LOVE’S GIFT IS A FINALIST!

LOVE’S GIFT is a finalist in the NJ Romance Writers’ Golden Leaf Awards! I am thrilled. 🤩 

https://www.amazon.com/Loves-Gift-Penelope-Marzec-ebook/dp/B0D49BZ5P4 

 

Guest Post: THE SECRET INGREDIENT by Kirsten Clark

My guest today is Kirsten Clark. She developed a deep and abiding love for stories at a young age, and has been plotting how to become an author ever since. When not writing sweet romances, she can be found in the classroom teaching at her local college, curled up with a cup of coffee and a good book, or baking chocolate cake while listening to podcasts. A graduate of the Universities of Alberta and British Columbia, she lives in Alberta, Canada with her husband and two children, who keep her on her toes.

     Kirsten's latest release is The Secret Ingredient. It's about the Holy Grounds shop which runs on two things: the nutty, caramel scent of coffee and Sebastien Davenport's beloved cranberry-gingerbread muffins.

     When the pastry chef collapses days before Christmas, owner Bridgette Calloway faces an impossible morning rush and an even harder truth: the beloved chef she's leaned on may need her more than ever.
     When a frightening diagnosis upends Seb's independence and he's at his lowest, it's his boss he finds himself calling. Perhaps she's more than a boss after all… Bridgette shows up with a Bible, Chinese takeout, and the solid courage he didn't know he needed. In the hush of winter and a kitchen dusted with flour and light, their friendship warms into something deeper. But fear, pride, and new limitations could cost them more than a holiday menu.
     As carols ring and candlelight glows, Bridgette and Seb are thrust into uncharted territory and must make a choice. Will they retreat into safety, or put their trust in the God who writes love stories in unexpected places like a coffee sleeve, a baker's bench, and prayer whispered over racks of cooling pastries?

Now for an excerpt! Enjoy!

     Bridgette pulled a pan of muffins from the oven before silencing a blaring alarm. “Iris, the tops are pointy. Again.”

     Iris didn't speak but wrinkled her nose as she joined Bridgette in the kitchen, inspecting the latest batch.

     “I must’ve overmixed the batter.” Bridgette sucked in a breath in a futile attempt to hold back the tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. “I, I...I made sure to weigh the flour and to set the oven properly to temperature, and I even used a timer for the stand mixer and these darn muffin tops still came out looking like mountains!”

     “I see that,” Iris said mildly, knotting a forest green apron around her hips before turning to wash her hands in the shiny industrial sink. “Sebastien never overmixes the batter,” she shot over her shoulder.

     Bridgette swallowed a sigh, resigning herself to the incoming tears. Iris was...Iris. A cosmetology student with purple hair. Chunky silver necklaces. Thick eyeliner. And she was also right. Seb’s muffins always came out perfect. What was she going to do?

     Bridgette pulled up the bottom of her apron, wiping her eyes. Crying was OK. She was only human after all. But, she thought, clacking a perfectly manicured nail on the shiny metal counter, she also had a job to do. Bridgette allowed a pause, holding up a hand to admire the sparkles in her latest manicure. The garnet has been a good choice this time. Very Christmassy. She shook her head as if to clear cobwebs. No, no time for pretty things. Focus.

     Because even without Sebastien, Bridgette had to have baking to offer her customers. When the usual crowd walked through her front door they expected to be greeted with the nutty, caramel scent of coffee and—in December—the warm spiciness of Seb’s famous cranberry gingerbread muffins, just as much as they expected catchy worship music playing over the speakers and Bible verses on their drink sleeves. The muffins were an integral part of what made Holy Grounds, well, Holy Grounds.

One reviewer called this story, "...an enjoyable and heartwarming story that proves God still answers prayer."

Visit Kirsten's website at: https://www.kirstenclarkauthor.com/

Get your copy of THE SECRET INGREDIENT now at:

Amazon 

Barnes&Noble

Kobo

Apple

Pelican Book Group 

Guest Post: ALWAYS AND ONLY by Carol James

My guest today is Carol James. She was raised as an Air Force brat, the longest she ever lived in one place was a year and a half. Maybe that’s why when she and her husband bought their first home forty-three years ago, they stayed.

 

Wife, mother, grandmother, and dog-mama to Zoe, Carol loves writing stories of redemptive romance. When asked the difference between redemptive romance and standard romance, she replied, “A standard romance has two main characters––a hero and a heroine. A redemptive romance adds a third. God.”

 

Follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and X

 

Follow Zoe and her friends on Facebook or Instagram at: 3DogsandtheirAuthors 

 

Carol's latest release is ALWAYS AND ONLY.  In this book, Caleb Daniels returns home to Texas after his wife has an affair and asks him for a divorce. When he temporarily goes to work for an ex-fraternity brother, he’s assigned to share an office with Aurora Prentiss. There’s only one problem: Rory and Caleb were high school sweethearts, but to please her father, Rory ended her relationship with Caleb soon after graduation.

Aurora Prentiss never stopped loving Caleb, but has always felt a filial respect to her father that makes her bend to his will. When Caleb returns, Rory thinks this may be her chance to make things right with him. The only problem? She's engaged to a man chosen by her father.

Will Caleb be able to forgive the woman who broke his heart years ago? And if he does, will Rory be willing to risk her relationship with her father, cancel the wedding to the fiancé she doesn't love, and finally make a life with the only man she’s always loved?

🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

 

EXCERPT: 

Aurora Prentiss stared at the image on her laptop’s screen. Only one word came to mind. Ugly. No…two words. Unbelievably ugly. Her stomach churned. Never in a million years would she have chosen this design. The gold, silver, and pearl embossed lilies, hearts, and doves made the invitation look like something better suited to a funeral or a Las Vegas wedding rather than one at First Redeemer Presbyterian in Dallas. 

 

She leaned her head in her hands and closed her eyes. Burton was right. Letting his mom choose their wedding invitation was a small concession, if it made her happy. Plus, after the ceremony was over, who would remember a piece of paper they’d received weeks earlier? Aurora could live with this…as long as his parents didn’t frame one and expect she and Burton to hang it in their new house. It was so ugly. 

 

The alarm on her phone sounded. Time to gather her stuff and head to work.

***

Caleb Daniels didn’t even open the menu. He hadn’t had Tex-Mex in over a year, and he knew exactly what he wanted. Cheese and onion enchiladas…topped with tons of chili. None of that red sauce stuff.

 

He turned as the bell above the restaurant door sounded. Jason waved. When he reached the table, Caleb stood and pulled his friend into a hug.

 

Jason grinned. “Great to see you, man. Almost didn’t recognize you with the beard. Plus you’re skinny. Been on a diet?”

 

“Yeah. The missionary diet.” They slid into the booth. “But I’m getting ready to change that.” He raised his hand and motioned to the server.

 

They ordered, and then Jason leaned back in his chair. “Glad you called me. I can always find room for a fraternity brother. Especially one who’s a hard worker, and who just happens to have an MBA. We’ll take you on as contract labor until you figure out if this is going to be a good fit. I’d love for it to be permanent, though, to have you hop on the bus.”

 

“Thanks. I owe you one.” Caleb dunked a tortilla chip into the salsa and shoved it in his mouth. He’d missed this.

 

“Nobody’s keeping score. Besides…you’re the only reason I passed that final in Econ. Staying up all night helping me cram.”

 

            ***

Stuffed with enchiladas, Caleb’s stomach approached the bursting stage. But the Tex-Mex was worth the pain. He followed Jason down the hall toward the last office on the right. 

            

Jason stopped and leaned toward him. “So…you’ll be sharing an office with Rory. Her strength lies in carrying out—meticulously, I might add—any ideas given to her. If you provide her with the germ of a thought, she’ll race ahead and take the gold.”

            

The two stepped through the door. A huge flower arrangement provided the backdrop as a beautiful brunette stood and smiled. 

            

“Cale, this is Rory Prentiss. And Rory this is—”

            

Caleb’s gaze locked onto the chocolate eyes of his office mate. His heart plummeted. “Been a long time, Aurora.”

 

 

Purchase Links:

 

Amazon: Always&Only

 

Google Books: Always&OnlyGoogle

 

Barnes & Noble: Always&Only   

 

Pelican Book Group

 

Website: https://www.carol-james.com

 

Book Video on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ofo79e9Vcs

 

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My Review of ALWAYS AND ONLY:

Aurora Prentiss is having pre-wedding jitters. She will soon be married to Burton, a man her father hand-picked for her. However, her future mother-in-law is choosing the wedding invitations, the flowers, and even the furnishing for her house. Burton is a wealthy businessman and Aurora loves him but when her former high school sweetheart turns up working at her office, newly divorced, Aurora begins to seriously question everyone else’s plans for her life. She knows that once she’s married, her father will be happy and her fiancé and his family will be happy. But what about her?

Her long ago love, Caleb, is a perfect gentleman even when they must travel out of town together to a sales conference. Aurora broke his heart in high school, and now his wife has betrayed him, though he admits some of the problems with his wife were his fault. Then Aurora’s father offers him a job, which involves going to another country.

There’s so much going on in this story! I couldn’t stop turning the pages to see what would happen next. Faith and trust in God are woven in gently as Aurora and Caleb question God’s will. I loved this story.

🎵 🎶 🎵 🎶 🎵

 

 

An Excerpt from LOVE'S GIFT

 Love's Gift is now available with Kindle Unlimited! Go to Amazon and read the reviews. Then enjoy this excerpt. 

    

    As they wandered along the path through the garden, they came upon a bench beneath an arbor.
Pink roses climbed up the wooden framework, forming a shady haven from the hot sun overhead.
    "If you don’t mind, I would like to sit for a while," William said.

    "The sun is quite intense today.‛ Amaranth sat on the opposite site of the bench.
    "Why didn’t you like the escargot at lunch?" William asked. "It is a delicacy and quite delicious."
    "It was like eating rubber." Amaranth admitted. "The garlic butter sauce was very tasty, but it would be
nicer served on noodles."
    "Noodles are ordinary."
    Amaranth thought she heard a touch of arrogance in his tone. "I like them very much."
    You seemed to like the pudding more than anything." William noted.

    "I adore pudding." Amaranth clasped her hands together and drew in a great breath. "I helped Mrs.

Devine make pudding many times, and I never let the pudding burn on the bottom of the pot."
    "A very specific talent, I’m sure."
    Amaranth frowned. Was he being sarcastic? But due to the tilt of his chin and his exasperated sigh, he
was undoubtedly bored. "Have you ever cooked anything?"
    He turned his head and frowned at her. "My grandfather and I pan fried the fish we caught."
    She nodded. "I am glad to know you haven’t always been waited on."
    He gave her a fierce glare.
    "Frying fish is different from making pudding." She explained. "It takes a great deal of care to be sure
the pudding doesn’t burn on the bottom of the pot. Patience is needed for you must stir the pudding as it
thickens."
    "And you have that kind of patience." He lifted one eyebrow in speculation.
    "For pudding, yes." Amaranth’s stomach remained quite full after that meal. Perhaps she overindulged. She put a hand on her stomach. Maybe she would not need to eat for several days.
     "You do seem to possess in infinite amount of persistence in typing my mother’s endless letters." He
crossed his arms and leaned back as a cooling breeze rustled the leaves surrounding them in the arbor.
    "Typing is not difficult for me." She remained proficient in avoiding errors, an important distinction
when it came to skill. However, in life, when she let her emotions and dreams get in the way, she made
mistakes. Like picking the hydrangea and longing to put her feet into the ocean. Regrets assailed her. She
hated making mistakes.
    "Is there anything you find challenging?" he asked.
    Amaranth’s pulse sped up. Had he read her mind? She couldn’t tell him about her emotions and foolish
ideas. She swallowed hard. 

    "I am tempted to eat all of Mrs. Herpin’s cookies." That was true enough.
    William let out a hearty laugh. "What? And not slip a few to Tulip?"
    Amaranth’s heart lifted hearing the joy in his voice. "I most certainly would share some with Tulip.
After all, our friendship is based on Mrs. Herpin’s cookies."
    "What is our friendship based on?" he asked.
    Amaranth froze for several seconds before she stuttered. "Y-You’re the son of my employer."
    "That sounds rather dull." He twisted up one side of his mouth.
    "It…it is true though." Momentary panic washed through her, and she twisted her hands. All the sweet
residue of pudding in her mouth turned sour. "We can’t be friends after all."
    "Yes, best to keep things cut and dry." He stood. "We should be getting back soon." He went off in
search of his mother.
    Amaranth stayed in the arbor. A cold chill gripped her when William walked away, and it wasn’t due to
the shady interior. She didn’t want to make William mad, but he acted as if he were. She didn’t think he
liked her much at all. Sometimes, he seemed kind and concerned, but often his moods were mercurial. Also, it bothered her that he wouldn’t forgive his father as he should.
    Sister Felicia would have been very upset with his attitude on that score.

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Guest Post: MOONLIGHT AND MYSTERY by Karen Malley

My guest today is Karen Malley. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two sons and is, by far, the shortest person in the house. A perfect weekend would be spent hiking and camping with her three guys. She loves God, her family, playing games, and has a goal to visit as many National Parks as possible! When not in the great outdoors, she’s either at work as a scientist or at home writing stories in her pajamas.

Karen has written a wonderful new book! Here's the blurb:

 Beth Tarrington has it all: a gorgeous fiancé, a lucrative career, the latest model car, and a high-priced condo. On top of that, the Tarrington name opens every door in town. So why is she so discontent? When everything falls apart in Beth’s life, will she finally find the strength to stand on her own two feet? Is God really willing to stand by her side, even after ignoring Him for so long?  

When Jason Brooks meets Beth, his head tells him to run in the opposite direction. Beth is a high-society snob engaged to another man, and he’s not sure where she stands with God. So why does God keep bringing the two of them together? Can these two find love, in spite of everything that stands in their way?

      Look at this terrific cover and read an excerpt. You'll be hooked. 😊

     Beth settled next to Jason on a bench in front of the fountain. She glanced upward. “I can’t believe it’s so bright tonight.”

Jason pointed over the trees. “Full moon.”

Beth gazed up at the silvery orb. “It’s gorgeous.”

“God’s showing off for us,” Jason said.

Not sure how to reply, Beth unwrapped her sandwich. “I don’t usually eat like this.” 

“It won’t kill you to eat fast food once in a while.” 

“My mother wouldn’t agree.”

“Is she a healthy eater?” 

“That’s an understatement. I didn’t discover fast food until college. Most people expand their food horizons as they get older to include more sophisticated tastes. Me, I regressed.” She dipped a fry into ketchup. “Like the simple pleasure of ketchup.”

Jason laughed. “Here I though the rich folks had everything. But no ketchup? That’s a tragedy.”

“That’s not the worst of it.” Beth leaned close and whispered in Jason’s ear. “No peanut butter, either.”

Jason clutched his hands to his chest. “I never would’ve reached adulthood if it weren’t for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.”

“Lucky.” They settled into a companionable silence while they ate. The sky was cloudless, and although they were in the center of town, a few stars managed to peek through the moonlight. Beth finished her meal and watched the streams of water dance around the fountain. Peace filled her. She couldn’t remember enjoying an evening this much for a long time.

Jason fished some change from his pocket, threw a quarter into the fountain, and handed one to Beth. “Care to make a wish?”

“What did you wish for?”

“I can’t tell you or it won’t come true.” 

Beth giggled. “You really believe that? Fine. I’ll make a wish, but I won’t tell you mine, either.”

“I’ll make you a deal,” Jason said.

Beth turned to him, “Oh?”

“When my wish comes true, I’ll tell you what it was.”

“Do magicians even need wishes?” Beth asked. “Can’t you make your magical dreams come true?”

Jason’s eyes caught Beth’s and held her captive. “Some wishes have to happen on their own.” 

Beth lost herself in his eyes for a moment too long. She tore her gaze away, stood, and closed her eyes. I wish I could always feel as happy as I do tonight. I wish I could forget about being who my parents want me to be and be who I want to be. She opened her eyes and tossed the coin into the fountain.

Buy Link:

 

https://www.amazon.com/Moonlight-Mystery-Chester-County-Couples-ebook/dp/B0CG9TWDS5

 

If you’d like to learn more Karen Malley or her books, check out her website at www.karenmalley.com. If you sign up for her newsletter, you’ll get a free short story in your inbox each week. You’ll also be the first to find out about new releases and giveaways and have a chance to have your ideas show up in a future book!

 

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Guest Post: A DREAM OF CHRISTMAS by Erin Stevenson

My guest today is Erin Stevenson, a former elementary, secondary, and collegiate educator. Writing for the past decade, her longtime faith and experiences of living across America come alive in her books. Erin is recently retired, traveling the country with her dog in a camper, looking for inspiration for her next novels.

Erin's latest release is A DREAM OF CHRISTMAS. 

     The book begins when Finn Donovan answers a late-night knock at the door, there stands Charity Sullivan, the only woman he’s ever loved. He hasn’t seen her since the night nearly seventeen years ago when they shared a magical kiss after a months-long friendship.
     But Charity isn’t alone, and her last name is no longer Sullivan. Her four children are with her, and she’s looking for a place to hide. Her marriage just ended, and her former father-in-law, a powerful, dangerous underworld boss, will stop at nothing to keep her from leaving with his grandchildren.
      As Finn and Charity’s friendship rekindles, Finn’s protective instincts go on high alert. He’s never stopped loving her, but as an upright, God-fearing man, doesn’t want to take advantage of her vulnerability. Charity is drawn to Finn. She dreams of a future for them, but unanswered questions from the past stand between them.
     When Charity receives a phone call telling her that her former father-in-law has discovered her whereabouts, she decides to go on the run again. But Finn isn’t having any of it. He has a Christmas dream of his own, and it won’t come true without Charity and her children.

Now sit back and enjoy an excerpt!

Finn Donovan flipped the sign to Closed, locked the door, and rested his head on the cold glass. He was so exhausted he could barely move. 

He’d made it. He’d survived Thanksgiving. 

Donovan’s restaurant was an institution on Boston’s North End and had been in Finn’s family for four generations. Robbie and Michael Donovan, Finn’s father and uncle, had taken it over from their parents nearly fifty years ago but were now retired. Between them, they had six daughters—Finn’s sister Mia and their five girl cousins—all of whom still lived in the area but were busy wives and mothers with little inclination or time for the restaurant. Finn was the sole proprietor now. 

He pulled away from the door and shuffled to the back, turning off lights as he went. When he entered the saloon doors into the kitchen, a wave of exhaustion slammed into him. 

The kitchen looked like a war zone. 

It was his own fault. Donovan’s had always closed for Thanksgiving until Finn had taken over last year, and his decision to open on the holiday was just one more bone of contention between himself and his dad and uncle, who couldn’t believe he was giving away all that food. Finn insisted that the neighborhood meeting place would give people with no place to go a warm meal and community fellowship. It wasn’t always about the bottom line. 

He’d had help from some of the family today, but once they closed, he shooed them and his crew out. Finn needed to be alone and cleaning the kitchen would be therapeutic for him. 

It would also keep him from having to go upstairs to his dark, lonely apartment with nothing but thoughts of the anniversary of this day to keep him company. 

Finn took a breath and ran a hand through his hair. The kitchen wouldn’t clean itself. He walked out to the soda fountain and grabbed a plastic tumbler. After filling it with ice, he put the cup under the clear soda spigot but then changed his mind. Tonight, he needed caffeine. 

The front door rattled as someone pounded on it. 

Soda splashed out of the cup onto his hand. Finn tipped his head back and closed his eyes. No. He couldn’t serve one more meal. But if someone was in need, he wouldn’t—couldn’t—turn them away.

“Hello! Is anyone there?” A female voice. 

Finn strode to the door, and his heart stopped. A woman stood on the other side of the door, surrounded by four children, all bundled in winter clothing. Two of them were tall, boys. The younger two looked like a boy and a girl. 

“Finn, is that you?”

It couldn’t be. Even in the dim light, in the swirling snow, he’d know those eyes anywhere. 

He wrenched open the door. “Come in, come in.” The little group trooped in, bringing a blast of cold air and flurries with them, and Finn closed it behind them. He switched on the light. 

Charity Sullivan stared back at him, the only girl who’d ever owned his heart. What in the world was she doing here?

Finn was instantly transported back to exactly seventeen years ago when two souls connected in a way that Finn hadn’t experienced since. Over a period of a few months, they’d talked for hours, held hands, and one night, under a gently falling snow, shared a kiss that shimmered with hope and promise. 

One sweet, perfect, magical kiss. 

Finn hadn’t seen her since that night. 

He stood rooted the spot, drinking her in, and she seemed to be doing the same. 

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You can purchase the book at most ebook distributors:

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Kobo 

Pelican Book Group

Google Play Books

 

Another Piece of the Story for ANGEL OF THE L TRAIN

     That’s my mom in her younger days. She thought she could be a star. She liked to sing and some folks said she looked like Barbara Stanwyck, a well-known actress in the 1930s and 1940s.. My mom and her sister went to New York and would have starved if it weren’t for a kind restaurant owner who gave them food—and a job. He also gave my mom her famous, secret rice pudding recipe. 😊

     Mom never became an actress or a singer—though she sang to me and my siblings all the time. But what if she had found fame? Would she have met my dad? Probably not. What about her art, which was what she loved? Would she have given that up for the glamor and glitter of Hollywood?

     I don’t know, but that idea was one of the pieces that fit into ANGEL OF THE L TRAIN. In my book, the heroine’s mother once was a famous, Oscar-winning actress. However, she vanishes from the public eye and nobody has any idea what happened to her. 

     When the heroine’s daughter helps to save the life of a man in the New York subway, she becomes the victim of a media frenzy. Almost identical to her mother at a younger age, the heroine’s life is upended by the unwanted and unrelenting attention.

     At any rate, I’m glad my mom was never picked to be a movie star. But the idea that she might have done so made this book fun to write. 

You can pre-order the book now at:

Amazon 

Kobo 

Barnes&Noble 

Google 

Apple 

 

     

Guest Post: MEET ME ON THE PORCH by Erin Stevenson

My guest today is Erin Stevenson. Since 2014, she has been writing faith-based romance novels for Pelican Book Group and Winged Publications. She is a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers), where she has served as a judge and was a 2021 Carol Award finalist.

Grounding her novels in reality, Erin crafts characters who encounter events and hardships familiar to all of us. Her inspirational writing will take the reader down paths of both joy and pain, but always highlighting God’s faithfulness.

In her book, MEET ME ON THE PORCH, Brynne Lockwood has come home to Brattleboro, Vermont after a humiliating job loss. She’s weary and broken, and still hasn’t truly forgiven herself for a former unhealthy relationship with long-lasting consequences. She doesn’t believe that she deserves anything good and can’t imagine that God could ever use her. 

 After recovering from a shattering loss, Pastor Adam Johnston is on his way to a new assignment. A mix-up takes him and his baby daughter to beautiful southern Vermont. If he stays, he’ll face opposition, but God has prepared his heart for ministry, and he’s committed to serving there. 

Adam and Brynne connect quickly and unexpectedly, but circumstances demand that they be cautious. Now, you are invited to join Adam and Brynne on the porch at her grandparents’ home—a special place where you'll experience their joy as Adam and Brynne build a friendship rooted in Biblical principles, find healing for their wounds, and discover God’s plan for their lives. 

Now read an excerpt from this delightful book!

“Are you sure you don’t mind watching Lace?” Adam asked Libby. She’d offered to stay behind with the baby while the others went to look at the Donovan farm, but Adam wanted to make sure.

“Not at all! We’ll have a wonderful time. Does she need a morning nap?”

“Yes, maybe around ten.” He set out the diaper bag and the other things he had brought from the cabin. “I can feed her lunch. We’ll probably be back by then.”

“Oh, I think Doug has a plan to take you all around the area. I’ll put her in the crib out at the cabin and take some things to keep myself occupied,” Libby said, bouncing Lace on her hip.

Doug walked through the front door to the bottom of the stairs and let out a piercing whistle. “Brynnie! Let’s get a move on!” He looked at his wife. “She never takes this long to get ready.” He clomped away into the kitchen.

“I’m sure she’ll be here soon,” Libby muttered.  

“Libby! Where are the keys to Cap’s farmhouse?” Doug called.

“Either on the hook by the back door, or in the drawer next to—never mind, I’m coming.” She took Lace and headed toward him. 

Adam smirked to himself. From what he’d seen of Brynne, both last night and this morning, “getting ready” probably took about thirty seconds. 

“I’m here, Gramps.” Adam turned and his jaw nearly hit the floor. The woman gliding down the stairs looked nothing like Brynne. Her russet hair shone like copper, with long, luxurious bouncy curls. She wore dark-wash jeans, short boots, and a fashionable dark gold, cowl-necked sweater.

“Hi, Pastor—I mean, Adam,” she said with a fetching grin. 

He blinked and his mouth went dry. 

Her amber eyes were expertly outlined, with two shades of green eye shadow. A peachy glow graced her cheeks and lips. Brynne Lockwood was a knockout. With a capital-K. 

Adam had to recover. He looked around. “Have you seen Brynne? About your size, but homeless, with apple butter on her face.”

She threw back her head and laughed. “Good one, Adam.”

He grinned. “You clean up nice.” Understatement of the year. 

“I’m sure you were starting to wonder.” She seemed to sparkle all over.

Adam’s heart fluttered. At once, he felt guilty. He shouldn’t be teasing and laughing with a woman or looking at her peachy lips. 

You can find Erin at her website: www.esqwrites.com

Her book is available at:

 Pelican Book Group.

 Amazon

Barnes & Noble 

Kobo

Apple Books

and more!

All People Make Mistakes

Wooden Cross on the Beach at Ocean Grove, New Jersey

 All people make mistakes. Some won't admit their mistakes. Some make excuses for their missteps. A segment of the population seeks to blame their errors on others.

On the other hand, there are those who spend their lives crippled by guilt, which isn't healthy and there are people who are burdened with mental heath issues. 

A lot of us are in very sad shape. This makes it easy for a writer--in any genre--to find characters for their novels. The characters could be tortured heroes or depraved villains or anyone with a checkered past. 

But I find it rather satisfying to write Christian fiction because--in the end--there is hope. Christ died on the cross for everyone. God really does love us--imperfect though we all may be. 

If you're looking for a dose of hope, buy a Christian novel. Pelican Book Group publishes my books under their Prism imprint. but they offer many others, too. There is a large variety and there are plenty of sales as well. Many are available through Kindle Unlimited. 

Buy a good book today!