In the spirit of Dickens, a delightfully sweet holiday story about family love and the opportunity for second chances. A Christmas Storm is a small town Christmas romance.
Blurb: An early storm is brewing in Upstate New York, and military wife Lacey Prescott is caught unprepared when it turns into a blizzard. Defeated by her own lack of preparation and the recall of her husband’s Christmas holiday leave, her joy in the season is replaced by bitterness and anger. In an unexpected turn of events, Lieutenant Matthew Prescott’s leave is reinstated. But the journey home is not an easy one since a Nor’easter stands between him and his family.
Amidst the storm’s fury, Lacey gets a
glimpse of the past, present, and possible future, while Matt gets assistance
from a mysterious stranger.
In a heartwarming story of
determination, the resilience of the human spirit, and the unexpected kindness
of strangers, the possibility of a Christmas reunion brings a sense of hope
with a message of love and support from friends and family that embodies the
true spirit of Christmas.
Excerpt: “Why me?” Lacey Prescott wailed to the sky as she lay sprawled on the icy path leading to the shed.
Snow started to replace the sleet and fluttered down from the starless sky.
Christmas was only three days away. Even with her dad, Nathan, and Gloriana installed in the guest room, it wasn’t the holiday she’d hoped for since getting the call. Matt wasn’t going to make it home. She’d put on her game face when she’d greeted Dad and his new wife at the door earlier, but her heart was no longer into celebrating the holiday.
“I miss you so much.” She rubbed her eyes before struggling to get traction on the slippery surface. Finally, her foot found the gravel under the snow on the path’s edge.
Her heart broke when her husband called the previous month to let her know plans had changed. This was to be the first time they’d spend the holidays together since getting married.
He would’ve spent the season with her and little Adele. But duty called, and Lt. Matthew Prescott’s deployment had been extended—indefinitely.
Now, here she was without him and with a house full of company. To top it off, what had been expected to be light snow was now being reported by the weather stations as a storm of epic proportions. And she’d neglected to lay in supplies.
She’d lived in Upstate New York long enough to know storms could quickly morph from forecasts of flurries to blizzards in a heartbeat.
While gingerly making her way to the shed where the ice melt was, she’d wanted to kick her own butt. Until she slipped and fell. Okay, ice kicked her instead.
“Argh.” She yanked on the frozen-shut door and then slammed her hand against the wood slats.
Done, she was done. Toast. No, burnt toast.
Turning around, she slid down the rough door and buried her head in her arms while wet seeped into her jeans. She didn’t even care. Banging her head on her knees, she wondered yet again, why her?
“Lacey! Are you okay?”
Alita Marshall’s fur-edged snow boots appeared in front of her.
“Did you fall?”
Lacey looked up when her friend, another military wife, stooped to her level. The light from over the shed door washed over the woman’s warm brown complexion and reflected in her concerned chestnut-colored eyes.
“I’m okay. On the outside anyway.” Lacey sighed and sniffed. “Just having a pity party for myself.”
“Oh, honey.” A red-mittened hand bedazzled with silver snowflakes grasped Lacey’s bare one and helped her to her feet. “I get it.”
“You seem to have it all together.” Lacey shivered and plucked at her wet bottom. Her hand stung with cold when she grabbed the door handle again and tugged to no avail. And she wasn’t okay. Her lower back was starting to ache.
After a few bangs around the edge, they pulled together, and finally, she could get into the shed.
Lacey grabbed the bucket of salt while Alita took the shovel off the hook.
“I have my meltdowns too, you know.” Alita hooked her arm through Lacey’s as they slipped and slid their way back toward the house. “I’m just not sitting in the slush when it happens. Usually, it’s in a locked bathroom with the shower running, so the boys don’t hear.”
The back door opened, and Lacey’s stepmom, Gloriana, hurried across the porch, then slowed and walked like a penguin toward them. “Here, give me that.” She took the bucket from Lacey and started sprinkling salt on the steps. “I was just about to send out a search party.”
“The shed door wouldn’t open.” Alita made no mention of Lacey’s breakdown.
“So, you decided to make snow angels instead?”
“What do you mean?” Lacey glanced over her shoulder.
Gloriana eyed her wet behind. “Your tush is soaking wet.”
“Ha, I wish it were snow angels.” Lacey rubbed her aching lower back. It was going to be sore. “I slipped and went down like a ton of bricks.”
“Oh honey, are you all right?” Gloriana started mother-henning.
“I’ll be fine.” Lacey limped up the steps while hanging on to the railing. “Can you finish salting while I go change? I’m also going to take a shower to warm up.”
“Sure.” Gloriana spread a thick layer of salt on the steps.
Lacey glanced at Alita’s raised eyebrow and then hobbled into the house.
It looked like a day care. The presence of not only Cyclone Adele but now the boys, toys, and juice boxes, the shrapnel of life lay scattered across tables, floors, and furniture. Sounds of cartoons came from the den, accompanied by giggles.
She peeked in and sighed, a sound coming from her too often.
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What A Christmas Storm means to me.
I adore my Lake Unami characters. This fictional small town in New Jersey is one of my favorite places. Though I took several of my characters out of town for the holidays, the spirit of the town went with them. In Rainbow Sprinkles, several readers commented they loved the character of Lacey. She and her dad had a special relationship and wanted to know more about her. I wasn’t sure how it would play out until I began writing, and the muse took over. The story became cathartic to me. Since then, readers have let me know how, like me, Lacey’s story has helped them with issues they, too, have struggled with.
In 1977, I lived on a dairy farm in Minnesota. I was the oldest of four. My dad, who was only 38 years old, died in our living room after a long struggle with heart disease. At seventeen I became the caretaker of the home. My mom was devastated and withdrew. The kids were twelve and under. The character Lacey has many of the attributes I took on. I don’t need anyone’s help. I can do it on my own. It’s taken almost fifty years but I’ve learned, no, I don’t have to and don’t expect to. I’ve realized that allowing others to help is often a blessing for them. Think of how it makes you feel when you reach out to others. I still struggle with ingrained habits of going it alone, but I’m a work in progress you know.
Besides Amazon, A Christmas Storm can be found at B&N; Apple Books; GoodReads and other Online Retailers.
D. V. Stone is known for her
engaging and captivating storytelling, often weaving elements of romance,
fantasy, and adventure into her novels. Her official website,
dvstoneauthor.com, serves as a central hub for fans and new readers alike to
explore her literary works, learn about upcoming book releases, and gain
insights into her creative process. The site typically features detailed book
descriptions, author blogs, and exclusive content such as interviews and
behind-the-scenes looks at her writing journey. Additionally, visitors can find
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connect with DV Stone on social media. Whether you’re a long-time follower or
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to immerse yourself in the world of DV Stone’s imagination.
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open fire, sipping a glass of wine, and reading.”
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Aww, DV so sorry to hear about your dad. So young! But your growth is inspiring. Thank You for sharing. And yes, we know we're all a work in progress.
Hope you enjoyed DV's post friends. Next week we begin normal Saturday Spotlights with Joie Lesin and her book, The Passenger.
Until then, happy reading!
PamT
