#SaturdaySpotlight is on D.V. Stone & A Christmas Storm!

 

Good Morning and Welcome to the final installment of All Christmas thru Christmas for this holiday season!

Today we'll visit with D.V. Stone and find out all about her book, A Christmas Storm. Take it away DV!

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.

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 information on where to purchase her books, sign up for newsletters, and connect with DV Stone on social media. Whether you’re a long-time follower or new to her stories, dvstoneauthor.com offers a comprehensive and inviting space to immerse yourself in the world of DV Stone’s imagination.

 

“My greatest pleasures are spending time outside with friends and family, cooking over the open fire, sipping a glass of wine, and reading.”

 

Hali, her rescue dog, always reminds her to let readers know, “Woof, woof.” Which loosely translates to “support your local animal rescue.”

 

You can learn more about D. V. by following her on Social Media.

 

Link tree for one-stop connections Link Tree

https://www.dvstoneauthor.com/

https://mailchi.mp/18125bb60cc5/dv-stones-news-bulletin

https://t.co/MUVW91E2iB

https://www.instagram.com/d.v.stone/

https://twitter.com/donnavstone

https://www.facebook.com/dv.stone.1

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16344100.D_V_Stone

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/d-v-stone

https://www.amazon.com/D.-V.-Stone/e/B01N154Y9U

https://www.tiktok.com/@dvstoneauthor

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoWqGJB3WxpUCV2OUE2VN_w

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

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Laura Strickland & The Secret of the Solstice Cakes

 

Today on our All Christmas thru Christmas, we welcome Laura Strickland and her brand new release!

Tell us, Laura, what made you write this The Secret of the Solstice Cakes?

I’ve always been fascinated with the ancient past, especially that of the British Isles. To me, it seems a mystical time and place inhabited by folk perhaps just a bit larger than life. But these were real people with hopes, dreams, faults, and longings. How did they celebrate their holy days? This little story takes place long before Christmas ever reached the shores of England. But as you will see, the sentiment is something with which our hearts can identify.

Blurb: Omens are not good at the end of AD 59 for the Dumnonii tribe in southern Britannia. There’s war in the east, and the harvest has failed again. To improve the outlook, widower Chief Allaed agrees to remarry, to the first woman of the tribe to bring him a sprig of the holy mistletoe on Solstice morning.

Catti, daughter of the high druid, has long admired Allaed from afar. Mistletoe being scarce this year, she plans a clever substitution. But when her father finds a measure of mistletoe, Catti’s favored sister demands it, determined to be first to Allaed’s door.

Can a secret kept between two hearts endure, and save their very way of life?

EXCERPT:

“Never wed a holy man,” Mother had told Catti with her rueful smile. Catti had no intention of it. Even if she had, so far the opportunity had not arisen.

And she had no time to think of such things as marriage. With the grain carefully set aside, she had other chores to do. The rest of Father’s supper to prepare and the hearth to sweep.

By rights, at least some of those duties should fall on Remi, she being barely a year the younger. But Remi chose her tasks most carefully, went where she fancied, and did fairly much what she pleased.

She also, apparently, came home bearing secrets.

Catti stifled a sigh. She might remonstrate with her sister and ask her for help getting the supper. A waste of time though, for Remi would drag her feet and make pretty excuses. Far easier to just let her say whatever she wished and get on with it.

So she gazed into her sister’s mischievous blue eyes and said, “You might as well tell me. Although, you know very well, secrets are not meant for sharing.”

“Aye, but they are.” Remi’s face glowed with enjoyment. “They would not be secrets, if they did not beg telling. Besides, I’m telling only you.” 

Only me, Catti thought with a stab of consternation. Aye, was that not the way of it? Only she did the work around Father’s house and kept the slightly-mad cycle of their days flowing. Only she wove cloth and scrubbed and—and ground the grain, while Remi flitted and made merry. She, Catti, was the steady one, the practical one.

The plain one.

Why deny the truth of it? Two sisters, nothing alike. Remi had taken after Mother, with her golden curls, bright eyes, and infectious smile. Catti, rather unfortunately, looked like Father, with brown hair, mist-gray eyes, and a nose that everyone said denoted character.

It never seemed to occur to anyone that at times Catti did not want character. She wanted to dance upon dainty feet, to sing merrily. To have all the young men of the tribe follow her with longing.

***

Sounds yummy (pun intended) LOL! Where can we get a copy of The Secret of the Solstice Cakes?

Amazon US;  Amazon Canada; Amazon UK; Amazon Australia; B&N and iTunes.

Wonderful! Tell us a little about yourself...

Multi award-winning author Laura Strickland delights in time traveling to the past and searching out settings for her books, be they Historical Romance, Steampunk or something in between. Married and the parent of one grown daughter, Laura has also been privileged to mother a number of very special rescue dogs, and is intensely interested in animal welfare. Her love of dogs, and her lifelong interest in Celtic history, magic and music, are all reflected in her writing. Laura's mantra is Lore, Legend, Love, and she wouldn't have it any other way.

Folks can find, follow and connect with Laura at the following places...

Author Web site: www.laurastricklandbooks.com

Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000002632317

Author Amazon page:  http://www.amazon.com/Laura-Strickland/e/B001KHSACW/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Author Goodreads page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/760146.Laura_Strickland

Author Twitter:  Laura Strickland Author @LauraSt05038951

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/laurastricklandauthor/

BookBub author page https://www.bookbub.com/authors/laura-strickland

Thanks Laura! Here's wishing you much success with The Secret of the Solstice Cakes and a very, merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Linda Carroll-Bradd & Stained Glass Memories!

Good Morning!

LOT'S going on today... Bayou Writers Group Meeting then The Chosen then (hopefully) dancing. New band playing so we'll see.

As I mentioned Wednesday, all posts through Dec 31st will be Christmas books so let's give Linda Carroll-Bradd the stage with her lovely novella, Stained Glass Memories.....

Caterer Lorelei Warner juggles her fledging Southern California business and raising young twins with the help of her mother and sister. Handling a three-day wedding event stretches her limits…and then her old beau walks in and threatens the delicate balance.

Stained glass restorer Wynn Tatum hopes to cross paths with the woman he left behind to pursue his dreams. What he doesn’t expect is that seeing Lorelei again sparks the feelings from six years ago. Now that he’s held her in his arms again, and learned he’s the father to five-year-old twins, he will do anything to stay in touch. How can his family be whole if he and Lorelei live on two different continents?

EXCERPT: 

I’m not ready. Lorelei stiffened. The voice she’d expected, and dreaded, to hear from the moment she won the catering contract for this wedding materialized only a few feet away. Bracing for the impact of seeing her high school love again, she angled her body to face him. At nineteen, he’d been on the cusp of becoming the handsome man who now stood not four feet away. Sun-kissed brown hair pulled straight back from his broad, tanned forehead. His gray eyes stared from under thick, smoky eyelashes she’d always envied. Same as always, she flushed from her chest up her neck. “Wynn Tatum, you do remember your roots.”

“Just as smart-mouthed as always.” He glanced up and down her length, then smiled. “Still as bella as I remember. You haven’t aged.”

Foreign words? Well, he hadn’t lost his charming ways during his absence from Southern California. Not as muscled as when he’d played football, he appeared athletic and way too polished for her peace of mind. “Am I supposed to return the lie?” She adjusted the stack of plates a half inch to the left. Biting her tongue would have been better than snapping. She glanced again at his tall form and recognized the signature cut and details of a world-class tailor known for expensive, custom-made suits. The dove-gray color offset his tan. Those classes in fashion design hadn’t gone to total waste. She recognized quality when she saw it. Wherever he landed when he disappeared off the face of the earth, he’d done well for himself.

His eyebrows pinched, and he glanced around the immediate area. “Hey, I know we probably should talk.”

“Boss, how many stands?”

The voice came in her phone earpiece. Lorelei held up a finger to halt Wynn and tapped on the microphone with her other hand. “Four for now, please.”

“Coming right out.”

“Thanks, Amy.” She tapped off the microphone, then looked into those gray eyes that were so familiar—just like the ones she gazed into every day for the past five years. “Sorry, Wynn. I’m working this event and need to focus.”

He stepped closer, right hand stretched forward. A moment passed before he dropped it again to his side. “Promise me we’ll have a drink together tonight or tomorrow after the wedding.”

The effort to enact tomorrow’s reception would be huge. She couldn’t imagine meeting with him after her responsibilities ended. Following a wedding, she was always exhausted and just wanted to go home and crash on her comfy sofa. “Maybe tonight after this dinner or after Sunday’s brunch.”

“Tonight’s my choice.” He grinned and set his free hand on his hip. “I’m visiting family on Sunday.”

Family…if he only knew. “Your folks are still in the area?” She hadn’t meant to ask that question aloud. But when she’d been desperate to get in touch with Wynn shortly after their breakup, she’d gone to the house where he was raised only to find it empty with a For Sale sign in the front yard.

Shifting his stance, Wynn frowned and opened his mouth.

Footsteps approached.

Lorelei spun and stretched out her arms toward Amy. Here was a legitimate reason to end this conversation and stop blurting out too much information that she didn’t want to reveal.

As a young girl, Linda was often found lying on her bed reading about fascinating characters having exciting adventures in places far away and in other time periods. In later years, she read and then started writing romances and achieved her first publication--a confession story. Married with 4 adult children and 2 granddaughters, Linda now writes heartwarming contemporary and historical stories with a touch of humor from her home in the southern California mountains.

Find out more about Linda by visiting with her on her Blog, FB Page, Twitter, Amazon Author Page, BookBub, Good Reads and/or signing up to receiven her Newsletter!

Check out Linda's previous visit to our blog HERE and get your copy of Stained Glass Memories at Amazon, B&N, Apple Books, Google Play & Kobo. Read my review of the book HERE.

Hope you enjoyed this post and that we'll see you next week for more All Christmas thru Christmas on Wednesday Words with Friends and Saturday Spotlight!

Until then, take care and God bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Katy Eeten @KatyEeten & Wrong Turn Christmas!

Good Morning,

Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet? Only 1 person left to buy for and then I'm done! Still have wrapping and some mailing to do but the biggest part is over. I am NOT a shopper so being this close to being finished is a great thing for me LOL!

Today we have another Christmas book to feature in our spotlight so please welcome Katy Eeten back with her latest Christmas Extravaganza release, Wrong Turn Christmas. Take it away Katy...

April is desperate to eliminate her dad’s cancer bills so her family can enjoy the holidays. But, on her way to get legal assistance, she ends up at the wrong house. There, she finds a warm and caring soul… but a boyfriend won’t solve her family’s financial issues.

Jake is surprised to find a beautiful woman on his doorstep asking for help. It’s a case of mistaken identity, but after spending just a little time with April, he knows they are perfect for each other—even if she does have bad taste in football teams. Except April is facing an uphill battle, and he believes he has nothing of real value to offer. Or does he?

One wrong turn might just end up turning a Christmas crisis into a Christmas miracle.

Excerpt:

Jake glanced at his watch. “Do you want me to text Mel? See how long she’ll be?”

Oops. Had her expression given him the impression she was uncomfortable? Hopefully not. Even though she was out of her comfort zone, Jake was a gracious host. Especially seeing that he hadn’t been expecting any visitors. “Um… if you want to. Or we can just jump right into it if you want. I don’t want to waste your time.”

He waved a dismissive hand in the air as he pulled his phone from his back pocket with his free hand. His thumbs moved on the screen as he spoke. “No worries. I didn’t have any plans tonight anyway. Other than watching Thursday night football, even though our team isn’t playing. Are you a fan?”

She lifted an eyebrow. Fan was an understatement. Though she didn’t root for the home team. She was a Chicago girl at heart. “I love football. But my team’s not playing tonight either.”

He tossed his phone next to the remote on the coffee table and glanced up. “Your team? You mean, you don’t back the green and gold?”

She gave her head a slow shake, trying to suppress the smile pulling at her lips.

He opened his mouth in shock. “Then who?”

She swallowed. “Don’t be mad.”

He tilted his head. “Don’t say it.”

Knowing how Wisconsinites reacted to football rivalries, she pressed her eyes shut and bit her lower lip, anticipating his response. “Chicago.”

“No!!!! I told you not to say it.”

April opened her eyes and shrugged. “But there are no rivalries tonight, so I’ll root for whoever you want between Pittsburgh and Dallas.”

Jake let out a hearty laugh, then grabbed the remote. “Deal.” He unmuted the television and set the remote down on the table. “Let me grab some chips. Want a soda?”

“Sure, whatever you’re having is fine.” When he left, she walked to the entryway to grab her phone from her purse, then sat back on the couch to check for messages. Five minutes wasn’t all that late considering Mel’s normal lack of punctuality, but she’d at least expected a text by now. A few notifications illuminated her screen but nothing from Mel. And her phone battery was about to die. Great. At least Jake had reached out to her as well. Hopefully everything was all right.

She tossed her dying phone on the coffee table and reclined against the couch waiting for Jake to bring the snacks. A smile threatened to surface. What was happening here? She’d come over for legal advice, and now she was watching a football game with a guy she’d just met. Oh Mel, you’re never going to believe this. Where was that woman, anyway?

Katy Eeten lives in southeast Wisconsin with her husband, Jason, and their two sons. She works full-time crunching numbers and analyzing data, but her true passion is writing. She has five contemporary Christian romances, three of which are Christmas novellas. When she's not working or writing, she enjoys taking walks or bike rides, baking goodies, and spending time with her family. Learn more about Katy at her website — https://katyeeten.wordpress.com/

Connect with Katy on the following Social Media Platforms:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KatyEeten/ 

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/KatyEeten 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/KatyEeten/ 

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Katy-Eeten/e/B0796L1CVK

Get your copy of Wrong Turn Christmas at Amazon and check out Katy's previous visits HERE.

Congrats on your new release, Katy! We wish you the best of luck and God's blessings with it and your other books and a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Thanks for dropping by, friends. See you next week for another edition of Wednesday Words with Friends and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care, God bless and happy shopping!

PamT

#WednesdayWordswithFriends welcomes Darcy Flynn @darcyflynn

Good Morning and Welcome to the final Wednesday post for 2020!

If you're like me, you are so glad to see this year end and you're hoping/praying for a better 2021. As promised, we will continue spotlighting Christmas stories through Jan 2nd and today is no exception.

Darcy Flynn has visited before so please welcome her back with some Christmas memories and The Prince's Fake Fiancee' ...

Pamela, thank you so much for having me on your blog today to share one of my favorite Christmas memories. 

Growing up, Christmas for me and my family was always on Christmas Eve. Each year, my father would take my older brothers and I out to see the lights—the old fashion, multi-colored ones, and the anticipation of what was to come was simply magical. An hour later we’d arrive home to find that Santa had come and gone! And there, under the tree were all of our toys.

For years, I wondered how in the world Santa could possibly know we’d be out looking at the lights at the very moment he’d arrive.  LOL!  Then, on Christmas morning we’d leave around 4 am to drive from New Orleans to Albany, Georgia. After sleeping for most of the drive, I’d wake up a few hours before we arrived at my grandparent’s house. I adored my grandmother and with my cousins a short block away, I couldn’t think of any other place else I’d rather be on Christmas Day! I’ll always treasure those magic years!

No nonsense, Samantha Keller loves her job at Colfax Security Agency. The no-frills environment is the perfect compliment to her simple hair cut and no makeup lifestyle. After living in the shadows of her glamorous but hateful stepsister for so many years, Samantha’s quite content to be unnoticed and overlooked.

When she discovers her latest assignment is to guard a popular playboy prince, she’s anything but elated. Even worse, when she finally meets him, she learns her job has nothing to do with protection.

Prince Marcus de Blecourt of Sterlyn is looking forward to visiting New York on what could be his last trip abroad as a single man. But he hasn’t given up his freedom yet. This trip could be the perfect opportunity to thwart the family’s ‘arrangements’ with Lady Pricilla Rothschild.

Prince Marcus is anything but impressed with the unattractive woman from a security firm who arrives as his escort. Unless he can turn her into a super model overnight, it will take a minor miracle to pull off his plan. But when he learns who’s responsible for the setup, he’s even more determined to succeed. He decides to turn the tables, only to find the tables have indeed already turned…but on him.

About the Author

Award-Winning Author Darcy Flynn, is known for her heartwarming, sweet contemporary romances. Her refreshing storylines, irritatingly handsome heroes and feisty heroines will delight and entertain you from the first page to the last. Miss Flynn’s heroes and heroines have a tangible chemistry that is entertaining, humorous and competitive.

Darcy lives with her husband and a menagerie of other living creatures on her horse farm in Franklin, Tennessee. She stargazes on warm summer nights and occasionally indulges in afternoon tea.

Although, published in the Christian non-fiction market under her real name, Joy Griffin Dent, it was the empty nest that turned her to writing romantic fiction. Proving that it’s never too late to follow your dreams.

Follow Darcy on…

 Instagram:

 @joydarcyauthor

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/darcyflynn

 Facebook:

 http:/www.facebook.com/DarcyFlynnAuthor

Amazon Author Page:

https://amzn.to/34nKzdf

Website: 

http://darcyflynnromances.com

What lovely Christmas memories, Darcy. I'm sure many of us can relate. I know I can! Thank you for sharing. Good luck and God's blessings for a Prosperous New Year!

Hope you enjoyed Darcy's visit as much as I did, friends. Leave a comment for your chance to win the final gift card for 2020!

Until next time, take care, be safe (especially in your New Year celebrations) and God bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Maxine Douglas @MaxineDouglas & Road Angel!

 Good Morning!

I pray your Christmas was merry and bright. Today we continue spotlighting Christmas books on the blog and will do so through next weekend. Our guest today has shared words with us before so let's welcome Maxine Douglas back with Road Angel.

Two lives hang in the balance of life, death, and desire…can Cyn convince Lee life is worth living?

Truck driver Lee Thomas believes his life is over after the ghost of his wife who died three years ago steps in front of him and jack-knives his truck on a snowy Wisconsin road on his way home.

Cyn Bedford, an angel, must convince him to fight for his life. She’s broken an angel rule and has fallen in love with her charge.

Can Cyn truly be Lee’s Road Angel for life?

EXCERPT:

I’m not even sure where I am at the moment. All the road signs are obscured by snow, and I can’t make out any city lights. For all I know, there’s a power outage in the area. Even the CB has been quiet for a while. Everyone in their right mind is off the road and asleep in their bunks. Everyone except me.

Licking my dry lips, I reach for the water bottle just as a shadow bursts through the snow. “Whoa!” Grabbing the wheel with both hands, I brace for impact.

Shaking when none comes, I suck in a breath as the tail end of a deer disappears into the shadowy storm. “Stupid, fricking deer! Holy crap! If I wasn’t awake before, I sure as hell am now.”

As the snow swirls in the glow of the headlights, I figure several inches have fallen on top of what may have been tire marks in the road. I don’t even want to think when it was plowed last. At this rate, I probably won’t see one until tomorrow.

The wind howls continuously around the cab of the tractor and bangs against the doors. With each new gust, the trailer slides slightly, giving in to the force. The blowing wind sings a wolf melody, the howling tune mournful—a beautiful yet deadly blizzard accompanied by the music of the wind—Mother Nature’s way of easing the cruelty she sometimes gives so freely.

Snow like this can play tricks on a man’s vision. Even knowing this, when I see a figure in the middle of the road, reaction takes over reasoning. White and flowing, it moves toward me, and then silver-blue eyes bore into my soul, making me yearn for sweet oblivion. In that swift moment, I swerve, my mind screaming out the name of the woman who left my world three years before.

Sandi!

* * * *

Guardian Angel Third Class Cynamon Bedford watches in horror from her snow-packed seat perched near the gates of Heaven the crash the phantom causes. The cherry-red semi-truck’s tires screech to grab solid ground. Metal crashes and crunches as the truck slides on its side across the road. The screeching tears at her heart; the driver, Lee Thomas, has a slim chance of making it.

The crumpled mass of cherry red, a deadly contrast to the snow, lays in an L shape down the slope between the road and a line of trees. The cab faces the way it has just come from, cheery Christmas music fading in and out, a maudlin contrast. The windshield shattered, glass is scattered across the snow drifts. Snow quickly blankets the wreck.

There is nothing she can do. Helpless, she sits and watches as another life slowly disappears from Earth. “If only they understood how precious their time is, maybe the mortals wouldn’t be so careless with the gift.” One silvery tear makes a slow trek down her cheek as she feels the dying man’s pain.

“Come now, Cyn, truly you can’t be shedding a tear for one mortal after all these years of watching them.” Abraham, the Supervisory Angel assigned to keep Cyn in check, chuckles as he approaches.

“The man was only trying to get home to his family.” She swipes at the tear and tucks her emotions away. “His motivations were pure. If it wasn’t for the phantom coming at him, he’d still be making his way to the next stop for the night.”

BUY LINKS:

US: https://amzn.to/2YDZ0XQ

UK: https://amzn.to/387qpVm

Maxine Douglas first began writing in the early 1970s while in high school. She took every creative writing course offered at the time and focused her energy for many years after that on poetry.  It wasn't until a dear friend's sister revealed she was about to become a published author that jumpstarted Maxine into getting the ball rolling; she finished her first manuscript in a month's time.

Maxine Douglas and her late husband moved to Oklahoma in 2010 from Wisconsin. Since then Maxine has rekindled her childhood love of westerns. They have four children, two grand-daughters, a great granddaughter scheduled to arrive this January, and a grey tabby named Simon. And many friends now considered Oklahoma family.

One of the things Maxine has learned over the years is that you can never stop dreaming and reaching for the stars. Sooner or later you touch one and it'll bring you more happiness than you can ever imagine. Maxine feels lucky, and blessed, that over the years she's been able to reach out and touch the stars--and she's still reaching.

Maxine loves to hear from her readers. So, come on by and say “Hello”; she would love to hear from you.

You can catch her on:

Reader Book Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/maxinesbookdivas/

Fan Group: https://www.facebook.com/MaxineDouglasBooks

Twitter:  @MaxineDouglas

Blog:  http://maxinedouglasauthor.blogspot.com/

Newsletter: http://maxinedouglasnewsletter.blogspot.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6423715.Maxine_Douglas

BookBub: https://bit.ly/2BPofNS

Wow...sounds like another great book, Maxine! We certainly wish you the best of luck and God's blessings with your new release and writing career.

Hope you enjoyed the spotlight, Friends and you'll stop back each week for Wednesday Words with Friends and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care and God Bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Linda Rondeau & It Really is a Wonderful Life!

Good Morning Friends and Welcome to the first Saturday Spotlight of November!

The holidays are barreling down upon us. I'm hoping to have Tempered Dreams in audio by Black Friday. Keep watching for updates on that.

Meanwhile, please welcome my friend and fellow author, Linda Rondeau back to our blog. It's been a while, but she's been in our spotlight a couple of times before, and today she gives us a peek into her newest release, It Really is a Wonderful Life.

If that don't beat all....Linda's title fits right in with my Wednesday Words with Friends post LOL! Take it away, Linda....

Midville newcomer and Iraq War widow, Dorie Fitzgerald, despises the frigid Adirondack wasteland that has now become her home. After twenty failed job interviews, she questions the wisdom of moving to be near her parents. Desperate to belong, she joins the local Community Theater, in production for It’s a Wonderful Life.

Jamey Sullivan has put his professional life on hold in order to run the family business and to help his ailing father. He signs on for Midville’s production of It’s a Wonderful Life, although he hopes to receive a Broadway casting call any day now.

When these two meet, they are instantly attracted to one another. However, ambition, demanding children, and a romantic rival threaten to squash their growing love for one another. Each must discover that the best things in life are found where your heart resides.

It Really is a Wonderful Life is set in the beautiful Adirondack mountains, a perfect backdrop for a Christmas romance.

Excerpt: Dorie threw the letter and shrugged as it landed on top of the leftover peanut butter sandwiches. Maybe she should finish reading the letter, just in case she’d misunderstood the opening paragraph. She picked up the memo again and flicked off the residue along its edges, skimming the next few lines. When done, she subdued the urge to scream. The kids were asleep—finally.

As she read, she mouthed the words with clenched jaws. “Thank you for your interest in Bargains Galore. I am sorry to inform you that the position for which you applied has been filled. Blah, Blah, Blah. Sincerely James Paul Sullivan.”

Regardless of the perfumed words, they still stung.

“What is it with this town?” She ripped the rejection into pieces and tossed it into the trash. “I can’t even get a job at the local dollar store. Somebody, somewhere, must need someone with a business degree.”

Focus on the positives, Dorie. Mom’s voice echoed in her memory. She’d spent a great night with the children—her favorite people. A read-a-thon and Fern Gully and bedtimes with no rebuttals from Josh or squalls from Emma … all huge positives.

When the kids went to sleep, however, the night resembled a desert crossing—interminably long and arid. She settled into the recliner—Devon’s chair—and flipped through the television channels. Nothing of interest. Just news, reruns, or cartoons.

She clicked off the television and picked up the newspaper. With a discordant sigh, she skipped over the first seven pages and turned to the classifieds. Scanning the five employment ads, she screeched an entire sonnet of Midville condemnations, then threw the paper at the wall.

Now her tirades beamed toward her late husband. “Devon, you had no right to get yourself killed fighting a war nobody cares about anymore. How do you expect me to raise these kids on my own when I can’t even get a job?”

Boomer’s bark brought her back from the edge of uncontrolled rage, a precipice she teetered on all too often these days. He nudged the crumpled newsprint in her direction. Some people believed Irish setters could read minds. But last she knew, they couldn’t read newspapers. Maybe he sensed something there—something good.

A breeze from the open window stirred its pages.

She bent over to pick it up. A jelly smudge brought attention to the announcement, Midville Players casting call. Who would have thought a puny town like Midville would have a drama group?

Curiosity numbed her anger. “Midville Players will hold auditions for their upcoming Christmas production of It’s a Wonderful Life—”

Did she dare? She’d played an angel in a Christmas pageant once. That was a lot of fun, and her teacher said she was the best angel. This would be different, though. Still, what was the worst that could happen?

You’d look like a fool and find new depths of rejection.

Discretion warned her to avoid any more opportunities for failure.

“Now don’t let your mind go there, Dorie,” she said aloud. Talking to herself was becoming a bad habit. Then again, who else did she have to talk to besides Boomer?

He barked as if to say he’d heard her.

She gazed at the article again. Why not go for it? Devon had always encouraged her to try new things. Besides, didn’t Daddy say the best way to find a job was to network? Since moving to Midville four months ago, her only networking had been with her parents’ retired church friends. Time to find a circle of friends closer to her age.

She picked up her cell and called her lifeline. “Mom, will you watch the kids for me tomorrow night?”

It Really IS a Wonderful Life is inspired by the author’s true experiences in a small town Community Theater. During her twenty years as an actor, producer, and director, the author met and married her best friend in life. The couple now reside in Hagerstown, Maryland, where they are actively involved with their local church ministries and spend time with their children and grandchildren. Most of Rondeau’s works reflect the beauty and friendliness of the northern Adirondack Region, where this book is set. Readers may connect with the author through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Goodreads. Follow the authors blog, Snark and Sensibility, on her website www.lindarondeau.com and signup for the author’s newsletters.

Coming soon: A Christmas Prayer  A Country Music star, a newspaper journalist, and a 12-year-old autistic child each pray seemingly opposing Christmas prayers. How will God answer?

Social Media Links

Facebook:

Instagram

Twitter’

Goodreads

Pinterest

Can anyone say "Hallmark Movie?" GREAT excerpt, Linda, thanks for sharing! Hope you enjoyed today's spotlight, friends and that you'll check back weekly for Wednesday Words with Friends and another Saturday Spotlight.

Meanwhile, get your copy of It Really is a Wonderful Life at Amazon.

Until next time, take care, God Bless and remember....Life is what you make it so make it your BEST day/life  ever!

PamT

#WednesdayWordswithFriends More Smoky Mountain Christmas!

Good Morning Friends!

Still in Monroe for the Dixie League World Series. So far our team is undefeated! Today is the last day so Saturday I'll post our standing.

Meanwhile, please welcome two more guests in the Smoky Mountain Christmas collection and blog tour, Jeanie Smith Cash and Rose Allen McCauley!

Sights and Sounds in Gatlinburg, TN, the Christmas city of the South

I hope you have read some of our other posts this month about why Jeanie Smith Cash invited me and Tiff (Amber) Stockton and Delia Latham to join her in setting our Christmas stories there.  I first went to Gatlinburg back in the 60s for our high school senior trip, then my husband and I used to travel there once a year for a board meeting he was on about our college, so I have been there numerous times. When Jeanie asked me to join them, I hadn’t been there for several years, so decided to look up some of the older places to make sure they were still there, and to add some of the newer places, too, so here are some of the place and activities I found.

It is a busy place year-around, but since our stories were set between November and January, that was where I concentrated my search. Below are a few of the things I found, but I hope you will search for yourself and your family and see what interests you all.

Winter Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales along the parkway on weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas

Great Smoky Christmas Arts & Crafts Show where our girls in our stories made and sold and shopped for Christmas presents for their families.

Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade like a miniature Macy’s Parade down the center of town! First Saturday in December.

New Year's Eve Ball Drop and Fireworks Show again, a miniature Times’ Square ball drop and fireworks.

And don’t forget the FOOD! It is scrumptious. I know people who drive there at least once a year just for some good down home family style cooking! And shopping! Hope you can spend a weekend or longer in Gatlinburg soon!

Rose Allen McCauley is a Christian author and speaker. Her experiences as a public school teacher, Sunday school teacher, Girl Scout leader, MOPS mentor and Moppet worker, scrapbooker, wife, Mom and Mimi give Rose a wide field of ministry to women. Her tagline is Small towns~Huge hearts. Find out more by visiting and/or connecting with her at the following locations: Website, Amazon Author Page, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and Instagram.

Jeanie Smith Cash is blessed to live in the country in Southwest Missouri in the heart of the Ozarks with her husband Andy, her children, grandchildren and family, and she adores them all. She is a member of ACFW and has sixteen books published. Jeanie gives her Lord and Savior the credit for her writing career and her loving family. She loves chocolate, collecting dolls, crocheting, watching the St Louis Cardinals play baseball, spoiling her grandchildren, spending time with her family, traveling and going to Bluegrass Festivals with her husband. Jeanie loves to read and write Christian romance and believes a salvation message inside of a good story, could possibly touch someone who wouldn't be reached in any other way. She loves to hear from her readers at, jeaniesmithcash@yahoo.com, she is also on
Twitter, https://twitter.com/jeaniesmithcash 
Facebook, https://.facebook.com/jeaniesmithcash
and Amazon,  amazon.com/author/jeaniesmithcash

Smoky Mountain Christmas can be purchased at Amazon in Print and for Kindle.

Hope you enjoyed today's post, friends and that you'll check back weekly for Wednesday Words with Friends and Saturday Spotlight!

Until next time, take care and God bless.
PamT

#WednesdayWordswithFriends Smoky Mountain Christmas Blog Tour

Good Morning!

I pray your week has been and continues to be BLESSED.

This week we're doing a little something different on our Wednesday Words with Friends post. We're eavesdropping on a conversation with Melody and Lari from Smokey Mountain Christmas, a collection of four Christian Christmas stories centered around Granddaddy Buchanan's 80th birthday celebration!

We'll listen to what these two cousins have to chat about and find out about the women who created them.

Welcome ladies.....

Granddaddy Buchanan’s 80^th birthday party is about to get started. The whole Buchanan family is gathered in the barn, which has been transformed into a winter/Christmas wonderland. Laramie (Lari) Buchanan arrives, along with her family and her fiancé, Evan. She skirts the crowd gathered around her cousin Gabbi who, someone hurries to inform them, has just said yes to Joseph Garrison’s proposal. Another cousin, Grace, waves from across the room, but doesn’t look likely to move far from the man at her side. Everyone is excited. So is Lari, but she wants some of Granny’s special-recipe Christmas punch before she starts mingling.

At the table, she finds her cousin Melody filling two cups with the delicious beverage.

Lari (grinning): “Hey, Mellie! Honey, I could have found you in the dark. You’re absolutely glowing. I take it you and Drew finally got together—and about time too. This should have happened years ago. Congratulations!”

Mellie (offering a sheepish smile): “Thank you! When I left home, I thought a life like this was destined to be stuck in my dreams. Drew hadn’t proposed, and life with the symphony was calling.” (Glancing across the room at her best friend and fiancé) “Guess I needed to leave so Drew could find his own path. I’m still surprised at how well he kept the secret of his career from me.” (Focuses her attention back on Lari. Shakes her head.) “But you know all about secrets, don’t you? Who would’ve thought Evan’s innocent little surprise for you would have backfired to such a horrible degree?”

Lari: “You know, honey, I guess it is a shame we lost the past three years, but God has His reasons. We both had things to learn, and I think we have. (Soft laughter) One of them is that sometimes the things we think we see… (Shaking her head) “…aren’t the real picture at all.”

Mellie: “Ain’t that the truth!” (Sipping punch) “I returned here pretty proud of myself for having found the success I always wanted, and the man of my dreams. I had to come back home to realize everything I ever wanted or needed was right here all along. My life in Colorado was a fairytale. This—” (Breaks off, her gaze dancing here and there around the barn) “This is the real deal!”

Lari (takes Mellie’s hand, gives it a squeeze): “Getting together for Granddaddy’s birthday made this year a turning point in all four of our lives. Granny and Granddaddy are pleased as this awesome punch.” (A mischievous grin. Wrinkles her nose.) “You think maybe next year Granny’ll give us her secret recipe?”

Mellie: “Never! Knowing Granny, she’ll find a way to make us prove we’re worthy of it.” (Lari giggles. Mellie shakes her head. Smiles.) “I’m so glad we all made it back home. You’re right, cousin—it’s been a definite turning point for us all. Now, come on…let’s get on with enjoying the celebration that brought us here.” (Laughing) “If Granny catches us hanging out around the punch bowl ‘like a couple o’ gossipin’ ol’ crows,’ she’ll eat that punch recipe, just to make sure it never gets in our hands!” (Links arms with Lari. The two young women leave the punch bowl behind and join their friends and family.)

(From Delia and Tiffany): To learn more about Lari and Mellie’s stories, pick up a copy of the collection or leave a comment below for a chance at a FREE copy of your own. Thanks for taking the time to join us on Pam’s Wild Rose Blog today! The other stops along the tour should be listed below. We hope to see you at each one. Remember, each blog you visit and comment on is another chance to win!

Do You See What I See? 

Delia Latham

Laramie Buchanan’s fiancé betrayed her on what should have been their wedding day. Evan Lassiter was jilted at the altar three years ago. Yesterday's heartbreak blinds them both to a surprising truth that could heal their hurting hearts. Will they see it in time to save their love?

Delia’s bio:

Delia Latham lives in East Texas with her husband and a spoiled Pomeranian named Kona. She writes inspirational romance and devotions. You’ll always find a touch of the divine in this author’s tales of sweet romance.

A former newspaper Staff Writer, Delia is now blessed to have twenty-seven published novels/novellas/novelettes, as well as short works in a number of devotional anthologies. She designs cover art and marketing materials, and offers freelance editing/proofreading services. Contact her about speaking at your upcoming event.

Connect with Delia: Website, Amazon Author page, Facebook Author Page, or Twitter.

Hometown Melodies

Amber Stockton

Melody May Buchanan left Gatlinburg to pursue a life in the symphony. When a letter arrives asking her to return home for her granddaddy’s 80th birthday, she goes, but upon her arrival, she’s faced with everything she loved while growing up there…even her best friend, Drew. When her fiancé arrives, her two worlds collide, and she has a choice to make...but which option is the best?

Amber’s bio:

Tiffany Amber Stockton has been embellishing stories since childhood, when she was accused of having a very active imagination and cited with talking entirely too much. Today, she has honed those skills to become an award-winning and best-selling author and speaker who is also an advocate for literacy as an educational consultant with Usborne Books. She lives with her husband and fellow author, Stuart Vaughn Stockton, along with their two children and three dogs in Colorado. She has sold twenty (21) books so far and is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency. You can find her on Facebook and GoodReads.

Christmas in July blog tour schedule:

July 2 - All Betts Are Off (Delia Latham)

July 3 - Pam's Wild Rose Blog (joint post with Delia Latham & Tiffany Amber Stockton)

July 4 - Whispers in Purple (Delia Latham)

July 8 - All Betts Are Off (Tiffany Amber Stockton)

July 10 - Whispers in Purple (Tiffany Amber Stockton)

July 11 - Jennifer Slattery Lives Out Loud (Delia Latham)

July 12 - The World Can Wait (Delia Latham)

July 18 - The World Can Wait (Tiffany Amber Stockton)

July 22 - All Betts Are Off (Jeanie Smith Cash)

July 31 - Pam's Wild Rose Blog (joint post with Jeanie Smith Cash & Rose Allen McCauley)

Hope you enjoyed today's post friends and that you'll check back weekly for more Wednesday Words with Friends and another Saturday Spotlight!

Until next time, take care and God Bless.

PamT