Christmas on My Heart: "Sugarplums and Second Chances: A Lake Endwell Romance" by Jill Kemerer

Switch It Up This Christmas
A guest post by Jill Kemerer

Happy jingles fill the air, and snow falls gently to the ground. Commercials tug at our heartstrings as they show joyful family reunions. Christmas is coming!

My new Christmas novella, Sugarplums and Second Chances, just released. I love writing Christmas stories. This one is set in fictional Lake Endwell, Michigan, and both the main characters are facing very different holiday seasons from what they’re used to. Courtney Trudesta not only lost her beloved husband a few years ago but she also recently lost her mother to cancer. Chase McGill just spent three years in prison for attempting to avenge the murder of his son’s mother. He’s filled with regrets and not sure how to move forward. Neither Courtney or Chase know what to expect this Christmas, but I can’t say the same for myself.

I keep our family’s Christmas traditions alive and well each year, but I can abuse them, too!

Does this sound familiar?

You get out your Christmas decorations and place them around the house in the same spots as you did last year and the year before…

When your family asks what you’re having for the big Christmas dinner, you list off the exact items of last year’s meal.

On the first Saturday in December, you jump in the car to drive around to see the lights. And if the lights seem familiar, they are. Because you drove around the same neighborhood as you did last year and the year before…

The cookies you bake are the same ones you bake every year, too. Ditto for the Christmas movies on television. Let’s face it, you could recite It’s a Wonderful Life word for word!

And we wonder why it all feels a tad dull…

Traditions are great. I personally love baking peanut blossom cookies every year and watching White Christmas for the umpteenth time. But when I go on autopilot with everything related to Christmas, I don’t enjoy it as much.

To keep Christmas feeling…well…Christmas-y, try switching it up!

Last year, my husband and I opened our bins of decorations, and we just couldn’t do it. We’d had the same tired ornaments and candles for twenty years! It was time to switch it up. We headed to HomeGoods and bought new things for our mantel. Every time I sat down in our living room, I smiled at the pretty display.

When I bake, I still make our favorite cookies, but I try one or two new recipes as well. Some are keepers, and others aren’t. It’s fun to sneak new treats into the rotation.

One year on Christmas Eve, we hiked at a local park and stared in awe at two deer standing in the fresh snow. I’ll always remember the quiet peacefulness of that Christmas Eve. We don’t have moments like those very often.

If you always go to the Nutcracker ballet, by all means, go! But if you want to skip this year and attend an orchestra instead, it might be just the change you need.

Other ways to switch it up are really easy. When I start to feel stressed out or stale from Christmas prep, I buy myself a decadent coffee drink and people watch at the coffee shop. Or I head to one of the local libraries and browse their children’s book section. Checking out a stack of beautiful picture books reminds me of how much I enjoyed them as a child. I also like to spread out a difficult jigsaw puzzle right before Christmas break. The whole family adds to it here and there, and it takes us days to finish it. I buy new puzzles to keep it fresh, but if we get bored of those, we’ll find a different activity to replace it.

One thing I’ve learned? Just because you always do it, doesn’t mean you always have to!

Find ways to make this Christmas extra special and meaningful for you. And don’t be afraid to switch it up! You might find you like your new way better!

~*~
Author Bio:

Jill Kemerer is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author of inspirational romance novels through Harlequin Love Inspired. 

Her essentials include coffee, M&Ms, a stack of books, her mini-doxie, and long walks outdoors. She resides in Ohio with her husband and two almost-grown children.

Please visit her website, jillkemerer.com, and sign up for her newsletter.

~*~
Book Blurb for Sugarplums and Second Chances:
Are some mistakes beyond redemption?

When former NFL star, Chase McGill, invites Courtney Trudesta, the widow of his former teammate, to spend Christmas with him and his son in Lake Endwell, he simply wants to repay her for the weekly letters she sent while he was in prison.

He didn't expect to fall for her.

Chase regrets his past and knows it will take more than sugarplums and wishful thinking to heal Courtney's lonely heart. But with a dose of small-town charm and plenty of Christmas cheer, they might have a second chance at happiness...with each other.

~*~
Buy Jill's book on Amazon

~*~
Connect with Jill:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJillKemerer
Twitter - https://twitter.com/jillkemerer
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jillkemerer/
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/jillkemerer/

~*~

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:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

25 Days of Christmas Stories: Interview with Julie Lessman, inspirational romance author

Let's welcome Julie Lessman to the blog today! She's kicking off our "25 Days of Christmas Stories" blog series and you are in for a treat! 

Julie is an inspirational romance author whose stories have on many awards. She's a big deal in the Christian book market and she's here today to talk about three of her holiday stories, two of which are included in a box set.

Not only is Julie sharing all these fun details about her work, she's agreed to give away three of her books, two of which are each in a boxed set which means the winner of the box set will get a total of FOUR books (three by other authors, one by Julie)!

She's very generous, eh?

But that's not all, Julie said that each of the 3 winners may choose which prize they want to claim. Here are photos of what Julie has to offer each winner:

Hope for the Holidays Historical Collection

Home for Christmas Historical Collection

A Light in the Window

Simply wonderful, isn't it? Now all you need to do to enter this book giveaway contest is to fill out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Let's begin the interview with Julie! 

*Words from Alexis are in bold, words from Julie are not in bold

~*~

Alexis: It’s delightful that you’ve written not one, not two, but three lovely Christmas stories, Julie! Thank you for agreeing to share details on each of your novellas today!

Let’s begin the interview starting with the our main feature today, your novella, “The Best Gift of All.”  

Why did you write this story? What is it about? How do you want it to impact your readers?

Julie: This sounds silly, I know, but I wrote this story because I miss the O’Connors terribly, the close-knit Irish family from my first two series, the Daughters of Boston and Winds of Change. I SO fell in love with this passionate family that it’s just fun to revisit them each year via Christmas novellas about the various couples.

This year’s novella, “The Best Gift of All,” focuses on the third O’Connor daughter, Lizzie, and her husband John Brady, dealing with a very sensitive issue that actually almost destroyed a marriage of a good friend of mine. Which is exactly why I wrote it—to impact readers who may be making the same mistake in their marriage as Lizzie does in hers. Here’s a brief blurb: 

Everyone knows John and Lizzie Brady have the perfect marriage. But when Lizzie’s desire to be a good mother eclipses her desire for her husband, the honeymoon is definitely over. Can the spirit of Christmas heal their hearts when Lizzie gives John the best gift of all?

In “The Best Gift of All,” you portray John and Lizzie Brady as the perfect married couple. What did they do to earn that merit? In what ways do you hope their story will impact your readers, especially when we find out that not all is well this Christmas with The Brady Family? 

The other O’Connor siblings have always teased John and Lizzie about having the perfect marriage because they never fight, never seem to have problems, and Lizzie has all but worshipped John since she was thirteen. Known as the quiet and shy romantic of the family, Lizzie is the perfect buffer to her three older sisters, all of whom have strong-willed personalities. From Faith with her redheaded temper and Charity with her playful plotting, to Katie with her strong suffragist views, all three have experienced their fair share of marital bumps in the road. Unlike Lizzie and John … uh … that is, until now.

When Lizzie’s “doting worship” suddenly switches from her husband to her children, it fosters bitterness in both John and Lizzie, creating a strained and sometimes volatile relationship instead of the “perfect marriage” they enjoyed before. As I mention in the reader notes at the back of the novella, “The Best Gift of All” is actually based on the real-life situation of a couple I know who not only experienced damage in their marriage from this problem, but damage to the father’s relationship with his children as well. I knew then that this was an important issue to address, so I pray this story is a blessing to those who need it.

What life lessons will The Brady Family learn and how does their faith in God play a role in healing their hearts?

A VERY important lesson for couples today, as expressed in the excerpt below when Lizzie confides to her sister about her bitterness towards John...Because of Lizzie’s deep faith in God, her sister is able to pierce her heart with the truth—a truth that eventually gives both Lizzie and John, “the best gift of all.”

Okay, I have to ask: What exactly is “the best gift of all” in The Brady Family story? What can you tell us without giving away the story? 

Come on, Alexis, you know I can’t tell you that, but let’s just say it’s a gift that can’t be wrapped in ribbons and bows!

Now let’s talk about your other Christmas novella, “A Whisper of Hope.”  

What foreshadowing does the story title “A Whisper of Hope” have in light of the characters and their journey?

“A Whisper of Hope” is about the lovable busybody in the O’Connor family, Charity O’Connor Dennehy, and trust me—as a women who spends her life “plotting” to get what she wants, the word “whisper” is most appropriate! And what Charity wants is another baby, but her much older husband Mitch is not so inclined, so Charity takes it upon herself to change his mind. And if you knew Mitch Denney, you’d know he is the most stubborn of all the O’Connor spouses, butting heads with Charity from the moment she first seduced him in book 1 of this family saga, A Passion Most Pure. So you might say that Charity doesn’t have a “whisper” of a prayer in changing Mitch’s mind. But then … all it takes is a “whisper of hope,” right?

What can you tell us in a few words about your leading lady Charity O’Connor Dennehy and her husband’s relationship?

Charity is passionate, headstrong, and manipulative. Mitch is passionate, stubborn, and part mule, and nothing in marriage comes easily to these two. But … they’re saved by their faith … and a love that is deep and true and very passionate. 

Finally, let’s spend some time talking about one more of your Christmas novels, A Light in the Window: An Irish Christmas Love Story. 

A Light in the Window is a beautiful title for a Christmas story! What picture do you hope this title paints in the mind of your readers?

Thank you, Alexis! This title is actually based on three things: 

1) Putting a “light in the window” is an old Irish Christmas tradition. 

2) It’s the name of the fundraiser play for the parish homeless shelter in the book. 

3) It’s symbolic of the heroine’s faith in that only one of the two heroes truly responds to the “light in the window,” which is the love of Christ in her heart.

I love your tagline for your novel about the two men in your leading lady Marceline Murphy’s life—“one stirs her pulse, the other her faith.” Love it! What can you tell us about these two remarkable men? Is there a lesson for the ladies here within? Please explain.

Oh, yes, a BIG lesson that I hope all young women will heed! Patrick O’Connor and Sam O’Rourke are the two Southie rogues who break hearts left and right, turning the head of every woman they meet. Uh … except one! Here’s the video my artist hubby did for A Light in The Window, which gives you a better idea about the story. It also stars my daughter as Marcy in the video and on the book cover.

Tell us a bit about Patrick O’Conner and Sam O’Rourke. What makes their world go round? What are their strengths and weaknesses?

Patrick and Sam are two best friends who are like brothers and very used to getting their way with women. Sam is from a good Catholic family with a strong faith base, but Patrick is not, with a home life that is very dysfunctional. Their biggest weaknesses, other than their penchant for women, is their lack of faith.

What is it about Marceline that makes these two men fight to win her heart?

First of all, Marcy is the first woman who doesn’t give them the time of day at first, so she’s a challenge. She’s had several bad experiences with good-looking “rogues,” and wants nothing to do with them, which naturally piques both Patrick’s and Sam’s interest. But it’s her purity of heart and deep faith that draws them both, although they aren’t fully aware of that and really want nothing to do with faith.

Let’s close with a few questions for you as the author. 

Why do you love to write fiction? 

I love to write fiction because for me, it’s the easiest ways to teach the many, many lessons I have learned—all the hard way, I might add—as a mother, wife, and Christian.

How does your faith in God play into your storytelling?

Well, let’s put it this way—without God, there would be no books, period. God is not only my reason to write, He is my inspiration, my motivation, my confidence and my talent. Like Michael W. Smith sings in his incredible song, “Breathe,” God is “the air I breathe.” I love romance, make no mistake, but without God in the middle, it is flat, empty, pointless. So I guess you could say that although I write books heavily laced with romantic passion, they are also intensely spiritually passionate as well, with God always firmly anchored in the middle. 

What’s one thing this Christmas season you want to do that know one else knows?

Go see lots of movies with the love of my life because we seldom venture out to the movies, although we do love them. I am totally blessed to be married to a man who actually enjoys watching Hallmark movies with me, so it doesn’t get any better than that over the holidays.

Thanks for the interview, Julie! Merry Christmas and God bless you! And Merry Christmas to you and yours as well, Alexis, and thank you for hosting me on your blog—it’s been fun! I will say that I love to hear from reader friends, so if they like, they can contact me and read excerpts from my books at www.julielessman.com, or through Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, or Pinterest or by signing up for my newsletter.

I also have a blog called “Journal Jots,” which is a very laid-back journal to my reader friends, or readers can check out my favorite romantic and spiritual scenes from each of my books on the “Excerpts” tab of my website. In addition, I can be found daily at The Seekers, a group blog of 13 published authors that inspires, encourages, teaches, and informs aspiring writers on the road to publication and beyond. Although Seekerville has been listed on Writers Digest 2013 and 2014 “Best 101 Websites for Writers,” it is also a blog devoted to readers as well.

~*~
Author bio: 

Julie was named American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Debut Author of the Year and has garnered 17 Romance Writers of America and other awards. 

Voted #1 Romance Author of the year in Family Fiction magazine’s 2012 and 2011 Readers Choice Awards, Julie was also named on Booklist’s 2010 Top 10 Inspirational Fiction and Borders Best Fiction list. Her latest novel, Surprised by Love, appeared on Family Fiction magazine’s list of Top Ten Novels of 2014, and her independent novel A Light in the Window is an International Digital Awards winner, a 2013 Readers' Crown Award winner, and a 2013 Book Buyers Best Award winner. 

Julie has also written a self-help workbook for writers entitled Romance-ology 101: Writing Romantic Tension for the Sweet and Inspirational Markets.

You can contact Julie through her website and read excerpts from each of her books at www.julielessman.com.

Author interview: Amanda Cabot

Today, I will introduce you to a notable author who has published more than 30 books! She is an avid reader, admirer of the color blue, and good at writing fictional romance stories based on her real, firsthand experience with the love of her life. Amanda Cabot is her name and she has wonderful words to share with you! 

So without further ado, here's my author interview with Amanda Cabot (questions by Alexis in bold, answers from Amanda not in bold)...

~*~

Alexis: Congratulations on receiving a starred review from Publishers Weekly! What were your first thoughts when you learned of this news?

Amanda: I was speechless, which doesn’t happen very often, and I had tears of joy in my eyes. I’d hoped for a PW review, and of course I hoped they wouldn’t hate the story, but receiving a starred review was more than I’d dreamt of.

When did you know you were meant to be an author? Share your story of how your dreams became a reality.

I’ve always wanted to write. From the time I was seven, when reading was my favorite pastime, I thought the most wonderful thing in the world would be to be a writer. It took a while before I actually submitted a manuscript to an editor, but once I did, there was no turning back. And, no, that first story didn’t sell to the first editor, but I was fortunate enough to sell it to the second one.

Why do you write historical romances?

There are a couple reasons. Let’s start with the historical part. I enjoy research, particularly when it means that I get to immerse myself in a different time period. It’s such fun to see how people lived in “olden days.” And, once I’ve done all that research, I love sharing tidbits with my readers. As for romance, I’ve always been drawn to stories of characters who have to surmount seemingly impossible obstacles to find their happily-ever-after.

How many books have you written? I see you’ve written a few book series. How exciting! Tell me about it. Are your only series Texas Dreams and Westward Winds? Please share the concept for each book series.

At this point, I’ve published over 30 novels and half a dozen novellas. My earlier books were written for the secular market under a variety of pseudonyms. But for the past seven years, all of my writing has been for the Christian market. It’s been a wonderful change for me in many respects, not the least being the knowledge that this is what God wants me to be doing.

I’m going to answer the rest of your questions from the perspective of my Christian books:

The Texas Dreams and Westward Winds trilogies were my first series for the Christian market. Although they’re very different stories, in both cases, they were inspired by places I particularly like: the Texas Hill Country for Texas Dreams and Wyoming for Westward Winds. Each series was both fun and a challenge to write. The challenges in Texas Dreams related to the heroines’ backstories or, in the case of Priscilla (Scattered Petals), the events of the first chapter. Each of my heroines had to overcome a difficult past, and that made certain aspects of each story painful to write. Still, readers’ reactions to those books reaffirmed my decision to focus on the healing power of love.

The challenge to the Wyoming books was different. I set them in real places – Fort Laramie and Cheyenne – and had to do extensive research to ensure that all the details were accurate. Believe me, I agonized over that and wondered more than once why I’d decided to use real places rather than a fictional location like Ladreville, the setting for the Texas Dreams books. Fortunately, all of my research paid off when the U.S. Park Service cited the authentic details as one of the reasons they chose Summer of Promise for the Fort Laramie bookstore.

Both of those series are complete at this point. But since so many readers have told me that they want to know more about the residents of Ladreville, I’m considering a second trilogy to follow Texas Dreams. Right now, though, my focus is on the Texas Crossroads trilogy, of which At Bluebonnet Lake is the first book.

Tell us about your first contemporary book At Bluebonnet Lake. What inspired you to write it?

Would you believe the inspiration was a leaky roof at what should have been a four-star resort? The reality of a resort on its last legs was far different from the glossy brochure, but as is often the case with unpleasant experiences it gave me the seed of an idea that led to the whole Texas Crossroads trilogy.

Your book The Christmas Star Bride will be available for purchase on Dec. 8. Would this be your next novella? Why should my readers buy it?

Yes, The Christmas Star Bride is my next novella. One of the exciting things about it is that it’s part of The 12 Brides of Christmas collection, a series of twelve stories featuring – you guessed it – Christmastime romances. Each of these will be released in e-book format one each Monday starting September 23. As you might expect with twelve different authors involved, the stories are all quite different.

You worked as a computer programmer. Are you retired now? How did you find time to write all of these wonderful books while keeping a full-time job in another career?

My husband and I were fortunate to be able to take early retirement and fulfill our lifelong dream of moving to the West a few years ago. Prior to that, I wrote two books a year by writing whenever I could find a spare minute. I won’t claim that it was easy, and I’ll freely admit to many years of sleep deprivation, but writing has always been an important part of my life, and when something’s important, you make time for it.

You’ve said that writing is who you are and what you are meant to be. Why do you believe that to be God’s plan for your life?

He told me. Oh, not in so many words, but He answered my prayers. He brought me the agent I wanted at exactly the right time; He gave me not one but two publishers interested in my book; and He’s sent me readers who have told me that my stories have deepened their faith and helped restore their belief in God’s love.

Describe your writing space.

I’ve written everywhere from airports and planes to hotel rooms and friends’ guest rooms, and for many years my office doubled as a guest room. Now that I’m retired and living in Cheyenne, I’m fortunate to have a dedicated office.

What advice do you have for aspiring authors?

I have three pieces of advice. The first is to read extensively in the genre you want to write. That’s the best way to learn what publishers are buying. Secondly, join a writer’s group. ACFW is wonderful for writers in the Christian marketplace, and Romance Writers of America is excellent for anyone interested in writing romance. A writer’s group provides support, networking and so many other resources to the aspiring writer that I can’t over emphasize the importance of joining one. And lastly, never give up. Rejection is a fact of life. I won’t sugarcoat it: rejection hurts. But if you let it defeat you, if you stop sending out your manuscript just because it was rejected, you’ll never be published. Believe in your book and in yourself. Oh … that was four pieces of advice. Sorry!

Tell me about your family. Are you married? Do you have kids? Share the lovely details.

One of the reasons I write romance is that I have firsthand experience with true love and happily-ever-after. I met the man who became my husband when I was a junior in high school and knew from the beginning that he was the one for me. We’ve been married for more years than I can admit if I want to continue the myth of being twenty-nine, have no children and share a love for travel, particularly by car.

What is your favorite color (explain why)?

Blue. It comes in so many wonderful shades and reminds me of the beauty of an autumn sky or the sparkling waters of a glacial lake.

Complete this sentence: During my writing journey, the most valuable lesson I have learned is _________________because _____________________.

During my writing journey, the most valuable lesson I have learned is patience, because God’s answers may take longer than you expect, but His timing is always perfect.

Alexis: Thank you for the interview Amanda! Is there a question you’d like to ask my readers? 

Amanda: Thanks so much for the opportunity! I’m curious about your readers’ reading habits, so here’s my question: Do you prefer contemporary or historical novels and why? 

~*~

Author bio:

Amanda Cabot is the bestselling author of more than thirty novels including the Texas Dreams trilogy, the Westward Winds series, and Christmas Roses. A former director of Information Technology, she has written everything from technical books and articles for IT professionals to mysteries for teenagers and romances for all ages. Amanda is delighted to now be a full-time writer of Christian romances, living happily ever after with her husband in Wyoming.

Connect with Amanda:

Official website - www.amandacabot.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/amanda.j.cabot

Twitter - https://twitter.com/AmandaJoyCabot/

Blog - http://amandajoycabot.blogspot.com/

Buy Amanda's latest book, At Bluebonnet Lake: