Day 6 of Christmas Cheer Posts

To help spread the cheer for the whole month, I am using a selection from my own 2011 released book Christmas Belles of Georgia for today's post.

I need to preface this scene with the reason my hero and heroine are dressed like burglars! The have decided to make Christmas brighter for a young single mom with two little girls and are taking them a gift each day for the 12 days leading up to Christmas. In the midst of helping others, they realize they are falling in love.


Excerpt from Nick’s Christmas Carol in Christmas Belles of Georgia

Nick arrived at seven. Also dressed in black down to his ski mask and gloves, he pulled another ski mask from his pocket. “I love the golden streaks in your hair, but we need to cover it tonight.”

“Thanks.” He’d used the word love again. This time about her hair. Would he ever say he loved her? She took the mask and pulled it over her hair, only leaving her eyes, nose and mouth uncovered.

When she turned to face him, he kissed her on the tip of her nose. “You sure make a cute burglar.”

“I guess that’s better than a cat burglar.”

“I’m allergic to cats, so I’m glad you’re not one.”

“Me, too.” She had a lot to learn about this man, but she already knew the important things like his love for God and others.

He helped her into the truck.

“Thanks.” She looked at the tree filling up most of the truck bed. “It’s beautiful, so full and green.”

Nick hummed then began to sing, “Lavender’s blue, dilly dally. Lavender’s green.” His eyes locked on hers. “I’ve been humming that song ever since we met again this fall. I see your lovely lavender blue eyes every night when I go to sleep and when I awake in the morning.” He moved closer to her. “But tonight, in the dark, your eyes look lavender green.”

“Maybe it’s the reflection from the tree.” Me and my wise mouth. Right when he might have kissed me.

He scooted back to his side and started up the truck. “Maybe.”

The young mom’s home was only a few blocks from the Warren House. They drove the dark streets in silence. Nick shut off the engine and coasted to a stop two doors down in his minister friend’s drive.

“Stay warm inside until I get it untied.” He hopped out of the truck and spent a couple minutes unloading the tree, then brought it around to her door. He tapped on the door—two shorts and three longs.

“I’ve got the heavy end. You get the top of the tree.”

“Okay.” The light brown bird nest near the top glowed in the moonlight. She wished she could be inside when the children noticed it.

They quietly situated the tree on the small front porch. Nick motioned her to go on and hide behind the neighbor’s bushes. As she did, she heard the sound of a doorbell then felt two strong arms around her as he slid into place beside her.

The front door opened. A child’s high-pitched voice hollered out, “Mom, come look what’s on our porch.”

Another child began to clap. “It’s a Cwismas tree, a Cwismas tree.”

Phyllis stood on the porch, her arms around each child protectively.

The older girl pointed up. “Look, Mom, a card.”

The young mother picked off the note and read, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights.” Her gaze searched the yard, and Carol could see the woman’s tears glistening. “God sent us this gift through His helpers.”

“Like Santa’s elves?” asked the younger child.

“Only better.” Phyllis motioned to the taller girl. “Connie, if you get hold of the treetop and pull, I think I can get the rest of the tree inside.”

The shorter child began to jump up and down. “Can we decowate it tonight? Pwease?”

“Yes, honey. God has given us this tree, and we will decorate it to be the prettiest one on the block. I’ll even pop some popcorn and teach you—” The mom’s words faded as the door closed on the happy family.

Carol lifted one gloved hand to wipe at the moisture in her own eyes. Surprised to find her other hand warmly held in Nick’s, she wondered when and how it got there. Although he might not know it, he also held her heart. She loved him.

***

Nick loved the wonder on the faces of the two young girls, and the joy and pleasure he read on Carol’s face. I love Carol Peterson. Now what am I going to do about it?

You’ll have to read the rest of the story to find out!

We have a winner for Christmas Belles of Georgia...

Liz Tolsma. And this will be the last month I offer the above Christmas book as the giveaway this year, since it will be for my last drawing this year on Dec. 1, 2011. Everyone except Liz who has a US mailing addy and leaves an email so I can contact you for mailing info is eligible. So what is stopping you? I love to read Christmas books the whole month of December, so if you win, you can do the same.

Congrats to Diane Ashley, winner of a copy of Christmas Belles of Georgia in this month's drawing.

It will be on its way to her as soon as she sends me her mailing address. And I will giveaway another copy next month since that winner would still have the month of December to enjoy a Christmas book. So be sure to stop by and comment often to have more chances.

September 1, 2011--Book release and book drawing

My book Christmas Belles of Georgia released today! And my sweet children all called to congratulate me! And I booked another booksigning! A great day!

And it is a good day/evening for Chris Weigand, number 21 of my 49 followers. My husband chose her number, so she wins a hot-off-the-press copy! And I have decided to do the same giveaway next month, so all of my current followers (except Chris) and any new followers will all be in the drawing on Oct. 1st for a copy of Christmas Belles of Georgia.

Happy release day to me, and to all my faithful followers! And all praise and thanks to God, the Giver of all good things!

Monday Musings--I'm officially a published author now!
The official release date for Christmas Belles of Georgia is September 1st, but I have already received my author copies from Barbour as you can see from this picture. This is truly a dream come true, and I give all the praise to God for giving me this opportunity, and for leading me to ACFW where I have learned so much and met so many wonderful, helpful people who had a big part in this happening.

So, I want to share with you my dedication which took over a page to thank everyone. It truly "takes a village" to get a book published!

Dedication


This book is dedicated to two of the most wonderful ninety-four-
year-young women I know—Ruth Seamands and Helen
Jean Wiglesworth. Their Christian witness and zest for life have
been an inspiration to me and countless others. My friends and I
all want to be like them when we grow up!
Special thanks to:
My husband, Chester, for all of his encouragement and help,
even when it means loading the dishwasher
three times in one day!
Becky Germany, Jeanie Smith Cash, Jeri Odell,
and Debra Ullrick for taking a chance on me and my writing.
And to Margie Vawter for her wonderful editing skills.
My encouragers and prayer warriors—Crystal, Dottie, Kathy,
Kim, Connie, Jan, Ann, and Unity Christian
Church Rosebud SS class.
My forever friends, whose names are immortalized
in some of my characters’ names.
Debbonnaire and Jennifer, who helped me brainstorm this story.
And my fabulous critique partners who enriched the story—
Jennifer, Joy, and Loretta.
My two daughters, Christy and Mandy, who also read the story
and gave me encouragement. And my son, Stephen, who now
has to read my book because he promised to
do so when I got published!
My Georgia helpers who answered many questions—Ane and
Greg Mulligan, Thomas Smith, Rod Perry, and Scott Smith.
All of my writing friends at LRW, BCW, and ACFW,
with special thanks to Lynn Coleman for making
my first critique so gentle, yet helpful.
The readers whom I hope will enjoy this
book as much as I enjoyed writing it.
And most of all, praise God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—
from whom all blessings flow, including this opportunity
to see the writing dream He gave me come true.

A special book and two special ladies

This past week has been very special to me as I received my author copies of my first fiction book. And I want to share with you the two special ladies it is dedicated to. The dedication reads "This book is dedicated to two of the most wonderful ninety-four year-young women I know--Ruth Seamands and Helen Jean Wiglesworth. Their Christian witness and zest for life have been an inspiration to me and countless others. My friends and I all want to be like them when we grow up!"

On Friday I took an autographed copy to Helen Jean Wiglesworth who lives in Cynthiana, KY. She went on a girl's getaway cruise with me when she was ninety and walked all over the ship! She still drives herself to church and plays the organ. And she reads voraciously, knits, crochets, and avidly watches and cheers for all the UK basketball games. She reminded me of her daily prayer asking God to use her to bless others and them to bless her. What a great prayer!

Then today, my husband and I drove to Wilmore, KY, to deliver a copy of my book to Ruth Seamands, or Mama Ruth as so many of us in ACFW call her. Those who have met her know how wonderful she is. I told my husband on the way that I was thirsty and wanted to stop if we saw a DQ and get a soda, but we never saw one. Then, when we got there Ruth had tall glasses sitting out for us to make coke floats! I told her she read my mind! She also fed us some yummy Indian trail mix she had made up. Ruth still does her morning stretches and credits them with her being able to get around so well without a walker. Although her eyesight is worse some days than others from her macular degeneration, she still manages to read with a special magnifying machine. Her mind is still as sharp as one of the Fijian spears she has hanging on her walls! And she drives her golfcart named "Ruth's Rocket" around Wesley Village.

I hope now you know why all of us in ACFW want to be like Ruth, and why my "Forever Friends" and I want to grow up to be like Helen Jean--two very special ladies to me and so many others!

Contest Winner and new contest to win a copy of my first fiction novel!!!!

Darlene Shortridge is the winner of Love by the Yard by Gail Sattler, so it will be in the mail as soon as I receive her mailing address. For those who wish to be entered in this month's drawing, it makes it much simpler and faster to get the book to you if you leave your addy when you post. Anyone with a USA address is eligible except Darlene.

And I am sooooo happy to be able to give away a copy of my first fiction novella. Getting this book published is definitely a dream come true! The drawing will be held on September 1st which is the day for the release of the book. Here is the back cover blurb for Christmas Belles of Georgia: 
Surprised by Life—and Love—at Christmas


Four letters are mailed from Monticello, a small antebellum town in Georgia. Sisters once, now heirs to a historic plantation, each young woman must come to terms with the circumstances of her birth. . . .

When she learns in a letter she’s adopted, Holly feels betrayed by her parents—and she books a flight out of Missouri immediately. Will she ever be able to love again?

Raised in a wealthy, loveless home, Carol rushes to Monticello from college in Atlanta when she receives her letter. She’s searching for family, but finds instead a boy she once mistreated. Will he remember her? . . .forgive her?

In one year, Starr has lost her parents, boyfriend, and job, so she’s sure her letter is more bad news. When the attorney flies to California to offer proof, Starr takes a second look—at the message and the man.

Noelle always knew she was adopted—and she’s always loved the foreman on her father’s Texas ranch too. But he’s so distant. . .perhaps a trip to Georgia is the break in life she needs.

Will the sisters receive a traditional Christmas gift. . .of love?

Enter to win a copy, or hurry out and order one or several copies for Christmas gifts!