I’m thrilled to say I’ve got the honor of the first post for our Love, Christmas- Movies You Love boxed set coming out on October 16, 2018. It’s made up of 26 brand new Christmas stories of our choice. For the next several months there will be two posts a week by the fabulous authors of this set. Stay tuned for more personal tidbits.
Also, if you enter here, you can have a chance to get one of our stories dedicated to YOU! And the best part of all of this is the book is only 99 cents!!!
My story is How Gavin Stole Christmas. As you can probably guess, my Christmas movie was How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Why did I choose this as my Christmas movie? The Grinch was me for a long time. My mother Natalie (the real Natalie Ann) was born in December and unfortunately passed away in December, one week before her birthday at the tender age of 47.
When I was a kid, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. She’d had five reoccurrences or new diagnoses of cancer over 17 years. Every time it was around the holidays. As you can imagine, it made celebrating difficult for us as a family.
Nineteen years ago I was lucky enough to welcome my son into this world, Nathan. Yes, we named him after my mother, who coincidentally was born on her father’s birthday, the first Nate. And though my mother would never get to meet her namesake, it was one of the best honors I could do for the woman who taught me to never give up and always go after my dream.
My world changed after Nate was born. I was so excited, and my husband and I wanted to celebrate those holidays with him. Little by little, the joy of being a parent myself helped me overcome my “Grinch” status.
If you’ve followed my Fierce Five Series, then you know all about Gavin and Jolene Fierce along with Jolene’s matchmaking ways with her five kids, Brody, Aiden, Mason, Cade, and Ella. Many people have asked about Gavin and Jolene’s story and I thought, why not?!
In How Gavin Stole Christmas, he too was affected with the loss of a parent at Christmas and it turned him sour on all things holiday. But then Jolene came into his life and she made him see that we can’t always be locked up in the past.
Check out How Gavin Stole Christmas, along with 26 other great holiday stories now!
You can buy Love, Christmas—Movies You Love at Amazon and other retailers.
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Natalie Ann lives in Upstate NY with her husband, son, and French Bulldog. She has always had a love for books, especially happily ever after. She writes contemporary romance with a dash of humor focusing on real life (but fictional) situations and storylines. She’s inspired by the crazy, ridiculous, touching, and emotional family dynamics that most people go through. Her series are based right in her home state or cities she has visited.
It must have been hard to grow up with your mom’s illness haunting your family. I’m so sorry you lost her that way.
Your cover and story premise sounds wonderful, I can’t wait to read it!
Thanks, Jacquie. It was hard but we got through and I’m happy to say I’m no longer a Grinch!
How fabulous you were able to overcome such a sad experience to celebrate life and your darling son, Natalie.SO sorry to hear about your mom, had to be a crusher.
I also can’t wait to read your story about Gavin. Hugs,
Sue xo
Thanks, Sue! Yes, I’m sucker for the happy ever after ending and feel that our family got it in the end. We’ve found ways to honor my mother now rather than mourn her.
Such a lovely post Natalie. Your book sounds so exciting. Your dear mother gave you such a great gift in showing you how to achieve your dreams. My dearest sister, only seventeen months younger than me fought breast cancer for fourteen years. She lived to see my dedication to her in my very first book. We both loved reading and she would urge me on to write.
God Bless.
Katy
Thanks, Katy. I dedicated my first book to my mother. I actually released it in Dec 2014 and wanted it to be released on her birthday, but it didn’t work out that way. I still ended up doing in Dec because I’ve got this thing about everything being tied up in a bow and going full circle :).
Thank you for sharing ((hugs)) and your story sounds perfect!
Thanks, Traci!
Thank you for sharing your story! I can’t wait to read Gavin!
Thanks, Suzanne!!
I know the pain of losing a parent near a big holiday too. (My mom died a day before Thanksgiving.) Thanks for sharing your (and Gavin’s!) story, Natalie Ann.
>>>In How Gavin Stole Christmas, he too was affected with the loss of a parent at Christmas and it turned him sour on all things holiday. But then Jolene came into his life and she made him see that we can’t always be locked up in the past.<<<
Sounds so good–and wise insight in that last line. (Easier said than done a lot of times though!)
I can't wait to read How Gavin Stole Christmas!
Thanks, Ev. Yes, it does kind of make holidays bittersweet. In the past 21 yrs though, we try to talk about the good and happy memories on those holidays rather than the sad ones now.
Thank you for having the courage to share your story, Natalie. It’s not a perfect HEA, but who in real life gets one? What I’ve learned from it is that you’re a fighter, just like your mother was. Your son must be really proud of his mama! <3
Awe, thanks Melinda!! There isn’t such a thing as a perfect HEA but we make the best of it!