
High detail Vector nativity Christmas Scene. Purchased from depositphotos.com
Welcome to the last day of October. I don’t know about you, but 2018 has FLOWN by for me. I can’t believe Christmas is just around the corner, but it is. And the proof is in all the Christmas books releasing. :D I love it. I’m an avid reader and have been since I was little, and some of my favorite stories have released during this season.
I beg your forgiveness as I tell you about ANOTHER one. :) The second one for me this year (GASP!).
First, I want to tell you how The Heart of Christmas came together, and then my fellow authors will tell you about how they came up with their stories.
Early this year during our local writers’ meeting, I suggested we do a boxed set in our group. Not all of us were romance writers, but they other ladies were game, and so we started brainstorming what our theme would be. I don’t remember who thought of it, but it was suggested that we use elements from The Nativity and write stories around them.
And thus The Heart of Christmas was born.
We listed the elements of The Nativity: angels, shepherds, the inn, the baby, Mary and Joseph, the wise men, and the gifts. Several of our members were unable to participate due to prior commitments, but five of us–well, six but I’ll explain about our sixth member in a minute–picked our element (angels, inn, baby, wise men, and the gift of myrrh) and started writing.
Here’s the blurb for our set:
Announcing five new stories filled with faith, hope, forgiveness, and of course happily-ever-afters. Each story focuses on an element of the Nativity, from the angels to the wise men. Be swept up in the love of the season and the promise of forever that the Christ child, the true Heart of Christmas, brings.
I asked each of them to answer a question, so you can learn more about them.
And now to the individual authors and their stories…
Season of Forgiveness by Darcy Fornier
Ruby Larson adopted Ivy Carlyle as her granddaughter when Ivy helped her arrange her funeral. When Ruby’s estranged grandson, Denver Reese, appears, Ivy is reluctant to share Ruby’s attention. As the two plan Ruby’s Christmas, unexpected attraction draws them closer. But Ivy’s painful past challenges their friendship.
What inspired you to write this story?
It started with the character of Grandma Ruby. I had a dear Christian lady who was a grandmother to me even though we weren’t related, and I wanted to show how precious that kind of relationship is. My Christmas element is myrrh—fitting because my favorite verse in the song, “We Three Kings,” is the one about myrrh. After all, if Jesus had not died for us, there would be little reason to celebrate His birth.
Darcy Fornier (pronounced forn-yay) believes the best stories provide clean, compelling entertainment while also provoking the reader to think about life in a new way. She’s been spinning stories ever since she learned how to play “pretend,” and she has seriously pursued writing since 2013. When she isn’t writing, editing, or dreaming up a story, you might find her washing dishes, “dissolved” in a book, playing the piano, hiking in the woods, singing at the top of her lungs, or talking up a storm with her sisters. At six years old, she gave her heart to Jesus, and she lives to know Him more. She makes her home with her parents and two younger sisters, wherever that happens to be.
To keep track of Darcy’s new releases—and download a free novelette—visit http://darcyfornier.com and sign up for her newsletter.
Born for You by Leah Fornier
Ryder has never set foot in a church. But when his best friend, Kenna, begs him to direct a church Christmas play, he can’t refuse. As he and Kenna work through a series of mishaps, Ryder finds himself drawn to the One born for him. And to Kenna.
How did you come up with the idea to write your story using that particular element?
I’ve always felt very familiar with hospitals, partly because my mother was a nurse and partly because as a child I spent a lot of time in hospital waiting rooms. And since I wanted to write about something I was familiar with, the hospital seemed like a good choice. I decided almost immediately that I wanted my heroine to be an OB nurse, and St. Mary’s hospital fit perfectly with the theme. So Kenna is my version of a biblical midwife, and she works at a hospital named for the virgin Mary.
Leah Fornier has loved storytelling since childhood when she would recite her long, complicated, embellished dreams for her sisters. She began writing in high school with short stories that constantly tried to outgrow their word limit. When she doesn’t have her nose in a book, you might find her baking, sewing, playing the piano, or researching historical fashions. She lives in middle Tennessee with her parents and two noisy sisters.
No Room in His Heart by Bonita McCoy
What happens when Evie’s car breaks down on the highway and her only hope is the handsome, sure of himself inn owner who can’t find his phone and lives off pizza?
A sweet Christmas romance … with lots of zing that will have you laughing.
What did God show you about yourself or Himself as you wrote your story?
In writing this novella, God showed me the power of a father’s love.
My first draft had my heroine stranded at the Bethlehem Inn and calling home for help. I, of course, needed her to stay close to the hero, so I had her parents too busy to come right away.
Several of my advanced readers said it was unbelievable. No parent within a day’s drive would leave their child stranded even if the child was a grown woman who lived out on her own.
A few days later, I had the opportunity to experience it firsthand. My son’s girlfriend ran off the road into a ditch. She called me because I was closest, but then, she called her dad.
He left work, drove twenty minutes, stood in the rain assessing the damage, and then got what was necessary to pull her out. Once done, he took her to lunch before going back to work.
That day I knew I had to change the premise of the story. A father’s love never leaves his children stranded just as Our Father never leaves us stranded.
Bonita Y. McCoy hails from the Great State of Alabama where she lives on a five-acre farm with two horses, two dogs, two cats, and one husband who she’s had for over twenty-nine years. She is a mother to three mostly grown sons and two beautiful daughters-in-law, one who joined the family from Japan. She loves God, and she loves to write. Her blog and novels are an expression of both these passions. Drop by and visit. Facebook Author’s Page or visit her website bonitaymccoy.com.
Finding Wisdom in Noel by Janie Winsell
Travel photographer Billie accepts an assignment in Noel, Montana, to escape her ex-fiance’s wedding. Aiden takes custody of his nephew Kris and embarks on a journey of parenthood. When a luggage mishap brings Billie and Aiden together, they must find healing and wisdom in order for their love to flourish.
What did God show you about yourself or Himself as you wrote your story?
God showed me that if He wants something to happen, He will make it happen. I have had so many obstacles with writing this story. I almost gave up a couple of times. I just knew I’d never get it finished in time for the release date, but every time I’d think I couldn’t do it, God would inspire me to keep writing on it. I thought I was writing a story about two people falling in love (and I was), but I was also writing a story about the healing power of God’s love and how He shows it to us through others. Ginger gave me an extension when I got too sick to finish my edits on time. Ginger, Bonita, Darcy, Leah, and Betty all encouraged me and helped me figure out the title and blurb and one sentence. Without their love and encouragement, I would never have gotten through the valleys of writing Finding Wisdom in Noel. My characters may have found wisdom and healing, but through their stories, I also found healing and wisdom for my own soul.
Janie Winsell is a Christian author who lives in Alabama. She writes Contemporary Women’s fiction, Romance, and Romantic Suspense. She received her Master’s Degree in Creative Writing at Full Sail University. She is a member of ACFW and active in the critique main loop. Recently, she started writing a monthly blog for Daughtersofthedeep.com. She writes about real Christians who, like the world, are not perfect, but through God’s love and discipline, they learn the lessons needed to grow in their relationship with their Heavenly Father as well as with each other.
On Angels’ Wings by Ginger Solomon
Bakery owner, Jenna Wing prepares to spend Thanksgiving alone—her first without her family. When her former neighbor, Thomas Hayes, invites her to dinner, she finds that she can’t say no. Their previous friendship turns to something more, but Thomas’s family issues threatens their new-found relationship.
What did God show you about yourself or Himself as you wrote your story?
I don’t know about other writers, but most of my books are written for me. I’m certain of it, because without fail, I have learned something about God or myself while writing. In On Angels’ Wings, God showed me how I take for granted that He will be patient with me when I put “life’s issues” before Him in my daily schedule. Talk about an ouch moment. In the story, something happens (no spoilers) and Jenna gets upset because Thomas didn’t put her first. But then God gets hold of her (and me) with this:
“Am I first place in your life?
Jenna groaned, knowing that many times God got pushed to the side because she knew He’d understand. Not as much as You should be.
And now you know how I feel when you ignore me. I wait for you. I send reminders of My presence. And still you push me to the side to do other things. Things you deem more important.”
And I think I will leave you with that to ponder.
And, for an extra treat, our lone nonfiction member, Betty Boyd, graced us with poems for each of our stories.
What did God show you about yourself or Himself as you wrote your story?
Writing the poetry helped me have a greater understanding about the book of Luke Chapter 1. The writing of each poem was an eye opening experience in knowing the true meaning of Christmas. God showed me how to get closer to Him as I penned each poem.
Betty Boyd is a Pennsylvania native who moved to the Tennessee Valley in 1994. Her passions have always been writing and photography. She is an artist at heart. God has given her these gifts to inspire others, to help others, and to give back to the community. After retiring in 2012, Betty knew there was more she was supposed to do. Betty is a best-selling author who has written for several magazines as staff writer and researcher, and she has recently written for Faith and Fitness Magazine. She sings in her choir at her local church. Her purpose is to serve God and others by utilizing her gift of writing for God’s glory. Her website is www.bettyboydwriting.com.
Available now for your reading pleasure at Amazon.
Happy reading,
All authors that are new to me or I have yet to read. Thank you for sharing! :D
Hi Ginger- how exciting, and all new authors (except for you of course:) How very special to have poetry for each story. I enjoy a good Christmas read.
I agree, 2018 has gone by so much faster than I ever anticipated it would!
Blessings:)
Hi Ginger! Thanks for sharing. Lots of new authors and happy for a different genre – poetry! Purchased my set. Best wishes.
Yay! I love boxed sets!!
Thank you for sharing. Sounds very good.
What an interesting concept for a box set! I hope it blesses many readers!
You’re welcome, Sabrina. They are new to you because for most of them, this is their first or second book.
I hope you enjoy.
It is exciting, but I’ll never (even if you shouldn’t say never) do two Christmas novellas in the same year again. LOL
Thanks for the support, Renate.
Me, too. Enjoy.
You’re welcome, Lelia.
We wanted something different. :)
I hope it blesses them too. ;)
Love the stories in this! (from the blurbs here) :) I’ll have to make sure to check this one out. Thanks for sharing it all with us. And the tidbit about poems for each one!
Thanks, Susan. We appreciate your support.
The year is flying by! I’ve bought two Christmas gifts this week…
Then you’re ahead of me, Patty. No gifts purchased yet, but then again, my hubby usually does all the gift buying. I HATE shopping. LOL
I love Christmas stories and read them any time. Who said it should be around Christmas?! :)
New authors, inspy favorites, AND Christmas? I’m totally down! The collection sounds terrific Ginger! Now I know what you’ve been struggling over, and I’m so glad you persevered! I’m not ready for Christmas even a little because I’m going on a trip to visit a friend after Thanksgiving, so hopefully I’ll get everything situated before I leave!
Me, too, Natalya. I love Christmas stories!
Writing a (two) books is as close to getting ready for Christmas as I’ve gotten. Thanksgiving first. Have fun with your friend. I’m sure you’ll have a great time.
Thanks for the introduction to the set. It sounds really interesting. God bless!!
My pleasure, Diana.
So interesting to read everyone’s inspiration Ginger. Sounds like a great boxed set.
Thanks, Shannon.
YAY! More Christmas books to add to my tbr list. ‘Tis the season. Thanks for sharing.