The Christmas Quilt by Patricia Davids

How exciting to have Gideon Troyer with us, the hero from The Christmas Quilt, by Patricia Davids, a December 2011 release from Love Inspired Romance.

1. Gideon, tell me the most interesting thing about you.

I’m a pilot. Most people find that interesting, but I’m also ex-Amish. I left my Amish community and my family when I was 21. I left behind the girl I loved, too. When she turned down my proposal, I knew I couldn’t stay.

2. What do you do for fun?

Are you kidding? I fly. I do it for fun, I do it for work, I’d do it in my sleep if I could.

3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?

Now you’re getting to the sore point in of my life. I’ve never been back to see my family. When I left after being baptized into the faith, I knew my family would shun me. I should go, my parents are getting older, but I dread it.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?

Having the engine cut out at four thousand feet and finding out I don’t have a parachute.

Other than that, I’m afraid something important is missing in my life and I’m not sure what it is.

5. What do you want out of life?

Two things. I want to help Rebecca Beachy earn enough money to have the surgery that might restore her sight and I want to know why she turned down my offer of marriage all those years ago. That question haunts me.

6. What is the most important thing to you?

I guess I would have to say a strong work ethic and friends.

7. Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book?

I love books about flight pioneers. I’m not into fiction. I like to read about things that actually happened.

8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

If I could change one thing? Just one? I guess it would be the amount of time I spend trying to make a success of my air charter service. I should take care of myself and maybe get back into going to church. I miss the strong sense of faith I once had. I’m not sure why I let that slip away. Sometimes, not going to church is easier than facing what you’ve done wrong.

9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?

No pets for me. I don’t have time for one.

10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?

I’d go back to the day Rebecca Beachy told me she didn’t love me anymore. I wouldn’t leave until I had my answer.

FEATURED BOOK: THE CHRISTMAS QUILT BY PATRICIA DAVIDS

Years ago, Rebecca Beachy kept her reasons for rejecting Gideon Troyer's marriage proposal a secret. Then Gideon left their Amish community. Now, Rebecca crafts quilts to raise money to cure her blindness. She's also busy guarding her heart against love. Until Gideon returns, at risk of being shunned, to make the winning bid on one of her exquisite quilts. Will the quilt—a patchwork promise of rediscovered love—bring Gideon and Rebecca back together again?

Hurry, Christmas is almost here!

Pat Davids here.
Christmas is fast approaching. Everywhere people are rushing to get things done. Rushing to shop and wrap the prefect gifts. Rushing to bake goodies. Rushing to clean and decorate the house. The world is in a rush to make it all perfect before Christmas Day. Hurry, hurry, hurry, there are only ten days left!

Whoa.

Stop a moment.

Take a breath.

Take another breath.

Take one more. Make it deep this time. Breathe in…in…in as deep as you can. Now blow it all out…out…out for as long as you can.

Good. Do it again. Take a deep breath. Blow it out.

Your blood pressure has just gone down by ten points - my gift to you this holiday season. The madness of this time of the year is part of the fun, it really is, but don’t let it become a source of stress. Take care of yourself. Remember to slow down and just breathe.

If you need a little longer down time, I suggest you mix up a cup of hot chocolate and curl up with a good Love Inspired book. Like The Christmas Quilt by me. (Shameless self-promotion here.) This Amish story of a second chance at love will give you the opportunity to forget for a few hours about the rush and ruckus our lives have become and slip into a simpler, kinder world. Your blood pressure will go down another ten points.

Here is my Christmas wish for you.
May the holidays find you Merry and Bright at the end and sorry to see them go.