Delia Latham's Blog, page 13

Snow Globe Dreams (Teresa Ives Lilly)

(A guest post by Teresa Ives Lilly)

Snow Globe Dreams

Have you ever seen a snow globe in a store, and wished you could be transported into the snow wonder world? 
I have to admit, I regularly do.  Being born in 1962 I feel as if I missed out on the gentle time of life, when the world was more like 'It's a Wonderful Life.'
But what snow globe world would you transport into?  A Santa Village, a Thomas Kincaide Village, or even a New York City Village? The possibilities are endless, but for me, it would be a small village, where no cars spoil the road, where people have taffy pulls, sing Christmas carols, bake sugar cookies and understand the true reason for the season is Jesus Christ.
Whatever you would like your snow globe Christmas to be, I hope you will consider reading one of my newest releases, Snow Globe Romance.  This is a Christian Romance Novella and will transport you to that village I spoke of.
Enjoy the journey.



Snow Globe Romance
When Elsa finds an old snow globe in the attic of the New York City mansion where she works as a cook’s assistant, she is magically transported to the quaint Snow Globe Village where she meets the long lost grandson of her employer and is offered a chance to become a baker and his wife... Will Grant convince her to stay in the Snow Globe Village or will she turn the snow globe upside down and take them both back to a place where it would be impossible for them to share a life of love?

*****************************


A mini-interview with Teresa:

What inspired you to write Snow Globe Dreams?I was at a thrift store and found a snow globe and thought what a great story I could write about one.

Which character in your new release did you most enjoy writing? Why?
I love the young maid because, although hysterical at times, she is resilient as well.

What, if anything, do you and your heroine have in common?

We both love Snow Globe worlds.




Teresa Ives Lilly writes Christian Romance Novellas.
She lives in San Antonio with her husband and near
her grown children. She loves to hear from her readers at teresaiveslilly@yahoo.com. You can see her other books
at Teresa Ives Lilly.

Christmas Extravaganza: Christmas Lights

by Tanya Hanson


The Christmas party at Hearts Crossing Ranch is the highlight of the Season in Mountain Cove, Colorado, but Lori Lazaro longs to be anywhere else...until a handsome cowboy driving a one-horse open sleigh starts a journey of the heart. Deep down, she doesn't want it to end, but it must. Heston Calhoun lives life in the spotlight, and after past trauma, Lori needs the comfort of a life in the shadows.
Lori Lazaro stirs Heston like no woman ever has before. Sure, his family stars in a popular unscripted television show about ranch life, but he’s not going to let Lori’s skittishness end their story before it even begin s. Having faced dark moments in his own past assures him God can brighten her future. He simply needs to convince Lori that together, they’ll write a happy ending after all.

Kindle          Nook             ePub/Adobe/Mobi




About Tanya Hanson

California beach girl and country grandma Tanya Hanson lives on the Central Coast with her firefighter husband and enjoys family, travel, and volunteering  at the local horse rescue. 

Review
I love a good Christmas tale, and especially enjoy novellas—short and sweet, for the busy holiday season. CHRISTMAS LIGHTS is a short, sweet Christmas tale…a really good one. But it’s so much more than that.
I’m becoming increasingly impressed with Tanya Hanson’s style of writing. No one writes prettier descriptions of scenery. But this author is more than description. Turns of phrase. Humor in the most unexpected places at the most unexpected times. Heart and soul.
Magic. Her writing is magic.
In CHRISTMAS LIGHTS, Hanson tackles a subject not often seen in Christian fiction, and certainly not in a holiday romance. It's not a cheery subject. It isn’t a topic discussed around the fireside over mugs of egg nog and hot cider. Yet it's a situation in which this amazing author places her character and brings a loathsome crime into play. She does it with grace and tact and finesse.
The hero is a cowboy whose family ranch is a reality show. He's utterly perfect. Then again, not exactly. But his imperfection isn’t even worth mentioning…or is it?
The heroine is a writer with a load of emotional baggage, who guards her privacy with fierce determination. She hides a horrifying secret—and a suddenly misbehaving heart...at Christmas time, with her 6-year-old niece in tow, and television cameras in every corner. She’s more than a little camera shy, and with the best of reasons.
Hanson turns the task of creating a happy-ever-after for these unlikely characters into a beautiful, romantic, interesting journey. CHRISTMAS LIGHTS is well and truly worth the read.


Mini-interview
Which character in your new release did you most enjoy writing? Why?
It’d have to be Heston. Not only do I find that cowboys make terrific heroes, I also love his sensitivity and patience with Lori. He’s curious, but he doesn’t push, and is respectful of the darkness that’s derailing her. I’m so glad the Lord let him help her find the Light.   What makes you laugh out loud?
I find most sitcoms inane , but The Big Bang Theory makes me laugh out loud. I’m still chuckling at the recent episode when the guys want to avoid answering their ladies so they speak to each other in Klingon. I also laughed out loud years ago when I was in the school library on a translation website trying to find a Latin phrase. When I scrolled down the list of actual languages, there it was in the mist of them: Klingon. Sheesh.
Please share a verse of scripture that is especially meaningful to you, and why it is special.
It has to be Psalm 121:1—I will lift up my eyes to the hills from whence cometh my help. Nine years ago, my husband was battling testicular cancer and nearly lost his life to complications from chemotherapy. Although this particular chemo protocol often cures this horrific disease, it takes a miserable toll on the human body, and there were far too many mornings when I thought he’d died in the night. But each morning, the TopaTopa mountains near us caught my eye ,and I’d just recite this verse over and over, and pray and cry until there was almost nothing left. But there was—my Lord and Saviour who saved me yet again.
And my sweetheart, too. Three years ago, he reached the point of remission where he can now say he is cured. Every day, he enjoys being a grandpa to the world’s three most amazing little ones. LOL.

Clash of the Titles Oct-Nov 2016

It's the end of our CLASH year, and we've lined up some awesome holiday reading (and gift ideas!) for this month's Clash of the Titles.
Vote for your Ideal curl up in front of a fire read!

Scroll through these releases and cast your vote for your perfect idea of a next read.

It's a tough choice, but it's up to you to determine our Clash Champion!


Risking Love
Brenda S. Anderson


A play-it-safe bank employee falls for a down-on-his-luck, risk-taking widower.Can she risk loving a man whose home she may have to take away?


An Unexpected Role
Leslea Wahl


Josie's island getaway becomes the summer of her dreams as friendships grow,
romance blossoms and a series of thefts surround her with excitement. But as
she sets out to solve the mystery she has become entangled in, she not only
realizes the importance of relying on her faith but along the way also
discovers her true self.


Forest Child
Heather Day Gilbert


Historically based on the Icelandic Sagas, Forest Child brings the memorable,conflicted persona of Freydis Eiriksdottir to life and is Book Two in the
bestselling Vikings of the New World Saga.


 Can't Help Falling
Kara Isaac


A funny, heartfelt romance about how an antique shop, a wardrobe, and a
mysterious tea cup bring two C.S. Lewis fans together in a snowy and
picturesque Oxford, England.


The Cautious Maiden
Dawn Crandall


In an effort to salvage her good name, Violet is forced into an engagement with
a taciturn acquaintance; Vance Everstone. With danger stalking her and a new
fiance who hides both his emotion and his past, Violet must decide who to trust
and who to leave behind. 




The Thorn Healer
Pepper D. Basham


A wounded nurse battles resentment against a German prisoner as the two work together to save an Appalachian town from deception and disease in the wake of World War 1.



VOTE BELOW!

If you have trouble viewing the entire survey Click Here to load a dedicated page to the survey. 


<a href="https://cott.space/msurvey/view.php?i..." title="October/November 2016 Clash of the Titles ">October/November 2016 Clash of the Titles </a>

Christmas Extravaganza: A Christmas Homecoming

by MaryAnn Diorio


When Sonia Pettit’s 17-year-old daughter goes missing, Sonia faces losing her mind, her marriage, and her faith.
Seven Christmases have passed since Sonia Pettit last heard from her daughter Jody. Since Jody’s departure, Sonia’s world has been turned upside down. Her husband has died of a broken heart, and her son, bitter over his sister’s destructive actions, has become rebellious.
Her greatest desire is to have her family together at Christmas, but after what Jody has put them all through, can Sonia truly forgive her daughter?
Jody Pettit O’Dair ran away to experience a life of adventure and excitement, but since her departure, her world has been turned upside down. She’s been abandoned by the man she met and married, lost her job, and is unable to care for her two children. With nowhere else to turn, this prodigal daughter begins the long journey home and prays she will be welcomed after walking away so long ago.
Will Jody find forgiveness in the arms of her family as easily as she received it from God?

Kindle          Nook          ePub/Adobe

About MaryAnn Diorio:
Dr. MaryAnn Diorio is a widely published, award-winning author who writes riveting, compelling fiction that deals with the deepest issues of the human heart. Her latest novel is THE MADONNA OF PISANO, volume one in the trilogy titled THE ITALIAN CHRONICLES. Book two, A SICILIAN FAREWELL, is scheduled for released December 15, 2016. MaryAnn resides in New Jersey with her husband Dominic of 47 years, a retired Emergency Room physician. They are the blessed parents of two amazing adult daughters, a wonderful son-in-law, and five rambunctious grandchildren. In her spare time, MaryAnn likes to read, paint in oils and acrylic, play the piano, and make up silly songs for her grandchildren. You may reach MaryAnn at www.maryanndiorio.com.


Review:
A Christmas Homecoming is a well-written, heart-stirring tale of a family dealing with hurt, heartache, and—ultimately—healing. It’s packed with emotion…the author is skilled at strumming the heartstrings. As a mother, my heart was torn for Sonia. Also as a mother, I yearned to pull Jody into my arms and grant her forgiveness, redemption, and welcome. I wanted to hug Ben hard, and then read him the riot act for making bad decisions and not showing his mother proper respect. I confess to being a little disappointed in the ultra-short length of the book, only because the story contains an abundance of rich detail that could have been mined a little deeper, as well as great characters who begged for further development. Lengthening the journey would have made a good, touching story even more satisfying. Still, this is a great Christmas read that I truly enjoyed and am happy to recommend.

Mini-interview:
What inspired you to write A CHRISTMAS HOMECOMING?
Years ago, a cousin of mine disappeared from home. To some extent, I witnessed firsthand the wide gamut of emotions experienced by her immediate family and her extended family.  I wanted to write a story to show that forgiveness alone could bring healing to a broken family.
What makes you laugh out loud?
My husband’s jokes. After 47 years of marriage, I still laugh at his jokes as though I am hearing them for the first time.
Please share a verse of scripture that is especially meaningful to you, and why it is special.
John 8:32—“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Knowing the truth has always been of the utmost priority in my life. Knowing the truth begins with knowing Truth Himself, Jesus Christ. Much of my early life was filled with lies that put me in bondage without my realizing it. When I came to Christ and began to study His Word, Holy Spirit revealed to me, little by little, the many lies I had been believing. He told me that He was tearing down the foundation of lies in my life and rebuilding my life on His Truth.  Behind every bondage is a lie. The more I have renounced the lie and embraced the Truth, the more I have been set free. 

Christmas Extravaganza 2016 Highlights

I will be highlighting wonderful Christmas novellas from now through the end of the year, right here on Chirp 'N Chatter...starting today! (Two novellas are featured below, each in its own post.)

We all love to sneak in a few minutes of relaxation during the busy holiday season. What better way to "escape" than into the pages of a sweet Christmas story? And where better to find that kind of reading than Pelican Book Group's annual Christmas Extravaganza, in which an entire two dozen novellas celebrate life, love and the Christmas Spirit?

Most of the books featured during the upcoming weeks are Extravaganza titles. A few are not. All are delightful, and sure to generate just the right mood to make the holidays cheery and bright.

Please check back in and take a look, every Tuesday and Friday throughout the rest of the year for Pelican titles. Drop in on Wednesdays and Thursdays for highlights from great Christmas titles not published through Pelican.

Enjoy!

Christmas Extravaganza: Down in Yon Forest

by Clare Revell



There will be trouble in Paradise this Christmas.

Having suffered a panic attack during a performance, violinist Meredith Stranraer flees to the small town of Paradise where her grandparents live. For some strange reason, they don’t want her around, and their rejection is more than unsettling. It’s downright alarming. Jeremiah Mantle is the local forest ranger. His assignment is to watch the girl in the red cloak from a distance--to protect her as well as the forest. Falling in love, however, is definitely not in his job description. But it becomes increasingly harder to deny their mutual attraction.But this Christmas, something wicked waits in the woods, and a dark past seems determined to rip them apart. 

Read an excerpt

Purchase:ePub/Mobi/Adobe     Kindle


About Clare Revell

Clare is a British author. She lives in a small town just outside Reading, England with her husband, whom she married in 1992, their three children, and unfriendly mini-panther, aka Tilly the black cat. Clare is half English and half Welsh, which makes watching rugby interesting at times as it doesn’t matter who wins.
Writing from an early childhood and encouraged by her teachers, she graduated from rewriting fairy stories through fan fiction to using her own original characters and enjoys writing an eclectic mix of romance, crime fiction and children's stories. When she's not writing, she can be found reading, crocheting or doing the many piles of laundry the occupants of her house manage to make.
Her books are based in the UK, with a couple of exceptions, thus, although the spelling may be American, the books contain British language and terminology.
The first draft of every novel is hand written.
She has been a Christian for more than half her life. She goes to Carey Baptist where she is one of four registrars.
She can be found at:
Website               FacebookTwitter                 BlogPinterest             InstagramAmazon UK        Amazon

Review:

I so enjoyed this Christmas tale -- and, oh what mesmerizing cover art! That alone would make me want to read the book, but here's a little secret...what's inside lives up to the promise delivered by that killer cover. 

Meredith and Jeremiah’s attraction is instant and I always love a little spark that catches right away and builds throughout the story, ultimately becoming a force to be reckoned with. Shadows of a familiar fairy tale are delicately wound through the tapestry of this story line, in a bright, riveting thread that demands to be followed from beginning to end. An underlying mystery tantalizes—quietly seduces the reader’s attention, yet doesn’t overpower. Ms. Revell walks that subtle line with grace and finesse. Completely enchanting!

Mini-interview

What inspired you to write Down in Yon Forest?
I’ve always loved fairy stories. In fact, the first stories I ever wrote in primary school, which I still have because Dad kept the books (!), were rewrites on Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf. Over and over and over. Don’t think I wrote anything else. Then I thought about putting it in a modern setting and this is the result.
What household task do you most dislike? Which do you most enjoy?
Ironing and dusting come a joint first in the dislike stakes. I have to have ‘ironing music’ on, because I iron in time to the music and it gets it done faster. Dusting is done when it has to be… ie, when my parents come over.
I love cooking. Which is just as well, as no one else much does it in my house. Though now the girls are older, they have one night a week when they cook. I prefer proper dinners, not get it out the freezer and chuck it in the oven dinners.
Please share a verse of scripture that is especially meaningful to you, and why it is special.
Well, again there are two. The first one hangs over my bed and has done since I was three or thereabouts. It’s actually in the Bible twice. 1 Peter 5:7 and Psalm 55:22. It just reminds me of no matter what there is Someone out there who has my back, even when it doesn’t seem like it.
And the other… well it’s the Trekkie in me. Yes, live long and prosper is in the Bible. Deut 5:33  ;-)

(Walk in obedience to all that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.)

Christmas Extravaganza: The Widow's Captive

by Lucette Nel


About THE WIDOW'S CAPTIVE:


On the run with two small children and a third due within weeks, Adeline Spencer fears the approaching blizzard will seal their fate. An abandoned cabin is an answer to her prayers. She hopes it will shield them from both the storm and the enraged brother-in-law hot on her tail. But when a stranger knocks at the door, she is convinced they have been found by one of Ward’s lackeys.

Blamed for the death of his friend, Sheriff Jonah Hale is determined to prove himself worthy of his badge, even if it means riding into a blizzard to check on a crazy miner. When Jonah reaches the cabin, he’s caught off guard by a pretty and very pregnant young woman wielding a skillet. Bound to a chair while the storm rages, and as Christmas settles in around them, he must find a way to earn Adeline’s trust…and perhaps her heart.
ePub/Adobe/MobiKindle

About Lucette:
Lucy Nel is a coffee addicted work-in-progress daughter of the Lord Almighty. She's a mommy to a rambunctious toddler and wife to her best friend and real-life hero. Along with three spoiled Pugs, they make their home in Gauteng, the smallest of nine provinces in South Africa.
During the day, she's a bookkeeper. At night when the world sleeps, she delves into her passion, creating interesting characters in historical settings.
She's a member of American Christian Fiction and her dream came true when she recently signed a contract with Pelican Book Group for her Christmas themed novella, The Widow's Captive.
One of her favorite quotes about writing is by C.S. Lewis: You can make anything by writing.

Her favorite verse is Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
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Review:

First page to last, this story is a wonderful, exhilarating, fast and furious ride…I loved it! Sheriff Jonah—brave, kind and considerate, handsome and sometimes downright huggable—is the picture-perfect hero. Adeline and her adorable kiddies grab the heartstrings right from the get-go, despite their less-than-welcoming first-time encounter with the hunky lawman. Throw in a snowed-in cabin, a baby in a hurry to be born, and a bad guy with a gun and a mean streak, and…well, what’s not to love? THE WIDOW’S CAPTIVE…captivates. Absolutely recommended for readers who love a good cowboy tale, a nice Christian romance, a chunk of charm and a peck of pizzazz.

Mini-interview:
Which character in THE WIDOW'S CAPTIVE did you most enjoy writing? Why?
Ethan! I love the little dude desperately trying to be a man, while he’s still just a little boy.
What smell do you love most, and why?
Petrichor. (I didn’t know there was a word to describe the smell until I recently saw a post on Facebook.) It’s that scent you get when rain falls on dry soil. I love it; it signifies a fresh and new start.
Please share a verse of scripture that is especially meaningful to you, and why it is special.
Philippians 4:13 (NKJV) )— I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
I lost my mother as a teen. All of the sudden up felt down and right felt left. This verse helped me cope with grieving and many other challenges I’ve faced since then.

Got my first review for "The First Noelle"

I was invited to visit Quills & Inkblotts, and what a wonderful visit it was! I'm lovin' Robin Scopee's review of my upcoming release, The First Noelle...and I sure did enjoy the mini-interview.

Come on over and join us...we're having a pre-Christmas blast!

Quills and Inkblotts: Author Interview and Book Review: "The First Noell...: 'Tis the season to curl up with a throw blanket and a good Christmas themed story, isn't it? Pelican Book Group is releasing their...

Big Roy, Old Southern Sayings, and Fathers

Guest post By Janet W. Ferguson

“Sounds like you’re busier than
a one-legged cat in a litter box.”

One of my favorite characters to write has been Big Roy Bosarge in Blown Together, book 4 of the Southern Hearts Series. Sure I love the hero, Sam, and the heroine, Elinor, but Elinor’s father, Big Roy, made an appearance in book 2, Going Up South, and right away, I knew he had to have a bigger part in a novel.
Roy’s a huge hulk of a man, but his heart is just as big. He makes the perfect father figure for Elinor and her sisters. He’s protective, but fair and loving. He has permanent smile lines that crinkle by his eyes, and his laugh is loud and hardy. One of the most enjoyable bits of research that came with his character was his manner of speech. He’s so Southern-country. I mean really country-talking.
I grew up and still live in the South. Granted, not all of us talk like Big Roy does anymore, but I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many a country storyteller in my lifetime. I don’t believe they’re all gone!
I’ve listed a few of my favorite phrases I found and used for Big Roy. (A lot of them seem to have to do with dogs and cats.) “No sense you being as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.”“He’s taking my place and is handier than indoor plumbing.”“I think this partnership will make us both happier than a tick on a fat dog.”“I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but Elinor Elizabeth can be a little intense. Kinda like a cat in a dog pound.”“Sam-man is handier than a coat pocket to have around…”As you can see, I really liked Big Roy, especially as a loving father figure. If you don’t have that kind of father, remember you have a heavenly Father who knows the number of hairs on your head and holds you lovingly in the palm of His hand. He won’t fail you! Big Roy might say, “He’ll love you like his long lost huntin’ dog.”
Blessing, and I hope you enjoy Blown Together!


About the Author:
Janet W. Ferguson grew up in Mississippi and received a degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Mississippi. She has served her church as a children’s minister and a youth volunteer. An avid reader, she worked as a librarian at a large public high school. Janet and her husband have two grown children, one really smart dog, and a few cats that allow them to share the space.



Connect with JanetJanet's Website     Facebook     Twitter


About the Book: When love storms in…
Wealth manager Sam Conrad is accustomed to his domineering father ordering him around, especially at the bank where they both work. But when his father demands that Sam manage the inheritance of his bossy ex-fiancée, Sam has finally had enough. He leaves in search of a new life, and attorney Big Roy Bosarge from Mobile, Alabama agrees to mentor Sam on his quest for direction. Sam didn’t expect to be thrown together with Big Roy’s eccentric and opinionated daughter.
Storm damage forces lonely romance writer Elinor Bosarge and her hairless cat, Mr. Darcy, out of her Fort Morgan Beach cottage. She plans to take refuge in the boathouse on her parents’ estate, but finds the place already occupied by one of her father’s “projects.” She’s shocked her father would allow another young man onto the property after his last mentee robbed her family and broke her heart. And from the moment she meets Sam Conrad, they disagree about everything from her cat to how to best renovate a local nursing home.
Between her mother’s health issues and the hurricane brewing in the Gulf, Elinor feels like her life is being ripped apart. It doesn’t help that she’s falling for the man she’s determined not to trust. Sam finds himself drawn to Elinor, wanting to help her and this new family he’s grown to love. But can he overcome the barrier she’s built to keep him out? When the storm rages and the two of them are blown together, can Elinor find the faith to open her heart again?

Buy Now:
Amazon     Barnes & Noble




Visit all the stops along the tour

Love at Christmas Inn Premiere Event

Four award-winning authors! Four breathtaking romance novellas!
Release Day Event for Christmas Bells are Ringing (Book 1)
Friday, Nov. 4, 7 p.m. EDTon our Facebook page
Heiress Ariana Christmas is in trouble. Fed up with her wastrel life full of parties, hot spot appearances and Internet scandals, her parents cut her allowance, her cell phone access and her car. Then they send her to the back of beyond…Hope Springs, Tennessee. Her aunt has suffered a mild heart attack and needs help restoring Christmas Inn to its past glory. All Ariana wants is to get the job done and get back to her life. What she doesn’t count on is the famous old inn weaving its way into her soul…not to mention the handsome young contractor who sees the Inn as it could be, not what it is. Can he do the same for Ariana?
Taylor Knox is a man with a plan. After years of handling the family’s construction business everything is set for his brother to take over. Taylor is determined to finish his education and complete his dream to become an architect. But first, Knox Construction has to complete renovations of Christmas Inn…a task made more difficult by the arrival of Little Miss Entitled. Ariana Christmas throws Taylor’s plans and schedule into complete disarray, threatening the completion of the work and his future. That doesn’t even begin to cover what she does to his heart.

The other three books in the Love at Christmas Inn collection are available for pre-order NOW on Amazon!  Authors include: Tanya Stowe, Marianne Evans, Mary Manners, and Delia Latham.