Ready for the New Year?

Celebrate with a story:

Happy New Year?

Welcome to Holiday, USA, small town America, where nothing happens, except holidays... and maybe a little romance, if the hero and heroine trust God.

Officer Tim Black moved to Holiday for a change of scene. He never anticipated wanting to change his single status at the same time, but the lady refuses to even date him.

Sandy Foster moved to Holiday to escape her dysfunctional family, changing everything about her life. Finding someone who wanted to share her life holds a never-ending spot on her uninspiring list of New Year's resolutions.

The tiniest misunderstanding and the willingness to set pride aside might make the difference between spending the New Year alone and a Happily Ever After...

http://www.amazon.com/Happy-New-Year-Holiday-USA-ebook/dp/B00HCQKGF4/ref=sr_1_1

For those who prefer paperback:

Holiday, USA Anthology 2014

All four novellas published in 2014 are available in their entirety in paperback, including the covers on the back, for those who enjoy collecting a series.

http://www.amazon.com/Holiday-USA-Anthology-2014-1/dp/150773459X/ref=sr_1_6

 

Monday Quote

Scripture Study

Revelations 22:21

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Saturday Links

The Fuzzy Fanatic talks horses, one of my favorite subjects:
https://fuzzyfanaticblog.wordpress.com/2019/09/25/8-secrets-horse-people-know/

Margaret, from soulfood101blog, shares Bible verses, every day:
https://soulfood101blog.wordpress.com/2019/09/29/9-29-2019/

God bless.

Favorite Book Friday

Callie (The Women of Valley View Book 1) by Sharon Srock Inspirational women's fiction. I loved the relationship between Callie and her husband. The struggle to follow God's inspiration after something going terribly wrong is well done. Heartwarming. I want to read the next book in the series.

Musical Thursday

Tim Janis' Celtic Music

https://youtu.be/LyYUJ75ImKo

Merry Christmas

Isaiah 7:14

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Immanuel: God with us

Christmas Eve

Luke 2:4-14

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem...To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child, and so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered, and she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And low, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and thy were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Monday Quote

Scripture Study

Luke 2:1

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

Saturday Links

Janet W. Ferguson, over at Inspy Romance, shared what she learned about a pet opossum:
https://www.inspyromance.com/an-opossum-in-fiction-janet-w-fergusons-the-art-of-rivers/

I'm too often easily distracted. Dyan Diamond's advice was a good reminder:
https://dyandiamond.net/2019/09/24/dont-get-distracted/

God bless.

Christmas is coming...

Celebrate with reading...

Christmas Lost

The twelfth novella in the series...

Welcome back to Holiday, USA, small town America, where nothing happens, except holidays... and a little romance, if the hero and heroine trust God.

Townie Karen Little is the resident quintessential spinster. She's lived in the same house her whole life, more than half a century. She knows she's stuck, but her plans for the future blow up in her face, on a regular basis. Why risk being wrong again?

After six years, Holiday Diner's owner, Alexander Hamilton, is still a newbie and Holiday's most eligible silver fox bachelor. Being the catch of the day for the single women of Holiday makes his vow to never marry again a challenge. Why test the three strikes you're out rule?

Sometimes, so much time passes, it feels like God has forgotten, but He is moving all the pieces into place for the right moment...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BHC1CL9/ref=sr_1_1 

For those who prefer paperback:

Holiday, USA Anthology 2016-17

All four novellas, 9-12, are available in their entirety in paperback, including the covers on the back, for those who enjoy collecting a series.

http://a.co/5ETTtmt 

Musical Thursday

Tim Janis' Christmas Mountains

https://youtu.be/5AJbePOfD-U

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Tidbit

Status, as in one's standing in society or profession, is from 1820. I don't know if that includes marriage or not. It may be too late for my story and better safe than sorry.

Monday Quote

Scripture Study

Isaiah 9:6

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The might God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Saturday Links

Jean Fischer shares the value of a retreat:
https://jeanfischer.wordpress.com/2019/09/22/a-north-woods-writers-retreat/

Nancy J. Farrier, over at Christians Read, shared "Lessons Learned From Raccoons":
https://christiansread.wordpress.com/2019/09/23/lessons-learned-from-raccoons-by-nancy-j-farrier/

God bless.

Ready For Christmas?

Start with a Christmas Novella

Christmas Present

The eighth novella in the series...

Welcome back to Holiday, USA, small town America, where nothing happens, except holidays... and a little romance, if the hero and heroine trust God.

Terra Connor is looking forward to her first two-week vacation, even if it means working part of the time to ease her daughter's mind. Her daughter's wedding on Christmas Eve is her only priority, and she definitely doesn't have time for romance.

Carson McDonald is in Holiday for his younger brother's wedding. The friendly town is as good a place as any to rest and recover from the upheaval of losing his job due to an accident. He has enough on his plate for the foreseeable future.

God's ways are not man's ways...

http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Present-Holiday-USA-Book-ebook/dp/B01ASDPDJQ/ref=sr_1_1

If you prefer paperback

Holiday, USA Anthology 2015

All four novellas published in 2015 are available in their entirety in paperback, including the covers on the back, for those who enjoy collecting a series.

https://www.amazon.com/Holiday-USA-Anthology-2015-2/dp/153018617X/ref=sr_1_22

Musical Thursday

Tim Janis' Christmas Tree

https://youtu.be/rljjRdja-qI

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Tidbit

From the Online Etymology Dictionary: "To think or act outside the box 'contrary to convention' is attested by 1994." Now I wonder about my memory, as I thought I remembered using a comeback in the 80s: "There's a box?"

Monday Quote

Scripture Study

Luke 1:41-44

And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

Saturday Links

I'm a horse lover, and Anne Leueen's blog, Horse Addict, blesses me every day:
https://horseaddict.net/2019/09/18/believe-in-yourself/

Inspiration on the value of sorrow, from Mustard Seed Blog:
https://mustardseedblogs.com/2019/09/21/how-god-can-use-our-times-of-sorrow-to-heal-us/

Bridget A. Thomas, over at Christians Read, shared a lovely Christmas post:
https://christiansread.wordpress.com/2019/12/05/o-come-o-come-emmanuel/

God Bless.

Favorite Book Friday

Finding Grace (Love's Compass Book 6) by Melanie D. Snitker Inspirational contemporary romance. A good end to the series. I'm glad I bought the series.

Musical Thursday

Tim Janis "Christmas Bells"

https://youtu.be/peQ0OdLrMTY

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Tidbit

Comradery makes an appearance in 1862.

Monday Quote

In three words,

I can sum up everything

I've learned about life:

It goes on.

~ Robert Frost

Scripture Study

Luke 1:26-28, 30-31, 38

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary...And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS...And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word...

Saturday Links

I want to celebrate the way I've always dreamed.
https://www.thuswesee.com/2018/12/feeling-christmas/

Jeff Rab is one of my favorite bloggers:
https://jeffrab.com/2019/09/10/to-see-the-way/

Fun pictures from Jez Braithwaite:
https://jezbraithwaite.blog/2019/11/25/photo-for-the-week-47-abundant/

Jennifer Slattery Lives Out Loud on "The Beauty of Hard Thanksgivings":
https://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com/2019/11/28/the-beauty-of-hard-thanksgivings/

God bless.

My Annual Start to the Christmas Season

...with some of my favorite songs that I listen to all year long...

The first one is simply totally fun.

All I want for Christmas by The Piano Guys

https://youtu.be/c16dH9QezyE 

Stille Nacht (Silent Night) by Manheim Steamroller on their Christmas album.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anv4FIQ4tbo 

Believe Again: O Come All Ye Faithful by David Osmond
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF__6qGtwSc 

Angels We Have Heard On High by The Piano Guys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrLoWt2tfqg 

Baby, What You Goin' to Be by Trinity HS Alumni Choir
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsoB7mmdmFg 

Mary, did you know? by Donny Osmond
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtLCCrEVqPA 

Believe by Josh Grobin on the Polar Express album.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ19mW-TMRk 

Merry Christmas Darling by the Carpenters.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR1ujXx2p-I 

Silent Night by David Osmond 
https://youtu.be/PkVATabHBqc 

The Gift by Aselin Debison
https://youtu.be/YeQt6S2O0Qk 

Gentri's O Holy Night
https://youtu.be/g4fvMgNfN0I

A Soldier's Silent Night
https://youtu.be/e29nKH4DCFQ 
A Christmas dedication to our men and women in uniform. A Soldier's Silent Night was originally titled 'Merry Christmas My Friend' and written by Lance Corporal James M. Schmidt in 1987.

Happy Thanksgiving

Tim Janis has posted several Christmas music selections, each about two hours long.

https://youtu.be/B-uxS-UQPvY

Wordless Wednesday

Are You Ready For Thanksgiving?

Celebrate with a story.

Giving Thanks

The eleventh novella in the series...

Welcome back to Holiday, USA, small town America, where nothing happens, except holidays... and a little romance, if the hero and heroine trust God.

Eight years ago, Michelle Bronson ran away. Returning Thanksgiving Eve will allow her to settle before anyone knows she's home. Accepting Jesus made her new, but the past won't stay buried. She's strong enough to face it. She must, if she wants to embrace life. Maybe assistant baker at Holiday Sweets is the open door she's seeking.

Theodore Williams III lived his life as Mr. Straight as an Arrow. He remembers Michelle, along with his harsh judgment of her, but she's not what he expected. The choice is his to hold to what he knew or to embrace the new. Perhaps God is opening a door to the future.

Placing God first opens doors never imagined...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071W5C2T6/ref=sr_1_1

If you prefer paperback, Giving Thanks is available with three other Holiday, USA, novellas:

Holiday, USA Anthology 2016-17

All four novellas, 9-12, are available in their entirety in paperback, including the covers on the back, for those who enjoy collecting a series.

http://a.co/5ETTtmt   

Monday Quote

Scripture Study

Psalms 107:1

O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Saturday Links

Linda Mahkovec shared a bit of Thanksgiving history, from WWII:
https://lindamahkovec.com/2019/11/17/thanksgiving-wwii/

Gail Johnson's blog post on "Contentment" was timely for me:
https://gailjohnsonauthor.com/2019/09/03/contentment/

Vrunda Chauk shares an uplifting post on Gratitude:
https://vrundachauk.wordpress.com/2019/09/09/magic-of-gratitude/

God bless.

Favorite Book Friday

Finding Joy (Love's Compass Book 5) by Melanie D. Snitker Inspirational contemporary romance. Learned about Texas longhorn cattle. This story touched on one of my own struggles, trying to please unpleasable people. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

Musical Thursday

Matthew West's "Mended."

https://youtu.be/-Otg-5p7qug

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Tidbit

Sassy is American English and appears in 1833.

Monday Quote

Scripture Study

Isaiah 53:6-7

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one t his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

Saturday Links

Lucy Blessed, over at One Grateful Leper, on trusting God:
https://theonegratefulleper.wordpress.com/2019/09/02/can-i-really-trust-god/

I love Denise Balog's jewels of inspiration:
https://denisebalog.wordpress.com/2019/09/02/a-teacher/

God bless.

Favorite Book Friday

Finding Faith (Love's Compass Book 4) by Melanie D. Snitker Inspirational contemporary romance. Loved this story. She also mentions one of my favorite Casting Crowns songs, "Just Be Held." Heartwarming.