Ghosts & Miracles Past: A Christmas Collection Two – #NewRelease @dlfinnauthor

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.

PURCHASE LINK

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.

Universal Purchase Link

FUN FINN FACTS

  1. My favorite Christmas book to read is “A Christmas Carol.” I read it every year.
  2. 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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