Christmas in Shellwater Key...by Kristin Wallace

For December I have a surprise! I'm putting out a holiday box set with my 3 Shellwater Key Christmas novellas. I’m excited to revisit these fun & touching novellas set in the Florida beach town of Shellwater Key. The main stories in the series center around 3 friends who revive the old Paradise Dinner Theatre. These holiday novellas venture beyond the theatre.

Here’s a little preview….

Finding You At Christmas

She’s going to find her destiny this Christmas…

After years of looking out for everyone else, preacher’s daughter Janie Worthy is ready to get a life of her own. But on the way to her first date, her car decides to quit, and a stranger on a motorcycle becomes her savior. The short time she spends with Caleb Montgomery on the side of the road might
be the most romantic interlude Janie can remember. Of course, it’s all a fantasy, and soon Caleb is riding off into the night.

Until he shows up again in her hometown of Shellwater Key. When Caleb decides to stay in town for Christmas, Janie can’t help but wonder if she is the reason. Except people don’t fall in love in one night…Right? As the holidays kick into high gear, Janie must find the courage to move beyond past guilt to embrace the future and open the best Christmas present she could ever find.

Falling For You At Christmas

A nativity story for the modern day…

Pregnant and alone at Christmas, Cassie Stevens decides to take a holiday vacation in Shellwater Key before her baby girl is born. Then she discovers her reservation is lost and there is literally no room left at the inn. Thankfully, single inkeeper, Jared Lathem, offers to let Cassie stay with him and his young daughter. She won't have to sleep in a manger, but being in close poximity to the gorgeous Jared might be dangerous t her piece of mind...and heart.

But the magic of the season can change everything. Cassie is suddenly surrounded by a group of friends, who all seem have names relating to another important birth long ago. And when Christmas Eve brings an unexpected delivery, Cassie will discover that miracles are still possible even in modern times. 

Loving You At Christmas

This Christmas will become the opening act for her holiday happily ever after…

Annaliese Matheson once had the perfect life, with a successful career on Broadway and a loving husband who was her greatest champion. Then her husband died. Devastated, she left the stage behind and only returned when her best friend, Grayson Kendall, asked her to perform at The Paradise Dinner Theatre in tiny Shellwater Key, Florida.

Annaliese is convinced she’ll never love again, but when she steps in to direct to Middle School Christmas Show, nothing will ever be the same. A man unlike any she’s known awakens her buried heart, giving her a second chance at forever with the last person she would have expected. It will take a miracle for Annaliese to let someone else in and embrace happiness again...but then it is Christmas.

BUY NOW ON AMAZON

Kristin Wallace is the USA Today Best Selling Author of inspirational and sweet contemporary romance filled with “Love, Laughter and a Leap of Faith”. The Christmas in Shellwater Key boxes et will release this winter. 

Hero Material and a Cover Reveal

What qualities say romance-hero material? I'm sure you're not surprised to learn that I have numerous hero qualities I think are attractive. If I didn't, all my books would be the same story.

Appearance carries some weight. Who can guess what Outlander actor/character I used as my looks inspiration for my auburn-haired hero in my upcoming January No Brides Club book, No Time for Detours? 😀 But actions and beliefs are much more indicative of a true hero than looks.

One action, based on a real situation, that shouted HERO to me in capital letters, was that taken by a young man we know. When his girlfriend, who had custody of her sister's pre-school-age twins, broke up with him, she left the twins with him. He whole heartedly accepted responsibility for the children even though they were in no way his legal responsibility. He loved them and was the only father figure they'd known. That's a heroic action my my eyes. The man became my model for Nick in No Time for Detours.

Do you have a swoon-worthy action that shouts HERO to you?

Now for that Cover Reveal

Don't you love it? I do. Isn't the wedding gown gorgeous? And the cover picks up the gold color used in the cover of my first No Brides Club book No Time for Apologies.

CHECK OUT ALL OF THE NO BRIDES SERIES

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Bargain Books by Lyn Cote

First time on sale for 99 cents! ENDS DEC. 10TH!
THE HEART HOPES
What could unite a disgruntled DA and the pretty teacher, responsible for his hung jury? 

Perhaps a little boy in need of love 

Young and eager, Patience begins her first year of teaching. One first grader, Jackson, sparks her concern. Can she help him start off his school years on the right foot? A stint of jury duty takes her away from Jackson, and into conflict with Jackson’s dad, by-the-book DA Gil Montgomery. Her “not guilty” vote means he’ll have to try the case again. And she’s upset that her absence had badly affected Jackson, now branded the “class troublemaker,” just what she was trying to prevent.

Gil and his ex-wife’s conflicting parenting styles continue to jeopardize Jackson’s emotional well-being. As irritated as Gil is with Patience, he soon realizes she is the key to helping his son. Patience is willing to help. But is Gil willing to “hear” her as she uncovers evidence for the re-trial that could change his mind about who assaulted Bertha Perkins and stole her valuable antiques?

For more info, click here.

Don't forget to share this with your friends as we start this special season!

Little surprises...and a free book drawing ....Roxanne Rustand

This past week has been one of little surprises:  one a relief, one an unexpected blessing, and one that just made me laugh.

First of all...the one that filled me with relief.  BOTH of my computers--an iMac desktop and a Macbook Pro--are 2012 and in computer-years are quite elderly, and both were acting progressively worse. And quickly, to the point of being unusable. Just trying to select a file in Documents or in Desktop set off the dreaded Spinning Beachball of Doom...a cheery, colorful sphere on the screen that means the computer is locked up. So there I would sit for ten, fifteen seconds. Which is a surprisingly long time when one is waiting, waiting, waiting--and repeatedly, too.

I was envisioning needing replacements. Costly replacements. Or both of them spending weeks away at some Apple repair center. Then my husband asked why I hadn't called Apple for tech support. I figured they were too far out of warranty, but then gave it a shot. Voila!  No malware, no viruses (which I understand Macs very rarely get anyway, even without anti-virus software.) No major problems.  When the tech asked which operating system I was using he fell silent..then actually laughed, saying he didn't ever see that version anymore, but updating would be a wise idea and would clean up the glitches.  And it did!!  I was so relieved--dancing on the rooftops happy--to not be facing the cost of new computers! 

Now for the unexpected blessing that I would like to share with two drawing winners from those who leave a comment. Out of the blue, two big boxes from my publisher arrived on our doorstep a few days ago. I had no idea that Falling for the Rancher, the first book of my Rocky Mountain Ranch trilogy, was going to be republished.  I'm delighted!  

The second in the series, High Country Homecoming, was out last summer, and the final book, Snowbound with the Cowboy, is a January release (which means it will be available later this month.)

Finally, something unexpected that made me laugh---before chasing Marmalade off the deck.  :)

I glanced out the window surprised that there wasn't the usual bird convention feasting at the birdfeeders...then looked a bit closer and found him at the heated waterer. Perhaps planning on a nice dessert of birds, after his catfood down in the barn? Not on my watch! :)

I hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving!  Did you have a nice meal?  This year I tried to add a number if very low carb options for me, and a few other family members who are following a Keto (low carb diet.)  A few of the items were great--like the yummy pecan bars in lieu of pecan pie--and a few were...well, unique, at best.  LOL!

Wishing you a wonderful, blessed Christmas!
Roxanne Rustand

Traveling ~ Recycle, Renew, Reuse by Donna Fasano @DonnaFaz

Years ago, I traveled to the south of France with my husband. We visited Antibes, Nice, Menton, La Grande-Motte, Montpellier, and other lovely little towns along the Mediterranean Sea. I have visited several towns and cities in Italy, and I’ve also visited the UK and Brussels, Belgium. One of the things that struck me on these travels was that everyone brought their own reusable shopping bags when they went to buy groceries. I wondered why we didn’t do that in the US. So when I returned home from that very first trip, I started taking reusable bags with me to the grocery store. Back then, cashiers didn’t like it when customers brought their own bags to the store because it slowed them down. I can’t tell you how many annoyed looks I received back then. But I’m happy to say, this attitude is changing!

Sandia Mountains, New Mexico

I visited Albuquerque, New Mexico last month. (I rode an aerial tram to the top of the Sandia Mountains. What a stunningly beautiful place! Please see the picture to the right.) I learned that the stores in Albuquerque charge 10¢ for each bag that is provided by the grocery story. I was very pleased that businesses in the south west are strongly encouraging customers to bring in their own bags. I am hoping businesses all over the country will soon do the same.

Did you know that there are some reusable bags that are made of recycled soda bottles? I love these bags I found on Amazon. You can even find light-weight reusable produce bags. How do you feel about recycling, renewing, reusing? Would you consider bringing your own reusable bags when you go shopping?

~  ~  ~    

Christmas is coming! To celebrate, I’ve put all three of my Christmas books on sale for 99¢ each. These heartwarming stories are sure to fill you with the spirit of Christmas. The Kindle prices are good worldwide and the links below should take you to your area Kindle Store. Happy Holidays!

Her Mr.Miracle  ~  An Almost Perfect Christmas 
Grown-Up Christmas List

As an Amazon affiliate, Donna Fasano earns from qualifying 
purchases. This blog may contain paid links.  

Book Titles - Do They Affect Your Choice When Buying? by Vickie McDonough

Vickie McDonough here wishing everyone a merry Christmas!

Wow, it's hard to believe the Christmas season has arrived. I'm happy to admit I'm almost done with my Christmas shopping. I like to do it early while the weather is warmer and the crowds aren't as big. Finishing my shopping early also allows me to focus on the true meaning of Christmas during December. 

Jesus is the reason for the season!

Let's talk books. How many of you have a bunch of books on your Christmas wish list? I sure do. We all know that a good cover snags a reader's attention as does a good-looking guy or gal on the cover, but how much does the title affect your decision to purchase a book?

Did you know that some publishing houses choose the titles for books, just like they do the cover designs? They may or may ask the author's input. I've been blessed to write for publishers that for the most part did not change my titles. When I name a book early on, that title becomes as important to me as the characters.

Here's a fun Christmas collection called Christmas Next Door, which I did with my good friend Susan Page Davis (she choose the name for this collection):

Visit an Old West Texas town where a mysterious benefactor leaves gifts each Christmas, but also where four pairs of neighbors battle over hearsay, secrets, and mysteries.

I think the most unique title I've ever thought up was The Anonymous Bride, which is a title I chose. My hope was that it would intrigue readers. 

Three mail-order brides arrive in a small Texas town, expecting to marry the marshal, but he didn't order a bride. When a contest ensues to determine which woman will make him the best wife, there are four entries instead of three--the fourth an anonymous entry.

So what do you think? How much do titles influence you to buy a book? Have you actually bought a book because of the title?

I hope y'all have a wonderful Christmas!

Special Christmas Blessing by Lyn Cote

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 take it as a special gift 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. Please share here. I will love hearing your special blessings. 

BTW, I have a book--usually 3.99, now on sale for 0.99 and just a limited time. Here's the scoop:

What could unite a disgruntled DA and the pretty teacher, responsible for his hung jury? 

Perhaps a little boy in need of love 

Young and eager, Patience begins her first year of teaching. One first grader, Jackson, sparks her concern. Can she help him start off his school years on the right foot?. A stint of jury duty takes her away from Jackson, and into conflict with Jackson’s dad, by-the-book DA Gil Montgomery. Her “not guilty” vote means he’ll have to try the case again. And she’s upset that her absence had badly affected Jackson, now branded the “class troublemaker,” just what she was trying to prevent.

Gil and his ex-wife’s conflicting parenting styles continue to jeopardize Jackson’s emotional well-being. As irritated as Gil is with Patience, he soon realizes she is the key to helping his son. Patience is willing to help. But is Gil willing to “hear” her as she uncovers evidence for the re-trial that could change his mind about who assaulted Bertha Perkins and stole her valuable antiques?

For more info, click here.

Don't forget to share your Christmas blessing as we start this special season!