Flash Fiction--Christmas Eve at the USO

Rose wasn’t sure why she’d bother to come.

The USO hall was packed with holiday merriment. Clusters of mistletoe hung around the dance floor, attracting the attention of the boys in uniform or their sweethearts. But it didn’t matter, at least, not to Rose. 

Joe wasn’t there.

She should have realized what the handsome private meant to her before he’d shipped out. But she’d been too scared, of lonliness, becoming a war widow. But sending Joe away hadn’t stopped her from loving him.

Rose glanced across the crowd, her mouth suddenly dry. Joe marched toward her, his lips curving into a hesitant smile as he stopped in front of her.

Joe swallowed. “I know you said you didn’t want to see me again, but. . .”

“I was wrong.”

“You were?”

“Oh, yes.” Rose closed the distance between them, cupping his rugged face in her hands and drawing him close. “About everything.”    

Allie Pleiter on Overcoming Baking Incompetence

Christmas is a shameful time for us in the baking-impaired community.  I write historical novels and knit up a storm, so people assume a lot of domestic prowess on my part. 

They'd be so wrong.  

One look at the state of my oven (translation: filthy), or the last batch of cookies I made (accompanied by the time-honored justification "just eat around the burnt parts”), and the truth is out.  I can cook, but I can't bake my way out of a paper bag.  Or is that I can’t bake my way off a sheet of parchment paper?

Still, I remain a die-hard optimist.  Gadget freak that I am, surely baking competence is just a matter of good tools, right?  Every good baker I knows owns one of those massive stand up mixers.  So, when our church updated its kitchen and gave away its old mixers, I jumped on it.  After all, an appliance larger than my current toaster must surely bring success.

Well, I'll let you know.  Truth is, I'm a little reluctant to try it out.  What if, even when properly outfitted, I still can't bake?  Cooking is an art, but baking is mostly science.  And being an art person, I rot at science.  I worry that this is the equivalent of giving a math dunce a graphing calculator--it won't change much.

But if you walk into my kitchen, maybe you will be so entranced by my spiffy new mixer that you won't notice the sorry state of my oven.

It could happen.

Got traditions?

Can you hear those bells a-jingling? Me too! In my opinion, the best thing about the Christmas season is time spent with loved ones. Traditions knit us together and there’s no richer time for those special family rituals than the present! In our house, we go to a special church service on Christmas Eve. It’s usually chock full of adorable kids singing away, maybe a skit of some kind and all-church caroling. After church, it’s home for Monopoly Night and homemade pizza with the culinary contributions of Papa Bear. Each bear cub is responsible for creating their own pizza masterpiece before Papa whisks them into the oven and Monopoly Night continues until we’re ready to gobble up the pizza.Then it’s off to bed while Santa gets busy.

What are your Christmas traditions? Let’s hear from our online community as we share our good wishes and holiday traditions.

More Than Christmas Lights

When I was a little girl I always looked forward to the night our family would pile in the car to go for a drive to see the Christmas lights. We’d wander all over SE Portland, but we would always end up at one particular street near Mt Tabor just a few miles from our house. I don’t remember the name of the street, but we called it Candy Cane Lane. This cul-de-sac included about 20 houses all on one side of the street with a park on the other, and it ended with a large turnaround. Every house on Candy Cane Lane was decked out with twinkling lights and Christmas figures in the yard. One house even had Santa’s sleigh and eight reindeer on the roof. Sometimes residents dressed up in elf costumes and passed out candy to the kids in the cars. We always loved that!

But my favorite part came when we reached the turnaround where a live nativity had been set up. All the cars would slow down as they drove past to look into the stable and see Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus in the manger. We’d roll down our windows and listen to Away in the Manger or Silent Night playing in the background.

I loved visiting Candy Cane Lane…because even amid all the colorful decorations and twinkling lights the true meaning of the holiday was not forgotten. Looking into the manger and seeing the baby there made a deep impression on my heart, and I still cherish Him today. . . Jesus the True Light of the World.

“Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12

Carrie Turansky is the author of ten inspirational romance novels and novellas, including her latest, Snowflake Sweethearts. www.carrieturansky.com

Snowflake Sweethearts Interview

How exciting to have Annie Romano the heroine from Snowflake Sweethearts written by Carrie Turansky, a December 2012 release from Love Inspired Romance.

1. Annie, tell me one of the most interesting thing about you.

I love to cook for friends and family, and that’s one reason I decided to become a personal chef and start my own business in Fairhaven, Washington. Experimenting with new recipes and serving a special meal to friends brings me a lot of joy.

2.  What do you do for fun?

I enjoy spending time with my six-year-old daughter Emma. We like reading aloud in front of the fire, baking cookies, and taking walks to the park. Recently I’ve been learning to ice skate. That’s been a fun adventure, because I’m not too athletic, but the special man in my life, Alex Jameson, has been teaching me, and that makes it fun. I can’t wait to try it again with Emma.

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

Balancing my checkbook and working on taxes rank up there right next to having a headache and stomach flu. I do not have a head for numbers, so I am very thankful to share that side of the bakery business with Alex.

4.  What are you afraid of most in life?

I’m afraid that I may not be able to give my daughter the safe and happy childhood that she deserves. Being a single mother is often challenging and I’m tempted to worry about the future. I’m thankful that I’m learning more about trusting God and opening my heart and life to others so they can become the family and friends that we need.

5.  What is the most important thing to you?

Taking care of Emma and making sure she has everything she needs emotionally, physically, and spiritually is very important to me. Being her mom is a blessing, but some days I feel like I might not have what it takes to be a good mother. But since I’ve been staying with Irene, she has really boosted my confidence and been like mom to me and a grandma to Emma. I am very thankful for Irene’s friendship and encouragement.

 

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

Oh, yes! I love to read cookbooks and also inspirational historical romance.

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

Sometimes I wish that my family situation growing up could have been different. My father left my mom and me when I was young, and that has always been a painful reality for me. But that longing for a father was one of the reasons I became a believer in Jesus when I was in college. Knowing my Heavenly Father loves me has been a balm to my heart and met some of my deepest needs.

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

Emma and I would love to have a pet. I hope when we get our own home we will adopt a cat or dog that needs a home and a lot of love. That would be fun for Emma and help her learn more about responsibility.  

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

I’d love to travel back in time and meet my grandparents and other family members in Italy. I’ve heard so many wonderful stories about them, and I wish I’d had a chance to get to know them. Maybe I’d learn some secret family recipes I could use at the new Jameson’s Bakery Café too!

Featured Book: Snowflake Sweethearts

Bringing her daughter to the one place she feels safe, single mother Annie Romano returns to Fairhaven, Washington. Though hoping to start a new life as a personal chef, Annie accepts a different job. Alex Jameson, the handsome man she secretly loved as a teenager, needs a live-in caregiver for his ailing grandmother. A big-city workaholic in town temporarily, Alex doesn't seem to realize how much he needs family—or love. But the holiday season, his grandmother's matchmaking friends and one fatherless little girl start pulling at both Annie's and Alex's heartstrings. Just in time for the most special Christmas ever.

Ask Elnora--About A Dark and Snowy Night--Lenora Worth

Hello, my lovely dashing, flashing fiction readers. Elnora loves a good Christmas story. Something short and sweet and with a happy ending. So when I asked the Craftie Ladies if they'd like to do a little Flash Fiction for the holidays, several hands raised. So from now until the new year, we have a little extra treat for you. We're going to write little stories right here on the blog. I know, exciting, right?

But there's more. We are going to be take names and pick winners.

Every time you post and comment on a story, we will record your name and come January 1st, we will take all the names of the bloggers who've posted on all of our stories and draw a winner to receive books, lots of books.

Yes, it's our December Book Blast Flash Fiction Merry Christmas fun time! And I get to kick things off--So here we go.

It was a dark and snowy night. Along the street, white lights sparkled on the trees and the wind howled and huffed against the buildings and caused the lights to twinkle like stars.

Noel Tinsel tugged her red coat close, hoping to block the icy bite of the frosty air. She was late for Christmas Eve dinner at her grandfather's house. As if to remind her that she hadn't eaten since that morning, her tummy growled along with the hissing wind. Yes, she was hungry but she prayed Grandfather hadn't invited another "suitor" to surprise her.

She held a hand over her eyes to keep the drifting snow away from her frozen face, her thoughts on the judge's misguided attempts to find her a "decent fellow." Just as she rounded the last corner and hurried toward the huge white Victorian house that sat all decked out in red and green like a fancy lady, she heard what sounded like horses trotting behind her.

Noel glanced back and blinked. A sleigh, here in downtown Flurryville?

When the beautiful red sleigh pulled by two white horses slid up beside her, Noel had to stop and blink again.

The man driving the shiny sleigh smiled down at her. "I'm lost and I was wondering if you could help me. I'm looking for the Tinsel home. Judge Tinsel?"

Noel smiled up at the dashing stranger. He looked too modern to be driving a sleigh. Had grandfather invited him? "Who are you, anyway? Santa Claus?"

The man smiled and Noel felt a little flutter like a dancing snowflake inside her heart.

"No, just a friend of the judge. He invited me to meet his granddaughter." He shrugged. "I don't usually go on blind dates, but ... my uncle offered me this old sleigh and well, I thought wouldn't it be nice to go on a sleigh ride tonight?"

Noel giggled. "Are you for real? I mean, you sound like a Christmas song." And he looked straight out of a Christmas ad.

The man hopped down from the sleigh and shook her hand. "I'm Jackson Frost."

"Right," Noel replied. "And I'm the Easter Bunny."

Jackson looked amused. "Do you know where the judge lives?"

Noel nodded and accepted her fate. This one might just be a keeper. "Right there." She pointed to the big, welcoming house at the end of the street. "I'm his granddaughter, Noel."

Jackson's laughter startled the horses. "Noel. I've heard a lot about you."

"I'm sure you have," Noel replied. "Hey, if we feed you, do I get to ride in that sleigh?"

Jackson lifted a gloved hand. "In this winter wonderland? I think tonight is a perfect night. Hop in and I'll take you home, Noel."

It wasn't all that far to Grandfather's house, Noel thought. But ... she'd always loved the sound of sleigh bells. And the name Noel Tinsel Frost had such a nice ring to it. "Thank you, Grandfather," she whispered into the whistling wind. Then she snuggled under the furry white blanket Jackson tucked around her and glided into the future.

Favorite Christmas Movies! What's Yours?

My favorite holiday movie right now is A Grandpa for Christmas.  It's a Hallmark movie that show a grandpa winding up caring for the granddaughter he didn't know he had.  His faith in Christmas and his relationship with his estranged daughter are restored.  It's a heart touching movie that my seven-year-old son watched with me.  He didn't even complain that Darth Vadar didn't make an appearance.

 Pamela Tracy

My favorite Christmas movies (I can't pick one!) are Elf (with Will Ferrell) and The Grinch (the newer version with Jim Carrey). One of the reasons I love them is that I've watched them with my kids over and over. So they've become a tradition in our household! But I also love them because of the humor and the lump-in-the-throat moments.

Missy Tippens

My favorite Christmas story, and there are SO many to choose from, is Silent Night with Linda Hamilton.  It's about a German mother (Linda Hamilton) who doesn't want her youngest boy, who is only 14, to die in WWII like her husband and older son did.  So she travels on Christmas Eve to a house that is close to the fighting where the Americans are in the hopes they'll both be captured. There both some American and German soldiers take refuge from a snow storm and agree not to be enemies for one night.  I just love this story.  

Lisa Mondello  

Apparently I'm a traditionalist, because I love It's a Wonderful Life and still tear up at the end. No Christmas season is complete without it. This movie reminds me of the numerous second chances God gives us and how we bless those around us with the "small" things we do to show our love and compassion.

 Christine Johnson 

One of my favorite Christmas movies is Miracle on 34th Street, the newer version starring Elizabeth Perkins and Dylan McDermott. For me, it's a sweet, poignant movie. I loved how Dylan's character brought joy to both the little girl and her mom.
Karen Kirst

My favorite Christmas movie is The Christmas Story. Some of it reminded me of my childhood. I laughed all the way through the movie. Love the scenes with Santa Claus at the department store, the dinner at the Chinese restaurant, the lamp the father won, the bunny suit Ralph got as a gift. Hilarious movie.

Margaret Daley

My favorite Christmas movie is Miracle on 34th St, the old version. Love the spunky little girl who learns to believe and the mom who is the same way. Great movie.

Lacy Williams

I recently enjoyed a new movie, Christmas Angel on GMC. Della Reese plays an aging, disabled singing star, hiding out from the public, estranged from those she loves. It's about family and faith and the miracles of Christmas. Some of the acting was B rated but the story was uplifting.
Linda Goodnight

It’s a Wonderful Life.  I'm a big fan of Jimmy Stewart.  But mostly I like this movie because of the message, that no matter how insignificant we think we are, we touch others lives and that touching has a ripple effect.  

Terri Reed

My favorite holiday movie is Christmas Vacation. I love it because it reminds me of my quirky relatives and it reminds me to worry less and enjoy more at this special time of the year. It makes me laugh and makes me cry. We used to watch it as a family on Christmas Eve. Now that my two children are grown we don't watch it as much but we have the DVD so we can pull it out any time and have a good laugh.

Lenora  Worth :)

So what's your favorite? Please share!

__._,_.___

A Christmas to Remember - vignette by Lacy Williams

A Christmas to Remember - by Lacy Williams

This vignette/scene takes place between chapter twenty-one and twenty-two of COUNTERFEIT COWBOY (December 2012 from Love Inspired Historical). Enjoy!

December 24, 1891

Pete had lived in Boston his whole life—twelve years—except for part of a year he’d spent in Wyoming with his adopted older brother, Jesse. But he’d never seen a Boston Christmas like this.
He pulled at the choking necktie Jesse’s fiancée, Erin O’Grady had insisted he wear. Beneath the jacket and starched shirt, he was sweating. Or maybe it was because of all of the highfalutin people in sparkly outfits that kept staring at him.
Probably wondering how he’d ended up here in this fancy, sparkly, stuffy ballroom. Kind of the same way he did most days. He’d never expected to find a family again. Even if it wasn’t a conventional family, he was proud to be Jesse’s brother. And Jesse’s fiancée was the daughter of a Boston shipping magnate… and had asked them both to attend this fancy-schmancy Christmas party at her parents’ home.
“Doing all right?” asked a kind voice, and he turned to see Erin in a dark blue ballgown, with her black hair swept up behind her head. He was a little surprised Jesse had let her out of his sight looking so nice.
“I’m fine.”
She brushed her fingers across his brow, probably swiping at that one lock of hair that always flopped down where it wasn’t supposed to be. “There are some other children in the parlor if you want to go back there…”
He knew. He’d been in there earlier, but some of the other children had snubbed him, talking in whispers as if he couldn’t hear what they said about him.
“I’m okay,” he told her, looking back at the crowd of people chatting and mingling. “It’s only another hour until we can leave.” Jesse had given his word. And as long as Pete kept his coat and tie on, Jesse had promised to let him sneak a treat from the sock hung beneath the windowsill in the small apartment they shared.
Erin’s forehead wrinkled. Was she worried he would slip back into old habits—namely pickpocketing from the fine partygoers—and that’s why she’d suggested he return to the kids’ parlor?
Before he could get good and offended, Jesse approached and stole a quick kiss from her. Erin flushed prettily.
“My father is waving me over,” she said on an apologetic sigh. “Excuse me.”
When she left, Jesse remained at Pete’s side. They both watched the crowd. It made Pete feel a little better that his adoptive brother didn’t seem to fit in with the rich partygoers either.
“You okay?” Jesse asked.
“Yep. Fine, just fine. Why’s ever’body so worried about me?”
Pete caught Jesse’s raised brow from the corner of his eye. He crossed his arms over his chest. “Sorry,” he muttered.
“I know this kind of party isn’t what either of us wants to be doing tonight.” Jesse shifted his feet, tugging at his tie the same way Pete had been doing moments ago. The action reminded Pete of the ways they were the same.
“If Erin said anything to offend you—”
“She didn’t,” Pete interrupted. Feeling a little like a heel now. Erin was the kindest person he knew—she even put up with her awful father—and she wouldn’t have thought the worst of Pete.
“She just cares about you. We both do. She’s actually asked me how I’m doing about six times already tonight.”
Pete nodded, grinning. After being on his own for close to two years, being cared for took a little getting used to. But he wouldn’t trade Jesse or Erin for anything—they were family now.
This Christmas would be much better than the last one.

I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into the life of these characters. Here's the blurb for COUNTERFEIT COWBOY:

A con man with a conscience…
From the moment Jesse Baker collides with Erin O’Grady on a Boston train platform, he faces a dilemma. For once, Jesse doesn’t want to lie about who and what he is. Yet if she learns he’s a con artist, not a cowboy—and the urchin with him is certainly not his brother—she’ll never give him a chance.
Erin suspects there’s more to the enigmatic cowboy than meets the eye. But the sheltered socialite is certain his deep compassion is real. On the long Christmastime train ride to Wyoming, hearts and courage are tested and true motives revealed. And the journey than began in a charade may end with redemption—and a very real love.

By day, Lacy Williams is a stay-at-home mom battling dirty diapers and dog-hair dust-bunnies. By night, she is a novelist with two books nominated for RT Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice Awards (2011 & 2012). Her current projects include more books for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Historical line (cowboys!) and a screenplay.

Can't Wait...Giveaway

Sandra Orchard here

Confession time. When you were a child, did you peak in the closets in search of hidden Christmas gifts?

I did.

And apparently, I'm still as impatient as ever!

Saturday, I went Christmas shopping and found a wonderful nativity set for my granddaughter. But...

I couldn't wait twenty-four whole days to give it to her!!!

I couldn't even wait 24 hours. LOL

So... I reasoned that I could give it as a family gift for decorating for Christmas. ~grin~

The idea was a big hit with my granddaughter.

Your Turn: Share a Christmas memory of how you, one of your children or grandchildren couldn't wait until Christmas.

Giveaway:
In the spirit of giving, today I'm giving away the winner's choice of one of my Love Inspired Suspense novels to a randomly chosen commenter. I'll announce the winner in the comments section Wednesday morning. If you don't wish to leave an email addy in your comment, please check back on Wednesday to see if you've won.

Hope Springs, a place for Amish romance.

Pat Davids here.

A HOPE SPRINGS CHRISTMAS is my third Christmas novel and my seventh story set in the fictional Amish community of Hope Springs, Ohio. The book is in stores now. When I first created Hope Springs, I drew on the small town I knew well. The town of Hope, Kansas. A stone sign outside the town near the farm I grew up on says, "There will always be Hope in Kansas." That is exactly what I wanted for my fictional town. I wanted a place where hope springs eternal. Not only is it a friendly place with a cozy inn, a fine café, a modern medical office and numerous other businesses, it's full of people I'd like to get to know. It's a small town with a bigh heart where people come together to help one another.
You might be surprised at the amount of research that goes into creating a fictional town. I started out by doing an internet search for the name Hope Springs in states with large Amish populations. I found a Mount Hope, but no Hope Springs in Ohio. I knew then that I was off to a good start. The next thing I needed was a real town to model my fictional one after. The village of Sugarcreek in Ohio provided me with a great blueprint for my town. It was the right size and location. I even made a map so I'd know which street someone lives on and where the bus stop was located. Sugarcreek was also big enough to have a good mix of Amish and non-Amish members in the community.
Although my Brides of Amish country series has mainly Amish characters, I've been careful to introduce non-Amish or English characters as well. My second book in the series, The Doctor's Blessing, dealt with a nurse mid-wife and a new doctor in town. Showing the Amish through the eyes of a nurse who loved them vs. a doctor who didn't understand them at all made for great conflict. In A Home for Hannah, the hero was the local sheriff and the heroine was an ex-Amish woman who discovers a baby on her doorstep. Her inside knowledge of the Amish helped the sheriff solve the mystery and find Hannah's mother. Of course, like all romances, a happily ever after moment did happen for both unlikely pairs.

In A HOPE SPRINGS CHRISTMAS, the town is once again a major character in the story. When two neighbors try to match-make for each other, the consequences are funny, touching and downright romantic. If you've been to Hope Springs, I'd like to know what you thought of the town. Do you enjoy books in a series or do you prefer stand alone books? What makes a fictional town seem real to you?

By the way, Merry Christmas to all of you from Pat Davids and all the people in Hope Springs.

Christmas Stalking Interview

Today we're welcoming Ellie St. James, the heroine of Christmas Stalking by Margaret Daley, November 2012, Love Inspired Suspense. 

Wow, you've just had quite an adventure.   

1.  Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense.

I work for Guardians, Inc., an agency of female bodyguards. I was hired to protect Winnie Winfield, but without her knowledge so I was "hired" as her new assistant. I grew up in Chicago and had a brother who died young. Kids made fun of him, and I had to protect him. I couldn't wait to get out of my neighborhood and join the armed forces. 

2.  So, during the book you met Colt Winfield.  Tell us a bit about him.  What was your first impression?  When did you know it was love?  

I pulled a gun on him because I thought he was an intruder who was after Winnie. Then he had the nerve to put my gun into the safe. I knew I loved him when I trusted him as I never had trusted a man.

3.  What strengths/skills do you have?  What is your greatest weakness? 

I am very good at my job of protecting others. I know how to shoot and fight. I know how to stand on my own two feet. I like my independence. I try to do things for myself. But that can be a weakness. I'm discovering I can't do everything by myself, that I get lonely and that I have a hard time forgiving my mother.       

4.  What scares you?

Failing to protect someone.   

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

My determination to do everything on my own--sometimes I am lonely.

6.  Where are you in your faith at the start of your story? 

I believe in the Lord, but I need to control my life. I haven't learned to give my trust to God, that he is really in control.    

7.  Where are you in your faith at the end of the story?

I have learned that the Lord is in control and that I can draw my strength from Him, that I need to forgive if I truly want to live to the fullest.

8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story.  Tell us why this scripture is significant.

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

Neither Colt nor Ellie could forgive people in their past. They had to realize they needed to forgive to move forward in their lives.  

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why?

I try to stay away from sweets, but when I can't, anything chocolate is what I want.

Featured Book: Christmas Stalking

Bodyguard Ellie St. James has one objective: protect her client…without letting her know. Pretending to be Rachel "Winnie" Winfield's assistant lets Ellie stay close, but there's an unexpected complication—Colt Winfield. Winnie's grandson wasn't in on the plans, and the suspicious marine biologist isn't easy to fool. When the truth comes out, so do more threats to Winnie's life. Trapped on a Colorado mountain, Ellie and Colt must trust each other to guard Winnie and find the stalker. Before this Christmas becomes their last.