Between writing
and decorating for Christmas, I’ve been hopping. Do you have your tree up and
decorated yet—if you intend to have one? The cats and I have been decorating
ours. So far, they just watch.
We’ve entered an
especially busy season of the year and most of us need to de-stress. As an
author and a reader, I de-stress by escaping into a book. Allowing myself to
sink into another time or another world takes me away from day to day issues.
If you do the same, I have suggestions.
ANGEL FOR CHRISTMAS is a contemporary romance that is my first work with an
angel for a character. This book was a lot of fun to write. Jacob was a dot com
success who has been sent back to prevent an orphanage from foreclosure. To
accomplish his goal, he’s given the job of janitor at the orphanage’s school. Suzi
Stephens is the school’s child psychologist who has had to take over as
director of the Serenity Springs Children’s Home after her father’s death. She’s
facing a giant balloon note due on January 1st and not much hope of
raising the funds in spite of her diligent efforts. Jacob is given until
midnight on December 24th to succeed. He suspects he doesn’t want to
know what happens if he fails.
Buy link http://amzn.com/B01N58VPPB
ANGEL FOR CHRISTMAS Excerpt:
Suzi watched the new janitor walk away. He puzzled her. Much
too young and fit, why was he working here? Not that there was anything wrong
with being a janitor, but he didn’t fit the profile. Jacob Porter gave the
impression of someone who’d be in a boardroom rather than behind a broom or
mop.
She had to be careful who she exposed the children to and
she wanted to know more about him. First, she had to get Missy her doll.
Back in her office later, she asked Valerie for the
janitor’s application. Nothing in his file set off alarm bells. Background
check, fingerprints, references. His former employer had died, but there was no
indication of why Jacob had applied here.
Valerie asked, “Did you find anything off-putting in his
file?”
She tapped a finger against the folder. “No, but I wonder if
he’s a spy for the investor who wants to buy the property?”
Valerie gasped. “That explanation would make sense. Jacob
Porter looks as if he belongs in a three-piece suit and a tie.”
“He certainly does.” Elbows on her desk, she rested her head
in her hands. “I do not need this when I’m desperately trying to raise money.”
“I have faith in you, Suzi Q. You’ll find a way.”
Her father’s long-time secretary calling her by her
childhood nickname comforted her. “Thank you for your support, Valerie. You’re
expert at soothing my anxiety. But, this time I honestly don’t know what we’ll
do if this gala doesn’t pay off.”
“Give the event a chance. You’re an excellent organizer. How
many positive replies have you received?”
“Far too few. Dad was better at schmoozing than I am and he
failed. I-I’ll never get the hang of this in time to save the home.”
The secretary walked to the doorway but turned back. “You’re
not helping anyone worrying this way. Get busy, young lady.”
“You’re right, Valerie. I’ll check the names again.” Suzi
sighed and resumed checking the RSVPs against her master list. Maybe today’s
mail would bring good news.
After school, Katie Wilson, the kindergarten teacher,
stopped by the office. Suzi’s morale had hit rock-bottom and she was glad to
see her best friend.
“Hey, Suzi, how are replies for the gala coming?”
“Only declines arrived in today’s mail except for Mr.
Hopper. If he continues in the pattern for other years, he’ll donate fifty
dollars while enjoying the event and eating enough for three people.”
“Don’t let it get you down. You’re a capable woman and I’m
sure you’ll pull this off again.”
Slowly, Suzi shook her head. “I’m not sure. Apparently
Fate’s conspiring against me.”
“Want to go grab a bite to eat?”
“Not tonight, thanks. I’d be lousy company. Catch me another
time.”
“Will do. Since you’re not going with me, I believe I’ll go
on home myself. After a day standing, these new shoes are killing my feet.”
Katie left for the day.
Moving slowly, Suzi gathered her purse and coat for her walk
to her house, situated at one corner of the grounds.
WILD WESTERN WOMEN – MISTLETOE, MONTANA is set in 1890 and includes my
novella, MISTELTOE MISTAKE. Sheriff Riley McCallister is in charge of finding a
new doctor for Mistletoe after the beloved Doc Jones dies. What a shock when a
beautiful young woman, Dr. Shannon Callahan, steps off the train. Will the town
accept a woman doctor? What about the sheriff—will he adjust to having a woman on
the job? Others stories in this box set are by Kirsten Osbourne, Sylvia
McDaniel, and Merry Farmer.
Novellas in WILD WESTERN WOMEN – MISTLETOE, MONTANA are:
MISTLETOE MISTAKE by Caroline Clemmons – When the sheriff sent for a town
doctor, he didn’t expect a woman.
MISTLETOE SCANDAL by Sylvia McDaniel – A city girl, a cowboy, and a dog
trapped together in a blizzard discover Christmas wishes can come true.
MISTLETOE AND MOONBEAMS by Merry Farmer – He stopped at her saloon to rest but they
ended up trapped alone together for a week.
MAIL-ORDER MERRY by Kirsten Osbourne – He wanted an independent wife, but he
wasn’t so sure he wanted her to come with two young children and a nurse.
MISTLETOE MISTAKE
Excerpt:
Outside the store, a crowd of running children barreled into
her and she grabbed the wall to stop a fall. “Whoa. Where are you going so
fast?”
“They’re running from me.” The sheriff strode toward them
carrying the saddest looking dog she’d ever seen.
Poor dog was filthy with several shades of brown hair. He
was far too large to be toted around in the sheriff’s arms.
“Is that your dog?” She reached out to scratch between the
creature’s ears. He ducked as if he thought she’d hit him.
After putting her parcel more securely under her arm, she
caught the dog’s muzzle in her hands. “Poor boy, has someone been mean to you?
I won’t hurt you.” She stroked his head and scratched between his ears.
The dog’s eyes lost their fear and he licked her hand. The
crowd of children chose her distraction to run away.
“That Doan horde probably didn’t intend to be mean, but they
were terrorizing this animal. Five of them fighting over him and pulling him
first one way and then the other. They’re lucky he didn’t bite one of them.”
“Whose is he?”
“Never saw him before. Looks as if he’s missed a lot of
meals.”
“And baths.” She smiled at the lawman. “I guess you have a
dog, Sheriff. What are you going to name him?”
The sheriff shook his head. “He’s not mine. I just don’t
want him harmed or frightened.”
“Or hungry or dirty or lonely. You definitely have yourself
a dog.”
He leaned toward her and spoke over the dog, “I tell you, I
don’t.”
Shannon crossed her arms. “Think not? Put him down and walk
away and you’ll see.”
Shooting her a glare, he set the dog on the boardwalk. When
the sheriff stepped away, the dog stayed at his heels.
Shannon laughed. “You’d better feed your dog, Sheriff. And
name him.”
I hope you will read these two selections. They’re fun, easy
reading to brighten your day.
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