I’m happy to feature the anthology, Winter’s Embrace, published by DCL Publications.
Blurb
Embrace the joy of Christmas and some yuletide cheer in this collection of five sweet holiday romances from four of today’s most entertaining authors! Featuring brand new stories from Pamela Ackerson, Jennifer Patricia O’Keeffe, Cindy Lewis Smith, and Jae El Foster, this anthology will help you hold the spirit of Christmas and the magic of true love in your heart the whole year round.
Meant to Be by Pamela Ackerson: Single and starting over in tiny Lorman, Mississippi, teacher Faith Anjos dives into home renovations with tools in hand and a boat from her late dad’s fishing Sundays. Realtor Gabriel White becomes her unexpected ally, sharing lunches, family barbecues, and stolen kisses under patriotic park lights. But when a sassy ex-roommate stirs trouble and life’s curveballs hit hard, Faith learns that true love thrives not just in perfect houses, but in the messy magic of Christmas cheer and forever promises.
Window Shopping by Jennifer Patricia O’Keeffe: Single and sentimental, Whitney dives into downtown’s dazzling displays—animatronic toys, frosted windows, violin carols—chasing Christmas cheer alone after helping coworker Chad remotely. Fate intervenes with a literal bump into charming Chad, leading to diner laughs, Santa’s lap shenanigans, and hand-holding revelations. As they embrace kid-at-heart traditions amid bustling streets and Santa’s sly matchmaking, a parade invite blossoms into dinner-and-movie dreams. Proving the season’s sparkle uncovers love when least expected.
Mr. Hollister’s Christmas by Cindy Lewis Smith: Thirty-three and resigned to spinsterhood in Goldfield, Josie channels her Georgia Christmas memories into a perfect Eve nuptial for Rose and Hank, footed by taciturn rancher Clint Hollister. Their prickly partnership blooms amid pine boughs, fiddle waltzes, and whispered regrets from a saloon-fueled mail-order mishap. When a wheel-wrecked ride home unveils Clint’s hidden role in her arrival—and his lingering loneliness—snowy revelations ignite a romance as timeless as the stars above the Llano River.
What the Snow Blew In by Jae El Foster: Snowbound in Deerborne, Connecticut, during a record-breaking blizzard, editor Carina Whitaker hunkers down with wine, her cat Tom Boy, and cherished Christmas ornaments—until a shivering mailman named Jerry delivers a package and seeks refuge from the storm. As power flickers out and drifts bury her home, candlelit evenings spark unlikely conversations, shared meals, and cozy traditions that warm more than the gas fireplace. Amid reading aloud by firelight and piano carols, holiday magic proves that what the snow blows in might just be the love she’s been waiting for.
The Magic of Mistletoe by Jennifer Patricia O’Keeffe: Sarah’s winter break turns into survival mode: dodging doll-throwing dollops, sweeping glass shards, and sacrificing her office sanctuary for peace between battling children. Amid cold coffee confessions and contract close-calls with hubby Thomas, festive fumbles—from runaway pillows to reluctant photos—test their bond. Yet as grilled cheeses soothe tears and starry-eyed surprises arrive post-midnight, mistletoe weaves its spell, transforming holiday havoc into heartfelt harmony and impossible dreams come true.
Excerpt from Window Shopping by Jennifer Patricia O’Keeffe
All around her, the sights, the sounds, even the childlike thrills of Christmas cheer filled her senses so strongly that Whitney actually squealed with glee. On the corner of the sidewalk across the street, a Santa stood next to a donation stand, ringing a bell and laughing his ‘ho ho ho’s’ while holding his big proud belly. Shoppers were everywhere, carrying bundles of shopping bags and wrapped packages with ribbons and bows. Outside of a bakery, a table was set up with a sign advertising hot chocolate and snickerdoodle gingerbread cookies. Despite the chill in the air, the woman manning the table seemed happy as she waved at those passing by.
Garland and colored lights were strung from the wires at the traffic stops, and each lamppost had a big wreath with a giant red bow attached. In the distance near the town square, she could see the peak of the city’s Christmas tree and the lighted star that glistened atop it.
Whitney was in a version of Christmas heaven and it was exactly what she needed at that moment. Her bored lonesome had vanished, and she felt alive and energetic.
“Oh!” she exclaimed, and took a breath. “What’s that I hear?” Looking to her left, she saw a group of carolers singing their hearts out in front of a bookstore. They were all dressed in classic Dickens’ period clothing, and her heart skipped a beat at the sight. “Carolers!”
“Would you move already?” someone shouted to her right. Looking back, she saw a plump old lady with her arms full of packages and a disgruntled look upon her face. “You’re blocking the path, missy. Now, move it!”
“Oh, I’m sorry!” she fretted and took a big step back. “I didn’t mean to be inconsiderate. I was just overwhelmed by Christmas spirit, I guess.”
“Nut job,” the old woman said and then literally growled at her as she walked by her and hurried down the sidewalk.
Whitney wasn’t going to let that woman’s ill temper get the best of her. Not with all of the Christmas magic that encompassed the town all around her. She turned in the direction the old woman went and followed behind, still attracted to the sounds of the carolers and their perfect melodies. When she reached them, she paused and listened, taking in every lyric they sang. Once the song was finished, she pulled a ten spot from her purse and dropped it into the top hat on the ground that they’d transformed into their tip jar. One of the carolers smiled at her and tipped his hat in thanks.
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Giveaway
A print copy of ‘Winter’s Embrace,’ autographed by author Jennifer Patricia O’Keeffe. Find out more here.
Follow the authors on the rest of the tour here.
An early publisher of my novels issued what sounded like a simple request: “Send me a tagline.” It didn’t take long for me to discover that this was a daunting task. How could a handful of words successfully capture the essence of 60,000+ words? That task took me the better part of two days.
1. Short stories are easier to write
Winona Kent was born in London, England but grew up in Regina, Saskatchewan. She has an MFA in Creative Writing from UBC and a Diploma in Writing for Film and TV from Vancouver Film School. She’s the current BC/Yukon Representative for the Crime Writers of Canada, and is also an active member of Sisters in Crime-Canada West. She lives in New Westminster, BC.
Joanne Guidoccio 