Monday, November 4, 2019

Merry Christmas! (Yeah, I'm going there!)

It's Christmas in November Seekervillagers!!!


Today I'm giving away an ebook copy of a very 
FUN!!!
SPECIAL 
Novella collection called

The three novellas were published a while back but separately.
Now we've gathered them together in one volume.
All three love stories.
All three Christmas stories.
All three set in a beautiful old Victorian Mansion. 
A bed and breakfast called
Star Inn

Fun and special because it's a novella collection with RUTHY!!! And, as always when I'm working with Ruthy....I made her do all the work.
Truth is, I published a novella back in September and I did something … ahem … hinky to KDP so I am...grounded? for a year from putting a book up for pre-order.
I know what I did. I put it up for pre-order and then I decided to change the release date by ONE DAY!
Apparently that exploded something and I was labeled a troublemaker (that was only a matter of time!) and I was grounded like a curfew-challenged teenager!
But that was okay because I have no plans to indy-publish anything in the forseeable future...which could mean...as in this case...ONE MONTH.
So Ruthy, who has been, as always, perfectly behaved, (show off) had to put it up.
Margaret let her do it, too, so it wasn't ONLY ME dumping the work on Ruthy. Besides she seems to love it!
Anyway, the lesson for today is, think carefully before you put your indy-pubbed Amazon Kindle book up for pre-order. You could get slapped down like a mosquito in a bug zapper.


I'll add here that they distinctly WARNED me.
As in...IF YOU CLICK PRE-ORDER THEN COME BACK AND CHANGE THE DATE OF PUBLISHING YOU ARE GROUNDED FOR ONE YEAR.
Or words to that affect.
But I didn't exactly believe those rules applied to me for some reason.
They did.

Leave a comment about when you start getting ready for Christmas. When you like to read Christmas novels. When you get annoyed at Christmas coming too early!
One lucky commenter will win an ebook copy of
A little bit about Christmas at Star Inn.

In classic "Hallmark" style, these great authors give readers a real holiday treat with three novellas set at the beautiful Star Inn, an iconic B&B tucked at the base of Mount Hood in Oregon. 

"Do You Hear What I Hear?" by Margaret Brownley



Can a tree-hugging activist and lumbermill owner find love?

Two bad things happened to Sally Cartwright that week. Three if she counted the pink slip received at the Home and Family magazine’s annual Christmas party. But nothing was worse than plowing into a snowbank and being stuck in a town she swore never to see again. A town she once called home. Now she must spend the long cold night in the car or follow the bright shining star through the woods to the old Star Inn. She chooses the inn and that’s where her troubles really begin…
Lumbermill owner, Rick Rennick is in no mood for Christmas cheer. Having recently buried his father, he’s still trying to sort out the financial mess left behind. Unless Rick comes up with a miracle, the mill run by the family for generations is about to shut down for good. That would put a lot of men out of work and impact the future of the town.
If things aren’t bad enough he’s now stuck at the old Star Inn waiting for the road back to his cabin to reopen. His luck takes another turn for the worse when he suddenly comes face to face with the past he’d sooner forget. For unless he’s seeing things the only woman he’s ever loved is standing in front of the inn’s blazing fire trying to get warm. How is it possible that one chance meeting could stir up so many old memories?
Both Rick and Sally regret what happened between them, but his family lumberyard clashes with her tree-hugging ways and neither are willing to try again. It will take the storm of the century, one stage-struck young boy, a certain meddling “angel”—and even a cranky cat—to convince them that in matters of the heart, the second time around is sometimes best.

"Silent Night, Star-lit Night" by Ruth Logan Herne


Jed Taylor knows how to cowboy up on horseback and in their busy farm & feed store, but when he heard Mia O’Loughlin was planning a trip north the week before Christmas, pregnant and alone, he can't let her make the long trek alone. More Grinch than grace, he flies to the coast, determined to help.
It wasn’t supposed to be like this...
E.R. nurse and Red Cross emergency responder Mia O’Loughlin was strong, but losing her deployed husband the week before she realized they were expecting their first child knocked her off-kilter. With Christmas and her due date approaching, all she can see is getting back home to Kittitas County for the birth of her child… their child… and seeing her failing Grandpa Joe one last time. Determined to do it on her own, she reluctantly allows Jed to accompany her, mostly because the gruff cowboy showed up and won’t take no for an answer.
But when a blizzard grinds their progress to a stop in Northern Oregon, the light from an old inn beckons them into the sweet town of Heywood where old truths open the way to new beginnings for both of them.

And in "Room at the Inn for Christmas" by Mary Connealy



Welcome to Heywood, Oregon where a lonely woman comes home to find healing, hope and love under the bright light of the town’s old Star Inn this Christmas season.

Amanda Star is a high-powered executive in the multi-national Halston hotel chain…then she inherits the Star Inn, her childhood home, from her father. With no time to be away from her job, she impatiently rushes home to list the beautiful old bed and breakfast for sale. Now that she’s here she’s swamped with sweet memories and keen regret.

As Amanda struggles against the lure of home, she also is reunited with an old classmate: Anthony Carter, a handyman with a guarded heart. Can he help Amanda realize the Star Inn is worth saving…and can he do it in time for Christmas?




48 comments:

  1. I so want to read this. I read Christmas books year round. I also watch Christmas movies all year. This year is special. I have not been able to watch Hallmark for 3 years. I just subscribed to Frndly. Even the old movies are new to me. I've been making Christmas crafts for the last month. A piece of Christmas I can still enjoy.

    Continuing to heal. Last week I broke a toe on my other leg,

    Writing novels is on hold for now. I'm needing to write Bible curriculum for toddlers and preschoolers.

    I'm also trying to get caught up on my reading.

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    1. Wilani, I hope your up and feeling better soon!

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    2. Wilani! I'm sorry about your toe. I broke a toe once (well, probably more than once but I'm thinking of one particular time. THE PAIN!!!! I'm frowning for you as I type. I will probably get wrinkles from this!!!

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    3. Wilani, what a lovely thing to do, to write Bible curriculum for the littles. Wonderful!

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    4. The Bible curriculum sounds like such a wonderful project.
      I was a Sunday School teacher for years and I wrote my own curriculum. I always taught...I think it was 2nd Grade but I think I switched to 4th for a few years. Anyway, I took the book of Luke and taught each chapter for one week. (24 chapters). I took a break as I worked through it for December for the Christmas stories and work on a Christmas Program which I also wrote for years. And did a Lenten series for Easter, then finished up Luke before Summer break. Then the next year, with new kids, I'd start again.

      It ended up being the perfect length.
      I always wished I'd written some of that down because I felt like I had some real insights into Luke by the time I'd studied it year after year with kids asking great questions and me trying to consider all the possible meanings in each chapter.

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  2. I love the cover of the collection! Our tradition has generally been to decorate over the Thanksgiving weekend. We'll be traveling for Thanksgiving this year, and it's so late we may have to do a little decorating before hand, though. This one may be the first year our college-age daughter won't be able to help. :(

    I haven't started listening to Christmas music yet, but I have put a holiday blend of essential oils in the diffuser. The cold weather hit us quick and I guess I'm as ready for Christmas as it gets!

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    1. Glynis, part of our Christmas tradition is, while we clean up after Thanksgiving we put Mannheim Steamroller on to play. Deck the Halls, the Mannheim arrangement is one of my favorite songs of all time. (or at least favorite CHRISTMAS songs) I decorate less and less since the kids are grown. We always go to one of their houses for Christmas. And we live in the back of beyond where no one sees any lights, except My Cowboy husband and guess what? He doesn't care. I DON'T EVEN GET TO SEE THEM BECAUSE IF I COME HOME AFTER DARK NO ONE HAS TURNED THEM ON!!!

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  3. I love all three of these stories and the cover is gorgeous! I don't tend to get Christmasy till after Remembrance Day Nov 11th. We put our tree up just before the first Sunday in Advent. If I put it up too early, I have to listen to too much pre-Christmas "gift suggestions" that will just drive me crazy. :)

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    1. Laurie I wish SO MUCH it's get some gift suggestions. The only suggestion I've gotten so far is done...purchased....sitting ready to wrap.
      I give my four adult children money but I buy gifts for the grandkids. Now that there are five kids that's starting to be some serious work!
      And the grandkids are even getting hard to buy for. The oldest of them is eleven!

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  4. I cannot stop laughing! I'm so serious.... I'm probably going to faint dead on the floor because this is the perfect post and how dare you change the date???? IT IS WRITTEN IN STONE. OR BLOOOOOOD>>>>>

    Oh mylanta, this is funny....

    Now I know why they take this so seriously. It's because so many authors THINK they can get something done and don't do it, or they're late (hello??? I could tell tales about people turning so many things in late!!!!) so I totally get it from The Zon point of view, and you know I love, love, love being the fair-haired beloved child who follows the rules...

    And wasn't it fun to get these novellas back???? (a fun experiment we were all part of, kind of like lab mice... Actually a lot like lab mice, without the pink eyes.)

    Mary, it was an absolute pleasure from the beginning to work with you and Margaret! I love these stories and I hope readers will, too... once they get to read them! RELEASE DAY IS WEDNESDAY!!!!!

    Happy dancing!

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  5. Wednesday? The book releases WEDNESDAY?
    I thought it came out already.
    Hmmmm…this post may be premature.
    I was a little disappointed there were not reviews.
    :(
    I need a keeper. My Cowboy tries but he's unfortunately mystified by Amazon's publishing wing.

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  6. Mary, I love your transparency, and you always make me smile :) All things tech-y make me shudder ugh.

    Happy to see a Christmas book out. I will be ordering this collection and can't wait to read it. Congrats to all on the new release!

    I usually start Christmas music Nov 1st.. but only when I'm alone or with like-minded peeps. It drives my farmer crazy when he pops in at my workshop during the day bahahaha!

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    1. My Cowboy is a pretty Bah Humbug guy. We all have to carry his uninterested hide across the Christmas goal posts.
      He is good about buying gifts (not for ME but for the kids and grandkids). When the kids were little he was always willing to spend more money than I was.

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  7. I really want to read this book! I love all three authors and the cover is gorgeous! Christmas is my favorite time of year and I stretch is out as long as possible! I'm going to Texas this year to spend it with my little grandgirlies and can't wait! Time to spoil!!!!!

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    1. Hi Valri...and grandbabies. It makes the holidays new again.
      Except my grandkids seem to have so much stuff (much of that is my fault!) It's hard to buy for them.

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  8. I'm so excited to dive into these stories. I enjoyed putting the cover together for such a great collaboration.

    I like celebrating Christmas mainly in December, but have been known to pop in a Trans-Siberian Orchestra CD at other times. ;)

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    1. Beth, thank you so much for your help with the cover. :) You did great work!

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  9. This post makes me grin all over. Novellas! Christmas! and Christmas!

    I saw something the other day - one of those things my brain saw on Facebook but I was scrolling too fast to actually stop and read the whole thing - Anyway, it said that people who decorate for Christmas early are actually happier than other people.

    I'm game. Except that I'm leaving town the day after Thanksgiving this year, so it will have to wait until the next week when we get our Christmas tree. Can't wait!

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    1. Okay, Jan. I'm pretty sure you've just called me cranky. I need to get with it. I knew exactly where that stupid artificial Christmas tree is. I can drag it out.

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    2. The way you say that, Jan, it's almost like you're SCARED to NOT say it!!!! As one would be when dealing with a cranky person!!!

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  10. We usually decorate the first of the month (December). I hate that the stores put Christmas stuff out in October and don't really emphasize Fall and Thanksgiving.

    This really is a beautiful book. As far as reading, I generally just read Christmas stories whenever I get to them, especially if they are in a series.

    rayorr[at]bellsouth[dot]net

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    1. Linda for the last few years my standard Christmas gift, at my request, from my girls is a fresh Christmas wreath from Harry and Davids. It's always so FRESH and wonderful. It seemed to come...not sure it's exact...the Monday after Thanksgiving. It kicks off the season perfectly.

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  11. Oh, Mary, thank you for the huge laugh!! I just love how you describe things. Maybe you should be a writer. ;) hahaha

    Congrats, ladies, on the indie release! I love Christmas stories. Of course, I find it hard to believe it's that time. Yet, it is NOVEMBER! How did that happen??

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    1. I know, Missy. Summer was slowly, slowly, slowly ending and them BAM! It's almost Christmas. Okay, I may be skipping November and December as it's only the fourth of November right now, still I'm feeling some pressure to shop and send cards!

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  12. The mosquito picture slayed me! You've just given a description of why I should stay away from DIY Indy Pubbing. I would break the entire internet.

    Your stories sound LOVELY!

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    1. Erica you should go for it. (In all your spare time) We could laugh at you when you explode the World Wide Web.
      Of course you'd never KNOW we were laughing because we can't connect without the internet.
      Unless my phone would still work.

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  13. My family (hubby and kids), have always had me wait until at least the day after Thanksgiving before we do any decorating at all. I do try to start my Christmas shopping early, but most of it also waits until after Thanksgiving. We try to take one holiday at a time. :) jumpforjoy at gmail dot com

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    1. Joy, Thanksgiving gets short shrift doesn't it.
      Is Shrift a word? Shriffed? Ignore that.

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    2. Joy, I'm like your hubby and kids. I want to wait until after Thanksgiving before I decorate. Want to give Thanksgiving its due!

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  14. :) Oh Mary - you always have adventures! I've already read a couple of Christmas books this season so one more by authors I LOVE wouldn't hurt... Lee-Ann B

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    1. Lee-Ann okaaaaay, if by adventures you mean a STERNLY WORDED 'YOU'RE GROUNDED' email then I guess you're right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  15. I saw this on Ruthy's post on P&P last week and I'm so glad I'm getting another chance! I love Christmas stories and I'll be reading them now through Valentine's Day.
    Thank you & Blessings!
    Connie
    cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Connie you're comment made me laugh. Now through Valentine's Day, now THAT'S commitment to Christmas stories!!! Atta girl.

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  16. Mary, you crack me up. I normally don't want to do anything beyond maybe shop for presents until after Thanksgiving, but this year I am being more lenient about some of it because I am writing a Christmas novel for nanowrimo this month. Which means at least part of me needs to be in the Christmas mood now instead of later. ;-)

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    1. Amy! This is actually a great idea. I oughta drag out my Christmas Tree just to put me in the mood for my book! Great idea.
      I hope My Cowboy doesn't notice the tree in the front window!

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    2. Maybe I won't plug it in until later!

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  17. I read Christmas books all year round, or as the spirit moves me. I don't continuously read them, but as I get the desire, whisk is often if there are children involved in the story. I believe that is because my favourite thing to do at Christmas, other than make homemade cakes, is to watch children open their gifts. I prefer to wait until last, because I want the suspense to last a little while. I guess, I'm just a big kid at heart.

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    1. Hi Granna Neve. Is that how your grandkids say Grandma? Or is that your name? Whatever it is, it's great. :)
      I love watching the gift openings, too. Such fun.

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  18. Mary, this post made my day! So glad there are a few other tech-challenged people out there, so I don't feel alone! LOL And I'm also glad there are some Ruthys out there to rescue us! Congrats on your book release! It sounds delightful!

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    1. Ah, Ruthy is my hero.
      Yes, I've been trying to not learn anything new. but sometimes there is NO ESCAPE!

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  19. Ohhh...these three stories sounds delicious...to be read by a blazing fire with a hot cuppa cocoa! I LOVE Christmas all year, books, movies, and songs and whatever else...isn't that the spirit of LOVE that was sent to us on that very wondrous night?

    Thanks for sharing your stories and for continuing to entertain and encourage all of us! Blessings.

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  20. I love this post and the book sounds so interesting. I read Christmas stories year round but especially at Christmas time. As to when we start getting ready to decorate for Christmas, it varies from year to year. My grandson loves to put up our Christmas tree, so we wait for him to do that, usually a week or two before Christmas.
    Blessings, Tina

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    1. That makes it so much more fun, Tina. Children and Christmas go together so perfectly.

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  21. Loved your post, Mary. Such a trouble maker you are! Love the cover of the book. I have read Ruthy's but not the others. I start reading Christmas books in October because there are just too many to read in just one month. I start listening to Christmas music after Thanksgiving. But Thanksgiving is late this year so I might start earlier. Sometimes in November I just hit play all in my music and then I get an assortment of Christmas and not Christmas.

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  22. Wonderful post, Mary! This Christmas collection sounds delightful!

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  23. Looked too good to risk not winning it 😊
    I just went and bought it.
    I don’t decorate for Christmas until after Thanksgiving.
    I shop for Christmas as soon as I can, and I read and watch Christmas themes along about now.
    Have a great day ladies, thank you.

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