Book Boyfriends: Laura's hero

Interview with Caleb, hero of Laura Hilton's book Love by the Numbers:

Laura: Caleb, glad to have you stop by. You are working as an accountant for Judy’s Gift Shop. Can you tell me about it? Is this your normal job?

Caleb: No, it’s not. Judith is my mother’s best friend. She’s Mennonite and going on a mission trip and needed someone to balance the books since the woman she hired to manage the shop in her absence doesn’t do math. It gives her a headache. Can you imagine? But all I have to do is balance the books and make deposits and pay the bills while Judith is gone. Nothing too strenuous.

Laura: What is your real job? 

Caleb: I’m Amish. I work on a farm and help my dad with the chores. That is my real job. But we have a cuckoo clock business on the side, dad calls it a hobby, but it brings in more money than the farm. But we enjoy designing them and decorating them. Judith sells them in her gift shop. 

Laura: How would people describe you? 

Caleb: Shrug. Boring, stick in the mud, vanilla ice cream eating, math whiz… should we make it nerd? 

Laura: Can you tell us about your family? 

Caleb: My dad is a preacher, and I have five sisters. No brothers. One sister is married. The others are younger than me. We live in a big farmhouse with a wrap-around porch, a swing, and surrounded by Mom’s flower gardens. We also have a big garden. 

Laura: Are you involved in a relationship with a girl? 

Caleb: No, but I am thinking about what kind of woman I’d like to date. Someone sensible, practical, and a hard worker, who is safe. I need someone safe because there’s this other girl… (shakes head) Her name’s Lydia…

Laura: Tell us about Lydia. 

Caleb: I met her at a wedding of a mutual friend. She’s beautiful, twinkling and seems to have glitter floating around her. Totally unsuitable. Not at all practical. She’s...exciting. Tempting. And well…She’s allergic to math. Which is why I’m doing the accounting. She’s Judy’s niece, which is why she’s the manager while Judy is gone. I need to stay far away from her. But…I can’t. Because Mom and Judy have devised this plan to make me be near her…With the bookkeeping and introducing her to people in the community. You know. 

Laura: What is your biggest fear? 

Caleb: Laughs. Well, Lydia. Sparkle. Glitter. Happy girls. They are trouble. Make that T.R.O.U.B.L.E. But wow, what I wouldn’t give to go out with her just once.

~*~
Author Bio: 

Laura V. Hilton is an award-winning, sought-after author with over twenty Amish, contemporary, and historical romances. 

When she’s not writing, she reviews books for her blogs and writes devotionals for blog posts for Seriously Write. 

Laura and her pastor-husband have five children and a hyper dog named Skye. They currently live in Arkansas. One son is in the U.S. Coast Guard. She is a pastor’s wife, and homeschools her two youngest children.

Laura enjoys reading and visiting lighthouses and waterfalls. Her favorite season is winter, her favorite holiday is Christmas.

~*~
Book Blurb for Love by the Numbers: After her fiancé dies in a buggy accident, Lydia Hershberger is invited to Jamesport to manage her Mennonite aunt’s gift store while her aunt and uncle are on a mission trip. While there, Lydia gets acquainted with her aentie’s best friend, Bethel Bontrager, and her grown son, Caleb. 

Lydia is surprised to find herself drawn to handsome clockmaker, Caleb Bontrager. But in spite of an instant flame of attraction between them, he doesn’t seem interested. In fact, pesky Caleb treats her like he doesn’t even like her.

Bright and sparkly. That’s Caleb’s first impression of Lydia. He’s always been attracted to sparkly things. In fact, his affinity for those things, and the trouble they can cause, are exactly why he’s determined to change his ways and settle down. With Lydia’s aentie gone, he is handling the books for the gift shop and is forced to spend too much time in her presence.

When God offers Lydia a second chance at love and family, will she take it? Or will the secret Caleb harbors cause her even more heartbreak? 

~*~

Buy Laura's book on Amazon

~*~
Connect with Laura:
Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Laura-V.-Hilton/e/B004IRSM5Q
Blogs - http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com/ 
http://lauravhilton.blogspot.com/
Facebook - http://bit.ly/2DSNviI
Pinterest - http://www.pinterest.com/vernetlh/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/Laura_V_Hilton

~*~
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Cozy Christmas Reads: Laura's story

Interview with Laura Hilton, author of The Christmas Admirer:

Alexis: What inspired you to write The Christmas Admirer? 

Laura: My publisher was interested in another Christmas story, this one set in Jamesport. I had two characters left unclaimed at the singing after a wedding in The Amish Wanderer. One of them had her story told in Love by the Numbers, coming in February. I wondered at the other girl’s story and started writing it.

Alexis: Did you go on a research trip for writing this story? If not then describe what you did to make it believable. 

Laura: I did go on research trips. I went to Jamesport initially when I researched for The Snow Globe and took pictures. And I went to a glassblowers shop in Springfield, Missouri to research that. 

Alexis: Benaiah Troyer is an interesting name for your story’s hero. How did you create it? 

Laura: Benaiah is a biblical hero who became King David’s bodyguard. He has quite an interesting background and like King David has killed his own share of lions. 

Alexis: Describe Benaiah. What’s he like? 

Laura: Share his personality, passion and flaws. Benaiah is the artistic type. Quiet, yet strong. He loves creating, he loves his family, but he doesn’t have enough faith that God will care for his needs—let alone everyone he’s responsible for. I know I can relate and I’m sure others can. 

Alexis: Susanna King is the heroine of your story. What’s she like? 

Laura: Describe her personality, looks and heart. Susanna is driven. She wants what she wants and she will try to do it by hook or by crook. Which puts her and Benaiah and her father at odds because she’s butting heads with them. She has honey blond hair, greenish-grey eyes and is average height. 

Alexis: Why does Benaiah love Susanna? 

Laura: Benaiah has loved Susanna since they were twelve and she helped him memorize lines for the Christmas play. They were best friends growing up which grew naturally into love. 

Alexis: What is it about Benaiah that draws Susanna into a relationship with him? 

Laura: She admires how he always put her first, how he treated her and her grandmother, and like I said, their friendship grew naturally into love. 

Alexis: Why does marrying Susanna feel like “an elusive dream” to Benaiah? 

Laura: His parents died, leaving him responsible for four younger sisters and his grandparents. He has a very limited income, little money for extras, and his home is a rundown rental. He doesn’t want to give up her life of ease and plenty to live in his reality of hardship. Not only that, but Susanna’s dad, a widower, is remarrying and moving him—and Susanna—to another state.

Alexis: How has the pain of Benaiah’s past shaped his present? 

Laura: It made him grow up and put the needs of his family before his own. 

Alexis: Why is Susanna’s “greatest desire” to marry Benaiah? 

Laura: They’ve been together since they were twelve. They’ve courted since they were sixteen. They were promised to be married in the fall the year his parents died and changed it. Her love for him didn’t die. But she had to convince him she was willing to do whatever was necessary to win him.

Alexis: What are the unique roadblocks that Benaiah and Susanna face on their journey to happily ever after? 

Laura: Susanna’s dad is moving to Iowa, Benaiah is losing everything—including his job since he works for Susanna’s dad—and his home, and reality is scary. 

Alexis: What is the significance of gingerbread houses in this story? 

Laura: I read a story once that included love potions and out of curiosity I looked up the ingredients. They are basically almost the same as for gingerbread. And since it is Christmas and a gingerbread house is a tradition in our family, that was a fun addition. It also worked into the faith message on Susanna’s part. 

Alexis: What was your favorite part of writing The Christmas Admirer? Why? 

Laura: Benaiah and Susanna were such fun! Being madly in love but being forced apart yet together added tons of tension. 

Alexis: What do you want your readers to remember most about this story? 

Laura: The faith message is up to God, but what I came away with is God is bigger than the strongest lions you may face.

Alexis: What is your favorite Christmas holiday treat (food or beverage)? Why? 

Laura: My maternal grandma came from the Amish and she had these wonderful old fashioned sour cream cookies. I love them. We make some every year. 

Alexis: Do you have any closing comments? 

Laura: Thank you for joining us, I hope you have the Merriest of Christmases with you and yours. 

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Laura! Merry Christmas!

~*~
Author bio: 

Laura V. Hilton is an award-winning, sought-after author with almost twenty Amish, contemporary, and historical romances. 

When she’s not writing, she reviews books for her blogs, and writes devotionals for blog posts for Seriously Write and Putting on the New. 

Laura and her pastor-husband have five children and a hyper dog named Skye. They currently live in Arkansas. One son is in the U.S. Coast Guard. She is a pastor’s wife, and homeschools her two youngest children.

When she’s not writing, Laura enjoys reading, and visiting lighthouses and waterfalls. Her favorite season is winter, her favorite holiday is Christmas.

~*~
Book blurb for The Christmas Admirer:

Benaiah Troyer has loved Susanna King for as long as he can remember, but when his parents died in an accident a year ago, he broke up with her—for her own good. After all, he was now the sole caregiver for his three younger sisters. What woman would want to put up with that?  

Still, against his better judgment, he can’t help leaving her a gift now and then, anonymously addressing her name in big block print, just to catch a smile. Roses one month, maple syrup candy another; and maybe this time, something special for Christmas. 

Susanna has never gotten over losing Benaiah, but now the clock is ticking. Her father is selling his glass-blowing business, remarrying in January, and moving to Iowa with his bossy wife-to-be. 

Angry and frustrated, Susanna realizes she’s left with three options: one, go with Daed to his new home with a new mom; two, stay in Jamesport, Missouri, as an old maid; or, three, the best yet, flush out her mysterious secret admirer. 

But how could she be with anyone else when her heart is still with Benaiah? 

~*~
Connect with Laura:
Blogs - http://lighthouseacademy.blogspot.com/ , http://lauravhilton.blogspot.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Laura-V-Hilton/161478847242512
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/vernetlh/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/Laura_V_Hilton

~*~

Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below:

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Fall into Love: Laura V. Hilton's story

Freefall Romance
A Fall into Love story by Laura V. Hilton

When Alexis asked for blog posts about falling in love with your spouse, I thought that she meant for stories about a slow fall, like a leave gently tumbling to the ground, caught in a gentle breeze, and taking a leisurely journey. I almost didn’t ask for a featured spot because if that’s what she had in mind, I didn’t qualify.

A slow leisurely fall was not the case for me. It was more of a freefall, terrifyingly fast, but oh-so-right. It was a brisk wind that ripped me from the tree branch I was clinging to, and a whirlwind ride—one where you have no control over anything. All you can do is hold on.

It was August 11. I had just returned to my apartment in Springfield, Missouri, from a visit with my mom in Arkansas. I was tired. And I was not going out. Not. For. Anything. I planned to curl up with a book and just breathe. Then the phone rings. It was my friend Greg. He said he was having a backyard Bible Study and would I like to come?

Um, no. Not really. Thanks. I didn’t say that. I mumbled something about being tired and staying home.

“But we need you there,” he said.

Right. Because I have an opinion about stuff when everyone else just sits and stares at the Bible. But I didn’t want to lead Greg’s Bible study. Sigh.

“Who’s going to be there?” I asked because I could argue that if certain people were there they certainly didn’t need me.

He rattles off a list of names. Then says, Steve.

Steve? Sure, I knew Steves. I knew a lot of Steves. But for some reason, I asked, "Steve who?"

“Hilton. He just got out of the Navy.”

A new guy. Something inside me jumps. “I’ll be there.” I shower, change clothes, and drive to Greg’s house.

Steve and Greg are playing Bible Opoly in the living room when I arrive. They tell me to go on out to the backyard while they put the game up. I do. Greg’s house is dark, dim lights, dark colors. When they get outside, I get my first good look at Steve.

My first thought was, “That’s the guy I’m going to marry.”

My second was “Don’t be silly. You don’t even know him.”

But still. My heart recognized him. Steve was just as impressed with me. We talked after Bible study. We went to McDonald's afterward and talked more. And then every single night after work we spend time together. Not dating. Just talking. Getting to know each other. Hanging out. Becoming best friends, because we were already both positive this was right.

By October we were engaged and planning our wedding.

On December 19 we married—four months after we met.

I had friends since who were shocked by our whirlwind romance. That stuff doesn’t happen in real life. Yes, it does. And a fast romance is what I know. It was different from the guy I dated two years. Even when dating him, I knew he wasn’t the one I was going to marry. And he wasn’t. But sometimes, God brings someone in your life and you just know. Things take off. And like a very windy day that rips leaves off trees and take them on a wild ride, you end up falling in love that way.

~*~
Author Bio: 

Laura V. Hilton is an award-winning, sought-after author with almost twenty Amish, contemporary, and historical romances. When she’s not writing, she reviews books for her blogs, and writes devotionals for blog posts for Seriously Write and Putting on the New.

Laura and her pastor-husband have five children and a hyper dog named Skye. They currently live in Arkansas. One son is in the U.S. Coast Guard. She is a pastor’s wife, and homeschools her two youngest children.

When she’s not writing, Laura enjoys reading and visiting lighthouses and waterfalls. Her favorite season is winter, her favorite holiday is Christmas.

~*~
Book Blurb for Gingerbread Wishes, a novella by Laura V. Hilton:

As Thanksgiving approaches, Becca Troyer finds herself overwhelmed with an abundance of winter squash and pumpkins that she isn’t a bit thankful for. 

Desperately trying to sell them at a farmer’s market so she won’t have mountains to can, she’s surprised when a mime drops to his knee in front of her and proposes marriage.

Yost Miller is helping the volunteer firefighter raise funds at the city park when he notices his long-time crush Becca selling vegetables. Drawn across the grass, he spontaneously proposes marriage. But afterward, Yost isn’t sure how to proceed to show her that his feelings are real.

Just as he begins to find solid footing, confidence is yanked away, leaving him floundering. Will he lose Becca to another man? Or will this Thanksgiving be a season of blessings and wishes come true?

~*~
Buy Love's Thankful Heart on Amazon 

~*~
Connect with Laura:
Blogs - http://lighthouseacademy.blogspot.com/ 

http://lauravhilton.blogspot.com/ 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Laura-V-Hilton/161478847242512

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/vernetlh/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/Laura_V_Hilton

~*~
Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below: SaveSave

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Spring into Love: Laura Hilton's story

Let's welcome Laura Hilton to the blog! She's a familiar face around here but today she's going to share an excerpt from her book The Amish Wanderer. Here's the book cover:

Here's a review of her book that she selected to share with you today, followed by an excerpt:

A Valentine’s Day release Amish romance, sweets with a definitive kick, January 30, 2017 (Source: Amazon) by Harold Wolf

This review is from: The Amish Wanderer (Paperback)

Laura V. Hilton puts a buggy horse gallop into this story opening. A story hook as gripping as a horse’s bridle. A young gal falls down a hayloft ladder, swiftly followed by a wanderer but former heart-throb, while her Bishop-Daed is hospitalized awaiting possible imprisonment. Ach, sounds more like “Fanny Hill” or “Peyton Place,” ain’t so?

From that start this Amish adventure escalates excitement and incorporates innocent fun, leading rather predictably to romance. But actually the joy in relationship is as much in the “getting to” as the “I do,” ain’t so? Getting readers to the finale is another ingredient where Hilton excels.

There’s vivid, frightening action too, difficult reading, emotionally jarring. There’s tenderness to balance, and the mysterious encounter, and a . . . well, “The Amish Wanderer” is a fully packed picnic—and I devoured it. I enjoyed this ARC Amish book so much I just had to announce it to all Amish genre-loving readers. Laura Hilton NEVER writes “typical” Amish novels. “The Amish Wanderer” incorporates several Jamesport community characters from “The Amish of Jamesport” novel series (also recommended reading).

~*~
Excerpt from Chapter One of The Amish Wanderer:

November 

An unidentified sound, loud in the relative silence, jarred Bethany. Her blue pen made a squiggly line across the page in the fat little notebook where she wrote her thoughts. Maybe she should’ve found a more secluded place than the hay pile beside the loft ladder, but she rarely was disturbed. She raised her head and listened.

Nothing, except the squeak of the wood doors in the back of the barn as her younger brother, Timothy, put the cows out to pasture. The soft lowing of cows. The clucking of free-range chickens.

Hopefully, he was too busy to notice she’d left—and wouldn’t look for her.

But there it was again. From somewhere overhead. A sound that didn’t belong. A creak and a thump.

Hopefully, it wasn’t Hen. She’d hear if he were out of jail, ain’t so? A thread of fear ripped through her, unraveling the tiny bit of peace she’d been able to find.

Bethany capped the pen, shot to her feet, and hid the notebook under a loose piece of wood in the floor. Then she scampered up the ladder to the lower loft.

Nothing.

She climbed higher, to the upper one, some thirty feet from the ground.

Peeking over the edge, she scanned the open floor. And… there… someone was wrapped in the old ratty blanket Daed kept in the barn for strays, as he called them. Mamm called them wanderers. She wouldn’t be happy to learn one bedded down in their loft while Daed was gone—incarcerated, of sorts, in a mental hospital, after he tried to kill all the black cats in their district.

The cats lived. They had nine lives, ain’t so? But Daed was institutionalized and his assistant, the one who actually carried out Daed’s deranged wishes, Hen Stutzman, was locked up in jail awaiting trial for arson. As if a man should be punished for obeying crazy orders. Well, they had been horrible things, so it was warranted.

And here she’d thought Hen came around so often to see her. Though she’d come to dread his visits.

Her head, and heart, were permanently bowed in shame. Now no one would ever come calling.

Especially if they ever found out… Nein. They couldn’t. She’d never tell.

Life would never be the same.

Okay, maybe that was a bit overly dramatic. But still…

Bethany’s eyes burned. She blinked to clear the watery haze.

What were they going to do with Daed gone?

A black Amish hat covered the face of whoever slept up on the hay-strewn floor of the loft. His body was swaddled like a newborn boppli in an effort to keep warm, most likely. Almost like Baby Jesus in the manger. Except it was a man. Not a boppli.

And definitely not Hen. This man was taller and much thinner. Relief flooded her.

She started to descend the ladder. It wouldn’t do for a vagabond to discover her alone, almost in the loft with him. Not even if something about it reminded her of the live nativity scenes she’d seen downtown at one of the Englischer’s churches.

Little Lord Jesus asleep in the hay… The tune ran, uninvited, through her thoughts.

A board on the ladder creaked and snapped under Bethany’s weight. She dangled, her feet flailing, from the top of the ladder. Too far to fall without breaking something. Or killing herself.

Why hadn’t she noticed the crack in the wood when she’d climbed up?

She let out a strangled cry when her fingers started slipping from the worn wood. The man blasted upright, his hat falling away to reveal shocks of sun-streaked light brown hair. He struggled free of the blanket, and half-crawled to the edge of the loft.

“Are you okay?” His warm, callused hands closed around hers.

His hand was strong. Warm. Work-roughened. She glanced at his fingers, curled around hers. Unexpected sparks shot up her arms. It had nothing to do with her life hanging in the balance. Or maybe it did. She looked down at the floor thirty feet below again. And whimpered.

“Grab my hands. I’ll pull you up.”

Up. In the loft. Alone with him?

Nein.

Clinging to him seemed a gut idea though. And if it’d save her from falling…

Her shin made contact with the broken rung a moment before her tennis shoe found another ladder rail. She let out a breath she hadn’t realized she held. “I’m fine.” Now. She pulled her hands free one at a time and lowered herself. A step. Two. Three…

He stepped out onto the ladder and started down after her.

Nice looking… Wait. He followed her? She needed to find her brother. Or call for him. “Timothy!” There was safety in numbers. Sidetracked watching his quick descent instead of concentrating on her own in her hurry to escape, her feet slipped off the rung. Her hands caught only slivers and—

~*~
Author bio:

Laura V. Hilton is an award-winning, sought-after author with almost twenty Amish, contemporary, and historical romances. 

When she’s not writing, she reviews books for her blogs, and writes devotionals for blog posts for Seriously Write and Putting on the New.

Laura and her pastor-husband have five children and a hyper dog named Skye. They currently live in Arkansas. One son is in the U.S. Coast Guard. She is a pastor’s wife, and homeschools her two youngest children. 

Laura enjoys reading and visiting lighthouses and waterfalls. Her favorite season is winter, her favorite holiday is Christmas.

~*~
Book blurb for The Amish Wanderer: Bethany Weiss has been fascinated by Silas Beiler since he spent a couple of years in Jamesport, Missouri, before he and his family moved to another Amish community. They hadn’t kept in touch, but she hasn’t forgotten the friendly young man who brought her lemonade and took her home once from a Singing years ago. When she finds a man sleeping in her family’s barn, like Jesus sleeping in the hay, she is stunned to recognize Silas. He’s left the Amish and is backpacking across the country. She talks him into staying, at least until after Christmas.

Silas’ family has never been happy living in one area for long, and their vagabond ways are wearing on him. He’s lived in Amish communities all over the nation, moving whenever his daed became disgruntled with the leaders, and he’s looking for some sense of stability. His intentions are to make it back to Pennsylvania and stay with his Englisch onkle and his family—and pursue an education. Will Bethany be the one to bring Silas in from the cold? Or will he continue on his way to his extended family and become Englisch?

~*~
Buy Laura's book: Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ CBD 

~*~
Connect with Laura:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Laura-V.-Hilton/e/B004IRSM5Q
Blogs: http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com/ & http://lauravhilton.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Laura-V-Hilton/161478847242512
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/vernetlh/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Laura_V_Hilton

~*~

Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of Laura's book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below:

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A Prelude to Christmas: Laura V. Hilton's story about Hot Chocolate

Welcoma Laura V. Hilton to the blog today! She's been here before but today is extra special because she's sharing an excerpt from her holiday story, Hot Chocolate. Why don't you go make a cup of hot chocolate for yourself then settle down and read this lovely story? 

Here's the blurb for Hot Chocolate: Cocoa Tanner is determined to make it through life on her own, without help from anyone, even God. Bill James, still reeling from the tragedy of losing his wife and twins in a car accident, is not yet ready to open the door for God to return to his life. Two people, thoroughly disenchanted with their perception of God, turn to one another, only to find out there's more to God than meets the eye.

~*~
Story excerpt from Hot Chocolate:

Chapter 1

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Cocoa Walker unlocked the door and flipped the sign. This was it. Make or break, her business had officially opened. Too bad no ribbons adorned the front door, and she didn’t stand out front with the mayor holding big scissors in her hands. Pipe dreams. She exhaled, praying that someone would walk in the door. Anyone. She squared her shoulders and turned to wait close to the wonderful smelling coffee brewing in the background. No sooner had she stepped behind the counter than the chimes above the door jingled, and her first customer walked in.

A real person, coming to buy her coffee. She’d dreamed of it, but fear had caused her to doubt her ability to do this. Fear that people would stay far away from the doors of the Common Ground. After all, what was one more coffee shop in a land of many?

But this, this was a customer. A customer! Cocoa couldn’t stop herself from running around the counter. She flung herself into the man’s arms. He staggered under her unexpected attack.

“My very first customer. Congratulations.” Cocoa stepped away. “Your coffee is on the house.”

The man, a stranger, looked around as if checking for other patrons, red creeping up his neck. “Are you going to greet all your customers like that? Or am I the lucky one?”

Cocoa laughed and shrugged. Heat warmed her cheeks. “What would you like to drink, sir?” She pulled at the hem of her short pink skirt, and moved behind the counter.

The man eyed her. “You look like a dark haired Barbie doll. My niece has several; she doesn’t like the blonde ones. She dresses them in pink mini dresses and high heels too.”

Cocoa giggled. She knew she didn’t look anything like Barbie’s friend, but it sure sounded good. “You’re my friend for life.”

“Do you have any hot chocolate? It’s awful cold out there.”

“Sure. Coming right up.”

“I’ll take it to go,” the man said.

Cocoa prepared his hot chocolate and set it on the counter. The man handed her exact change.

“I told you it was on the house.” Cocoa shoved the money toward him and watched as he pocketed it.

“Thanks. I work a couple buildings away. I’ll be back. Do you serve lunch here?”

“Not yet. Right now it’s strictly coffee. But we do have donuts.” She gestured toward a glass display case displaying the goodies she’d purchased from a local bakery, at a discount, because she was friends with the owner. “I’d eventually like to expand to serving deli sandwiches.”

The chimes jingled again, and the man stepped away from the counter. “See you tomorrow.” He nodded to an older lady wearing a pink knit cap and jacket, then disappeared out the door.

Cocoa watched him go, admiring his strong stride. She let out a deep breath. “Wow. He’s cute.” Not that she was interested.

“Don’t waste your time.” The woman glanced after him. “I work the floor above his, and all the young ladies pant after him. Mr. James is married to his job. I’ll take a hazelnut coffee and a chocolate donut to go.”

“Coming right up.” Cocoa stopped herself from asking what Mr. James did for a living.

***

Bill’s brain whirled as he strode away from the new coffeehouse. It had been a long time since he held a woman in his arms. Not since his wife, Beth… He took a deep ragged breath. He couldn’t allow himself to think about it. If he did, he’d fall apart. He poured himself into his job so he wouldn’t have to cope with his loss. Losses.

He frowned at the pedestrian light as he waited for it to turn green. As if that would make it change any faster. That woman at the new coffee shop had seemed very alive in his arms. He could get used to that. It would do him well to stay far away from her and her little shop. But—he didn’t want to.

What had possessed him to mention her looks? That comment came out of nowhere and left him reeling. He must have reacted to her impulsive personality. Any guy who got to catch a beautiful, enthusiastic stranger would react with confusion.

The light changed and Bill joined the crowd crossing the street. The disposable cup in his hand was warm. Warmer than his heart. Sometimes it seemed like he had died along with his family. Instead of living, he’d become a deep aching chasm.

“Hi, Bill.”

He froze at the seductive voice that interrupted his thoughts seconds before he reached his office building. He glanced to the side, and his eyes met the dark gaze of the building’s beauty, Miranda Lowe.

“Miranda. You’re a bit early today, aren’t you?” Bill glanced at his watch.

“I wanted to catch you. It’s been awhile since we talked. Are you free for lunch?”

Panic caused his stomach to churn. “No. No, I’m not. Sorry, I have another engagement.” And he would. If nothing else came up, he’d hang out at the coffeehouse and talk to the green-eyed owner.

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Author bio:

Award winning author, Laura Hilton, her husband, Steve, and their five children make their home in Arkansas. She is a pastor’s wife, a stay-at-home mom and home-schools. Laura is also a breast cancer survivor.

Her publishing credits include three books in the Amish of Seymour series from Whitaker House: Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts (winner of the 2012 Clash of the Titles Award in two categories), and Promised to Another. The Amish of Webster County series, Healing Love (finalist for the 2013 Christian Retail Awards). Surrendered Love and Awakened Love followed by her first Christmas novel, A White Christmas in Webster County, as well as the Amish of Jamesport series, The Snow Globe, The Postcard, and The Birdhouse. 

Other credits include Swept Away from Abingdon Press’ Quilts of Love series. Laura is contracted for another three book Amish series set in the Jamesport area, with the first book, The Amish Firefighter releasing in May 2016, followed by two more Amish books and a Christmas story releasing in Fall 2016, Spring 2017 and Fall 2017 respectively.

She has self-published a Christmas novella, Christmas Mittens.

Laura is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a professional book reviewer. She blogs for "Putting on the New and Seriously Write". 

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Buy Laura's book Hot Chocolate:
Paperback on Amazon

Kindle edition on Amazon

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Connect with Laura:
Amazon Author Page
Blog #1 - http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com/
Blog #2 - http://lauravhilton.blogspot.com/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/laura_v_hilton
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Laura-V-Hilton/161478847242512
Pinterest - http://www.pinterest.com/vernetlh/

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