Welcome Rose Allen McCauley to the blog today. She's been here once before and wanted to visit again, this time to share an excerpt from her Christmas story, Nick's Christmas Carol. The story is one of several in a holiday collection titled "Christmas Belles of Georgia."
Here's a photo of the book cover for Christmas Belles of Georgia:
Book blurb for Rose's story, "Nick’s Christmas Carol": Raised in a wealthy, loveless home, Carol rushes to Monticello from college in Atlanta when she receives her letter. She’s searching for family, but finds instead a boy she once mistreated. Will Nick remember her?...forgive her?
Review of Rose's story, as posted to Amazon.com: "Well-written, these four novellas present an interesting possibility. It definitely kept my interest. Reading the Christmas Belles of Georgia is like finding ribbon candy in your stocking on Christmas morning--delightfully satisfying."~Written by Ane Mulligan on December 19, 2011
WIN a copy of Nick's Christmas Carol by filling out the form on the Rafflecopter widget:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Book blurb for Rose's story, "Nick’s Christmas Carol": Raised in a wealthy, loveless home, Carol rushes to Monticello from college in Atlanta when she receives her letter. She’s searching for family, but finds instead a boy she once mistreated. Will Nick remember her?...forgive her?
Review of Rose's story, as posted to Amazon.com: "Well-written, these four novellas present an interesting possibility. It definitely kept my interest. Reading the Christmas Belles of Georgia is like finding ribbon candy in your stocking on Christmas morning--delightfully satisfying."~Written by Ane Mulligan on December 19, 2011
WIN a copy of Nick's Christmas Carol by filling out the form on the Rafflecopter widget:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Note from Rose (the author) about her story's excerpt: I need to preface this scene with the reason my hero and heroine are dressed like burglars! The have decided to make Christmas brighter for a young single mom with two little girls and are taking them a gift each day for the 12 days leading up to Christmas. In the midst of helping others, they realize they are falling in love.
Nick arrived at seven. Also dressed in black down to his ski mask and gloves, he pulled another ski mask from his pocket. “I love the golden streaks in your hair, but we need to cover it tonight.”
“Thanks.” He’d used the word love again. This time about her hair. Would he ever say he loved her? She took the mask and pulled it over her hair, only leaving her eyes, nose and mouth uncovered.
When she turned to face him, he kissed her on the tip of her nose. “You sure make a cute burglar.”
“I guess that’s better than a cat burglar.”
“I’m allergic to cats, so I’m glad you’re not one.”
“Me, too.” She had a lot to learn about this man, but she already knew the important things like his love for God and others.
He helped her into the truck.
“Thanks.” She looked at the tree filling up most of the truck bed. “It’s beautiful, so full and green.”
Nick hummed then began to sing, “Lavender’s blue, dilly dally. Lavender’s green.” His eyes locked on hers. “I’ve been humming that song ever since we met again this fall. I see your lovely lavender blue eyes every night when I go to sleep and when I awake in the morning.” He moved closer to her. “But tonight, in the dark, your eyes look lavender green.”
“Maybe it’s the reflection from the tree.” Me and my wise mouth. Right when he might have kissed me.
He scooted back to his side and started up the truck. “Maybe.”
The young mom’s home was only a few blocks from the Warren House. They drove the dark streets in silence. Nick shut off the engine and coasted to a stop two doors down in his minister friend’s drive.
“Stay warm inside until I get it untied.” He hopped out of the truck and spent a couple minutes unloading the tree, then brought it around to her door. He tapped on the door—two shorts and three longs.
“I’ve got the heavy end. You get the top of the tree.”
“Okay.” The light brown bird nest near the top glowed in the moonlight. She wished she could be inside when the children noticed it.
They quietly situated the tree on the small front porch. Nick motioned her to go on and hide behind the neighbor’s bushes. As she did, she heard the sound of a doorbell then felt two strong arms around her as he slid into place beside her.
The front door opened. A child’s high-pitched voice hollered out, “Mom, come look what’s on our porch.”
Another child began to clap. “It’s a Cwismas tree, a Cwismas tree.”
Phyllis stood on the porch, her arms around each child protectively.
The older girl pointed up. “Look, Mom, a card.”
The young mother picked off the note and read, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights.” Her gaze searched the yard, and Carol could see the woman’s tears glistening. “God sent us this gift through His helpers.”
“Like Santa’s elves?” asked the younger child.
“Only better.” Phyllis motioned to the taller girl. “Connie, if you get hold of the treetop and pull, I think I can get the rest of the tree inside.”
The shorter child began to jump up and down. “Can we decowate it tonight? Pwease?”
“Yes, honey. God has given us this tree, and we will decorate it to be the prettiest one on the block. I’ll even pop some popcorn and teach you—” The mom’s words faded as the door closed on the happy family.
Carol lifted one gloved hand to wipe at the moisture in her own eyes. Surprised to find her other hand warmly held in Nick’s, she wondered when and how it got there. Although he might not know it, he also held her heart. She loved him.
***
Nick loved the wonder on the faces of the two young girls, and the joy and pleasure he read on Carol’s face. I love Carol Peterson. Now what am I going to do about it?
You’ll have to read the rest of the story to find out!
Note from Rose (the author) about her story's excerpt: I need to preface this scene with the reason my hero and heroine are dressed like burglars! The have decided to make Christmas brighter for a young single mom with two little girls and are taking them a gift each day for the 12 days leading up to Christmas. In the midst of helping others, they realize they are falling in love.
Excerpt from Chapter 13 in Nick's Christmas Carol:
Nick arrived at seven. Also dressed in black down to his ski mask and gloves, he pulled another ski mask from his pocket. “I love the golden streaks in your hair, but we need to cover it tonight.”
“Thanks.” He’d used the word love again. This time about her hair. Would he ever say he loved her? She took the mask and pulled it over her hair, only leaving her eyes, nose and mouth uncovered.
When she turned to face him, he kissed her on the tip of her nose. “You sure make a cute burglar.”
“I guess that’s better than a cat burglar.”
“I’m allergic to cats, so I’m glad you’re not one.”
“Me, too.” She had a lot to learn about this man, but she already knew the important things like his love for God and others.
He helped her into the truck.
“Thanks.” She looked at the tree filling up most of the truck bed. “It’s beautiful, so full and green.”
Nick hummed then began to sing, “Lavender’s blue, dilly dally. Lavender’s green.” His eyes locked on hers. “I’ve been humming that song ever since we met again this fall. I see your lovely lavender blue eyes every night when I go to sleep and when I awake in the morning.” He moved closer to her. “But tonight, in the dark, your eyes look lavender green.”
“Maybe it’s the reflection from the tree.” Me and my wise mouth. Right when he might have kissed me.
He scooted back to his side and started up the truck. “Maybe.”
The young mom’s home was only a few blocks from the Warren House. They drove the dark streets in silence. Nick shut off the engine and coasted to a stop two doors down in his minister friend’s drive.
“Stay warm inside until I get it untied.” He hopped out of the truck and spent a couple minutes unloading the tree, then brought it around to her door. He tapped on the door—two shorts and three longs.
“I’ve got the heavy end. You get the top of the tree.”
“Okay.” The light brown bird nest near the top glowed in the moonlight. She wished she could be inside when the children noticed it.
They quietly situated the tree on the small front porch. Nick motioned her to go on and hide behind the neighbor’s bushes. As she did, she heard the sound of a doorbell then felt two strong arms around her as he slid into place beside her.
The front door opened. A child’s high-pitched voice hollered out, “Mom, come look what’s on our porch.”
Another child began to clap. “It’s a Cwismas tree, a Cwismas tree.”
Phyllis stood on the porch, her arms around each child protectively.
The older girl pointed up. “Look, Mom, a card.”
The young mother picked off the note and read, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights.” Her gaze searched the yard, and Carol could see the woman’s tears glistening. “God sent us this gift through His helpers.”
“Like Santa’s elves?” asked the younger child.
“Only better.” Phyllis motioned to the taller girl. “Connie, if you get hold of the treetop and pull, I think I can get the rest of the tree inside.”
The shorter child began to jump up and down. “Can we decowate it tonight? Pwease?”
“Yes, honey. God has given us this tree, and we will decorate it to be the prettiest one on the block. I’ll even pop some popcorn and teach you—” The mom’s words faded as the door closed on the happy family.
Carol lifted one gloved hand to wipe at the moisture in her own eyes. Surprised to find her other hand warmly held in Nick’s, she wondered when and how it got there. Although he might not know it, he also held her heart. She loved him.
***
Nick loved the wonder on the faces of the two young girls, and the joy and pleasure he read on Carol’s face. I love Carol Peterson. Now what am I going to do about it?
You’ll have to read the rest of the story to find out!
~*~
Author bio:
Rose Allen McCauley has five fiction books published now, and this was her first fiction anthology for Barbour. Can you tell Christmas books are her favorites?
A retired schoolteacher who has been happily married to her college sweetheart for over four decades, she is also mother to three grown children and their spouses and grandmother to five lovely, lively kids with one more on the way!
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Buy Rose's book on Amazon and B&N (Barnes and Noble)
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Buy Rose's book on Amazon and B&N (Barnes and Noble)
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Connect with Rose:
Website - www.rosemccauley.com
Facebook- http://on.fb.me/1LrXNoS
Follow her on Twitter @RoseAMcCauley
My favorite Christmas song is O Holy Night. Thanks for a chance to win.
ReplyDeleteHi, Debra! Thanks for visiting my blog today! "O Holy Night" is a very nice Christmas song. Very peaceful. Have you heard Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir's version of it? So beautiful! :) Good luck in the book giveaway contest! Take care and God bless you.
DeleteDebra Smith, thanks for reading and entering the drawing! Have a wonderful Christmas!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks to Alexis Goring for hosting me. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
ReplyDeleteThank YOU for being my guest, Rose. Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones too! :)
DeleteI'm sure Rose will have additional books by Barbour ~ this sounds charming.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't it sound like a delightful story? Did you enter the book giveaway contest, Jenna V?
DeleteJenna V, thanks for reminding me. Yes, I have another book by Barbour that just came out in July named "The Courageous Brides collection" Hope you can get it and also check on amazon for my other 3 books! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
ReplyDeleteNick's Christmas Carol sounds like a good story.
ReplyDeleteHi, Ann! Yes, it does sound like it's a good story! :) Thanks for visiting my blog. Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.
DeleteAnn Ellison, hope you can get a copy, maybe in your Christmas stocking!
ReplyDelete