Greetings, friends!
I have the high honor of being included in a box set this Christmas season called Christmas Blessings: Seven Inspirational Romances of Love, Hope & Faith! As you read this, I will be traveling with my family. Tuesday’s activities will take us to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, and then I am scheduled to meet with one of my most loyal readers (one of my favorite things to do!) in Hickory, NC. On Wednesday, we will be in our beloved little mountain town of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, nestled in the beautiful Smoky Mountains.
I will be available to respond to comments at some point during the day, but I thought today’s blog would be the perfect opportunity to tell you a little more about Christmas Blessings.
The set is a limited edition box set of eBooks priced at only 99 cents and exclusive to Amazon and Amazon Kindle Unlimited. Originally set to release on October 30th, the date has been moved to October 24th which means it is now available as you read this! The low price will remain the same throughout the life of the set. It features two brand new Christmas titles from Angel Moore and Alexa Verde as well as five holiday classics from Amazon contemporary Christian romance bestsellers Leah Atwood, Belle Calhoune, JoAnn Durgin, Heather Gray, and Melissa Tagg! If I don’t say so myself, that’s quite a deal!
Below are the individual books covers, a brief description of each book, and–to make it even more fun–the inspiration behind each of the stories (if provided by the individual author)!
Please feel free to leave a comment by October 30th answering the below question and you could be eligible to win one of three box sets I will be giving away! Here is that question:
What is your favorite Christmas tradition in your home (either growing up or now)?
COME TO ME JOYFUL by Leah Atwood
Although Kate Jergens presents her life as the picture of perfection to everyone, old insecurities prevent her from letting people see who she really is. As the holidays approach, those insecurities reappear. Luke Tatum realizes he doesn’t know Kate as well as he thought when he sees her with her guard down. As he discovers who Kate really is, his admiration and attraction to her grows. When faced with the possibility of losing someone she loves, Kate’s faith wavers. This Christmas, will she accept support from Luke or will she push him away? The inspiration behind the story? Leah says this: Kate and Luke’s story was originally planned to be the third book of the Come to Me Series, but while writing Book 2, Come to Me Free, one of my characters jumped off script. That action left loose ends to be tied up, and Kate and Luke’s story no longer fit for the final book. However, I knew their story had to be told and I’d had it planned for over year. Lo and behold, it became a companion Christmas novella and one of my favorites I’ve written.
WHEN YOU BELIEVE by Belle Calhoune
Maggie Kilcannon lives in Breeze Point, Cape Cod after leaving her native Ireland. After tragically losing her parents, Maggie’s weary about loving and losing anyone. When she meets Alec Donahue, a soldier on Christmas leave, she falls madly in love with him. Can she live with the uncertainty of loving a soldier on active duty? Alec Donahue always wanted to serve his country, but his life changes when he meets the beautiful, spirited Maggie. He wants forever with Maggie, who’s reluctant to give her heart to someone who might leave her. Can Alec make Maggie believe in happily ever after? The inspiration behind the story? Belle says this: I wrote When You Believe because I think Alec and Maggie Donahue are at the heart of the Seven Brides, Seven Brothers Series. Their unconditional love and support and faith led them to create an amazing family filled with seven adopted children. I always knew they were extraordinary people so I wanted readers to be a part of their love story. After all, their love story is really the foundation of the Donahue brothers.
PERCHANCE TO DREAM by JoAnn Durgin
Ellie Franklin and Ryan Sullivan are the hometown sweethearts of Cade’s Corner, Ohio. As their Christmas wedding approaches, Ryan is expected back from his second deployment to Afghanistan. When an unforeseen event occurs, will Ellie’s plans be postponed or come to a screeching halt? With faith, family, and the support of an entire town behind her, will this bride’s prayers for a holiday miracle be answered? The inspiration behind the story? JoAnn says this: Perchance to Dream is a standalone novel; however, I tied in my TeamWork crew from my Lewis Legacy Series near the end of the book to make it fun for readers. I hadn’t announced the connection beforehand, so it was a fun surprise! It’s also my first foray into first-person narrative from the heroine Ellie’s perspective. I enjoyed the challenge, and the story itself begged to be told in that manner. To say any more would give away a twist in the book, but after my Starlight Christmas Series had ended, this was another holiday story I loved writing with a strong story of love, family, and the closeness of a tight-knit, small-town.
NOWHERE FOR CHRISTMAS by Heather Gray
Avery’s a journalist and mom to teenager Eli. Gavin’s an enigmatic photographer. A botched schedule lands them all in a rental car for Christmas. With everything that goes wrong, it’ll take a miracle to get them anywhere. But miracles come in surprising packages. Like a bait shop owner and a family that can’t agree on how to remove a skunk’s stink. Join the trio as they learn reaching the destination doesn’t mean the journey’s over. God has so much more in store for them. After all—anything can happen on the road to Nowhere. The inspiration behind the story? Heather says this: Personal tragedy has a way of bringing out the best and the worst in us. Following my own personal tragedy, I had a season of sadness. Life still needed to be lived, though, and it called out to me and begged me to embrace it again. Nowhere for Christmas will always have a special place in my heart because it’s the book I wrote when I first decided that I wanted to let sunshine back into my life. When I turned that corner, I did it in a big way – with a romantic comedy that still makes me laugh. I give God all the glory for seeing me through that time in my life, and I praise Him for bringing laughter back to my heart in such a delightful way.
CHRISTMAS LOST AND FOUND by Angel Moore
When Serena comes home determined to save her mother’s shop, the manager blames her for her mother’s troubles. But he’s the only person she can rely on for help. Has Michael wasted the years he spent trying to keep All Things Christmas open? Serena’s resolve to correct things financially threatens the heart of the store. It’s about Christmas. Not just sales. Has Serena become so calculating that she doesn’t celebrate her faith anymore? Angel Moore writes historical romance for Love Inspired, and this is her second contemporary Christian romance.
ONE ENCHANTED CHRISTMAS by Melissa Tagg
Last December, author Maren Grant went on a magical date with her book’s cover model—Colin Renwycke. Fast forward one year. With a looming deadline, Maren is desperate to recapture her creative spark. Then she remembers Colin’s invitation to visit his family’s Iowa farm… Drew Renwycke never planned to move home and take over the farm. But he’s spent too many years watching his siblings unravel—including Colin. When Maren lands on his doorstep, he realizes she may be the key to coaxing his brother home. But what if he’s in for an unexpected holiday romance himself? The inspiration behind the story? Melissa says this: When I first saw the cover for my second Walker Family book, I instantly swooned over the cover model the publisher chose to represent Logan Walker in my series. Logan is my favorite hero I’ve ever written anyway, and when I saw the model on the cover, I happily freaked out. He couldn’t have more perfectly portrayed the Logan in my head! And being the somewhat ridiculous person I am, I very publicly announced my love for the character, for the dude on the cover, everything. And I had quite a few readers and Facebook fans tell me the idea of an author falling in love with her cover model sounds like a story idea. So on a whim, last September I started writing a story about that very thing. I set it in the same fictional town as my Walker series. I didn’t even know if I’d finish writing it or ever release it…but once I started writing it, I couldn’t stop. And it ended up being my first indie-published project.
SEASON OF MIRACLES by Alexa Verde
Nurse Lana Smith gives herself a gift for Christmas, a fresh start in a small town. After escaping a dead-end relationship with a celebrity, she avoids her patient’s grandson, a pro football player. When Arturo gradually thaws her frozen heart, can her Christmas wish for family and affection come true? Football is Arturo De La Vega’s life, but he returns to his hometown to help his ailing grandfather. Lana challenges Arturo to reach for stars of faith and love. Is Arturo’s quest for glory worth crushing Lana’s dreams and sacrificing his heart’s true desire? The inspiration behind the story? Alexa says this: Simply put, I loved writing this book. Christmas is truly the most wonderful time of the year, and Christmas miracles is part of the joy the season brings us. It was a huge honor and privilege for me to be in this wonderful set with such talented authors, and sometimes I still can’t believe I got this chance. I have to admit this novel was a challenge for me in many senses, too. I entered the world of book publishing with Christian romantic suspense. Not only Arturo’s and Lana’s story was my first Christmas novel and the first Christian contemporary romance, I had to learn together with my heroine about football. Yes, I confess to having been absolutely ignorant about this great sport, but now I’m a fan!
Blessings, friends.
JoAnn
Matthew 5:16
USA Today bestselling author JoAnn Durgin is the author of over twenty novels since her debut, Awakening (Lewis Legacy Book 1), released in late 2010. Her books include the beloved Lewis Legacy Series, as well as its prequel, Prelude. She is also the author of Catching Serenity, Heart's Design, and Gentle Like the Rain, a sequel to Heart's Design. Other novels include Echoes of Edinburgh, The Wondrous Love Series, Perchance to Dream, and the popular Starlight Christmas Series. Her latest release is The Christmas Challenge and coming up next is Pursuit, the highly anticipated Book 8 in The Lewis Legacy Series. JoAnn lives with her family in her native southern Indiana and now enjoys writing full-time and spending time with her first granddaughter, Amelia Grace. Sharing the hope and joy to be found in a relationship with Christ is her passion, and JoAnn adores writing and reading Christian romance. She loves to hear from her readers via her website or her Author JoAnn Durgin page on FB!
Waving to you from Charlotte, JoAnn! Have a safe trip and enjoy! I can’t wait to dive into these stories…thanks so much.
Am enjoying reading through these, it is always interesting to read the inspiration behind stories. My favourite Christmas traditions- reading the Christmas story on Christmas morning, setting up the nativity and the local CFA Santa fire truck run (who doesn’t love Santa on a fire truck handing out lollies?)
Thanks for sharing not only the stories dor each book but the inspiration behind each story. I jave read your book, Leah Atwood and Belle Calhoune’s and if these are any indication of how good the others are, I’m sold.
As for your favorite Christmas tradition question, my answer is basically the same for growing up and now. I loved baking cookies (my grandmas family recipes, all German traditional Christmas cookies) with my mom and sister. This year we’re scheduled for a full day of baking on Nov 26th. Although we drag our husbands to help with minor taks, it’s mostly the three of us making a big party with all kinds of nuts and butter. We don’t have time to bake all in one day (some take too long or have to wait overnight), so we either schedule another day or dexide if we’re doing those at home ourselves (which will be the case this year). I also really love to set up the Nativity set under the thee. My mom made it a family tradition to do this together (she still invites everyone over when her three is up) and my husband and I have been doing this together too. Each get a character and get to choose where to place it without judgement from others and we go on like that until we’re done.
I hope I can pass these traditions to my Sam. He’ll be kicking hard during baking I bet (he’s already too active now and I’ll be entering my third trimester on 11/26).
Enjoy reading these books,thanks for a chance to win
My favorite Christmas tradition? When, before we opened gifts, Dad would read the Christmas story from Luke 2. The familiar words never failed to bring a sense of wonder and joy. Christmas Blessings sounds like a wonderful collection of stories. Congratulations to all the authors, and thank you, JoAnn for giving us a peek!
My favorite tradition for Christmas is my family stays in our pjs all day, watch movies and eat snacky food. It is very relaxing and fun.
Beth, that’s the same thing my family has done the past few years, and I LOVE it. We just take the time to enjoy being with each other, and I agree that it’s much less stressful all the way around. Blessings, and thanks for your comment!
Waving back to you, Jill. We experienced some of the very winding mountain roads traveling to Asheville and then Hickory late yesterday. Beautiful state, though! I hope you’ll enjoy Christmas Blessings!
I’ve always found “the story behind the story” to be interesting, Wemble! I’ll confess to not knowing what CFA stands for although it might be obvious. Sounds like fun Christmas traditions in any case! Blessings, and thanks for the comment!
Somewhere I’ve read about your Christmas baking tradition, Priscila (I believe you might have mentioned it here in an Inspy comment, as a matter of fact). Sounds like you’ll have a blast with your mom and sister on November 26th, and it made me smile about dragging the husbands along. :) I love that you can share and enjoy these various, family-oriented traditions. I’m praying for your precious Sam, and I’m rejoicing with you in your “blooming” pregnancy! Blessings, and thanks for the comment!
Thanks for the comment, Martha! Great to see you here on Inspy Romance. Blessings!
We’ve adopted that same Christmas tradition in reading the Christmas story and sharing with one another in our house, too, Kathleen. I hope you’ll enjoy Christmas Blessings! Thanks for your comment and stopping by Inspy Romance today. :)
One of my favorite traditions was when the kids were little, we would go look at Christmas lights on Christmas Eve and then they would get to open one present, which was usually pajamas.
I’m pretty sure I did mention it here about our love for baking Christmas cookies that are traditional to our family. We each have a favorite (different one, of course), so we bake them all every year. The “guys” (my dad included, but less often now that we have extra hands to help) actually have fun decorating, tasting, and picking on us if we let something burn or break, but mostly if we’re not as fast as they are and they have to wait for another batch. Next year it will be a challenge with the little one, but grandpa says he’ll take over taking care of the baby duties (after so many years being surrounded by only women, he’s almost the happiest one to have a baby boy join the family).
Always love your blog post and hearing the story behind the story.
I dont have a favorite Christmas tradition.
Hi JoAnn!! I hope you had a blast at the Biltmore, what a fun experience! That is definitely on my bucket list!
My favorite Christmas tradition is the stockings, I made quilted stockings for our family a couple of years ago (which was really fun!) and I’ve always enjoyed filling them with thoughtful little nick nacks and watching the kids ooo and ah over each little thing. It is such a blessing to have children who appreciate the little things.
Those are great traditions, Susan. I love the wonder of Christmas as reflected through the eyes of a child when they see beautiful Christmas lights. Thank you for joining us today and leaving a comment on Inspy Romance! Blessings. :)
Thank you, Linda, and we love having you visit Inspy Romance! Blessings, and thanks for your comment. :)
Hi Beth! Yes, Biltmore was fabulous, thanks, and definitely something everyone should see at least once. I was a little girl the only other time I’ve visited, and the main thing I remembered was the long driveway, interestingly enough. :) As for your favorite Christmas tradition, making something from the heart like the personal stockings to share at Christmas is the best! How wonderful that you do this for your children. The fact that your children appreciate the little things is precious, and a huge blessing in itself. I’ve made a few in my lifetime, and had a lot of fun. Thanks, as always, for visiting Inspy Romance today and leaving a comment. Blessings!
Love your work and true God given talent JoAnn. You are a blessing!
Thanks so much, Cindi! You are a blessing as a reader. Thanks for your faithful encouragement and stopping by Inspy Romance today. :)
Thanks for your stories. Enjoy your trip. My kids live in Nashville and Kentucky, so we pass by Gatlinburg on our way there. We vacationed there once and really enjoyed it.
My favorite tradition for Christmas is Christmas caroling at a nursing home on Christmas eve.
God bless.
Growing up, my favorite Christmas tradition was all my aunt’s, uncle’s and cousins and my family going to my grandparents and great grandparents Christmas morning. So much fun! Now my favorite tradition is having all my kids and grandkids spend the night before and reading the Christmas story. I love watching my grandkids opening their presents then next morning!
JoAnn..it sounds like you had some fun on I-40! Hope you are enjoying your trip. I have Christmas Blessings and have started reading it. One of the traditions I enjoy now that our grandchildren are older is going down to the Smoky Mountains area between the time they get out for their Christmas break and a day or two before Christmas. If the weather holds out we are hoping to do it again this year. The sights and sounds of the Christmas season are abundant in the Smoky Mountains towns of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.
Sounds like a fun trip! I think the best thing about Christmas is just being with family and enjoying each other’s company. Our children all have families of their own now, but it’s so much fun for us all to get together for special occasions.
Our tradition was to open 1 gift on Christmas Eve and then have breakfast for supper ending with caroling around the neighborhood
Stockings
So sweet about the excitement with Sam’s impending arrival. You are indeed blessed! :)
Diana, we love caroling with our church choir during the Christmas season, too. I’m not sure who enjoys it more–the residents of the nursing homes or shut-ins we visit, or those of us singing! :) We are having a wonderful time in Tennessee. Thank you for your comment and for stopping by Inspy Romance today! Blessings.
Baking sugar cookies with our two youngest and putting up all the decorations on Thanksgiving night. Then watch Christmas movies.
Robin, Christmas does become all about the children, doesn’t it? Seeing the joy in their eyes on Christmas morning. I love that you read the Christmas story to them, as well, to lay the foundation and help them understand the true meaning of the day. Our family pretty lived close together, so it perhaps wasn’t quite as special on Christmas, but my husband and his family traveled from Rhode Island to either New York or the Boston area for Christmas, and he has many fond memories of those fun trips. Thanks for your comment, and blessings!
Thanks, Nancy. We’re having a lot of fun. The Christmas decorations are up but not lit yet. It’s been gorgeous weather and in the 70s this week, so it doesn’t quite “feel” like Christmas yet. Not that we can’t still celebrate. I hope you enjoy your upcoming and future trips to Gatlinburg, and thanks for reading Christmas Blessings. I appreciate your stopping by Inspy Romance today and leaving a comment! :)
Sounds like marvelous traditions, Shelia! Thanks for stopping by Inspy Romance and sharing your thoughts with us. Blessings to you!
I’m blessed and honored to be a part of this set. I loved reading through all the comments about favorite Christmas traditions. As for me, I enjoy giving thanks and having Christmas dinner among friends.
Amen, Winnie! I completely agree that it becomes more about relationships and family than anything else. Thanks, as always, for stopping by Inspy Romance today and sharing your thoughts with us. Blessings! :)
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us, Karen! Blessings. :)
My favorite tradition is going to the candlelight service on Christmas Eve with my husband and two grown children. Thanks for the chance to win.
Our family did lots of fun things when our children was small. One thing that has never changed even now that heir grown is on Christmas eve we go to church then depending on the service we attend will either get pizza or get some hot chocolate then we open one gift, read the Night Before Christmas go to bed. On Christmas day have homemade cinnamon rolls read the Christmas Story from the Bible before opening gifts.
Oops, sorry, should have used full name for the country fire authority. It is made up of volunteers who work other jobs full time while volunteering.
Thanks for featuring the set JoAnn. Such a great post. I’m really thrilled to be a part of this set. We have a tradition in my house. My girls always get christmas pajamas on Christmas eve and of course they immediately put them on. Then they each open a gift. Enjoy your travels. Someday I’ll get to the Biltmore.
Sounds like fun, Cheryl! Frosted sugar cookies are so yummy! Thanks for sharing your thoughts today on Inspy Romance. Many blessings!
Thanks! I figured it must be something like that, and I appreciate the explanation. I can also fully appreciate men and women who volunteer for that duty while still working other jobs full-time. That takes very strong and honorable individuals. I am very grateful to them for their service.
Thanks so much for sharing the set, JoAnn. The Christmas traditions here sound like a lot of fun. Our family reads the Christmas story every year. And we bake. A lot. Merry Christmas to all the readers! Thanks for taking the time to read our stories. God bless you.
Angel Moore
Thanks for sharing your story with us
We have a nativity and baby Jesus doesn’t appear until Christmas morning. My son was very small when we first got it and on Christmas morning he ran down the stairs and looked for baby Jesus before he even looked to see what Santa had brought.
I love the wrapping paper fight we always have after opening all the presents! And JoAnn, I love your books!
Thanks for dropping by today, Alexa! I’m thrilled you’re part of Christmas Blessings! Can’t wait for readers to read Lana and Arturo’s love story. :) I’m starting to really anticipate Christmas after reading all these wonderful comments! Many blessings, my friend.
That is indeed a wonderful tradition, Jennifer! I’ve gotten so I prefer the earlier service on Christmas Eve as opposed to the midnight service. Not that I’m getting older or anything… :) Thanks for stopping by Inspy Romance today and sharing with us! Blessings.
Sounds like marvelous family traditions, Dotty! Thanks so much for sharing them with us today on Inspy Romance. Blessings!
Thanks, Belle, and I’m so happy to be in another box set with you! I love your Christmas Eve tradition. I hope you can make it to Biltmore. You will love it! Blessings.
Thanks for dropping by Inspy Romance today, Angel! Your traditions sound wonderful and yummy, too! Many blessings. :)
What a sweet memory, Gail! Thank you for sharing that with us on Inspy Romance today. Blessings to you!
A wrapping paper fight, eh? That sounds intriguing. :) I might have to ask you more about that for a possible scene in a book one day. You never know… :) Thank you for the very sweet comment about my books. I treasure you as a reader, Beth. Blessings!
It’s fun to read everyone’s traditions. I’ve got lots of favorites – baking cookies, singing carols, driving around to see the lights in the neighborhod, etc., etc.
Thanks for your comment, Margaret! It IS fun to read, isn’t it? I’m beginning to really anticipate this coming Christmas season (and it is swiftly approaching)! Blessings. :)
Thank you very much, JoAnn! I loved being part of the set. :) Many blessings to you, too.
It was fun reading the inspiration to the stories, and Melissa I had to laugh at your write up, but that did turn in to a great story.
As far as Christmas traditions when I was growing up, we always decorated for Christmas Thanksgiving weekend (I still do that) and my family would have over some friends for Christmas Eve and exchange a gift. It was great fun having the extra people over.
First of all, this looks like a great Christmas set! I do like to read those during the holidays as it helps to get me in the mood :-)
Secondly you asked our traditions. Ours is pretty simple, we by a Hallmark decade series ornament to place on our tree every year. We’ve been doing this since we got married almost 20 years ago. Since each series is just 10 ornaments (thus the decade) we’re well on our way into a second decade! We have a small 4 foot tree so there’s little room but for the special ones we’ve collected. And each one symbolizes God grace & love to our family.
I can’t believe it’s almost holiday time already, where has 2016 gone?
Melissa’s story is always fun (even the story behind the story). :) Thanks for sharing your fun Christmas tradition on Inspy Romance, Andrea! Blessings.
Thanks for your input, Trixi! I usually buy several Hallmark ornaments each year. Anymore, though, they’re for the kids to hang on their own trees. It’s fun how they come out with fun ornaments that remind my kids of their past (like a Little Tikes Minivan ornament, for example) and the turtle sandbox. Love what the ornaments represent for your family. I appreciate your comment, as always, Trixi. :)
My favorite memories of Christmases growing up include Christmas music, spending Christmas Eve with my grandparents, turkey dinner, and opening presents! Still like these things!!
Sounds good to me, Linda! Thanks for the comment. Blessings to you in this upcoming holiday season! :)