romance

A Mysterious Benefactor … A Secret Guardian by Sandra Ardoin

/ Dora Hiers / 5 Comments
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Dora here. Over the last few years, I have been blessed with many writing friends, but few so dear as Sandra Ardoin. Sandy and I connected initially through ACFW, and when we realized we lived just a few miles from each other, decided to get together. Since then, we’ve scaled the writing mountains and wandered through the valleys of publishing while we share our writing and personal journeys over lattes. Today, I’m beyond thrilled to share that Sandy’s debut novella, The Yuletide Angel, releases on October 15 with Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. Congratulations, Sandy!! 


About The Yuletide Angel

It’s Christmastime in 1890s Meadowmead, and someone is venturing out at night to leave packages at the homes of the needy. Dubbed The Yuletide Angel, no one knows the identity of this mysterious benefactor. 

No one, except Hugh Barnes, a confirmed bachelor who finds himself drawn to the outwardly shy but inwardly bold Violet Madison, a young woman who risks her safety to help others. 

When Violet confesses her fear of eviction from her childhood home, Hugh longs to rescue her. His good intentions are thwarted, however, when Hugh’s estranged brother shows up in town … and in Violet’s company. 


But Violet faces an even bigger threat. A phantom figure lurks in the shadows, prepared to clip the wings of The Yuletide Angel.

Please join me in welcoming my dear friend, Sandy:

I’d like to introduce you to a charming couple—the hero and heroine in my Christmas novella The Yuletide Angel. As I interview them, Hugh Barnes and Violet Madison are sitting shoulder-to-shoulder on the sofa in the formal parlor belonging to Violet’s recently-married brother. The air is filled with the sweet scents of sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mmmm…. Please don’t be surprised if this interview is a short one.

Hugh, what was your first thought when you discovered the identity of The Yuletide Angel? Violet turns to him. Her head is tilted at a slight angle, as if she’s eager to hear the answer, too.

Frankly, I was stunned to see my shy neighbor, a woman I’ve spent months trying to get to know, trotting across town in the dark while toting small flour sacks. Of course, it piqued my curiosity to learn just what she was up to. When I saw her leave the first sack at the home of someone I knew to be in need, I realized the truth. At first I thought her a beautiful woman. Then reality chilled my pleasure. She was quite the reckless woman, and I feared for her safety.

Violet pulls a handkerchief from the pocket of her dress and balls it in a fist. Hugh reaches for the hand with the handkerchief. His thumb caresses the back of it. Encouragement? A silent apology for calling her reckless?

So you decided to follow her. Why?

Hugh: To protect her, of course.

Violet: She shivers and ducks her chin. I’d rather not discuss the frightening part of the story, Hugh.

Violet, how do you feel about having had a secret guardian?

Amazed. The men in my family have protected me in one way or another my whole life—first my father, then my brother. I suppose it was a good and honorable thing, but a bit smothering. Hugh’s protection was different. He allowed me more freedom.

When did you first realize you were meant to be together? They turn adoring eyes on one another. Really, friends, the look is as sweet as the icing topping one of Violet’s desserts.

Violet: I fell in love with him soon after I met him, but never believed he would look at a plain woman like me a second time.

Hugh: She was wrong. I looked and kept looking. And she’s not plain. She’s my beautiful Violet. He kisses her cheek. Once I realized the goodness of her heart, I knew she was to be mine.

So what’s next for the two of you?

Violet: A spring wedding, then—

Hugh: We’ll sail off on the adventure of our lives.

They look at each other and laugh. Must be an inside joke. I drop my pen and notepad on the nearest table.

Well, no one is leaving before I sample a large slice of Violet’s apple cake!

Sandra Ardoin

Sandra Ardoin is a multi-published author of short fiction. A fan of old westerns growing up, it’s only natural that she sets stories in the days of the horse and buggy. Her Christmas novella The Yuletide Angel is available on Amazon.com.

She’s the married mother of a young adult and lives in North Carolina. Learn more about her at www.sandraardoin.com and connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Click the link and sign up for Sandy’s newsletter to receive Violet’s Apple Cake recipe, along with news and other tidbits. Enter The Yuletide Angel Facebook Launch giveaway. http://tinyurl.com/kyk2cdm

PURE Amore…Sweet Romance, Pure Enjoyment ™

/ Dora Hiers / 2 Comments

PURE…the new sexy! 

Wow! It’s hard to believe that the first Pure Amore romance rolls out next week! I’m incredibly honored to be a part of this new venture with Pelican Book Group.

Over the last five weeks, we’ve showcased awesome stories by Wendy Davy, Marianne Evans, Delia Latham, Mary Manners, and Clare Revell. Featuring heroes and heroines between the ages of 21-33, never married and one or both a virgin, PURE Amore stories center around two flawed individuals seeking to honor God in all areas of their lives, especially in ways society doesn’t often understand or value. They top out at 45k words, petite little gems bursting with emotional and romantic depth. 


Available by subscription, Pure Amore will release one delicious romance per month in e-book, paperback, or a paperback/e-book combination for one year beginning October 1, 2014. Squeal! Yes, that’s next Wednesday!

For now, fill your mug with some English Toffee coffee (my favorite!) and settle back in your recliner for a glimpse at When Hope Rises and When Love Triumphs, written by…me. 🙂

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When Hope Rises
Art teacher Shelby Coltman transforms junk into treasure and longs for a place to showcase her creations. She’s thrilled when her friend volunteers to room with her. Shelby can finally buy a storefront. Unfortunately, Kennedi’s brother can’t seem to let go.

Abandoned as a teenager, guidance counselor Tate Malone has become surrogate and over-protective father to his sister. Life is great until Shelby Coltman wheedles his impressionable sister into sharing an apartment. Raised in wealth, the beautiful Shelby could never understand poverty or rejection, and Tate doesn’t appreciate her uprooting his sister.

When Shelby hands over her savings to a homeless student, will God obliterate Tate’s fears and deliver all of Shelby’s dreams…When Hope Rises…

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When Love Triumphs
Police Officer Winter Evan and Navy SEAL Tanner Random are wrong for each other. Winter fears the water. Tanner skims through seas for a living. So four years ago, Winter convinced herself she’d be better off not worrying about his months at sea and his increased cajoling for physical intimacy. But when she walked away, she lost a giant chunk of her heart.

Now Tanner’s back in town to care for his abandoned niece. No longer a SEAL, he’s sticking to the safety of the North Carolina mountains as a paramedic. Should Winter risk losing her heart all over again? Will God help them build what started years ago into something solid and secure? When Love Triumphs…

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I’ve really enjoyed these peeks into the precious romances offered in the PURE line. I hope you have, too. If you haven’t already subscribed, here’s the link: subscribe. Don’t miss out! PURE Amore…Sweet Romance, Pure Enjoyment™ starts next week!

PURE Amore…Sweet Romance, Pure Enjoyment ™

/ Dora Hiers

PURE…the new sexy! 

So far we’ve sampled some wonderful books by Wendy Davy, Marianne Evans, and Delia Latham, all offerings from Pelican Book Group‘s newest line, Pure Amore, sweet, hope-filled romances that will leave you “satisfied and smiling.” Featuring heroes and heroines between the ages of 21-33, never married and one or both a virgin, the stories center around two flawed individuals seeking to honor God in all areas of their lives, especially in ways society doesn’t often understand or value. They top out at 45k words, petite little gems bursting with emotional and romantic depth. 


Available by subscription, Pure Amore will release one delicious romance per month in e-book, paperback, or a paperback/e-book combination for one year beginning October 1, 2014. Today, top your hot chocolate with a dollop of whipped cream and settle back to enjoy Simple Blessings and Blackberry Ridge by the awesome Mary Manners. 

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Simple Blessings
Charlene Cammon is an inspirational romance author who has lost her muse. In fact, following the failure of her own real-life romance, her muse is not just missing—it’s on life-support. Fearing she’ll never complete another book, Charlene heeds the advice of her best friend, Brynn. She leaves the city for a summer sabbatical to a remote cabin in Crestview. There, she’ll be removed from civilization and meet the book’s deadline…or so she thinks.

Gage Kenner’s life as an air-ambulance pilot is put on hold following the death of his brother. Raising his eight-year-old niece, Jenna, is more than Gage bargained for. A summer break at his cabin in Crestview might be just the ticket Gage needs to forge a bond with heartbroken Jenna. What Gage doesn’t bargain for is impetuous Charlene, who has taken up residence just over the knoll.

Jenna’s needs bring Gage and Charlie together, and Charlie learns that sometimes, it’s as fun to write a real-life romance as it is to pen one for the pages.

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Blackberry Ridge
After her parents’ deaths, Chloe Chastain leaves Blackberry Ridge to pursue a life in the city. When she’s called back to her childhood home to care for her niece as well as to oversee renovations on the century-old family home, she realizes that memories still lurk among the polished wood and sawdust.

Connor Lawson has made a successful life for himself, despite a few bumps in the road. Ensconced in the house-flipping business with a lifelong friend, he’s come upon the biggest project yet—renovating the Blackberry Ridge farmhouse where he spent long, leisurely days with Chloe Chastain.

When Connor and Chloe realize they’re tossed into the same renovations, will they manage to put past hurts behind and work together, or will the project—and their love—fail?

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Oh. My. Stars! What’s not to love about a story featuring a romance author? Love it!! And I just adore renovation stories where the heart changes along with the house, don’t you? Here’s the link to subscribe. Pop in next week when we’ll showcase Battle of the Flowers and Keepsake by suspense heavy hitter, Clare Revell.