Christmas Archives - The Authors' Billboard

Why we love collections and binge-reading

Posted on October 7, 2022 by Melinda De Ross — Leave a reply

Happy World Smile Day! I hope you have a reason to smile today, wherever you are in the world.

We had a beautiful October day today, and had a chance to enjoy the falling leaves and the amazing colors of autumn. I like my seasons the way I like my books – in bundles of three. In preparation for the holiday season that is getting closer every day, I would love to share with you this lovely collection of books from our friends over at Written Musings.

Three heartwarming holiday stories featuring children writing letters to Santa in hopes of achieving what they want most: a happily ever after for their family.

Women’s Fiction – Single Dad – Romance

Decker needs help pulling off a remodeling job before Christmas. His daughter wants a mother. Will the new woman in their home bring joy, or tear their world apart?

What readers are saying…

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Sometimes life is better than a soap opera. This book is gut wrenching, heart breaking, and beautiful. Wishes do come true for Christmas..”

Kindle ● Play ● iBooks ● Nook ● Kobo

Also on Audible!

Women’s Fiction- Single Mom – Romance

When single mother Maura moves to Chicago with her eight-year-old son, she teams up with fellow employee Rick to fulfill the Christmas wishes of children across the city. Will the spirit of the season bring their hearts together, or will secrets tear them apart?

What readers are saying…

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Definitely could be made into a Hallmark movie…”

Kindle ● Play ● iBooks ● Nook ● Kobo

Also on Audible!

Detective – Suspense – Adoption

Detective Finola McGregor’s job is mostly routine — until she joins a team that uncovers a human trafficking ring that kidnaps children and forces them to beg. One look into the little girl’s eyes, and Finn will risk everything to make Maddie’s Christmas wish come true.

What readers are saying…

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Ms. Colt did a great job handling this subject, and the case was quickly solved, bringing Christmas magic to little Maddie.”

Kindle ● Play ● iBooks ● Nook ● Kobo

Also, if you’re in the mood to discover a new favorite, award-winning author Susan Tarr has a FREE literary fiction book for a limited time, and a bunch of other amazing books to check out.

My name is Malcolm. I used to think it was MmmMalcolm. I used to stutter back then, back when Mummy died and everything changed. Now I don’t stutter.
This is my story.
I always wanted regular boys’ shoes. Brown. Mine were always black boots, and one boot was made especially for my gimpy leg. Now I have regular men’s shoes. Brown. I have learned to talk again and to write. I used to. When I was at school. When I was ‘bright’. I remember that as clear as the day I fell into the goldfish pond. I was showing Julie the goldfish. One day something bad happened. Then it went dark. And I was back in the mental hospital up the hill from the little railway station where my father and Bella left me.

And finally, if you haven’t checked these out already, feel free to add them to your list of binge-reading, because they are seasoned for every season! 🙂

Until next time, my friends.

Fondly,

Melinda De Ross

Melinda De Ross is the first Romanian to become a USA Today bestselling author. A prolific writer, she weaves humorous romance and tension-filled thrillers with the same enthusiasm. Her books combine the elegance of European literature with the modern appeal of American culture. While she’s a law graduate and professional target shooter, she prefers to spend her days spinning tales for her readers. In her downtime, she’d rather read or watch a classic movie than go to a noisy club. She loves to hear from readers, so if you have a question or want to learn more about her books, visit her website: MelindaDeRoss.com

melindadeross.com/

Holiday Stories with a Bang by Nancy Radke

Posted on July 10, 2022 by Nancy Radke — Leave a reply

In my Silver Bell series—which is holiday themed—I have mostly Christmas stories, also two at New Year’s, and one set with a bang on the Fourth of July. I started Trouble Never Knocks, my Fourth of July story, as a sweet beach read with the heroine galloping her horse along a sandy beach in Oregon. I switched to the hero’s point of view and had him on the top of a cliff nearby, watching her. A forest ranger, he was checking out the condition of the trails.

Then someone shot him off the cliff, and my story completely switched to include fireworks that come out of guns and a higher body count than most of my other books. As a romance, the hero had to keep the heroine safe, although she did rescue him more than once. So much for trying to write a sweet beach story.

Trouble Never Knocks is on sale for all of July at 99 cents.

My other high body count story, The Prisoner Returns, involved a bodyguard hired to protect an heiress who was expected to receive a fortune. Those people wanting her money had to wait until she got it. In the meantime, they needed to get rid of the bodyguard so that they could control her. This story also had horses in it, but took place on the opposite side of the US, in Massachusetts.

Gun laws switch according to state boundaries. Protecting yourself with a gun is better done in New Hampshire, or it was when I wrote the story. So when my hero had to face several killers, it helped that he was in New Hampshire at the time. It also helped that he was smart enough to wear body armor.

If you’ve read all my contemporary books, you might try my Trahern Series which is set after the Civil War. Most of them have “fireworks” also.

Nancy Radke

A USA Today bestselling author, Nancy Radke grew up on a wheat and cattle ranch in SE Washinton State. She attended a one-room country school through the eighth grade. She learned to ride bareback at age 3 (Really! It was a common practice.) and when she got off or fell off, she would pull her horse’s nose to the ground, get on behind its ears, and the horse would lift its head so she could scoot down onto its back. Nancy spent most of her childhood exploring the Blue Mountain trails that bordered the ranchlands. She and a friend once took a trail that turned out to be a two day trip. They always rode with matches and pocket knives, so made camp and returned the next day. These long rides worried her parents, but provided plenty of time to make up stories. Her first novel was set in the Blues, and is entitled APPALOOSA BLUES. TURNAGAIN LOVE was the first one published. It rated a four star review from Affaire de Coeur. Scribes World said “Turnagain Love has some fascinating twists and turns, unexpected complications, and charming scenes.” It is light and humorous. Nancy currently has over 30 books written, both modern and western. All her stories are sweet and wholesome.
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HOME ALONE FOR THE HOLIDAYS by @PatriceWilton

Posted on November 16, 2021 by Patrice Wilton — 2 Comments ↓

While everyone is celebrating Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas with their family and friends, it is perfectly natural to feel a little down about the idea of being home alone. I join you in this feeling as I will be spending my holidays alone.

Home Along

Unable to change our situation doesn’t mean we can’t be happy, and it is up to us to be realistic and look for positive, uplifting ideas that we might enjoy. Remember, we don’t live in a Hallmark movie, so we must keep our expectations more grounded—even if that means turning off that channel for the holiday season, and to reach out to friends or make plans of our own.

I was reading on the internet before writing this article and they suggest that we focus on what we can do; not let our mind wonder back to the good times we had, but to move forward with ideas of our own.

Find others who are home alone

What makes you happy? Being around people? Do you know others who are on their own too? Gather friends for a dinner party, even if it’s not on the exact date. You can celebrate a day early or a day late and laugh and enjoy the moment. This is a great way to cheer up everyone who is home alone.

Indulge yourself—why not? Getting out for a few hours, or away for a few days can brighten any season. Go for walks in a park or along an ocean. Feel the breeze on your face, the scent of winter in the air. Speak with people, strangers or not. Look for things that make YOU happy. Book a weekend trip to a place you’ve always wanted to visit, go to a movie by yourself, or a little theater nearby to enjoy a live play, or listen to your favorite music. Try out a new recipe. Join a card group, or take up a hobby or sport that you have longed to do.

Make a Difference

Volunteer

Giving to others not only improves their lives, it will also improve yours. Volunteering helps us meet new people, learn a new skill, feel a part of the community, and gain confidence in our ability to try something new and different.

No matter what you choose, remember that it’s okay to be sad, but you owe it to yourself to be happy, too.

I wish you all a pleasant holiday season. Read a great book. Binge watch a new TV series. Get out and enjoy a nice day. Remember, you are not alone. Loved ones will always be a phone call away, thinking and missing you, too.

~ ~ ~

Don’t miss A CHRISTMAS COLLECTION, a 4-book set on sale for 99 cents.

Also available: A SANTA TO KEEP, a sweet holiday story that will have you thinking you’re watching a Hallmark movie!

Patrice Wilton

Patrice Wilton knew from the age of twelve that she wanted to write books that would take the reader to faraway places. She was born in Vancouver, Canada, and had a great need to see the world that she had read about.

Patrice became a flight attendant for seventeen years and traveled the world. At the age of forty she sat down to write her first book—in longhand! Her interests include tennis, golf, and writing stories for women of all ages.

She is a mother of two, has four lovely grand-daughters, and a wonderful man at her side. They live in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he teaches her golf, and she teaches him patience.

Her best selling books are the CANDY BAR series, SERENDIPITY FALLS series, and most recently PARADISE COVE and A CHRISTMAS COLLECTION series. She is a New York Times best selling author.

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Will it be a… Merry Christmas?

Posted on December 24, 2020 by AuthorsBillboard — 6 Comments ↓

It’s hard not to question whether we should be focusing on this holiday when we see such doom and gloom on TV. Or hear it on the radio. Even from friends who know people… or are people who’ve been sick themselves, or who’ve lost loved ones.

But… we must remember why the day itself is special. For instance, it’s a precious day in the church, the day that Jesus was born. Do you remember singing carols like Away in the Manger as a child and experiencing the glory of the birth of Christ? I do.

Of course, as a child, the most important symbol for Christmas was Santa Claus. I knew there was a bearded spirit who loved every child enough to bring them a gift. Today, I know that he’s just the symbol for us adults who do his deeds. Thank goodness we keep his existence alive for our children to experience the joy of the day that meant so much to us… engraving a memory in their hearts so they can look back as adults.

It’s the joy we need to remember and try to rekindle. Even if we spend the 25th quietly, we must remember to celebrate the day itself. Lord, I can’t bear to think of those who will be isolated… so if every one of us takes a few moments out of the day to send blessings from our hearts to someone we love, pick up the phone and make a call to that person you know will be alone, maybe by thinking of others who have an empty home, we’ll feel better about where we are ourselves.

From my home to yours,

I wish you all a Merry Christmas & a New Year that gets better every day.

Hugs,

Christmas photos that make me smile!!

Mimi

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