Hello, friends! I am super excited to share a new release from a long time friend, fellow Story Empire colleague and talented writer, D.L. Finn!! I’ll let her tell you all about it.

Thank you, Jan, for having me on your fantastic blog today to share the release of Ghosts & Miracles Past: A Christmas Collection Two. I’m very grateful for your support!
“Is there a Santa?” is a bridge to “Elizabeth’s War.” This story is set after WWI in 1920 rural Northern California. Louis is a recent widower after losing his wife and baby girl in childbirth. He is trying to hold on to the farm and raise two boys, but times are tough, and he isn’t getting the money he thought he would from his crops. His in-laws have offered to raise the boys, but he doesn’t want to give up his children or the farm. It’s all he has left. He gets a message from his wife in a dream that makes no sense to him. He prays for a miracle, but soon realizes what needs to be done right after Christmas. Maybe it’s a good thing Elizabeth and her family move to this small town, and Dr. Rhodes makes an appearance. Louis will find out if his wife is visiting him in his dreams.

BLURB:
Miracles saturate the sweet-scented Christmas season—a reminder we aren’t alone.
Miracles & Ghosts Past: A Christmas Collection brings eight stories from past holidays. Rita buys train tickets for her and Morris’s 30th anniversary in the novelette, “The Christmas Train Mystery.”She’s convinced this trip will bring her and Morris closer—if he can find the time. A murder mystery excursion will change Rita’s life in more ways than one, but will she go with her workaholic husband or by herself? In the first short story, “Christmas Rescue,” Opal trusts the wrong man and loses her mother in the same year, leaving her feeling lost. On a mission to get candles for the dinner table, she makes an unexpected find. “Is There a Santa?” goes back to the 1920s, where a widower is desperate to hold on to his farm and children. He doesn’t want charity, just a bit of luck or a miracle. In the final stories, you’ll meet an eleven-year-old who’s home alone, a family living in the aftermath of war, a girl who gets some shocking news, a widow with a warning from beyond, and a woman trapped on an elevator with Santa. Hope underlies these stories; it endures even in the direst of circumstances. Whether help comes from a ghost, Santa, or an angel, miracles are just within reach.
EXCERPT FROM: Is there a Santa? Northern, CA 1920
Louis Murray double-checked his figures, sighed, and shut his ledger. There was no way he could squeeze extra money out of the budget to buy new clothes for the boys. There wasn’t any, and they were one failed crop from the bank repossessing their farm. The wheat and corn crops were his only hope to keep the farm going.
The boys had started school in last year’s clothes, but they were at least clean. There were days he didn’t think he could go on without his precious Rose, but he had to for their children. He’d promised her.
Finally the day came. The crops were in and ready to be sold. He unloaded the last of his wheat and corn at the mill.
Samuel’s bushy brown brows furrowed as he smoothed his handlebar mustache. “Sorry, Louis. Prices aren’t what they used to be. We’re all struggling now, including this mill. I heard the Joneses just abandoned their farm. Couldn’t get anyone to buy it. Loaded their belongings in their wagon and left. Wonder what the bank will do with it now?”
Was his family next? “That’s bad news for all of us, Samuel. Give my best to Bea.” Louis shook his head and took the meager offerings for his hard work.
Even if he purchased the essentials, it would barely get them through spring if he kept up with the mortgage payments. He had some tough decisions to make.
Samuel nodded and went back to his account book as his son took over, bringing the crops inside.
Shoulders slumped, Louis hopped on the wagon and headed to the general store. He made his frugal choices: flour, beans, coffee, salt, yeast, and sugar. At least they had chickens for eggs and goats for milk, along with fish from the pond and apple and walnut trees, but he’d had to sell their cows and pigs last month. He couldn’t keep feeding them with the wagon and barn needing repairs.
Luckily they had a small garden that Rose had started. She had canned tomatoes, relish, bean soup, apples, blackberries, pickles, and green beans before they lost her and their baby girl. That familiar lump was in his throat every time he thought of his wife. Nothing could have been done, Dr. Pratt had said. And that was it, she was gone.
Fred called from behind the counter. “I have some of that chewing tobacco you like, Louis, and those O Henry chocolate bars your boys love.” He continued cleaning the bottles behind him with his feather duster.
“Thanks, Fred. Maybe next time. Give my best to Martha.”
“Will do. You know she wants to have you all over for a Sunday dinner as soon as she feels better. Baby’s due any day.” Fred’s head whipped around, and his cheeks reddened, making his pale complexion glow. “Sorry, Louis, I didn’t—”
“Don’t worry, Fred. Life does go on for all of us. I’m happy for you.” Louis offered a smile.
Fred shrugged his bony shoulders. “Thank you. Well, take care.” He turned back to his cleaning.
Louis loaded his wagon with his precious supplies as dark clouds hung heavy. The reverend’s new Ford Model T pulled from behind the general store where Fred sold five-gallon cans of gas. He hoped to own one someday. The reverend grinned and squeezed the horn as he and his wife, Jane, passed a group of young boys, who eagerly waved. The couple cheerfully waved to him as they passed. He waved to his wife’s best friend, and with a loud sigh, he covered his load and headed to pick up the boys on their way home from school.
FUN FINN FACTS
- My favorite Christmas book to read is “A Christmas Carol.” I read it every year.
- Some of my favorite smells are rain, roses, the ocean, grapefruit peels, peppermint, and a cool, crisp morning in the forest.

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.
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To celebrate the release, I will be giving away three Amazon Gift Cards: $5, $10, and $15. At the end of the tour, I will randomly pick the three winners from those who leave comments during the blog tour. Good Luck!
This looks like a great Christmas book. Great to another step of the blog tour. Thanks for hosting, Jan 🤗
Thank you, Esther 🙂 So happy you think so and dropped by!
My pleasure, Esther. This collection of short stories is SO good! You will enjoy it, I’m sure.
This will be my Christmas read this year! I can’t wait to delve into it. The excerpt is great. Thanks for hosting our friend Denise here today.
Yay! Thank yiu, Darlene for making a part of your holiday reading 🙂 xo
You are in for a treat, Darlene. This new book may be Denise’s best yet! I enjoyed it so much. Thank you for stopping by to help support her!
Thank you, Jan xo
I love that you did a sort of prequel to Elizabeth’s War. That’s been sitting on my shelf for a while, but I haven’t read it, so it’ll be nice to read this short story first. The rain and the ocean are some of my favorite smells as well. Great post, Denise! Thanks for sharing, Jan!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
Elizabeth is so close to my heart and her story hasn’t let go yet. Great smells that even thinking about relaxes me. Thanks Yvette xo
Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment, Yvette. You are going to enjoy Elizabeth’s War whenever you read it. I agree about those favorite smells.
I recently read this collection, it’s great fun. This particular story (“Is There a Santa Claus?”) is so sweet that I was crying, loved it!
Thank you, Pricilla! A few tears were shed writing it too.
Oh, I loved that one, too, Priscilla. All of these stories are so good! Thank you for adding your recommendation.
So nice of you to participate in the blog tour of Denise’s book, Jan.
Thrilled to be here with Jan today, Timothy and even happier you dropped by.
It’s truly my pleasure, Tim. Thank you for dropping by!
Great excerpt, Denise. Congratulations on Ghosts & Miracles Past: A Christmas Collection Two. Thanks to Jan for hosting you today.
Thank you, John 🙂 I enjoy writing in that era.
Thanks so much, John. I appreciate you stopping by to support Denise with her new release. It was my pleasure to host!
Love holiday stories and this looks like a fabulous read! All the best, D.L.! 😍
I’m the same way about holiday stories, Mary! Love them year round. Thank you 🙂
This collection of short stories is SO good, Mary. I enjoyed each one and highly recommend it. What’s not to love about Christmas, Angels and Ghosts? 🙂 Thank you for stopping by!
Welcome to Denise’s newest book! My favorite part of these posts is the ‘Finn Facts’ Grapefruit peels?? Really???
Thank you, Jacqui! It is strange about the peels but it completely relaxes me.
Lol, Jacqui. I also love the smell of Grapefruit peels. 🙂 Smells so clean and fresh and well….citrusy. Thanks for visiting.
I’m happy dancing for you, Denise. I have this book on my Kindle and looking for some time to dive in. I love ghosts and miracles and in life we tend to get some of both at Christmas time. Memories of those we hold dear are closer. Wishing you tons of success! You’re such a good writer.
I appreciate the happy dance, Linda 🙂 I agree about the miracles and ghosts being closer ar the holidays. Memories bring so many smiles of good Christmas past. Thank yiu for saying so and si hope you enjoy the collection. Xo
Thank you for stopping by to support Denise and her new book, sister. You are going to enjoy these stories. We will have to talk about them after you’ve read them. 🙂 Some more Sunday morning conversation.
That made me smile knowing it will me a Sunday discussion. Huge hugs to both of you xo
Another great introduction and tease for the book. I enjoyed this read and had a hard time picking favorite stories from the collection – they’re all so good. Congrats to Denise, and thanks for hosting, Jan.
Thank you, Diana 🙂 Still doing my happy dance here! Thrilled you enjoyed it! Xo
Thank you for stopping by, Diana. I also had a hard time picking some favorites when I wrote my review. They are ALL so good!
Thank you Jan for the great introduction and having me here today. Your friendship and support means the world to me! Xo
As does yours to me, Denise. I loved this collection of short stories and think it may be your best yet. 🙂 You just keep getting better! You are most welcome!
A lovely post, Jan. I enjoy many of those same smells and I also like A Christmas Carol 🥰
Thanks for stopping by, Robbie!
They are such soothing scents, Robbie:) It is such and amazing story, a perfect holiday read! Glad you liked the post xo
Denise, The HHs favorite movie at Christmas is a Christmas Carol:)
Another good short! Though, I love them all.
Jan, Thanks so much for hosting.
Sandra
That’s my hubby’s favorite too. He watches many versions but has his favorite. Thank you SO much, Sandra xo
Thanks for hosting, Jan! I can’t wait to dive into this book, and this presentation is another wonderful peek! Congrats to Denise! xo
Thank you, Lauren:) I hope you enjoy it, and I look forward to our visit! Xo
I just started it, but I don’t know if I’ll have a review done by our tour stop. So, I’ll insert another review if that’s the case. Hope that’s okay. I’m not even finished with the first story and I’m hooked, Denise! 🥰
I love that, Lauren. Each story is SO good! I honestly think it’s Denise’s best work so far!Thank you for stopping by!
My pleasure, Jan! I read in the mornings, so I can’t wait to continue tomorrow.
This story is breaking my heart already, but I’m hoping for a happy ending. The ocean has always been one of my favorite smells also, Denise. Thanks for hosting, Jan!
Thank you for your comment, Teri. That story was heartbreaking but Denise has a way of writing satisfying endings.
It would tear my heart out to be in his position, Teri 🙂 It wouldn’t be Christmas without a miracle or two. Nothing like standing on the seashore and taking a deep breath!
I look forward to reading Denise’s book! I haven’t read any of Jan’s books yet, but I’ll get there!
Yay! Good to hear, Dawn. Thank you so much!
Thank you, Dawn 🙂 fingers. Missed you enjoy it. Never enough time to read all the books we want, but I can easily recommend Jan’s work.