister loved to watch and act out this movie, so I brought it along.”
            “It’s perfect!” Selena shouted as she rushed into Shane’s arms. She was already planning to teach the “Sisters” dance steps to Veejaya.

Holding Selena close, Shane whispered. “It isn’t much of a gift, but inside that box are adoption papers for Veejaya. If you approve, she can come back with us when we leave in two months.”

This Christmas was better than Selena ever could have imagined. A perfect Christmas.

If you've enjoyed this FLASH FICTION, please scroll down on the right and

enter your email address under Mailing List. We will be sending out a
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Shaleen Kapil has never spent Christmas in India, but she visits often. She is the author of None But You, a sweet romance available in ebook & print formats. 

Find out more at www.shaleenkapil.com or Like her on Facebook. More of Shaleen's flash fiction is available on Readwave 

Giving Thanks for Changes by Patricia Forsythe

A few weeks ago, Alicia Street blogged about ‘Novembering’ the nostalgic feeling we get in the fall that makes us think about the past and the changes we inevitably go through.  Many times, we think that change is a bad thing, but when we stop and consider, it usually turns out to have positive benefits – including adjustments to our attitude about change itself.

A friend I worked with has had a number of health challenges over the past few years, from foot surgery to breast cancer to diabetes to shingles to kidney stones.  Yet through all of this, she has been cheerful and upbeat every time I talk to her.   She has overcome every one of these health issues and while she contributes it to good medical professionals and care, I think ninety percent of it is her attitude.  Whenever we talk, she mentions something for which she is grateful or thankful. 

The thing about change is that it creates our future.  Our attitude about it sometimes has a bigger impact than the change itself, so we might as well embrace it.  And that’s where being thankful comes in.  Every year in November, Thanksgiving rolls around here in the states.  It’s a national holiday not meant to celebrate heroes or military triumphs or anything except being glad for what we’ve got and sharing a festive meal with friends and family.  It is a chance to slow down for a day and concentrate on what we are blessed with, such as certain foods that only come out once a year.  I mean seriously, who wants to roast a turkey in July?  Or eat pumpkin pie?  We also get to enjoy the people we’re blessed with and long for the ones who are no longer with us.


Christmas has become too commercialized, but we don't have to be part of that.  We can choose to have a smaller, more thoughtful, more giving Christmas if we want.  And as the end of the year approaches, we can reflect on the changes we've experienced, even though some of them were ones we didn't like.     

Change is going to come whether we want it to or not, so we might as well enjoy it.


We will be sending out a Christmas enewsletter with a collection of Christmas stories you won't want to miss! To sign up, please scroll down on the right and enter your email address under Mailing List. And don't miss our Santa's Sweet Romance Reads Bash on Facebook on Weds Dec 17th-noon to 8 p.m. Eastern. Sign up to join in the fun here: http://on.fb.me/1yqvdOe

Patricia Forsythe is the author of more than thirty books, some of which have been print published by Harlequin and Kensington and some which she has self-published as ebooks.  Her current series takes place in Lucky Break, Arizona and her newest release is Lucky Break: Homecoming in the Sweet Christmas Kisses boxed set.

Are you ready for Christmas?

Let's see if I am ready.

1. Christmas tree? check, with a two-foot tree standing on a side table and decorated with a string of tiny lights and chocolate balls wrapped in color foil. My grandchildren will have a blast with these after dinner.

2- Christmas decorations in the living room? check, my granddaughters helped me put them since before Thanksgiving. It was a way to keep them busy on a rainy afternoon.

3-Christmas cards. Nope. My husband said we’ll send emails this year.

4-Christmas letter. I’ve written one every year for the past five years. I really don’t feel like doing it this year, not when I’m trying to finish my Christmas book way overdue.

5-Shopping for presents: blessed be the Internet and on-line shopping.

6-Cooking: I still have three weeks. And I bought many goodies baked by the ladies of my church.

So what am I doing during this Christmas season?

Visiting doctors for several problems and buying my medicines before the new insurance kicks off at twice the previous rate.

In addition three friends and a relative are in the hospital for various problems. One is terminal in the hospice and the other is a young mom with two small children and lung cancer. Please pray for her.

Too many depressive items. And yet T’is the Season to be Jolly. Not really here. Not this season, as we wonder collectively: “What’s happening this year?”

The national news are lousy, and the international not much better.

To overcome the gloomy mood, I count my blessings every day and try to convince myself that anything that can be cured is no big deal.

So yes, it’s the Season to be Jolly. My kids and grandchildren will be here for Christmas. My house will turn into a happy noisy mess. The parents will warn the kids to behave and I’ll warn the parents to bug off. In my house, the grandchildren always behave, but they are free to play, sing, and shout as much as they want. Sometimes, I swear their parents are the ones who need to take time out.

Oh and I have two boxes with sweet and not so sweet romantic comedies on Amazon. Make them part of your reading relaxation or gift them to your relatives and friends for Christmas.

 

HOLIDAY BABIES SERIES: A box set of three bestselling books.

Christmas Babies: A sweet and powerful Christmas Story.

Valentine Babies: Can he love a woman expecting another man’s baby?

Mother’s Day Babies: Never too late to find love and happiness.

 

DOCTOR’SORDERS BOX SET: A box set of three bestselling books.

Babies in the Bargain: "ER" and "Grey's Anatomy" in the NICU.

Right Name, Wrong Man: What's a girl to do when she whispers another man's name in her fiancé's arms? A comedy novel set in France.

No More Lies: A lie that brings a smile or a truth drawing tears? Secrets and second chances with humor.

 Alert! The Sweet Romance Reads authors will be hosting the Santa’s Sweet Romance Reads Bash on December 17^th from Noon to 8 PM (Eastern Time). Join this event now! There will be lots of Christmas fun, games, and prizes.

Mona Risk: USA Today Bestselling Author

Outstanding Achiever 2013 Award at Affaire de Coeur Magazine

Best Romance Novel winner at Preditors & Editors Readers Poll

Two-Time winner of Best Contemporary Romance Novel at Readers Favorite.

EPIC’s Ebook Award Finalist.

Kindle Top 100 Bestselling Author

The Good In You by Donna Fasano

What are your character strengths? Are you funny? Adventurous? Kind? Do you feel a deep need to be fair to everyone?

Character strengths are the positive traits that make you YOU. These traits allow you to demonstrate human goodness, and they act as avenues to creating a life of excellence, of virtue, of goodness.

Many people want to focus on the negative with the idea of correcting those things that are lacking. Author James Allen says in his book As A Man Thinketh, “As he thinketh, so he is; as he continues to think, so he remains.” Of course, this applies to men and woman alike. So while deliberating your weaknesses might bring some good, don’t spend all your time with those thoughts.  

Reflecting on the good in you will not only help you to feel more hopeful, doing so will also reveal the best of you, the person you want to be, rather than the person you do not want to be. Deciding which strengths you possess will help you continue to grow into the very best you and is crucial in living a more authentic life. Developing your character strengths is a lifelong project.

Here is a list of good character traits to get you started: appreciation, bravery, creativity, curiosity, fairness, forgiveness, gratitude, honesty, hope, humility, humor, judgment (yes, if used correctly, this is a strength), kindness, leadership, love of others, love of learning, perseverance, perspective, prudence, self-discipline, social awareness, spirituality, teamwork, zest for living.  

Learn about yourself. Focus on your strengths, and your quality of life is bound to improve. What is YOUR best character trait? In the comment section below, tell me what character strength you've spent your life developing. 

~~~

Alert! The Sweet Romance Reads authors will be hosting the Santa’s Sweet Romance Reads Bash on December 17^th from Noon to 8 PM (Eastern Time). Join this event now! There will be lots of Christmas fun, games, and prizes.

 ~~~

Please sign up for our mailing list. We plan to send out a newsletter featuring some wonderful romance flash fiction. Put your email address in the box under "Mailing List" located in the left hand column, then click subscribe. Thanks!

USA Today Bestselling Author Donna Fasano has written over 30 romance and women’s fiction novels. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Sign up for her newsletter. Feel free to contact her; she loves to hear from readers. Donna’s books are available in paperback and as ebooks for Kindle, Nook, Kobo, and iBook.  

Experimenting at the Holidays...or not by Melinda Curtis

I know the holidays are a time of joy and togetherness. In our family, we had 4 of 7 grandchildren

come to Grandma's for Thanksgiving. It was wonderful seeing them all and fantastic seeing Grandma light up and talk to each one.

One thing that Grandma has always loved is experimenting with recipes, especially at the holidays. What she didn't learn (after having 3 kids go off to college) is that those kids return home and want the recipes they're used to. Here were some of the regular dishes they requested:

Turkey breast, cut for sandwiches (they didn't really eat much of it during the actual feast)

Honey baked ham (put a dent in my brother's wallet)

Mashed potatoes made by Mr. Curtis (he has the secret to creamy taters) and his southern gravy

Jello fruit and nut cups (made with less liquid to have the consistency of a cupcake - portable snack!)

StoveTop Stuffing (as opposed to the stuffing sometimes made by Grandma with olives and rice)

Banana Cream Pie (instead of pumpkin)

In the tradition of my mom, I ignored my own advice and experimented with the sweet potatoes and added blueberries, which although looked at with a jaundiced eye by the college returnees, were a hit.

What dishes are a must have at the holidays, even if they aren't exactly traditional?

Melinda Curtis is an award winning, USA Today bestseller.  She writes  sweet and emotional romances, the latest of which is Christmas, Actually from Harlequin Heartwarming. Brenda Novak says: “Season of Change has found a place on my keeper shelf”.  

Join Sweet Romance Reads in December for our annual holiday party on Facebook!

Do You Enjoy a Party? Short Romance stories?

 Then have I got a deal for you! 2 deals actually.

FIRST

The Sweet Romance Reads group is going to host a FACEBOOK party--Santa's Sweet Romance Reads Bash--on Wednesday December 17th at noon to 8 p.m. ET for any and all! See below for the link.  I'm already looking forward to it.

Several of our authors will be taking turns offering fun games, quizzes and giving out prizes! I'll be hosting a half hour around supper time. I'm going to try to find a fun Christmas trivia quiz. And many fun facts about Christmas. And maybe even a recipe!

SECOND

Shaleen Kapill will be posting a piece of flash fiction on Sunday December 7th. What is flash fiction, you ask? I'm going to let Shaleen explain it. But it's all part of the launch our group's enewsletter. If you love sweet romance reads (THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ALL ABOUT!), this is for you! Now how to make sure you get  this--

We will be sending out a Christmas enewsletter with a collection of Christmas stories you won't want to miss! To sign up, please scroll down on the right and enter your email address under Mailing List. And don't miss our Santa's Sweet Romance Reads Bash on Facebook on Weds Dec17th-noon to 8 p.m. Eastern. Sign up to join in the fun here: http://on.fb.me/1yqvdOe

So we hope Sweet Romance Reads can add to your enjoyment of this wonderful holiday season. May I be the first to wish you A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!  

BTW,  I've just released "Where Honor Began," a novelette prequel to my novel, HONOR, the first in my "Quaker Brides" series.

BLURB:

How can unexpected visitors turn one’s world upside down?

Honor Penworthy, a young Maryland lady, tries to keep faith with a friend amidst family turmoil.

But the stakes rise higher when the war that seemed so faraway comes dangerously close to her and those she loves.

What a difference three days can make in one life--leaving a legacy of conflict but with honor.

To purchase, click cover.