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Happy Holidays, everyone! It’s been an interesting year for
me as I am sure it’s been for all of you. Big projects at the EDJ, a stressful
break up, migraines, and dealing with the upkeep of my house has kept my
attention from being focused on my writing to the extent I would have liked,
but I am back on the book scene this year with a novella called Blue Christmas.
It is a holiday story about a young man who lost his Christmas spirit after his
mother passed away and his need to keep from ever losing anyone ever again causes
him to push any attempts to befriend him away. His depression leads him to make
a choice which takes him down a path to redemption and learning to love the
holiday again as well as allowing himself to let others in once more.
The story will be available on Smashwords and related retailers
on November 30th. Amazon will have it available for purchase December
3rd. It is now able to be pre-ordered on both sites. The links are
below if you like the sound of the book. 😊
I’m excited to share the cover and an excerpt with you today
and hope you enjoy the story!
Blurb
Christmas used to be a time of joy for me, but since my
mother's death three years ago the holiday has lost all meaning, becoming
nothing but a harsh reminder of what I've lost. I've become bitter and
skeptical of everyone around me, and the cold aloofness has kept me from being
hurt that deeply again. But this year the thought of yet another blue Christmas
alone sends me on a path that will change my life forever. Trigger Warning:
Attempted suicide.
Buy Links
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/909631
Excerpt
Somehow, I managed to fall into a
restless sleep and before I knew it the nurse came in to wake me up and bring
me breakfast. I scowled at her as she raised my bed and set the tray on the
table before me. I grimaced at the dried out eggs and hard toast. There was no
way I'd eat this so I just pushed the table away. "Where are my
clothes?" I demanded of her.
"They're in the closet over by
the bathroom, dear. Everything you came in with is in there." She made a
notation on my chart at the foot of my bed and then left the room.
I wanted to be gone before Carter
got there. I slid from the bed, gripping the back of the gown closed. Cold air
slipped under the hem and I winced at how chilly the tile felt on my feet.
Everything was where she’d said. I bundled my clothes together and headed into
the bathroom to get dressed. Maybe I underestimated Carter because when I came
back out, he sat in the same chair from last night, a magazine propped open on
one knee.
He looked up and smiled. "Ah,
good, you're already dressed. I took the liberty of going into your apartment
and grabbing a coat for you since you were brought in without one last night.
Also the little girl who lives next door to you wanted me to tell you Simba is
okay and she'll take care of him until you get home."
I tightened my lips into a flat
line. "I'm not going anywhere with you. I'll take a cab home."
"Don't be ridiculous. I'm
already here and besides we have to stop at the lot and pick out a tree. Oh, I
went by my parents' house and snagged some of their decorations. My mom has so
much of them she insisted I take some of hers." Carter stood and held out
the jacket. It was my favorite one, the one my mom had given me the year before
she started to get sick. Though a little worn in some places, it still provided
enough warmth against the chilly winds and snow.
"Thank you," I said
stiffly. "But I really don't need a tree or decorations."
Once again, he didn't listen to me
and waved away my refusal. "You can make me dinner on Christmas Eve and
we'll call it even."
I shook my head and started to tell
him no once again when the door opened and one of the orderlies came in with a
wheelchair. "I can walk," I protested.
"Hospital policy. Please have a
seat, Mr. Lords. You'll be out of here in no time." The orderly gestured
to the wheelchair.
With a sigh, I gave in and settled
into it, embarrassed once again. Carter just silently followed along, a smile
on his face. Once the papers were signed and I was outside of the front doors,
I got out of the chair. I stepped in the direction of the nearest taxi, but
Carter grabbed my arm and led me toward the parking garage. "I can walk on
my own," I said, disturbed at his touch and nearness.
"Of course you can. I just
wanted to make sure you were heading the right direction," he soothed. He
stopped at a red pickup truck, unlocked the passenger door and opened it,
waiting for me to get in. I glared at him, but slipped into the front seat. I
breathed a sigh of relief to be out of the cold air, huddling deeper into my
jacket.
Carter loped around the front of the truck and slid into the
driver's seat. Christmas music played from the speakers when the engine
started. I crossed my arms and turned my head to stare out of the window as he
drove.
