I am excited to share this new collection of Christmas themed short stories from my friend and Story Empire colleague, D.L. Finn!
I’ll let her tell you more about it!
Thank you, Jan, for having me here today to talk about my Christmas Collection Miracles and Ghosts.
**Please see the note at the end of the blog post.**
In the short story, Christmas Reunion, Zella has been estranged from her sister for a few years. The week before Christmas Zella gets a call from her sister. She learned her sister had been in an abusive relationship but was now free. The sisters were going to reunite for Christmas and Zella would finally meet her nieces. I have Zella driving over a mountain summit and she stops at the rest stop at the top.
This setting is taken from our many drives to Reno or Lake Tahoe over the Sierra Nevada Summit. There’s a rest stop we always stopped at the top where there used to be sledding in the winter and hiking in the warmer months before they put up a fence blocking everything but the facilities. One trip over the summit on a snowy evening after a nice day at Boomtown with the kids, we crested a hill with a sharp drop. Immediately in front of us were several cars facing various directions from an accident, and people were walking around. The icy road made quick stopping impossible in that short distance. To this day, I have no idea how my husband drove between the cars without hitting them or the people who shouldn’t have been out walking as cars kept crashing into the vehicles. But we glided through it and eventually came to a stop. Luckily, the highway patrol showed up then and took over. We were certainly fortunate that day. So, what if Zella ran into an accident that shut the road down as she was driving to see her sister? Traffic would be at a standstill until the cars were cleared. Here’s where a rest area came in handy. What she learned about the accident, though changed everything.
Blurb:
Miracle and Ghosts: A Christmas Collection’s eight tales bring light in the darkest of circumstances. In the novelette, A Perfect Ghostly Christmas, Julie has survived the foster care system and finally comes home. She now owns her grandparents’ house and has received an offer that appears too good to be true. On top of that, the family she felt had abandoned her during her difficult times has reentered her life. But it’s the otherworldly experiences that lead her to something her grandparents left behind. This discovery changes everything and opens a door to danger. The seven short stories explore fractured families, a widower’s loneliness, a mall shooting, financial struggles, strained relationships, woodland kittens, and a woman haunted by a red truck. Whether it’s a ghost, an angel, or Santa, some unseen force is there to provide help when needed. A reminder in the busy holiday season or anytime we are never alone, and miracles are possible.
Excerpt:
The Christmas Reunion
The shopping cart wheels pulled to the left, giving Zella Kellman a workout as she navigated the holiday merchandise. She heaved an enormous sigh of relief when she saw that the toy of the season, Beautiful Burping Baby, was still available on Christmas Eve. She snatched the last two dolls, one with golden hair and the other brown, and headed to checkout.
Zella felt a nudge. “Boy, you waited until the last moment.”
She turned around to see a mature lady wearing a twinkling tree sweater and cradling a can of jellied cranberry sauce. She dug deep for some good cheer since, for the first time in years, she wasn’t going to be alone. “Yes, well, last-minute travel plans to see family. Please, go ahead of me.”
A smile smoothed the woman’s wrinkles but not her arrogant tone. “Thank you for allowing me through, since I only have one item. Merry Christmas.”
Zella stepped aside as the woman pushed past her with her one item that she treated like a brick of gold. That wobbly red log had always been on her dinner table as a child, but the oldest relatives were the only ones who ever ate it. “Merry Christmas.”
After spending every penny she’d earned working overtime at the winery on her sister and the twins she’d never met, Aurora and Kahlan, Zella put the gifts in colorful holiday bags. She added sparkling tissue and placed them in the back seat with the snowman cookies and a bottle of zinfandel. Her tank was full, but she was starving. One more stop, and she had chicken strips, pumpkin-flavored coffee, and fries.
“Let’s do this.” Zella nibbled on her dinner as she merged onto the freeway.
The drive was effortless as she wove into the mountains where her sister and nieces lived. A place she hadn’t been welcome to visit since confronting her ex-brother-in-law, Peter. She shuddered. How bad had it been for her sister and little nieces for the past four years?
Her favorite Christmas song came on the radio, and she crooned along out of tune. The car heater strained as the temperatures plummeted and ominous black clouds consumed the starry sky. “Please don’t snow. I don’t know how to put on snow chains.”
#AMAZON PURCHASE LINK: https://www.amazon.com/Miracles-Ghosts-Collection-D-L-Finn-ebook/dp/B0DDWFNR1D/
Fun Finn Facts
- I set many stories in the Sierra Foothills and mountains because that is where I make my home. I also live in a gold rush town, Nevada City. It earned the name Queen of the Northern Mines.
- I used to love my coffee but can’t drink it now, only tea. Luckily my characters can still enjoy it.
D. L. Finn is an independent California local who encourages everyone to embrace their inner child. She was born and raised in the foggy Bay Area, but in 1990 she relocated with her husband, kids, dogs, and cats to Nevada City, in the Sierra foothills. She immersed herself in reading all types of books but especially loved romance, horror, and fantasy. She always treasured creating her own reality on paper. Finally, surrounded by towering pines, oaks, and cedars, her creativity was nurtured until it bloomed. Her creations include children’s books, adult fiction, and poetry. She continues on her adventure with an open invitation to all readers to join her.
Note: There’s a chance to win one of two $10 Amazon gift cards just by leaving a comment! I will randomly pick two winners from the comments during this blog tour. Good luck and thank you for stopping by.
I’m reading your book now, Denise, and will post a review when I’m finished. I’ll let you know in advance. Thanks!
Every excerpt sounds more enticing, Denise! Thanks for sharing, Jan! Everyone have a wonderful weekend!
Thank you, Joy! It is my pleasure to share wonderful stories!!
Looking forward to it.. congratulations Denise and thanks for the lovely feature Jan.
My pleasure, Sally! Thank you for visiting!
Looks like the perfect Christmas read and glad I already got my copy. Congrats again to Denise. <3
Yay!! You are going to enjoy these stories! Thank you for stopping by!
Hugs <3
Looks like the perfect Christmas read! And I found out that, like me, Denise likes her tea rather than coffee. What’s there not to like? lol
Thank you, Nicholas 🙂 I do enjoy my tea now! Perfect way to start the day.
It seems like a great book. It was an intriguing excerpt and the fun facts were fun.
Thank you, Thomas 🙂 Glad you were intrigued and like the Finn Facts!
Just reading Denise’s description of the accident scene she and her husband happened upon was harrowing! Congratulations to her on a successful blog tour!
Thank you, Liz 🙂 It was one of those moments that I look back on in wonder that we survived.
You’re welcome, Denise. My similar close call happened on the New York Thruway after a blizzard. We were pulling a U-Haul trailer with our little Gremlin when we hit a patch of ice and the trailor jackknifed. That my husband was able to steer out of it was a miracle for sure.
Wow! Sounds like a similar and heart stopping experience.
😱
What a scary story about the accident – and people – you avoided, Denise! I’d have been terrified. Amazing driving by your husband. Thanks for hosting, Jan!
I can still picture it so clearly down to the people walking around, Teri. Yes, amazing driving for sure with a tiny miracle thrown in.
Thank you, John 🙂 Yes, thanks to Jan, you, and all the hosts who helped spread the word.
Every excerpt is more intriguing, Denise! Thanks for sharing, Jan!
Thank you 🙂 Thrilled to hear that
I’m so glad you have enjoy the different excerpts! Thanks for stopping by!
Denise, this is wonderful. I downloaded the book into my Kindle and will read it soon. I’m very intrigued by ghostly stories. Wishing you tons of good luck and many, many sales!
Thank you, Linda:) I hope you enjoy my holiday ghostly and otherwise tales! Fingers crossed.
Yay! I’m glad you downloaded the book. You’re going to enjoy it, sister! Thank you for stopping by!
Congratulations, Denise. Many thanks to Jan for hosting today.
Thank you, John 🙂 Yes, thanks to Jan, you, and all the hosts who helped spread the word!
😊
My pleasure, John. Thank you for hosting!
Super fun to see Denise’s book getting some fun press. I thought the book was super. Congrats to Denise and thanks for hosting, Jan. 🙂
Thank you, Diana 🙂 I am so happy you enjoyed the stories.
Thank you, Diana, for stopping by and for adding your recommendation for the book. I agree. It was super!
Thank you for closing out the tour, Jan, and all your support! Much appreciated xo
Truly my pleasure, Denise!
Another wonderful excerpt. Thanks.
So glad you enjoyed it, Craig. Thank you for visiting!
Thank you, Craig 🙂 Happy you liked it!
I enjoyed this excerpt and can picture it going in several directions, which is part of the fun of reading and predicting what will happen next.
That’s so true, Pete. As readers, we want to imagine how the story is going to go. Thank you for stopping by to support Denise!
Thank you, Pete 🙂 I love the very same excitement of not knowing what will happen next in a story.
Every time I read these excerpts, I remember how good your stories make me feel. Nicely done.
That’s a really good way to put it, Jacqui. These stories did leave me with a warm feeling, even though some of them end in death. Death is not to be feared and Denise portrays that perfectly. Thank you for stopping by!
Thank you, Jacqui 🙂 That is the best comment I could hope for.
It’s heartwarming to see you being part of Denise’s blog tour, Jan, and the book sounds marvelous.
It’s truly my pleasure, Tim. I really enjoyed this book!
Thank you, Timothy 🙂 Thrilled Jan could close out the tour for me! Appreciate your support.
My pleasure, Denise.
Oh, this sounds like a perfect read for the holidays, Jan! On my reading list! Congratulations and all the best, D.L. Finn!
It is truly a wonderful collection of holiday stories, Mary. I know you are going to enjoy it. Thank you for stopping by!
Thank you, Mary 🙂 I’m a big fan for happy endings, even in bad situations. I hope you enjoy it!
Wishing you all the best with this one, Denise. (You’re breaking my heart about the coffee.)
Thanks for hosting, Jan.
Thank you, Staci:) It broke my heart too, but also made my heart race all night, decaf or reg. I still enjoy the smell and memories.
I am right there with you, Staci! Can’t even fathom giving up coffee. 🙂 Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment!
An amazing excerpt, Denise. Thanks for sharing, Jan. I can’t wait to read it!
Thank you for stopping by and so glad you enjoyed the excerpt!
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it during this holiday season.
I thoroughly enjoyed this collection. I didn’t know there was a crash and then a near-miss navigation behind the story of “Christmas Reunion.” That must have been a frightening experience!
Thank you, Priscilla 🙂 Oddly enough, as it happened, I felt calm. There was a bit of a miracle mixed up in that.
Thank you for stopping by, Priscilla, and for adding your recommendation. It’s always interesting to learn the backstory of the stories we write.
A lovely post about Denise’s new book. I have also had to give up coffee.
Thank you, Robbie 🙂 Sorry you had to give coffee up, too. I still enjoy the aroma, though.
The smell is okay for me too. I just feel very ill when I drink coffee now. I think it clashes with the blood pressure pills.
That’s terrible to feel ill and that it interacts with blood pressure pills I get a racing heart that lasts through the night, even organic decaf or reg.
I understand that, Denise. I used to get that and then I started the BP pills. Now, I just feel sick which is just as horrible. Never mind, I like tea.
I like tea too. Big fan of Earl Grey 🙂
I also like Earl Grey for special occasions.
Thank you for stopping by, Robbie. Give up Coffee?? I don’t think I could ever do that. 🙂
I had to, it started making me very nauseous.
Oh dear, Robbie. If it made me nauseous, I’d have to stop too.
Yes!
Sounds like a good Christmas story.
Thank you, Sharon 🙂 This was a fun collection to work on.
It truly is, Sharon, as are all the stories in this collection. Thank you for visiting!
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Another intriguing excerpt from this book wating for me on my Kindle.
Thanks, Darlene 🙂 I appreciate you following along. Happy upcoming Holidays and reading. xo
I agree, Darlene! I am happy to hear you have this book waiting for you. I know you are going to enjoy it!