This year Pelican Book Group is having another Christmas Holiday Extravaganza featuring sweet, short Christmas stories that are just right for warming your holidays no matter what the weather is like outside. I'll be featuring some of the authors of those stories on this blog. Today's special guest is Carol James.
Carol James is an author of inspirational fiction. She lives in Lilburn, Georgia, a small town outside of Atlanta, with her husband, Jim, and a perky Jack Russell “Terrorist,” Zoe.
Having always loved intriguing stories with happy endings, she was moved to begin writing to encourage others as she'd been encouraged by the works of other authors of inspirational fiction.
Her debut novel, Rescuing Faith, has been a number one best seller on Amazon. Her second novel, The Waiting, and her Christmas novellas, Mary’s Christmas Surprise and The Unexpected Christmas Gift are currently available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the Pelican Book Group website. Her newest novel, Season of Hope, will be available in the summer of 2020.
Carol enjoys spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren, traveling with friends, and serving in the production department at her church. And most days, in the late hours of the night or the wee hours of the morning, she can be found bringing her newest novel to life.
What's the story about?
Eli Walker is a fun-loving entrepreneur. His job is to advise and restructure struggling companies. Holly's mission is to save the company she works for by finding new customers at a trade show in Dusseldorf.
But when she fulfills her promise to her boss to visit the cathedral in Cologne, her quest changes.
Filled with twinkling lights and snowflakes, Christmas markets and a romantic Ferris wheel, Eli and Holly's time together in Germany is an unexpected gift. But when they return home, Eli must make a decision that could cost him what he wants most in life…Holly.
Here's a short excerpt:
The Ferris wheel stopped at its apex. Holly turned back toward Eli, but he was facing the market, his back to her.
“Holly, come see.”
She stepped across the pod to the side that overlooked the market and slipped into the seat beside him.
“It looks like a…galaxy.”
He was right. Lights draping from the giant, central tree out to the edges of the market were woven together with masses of twinkling lights strung from the roofs of the Old Town buildings and blanketing the entire market with a golden glow. She scooted closer and rested her head on his shoulder. “Thank you.”
“Thank you for coming.”
“That’s not what I meant. The train. The prayer. Thank you.”
He wrapped an arm around her and drew her closer. “I’d be honored to pray for you any place, any time.” He placed his free hand under her chin and lifted her face toward his. “About anything.”
The butterflies from the other day returned in full force. His coffee eyes looked deep into her soul. He was going to kiss her. A part of her wanted to let him. But she hardly knew him. Yet what she knew, she loved.
He bent nearer. She leaned in and closed her eyes. His breath was warm on her lips.
She couldn’t do it. Chad. What about Chad? He’d been her first, last, her only love. Forgetting him, replacing him would be so unfair. Her eyes filled as she drew away. All she could manage was a whisper. “Eli, no. I can’t. I can’t.”
THE UNEXPECTED CHRISTMAS GIFT is already available for pre-order and will be released on November 20, 2019. Click on the link below the book cover for more information. Check out Carol James's other fine books, too.
Waltzing Matilda caught my interest right away. Beleaguered Councillor Tilly is near her wit’s end when a fire destroys the venue for the town’s famous Christmas ball. With only four days left, she searches for a suitable replacement venue but there are no places to be had except for Addington Hall. However, Leo, who is a virtual recluse, won’t even speak to Tilly on the phone. Refusing to give up, she drives to the hall. A horrendous storm comes to town, which ruins Tilly’s apartment, her car, and the grand ballroom which could have been used for the ball. Tilly is stuck at Addington Hall with Leo, his formidable aunt, and his sister. While Tilly may not be formidable, she is practical and sensible and offers her wise advice to Leo. She also makes great biscuits—and the recipe is at the end of the book. A very enjoyable romance and well worth reading.
