Today’s Featured Book:

About the Book:

In The Christmas Confusion, high school sweethearts Tiffany Marano and Nick Walsh are reunited after years apart and  sparks fly. But not the happy glittering kind, because each of them thinks the other responsible for their estrangement. Before they can work it out, though, Tiffany’s sister disappears. Left with custody of her niece and forced to work with new police detective Nick to find her sister, old feelings begin to resurface. As they start to unravel the truths that left them confused and apart for too long, Nick must learn to let go of his past. But can Tiffany let go of her fear and learn to trust that God isn’t the only one who won’t abandon her? 

Excerpt from Christmas Confusion:

Someone had stolen her black heels. That was the only explanation. Tiffany Marano had checked her bedroom closet—where they belonged—that’s where she’d left them. Now, she was working her way through the cavernous hall closet, which seemed to contain half the items she’d been missing. But not her shoes. If this closet didn’t produce results, then she’d have to bend down in this skirt and search under the couch, a very bad idea.

The Santa ornament wearing beach shorts and flip flops randomly started singing about an island Christmas. She groaned. The volume seemed permanently set on annoy the neighbors– the last thing she needed was for them to complain about the noise again. 

“I don’t have time for this.” Tiffany raced down the hallway and grabbed Santa off her miniature Christmas tree. She slid across the bare pine floor in her stocking-clad feet and flailed her arms. By some small miracle, she grabbed a wall to stop her forward progress.     

After a deep breath of relief, and a few more seconds of auditory torture by a Christmas recording, Tiffany crept down the hall, trying to avoid another wipeout. She stepped on one of her niece, Haley’s, hair barrettes.  “Ouch, ouch,” she whisper-shouted, hopping like a crazy woman. Thunk. Her forehead made contact with the open guest bedroom door. She closed her eyes against the pain. For a few minutes, she gripped the door frame with one hand and her head with the other. Santa reached the chorus.

Haley stood at the end of the hall, eyes open wide. “Aunt Tiffy, are you okay?”

Tiffany faked a nod and made her way into the living room. Hurrying, she clapped a hand over Santa’s tiny little mouth. She glanced at her niece, who was also without shoes, as if the lack was contagious. “Haley, I thought you were dressed. If we don’t hurry, we’re going to be late for church.”

“Yes, ma’am.” The girl giggled and ran down the hall, skating in her socks on purpose. 

Tiffany tried not to laugh, because moving hurt her head. She stuffed the Santa in her pocket, walked into the bathroom, and switched on the lights. She contemplated the red mark on her forehead in the mirror. “Great,” she whispered. “That’s going to bruise.”

Not good. In less than an hour, if she made it out of this apartment alive, she would need all the energy she could get to teach an energetic bunch of preschoolers about Jesus. Every parent would see the evidence of her klutziness one more time. “Oh, well.” She leaned forward so her dirty blonde bangs covered the angry welt. “I am who I am.”

She shoved Santa in the linen closet between two monogrammed towels, and found her shoes by the tub.

About the Author:

A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Christina Sinisi writes stories about families, both the broken and blessed. Her works include a semi-finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest and the American Title IV Contest where she appeared in the top ten in the Romantic Times magazine. American Title IV Contest where she appeared in the top ten in the Romantic Times magazine. Her published books include The Christmas Confusion and the upcoming Sweet Summer, the first two books in the Summer Creek Series, as well as Christmas on Ocracoke, expected December 2020. By day, she is a psychology professor and lives in the LowCountry of South Carolina with her husband and two children and loves a good cooking challenge.

Today I’m interviewing Ann Brodeur, author of the Christmas novella, Snowbound in Winterberry Falls. Ann, thank you for being my guest today. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I love books, coffee and Jesus. I’ve been married to my own hero for nearly a decade and we have a house full of kids. Our life is a bit crazy with four littles, but it’s full of blessings and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I don’t watch tv (yeesh! I know…), but I spend those hours either reading or writing a book; however, there is always time for a 1995 BBC version interruption of Pride and Prejudice…. Or maybe a Downton Abbey binge.

What is Snowbound in Winterberry Falls about?

The last person reporter Stephanie Clark expected to be rescued by was the man who abandoned her twelve years prior. Editor-in-Chief Jason Miller regrets everything about walking away from the story that would have defined his career, but ruin Stephanie’s family. A buried story, a powerful senator and a Christmas they soon won’t forget. In a holiday season full of surprises, will they fight for truth and risk losing everything, or learn to have faith again and trust God’s perfect plan?

What was the catalyst for your interest in writing?

It was a nudge from my best friend. I posted recently on Anaiah’s blog about that very thing. I’m thankful she did! https://anaiahpress.wordpress.com/2020/09/24/my-best-friend-made-me-do-it-becoming-a-published-author/

Who was your favorite character to create?

My favourite character to create had to be Mrs. Sweeney, the sweet 87 year old retired teacher. I just love seniors and how they speak their minds without filters. Her character was inspired of two dear women who have passed into glory, but who left a mark on my life.

What does your family think of your writing?

LOL. My kids are happy. They love that Maman is writing and always ask if I’m working on my book when I’m at the computer. My hubby is so encouraging, but he jokes that he’s lost his wife to the literary world. They are super supportive and give me time to write when I ask for it.

Are you part of a writing group?

I joined the Faith Hope Love chapter of Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers. Both groups are rich in their members, advice, webinars, tutorials, resources and the list goes on. I’ve learnt quite a bit from joining both groups and don’t want to give either one up because each is so unique in what they have to offer writers at all levels. It’s not so much a group to join per se, but I follow Seekerville on a regular basis and credit them with a good chunk of what I’ve gleaned about writing a good story.

Who was the first person you allowed to read your completed book?

My neighbor! She’s an avid reader and has similar tastes in authors, so I knew I could trust her opinion.

If you didn’t write books, what would you do for a living?

I’d clean my house! LOL We’re homeschooling through COVID-19 so there isn’t anything else I’d be doing. I can’t imagine not writing though – even if I was working outside the home.

What’s next for you as an author?

Book two of Winterberry Falls is currently on submission and waiting contest results (it placed 2^nd in the Orange County RWA Emerging Writers 2020 Contest and is a finalist in the Florida West Coast Writers 2020 Contest). While I’m waiting, I’m working an historical romance set in Montreal, Canada in 1910. This book is in the sketch/research stage, but I’m excited about the project.

Where can readers find you online?

I have a website with newsletter sign-up, blog posts, book reviews and anything and everything about the writer-me; Facebook page and Pinterest page.

https://www.facebook.com/annbrodeurauthor

Snowbound in Winterberry Falls

will be released on November 6, 2020 from Anaiah Press.

This is Stormy. He was given the name because when he first came into our lives it was rainy and cold and—stormy.

He was one of five kittens born to a stray. The mother cat had been eating with our outdoor cats for a few months, and we hadn’t been able to catch her. One day I looked out and there were kittens peeking up from under the garage door.

It soon became evident that Stormy wasn’t afraid of anyone. He came out and let the kids play with and hold him. When we talked about finding homes for the kittens, my son asked if he could keep Stormy. We already had several indoor cats, but it had been a long time since he’d had a kitten to call his, so I agreed.

Stormy moved into the house with us. Later, we brought the other four in to tame them and try and find homes, but that is a story for another day. Stormy easily became part of our household.

Stormy reminds me of a prince who is set apart from everyone else. He “keeps his own counsel.” He enjoys cuddling up to the other cats, but he also likes to be by himself most of the time. When I see him, I think of the word, “majestic” to describe him.

Stormy may be one of several rescued cats, but he is very special to us.

Today I am highlighting an Inspirational YA thriller by Rosie Somers: Murder Board.

About the Book

Being abducted from her home, given a new code name, and drafted into an elite black-ops training program isn’t Infinity’s ideal way to start the week—or the next six weeks, as it turns out. Yet, here she is, competing against twenty-five other recruits in a cutthroat competition, known only as The Program, for one of five spots on a super-secret intelligence and counter-terrorism team. And she might actually have a shot at making it. Until someone starts killing off the top performers.

Now, the only way to stay in The Program—and alive—is to find the sweet spot between scoring too high and falling too low on the murder board. She can’t do it alone, though. So, she forms an alliance with a recruit code-named Ghost, who proves knowledgeable and capable, not to mention charming. But Infinity is increasingly drawn to another, more enigmatic recruit, Maverick. Despite his loner vibe, he’s all heart, spiritually strong, and reliable—saving Infinity when she needs it most. But can she really trust them? Relying on her faith and instincts, Infinity needs to find out who’s snuffing out the competition, or she could be next. 

Excerpt from Murder Board

Chapter 1:

A COLD AND UNSETTLED FEELING takes up residence in my chest. I mute my TV and set my sketchpad and pencil on the bed next to me. Then I sit up straighter and strain my ears for sound. Any noise anywhere in this small house echoes in even the corners  farthest from the source. Like the current scraping of metal slipping into the lock in the kitchen door, not a key… something clumsier, something that wasn’t made as an exact fit for those specific tumblers. I try to attribute it to my imagination, but I can’t deny the truth.

Someone is trying to get into my house.

Panic swirls in my chest like a tempest. What am I supposed to do? Staying home alone when my mother is out of town for work has never been a problem before, never been a threat to my well-being. We live in a safe neighborhood. All my neighbors have known me since I was born; they’re supposed to be keeping an eye on things here. It’s what they do. I have no contingency plan for a break in. Nothing beyond panic and pray.

“Dear God, protect me,” I whisper as I visually scan my room for something, anything, that I can use to defend myself. I come up empty. I change tacks and reach for my phone. I dial 911 with shaky fingers, hit send. The call drops with a cheery, three-note chime. My hope drops with the call. I try again with the same result, then check my service. Zero bars. The walls of my house are paper thin. I’ve never had less than full bars anywhere on the property. My stomach tightens into a solid lump in my throat, threatening to cut off my air supply.

And then the back door creaks open.

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About the Author

Rosie Somers is a beach-going book addict who’s been crafting stories since before she learned her ABCs. When she’s not busy trying to bring the characters in her head to life on paper, she can be found volunteering with local animal rescues, crocheting funky hats for her friends, or eating herself into the poorhouse at Chipotle. Her fondest dream is to one day own a goat.

Author Blog: rosiesomers.blogspot.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com@prosyrosie

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

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8281027.Rosie_Somers

Other books by Rosie Somers:

Diary of a Teenage Jewel Thief

Clean Contemporary YA

Today’s Featured Book:

I’m starting a new series on this blog featuring a book every Friday. I’ll tell you about the book, share an excerpt and introduce you to the author. Since we are on the downward stretch towards the holidays, throughout the next few months I will be featuring Christmas novellas.

Last summer, Anaiah Press contracted with me for the publication of my first novella, Angelica’s Christmas Wish. It was released in November 2019. Since this is the book that started me on the path of traditional publishing, I am featuring it first in this new blog series.

About the book:

When Serena Cole sees a car careening toward a little girl, she jumps in to save the child with no thought for her own safety. Later, Serena wakes up in the hospital with amnesia. Everyone calls her a hero, but she doesn’t recall anything–not even her own name.

Mark Harper, the child’s widowed father, isn’t looking for romance, but the beautiful stranger who saved his daughter’s life captures his interest. When no one steps up to identify her, he brings her home with him. He doesn’t realize that his decision may make his daughter’s Christmas wish come true.

Excerpt from Angelica’s Christmas Wish:

Mark walked down the hall toward the patient’s room. Perspiration dampened his palms. He rubbed them on his jeans, then took a deep breath before entering the room.

She’d been crying, and her eyes were puffy. Her gently sloped nose was red. Yet she was even prettier than he remembered.

“I’m sorry I bothered you.”

“You aren’t bothering me. I’m glad you called. I’ve been worried about you.”

“I’m so scared. I don’t know what to do.” Tears rolled down her cheeks. “I thought someone would come by now.”

“Maybe they don’t know where to look.”

She brushed away her tears.

Mark handed her a tissue. “You have an accent. Did you know that?”

“What kind of accent?”

“A southern accent. You’re not originally from Chicago.”

Her brow furrowed. “What am I doing here, then?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m sure someone is looking for you.”

“Are you sure?”

At the hope in her voice, he wanted to be sure. Instead, he squeezed her hand. With his other hand, he brushed her hair back from her forehead. She flinched as he touched her bruise. “Sorry. It looks very painful.” He dropped his hands to his sides. “I saw videos of the accident on the news last night. What you did was very brave.”

She dipped her chin and blushed, as if she wasn’t used to receiving compliments. “I don’t feel like I’m a very brave person.”

“Maybe it was an adrenaline rush. I’ve heard that people can be very heroic in desperate circumstances. You saw a child in danger and responded. You didn’t even think about the fact that you were putting yourself in danger.” The fact that it was his child she had risked her life for made him admire her more.

Head lowered, she focused on a snag in the thermal blanket. She stuck her finger through the looped thread and toyed with it.

Mark sat in the vinyl recliner. It looked like he might be here awhile. He should be home in bed, sound asleep. Instead, he was keeping a frightened stranger company.

About the Author:

Carol Underhill lives in a small village in rural Michigan. She is mom to three adult children and a spoiled Lab. Her household also includes several rescued cats. She likes flavored coffee, finding new authors and binge-reading their books. She enjoys music and has a playlist for every mood.

You can follow my writing journey:

http://www.facebook.com/authorcarolunderhill

http://www.twitter/underhill7