Wednesday Writers–A NaNoWriMo Challenge Revealed by Kathy McKinsey

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animals in fiction, Catherine Castle's Wednesday Writers blog series, children's Christmas fiction, Christmas fiction, Kathy McKinsey, Millie's Christmas, NaNoWriMo

 

Wednesday Writers’ guest today is Kathy McKinsey. She’ll be sharing an excerpt from her NaNoWriMo children’s Christmas story Millie’s Christmas. Welcome, Kathy.

 

Thanks, Catherine.

This story was a delightful surprise to me.

I had heard about NaNoWriMo, a challenge many writers take in November to write an entire novel. I didn’t feel ready for that, but I decided in December to see what kind of Christmas story I could come up with.

I normally write women’s fiction. When my kids were little, I did love reading and making up stories for them, but I only remember ever writing one children’s story.

This month I had the idea of writing a story told from the point of view of a kitten with two best friends—a six year old girl and the family dog.

Though I never work out a fully detailed outline for my stories, I usually have a basic idea of how the plot will go. Not this time. I started out just to see what I could come up with each day.

It was a gift to me that opened up more each day. Fun dog and cat activity, and a happy, fun-loving, energetic little girl.

I named the story for my daughter Rebecca’s cat Millie, and Millie gave me a fun addition to the story. Rebecca put up a Christmas tree, decorated it, and woke in the morning to find that Millie had knocked it down and scattered everything.

I enjoyed the family as they opened up in the story, and I found they had problems as families usually do.

But, through their faith and fun and love, not to mention the behaviors of the cats and dog, they came through with a joyful Christmas.

What started out as just an exercise to get me to write every day turned into a story I grew to smile with every day I worked on it.

 

millie’s christmas

by Kathy McKinsey

 

Ruthie says Millie will love Christmas. Ruthie is Millie’s best friend, so she’s sure Ruthie’s right, but why does Millie keep finding Ruthie and her brother Jake crying?

Millie, an orange kitten, shares about her first Christmas. Her best friend Ruthie, six years old, teaches Millie about Christmas—food, decorations, music, presents, and Jesus!

Millie’s friend Bruce, the family dog, also helps her celebrate Christmas, and sometimes gets her in trouble.

When Ruthie’s big brother Jake breaks his ankle, Millie learns about sad things, like divorce, when Jake can’t visit his mommy for Christmas. Millie watches Ruthie’s family love each other through the sadness, and find joy in Christmas.

EXCERPT:

Something exciting happened today. Ruthie picked me up, squeezed me, and ran all over the house yelling, “It’s Christmas time. It’s Christmas time. Millie, you’re going to love Christmas.”

“Meow, meow,” I yelled back. I didn’t know what Christmas was, but Ruthie was excited, so I was too. “Meow.”

Ruthie kissed my face and whirled through the house, making me dizzy. “At Christmas we have lots of fun food, and candles, and decorations, and visiting, and candy.” She rubbed my ribs. “You’ll love it, Millie.”

I didn’t know what most of that stuff was, but it made Ruthie happy, so I knew it would be great.

Daddy and Jake brought home what Ruthie called a Christmas tree. It didn’t look like any of the trees out in the yard, with long sticks on them. This tree was bushy all over and really sharp and prickly, and they pulled it out of the ground from somewhere. Strange. But it sure smelled good.

“Now, Millie.” Ruthie carried me over to the Christmas tree. “We’re going to hang ornaments all over this tree. Please don’t bother them.”

Hmmm. I wonder what ornaments are. They must be something fun to play with.

In the middle of the night, Mama and I went to the Christmas tree and nibbled some of the branches. That was fun, and yummy, but Mama said we shouldn’t do it much, or the parents might get mad. I’d never seen them get mad, but Mama’d been around for Christmas before and knew what she was talking about. Mama was really smart.

Ruthie’s mommy started playing Christmas music. Daddy said, “Already?” Mommy just laughed and sang along with the music.

The music did sound fun—bouncy and happy. Many of the songs were about Jesus. Ruthie told me, “Jesus is the most important part of Christmas.” I didn’t know who Jesus was, but Ruthie was excited about him, so I was too. I hoped I would get to meet him.

Other Christmas songs were about snowmen and reindeer and silver bells and sleigh rides and presents and more about snow. Everything sounded like so much fun. I ran around the house with Ruthie, jumping on and off furniture. Christmas was great!

Want to read more? You can find Millie’s Christmas here

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kathy McKinsey grew up on a pig farm in Missouri, and although she’s lived in cities for nearly 40 years, she still considers herself a farm girl.

She’s been married to Murray for 32 years, and they have five adult children.

She’s had two careers before writing—stay-at-home-Mom and rehabilitation teacher for the blind.

She lives in Lakewood, Ohio with her husband and two of her children. Besides writing, she enjoys activities with her church, editing for other writers, braille transcribing, crocheting, knitting, and playing with the cat and dog.

Connect with Kathy at:

https://www.kathymckinsey.com/

Check out Kathy’s Women’s Fiction novel All My Tears at Amazon

 

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Wednesday Writers—Until I Met You Interview by Kimberly Rose Johnson

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A Christmas to Remember Collection, Catherine Castle's Wednesday Writers blog series, Christian fiction, Christmas fiction, Clean read, excerpt from Until I Met You by Kimberly Rose Johnson, Kimberly Rose Johnson, Sweet read, Until I Met You

Today’s Wednesday Writers’ guest is Kimberly Rose Johnson. Kimberly is no stranger to Wednesday Writers, and I’m glad to have her back today talking about the Christmas collection A Christmas to Remember she’s put together just in time for the holidays, and specifically her novella Until I Met You. Welcome back, Kimberly!

 

 

 Thanks, Catherine.

In early 2018 I decided that I wanted to put together a Christmas collection so I posed the idea to several authors and all the spots were quickly taken. A Christmas to Remember has a total of eight Christmas novellas. My contribution to the collection is Until I Met You.

Until I Met You is the prequel to my Brides of Seattle series. There are two books that follow this one. As I wrote The Reluctant Groom (book 1) I realized Brandi needed her own book. Brandi is the best friend of the heroine in The Reluctant Groom.

Writing a prequel was quite a different experience since I had to back up and create the beginning of her love story. It was a fun process because when I wrote her in book one I hadn’t thought about how her romance how it had come about, I only knew the part of her backstory that related to Katie, the heroine in book one.

I thought it’d be fun to interview Brandi here.

 

Kimberly: Thanks for joining us today, Brandi. When you first met Ian you were taking a break from dating. What prompted you to do that?

Brandi: It seemed to me that I was always in a relationship—not that I bounced around from boyfriend to boyfriend, but for the most part I was the other half of a couple. Somewhere along the way I lost who I was and my relationship with the Lord had suffered. One of my small group leaders suggested I take a six-month hiatus from dating and spend that time digging into the Bible and getting to know God and myself again. It sounded like a great idea until I met Ian.

Kimberly: The two of you had an interesting meet cute.

Brandi: Yes. I for one will never forget it.

Kimberly: Speaking of your meet cute, I like to share it with the readers here today, if that’s okay with you.

Brandi: Sure.

Kimberly: Thanks, for taking the time to visit with us Brandi. Without further adieu here is the meet cute for Brandi and Ian.

Excerpt from Until I Met You

by Kimberly Rose Johnson

Early Saturday morning, Brandi Prescott held her latte in one hand and opened the door to leave her favorite coffee shop in the Green Lake neighborhood of Seattle. She raised her hood and tightened the belt of her trench coat as rain pounded the ground.

“Bring it on.” She tilted her head and spoke to the black cloud overhead. Nothing was going to ruin her good mood. It might be a dreary fall day, but it was the weekend, and she planned to spend it reading beside a cozy fire in her apartment a few blocks away.

She walked to the crosswalk and frowned at the huge puddle of water blocking her path. How had it rained that much in such a short time? When she’d crossed the street, ten minutes ago, it had been fine. No way could she use the crosswalk without soaking her feet. She should have worn rubber boots instead of sneakers.

A vehicle careened through the yellow light. “Oh no!” She ducked her head as a wave of water splashed over her, knocking her latte from her hand. She balled her fists at her sides and glared after the red SUV.

“Of all the nerve!” She wiped water from her face, which had managed to get her even though she’d ducked her head.

The car braked and pulled into a parking spot. A man with dark hair hopped out. He jogged toward her. “Are you okay? I didn’t notice the standing water until it was too late.”

She squared her shoulders and raised her chin. “My coffee is ruined, and I’m soaked. Otherwise, I’m fine.” She bent down and picked up the paper cup and the plastic lid that had popped off.

“I’m really sorry. Let me get you a new one.”

She studied the man a moment. His neatly trimmed beard and mustache framed a young face with kind brown eyes. “That would be nice. Thank you.”

“It’s the least I can do, considering I nearly drowned you.”

She chuckled. “Well, I don’t know if I’d go that far. My coat did a pretty good job of keeping me dry.”

He raised a brow. “Come on. Let’s get out of the rain.” He walked toward the coffee shop and pulled open the door. “After you.”

I hope you enjoyed the excerpt! You can pick this book up on Amazon for only 99¢ until December 30^th. The collection will no longer be available after that time. Here is the link to A Christmas to Remember.

Until I Met You

Graphic designer, Brandi Prescott hopes to work her way to the top at the Seattle ad agency where she’s employed. She’s dedicated and distraction-free since she’s taking a hiatus from men to focus on her relationship with the Lord and get to know herself without the influence of another person.

 Software engineer Ian Parker is in a good place. He loves his job, his social life and the direction his life is going. At least that is the case until one fateful rainy morning when he inadvertently drenches a woman standing on a street corner. He pulls over to apologize and is intrigued. The only problem is, she won’t go out with him because she made a pledge to not date for six months.

 Brandi’s six-month pledge ends on Christmas. Will Ian wait or will his scheming to get to know her destroy what might have been?

 

About the Author:

Award winning author Kimberly Rose Johnson married her college sweetheart and lives in the Pacific Northwest. From a young child Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing. She especially loves romance and writes contemporary romance that warms the heart and feeds the soul.

Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.

Connect with Kimberly at Kimberly’s Website: Facebook: Twitter

 

Wednesday Writers–Saundra Staats McLemore and Christmas Hotel Reunion

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Alzheimer's, book about Alzheimers, book excerpt from Christmas Hotel Reunion, Catherine Castle Wednesday Writers series, Christmas fiction, Christmas Hotel Reunion, Christmas Hotel series, Inspirational fiction, Saundra Staats McLemore

 

Today Wednesday Writers is welcoming back Saundra Staats McLemore, author of the Christian Inspirational series Christmas Hotel. I fell in love with this fictional hotel in Saundra’s first book, which you can read about on an earlier blog, and have been following the progress of the Wright family throughout the remainder of the books.

Welcome, Saundra. Please tell us about the latest book in the series, Christmas Hotel Reunion.

 

Thanks, Catherine,

Christmas Hotel Reunion is the sixth and final book in the Christmas Hotel series. Although each book can standalone, the Wright family thread weaves through the series. Each book has a theme and Christmas Hotel Reunion’s theme is the horrific disease of Alzheimer’s.

I dedicated Christmas Hotel Reunion in memory of my father William Warren Staats who developed complications from Alzheimer’s, and he died July 21, 1997. I watched this man, who stood 6’1″ and weighed around 210 pounds, become a shell of the man he once was. It’s so hard to watch a man who was a leader in his profession, and once revered by so many people, regress to infancy. While he was in the throes of Alzheimer’s, I discovered one in four will have the disease by age 65 and one in two by age 85. My sister and I suspect at least seven of our dad’s nine siblings had Alzheimer’s. Knowing the disease runs in families, these are chilling results for our Staats family members.

 

Thanks, Saundra for sharing this with us. Alzheimer’s has touched the lives of almost everyone in some way. My father had this dreaded disease, too. So, I understand how it affects families.

Saundra sent me several excerpts to choose from and, I’m going to be honest here, every single one made me cry. I chose the one I know from experience is what every person who has a family member with this dreaded disease wants—one more moment of clarity with your loved one. If you’ve ever experienced this blessing, after all you’ve been to a loved one is a stranger, you’ll know how much this gift is coveted.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Christmas Hotel Reunion

By Saundra Staats McLemore

Alzheimer’s: a horrific disease. Jerilyn has Alzheimer’s. Christopher and Jerilyn are now elderly, and Christopher has ongoing fears. If his beloved wife outlives him, will she be properly cared for? How can two people who have adored each other for fifty-seven years be separated?

On vacation, Jerilyn becomes violent and doesn’t know Christopher. When they return home, Jerilyn leaves in the middle of a cold night in her nightgown. Other friends have family members with Alzheimer’s. Some have turned their loved one over to the care of a nursing home.

With the Alzheimer’s spinning out of control, withdrawing from family, having to be watched every minute, Christopher’s grieving heart is in turmoil. Jerilyn’s children and grandchildren lament over Jerilyn not knowing them. Christopher needs to make the nursing home decision soon. Christopher prays for one last cognizant moment with Jerilyn. He places his trust and hope in the Lord Jesus.

♥ ♥ ♥

The family members headed to their homes, and, Jerilyn asked Christopher to walk her into the square and sit on their bench facing Christmas Hotel. They put on overcoats, hats, gloves, and scarves. Once they were seated, she shivered, and he wrapped his arm around her. “Are you too cold, dear, to sit outside?”

“No, I’m fine. I’m just happy to be here with you. God is good, Christopher.”

Hot tears filled his eyes, but he couldn’t help himself. He’d prayed in earnest for this special time with his beloved Jerilyn. With his other hand, he took hers. “Yes, He is, my love.”

They stopped speaking for a few minutes, cuddled together, and reveled in the moment. Christopher took a deep breath. “The air is so clean and crisp. I do love the Christmas season.” Townspeople walked by and smiled. Some greeted with “Merry Christmas!”

“You know, Jerilyn, sitting here brings back memories of fifty-seven years ago. You were only twenty, but I knew without a doubt we were meant to marry and raise a family. I was nervous the night I proposed.”

Jerilyn turned to him. “You were?” Her soft voice warmed his heart. “I thought I was the nervous one. You’ve never told me this.”

I can’t believe I’m sitting here and carrying on a normal conversation with Jerilyn.

“I was twenty-eight-years-old. I suppose I wanted you to have confidence in my decisions. You were so mentally wounded when you arrived at Christmas Hotel. I wanted to be your knight in shining armor.”

She took her free hand and placed it on his cheek. “You have been my knight in shining armor. I’m so happy the Lord sent me here all those years ago. I never thought being penniless would be a good thing but it brought us together. Our Lord brought us together. I’m so thankful, Christopher.”

“So am I, my darling, so am I.”

She placed her head on Christopher’s shoulder, and they took a moment to gaze up at the sky. “It’s so clear tonight, Christopher. The stars are putting on a light show for us.”

Christopher pointed up. “I know that one’s the North Star, but tonight, for us, it’s the star of hope.”

“I love you, Christopher.”

“I love you, too, Jerilyn. I want you to remember our love, at least for tonight. I’ve never in all our years together tired of telling you I love you.” He kissed her.

“I want to pray together in the Christmas Hotel chapel, Christopher. Let’s go in. Maybe we’ll be alone.”

  Want to read more? You’ll find this book at Amazon

 

About the Author:

 Saundra Staats McLemore is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and the Ohio chapter of the ACFW. After thirty-three years, Saundra is recently retired as President/CEO of McLemore & Associates, Inc., a nationwide sales and marketing business she built in 1984. In her spare time, she loves to garden, and she can be seen throughout the summer working in her flower beds. Saundra has written two novels so far in the Staats Family Chronicles Series: Abraham and Anna and its sequel: Joy out of Ashes. Saundra had the good fortune of having Abraham and Anna endorsed by two best-selling authors: Richard Paul Evans and Janette Oke. There are six novels in the Christmas Hotel Series: Christmas Hotel, Christmas for Lucy, Christmas Redemption, Christmas Pact, Christmas Love and Mercy, and Christmas Hotel Reunion.

Born and raised in the state of Ohio, Saundra is married to Robert, and Anthony is their only child. The other two members of the family are the cat Charley, and the Cocker Spaniel Daisy. Check her website regarding new novels.

Website: http://www.saundrastaatsmclemore.com/

 

 

Catherine Castle’s Christmas Reads–The Swaddling Clothes by Amber Schamel

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Amber Schamel, Biblical fiction, book excerpt from The Swaddling Clothes, Catherine Castle's Christmas Reads blog sereis, Christmas fiction, free book offer, Inspirational fiction, The Swaddling Clothes

Today’s guest on Catherine Castle’s Christmas Reads is Amber Schamel, a fellow author from the Stitches Thru Time Blog that I contribute to. Amber will be offering her Christmas Book The Swaddling Clothes free December 15-18 at http://www.amazon.come/dp/B018BBQVCA

To whet your appetite, here’s an excerpt from The Swaddling Clothes by Amber Schamel.

Part One

Chapter One

Circa 980 B.C.

King David drummed his fingers on the arm of his throne. The merchant’s monotone voice had been echoing off the cedar walls of the judgment hall for more than an hour. If he whined the words unfair taxes one more time…

“So you see, your highness, these taxes are relatively unfair when considering—”

“Enough!” David’s irritation boiled over.

The merchant stumbled backward. His scalded pride evidenced by the scarlet flushing of his round face.

Something squeezed in David’s chest. The merchant wasn’t the sole reason for his foul mood, and didn’t deserve to bear the worst of it. “I’m sorry.”

He wiped his forehead. Being the king of Israel was not what he’d hoped. He should be leading his army against the Philistines. Instead here he was, in his luxurious palace, listening to the endless and petty complaints. [1]

Ahithophel clapped his hands. “The king has heard enough of your whining for today. Come back later.”

David stood and ran his hand through his hair. Loose curls twisted around his fingers. He paced for a few moments before looking up. Amnon, his oldest son, glared over his shoulder as the aide shooed him out of the hall.

“Ahithophel, it’s all right. I can…”

“My lord, their prattle is irritating me as well. It can wait until the morrow.”

David ducked out the side exit, into the corridor to the private part of the palace. He stopped, inhaling the comforting scent of cedar, and waited for his aide.

Ahithophel slipped through the door and closed it quietly. His expression was tentative when he faced David.

“I am sorry, Ahithophel, but I am not cut of this pattern. I am the type of king who leads armies into battle, who destroys enemies, a king with a sword constantly by my side.” He motioned to the warrior’s blade hanging from his belt. “I love my people, but I cannot bear sitting here listening to their petty arguments while my army marches.”

“My king, you know we can no longer risk you getting killed in some skirmish. Your sons are still young, and you have not yet determined a successor for your throne. If you were to fall in battle, Israel would be left in disarray.”

David stepped closer to him and whispered through clenched teeth. “I can’t do this. It’s hard enough to stay here cooped up like a child, but listening to their trivial prattle day after day is more than I can stand.”

Ahithophel gave him a sympathetic smile and laid a hand on his shoulder. “Take the remainder of the day to rest. Walk the gardens with your new wife, eat a good meal, refresh yourself. You’ll feel better tomorrow.” He smiled again and disappeared down the hall.

Taking a deep breath, David wandered into the garden and wove through the trees and flowerbeds until he neared the fountain surrounded by pomegranate trees. The rich red fruit contrasted with the soft green of the olive leaves. The trickle of the water fountain and the sweet sound of turtledoves cooing soothed his soul. He should have brought his harp, for a psalm was bubbling up within him.

Standing in the midst of all this beauty was one not to be compared to it. With her emerald eyes set in a complexion of pearl, and ringlets of ruby cascading down her back. Bathsheba. He had loved her since the moment he saw her. His heart had sinned for her, bringing the wrath of his righteous God upon them. But although God had taken their baby, He had not denied him Bathsheba. [2]

Stepping beside her, David slid his hand into hers and gave it a tight squeeze.

“A rough day for my king?”

David groaned. “I am tired of being king. Can’t I be something else for today?”

Bathsheba turned around. Her green eyes met his, and a smile curved her lips. She lifted his hands and placed them on her belly. “Then be Abba today.”

The breath caught in his throat. “You’re…”

Her giggle and nod assured him it was so. Wrapping her in a tight embrace, he lifted her off her feet and whirled around in a circle. Finally setting her down, he placed his hands on either side of her face. “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel who has chosen in His great mercy to bless us. The child will be a son, and he will inherit my throne and reign over the house of Israel in peace and prosperity. There will be no one like him in all the world.”

His wife’s eyes sparkled in the light streaming through the trees. “Yes, our son will be a special child.”

“When he is born, I will hold a feast a month long. The armies will rest from fighting to celebrate the birth of the prince of the house of David.”

A frown contorted his wife’s face. “But, if we announce at his birth that he will be your successor, won’t it put him in danger?”

David’s hands fell to his sides. He hadn’t considered that. “You may be right. There must be another way.” How could they appoint this child as the successor without endangering him? He could wait to announce it until later, but what if something happened to him in the meantime? No, wouldn’t do. They had to come up with some sort of symbol. Something that wouldn’t reveal the secret until the proper time. Something almost prophetic.

An idea ignited in his mind. Grasping Bathsheba’s hand, he tugged her toward the palace. “Come. We have lots of work to do.”

“David, what are you talking about?”

“My son will not be wrapped in ordinary swaddling cloth. No, this prince is unlike any other child and must be treated as such. We will have cloth woven for him on the looms of Egypt, Sheba, Assyria, and every nation on the earth. At his birth, we will wrap him in swaddling clothes so magnificent no one will be able to deny his royalty. At my death, I shall decree that the son who possesses that certain cloth will be my heir. It will evade the danger, yet make it clear who I desire my heir to be. Quickly. We must find Ahithophel and have him gather merchants from every corner of the city.”

*****

Maacah pressed her back against an olive trunk. Had she really heard right? All expected this new, young wife of David’s would soon be with child, but how could the child of a commoner—a wife acquired through murder and iniquity—possibly be named the successor to the throne above her own son? Absalom was a beautiful child, beloved of all who knew him, third born, and of royal blood. What disgrace and insolence for David to consider this woman’s son over Absalom. No, this could never be.

She peeked out from behind the tree as David led Bathsheba toward the palace. “Something must be done. That woman’s son will never reign over Absalom.”

Her thoughts raced like wild stallions as she darted toward her son’s chambers. She didn’t know how, but she would blight this plan to usurp Absalom’s throne. Starting with the swaddling clothes.

 

 

About the Author:

Author of over half a dozen books, Amber Schamel writes riveting stories that bring HIStory to life. She has a passion for travel, history, books and her Savior. This combination results in what her readers call “historical fiction at its finest”. She lives in Colorado and spends half her time volunteering in the Ozarks. Visit her online at www.AmberSchamel.com/ and download a FREE story by subscribing to her Newsletter!

Newsletter & updates: http://www.amberschamel.com/newsletter-signup.html Blogs – http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/            http://www.hhhistory.com/            http://amberschamel.blogspot.com/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAmberSchamel

Twitter – @AmberSchamel https://twitter.com/AmberSchamel

Pinterest – http://pinterest.com/AmberDSchamel/

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7073165.Amber_Schamel

Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Amber-Schamel/e/B00CIXK91M

 

 

[1] 2 Sam 11:1

[2] 2 Sam 11-12

Catherine Castle’s Christmas Reads–Christmas Love and Mercy by Saundra Staats McLemore

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Catherine Castle's Christmas Reads, Christian romance, Christmas fiction, Christmas Hotel series, Christmas Love and Mercy, Saundra Staats McLemmore

 

Christmas Love and Mercy

 

Today Catherine Castle’s Christmas Reads is featuring an excerpt from Saundra Staats McLemore’s Christmas book Christmas Love and Mercy, book number 5 in the Christmas Hotel series. Saundra has been a frequent visitor on the blog and she tackles some hard subjects in her books, but with a gentle hand, as she leads her cast of characters through the years of their lives. I’ve read the first four books in this series and have fallen in love with the fictional hotel Saundra created and the charming town.

In Christmas Love and Mercy Chris Wright, the youngest child of Christopher and Jerilyn, is now thirty-two years old. He’s prayed many years for a Godly woman to marry and join him in carrying on the mission of Christmas Hotel. All his siblings are married with children and one with a grandchild. He wonders what’s wrong with him. Although his life is full with the management of Christmas Hotel; he’s lonely. His only constant companion is his dog Fritz. He reacquaints with lovely Lori Anna Stanley; someone he has known all her nineteen years. She sweeps into his life like a breath of fresh air. Is it possible Chris will have the wife and family of his dreams? An idyllic union exists until Chris has reason to question God and his faith. Unforeseen difficulties spiral out of control. Only a miracle can save them. Others have found their miracle at Christmas Hotel, but can they?

Excerpt from Christmas Love and Mercy

By Saundra Staats McLemore

 

“Hey, Uncle Chris. Did you just snap our picture?” Brian had been snuggling on a bench in Franklin’s town square with his wife Christine.

Chris laughed, throwing back his head for a good guffaw. “I’m just photographing my annual Christmas pictures of the square. My, my, a picture of you snuggling with Christine will make a great picture for your little one someday. And quit calling me uncle. I’m only six years older than you.”

“I know, but I just want to remind you now and then that you’re getting old.”

“Thanks a lot.”

Christine smiled and rubbed her rotund belly. Her coat no longer completely closed; she appeared to be wearing a couple of bulky sweaters underneath.

Brian jumped up. “Give me the camera, Chris. Let me take your picture for a change.”

“I don’t think so, buddy boy. This is the latest Canon model. It’s the RC-760 released this year. My parents gave it to me for my birthday in September. I know how camera-challenged you are. Why you couldn’t even use my Polaroid from the sixties. You cut off everyone’s heads.”

“Ha, ha. I was a kid. By the way, why aren’t you at your desk at Christmas Hotel? Since when does the senior manager have time off?”

“I do schedule a day off now and then. What about you? Shouldn’t you be doing your detective stuff? Aren’t you working on a big case?”

“It’s all under control,” Brian said with a smug grin and returned to his seat, hugging his wife closer.

They all turned when they saw a camera flash nearby. A young woman snapped pictures about twenty feet away, and a well-trained Golden Retriever sat at her feet. When the girl walked a few paces, the dog obediently followed and then again sat at her feet. Despite the chill of the December morning, she wore no coat; just a bright green sweatshirt over black sweatpants tucked into her tall, furry boots. A multi-colored knit hat covered her head, but her straight black hair hung to her waistline. Every time she spun around for another picture, her long hair followed in a swinging motion around her lithe, petite figure.

Chris watched her, mesmerized. She gave extra special meaning to the phrase poetry in motion. She appeared to be around twenty, so he knew she was too young for him. It didn’t seem right; a thirty-two-year-old man ogling such a young woman. However, he couldn’t stop watching her and the dog. The dog anticipated her every move.

Brian jumped up and ran his hand in front of Chris’s eyes. “Earth to Chris. Don’t you know who she is?”

Finally, and reluctantly, Chris turned back to Brian. “I guess not. I thought I knew everyone in Franklin.” He cocked his head. “Yet, there is a familiarity about her.”

“You dunce,” Brian said, landing a friendly smack to the side of Chris’s head. “That’s Lori Anna Stanley; James and Carol Ann’s daughter. She’s been away at the University of Louisville for the past two years, but she recently transferred to Western Kentucky University. I hear she’s working part-time at the Franklin Favorite. Maybe that’s why she’s taking all the pictures. I think you’ve been cooped up at Christmas Hotel too much. You need to get out more often, so you can know what’s happening.”

Lori Anna, thought Chris. It’s even worse than I thought. I’m gawking at a nineteen-year-old.

 

Want to read more? You can find Christmas Love and Mercy at Amazon

About the Author

When her hands are not busy at the keyboard creating a new novel, Saundra Staats McLemore is managing the performing arts’ marketing and sales business she built in 1984. Saundra is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and the Ohio chapter of the ACFW. In her spare time, she loves to garden, and she can be seen throughout the summer working in her flower beds. Saundra has written two novels so far in the Staats Family Chronicles Series: Abraham and Anna and its sequel: Joy out of Ashes. To date, there are five novels in the Christmas Hotel Series: Christmas Hotel, Christmas for Lucy, Christmas Redemption, Christmas Pact, and Christmas Love and Mercy.

Born and raised in the state of Ohio, Saundra is married to Robert, and Anthony is their only child. The other two members of the family are the cat Charley, and the Cocker Spaniel Daisy.

 

 

Catherine Castle’s Christmas Reads: Poppies for Christmas by Stacy Renée Keywell

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book excerpt from Poppies for Christmas, Catherine Castle's Christmas Reads, Christmas fiction, holiday fiction, living with autism, Poppies for Christmas, Stacy Renée Keywell, YA fiction, YA romance

 

Today’s Christmas Read is Poppies for Christmas from YA author Stacy Renée Keywell. Hope you enjoy the excerpt!

 

Poppies for Christmas

 

A celebration of love without labels. It’s easy to be brave with you by my side!

Popular DJ Dexx finds himself positively smitten by the precociously pristine Poppy Paris. Too bad she’s already taken by an older boy, Declan Davies, a beautiful model with a thriving career, and a perfect family. By a dreamful stroke of chance, Dexx finds himself invited to spend Christmas at the Davies home by a gorgeous girl, granting him the opportunity to pursue the precious Poppy. But in his quest to win her over, he unlocks a world of imperfection and insecurity, where people are picked on for their disabilities, speech, appearance, and eccentricities. For Poppy and her friends, love trumps labels, and everyone deserves a brave friend to stand by their side. What gifts will Dexx discover this Christmas? Will he ultimately find true love, or will he discover something even greater?

You are invited to read a powerful story about living with autism, but not letting it define you, about being bullied, but carrying on with determination and grit, and about having dreams, but not giving up in the face of adversity. Come celebrate something beautiful with Poppies for Christmas.

Poppies For Christmas

by Stacy Renée Keywell

 

The Science of Baking

I read somewhere once that cooking is an art. It takes imagination and flare. But baking? Baking is a science. It takes exactitude and precision. It requires patience. It requires dedication. It requires love. A whole lot of love. And well…that’s what I’ve got…love…love for a girl, a special one, one who deserves dedication. So what do I choose to prove my love? I choose baking.

 

Chapter One

Lenn

Deep inside my tote, my hand grazed against my faithful sketchbook before I removed it. The metal spirals comforted my fingers as I dragged them across the row of sharp-edged rings. Firmly gripping the book, I flipped it open to a blank page near the middle. I smoothed out the slightly texturized, eggshell white page. I bent down and buried my nose in the crease, inhaling the faint lead pencil scent. It calmed me, readying me to add another chapter to my visual saga.

Spreading my tools around me, hard and soft pencils, a ruler, several firm erasers, and a small metal sharpener, I steadied my hand and cleared my mind, inviting in only the most blissful images of my fantasy. With a soft lead pencil, I constructed an oval blank for the face. Art classes definitely assisted in perfecting the technique, but dedication and talent trumped instruction.

I used the ruler to estimate the proper dimensions. I added eyes, a nose, some crazy-hot lips, all his beautiful features. I gave him expressive brows. I sketched his glossy dark brown hair, shaggy bangs flopping over to the side, covering his ear, exposing that sarcastic, twisted grin on his lips, the same way he looked when he joked around with his friends in the corner of the library during study hall.

A trusty eraser mopped up all of the stray, miscellaneous marks. I blew away a couple gummy shreds before I shaded in his taut jawline. I wiped up the last scattered pieces left behind on the page before I started on adding myself to the portrait. Duplicating the process, I gave myself a hipper, manga-esque look, allowing for a more whimsical likeness of myself.

Poppy and Kit sat at the same long, wooden table, on the opposite side of me. Kit swiped through the pages on her tablet, desperately trying to find the right page number, since she had neglected to tap the bookmark before closing out her chapter the previous night. Nervous oohs and aahs escaped her lips. Poppy, sitting with her legs crossed, jiggled her feet beneath her chair, shaking the table, creating a rattling earthquake under my artwork.

I shot a glare in her direction. “Would you please stop? The both of you! You are driving me crazy, and ruining my picture.”

Poppy and Kit stopped suddenly. They looked at each other, wide-eyed and innocent, two does in the midst of a meadow. Unaware! Clueless! Oblivious!

“I can’t think when you moan that way,” I snapped, addressing Kit. She squirmed underneath her oversized flannel shirt and baggy jeans.

“And, you,” I turned to Poppy. “You are going to smudge my drawing with all of that wild motion going on underneath the table. Can it!”

Their jaws dropped. They both stared at me, wordless.

“Please.” I hugged my journal protectively. Softening my voice, I turned to Poppy and asked her again. “Please?”

“Sorry,” they announced in simulcast, sighing, shrugging their shoulders, lost together in the great woods of their minds.

They looked back down at their own musings. I continued to draw.

In this picture, the two of us relaxed together on a chaise lounge, him with his large, bulbous headphones, and me with my skull and crossbones ear buds. Our eyes drifted in the opposite direction, lids almost closed, in a sleepy trance. My arm draped across his chest until our fingers entwined, intimately. We zoned out to his simpatico beats.

Dare I say heaven? Total reverie? Dare I label it? Give it a title like Lost Together, or Technotransing it, or D-lightful?

I absolutely planned on scanning my image when I returned home, possibly even uploading it to his fan page, once I swallowed a dose of bravery and forced myself to take that leap of frightening faith. My mouth dried up like a petrified prune, and puckered at the thought of posting my reveries.

 

Want to read more? Check out Poppies For Christmas at Amazon

 

 

About the Author:

Author Stacy Renée Keywell lives a life of fabulous clichés. She enjoys asking rhetorical questions, and speaking redundantly. Stacy works hard at telling bad jokes, dancing oddly yet awesomely, and making up amazing new words in hopes that they will one day find their way into the dictionary. She strives to love without labels. She vows to bravely stand by the sides of those who need her, especially her two daughters. Stacy, her husband, and her children live in Michigan in a quaint house in the woods. You can connect with Stacy at:

http://www.stacyreneekeywell.com/

http://stacykeywell.weebly.com/

https://www.facebook.com/stacyreneekeywell

https://www.facebook.com/projectlovewithoutlabels

https://twitter.com/keywelluvsbooks

Christmas Reads from Rose Allen McCauley–Christmastide at Bald Head Island

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book excerpt from Christmastide at Bald Eagle Island, Catherine Castle's Holiday Reads blog series, Christmas fiction, Christmastide at Bald Eagle Island, Inspirational fiction, Rose Allen McCauley, sweet Christmas stories

Hello, and welcome to this year’s Christmas Reads blog series where you will find new, and older, Christmas Reads for your holiday season. I hope you’ll enjoy this year’s offerings which will run through the end of the year. If you like Christmas stories, be sure and check out my previous years’ Holiday  and Christmas Reads for more fantastic Christmas stories from a range of sweet genres.

To open the 2016  series, here’s Rose Allen McCauley’s newest Christmas Read:

Christmas Tide on Bald Eagle Island!

Christmastide at Bald Head Island

By Rose Allen McCauley

 

Literature weaves its way through the hearts of the Jordan family women. Matriarch, Grace Jordan, has a particular affinity for William Shakespeare. Just as his play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, spins a tale of the planning of one wedding but ends with three ceremonies, Grace and her two daughters, Rosalind and Miranda, discover rekindled love while planning Rosalind’s daughter, Jane Anne’s Christmas wedding. In a twist of fate, ceremony plans change. However, just like Elizabeth Bennett and Anne Shirley from Jane Austen and Lucy Montgomery’s respective classic tales, all four Jordan women discover what—and who—will make them truly happy.

Excerpt

 

Alex wiped the mustard off his face then asked her, “Do you want some Italian Ice now or later?”

Her eyes twinkled. “I want to spend as much time as possible inside so let’s wait until later when the Conservancy closes.”

She stopped to read everything in every exhibit. Better to think about the information in front of her rather than all that was running through her head.

“Is this the teacher coming out in you?”

“Must be. Do you mind?”

“Of course, not. It gives me more time to watch my favorite exhibit.”

“Which exhibit is that?”

He made Groucho Marx eyes at her. “You.”

She shook her head and went back to reading.

After a couple hours, Alex wished they’d chosen to walk on the beach this afternoon, even in the heat. He couldn’t stand being this close to her without the opportunity to talk about more than the turtles and other wildlife. “It’s almost five. Ready for that Italian Ice now?”

She looked up from an exhibit about the bioluminescent plankton. “I hope sometime we can see these tiny fish that light up underwater. Jane Anne has told me about them.”

“I hope so, too. Maybe we could all three go together one night.”

They walked outside, and he bought them each an Italian Ice.

He handed hers over and said, “I’d like to ask you one final question.”

She took a bite. “What’s that?”

“What was the hardest part of me not being there for you?”

Her heart thudded against her chest. How could she list them all—the shame of being an unwed mother, her parents’ disappointment, the lonely, long nights of little sleep whenever Jane Anne was ill, taking ten years to get her teaching degree, having to work two jobs?

She didn’t know which reason to pick and couldn’t speak with the growing anger clogging her throat. Especially when she remembered that even if his parents had kept him from receiving her calls, he’d had her number. He could have called her. He should have called her. But no, he’d turned his back on her for a college education.

Two words slipped from her lips. “Your betrayal.”

Want to read more? Check out the book  at Amazon

 

About the Author:

Rose has been writing for over a decade and has five books published. A retired schoolteacher who has been happily married to her college sweetheart for over forty years, they enjoy their growing family of three children and their spouses and five lovely, lively grandkids! She loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her through her website www.rosemccauley.com or twitter @RoseAMcCauley and Facebook http://on.fb.me/1LrXNoS