• About Catherine Castle
  • Blog
  • Book Shelf
  • Contact Catherine
  • Copyright Permissions
  • Gardens
  • Guest Blog Information-A Writer’s Garden
  • Guest Blog Information-Musings from a Writer’s Brain
  • Guest Blog Information-Tasty Tuesdays
  • Guest Blog Information-Wednesday Writers
  • WIP

Catherine Castle

~ Romance for the Ages

Catherine Castle

Tag Archives: Nancy Naigle

Christmas Reads–A Heartfelt Christmas by Nancy Naigle

17 Thursday Dec 2020

Posted by Catherine Castle in Book excerpts, books, Christmas Reads, clean romance, Holiday Reads, Recipes, Romance, Sweet romance

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

A Heartfelt Christmas Promise, Christmas reads, Christmas romance, Nancy Naigle, Sweet romance

Today’s Thursday Christmas Reads is A Heartfelt Christmas Promise by Nancy Naigle. She’s answering some questions about her book today and also providing a Christmas cookie recipe and excerpt from her Christmas book.

How did you come up with the idea for your Christmas book?

A Heartfelt Christmas Promise was inspired by those adorable Budweiser commercials with the lost puppy. Remember those? I’m a dog lover anyway, but those commercials absolutely stole my heart. I couldn’t wait to find a way to integrate a sweet puppy, and a handsome horse trainer into a novel. Six years later, here we are. I’m so excited for readers to visit the small town of Fraser Hills, NC and get swept up into all that’s going on in that small town.  

Could you give a short synopsis on the book for my readers?

Yes, it’s a sweet small-town holiday love story, perfectly fine for readers of all ages, so mommas, you can share this one with your teenage-daughter and her grandmother, too.

Vanessa Larkin was supposed to be spending Christmas in Paris, France on a business trip she hoped to enjoy as a working vacation. Instead, she’s been assigned to Fraser Hills, North Carolina—home of the Best Fruitcake in the USA—to convert her company’s property into warehouse space and shut down Porter’s, the fruitcake factory. Offering retirement packages and selling locals on new job opportunities may not spread holiday cheer, but Vanessa believes she’s helping secure the town’s future.

Mike Marshall’s family founded Porter’s. For decades, the factory served as the lifeblood of the community until his grandfather sold the business to a Chicago corporation. The sale cost the town its independence—and the Marshalls their family ties. A horse farmer, Mike was never involved with his grandfather’s company, but still felt Fraser Hills lost part of its identity. And as a widower raising a teenage daughter, he’s suffered enough losses in one lifetime. News of the factory’s closing means losing another piece of the town’s legacy.

Far from the skyscrapers and rapid pace of the city, Vanessa finds herself enjoying the easygoing rhythms of rural living. With Mike as her guide, she learns to appreciate the simple pleasures found in shared holiday festivities among friends. Fraser Hills is a town she is growing to love—and Mike is someone she is falling in love with. Now all Vanessa needs is a Christmas miracle to give her newfound friends and home a gift they’ll cherish for many New Years to come.


What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?

Oh gosh, there are so many! One of my favorites is hosting a cookie swap. It makes the daunting task of baking a huge and varied batch of cookies and treats for your family, fun and easy. Each participant makes six dozen of their favorite cookie or treat recipe. On the day of the swap everyone brings six dozen and goes home with an assortment of sixty cookies. A lot less work, and an evening of fun with the girls. What’s not to love?


What’s next?

On May 18, 2021, The Shell Collector comes out. This novel has been in my heart for years. Shells with messages are showing up on Whelk’s Island, and they always seem to be the encouragement or confirmation for those that find them. The Shell Collector is up for preorder so order yours now.  We’ll be doing a cover reveal as soon as we get past the buzz of the holidays so stay tuned. It’s a beautiful story set on the coast of North Carolina, described as a touching novel of love and loss, a friendship that crosses generations, and learning how even the smallest gifts can change a life for good. Don’t hesitate…treat yourself right now: https://waterbrookmultnomah.com/books/668252/the-shell-collector-by-nancy-naigle/

RECIPE FAVORITES

Lilene’s Chocolate-dipped Fruitcake Squares

It’s your choice. Take a shortcut and make your treats from sliced up store-bought fruitcake and dunk the slices or squares in milk or dark chocolate, or use this recipe.

Either way you’re sure to end up with a delightful and unexpected goody to share. The best description I’ve heard is that these taste like a banana split only without the ice cream. All the yummy goodness and no brain freeze.

Fruit Cake Ingredients:

¾ cup butter, softened

1 ¾ cups packed brown sugar

3 large eggs

1 TBL vanilla extract

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

3 cups coarsely chopped walnuts

1 ½ cups coarsely chopped candied pineapple

1 ¾ cups red and green candied cherries, halved

  • In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
  • Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each, then add vanilla and beat just until mixed well.
  • Add flour to mix, then fold in walnuts with a spatula.
  • Spread evenly into a greased large rectangle baking pan.
  • Sprinkle the pineapple, and cherries evenly across the pan, then press the candied fruit lightly into the mixture.
  • Bake at 325° for 45-50 minutes or until lightly browned.
  • Cool on a wire rack. Cut into squares. I like to let my squares rest a day before I robe them in chocolate.
  • Dunk each square into your choice of milk or dark chocolate and cool. Enjoy!

And now for a treat of another kind: An Excerpt from

A Heartfelt Christmas Promise (2020)

By Nancy Naigle

Vanessa breezed out of her office and stepped back in the conference room. One of her coworkers, Micky Cooper, was pleading the case for a warehouse project to get moved to one in his portfolio in North Carolina. Something that had been on his books for a long time. It must not be making big profits lately, else why would he offer it up?

     She took her seat.

     “Porter’s has two huge warehouse spaces. Plus, the surrounding area has plenty of space for expansion. It’d be tight to do a shutdown and get ready by January first, but the right person could get it done.”

     Vanessa politely smiled, rocking in her chair as she swung back around toward her boss, Edward Grayson. Yeah, it could be done, but Micky wasn’t the guy to do it. He was always running late on his projects. He was really much better on the front-end negotiations than the execution of things like this.

     Edward’s bushy eyebrows wiggled like restless caterpillars.

     “You’re right, Micky.”

     Micky gave a cocky nod and leaned back in his chair.

     “Only this can’t slip. Not one day.” Edward’s glasses slid farther down his nose as he swiveled his gaze across the team sitting at his table today, and then his focus landed on Vanessa.

     As in a disastrous game of spin the bottle, Vanessa’s insides flipped.

     “Porter’s is a small town. I went out there personally when we closed that deal. It’s the best option we’ve got in our portfolio to make this happen in the short time frame. Execution has to be flawless. Vanessa—”

     “No.” She hadn’t meant to say that out loud. Trying to cover, she said, “Edward, there are plenty of good people on this team who can handle that assignment, and Thanksgiving is next week.”

     “I need you to handle it.”

     “Sir, with all due respect.” She lowered her voice and leaned in closer to him. “Paris? Leavenworth? I’ve earned those.” The words hung like peanut butter in the back of her throat.

     “You’re right,” he said. “You have.”

     She raised her chin, hoping he’d change his mind.

     But Edward looked down the table again and with not an ounce of remorse announced, “I need you in Fraser Hills, North Carolina, on Monday. It’ll be quick, and I promise I’ll give you the next big thing that comes through this door. This has to go right. It’s important.”

     Her throat tightened. “Yes, sir.”

     Micky leaned forward with a sly grin. “I’ll send you the files on Porter’s.”

     She nodded as she sat there trying to hold herself together as the agenda moved on.

     When they got to the two projects she’d been vying for, she

could barely breathe while her dream projects were assigned. Micky and his brother Gary were assigned the Paris project as a team. None other than McAdo landed Leavenworth.

     “That’s it for today.” Edward pushed himself up from his chair.

     Vanessa was thankful Micky and Gary, full of enthusiasm, had cornered Edward so she didn’t even have to make eye contact with him. She pasted a smile on her face and headed straight to her office.

Want to read more? You can find A Heartfelt Christmas Promise at:

Amazon: Barnes & Noble: iBooks: Kobo: GooglePlay

About the Author:

 USA Today bestselling author NANCY NAIGLE whips up small-town love stories with a dash of suspense and a whole lot of heart. Now happily retired, she devotes her time to writing, antiquing, and the occasional spa day with friends. A native of Virginia Beach, she currently calls North Carolina home. Nancy is the author of Christmas Joy and Hope at Christmas, both of which have been turned into film for Hallmark Channel. A Heartfelt Christmas Promise is her 2020 release.

Stay updated on Nancy’s new releases, sales, and upcoming movie news by subscribing to her newsletter at www.nancynaigle.com.

Other places to find or follow Nancy: Amazon Author Page: Twitter: Facebook

Wednesday Writers Christmas Books–Christmas Angels by Nancy Naigle

13 Wednesday Nov 2019

Posted by Catherine Castle in Book excerpts, Christmas Reads, Holiday Reads, Romance, Sweet romance, Wednesday Writers

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Catherine Castle's Wednesday Writers, Christmas Angels, Christmas reads, clean romance, Nancy Naigle

Christmas Angels: A Novel by [Naigle, Nancy]

 

Welcome to Wednesday Writers. Christmas is coming and there’s nothing I like better during the holiday season than a good Christmas romance (or movie). So, on Wednesdays and Thursdays I’m filling out the year with a variety of Christmas romance book posts. On Fridays look for some free Christmas romance book promotions. Today’s offering is Christmas Angels, by Nancy Naigle. Welcome, Nancy!

 

 

Hey, y’all,

Nancy Naigle here. I write small-town love stories that are appropriate for any age readers. Calling all teenagers, moms and grandmas. You can all read CHRISTMAS ANGELS this holiday season. This novel is getting lots of great reviews. Liz and Matt are wonderful together, hurdling bad news and finding ways to bring Liz’s dream to life. The town of Antler Creek, and its quirky residents, will beckon you to visit. Too bad it’s a fictional place.

But one other character is getting attention too. Elvis. He’s Matt’s 90-pound six-month-old puppy. Named for his wiggling hips, that stub of a tail just never stops, and his right lip that gets hung up on his teeth in an adorable smirk of a smile. A little inside scoop…Elvis is based on my own dog, Sarge.

Actually, we call him Large Sarge, because this cute little Pyrenean Mastiff now weighs over 180-pounds. If you’re a dog-lover you are going to enjoy what Elvis brings to this story. He’ll leave puppy paws on your heart.

Hugs and happy holiday reading, Nancy

 

Christmas Angels

by Nancy Naigle

Growing up, Liz Westmoreland dreamed of taking over her grandparents’ inn located in the small mountain town of Antler Creek only for it to be sold before she ever got the chance. While browsing the internet, she stumbles upon a listing for what looks to be the picturesque inn and it’s set to go to auction. Liz places a bid, and by a miracle, wins the auction. But when she gets there, she finds the property in significant disrepair.

When Matt Hardy narrowly lost the inn and property that butted his land, he just hoped it wasn’t another city slicker coming to make matters worse after the previous owners gutted the place for an art gallery. But the minute he recognized the sweet, freckle-faced girl from his childhood and heard her plans to reopen the inn, he jumps at the chance to help his childhood crush restore a place where he made so many fond memories.

While working on repairs, Liz and Matt discover her grandmother’s collection of angels in one of the cabins. When the angels start mysteriously showing up all over the inn, she begins to look at them as reassurance—that restoring the inn is what she’s meant to do. But when an accident leaves Liz feeling like she made a mistake, will Matt—and the residents of Antler Creek—be able to show Liz that she’s found a home? And possibly true love as well?

 

Excerpt:

“I’ve been waiting for this my whole life. Angels Rest is practically mine.” Excitement forced Liz’s words out in a flurry. “So, how do I do this auction thing?”

“You don’t.” Her best friend Dan closed the top of the computer. “Not without going to see the condition of the house and checking to make sure you’re not also buying old liens against the place.”

“There’s no time. It goes up for auction in the morning. I’ve read through the FAQ’s; it doesn’t look that complicated. I need to get a proof of funds letter from my banker before I can bid though.”

“You’re going to bid on this place sight unseen? I have to advise against it, Liz. That’s just plain crazy.” Dan ran a hand through his hair. “You’re always talking about situations being a ‘sign’; well, maybe this is a sign that you should let this crazy idea go once and for all.”

“No. It’s not a sign to let it go. Finding out the day before Angels Rest goes up for auction is a sign it’s meant to be.” She scooted closer to him and opened the laptop again. “Look at these. The pictures don’t look so bad. Okay, so it’s overgrown, but that’s cosmetic.”

“Pictures can hide a multitude of problems. Very expensive ones, and the fact that there are only three pictures total is a red flag, especially since only one shows the house. The other is an aerial. You have no idea what it looks like inside.”

Liz wasn’t about to let her dream slip through her fingers. “It’s rustic. It’s a timber home, what could go wrong?”

 

About the Author:

USA Today bestselling author NANCY NAIGLE whips up small-town love stories with a dash of suspense and a whole lot of heart. Now happily retired, she devotes her time to writing, antiquing, and the occasional spa day with friends. A native of Virginia Beach, she currently calls North Carolina home.

 DOWNLOAD free book list with series order: https://www.nancynaigle.com/post/novels-by-nancy-naigle-checklist

 

Where can you get your copy today?

Amazon – https://amzn.to/2qY3Z7t

B&N – http://bit.ly/2N0QoEW

BAM! – http://bit.ly/2PqJ8E7

IndieBound – https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781250312624

iBooks – https://books.apple.com/us/book/christmas-angels/id1455108902

Kobo – https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/christmas-angels-7

Audio – https://adbl.co/2kN4Hlo

 

Social Media Links

Website and newsletter: http://www.nancynaigle.com/

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

Twitter    https://twitter.com/nancynaigle

 

 

 

 

Catherine Castle Facebook

Catherine Castle Facebook

Follow me on Twitter

My Tweets

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 1,709 other followers

Recent Posts

  • Wednesday Writers–Shadow in the Dark by Antony Barone Kolenc January 5, 2022
  • Musings from a Writer’s Brain—Reality or Make-believe? by Amy R Anguish December 27, 2021
  • Wednesday Writers—When Love Trusts by Judythe Morgan December 22, 2021
  • Wednesday Writers–Defending David by Barbara M. Britton December 15, 2021
  • Wednesday Writers–An interview with Lady Fallon from Susan Hanniford Crowley’s YA Fantasy Lady Fallon’s Dragons December 1, 2021

Archives

Categories

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Writer's organizations

  • ACFW Ohio Chapter
  • American Christian Fiction Writers

Blog Stats

  • 60,666 hits
  • RSS - Posts
  • RSS - Comments

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Follow Following
    • Catherine Castle
    • Join 1,709 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Catherine Castle
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...