ALL I WANT
THREE STORIES. THREE COUPLES. ONE HOLIDAY.
Pretty Near Perfect
THREE STORIES. THREE COUPLES. ONE HOLIDAY.
Pretty Near Perfect
by Jolene Perry
The last thing Norah needs is to be attracted to anyone – especially in her deceased fiancé's parents' home. Collin’s starting a new career, and has no business getting involved – especially while staying with his roommate’s family, who very kindly offered to take him in for the holidays. Unfortunately, you just don’t always pick the most convenient time and place to fall for someone.
Six Days of Christmas
by Kaylee Baldwin
When Natalie goes home with her best friend for Christmas, she expects plenty of quiet time to work on a winning ad so she can turn her dream internship into her dream job. Instead, she gets time-consuming Christmas festivities, a house full of children, and Jimmy, her best friend’s brother - someone who makes her question everything she’s always thought she wanted.
Twist of Fate
by Rachael Anderson
When a postcard meant for Kenzie winds up in Ty's mailbox, Ty's faced with a decision. Should he tell her that her fiancé is breaking up with her and let it ruin her favorite holiday, or should he do what he’s wanted to do since he met her - make a move and hope that he can win her over before she discovers there won’t be a wedding after all.
Excerpts from Six Days of Christmas by Kaylee Baldwin:
Anne opened a bedroom door and threw Natalie’s bag onto the floor next to a dusty weight set. “I’m going to have you stay in Jimmy’s old room for a few nights. You and Janessa will probably have to bunk up together once Stan’s kids get here, but at least you can have your own bed for a few days.”
Natalie looked around the room after Anne left, remembering the fun Janessa, Jimmy, and Natalie had when they were younger. Stan’s Christmas love hadn’t reached this room, so it still looked the same as Natalie
remembered—even though she hadn’t been in here in almost three years. Blue plaid bedspread. Bookshelf filled with sci-fi and fantasy novels. A picture of Jimmy and Janessa together on her graduation night exactly how Natalie remembered him: over a head taller than Janessa, mostly knees and elbows, long-ish brown hair, thick glasses, and his trademark mischievous smile that always seemed to be daring Natalie to do something that would get her into trouble
Author Jolene Perry
Jolene Perry is an enigmatic figure. She is most often seen behind her laptop, staring at the words flying onto the screen with reckless abandon.
She survived growing up in rural Alaska, driving like a lunatic, and her husband’s careers in the military, as a perpetual student, and an Alaska State Prosecutor. She also survived as a middle school math teacher using her degree of Political Science and French.
One day Jolene was playing her guitar (probably some-thing juvenile for her kids) when she wondered what it would be like to write a song for a rockstar, and her first book was born. (that book is shelved)
She now lives a very glamorous life as a stay at home mom, elbow deep in dirty dishes and peanut butter sandwiches. She doesn’t even attempt to keep up with the laundry because non-writing time is precious, and her family is sorta awesome.
Links:
Author Rachael Anderson
Rachael Anderson is the author of four contemporary romances: Divinely Designed, Luck of the Draw, Minor Adjustments, and The Reluctant Bachelorette. She's the mother of four, can't sing, doesn't dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.
Links:
Author Kaylee Baldwin
I grew up in Mesa, Arizona, and graduated from Arizona State University
with a degree in English literature.
I currently live in southern Arizona with my husband, Jeremy, and our three children. When I am not writing, I enjoy reading, starting new craft projects, and spending time with my family.
My Favorite Holiday Tradition
My favorite holiday tradition began almost twenty years ago. When I was about twelve years old my family didn’t have a lot of money. My mom was babysitting and my dad was working six days a week as a carpenter just to make ends meet, and still we barely had enough for our needs, much less any wants. It was December and I was still wearing one of two pairs of shorts that fit me from summer (I grew up in AZ, so don’t feel too bad for me. It was probably still 75 degrees in the middle of the day), but it kind of gives you an idea of how much we needed some new things.
One night, a few days before Christmas, there was a knock on our door. When we opened it up, an older lady we’d never met before was there with a huge black bag full of presents. She wouldn’t tell us who she was or who sent her, but we were so excited to have a bag full of new things—including new clothes for me and my sisters.
That experience has always stuck with me as one of those defining moments. Someone took time and money—thinking of MY family, and me personally—and wanted to help make our Christmas special. Someday, I wanted to be that person who helped.
My husband and I like carrying this tradition forward in our family. Every year we like to think of someone we know who is struggling or who could use a little boost, extra help, or even just a reminder that someone loves them. I love it best the years when we do it anonymously—so I won’t give too many details on those ones—but I mostly like to find out what the family needs and what they love and then drop it at their door, ring the bell, and run.
Last year, though, we got together with a bunch of friends and my husband dressed as Santa. We visited a family from church who was going through the tragedy of losing their youngest son in an accident, brought them presents, and sang carols for their other kids. My husband took pictures with all of the children in attendance and handed out presents. That will go down in my heart as one of the greatest, most heartwarming Christmas memories of all time.
I love this tradition because it brings me back to what I think the spirit of Christmas is all about—showing love to others as Jesus showed love to us. Every year it is humbling and exciting, and I hope it’s teaching my kids how much fun it is to give.
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