Wow, I can’t believe it’s already Monday! Where did the weekend go? As a matter of fact, where did this year go? We’re halfway to Thanksgiving already, can you believe it?
Now, as for my writing, I just released one Christmas romance, ‘Christmas at Mistletoe Ranch’, and will be releasing ‘The Christmas Wish’ really soon. As I said before, this year I’m releasing two Christmas romances. Sometimes the Christmas spirit just swoops in and takes over.
So, ‘The Christmas Wish’ is a sweet romance that will leave you wanting to bake cookies or take a visit to the local bakery. Here’s a snippet for you to enjoy:
Sophie turned out the lights of the bakery and locked the door. It had been a good day with many new customers. She was pleasantly surprised. As she climbed in her small car, she sighed. Her dreams were coming through. Slowly she drove through town, looking at the twinkling lights that lined the street and the trees in the windows. As she passed one of the stores she saw Santa waving at the passersby. On a whim, she pulled into a parking place and looked in her wallet for a dollar. Even though her dollars were few, she wanted to give to the Santa. She pulled her coat closer around her as she started across the sidewalk. The sign beside the Santa said it was for the local children’s hospital. “Here you go.” Sophie placed her dollar in his bucket. “Thank you young lady. With each donation, you get to ask for something from Santa for Christmas.” The Santa smiled at her, his eyes glittering in the lights overhead. “Oh, I don’t know what to wish for. It’s been so long since I’ve made a wish with Santa.” Sophie giggled. Then she decided to just go with it. “Alright, do I tell you the wish or do I keep it silent?” “You can tell me. I keep secrets locked in here.” Santa placed a finger on his temple, then laughed with a jolly Santa laugh. “This may sound silly, but I want to find love for Christmas.” Sophie didn’t know where that came from. At first she just stared at the Santa in shock, then a warmth spread through her heart. Yes, she had her business started, so now was the time to find love. “I will place that on my list. You’ve been a good girl this year.” Santa said, making Sophie giggle again. “And you get a candy cane for your wish.” Sophie took the large candy cane, then turned to leave. When she looked back, the Santa winked at her. She got back in her car and for a moment she just sat there. Why had she made a wish with Santa? Maybe it was from her loneliness.
This was a particularly favorite part for me. Keep watching for an update on the release date.
Good Sunday afternoon! Christmas at Mistletoe Ranch is live! It’s already hit #1 in Japan and not far from it in the USA! If you haven’t picked up your copy, then grab it while it’s on sale!
Here’s a little snippet from this amazing Christmas romance that will have you laughing one minute and crying the next!
“Denver,
I get it. She’s cute and sweet and desperate, but she’ll get hurt. And having a
woman in the barn with a bunch of rowdy cowboys, well, it just won’t work.”
Charlie said, crossing his arms across his chest.
“I
know what you’re saying but as I said before, let’s give her a chance.” Denver
reached up and pinched his nose between his eyes, trying to figure this out. When
he opened his eyes, Annie was standing behind Charlie. “And I guess you have an
opinion on this too.” He adored the older woman and so did the men on the
ranch, so his tone wasn’t being disrespectful, just to the point, which is how
she liked it.
“In
my opinion, she needs to be living here in the main house, not down there close
to the men. And another thing, why would you hire a woman to work out there
anyhow?” Annie said, putting her hands on her hips.
Charlie
rubbed the back of his neck, then turned to face Annie. “Well, actually, I
hired her Mrs. Annie.”
“So,
you’re the culprit. Have you lost your mind?” Annie said, slapping him on the
arm. “Don’t you read the applications and resumes coming through here?”
“I
did. Is it my fault that I thought Madison was a guy’s name?” Charlie shrugged,
trying to back toward the door. “Denver, I’ll let you know how dinner goes.”
“Thanks.”
Denver said as Charlie made a quick escape.
“Denver
Hanson, if that girl gets hurt, I’ll hold you personally responsible, do you hear
me?”
“Loud
and clear.” Denver said as he headed to the front door.
“Where
are you going? Dinner is almost ready.”
“I’m
going to try to save my hide.” Denver went out the door and started for the
guest cabin. He knocked on the door and when there was no answer, he knocked
again. His brows bunched together as he looked around. She must have gone to
the bunk house for dinner.
So,
with a groan, he turned and made his way to the mess hall. When he entered the
large open room, he didn’t have a hard time finding her. She was sitting alone
at a table, while the men sat staring at her. Well, glaring was more
appropriate. As soon as they saw the boss walk in, they turned back to their
own food.
When
Denver sat down beside Maddy, she didn’t look up. “Have I messed up again?” She
mumbled as she straightened her spine.
“No,
not that I’m aware of. I just wanted to make sure you came to eat.” He leaned
his head down to see her eyes that she kept facing downward. “Alright, so why
won’t you look up at me?”
“Is
there a need for that?” Again, she mumbled, not looking up.
Finally,
his patience left. He reached out and grasped her jaw, turning her face toward
him. The moment he saw her face, he had to hide his amusement. “Do I need to
ask what happened?”
“No,
I’d prefer you didn’t.” Maddy said, still not looking into his eyes.
“Alright,
I won’t ask how you got spaghetti all over your face.” He pulled a piece of
noodle from her hair. “And in your hair.”
“Thank
you.”
For
a few minutes Denver sat there, looking around at his men who were also
avoiding his gaze. When he couldn’t stand it anymore, he spoke. “I have to
know, did one of the men do this to you?” He clenched his fists into a ball,
thinking of one of them making her miserable and humiliating her.
“No.”
“So,
who did?” Denver looked around, not seeing anyone else.
“I
fell.” Maddy said, sniffing.
“What
do you mean you fell?” He was confused. Then he saw the spaghetti all over the
floor beside the food table. “Are you hurt?”
“No.”
“Then
why are you crying?” He whispered, not wanting to make matters worse by letting
the men overhear him.
“I’m
not crying.” Maddy whimpered.
“OK,
so you’re not crying.” He looked at her uneaten food. “Why aren’t you eating?”
“I’m
not hungry.”
“Humor
me and eat.” Denver said, pointing at the plate. “You’re too small and will
need the strength for your first day.”
“I
told you I’m….” She didn’t finish because he cleared his throat, then picked
up her fork.
“If
you don’t eat, then I’ll have to face Annie and I really don’t want to have to
do that. So please, eat.”
“Alright,
fine.” She took her fork from him and began to eat. It was good. Once she’d ate
half of it, she pushed her plate away. “Happy?”
“Yes,
somewhat. I’d be happier if you’d clean your plate like a good little ranch
hand, but I guess that’s better than nothing.” He stood up, unconsciously
picking up her plate.
“What
are you doing?” She took her plate from him.
“Sorry,
I wasn’t thinking.” Denver frowned as she walked past him to put her plate on
the table. She stood by the kitchen door, waiting for the other men to leave.
He watched as she went into the kitchen to grab a mop. Charlie walked up to
stand beside Denver.
“I’m
impressed. The men wouldn’t clean up their own mess.”
“What
happened anyway?”
“She
was in line with the men and someone sloshed tea on the floor. The next thing I
knew, she was face down in her plate.” Charlie covered his mouth to keep from
laughing. “I’m sorry, but it was rather comical, that is after I knew she was
alright.”
“So
why were the men glaring at her?”
“That
was my fault. When they began laughing, I chastised them.”
“Thank
you.”
“No
problem. But it may have made things worse for her.” Charlie walked over to
Maddy. “Alright Maddy, that’s good. Go get some rest. You’ll need it.” He took
the mop and bucket, then placed them in the kitchen.
Maddy
started for the door, passing Denver without speaking. When he followed her,
she turned and gave him a questioning look. “Why are you following me?”
“I
want to talk to you.”
“About
what?”
“It
would be better if you stayed in the guest room at the house.” Denver said as
they stopped at the door of the cabin.
“No,
that wouldn’t be better. You saw the men; they already think I’m just a weak
girl. I must show them that’s not the case. And moving into the main house sure
won’t help that. I can take care of myself.” Maddy opened the door. “Thanks,
but no thanks.” She started to shut the door, but he pushed it open.
“You
don’t understand, I can make it an order.” Denver said as his anger rose. He
was trying to make sure she was safe and all she was doing was acting stubborn.
“An
order? Well, let me tell you what you can do with your order.” Maddy said but
stopped when she saw the look on his face. It was no use arguing with him, so
she went inside, leaving the door open since his foot was blocking her from
closing it.
“Be
careful what you say. I’m not in the mood for it. Don’t you realize that I’m
trying to protect you?”
“Protect
me from what?” Maddy whirled around, her hands on her hips as she faced him,
looking up at him.
“From
the men. They are good men, but men nonetheless.”
“So,
to protect me from the men, you want me to live in the house with you. How is
that better?”
Denver
huffed out a breath as he tried to rein in his anger. “Look lady, I’m trying to
help you. But if you want to live here, then fine with me.” He turned and
stormed out of the cabin, slamming the door.
Maddy jumped when the door slammed. She let out a frustrated growl as she flung herself on the bed and seethed for a few minutes. Even if she would be safer in the main house, she couldn’t give up her dignity. She saw the way the men looked at her during dinner. They were waiting for her to fail, but she had news for them. She was a strong woman and would conquer this problem on her own.
I hope you enjoyed this short snippet. Have a wonderful Sunday, or what’s left of it…
It’s a cold, rainy Friday here in Georgia, but that doesn’t make the excitement about an upcoming release go away. There’s so much going on right now within my writing world and I can’t hold it back. I have two, yes two Christmas romances coming out this year. Here’s the scoop!
This Sunday, the longest book I’ve ever written will be coming out. ‘Christmas at Mistletoe Ranch’ is over 75,000 words and is such a sweet, good feel romance. It’s the first book in a three book series. Books 2 & 3 will be coming out in 2020. It’s on preorder for only $1.99 until the release this Sunday, November 17th. Then it goes up to $4.99, so grab it fast.
As for the cover reveal, well, when the Christmas spirit strikes hard and heavy, you write two Christmas romances. This little gem is a sweet, and I mean sweet romance. The main characters are complete opposites until they come together over gingerbread cookies and horses, but will it be that simple? Without further talk, here’s the cover for ‘The Christmas Wish’ which will be coming out near the end of November and first of December.
Then there’s a couple of sales on my back list titles. Poor things get lost in the glamour of the new, shiny ones, but here’s an incentive to revive them again!
Beyond One Moment is on sale for only .99 and that’s $2 off the regular price. And don’t forget the 2nd book in this series is coming out soon. Oh yeah, I haven’t mentioned that have I?
Safe in the Pirate’s Arms is on sale for .99. Who can ignore a handsome pirate falling for the nice young lady that stows away on his ship?
And last but not least, ‘Lacey’s Choice’ is only .99 for a limited time. Take a trip to the Swiss Alps in this sweet love story.
Good morning! It’s Tuesday, so it’s time for a teaser. Today I’ll give you a little background into the start of The Journal series. So, here goes:
June 1795 – Salem, Massachusetts
Marina Granger stood peering out the window. She loved her home at the end of the street in Salem. This was the house that she had built with the money from her herb shop on the square. The witch trials were long gone, but she was still thought of as a witch. Despite this, most revered her skills and sought her out when they needed healing from a large assortment of ailments.
As she stood watching the people of the town come and go, she began to think of her lost love. He’d been everything she’d ever wished for and in her heart, Marina knew that one day they’d be together again. She turned her back to the town and walked over to the table where she’d placed the three journals. With loving care, she ran her old, arthritic fingers over the leather-bound books. Even with her skills with herbs and such, she was unable to stop the advancing of age.
With a sigh, Marina lit a candle beside each book. She then reached in the pouch at her side, and sprinkled the contents over them as she spoke, sending a spell over the journals. Marina learned many spells from her grandmother, who’d lost her own grandmother in the horrid witch trials. Even though she’d been deemed innocent, the town clergy didn’t want to take any chances since she had healing powers. With a flourish, Marina waved her hands over the table. A pleasant smile crossed her beautiful face as she thought of the three women from her bloodline that would find their way to the journals in the future. Their love would blossom as the spell took them back to the time period that they belonged in. It would be here that each one of them would find out what their special powers were and how to use them for good.
As she finished the spell, she could hear the men coming to run her out of town. The loud banging on the front door downstairs, had her grabbing her bag and the journals. She pulled a sconce on the wall to reveal the secret corridor in the wall. Marina placed the three journals on a ledge just inside the wall, smiling as she looked at them for one last second. Then she was gone to never be found again, at least not in her time period…
The Knight of Her Heart is the first book in this series, but in book four, you’ll get to find out Marina’s full story. It will be an adventure packed story.
As always, good writing and May God Bless You…
Fall in love with this sweet time travel romance… It will make you want to find a journal of your own…
Good Monday morning. How many of you have a music playlist that is your go to when writing, cleaning, working, or whatever you are doing? Many writers have certain playlists for each kind of scene that are working on. Some people have playlists they play when cleaning the house and others use certain songs when just sitting around, doing nothing at all.
Now, as for me, I have quite an eclectic playlist assortment. If I’m writing a sweet part, I love to listen to soft classical piano music. Although if I’m into a more dramatic part, I love something darker and heavier. I rotate between Evanescence, Journey, Marinas Trench and Mozart. I told you it’s out there. As a writer, I thrive on what’s happening around me. Sounds can affect me in a way that changes the attitude of my character or even the mood of a scene.
So, what’s your playlist like? Do you change with the scenes?
Why are Sunday evenings so hard on us? For one, we know Monday is just hours away and our weekend is almost over. But why do we let it take away from the joy of those last hours of our time off?
I love to write on Sunday evening. It’s like my mind begins to just speed up as though it too knows that the work week is about to begin. I do tend to get in my best word counts on Sunday evening. Strange…
And if you’ve had a busy weekend, you sit and wish for just one more day to rest and recoup from the craziness. Let’s just face it, Monday’s come whether we wish for them to wait a little longer or not. Sunday evening should be spent enjoying life because it’s still the weekend until that alarm clock goes off on Monday morning. So, focus on family, writing, or whatever makes you happy.
Stephanie Hurt - Romance Author 