Wednesday Writers–Restoring Christmas by Julie Arduini

Tags

book excerpt from Restoring Christmas, Christian romance, Christmas romance, clean romance, Julie Arduini, Restoring Christmas, Sweet romance, Wednesday Writers

Welcome to Wednesday Writers and welcome to my guest author Julie Arduini! Christmas, which is only—dare I even say it?—58 days away, is in the air today as Julie brings us and excerpt from her very special Christmas book Restoring Christmas, whose theme is about  

Highlighting the Misunderstood World of Special Needs Students

Thanks, Catherine.

        One of the most exciting aspects of this time of year is the release of Christmas romances. Hallmark knows their popularity; they are now showing movies outside of December. I love losing myself in a love story surrounded by snow and sleigh bells.

        In 2018 I was honored to participate in a Christmas box set. Although it is no longer available, my novella, Restoring Christmas, has been re-released in both print and Kindle format. I had so much fun writing this story using another Upstate NY area and characters who need to surrender their issues and come together to save a beloved tourist attraction in fictional Geneseo Valley.

        One element I used in Restoring Christmas was having the hero, Kevin Holt, bring his students with special needs to help at the failing Christmas mansion. These young teens wanted to make a difference, and Holly Christmas had to decide if she would let go of her pride and allow the community to come in for help. What I enjoyed about Holly was she approached the special needs class with love and a little anxiety, and I think that’s normal.

        I have volunteered with ministries that involve families with special needs and in Restoring Christmas, I was intentional in not giving specific diagnoses because sometimes an issue isn’t visible, and people are misunderstood. Sometimes touch is very important, and in other cases, even a pat on the shoulder can be scary. Changes to schedules are a big deal sometimes, and so are different noises we might take for granted. For Holly, she wants to be understanding, but the mansion her parents worked on for years as the premiere Christmas stop each year holds a lot of valuable items. Will the students break things? Will there be tantrums that interrupt her deadlines? How will Holly handle it all and how involved will Kevin be in the process?

        Answering those questions truly were a delight. There is so much I love about Restoring Christmas, and one was that I was able to bring awareness to the special needs community. I also gave a nod to my hometown, Corning, with the mention of glass ornaments. More than anything, I believe there’s a sweet romance readers can escape with.

        Do you have a connection with the special needs community? If so, you are in the presence of the most amazing group God created.

Restoring Christmas

 By Julie Arduini

Filled with grief and regret, Holly Christmas returns to Geneseo Valley and the family business, The Christmas Mansion. Can Kevin Holt restore her love for the season and the memories she left behind?

Excerpt:

Chapter One

If Holly Christmas’ heart was in charge, returning to Geneseo Valley never would have happened. She slowed her Subaru Forester and blinked away fresh tears. The car shook as Holly wavered between the brake and accelerator. If memories alone could steer, the car would be parked in the lot she had played in since she could walk.

With her uncle expecting her, she cruised into the parking area adjacent to the family business. Holly found a space to stop thanks to faded yellow lines. Dabbing her eyes and cheeks with a tissue, she grabbed her planner, slung her purse over her shoulder, and got out. With a deep breath, she faced the historic mansion ahead of her.

The crunch of late September leaves marked her tentative steps toward the main entrance. Glancing ahead, she noted the overgrown weeds and bushes out front in desperate need of a pruning. The once red and white striped pole showed rust spots and the red faded to pink. The sign that once proudly displayed the tourist destination was now a rotted piece of splinter. The engraving was more of a petri dish for moss and algae, making it barely readable.

Welcome to Christmas Mansion.

Holly stopped, a shudder zigzagged from head to toe. Re-gaining her balance, she kept her focus on the cement steps as she sidestepped a jagged chunk in the path. The porch still featured the wooden soldier she stood next to every year to mark how much she’d grown. The stiff greeter was a shell of his former holiday glory, nearly as faded as everything else. She opened the almost pink colored door and sighed at the sound of a sinister squeak. This isn’t the Christmas Mansion. It’s a Halloween spook house.

Fighting the urge to run back to her car and her life in Ohio, Holly cleared her throat. “Uncle Nick? It’s Holly. Are you here?”

She glanced around the lobby, the same register with a bell sound she pushed as a teen after a customer purchase. Dusty shelves housed a potpourri of holiday items—candles, snow globes, and ornaments thrown together in complete chaos.

Before she could investigate further, a shuffle echoed from the hallway and her uncle entered. “Holly? I can’t believe it, right here in Upstate New York. What an answer to prayer.” The cobalt blue glint in his eyes reminded her of her father.

She stepped into her uncle’s hug, surprised by his emotion as he held onto her arms and gazed into her eyes. “I don’t know about answer to prayer, but things changed with my job, and I thought it was a good time to help out.” She waved her hands with animation. “Here I am!”

The younger Christmas brother nodded. “I’ve tried to keep things going after your father passed, but I can’t even fit into his Santa suit.”

Holly smiled as she glanced at his thin frame. “A few cookies from Mrs. Olson will take care of that.” The volunteer greeter was a Geneseo Valley legend for her sugar cookies.

His smile disappeared. “You didn’t hear? Mrs. Olson passed in July. That’s one of the many things I need to do—find a new greeter. Then there’s a landscaping team. I know it’s September, but it won’t be long until school kids visit.” He scratched his balding head. “I did take care of one thing. I arranged for a group from a local school to get the gift shop back in order. Your father was so beloved as Chris Christmas that everyone seemed to overlook the haphazard way he organized the shop.”

Holly attempted to tame the rolling waves in her stomach. Mrs. Olson was a Christmas Mansion staple as much as her father was all about dressing up as Santa and entertaining. Her grin didn’t last long. She didn’t need to tour the mansion to know the entire place was a mess. The financial state most likely wasn’t much better. “Great. The students will have their work cut out for them. I still have unpacking to do at the house, but the place still opens at eight on weekdays, right?”

Uncle Nick hesitated. “Yes, but…”

She fished the keys out of her purse. “Great. I’ll be ready to start tomorrow.” Before she could find her sunglasses, the front door burst open and a choir of adolescent chatter filled the lobby. Kids who looked to be around junior high age swarmed the area, pointing at the shelves and leaning on the glass case that housed the register. “Uncle Nick?”

Before he could speak, among the chaos emerged a man with a red and black plaid flannel shirt. His wavy black locks bobbed as he whistled. All the students froze and focused on him with the same intensity Holly gave. The mesmerizing stranger pulled out his phone, opened a screen, and traced his finger down the screen before looking up. “Hi. I’m supposed to meet with a Nick Christmas?”

Want to read more?

You can find Restoring Christmas at Amazon

About the Author:

Julie Arduini loves to encourage readers to find freedom in Christ by surrendering the good, the bad, and —maybe one day—the chocolate. She’s the author of the contemporary romance series SURRENDERING TIME, (Entrusted, Entangled, Engaged,) as well as the stand-alone novellas, MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN and RESTORING CHRISTMAS. She also shares her story in the infertility devotional, A WALK IN THE VALLEY. Her other latest release, YOU’RE BRILLIANT, is for girls ages 10-100, written with her teenaged daughter, Hannah, and is book 3 in their SURRENDERING STINKIN’ THINKIN’ series. She blogs every other Wednesday for Christians Read, as well as monthly with Inspy Romance. She resides in Ohio with her husband and two children. Learn more by visiting her at http://juliearduini.com, where she invites readers to opt in to her content full of resources and giveaway opportunities.

Connect with Julie on her Social Media Website: Facebook: GoodReads:

Wednesday Writers–You’re Brilliant by Julie Arduini

Tags

book excerpt from You're Brilliant, bullying, Julie Arduini, Wednesday Writers, Writing tip about characterization, You're Brilliant

 

 

Today’s Wednesday Writers’ guest is author Julie Arduini with a post about the characters behind the character in her book YA book You’re Brilliant from her Surrendering Stinkin’ Thinkin’ series and an excerpt from the book.  Welcome, Julie!

 

Character Inspiration Behind You’re Brilliant

Julie Arduini

 

You’re Brilliant is the final book in the Surrendering Stinkin’ Thinkin’ series for young teens and women of all ages. Although it can be read as a stand-alone, You’re Brilliant moves forward with the girls and their mentors from the Linked mentoring ministry in Youngstown, Ohio.  Each book focused on one girl and her mentor, and this time it’s Bethany Tuttle and her mentor, pastor’s wife Cheri Wayson.

What I loved about this series was writing it with my teen daughter, Hannah. It was her brainchild as she processed the challenges of middle school and wanted to help other girls avoid the lies she believed at that time. When Hannah jotted out the story what she ended up with was a three-book series. She supervised the vision for each book, approving my chapters. She created character names and oversaw the cover design. It really was a team effort.

The characters were fun because Hannah loosely based them off her friends. She’s had a solid group of girls from church who have encouraged her, so she had to narrow it down. Hannah took a couple qualities from two girls who have been in her life the longest. In You’re Beautiful, Hayley is based off Hannah herself, but as we wrote, I found my own teen years coming to mind. Some of those experiences are things we went through.

You’re Amazing was a challenge to write because we aren’t dancers and we weren’t sure what specific conflicts to give the girls. As we chatted, we realized that girls and women both struggle with what one person might say and change everything. How much power we give with opinion. Jazmin is a gifted dancer but has some changes to get used to, including a new teacher. The teacher makes a negative comment, and Jazmin’s thrown. It really affects her. Although the real Jazmin hasn’t had that challenge that we’re aware of, we took her dancing gift and made that the core of the story.

You’re Brilliant is Bethany’s story. Our Bethany is a natural at comedy, but the sass that gets her in trouble is something more from our imagination and a little bit of my own experience. KJ came from a reader who requested we write a thread that includes a confident teen blinded by a bully boyfriend. That was something Hannah agreed girls her age deal with—being so beautiful and talented and a boy says something toxic and the girl emotionally crumbles. It was hard to write that, but we felt it was important.

As for the adults, Sabrina is based off a family that loves unconditionally and is active in ministry. She’s a dear friend to me.  Lena is a mix of every mother of young children I know because for years I was active with MOPS, Mothers of Preschoolers. I remember the insecurity I had as a wife and mom back then, and how I wanted to please everyone to my own exhaustion. Cheri is a pastor’s wife that Hannah and I both know. Although the real Cheri took a job at school, it wasn’t to pay for a wedding, nor did she make mistakes trying to find her place. For us, our characters take the best of people we know to honor them. Any villains are mixes of people we’ve encountered or seen in media.

I’m sad to see the series end, Hannah is as well. I thank God He gave us the series to not only encourage readers, but grow my relationship with Hannah and let her creativity blossom.

You’re Brilliant Blurb: YA/Women’s Fiction

by Julie Arduini

Amazing things happen when a group of high school students and women discover they are more than competent.

Bethany’s not excited to start high school in a new community where she doesn’t know anyone. She quickly befriends KJ, a popular sophomore, and it looks like the transition will go well until Bethany discovers KJ’s boyfriend is a bully. With a strong sense of justice, Bethany challenges Brent Sullivan, and he’s determined to make her suffer.

Cheri takes on an additional job in a school to help pay for Sabrina’s wedding. It’s a different atmosphere than at the church where she feels more comfortable as the pastor’s wife and mentor with the Linked ministry. After several mishaps, Cheri feels like she’s found an assignment where she can make a difference until a teacher belittles her work.

Can Bethany and Cheri resist the lies about their competency and hold on to the fact they’re brilliant?

The final book in the Surrendering Stinkin’ Thinkin’ series for tweens, teens, and women of all ages by mother and daughter authors Julie Arduini and Hannah Arduini.

 

Excerpt:

CHAPTER ONE

Bethany Tuttle

One glimpse at the sprawling Boardman Valley High School campus and my throat starts to close. It’s my first time here and what a fortress. It’s twice the size of my old school. So many windows. Multiple parking lots. Three athletic fields. There’s even an attached brick circular amphitheater to house the enormous drama and musical talent the Youngstown suburb is known for. What am I doing here? Oh, right. My parents moved and this is the closest school district. Where I know no one.

Students fresh off the bus travel to the main entrance. I’m trapped in the middle of the swarm, moving with the wave of peers, my anxiety escalating with each step. Even if I wanted to yell for help, I wouldn’t be heard over the buzz of first day chit chat filling the lobby.

A boy with a head full of curls and wearing a Saturday Night Live shirt bumps into my side. “Hey, tourist. If you don’t know where you’re going, step to the side.”

“Sorry. Did my fanny pack give me away?” I smile at my attempt at humor, but no one chuckles or even looks in my direction. There’s so much movement. “Say, are we students or cattle?” My voice rises above the fray, but I sound like a squeaky kid.

“Keep mooo—ving funny girl.” The tall blonde surrounded by three girls mimicking her every move, throws her head back and laughs. Her minions follow her lead and they’re giggling with her.

I’m not as agile as my friend Jazmin, but I’ve got stealth working for me. With a few ducks and weaves, I exit the throng of people and slam against the wall next to the office.

A slim, tall girl with shiny, straight brown hair is about to approach the receptionist when she looks my way and tilts her head. “Are you Bethany Tuttle?”

I raise my eyebrows. How does she know my name?

She gestures me forward. “C’mon. I’m KJ Curry. I’m the student council rep the vice-principal lassoed into keeping you corralled.” Her expression is sober for about a second before she breaks into a chuckle.

KJ heard my cattle joke. And thank God, she thinks I’m funny.

 

Want to read more? You can find You’re Brilliant at Amazon

 

About the Author

Julie Arduini loves to encourage readers to find freedom in Christ by surrendering the good, the bad, and —maybe one day—the chocolate. She’s the author of the contemporary romance series SURRENDERING TIME, (Entrusted, Entangled, Engaged,) as well as the stand-alone novellas, MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN and RESTORING CHRISTMAS. She also shares her story in the infertility devotional, A WALK IN THE VALLEY. Her other latest release, YOU’RE BRILLIANT, is for girls ages 10-100, written with her teenaged daughter, Hannah, and is book 3 in their SURRENDERING STINKIN’ THINKIN’ series. She blogs every other Wednesday for Christians Read, as well as monthly with Inspy Romance. She resides in Ohio with her husband and two children. Learn more by visiting her at http://juliearduini.com, where she invites readers to opt in to her content full of resources and giveaway opportunities.

 

Social Media:  Facebook  Twitter  Instagram

 

 

 

 

Wednesday Writers Welcomes Mother-Daughter Authors Hannah Arduini and Julie Arduini

Tags

Catherine Castle Wednesday Writers series, Julie Arduini, Mother and Daughter Authors, Surrendering Stinkin' Thinkin' YA series, YA fiction, You're Beautiful

 

Today it’s my pleasure to welcome mother-daughter authors Hannah Arduini & Julie Arduini and their YA book You’re Beautiful, the first book in a series titled Surrendering Stinkin’ Thinkin’. Julie will also be telling us a bit about the story behind the story of this writing team. Welcome, Julie and Hannah!

 

You’re Beautiful

 

Hayley Atkinson withdraws from her friends and new opportunities with the new mentoring group, Linked, after she is told a lie that she believes is true about herself. Sabrina Wayson is a mentor in Linked who feels she can’t help encourage girls because she’s struggling as much as they are. Can they surrender the lies and find freedom?

 

 

 

The Unique Story Behind You’re Beautiful

by Mother-Daughter Authors Julie Arduini & Hannah Arduini

 

When I started writing for publication, I never dreamed that I would have a co-author, much less that it would be my daughter. As Hannah grew into her tween and now teen years, I realized she was a big help when it came to plotting. She’s even on a team I have that is helping me plot my new contemporary romance series I’m writing about surrendering opinions.

Last year Hannah started junior high and that’s a tough transition for anyone. Unfortunately, there were people in her daily circle who instead of building her and others up, they were tearing them down. It didn’t take long before the girl known for her smiles and sparkle started to withdraw. It was a long school year.

Once the school year finished, we talked about what went right, what did not, and how she handled things. We prayed a lot, and we cried. As we discussed, she talked about how she wished no one would have to endure the negativity and toxic situations she encountered. As she shared, a story formed about friends who faced tough situations together. The more she talked, I realized something was there. I told her if she kept the story going, I’d write it.

Hannah agreed, and delivered so much than a story.

We sat down and she plotted out a series of three books that we titled Surrendering Stinkin’ Thinkin’. Each book contains a message of letting go of a lie that characters believe. Hannah created a group of characters that are junior high school friends who attend a new mentoring ministry group at their church. Their mentors are women from the church who are from college graduate age to empty nesters. Each story focuses on one of the girls and one of the mentors, each struggling with a lie they are believing. We rotate chapters between the two characters to tell their stories, intertwining them at times with their mentor meetings.

You’re Beautiful is about Hayley Atkinson and Sabrina Wayson. Hayley starts going to the new Linked ministry with her friends Jazmin and Bethany, but struggles with confidence. When “frenemy” Jade Green tells Hayley that Hayley is too ugly to be a part of popular things the others are doing, Hayley withdraws from everything and everyone. Sabrina works at a coffee shop as she works on finding a teaching job. She lives with her uncle and aunt, considering them her parents because they raised her when her own biological parents could not. Her biological dad runs into her and makes a remark about her that hurts her feelings and causes her to re think everything about her and her future.

Hannah not only plotted the stories out, but created the characters and gave input on each chapter. She supervised the cover design, telling me that an animated cover translates better than using real people. She had a lot of fun writing her acknowledgement page, thanking the people who have built her up on the good days and the not so fun.

The next story will be You’re Amazing about Jazmin and Lena. Both are in new seasons of life with extra challenges that they aren’t sure they can handle. We’re already talking about different aspects of the story. You’re Brilliant will be about Bethany and Cheri.

Although Hannah’s excited, she admitted she’s a little embarrassed. My education and work life involved a lot of publicity, so I’m used to talking about projects. However, she’s glad to know God used her as an instrument to encourage girls of all ages regarding their true identities in Christ. Me? I’m beyond overwhelmed with God’s goodness. Hannah’s had a lot of struggles that have her in a special needs category, and as her mom, it is hard not to worry. When she was going through the trials last year, I thought my heart might break to see her hurt. Our son was going through a lot of adversity at the same exact time. It was a tough, tough season. To see both kids stronger in Christ because of their hard situations, I am amazed. To watch them take those lessons and committed to encouraging others, I am blessed.

You can find Julie and Hannah’s book You’re Beautiful at https://www.amazon.com/Youre-Beautiful-Surrendering-Stinkin-Thinkin-ebook/dp/B078VK3JJB

 

 

About the Author:

Julie Arduini loves to encourage readers to surrender the good, the bad, and —maybe one day—the chocolate. She’s the author of ENTRUSTED: Surrendering the Present, ENTANGLED: Surrendering the Past, and ENGAGED: Surrendering the Future. FINDING FREEDOM THROUGH SURRENDER is her 30 day devotional using the surrender themes and characters from the series. She also shares her story in the infertility devotional, A WALK IN THE VALLEY. She blogs every other Wednesday for Christians Read, and also is a blogger for Inspy Romance. She resides in Ohio with her husband and two children. Learn more by visiting her at http://juliearduini.com/, where she invites readers to subscribe to her monthly newsletter full of resources and giveaway opportunities.

Connect with Julie at: Facebook: Twitter: http://twitter.com/JulieArduini G+: