We are so excited about this wonderful Anthology!
Let’s take a look at the 5 authors that put this together!
Rachelle is the award-winning author of six books, including
Wrong Number, Diamond Rings Are Deadly
Things, and What Every 6th
Grader Needs to Know, as well as the Rone Award-winning novella Silver Cascade Secrets. She and her
family live on a farm in Idaho.
Mrs. Sokol is a bestselling author who has written 14 books, including her fiction: Christmas Kisses: An Echo Ridge Anthology, and Caribbean Crossroads; and her nonfiction: What Every 6th Grader Needs to Know, Faithful, Fit & Fabulous, Simplify & Savor the Season, Create a Powerful Life Plan, and 40 Days with the Savior.
Mrs. Sokol marinates in time spent with her family and eating decadent treats. For her TV segments, blog, podcasts and more, visit www.conniesokol.com.
When she’s not writing, you can find her volunteering at the elementary school or church; shuttling kids to baseball, soccer, basketball, or football, depending on the time of year; skiing with her family; wakeboarding; cycling; baking; cooking; or curled up with a good book.
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Heather Tullis has been reading romance for as long as she can remember and has been
publishing in the genre since 2009. She has published more than twenty books.
When she’s not dreaming up new stories to write, or helping out with her community garden, she enjoys playing with her dogs and cat, inventing new ways to eat chocolate, and hanging out with her husband.
When she’s not dreaming up new stories to write, or helping out with her community garden, she enjoys playing with her dogs and cat, inventing new ways to eat chocolate, and hanging out with her husband.
A portion of the proceeds from Cami's books will be donated to The Child & Family Support Center. For more information on this worthy cause, please go to www.cachecfsc.org.
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"Christmas Kisses is a collection from
five bestselling and award-winning authors. Set in the snowy town of Echo Ridge
in upstate New York, these inspirational romances are sure to delight while you
sip cocoa by the fire and listen to Christmas carols."
Let’s get a sneak peek into one of
these great stories!
5 random facts about Connie's story and
herself
*The
idea was born at a writing conference speaker's table with Rachelle, Christina,
and myself
*My
husband is from upstate New York, where the story is based
*Although
I've penned 13 other books, this is my first novella
*I
write in between raising seven kids
*I'm
originally from Scotland and this year traveled back to Europe for two fabulous
weeks!
Snippet from Soda Fountain Christmas
“Bravo,” Cecilia glanced at her file
folder. “Beautiful speech. I can’t imagine how many times you ran through it
but it’s not going to happen. I’ve already called in the heavy artillery.”
“The what? Who?” Not another
“sure-bet” one-time hire.
“A marketing genius, graduated summa
cum laude from Yale, and works in a marketing agency in my old downtown.”
“As in New York?”
“Yes, that downtown. He knows how to
make the numbers really crunch and that’s what we need this Christmas,
Miss Kenworth. Or the store, you, and every employee here is done.” She leaned
closer, taking off her reading glasses. “No touchy-feely Hallmark campaign is
going to save this sinking ship or get the numbers we need. And certainly not a
Kenworth’s poster-child-turned-marketing assistant. Do I make myself clear?
Tayton Wells is the answer to our problems, with a fat bonus waiting at the end
of the rainbow to ensure success.”
Before Keira could respond to the
rudeness, Cecilia looked past her shoulder to the reception area and smiled.
“Ah, there’s Tayton now. My noon appointment,” she emphasized clearly.
Keira turned to the three people
waiting in the sofa and table area. A dark-haired broad-shouldered man sat in
semi-profile to her, texting on a phone. His briefcase lay on the coffee table
in front of him. Keira pressed her lips together. Rich, “downtown”, and ready
to glam-up her father’s beloved store right out of memory.
Not this time.
Keira spun on her heels and marched
over to him though his head remained down. “Mr. Wells, Keira Kenworth. Excuse
me for being frank but I have to be absolutely clear up front. I’m sure our
little hick city of Echo Ridge can’t compare with the savoir faire of say, 5th
Avenue, but there’s one thing you should know.” She glanced back at Cecilia,
who stood in a rare moment of open mouth and no sound. So what if she was
fired. She’d think about that later.
The man looked up from his phone and
glanced around the room as if to be sure she spoke to him. Keira glanced at
Cecilia but plowed on. “That’s right, I’m talking to you. No Neiman-Marcus suit
ideas will make a bigger impact on our store than the old-fashioned strategy of
creating a family-friendly place to shop. A place that connects people. A
worthy cause that fills their hearts, not just their gift lists. I can
guarantee”—okay, that was stretching it, but in for a penny…--“that not one of
your bottom-line glitzy concepts are going to fly in this town. Not long term.
It doesn’t work that way here.” Her voice rose. “And I will work night and day
to prove that the heart of Christmas is the real secret to saving this store.”
Pause.
Shirley smacked her gum. “Oh, sugar,
that’s a whopper speech right there.”
Keira’s chest heaved slightly while
standing her ground. The man smiled—or was it a smirk? Then he stood up, all
six foot six tall of him. He smiled openly as he appraised her. “For the
record, I’m not—”
Another man suddenly stood next to
Keira. “Are you looking for me?”
A deep baritone voice. Like warm
rushing water. Keira turned to her right. A well-built dark-haired man in a
nice-fitting burgundy jersey and snug jeans stood with a hint of a smile. “I’m
Tayton Wells.”
“You? But I—” Keira willed her face
to remain neutral but could feel the tinge of red spreading from her cheeks to
her earlobes. Glancing back at the original man, he stuck out his hand. “Drew
Stirling. Remember me?”
“Wait, Drew? As in our Echo
Ridge basketball legend? I didn’t recognize you in a suit. I mean, not wearing
sweats.”
Articulate, Keira.
Tayton stepped slightly in front of
Drew, necessitating their handshake to break. Though tall, Tayton only rose to
his shoulders. “I apologize for the confusion between people. As for business
attire, the driver ran late so we didn’t have time to stop at the resort first.
Are we meeting with Ms. Grange right now?”
“Not we. Just you.” Cecilia had
walked over to them. “Drew, I’ll be with you soon, touch base with accounting.
Tayton, in here. Keira, go make yourself useful.” With that she turned on her
red heels and entered her office.
Dismissed. The redness in Keira’s
face burned. Drew grabbed his briefcase and with a nod and smile headed toward
the open office door. Tayton feigned gentlemanly interest in his duffel bag
while Keira shook off the embarrassment, holding her work folder close to her
chest.
He stood. “Sounds like we’ll meet
later then.”
“Apparently.” She shrugged.
“Possibly.” Turning to go, she looked back, surprised to find him watching her.
“I meant what I said, Mr. Wells. If we have to go toe to toe, I’m in the ring.”
He watched her for a moment longer
than he should have then nodded with the start of a smile. “I wouldn’t have it
any other way.”
Not knowing what to do with that,
Keira walked through the open door and into the nearest restroom to calm down.
She forced herself not to beat her hands on the door.
What an utter failure of a morning.
Follow
along on the Facebook Event Page to get an inside look at all the stories in
this Anthology.
Thank you for sharing! This release day has been amazing thanks to bloggers like you.
ReplyDeleteWarmest wishes,
Cami