Romantic Reads: Wish You Joy

Interview with Jan Thompson about her book, Wish You Joy:

Alexis: Wish You Joy is a unique and sweet, holiday-spirit giving title for a story! What was your inspiration behind this title creation? Explain the significance in relation to the story.

Jan: Thank you. The title centers on the word “joy,” which is one of the undercurrent themes of this Christmas book. In Nehemiah 8:10, we read that “the joy of the Lord” is our strength. At Christmastime, I feel that we are constantly reminded about having peace, love, and joy. Thus, my book title could have been Wish You Peace or Wish You Love as much as it is Wish You Joy. Without giving away too much of the story, let me just say that one of the main characters in my book needs to experience the joy of the Lord, so it is befitting that the title points to that.

Additionally, Wish You Joy is book 9 in my Savannah Sweethearts series of contemporary Christian romance set in the coastal city of Savannah, Georgia, and across the bridge in the beach town of Tybee Island. This entire series has books with similar titles:

Prequel: Ask You Later
Book 1: Know You More
Book 2: Tell You Soon
Book 3: Draw You Near
Book 4: Cherish You So
Book 5: Walk You There
Book 6: Love You Always
Book 7: Kiss You Now
Book 8: Find You Again
Book 9: Wish You Joy
Book 10: Call You Home

Alexis: Tell me about Christmastown. What is it about? Why do they have a new CEO?

Jan: A Christmas decorating business based in Savannah, Georgia, Christmastown has been in the Untermeyer family for years. Having undergone some health issues, Mrs. Untermeyer is no longer able to run the business on her own, especially with no help from her grown children, some of whom haven’t been home in a while. As a result, she decides to sell her majority share of the company to the businessman nephew of a family friend.

Alexis: Who is Cyrus and what role does he play in this story?

Jan: The new CEO of Christmastown, Cyrus Theroux easily takes over the reign of the business, becoming the caring and present son that Mrs. Untermeyer hasn’t had in a long time. Cyrus continues the legacy of the family business while also keeping an eye on his elderly aunt and uncle living in Savannah. When Mrs. Untermeyer’s daughter comes to town to see what has happened to Christmastown, he feels that he has to convince her of his good intentions.

Alexis: Who is Amy and what role does she play in this story?

Jan: Amy Untermeyer is the only daughter of Mrs. Untermeyer. A destination wedding photographer, she travels the world and rarely goes home to Savannah. When she finds out that her mother has sold over half the company to someone whom Amy considers to be a stranger, she hightails it home to see if her mother has been swindled. She is skeptical about Cyrus and his intrusion into her family.

Alexis: Has Christmastown always been a family-owned organization? Why was it started?

Jan: Amy’s grandfather started Christmastown many years ago. As long as Amy has been alive, she remembers visiting the warehouse where they store all the artificial trees, wreathes, decorations, and everything Christmas. Amy’s parents inherited the business, and it was up to them to keep the family business going. However, after Amy’s dad passed away, Mrs. Untermeyer ran the company alone while her three children went to school and then left town for college and careers.

Alexis: How does your real-life faith in God play into your fiction storytelling?

Jan: My Christian faith informs every aspect of my fiction books such that I let my characters behave within the scope of what it means to be a Christian. My characters have issues, as Christians also do in real life. My characters feel the pains of life and seek the healing of God. My characters learn and grow in their lives, just as a real Christian would in this world.

Alexis: Did you listen to a favorite Christmas song while writing this holiday story? If yes, which one?

Jan: I tend to write in complete silence, although from time to time I do listen to music as I write. Mostly instrumental. In planning, plotting, and penning Wish You Joy, I drew upon my favorite Christmas carols, such as “O Holy Night.” That hymn speaks volumes about Christ as our Savior and Lord.

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11, KJV).

Alexis: What do you want readers to remember most about Wish You Joy and its characters?

Jan: This is my only Christmas book so far, and I hope that, after seeing the journey of life that Amy and Cyrus go through, my readers will affirm the joy of the Lord in their own hearts by the time they reach the end of the book. The bottom line is that God is still God.

I usually include some Bible verses that play a significant role in each book that I write. In Wish You Joy, one of the Bible verse is this: “Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Jan! Would you like to share closing thoughts?

Jan: Thank you very much for inviting me over to Romantic Reads for the third time this year. I am happy that we have reached the end of the year as we approach Christmas. I wish you joy in the Lord!

For readers who missed my other two interviews, here are the links:

Interview about Smile for Me (Vacation Sweethearts Book 1):
https://capturingtheidea.blogspot.com/2020/09/romantic-reads-smile-for-me-book.html

Interview about Know You More (Savannah Sweethearts Book 1):
https://capturingtheidea.blogspot.com/2020/10/romantic-reads-know-you-more.html

In Christ,

Jan Thompson

~*~
Author Bio:

USA Today bestselling author Jan Thompson writes clean and wholesome multiethnic contemporary Christian romance with flavors of women’s fiction, Christian romantic suspense with elements of mystery, and inspirational international thrillers with threads of sweet Christian romance.

Her books are for readers who love inspiring stories of faith, family, and friends.

~*~
Book blurb for Wish You Joy:

Christmastown USA has a new CEO. But owning a majority share of the holiday-decorating company makes no difference for Cyrus Theroux if the other forty-nine percent refuses to cooperate… 

A Christmas-themed holiday romance, WISH YOU JOY is Book 9 in USA Today bestselling author Jan Thompson's Savannah Sweethearts series of sweet, clean, wholesome, and inspirational multiethnic contemporary Christian romances celebrating faith, hope, and love in Jesus Christ. This series is set in the historic southern city of Savannah, Georgia, and on the beaches of small town Tybee Island by the Atlantic Ocean, two of the most romantic places in the world.

Against a backdrop of ocean, sand, and sun, this mix of novels and novellas showcases various aspects of the human need for God and for one another.


Cyrus’s Christmas…
Whoopee! Christmastime is here again.

Cyrus is so excited that he is beside himself. Never mind that it’s ninety-three degrees outside in the middle of a hot July in Savannah. Christmas will be here any day now.

He has checked his Christmastown USA warehouse twice, counted his inventory four times, and added ten new team members to join his thirty. He can spread them all over town.

Sure, he can manage the decorating teams himself, even if his business partner can’t handle it.

What’s with Amy anyway? Maybe he should consider buying her share of the company. He will keep Mr. Untermeyer’s memories and wishes alive. Yes, that’s what he’ll do. Kick Amy off the sleigh and keep Christmastown all to himself—

No. There was something about Amy that draws Cyrus to her. Something he can’t put his thumb on…


Amy’s Angst…
Christmas is too commercialized!

Amy simply cannot believe how anyone could focus on the Christ of Christmas when people overspend and get stressed out at festivities they cannot enjoy with family members and relatives they do not wish to see or buy presents for.

Why Mom has given Amy a forty-nine percent share of Christmastown USA, she’ll never know. Amy doesn’t want it, but she can’t sell it. To sell her share to some stranger would disrespect the memory of Dad, who inherited this business from Grandpa Earnest, who had started the company back in the fifties. The entire Untermeyer family lives from Christmas to Christmas. It was because of Christmastown that Amy’s parents were able to send her and her two brothers to college.

Amy cherishes the happy memories of her childhood and the Untermeyer legacy until some devastating news makes her question everything she has ever known about the Untermeyer family…

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Buy Wish You Joy on Amazon

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Connect with Jan:
Website: JanThompson.com
Book News: JanThompson.com/newsletter
Amazon USA: JanThompson.com/amazon
Goodreads: JanThompson.com/goodreads
BookBub: JanThompson.com/bookbub
Facebook: JanThompson.com/facebook
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thompsonauthor

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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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Falling for Books: Elizabeth's book

Interview with Matt Patterson (character) from A Heart Realigned:

Alexis: Thanks for agreeing to this interview, Matt! You are quite the character. Do you think that your author Elizabeth Maddrey did a good job telling your story? Why or why not?

Matt: Thanks for having me. Is being a character good? I’m going to take it as a compliment. And sure she did—I didn’t always come across looking awesome, but that’s pretty true to real life, I guess. There are definitely things I’ve said or done that I regret later.

Alexis: What were your first impressions of your leading lady Azure Hewitt? Were they lasting impressions? Why or why not?

Matt: First impression was that she’s hot. That hasn’t changed. After that, I admired her taste in trucks—and that hasn’t changed either. But I will say she’s so much more than either of those things. There’s a lot to Azure and I’m looking forward to getting to know every aspect of her.

Alexis: What do you think of Azure’s work, repainting historic murals at Peacock Hill? 

Matt: Her art is amazing. I imagine she’d say she does the commissions, like what she did at Peacock Hill, to pay the bills. It’s her canvases that will knock your socks off. I admire her for being willing to do something like art and find a way to make a living at it. It can’t be easy.

Alexis: Azure lives a footloose type of life. Your experience is the polar opposite. Did you two clash at first? Why or why not?

Matt: We did but we didn’t .  .  . if that makes any sense? I was a little jealous, to be honest. I want to travel—there’s a deep desire to wander in my soul that I can’t shake, but at the same time, there are responsibilities, you know? Turns out, she was a little jealous of some of my life, too. Maybe you really don’t ever appreciate what you have.

Alexis: Why does your uncle want you to take over the family auto shop? How does that make you feel?

Matt: He wants to retire. I don’t blame him for that, he’s been running the place for a long time. My aunt’s desperate to travel—that wandering thirst is something I come by naturally, I guess. I can’t say getting tied down to the garage is really what I want, but I don’t want to let my aunt and uncle down, either. I’ll make it work one way or another.

Alexis: What makes you want to spread your wings and fly away from your hometown? What or who makes you want to stay? Explain.

Matt: Don’t you ever just think about how much is out there? I mean, a really small town in southern Virginia versus the big, wide world? No contest at all. Don’t get me wrong, my hometown is a nice place, but when it’s all you’ve ever known? I don’t know many people who grow up here who aren’t looking for a way out at some point. Of course, there are responsibilities, right? And sometimes those end up making you stick. Even if you’re not sure you want to.

Alexis: What do you love about Azure? Why?

Matt: Everything. She’s a perfect complement to me in just about every way. We’re not identical—there are any number of things we disagree on —but honestly? That’s part of the fun! We have real conversations. She makes me think.

Alexis: In what ways has your relationship with Azure challenged and changed you?

Matt: Like I just said, she makes me think. I consider myself a reasonably laid back guy. Azure has helped me see maybe that’s not always the best choice. Beyond that, she’s challenged me to really evaluate why I went ahead and took over the garage for my uncle.

Alexis: What did it take for you to figure out where God called you to be?

Matt: A couple of hard knocks to the head. Honestly, I was fighting it every way I could but the counsel of Godly friends and a lot of prayer finally got through.

Alexis: Do you believe that your heart should be aligned with God’s desire for your life? Why or why not?

Matt: Oh, absolutely. It’s not always easy to get there—sometimes you have to set aside your own wants and desires and really listen to what God’s saying He has—but His is always going to be better.

Alexis: Looking back on your life thus far, if you could do anything differently, what would it be? Why?

Matt: That’s a hard question, honestly. I mean, if I went back and changed even one thing, I might not end up where I am now, and I really like this place. So I don’t guess I would, not even the hard pieces, because everything in my life up to now has shaped who I am today.

Alexis: Now for a few fun questions . . . What’s your favorite color? Blue. What are your hobbies? I love to rebuild old cars. What is your deepest desire and highest hope? To build a solid life with the woman I love. How do you take your coffee when ordering from Starbucks? I like regular drip coffee with cream and sugar

.

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Matt! Would you like to share closing thoughts?

Matt: This was fun, thanks for having me.

~*~
Author Bio:

Elizabeth Maddrey is a semi-reformed computer geek and homeschooling mother of two who lives in the suburbs of Washington D.C. 

When she isn’t writing, Elizabeth is a voracious consumer of books. 

She loves to write about Christians who struggle through their lives, dealing with sin and receiving God’s grace on their way to their own romantic happily ever after.

~*~
Book Blurb for A Heart Realigned:

She has no roots. He has no wings.

Repainting historic murals at Peacock Hill will pad Azure Hewitt’s bank account and allow her to drift where the wind takes her. If only the group of friends working at the old mansion weren’t so welcoming. Their immediate acceptance and inclusion reinforces one of the downsides of her footloose life. Add in the local car buff and mechanic? Putting down roots could almost be attractive.

The more Matt Patterson’s uncle pushes him to take over the family auto shop, the less Matt’s sure he wants to stay where he’s planted…but even as he contemplates spreading his wings, he can’t imagine a life like Azure’s with no fixed address. Even so, he’s positive a settled life isn’t something she sees in her future.

With Azure’s project nearing completion and Matt’s uncle anxious for a decision, neither is sure where God is calling them to be. But if their hearts are aligned to His desire, surely their love will have a chance.

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Connect with Elizabeth:
Website: http://www.ElizabethMaddrey.com
Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/ElizabethMaddrey
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ElizabethMaddrey
Twitter: https://twitter.com/elizabethmaddre
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6585434.Elizabeth_Maddrey
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/emaddrey/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+ElizabethMaddrey/posts
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/elizabeth-maddrey
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Elizabeth-Maddrey/e/B00A11QGME/ 

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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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Falling for Books: Betsy's book

Interview with Betsy St. Amant about her story, "Save the Last Word":

Alexis: Why did you name this story “Save the Last Word?”

Betsy: The title came to me before the plot did, actually! I thought it was fun and interesting and fit perfectly with an “always have to have the last word” type of personality in the hero…AND heroine!

Alexis: Describe the heroine of your story, Zoe Armand. What makes her a free spirit and why has she never been conventional?

Betsy: Zoe marches to the beat of her own drum, partially because she was just created that way and partially because she doesn’t want to be like her overbearing, always-in-the-box parents. She’s more free style, and she’s happy that way. However, she’s not a slacker or lazy. She’s very compassionate, giving, generous and a go-getter in her own ways—she’s just not typical.

Alexis: Why does Zoe like to blaze her own trail in life and why do her parents who are all about reputation, disapprove of the way she lives?

Betsy: Zoe and her parents definitely clash. She isn’t rebellious about it, but rather, wishes they would just accept her as she is. She struggles with feeling like she’s never good enough for their standards and gets caught up briefly in trying to prove her worth to them. Zoe’s parents, mostly her mom, are embarrassed at her unconventional-ness, as they are pillars of the community and are all about image. They have some lessons to learn, too.

Alexis: Memory sounds like quite the small and whimsical town in Kansas! Did you make this place up? If so, paint a picture of it with words.

Betsy: I did invent it myself! I pictured it with a bit of a Gilmore Girls Stars Hollow vibe, of course, since I can’t help it because that’s my favorite show! But also it was just important to me to establish community and small-town camaraderie…one of those “everyone knows your name” type small-towns where Ms. Marshall was dearly beloved, all the kids knew other growing up, etc. I love that you use the word “whimsical” because that’s what I was going for.

Alexis: Describe the hero of your story, Ben Marshall. What is his real passion in life? Talk about his dreams and goals for his future.

Betsy: Ben is the opposite in Zoe in many ways, but is actually more like her deep down than he realizes! They say opposites attract, and that’s a fact for Ben and Zoe. Ben is more straight-laced, by the book, and hard-working in the typical sense. However, he has a secret he’s keeping from his father—and by default, everyone else—that’s important to him and drives everything he does. Ben is a good man, hence why he doesn’t want to buck against his dad and family expectations, but is struggling to balance that with living out his real passions and dreams. To find out what his dream is, you gotta read the story!

Alexis: Why is Ben’s father pressuring him to commit to being the vice president of their family business?

Betsy: Ben’s father wants him to take over, partly because of passing on the family legacy, but also because of image and control. Much like Zoe’s parents, reputation is everything to Ben’s dad. He’s a workaholic and expects Ben to be the carbon copy of himself.

Alexis: How do Ben and Zoe meet in this story? What are their first impressions?

Betsy: They meet at Ms. Marshalls’ apartment when Zoe comes to borrow sprinkles. It’s a really fun, comedy-of-errors type beginning that I just love! You’ll have to read the story to find out more.

Alexis: In what ways does Zoe both fascinate and bewilder Ben? Why?

Betsy: Ben is bewildered by Zoe because of how different she is than him—but at the same time, he’s fascinated by her because she calls to something deeper in him that he’s yet to realize about himself. She brings out the best of him and makes him address his worst, and vice versa.

Alexis: What is it about Ben that starts a fire in Zoe’s heart?

Betsy: Zoe has always liked Ben—even when they were little kids on the playground. She’s been attracted to him since day one!

Alexis: If you were a mutual friend of Ben and Zoe, what would you advise when it comes to the decisions they both have to make?

Betsy: I’d advise them both to stay true to themselves, and follow the wisdom and direction of the Lord that’s so obvious to us as readers from the outside-looking-in, but harder to see clearly when it’s YOUR life. I think we all need that reminder! Sometimes we think decisions are very hard to make, when the right path is very clear all along. We tend to make things more complicated than they are, am I right?

Alexis: As the author, what was your favorite part of writing this story? Why?

Betsy: I loved writing the more comedic scenes, be it at the nursing home with the elderly patrons or the interactions and misunderstandings between Ben and Zoe. It was a fun novella to write, for sure!

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Betsy! Do you have closing comments?

Betsy: Thanks for interviewing me, and for reading Save the Last Word, part of the Once Upon a Laugh box set! It was such an honor to be in a compilation with seven other talented authors.

~*~
Author Bio:

Betsy St. Amant Haddox is the author of fifteen inspirational romance novels and novellas. 

She resides in north Louisiana with her newlywed hubby, two story-telling young daughters, a collection of Austen novels, and an impressive stash of Pickle Pringles. 

Betsy has a B.A. in Communications and a deep-rooted passion for seeing women restored in Christ. 

When she's not composing her next book or trying to prove unicorns are real, Betsy can usually be found somewhere in the vicinity of a white-chocolate mocha. 

She blogs frequently at www.ibelieve.com, a devotional site for women. Visit her at http://www.betsystamant.com.

~*~
Blurb for Betsy's book "Save the Last Word":

Free-spirited Zoe Armand has never been conventional. From her multitude of odd-jobs to her bad luck in romance, Zoe blazes her own trail—despite the disapproval of her own reputation-obsessed parents.

Straight-laced Ben Marshall is back in Memory, Kansas to pack up his Nonny’s apartment after she’s moved into a nursing home. It’s the perfect opportunity to work on his real passion—his secret blog—and avoid his father’s pressure to commit to VP in the family business.

When Zoe is hired to paint a mural in the nursing home, she’s excited for the excuse to hang out with her former neighbor, Ms. Marshall. When she runs into Ben, she discovers her childhood crush never went away. She’s determined to prove herself to her parents and earn Ben’s affection—but a comedy of errors, a secret identity, and a desire to have the last word threatens to keep them apart.

Ben must choose between the chance to win his freedom from his father, and protect the heart of the woman who equally fascinates and bewilders him. Will Zoe and Ben find a way around the obstacles blocking true love? Or will Ben’s brief stay in Memory be the last word for them both?

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Buy Once Upon A Laugh: Eight Novellas filled with Laughter and Happily-Ever-After (box set containing Betsy's story "Save the Last Word") on Amazon.

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Connect with Betsy:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BetsySt.Amant
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betsyannhaddox/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/betsystamant/

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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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25 Days of Christmas Stories: Interview with Mary L. Ball, author of Christmas at Angel Ranch

Welcome Mary L. Ball to the blog today! She's here to talk about Kayla and Reed, the two main characters of her holiday story, Christmas at Angel Ranch.

Enjoy the interview with Mary! 

Words by Alexis are in bold, words from Mary L. Ball are not in bold...

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Alexis: Why is your story called Christmas at Angel Ranch?

Mary: I’ve always wanted a character’s last name to be Angel. When I created this Christmas novella, it just seemed fitting for the family who owned the lodge to have that surname.

Share the story-behind-the-story. What inspired you to write this book?

Around our house, deer hunting is common during Thanksgiving and Christmas. I was listening to my husband describe a particular hunt at his hunting lodge and the idea came to me. All the years I’ve heard his stories and could write a book. But Christmas at Angel Ranch isn’t soaked with hunting details, it’s a romance.

Kayla, your heroine, is a home designer. Tell us why you chose that career for her and what significance it has to the story.

I’m a fly by my seat kind of writer. I let the Lord guide me, and the character’s take over. Kayla’s career choice was just that, her fancy. The fact that many different possibilities arrive from being a designer gave Kayla options that challenged her as she found her life changing. 

Why did you choose to set your story in North Carolina?

Hunting in the mountains of NC is a well-loved sport. What better place to for an elite hunting ranch. And it doesn’t hurt that I’m familiar with the area.

What’s the family business for Kayla like? Why did she leave NC to start her own company instead of growing into the family business?

Like a Hallmark movie. The things Kayla grew up with seems dreary, so she leaves home for greener pastors. She returns to help out with the family business, just until the holidays are over.

Angel Ranch is a hunting lodge that caters to elite hunters. Sounds intriguing! Tell us more about it in a way that helps us envision it.

Angel Ranch is high-class lodge. The huge log cabin style ranch offers hunting at its finest, and a large dining room where meals are prepared daily. The area also has a comfortable den with a massive wood-burning fireplace for relaxing. Added to that is a store where sportsmen can find all the comforts needed.

Reed Jessup, who we find at Angel Ranch, seems like the ruggedly handsome type who lives for being outdoors. Am I right? Explain his persona, traits, strengths, and flaws.

He’s a smart man whose eyes shine with kindness. His smile captures his entire face. Reed is rugged, with a firm build from enjoying outdoor activities. He likes striped shirts because they remind him of his grandfather’s beloved flannel and the winters Reed spent hunting with him. Reed is a Godly man who has been hurt by a past love and is a bit suspicious of a woman’s anterior motive when it comes to love.

What is Reed’s career and why is he ready to leave his corner office for a few weeks of rest and relaxation?

Reed Jessup is a CPA for a prestigious accounting firm. Hunting takes him back to a simpler time and offers him an escape from the mental challenges of keeping his clients happy.

Is there a Christmas miracle in this story? If so, what can you tell us without giving way the ending?

Christmas is about opening up your heart, that’s all I’ll say.

What are you, as an author, looking forward to this Christmas?

I’m happy to be celebrating the Lord’s birth and spending time with friends and family.

Thanks for the interview, Mary! Merry Christmas and God bless you! 

~*~
Author bio: 

Mary L. Ball is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives in North Carolina and writes about real-life problems, blended with romance or mystery.

Her novels include: Escape to Big Fork Lake, Stone of Destiny, Postmarked Ever After, Christmas at Angel Ranch and Redemption in Big Fork Lake.

When Mary is not working on her latest story, she enjoys fishing, reading, and singing with her husband at church functions.

Watch for Mary's new release, Sparks of Love from Prism Book Group, tentatively scheduled for Summer 2016. 

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Buy Mary's book, Christmas at Angel Ranch:

Amazon.com - http://amzn.to/1jWwskF
Barnes and Noble - http://bit.ly/1RixCFs
Deeper Shopping - http://bit.ly/1P0evP1
Pay Hip - http://bit.ly/1Y79slM

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Connect with Mary:

Facebook - http://on.fb.me/1Riy4DQ

Twitter - https://twitter.com/inspires4mary