Good Morning and Welcome to another edition of All Christmas thru Christmas on Saturday Spotlight. The last time Winona was here, she shared with us her Oregon Trail novel, Rebecca's Journey. Today, she's going to give us the scoop on Winter at Journey's End, a companion novella to Rebecca's Journey.
Welcome back Nona! Tell us why you wrote Winter at Journey's End and share your blurb and an excerpt...
Thanks for having me in the spotlight again, Pam. Winter at Journey’s End is an 82-page novelette and is about the first winter the characters from Rebecca’s Journey spend in the new community. I wrote it because I wanted the characters and readers to get a glimpse of life for emigrants who traveled the Oregon Trail in a wagon train for six months.
This book was as important to me as Rebecca’s Journey. Historically, the Westward Expansion and Oregon Trail is one of my favorite periods of American History.
Blurb: Will Rebecca and Zachary’s dreams and plans come to fruition despite the struggles they face in a new land?
Rebecca Pierce and Zachary Miller began the arduous journey on the Oregon Trail from Independence, Missouri as strangers but wound up in Journey’s End, Oregon Territory betrothed. Snow and ice, rumors of a threat from their past, and miscommunication separate the couple, nearly ending their relationship and Rebecca’s life. Plans for Christmas festivities and their wedding celebration are jeopardized by what could be an immovable wedge.
Will Rebecca and Zachary overcome the obstacles, move forward with their marriage and settle in the cabin they built overlooking a flowing stream and pine forest?
If you love Historical romance stories filled with trials, tribulations and triumph, get Winter at Journey’s End, a companion novella in Winona Bennett Cross’s The Journey Series, and celebrate life with these characters all over again!
Excerpt: Zachary and Rebecca stood near a small patch of land near the stream on the south side of their property.
“This would be the perfect place for us to have a garden. The soil seems fertile, it gets good sunlight, and it would be easy to divert water from the stream to keep it watered.” Zachary walked the plot from side to side measuring it. “We can plant tomatoes, potatoes, squash, onions, and pole beans on the south side. Maybe a fruit tree ot two would do well on the west side. What do you think?”
Rebecca hugged him from the side. “I think you’re right. But I want flowers. Maybe climbing roses near the cabin, honeysuckle by Aaron’s hut, and sunflowers like we found on the trail along the west.”
Zachary laughed and bowed. “As you wish, my love.”
Rebecca giggled, squatted down, and hugged her lifelong companion. “Get down, dog. I’m happy to see you but where is Aaron?”
Patriot, Glory, and Misty whinnied. Rebecca and Zachary turned as Aaron urged Misty into a trot. He stopped next to them.
“Morning. It’s good to be home. Even better to know my little house will be warm. The bigger fence will be appreciated by the horses and the cow. How are you? Everyone in town sends their love. Of courses, Emma and Sarah sent food.”
We’re fine. Perfect. We were just planning a spring garden over by the stream. We’ll have food and flowers. Let’s get the animals settled and get you inside where it’s warm.” Zachary looked over his shoulder and winked at Rebecca.
“Remember those climbing bears I made? Some of the town folks asked me to make some for their children. They’ll pay five cents each. I’ll make some of my own money to help around here. Geroge said he would stock the whittled animals in the the store for me. Isn’t that something?” Aaron opened the door to his home, stopped at the threshold, and gasped.
“What’s got your attention?” Zachary asked.
“A bed. I have a bed! And a rocking chair. Where did it come from? I’ve never had a real be before. Just pallets on the floor.”
“Go on in. George built the bed and chair for you. The ladies made the bedding. Sarah got the cookware and a few dishes for your home.”
Zachary looked at Rebecca. Tears streamed down her face. “You deserve every gift. You are our brother in every way.”
Aaron sat in the rocking chair and rocked for a moment then lay on the bed. “Nice. This is nice.”
Good Mornig,
Before I get into today's spotlight I have GOT to brag on my Alma Mater... The Iowa (Louisiana) YellowJackets made school history yesterday when they brought home the LHSAA State Championship title in a 50-43 win against the N. Desoto Griffins. I am SO proud and excited and happy for our little hometown I can hardly stand it LOL!
GEAUX Jackets 💜💛💜💛💜💛
Now, on to our regularly scheduled post...
Welcome to another installment in our All Christmas thru Christmas Saturday Spotlight feature! Today's guest is not new to our blog but her novel, Hilltop Reunion is a 2025 release from Elk Lake Publishing.
Thanks for joining us, Kathleen. Please share your book with us...
Jillian Despres never wanted to come back to Hilltop, New Hampshire, at the best of times. She’s put every mile she can between the ragged girl receiving the town’s charity and the polished Boston television anchor she’s become. But when the town authorities call her grandfather on his hoarding, Jill has no choice. She lands in Hilltop in time for the renowned Hilltop Christmas Festival, and in the arms of a man she knew was too good for her.
Police Chief Paul McKee has more reason than most to distrust Jillian, and to wish she’d stayed in Boston. But his vow to preserve and protect his community gives him no wiggle room. Whatever his personal feelings, he must champion the woman’s return to Hilltop, at least until she has her grandfather settled and his house put to rights.
When the ugly past threatens to invade this year’s festival, can Paul and Jill depend on the risen Lord to make things right?
Excerpt: Police Chief Paul McKee didn’t deal in “what ifs.” The nature of his job, even in tiny Hilltop, New Hampshire, demanded a certain amount of black-and-white. But at the end of that November day, he couldn’t help wondering. What if Officer Jimmy McGuire hadn’t had the flu and Paul hadn’t taken his shift? What if Paul had raided the overtime budget instead and called in an off-duty officer? What if he’d gotten to that parking space a half hour earlier or a half hour later?
At the end of the day, it might have been better for everyone. But that’s not what happened.
Chapter One
Paul’s long legs moved over the snowy sidewalk as he headed toward the cherry-red Mercedes coupe. He had his citation pad out, his pen poised for the chore he’d done hundreds of times, when he heard light footsteps moving over the packed snow.
A woman stopped beside him, and he caught a peripheral glimpse of a green coat, tall leather boots and a flash of auburn hair. A tourist? It wasn’t really the season.
“Since when does Hilltop have parking fines?”
He was bent over, scribbling the ticket, but he stilled. He knew that voice—sweet but husky, older now, exasperated. No way. Never mind Jimmy, he should have called in sick himself. But Paul McKee didn’t call in sick.
He straightened and looked down into a heart-shaped face and blue eyes framed by long lashes. Great. Just great. “We started giving fines when out-of-towners started thinking they could ignore the handicapped signs.”
“What sign?” Hands on her hips, Jillian Despres dug in for an argument.
“You’re parked on top—”
“If there’s a sign there, it’s covered with ice.”
“The markings on the pavement, fine.” Eyebrows raised, Paul gestured to the small freestanding sign on the sidewalk, its white wheelchair clear against the blue background. “But anyone could have seen that one.”
She flinched, and he saw her begin to shut down, just as she’d done when they were kids.
He willed the compassion away. Jillian wouldn’t know what to do with it anyway. And this wasn’t personal. Was it? It wasn’t, but then she hadn’t made any attempt to smooth things over after she’d publicly thrown the town matriarch under the proverbial bus two years ago.
Paul pretended to concentrate on the ticket he was writing, but failed. “So what brings you back to Hilltop?”
Jillian met his gaze head-on. “You know what.”
He did. But he had to wonder if there was more to her return than the pressing need at her grandfather’s homestead. Half the town watched the Boston wake-up television show she’d anchored, and when she’d suddenly disappeared from it a few months ago, she’d become a topic of speculation again.
Sure, Hilltop stood by its own and took back its fallen, but there had to be better places for Jillian Depres to lick her wounds. Anywhere but here.
He looked down into her exquisite face and told himself he felt nothing. Then he pulled the ticket from his book and handed it to her. “You’ve got thirty days, but I’d get on it sooner. District Court gets real busy around the holidays, and Marcia doesn’t cut any more slack than she ever did.”
Good Morning and Welcome to another edition of our All Christmas thru Christmas Saturday spotlight feature. Our guest today is brand new to our blog so let's roll out the carpet for... Judythe Morgan and her book, Christmas Prom Rerun.
SO happy you could join us, Judythe! Please tell us about yourself and why you wrote, Christmas Prom Rerun...
Christmas has always been my favorite season, too. The lights, the music, the sense of nostalgia and hope—it all inspires me. So, when I started thinking about a new holiday story, I blended those two joyful worlds together in Christmas Prom Rerun.
A prom wrapped in holiday sparkle gave me the perfect backdrop for a second-chance romance filled with warmth, memories, and just a little bit of small-town magic.
OH, I hear you! I LOVE the magic of the holiday season! Please share your blurb and excerpt and where we can find Christmas Prom Rerun...
