Read the details about Tanya's books below then remember to enter the book giveaway contest by filling out the Rafflecopter widget toward the end of this blog post.
Enjoy!
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Blurb for To Gain a Mommy (book): When Hope Michaels decides to face her past, she unknowingly purchases the house across the street from her former fiancé—the man her twin sister married, then widowed. Fire Captain Carl McGuire can put out any flame, except for the one Hope sparks within him—some things never change.
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Review of Tanya's book:"To Gain a Mommy is a beautiful story that was a joy to read. I could not stop until I read the last word and would love to see a sequel to this amazing novella. The characters are realistic and well developed. The past for Hope Michaels and Carl McGuire had to be resolved before their lives could move forward. Add in Carl’s children, Mary and Brody, and Hope’s dog, Goldie, and you have the perfect combination to aid Carl and Hope. There is plenty of action with true to life issues, along with laughter, sorrow, forgiveness, determination, romance, and trust being restored. Tanya Eavenson created a beautiful story filled with grace, mercy, forgiveness and love as Jesus has shown to each one. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read To Gain a Mommy. I look forward to reading Eavenson’s next book or novella." ~Marilyn Ridgway
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Excerpt from Chapter One of To Gain A Mommy:
Carl McGuire smiled and shook his head as his eight-year-old son, Brody, held the sheer curtain and stared out the window at some poor, unsuspecting woman across the street.
Brody pointed, excitement dancing in his wide eyes. “Did you see the dog? He was standing by the palm tree a minute ago.”
“No,” Mary huffed, moving her younger brother to the side, swiping the tan fabric from him. “What does she look like?” She followed his stare out the window.
“She’s golden brown. And how do you know the dog is a girl? You can’t tell from here.”
“I’m not talking about the dog. The lady. What does she look like?”
“Who cares about her? Look at the dog.”
Carl leaned back in his desk chair, setting his phone down. The woman had no idea what she was about to encounter being their neighbor, but if she did indeed own a dog, she’d find out soon enough. Perhaps he could go over and warn her before it was too late. “Why don’t you give our new neighbor some privacy?”
Mary perked up and turned from the window. “I have a better idea. Why don’t we go over and say hi? It’s the neighborly thing to do. Love your neighbor as yourself, you always say.”
How conveniently she recalled scripture when it suited. Only last week she totally ignored his comment to ‘obey your parents.’ Even if there was only one parent, it still applied.
“Yeah, dad!” Brody pushed past his sister to stand near the door, so if Carl agreed, he’d be the first out. “I’m sure she’ll let us play with her dog while she moves her stuff from the truck.”
Carl had actually thought about going over to introduce himself and his children when the moving truck had first pulled into the driveway earlier that day, but several phone calls later, the fire department’s fundraiser was finally underway. As captain, he had an obligation not only to the townspeople and their safety but also to raise money for needed improvements to the fire fighters’ “home away from home.”
He glanced at the list of numbers he still needed to call. “Maybe tomorrow. We can take some cookies or something.”
“But Dad, it’s a golden retriever.”
As if the breed of the dog would change his mind. “Sorry, buddy. I still have too much to do.”
Mary released the curtain. “She has blond hair, but that’s all I could tell.” She rounded the couch and plopped down in the recliner. “You know, if you’d just get him a dog, it might cure his dog fascination.”
“Thank you, Mary. I’ll keep that in mind.” Even though his daughter stayed silent, he sensed she wanted to say more but held her tongue, something she’d been doing more often lately.
Being a single parent wasn’t easy, but he’d always known where he stood with Mary and what was on her mind. Now he wasn’t so sure and it bothered him. She’d be a teenager in less than six weeks and was growing up much too fast. Every day he’d been noticing little things that reminded him of Faith, memories of what he used to have before she was taken in a hit-and-run. Some days like today were painfully real.
“…are you listening? We’re hungry.”
Carl blinked twice, pushing his thoughts away as he glanced at the time on his phone. “What do you want to eat?” He stood and slid his cell into his pocket.
Mary linked her arm through his. “Can I go to Tiffany’s house Tuesday for a sleepover?”
Brody ran past them into the kitchen and opened the freezer. “I thought we’re going to Grandma’s?”
“You are. I’m on shift.” He patted his daughter’s hand as it slid from his arm. “Maybe next week.”
“Why I can’t go? I’m a teenager now. I can take care of myself. Besides, it would be easier for Grandma if I wasn’t there. One less mouth to feed.”
“You know how I feel about staying together while I’m on shift. I don’t have to worry about your safety. And besides, Grandma fixes us food regardless or sends it home with us. Speaking of”—he opened the refrigerator—“are you in the mood for leftovers?”
Brody yanked out a pizza. “How about pizza?”
“Not pizza again.” Mary sank to a barstool. Her lips protruded slightly into a pout.
“Okay.” Brody stuffed the pizza back in the freezer and held out two more options. “We have pizza rolls or pizza pockets. I like either one.”
Carl chuckled, swiping his wallet and keys from the counter. “Grab your shoes. We’ll get something to eat.” He went into his room and put on his running shoes, but as he was walking out, the picture of Faith on his dresser caught his eye. The ache in his chest dimmed over the years, but never quite vanished. She gazed back at him, her smile brilliant. Breathtaking. And a mirror image of—
He shook his head to focus on the present and his two hungry children. Walking back into the living room, he yelled, “We ready?” The front door was open. They must be waiting for him by the truck.
In an instant, an ear piercing scream cut through the air, straight down the center of his heart.
Mary.
~*~
Author bio:
Blurb for To Gain a Mommy (book): When Hope Michaels decides to face her past, she unknowingly purchases the house across the street from her former fiancé—the man her twin sister married, then widowed. Fire Captain Carl McGuire can put out any flame, except for the one Hope sparks within him—some things never change.
~*~
Review of Tanya's book:"To Gain a Mommy is a beautiful story that was a joy to read. I could not stop until I read the last word and would love to see a sequel to this amazing novella. The characters are realistic and well developed. The past for Hope Michaels and Carl McGuire had to be resolved before their lives could move forward. Add in Carl’s children, Mary and Brody, and Hope’s dog, Goldie, and you have the perfect combination to aid Carl and Hope. There is plenty of action with true to life issues, along with laughter, sorrow, forgiveness, determination, romance, and trust being restored. Tanya Eavenson created a beautiful story filled with grace, mercy, forgiveness and love as Jesus has shown to each one. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read To Gain a Mommy. I look forward to reading Eavenson’s next book or novella." ~Marilyn Ridgway
~*~
Excerpt from Chapter One of To Gain A Mommy:
Carl McGuire smiled and shook his head as his eight-year-old son, Brody, held the sheer curtain and stared out the window at some poor, unsuspecting woman across the street.
Brody pointed, excitement dancing in his wide eyes. “Did you see the dog? He was standing by the palm tree a minute ago.”
“No,” Mary huffed, moving her younger brother to the side, swiping the tan fabric from him. “What does she look like?” She followed his stare out the window.
“She’s golden brown. And how do you know the dog is a girl? You can’t tell from here.”
“I’m not talking about the dog. The lady. What does she look like?”
“Who cares about her? Look at the dog.”
Carl leaned back in his desk chair, setting his phone down. The woman had no idea what she was about to encounter being their neighbor, but if she did indeed own a dog, she’d find out soon enough. Perhaps he could go over and warn her before it was too late. “Why don’t you give our new neighbor some privacy?”
Mary perked up and turned from the window. “I have a better idea. Why don’t we go over and say hi? It’s the neighborly thing to do. Love your neighbor as yourself, you always say.”
How conveniently she recalled scripture when it suited. Only last week she totally ignored his comment to ‘obey your parents.’ Even if there was only one parent, it still applied.
“Yeah, dad!” Brody pushed past his sister to stand near the door, so if Carl agreed, he’d be the first out. “I’m sure she’ll let us play with her dog while she moves her stuff from the truck.”
Carl had actually thought about going over to introduce himself and his children when the moving truck had first pulled into the driveway earlier that day, but several phone calls later, the fire department’s fundraiser was finally underway. As captain, he had an obligation not only to the townspeople and their safety but also to raise money for needed improvements to the fire fighters’ “home away from home.”
He glanced at the list of numbers he still needed to call. “Maybe tomorrow. We can take some cookies or something.”
“But Dad, it’s a golden retriever.”
As if the breed of the dog would change his mind. “Sorry, buddy. I still have too much to do.”
Mary released the curtain. “She has blond hair, but that’s all I could tell.” She rounded the couch and plopped down in the recliner. “You know, if you’d just get him a dog, it might cure his dog fascination.”
“Thank you, Mary. I’ll keep that in mind.” Even though his daughter stayed silent, he sensed she wanted to say more but held her tongue, something she’d been doing more often lately.
Being a single parent wasn’t easy, but he’d always known where he stood with Mary and what was on her mind. Now he wasn’t so sure and it bothered him. She’d be a teenager in less than six weeks and was growing up much too fast. Every day he’d been noticing little things that reminded him of Faith, memories of what he used to have before she was taken in a hit-and-run. Some days like today were painfully real.
“…are you listening? We’re hungry.”
Carl blinked twice, pushing his thoughts away as he glanced at the time on his phone. “What do you want to eat?” He stood and slid his cell into his pocket.
Mary linked her arm through his. “Can I go to Tiffany’s house Tuesday for a sleepover?”
Brody ran past them into the kitchen and opened the freezer. “I thought we’re going to Grandma’s?”
“You are. I’m on shift.” He patted his daughter’s hand as it slid from his arm. “Maybe next week.”
“Why I can’t go? I’m a teenager now. I can take care of myself. Besides, it would be easier for Grandma if I wasn’t there. One less mouth to feed.”
“You know how I feel about staying together while I’m on shift. I don’t have to worry about your safety. And besides, Grandma fixes us food regardless or sends it home with us. Speaking of”—he opened the refrigerator—“are you in the mood for leftovers?”
Brody yanked out a pizza. “How about pizza?”
“Not pizza again.” Mary sank to a barstool. Her lips protruded slightly into a pout.
“Okay.” Brody stuffed the pizza back in the freezer and held out two more options. “We have pizza rolls or pizza pockets. I like either one.”
Carl chuckled, swiping his wallet and keys from the counter. “Grab your shoes. We’ll get something to eat.” He went into his room and put on his running shoes, but as he was walking out, the picture of Faith on his dresser caught his eye. The ache in his chest dimmed over the years, but never quite vanished. She gazed back at him, her smile brilliant. Breathtaking. And a mirror image of—
He shook his head to focus on the present and his two hungry children. Walking back into the living room, he yelled, “We ready?” The front door was open. They must be waiting for him by the truck.
In an instant, an ear piercing scream cut through the air, straight down the center of his heart.
Mary.
~*~
Author bio:
Tanya Eavenson is a bestselling author who enjoys spending time with her husband, and their three children.
Her favorite pastime is grabbing a cup of coffee, eating chocolate, and reading a good book.
Tanya is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Word Weavers International, and writes for Christ to the World Ministries.
You can find her at her website http://www.tanyaeavenson.com/ on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Google, or on Amazon.
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Buy Tanya's book which is part of the box set "Kisses, Kids and Bundles of Joy: Seven Christian Winter Romances". Purchase it on Amazon ~ iTunes ~ Barnes and Noble
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Buy Tanya's book which is part of the box set "Kisses, Kids and Bundles of Joy: Seven Christian Winter Romances". Purchase it on Amazon ~ iTunes ~ Barnes and Noble
WIN a copy of Tanya's book: a Rafflecopter giveaway
Well I sure want to know what happens next! Hoping I win this book. God bless your writing, and may he speak to others through it. Blessings, Diana
ReplyDeleteDear Diana,
DeleteThanks for visiting my blog today! :) It is a great book! Did you enter the book giveaway contest? In order to have a chance to win Tanya's book, you need to fill out the form on the Rafflecopter widget in this blog post.
My favorite Christmas memory with my Mom. Hmm, that's hard. I think I have to say the couple of Christmases before she passed away. Her health had been going downhill, but she was always cheerful. She loved making me lunch, or a cup of tea. Even when she didn't e=feel well she would bring me cups of tea. She loved Christmas. She could not always afford expensive gifts but she would get something. She would use scads of tape when she wrapped gifts and my husband would have to get out his pocket knife to open gifts. Those two or three Christmases before she passed away I knew she was "living on borrowed time" and I just treasured having her with us. I sure miss her.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about the loss of your Mom. Praying for you and your loved ones this holiday season. May God's Holy Spirit comfort your hearts in ways that only His Holy Spirit can and we mere mortals cannot.
DeleteI'm not sure I have just one, as I have many fond childhood memories of Christmas.
ReplyDelete