Showing posts with label Nancy Naigle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nancy Naigle. Show all posts

3/04/2020

AUTHOR CONFESSIONS, part four

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Drawing on Wed, March 5th.

11/20/2019

Another Christmas Hit !!

CHRISTMAS ANGELS

A heartwarming Christmas story filled with the magic and miracles of the holiday season by USA Today Bestselling author, Nancy Naigle.

Growing up, Liz Westmoreland dreamed of taking over her grandparents inn located in the small mountain town of Antler Creek only for it to be sold before she ever got the chance. While browsing the internet, she stumbles upon a listing for what looks to be the picturesque inn and it’s set to go to auction. Liz places a bid, and by a miracle, wins the auction. But when she gets there she finds the property in significant disrepair.

When Matt Hardy narrowly lost the inn and property that butted his land, he just hoped it wasn't another city slicker coming to make matters worse after the previous owners gutted the place for an art gallery. But the minute he recognized the sweet, freckle-faced girl from his childhood and heard her plans to reopen the inn, he jumps at the chance to help his childhood crush restore a place where he made so many fond memories.


While working on repairs, Liz and Matt discover her grandmother’s collection of angels in one of the cabins. When the angels start mysteriously showing up all over the inn, she begins to look at them as reassurance—that restoring the inn is what she's meant to do. But when an accident leaves Liz feeling like she made a mistake, will Matt—and the residents of Antler Creek—be able to show Liz that she's found a home? And possibly true love as well?

"Bright with abundant holiday cheer and good-hearted community members, and, like a dash of HGTV with a large dose of Hallmark, it’s delightfully entertaining." ―Booklist

"CHRISTMAS ANGELS is a beautiful story full of kindness, warmth and love that can be enjoyed any time of year, but it should definitely not be missed at Christmas time. I give it a Perfect 10!" ―Romance Reviews Today

"A lovely holiday romance ... Ms. Naigle delivers a charming story that will capture your heart from beginning to end ... CHRISTMAS ANGELS is simply a sensational story with a side of snap and sass!" ―Romance Junkies

"Heartwarming ... Naigle’s inspirational, TV movie–like Christmas story is a pleasant way to spend a chilly fall day." ―Publishers Weekly


"Libraries looking for holiday romances...will want to snag this title for their collections." ―Library Journal

USA Today bestselling author NANCY NAIGLE whips up small-town love stories with a dash of suspense and a whole lot of heart. She began her popular contemporary romance series Adams Grove while juggling a successful career in finance and life on a seventy-six-acre farm. She went on to produce works in collaboration with other authors, including the Granny series. Now happily retired from a career in finance, she devotes her time to writing, antiquing, and enjoying the occasional spa day with friends. A Virginia girl at heart, Nancy now calls North Carolina home.

Some of her other titles include The Secret Ingredient, Christmas in Evergreen: Letters to Santa, and Recipe for Romance. Download a complete list of Nancy's books from her website, then stay up to date with future releases by joining Nancy's free Newsletter. 
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CHAPTER TWO EXCERPT
read a little, buy the book
 Liz motioned for Dan to follow her to the kitchen island. “Look at this. I’m sure it’s my grandparents’ old place.”
“You haven’t been back there in what? Twenty years?” Dan pulled the computer closer and looked at the listing.
“Maybe fifteenish.”
“Nice. Yeah. Wait. What are you thinking?” Dan lifted his gaze, then cocked his head. “You’re not seriously considering—”
“I’ve been waiting for this my whole life. Angels Rest is practically mine.” Excitement forced her words out in a flurry. “So, how do I do this auction thing?”
“You don’t.” He closed the top of the computer, and handed her a barbecue sandwich. “Not without going to see the condition of the house and checking to make sure you’re not also buying old liens against the place.”
“There’s no time. It goes up for auction in the morning. I’ve read through the FAQ’s, it doesn’t look that complicated. I need to get a proof of funds letter from my banker before I can bid though.”
“You’re going to bid on this place sight unseen? I have to advise against it, Liz. That’s just plain crazy.” Dan ran a hand through his hair. “You’re always talking about situations being a ‘sign’; well, maybe this is a sign that you should let this crazy idea go once and for all.”
“No. It’s not a sign to let it go. Finding out the day before Angels Rest goes up for auction is a sign it’s meant to be.” She scooted closer to him and opened the laptop again. “Look at these. The pictures don’t look so bad. Okay, so it’s overgrown, but that’s cosmetic.”
“Pictures can hide a multitude of problems. Very expensive ones, and the fact that there are only three pictures total is a red flag, especially since only one shows the house. The other is an aerial. You have no idea what it looks like inside.”
“It’s rustic. It’s a timber home, what could go wrong?”
“Termites?”
He had a point. “Well, the thing is still standing.”
“You have no way of really knowing that without going and taking a professional with you to check it out.” Dan leaned against the counter. “Why are you so hell-bent on this idea? You’re good at what you do. You have a good life here. Why the heck would you want to move to the mountains?”
“I loved spending time with my grandparents. The mountains are like an old friend to me. The nature. The quiet. I always thought I’d rent rooms out to people, and help them enjoy the area just like Gram and Pop. It was a good and pleasing way of life.”
“You’d be bored out of your skull up there. No shopping. Probably no pizza delivery. You do love pizza.”
“I can make my own pizza.”
He cocked his head.
“I could learn.”
“You love your job.”
“I wouldn’t say I love it. I’m good at it. But I could still do some projects if I get bored. I love that place. It’s why I’ve worked so hard and saved for so long. Every bonus, every raise—I’ve invested it all for this one dream.”
Dan folded his arms. “So that’s why I couldn’t get you to look at a new house last year?”
“Exactly. I told you. I have everything I need here. I’ve got money socked away for a new place.” She raised her eyebrows.
“The right place. The one that I’ve had in my heart since as long as I can remember.”
“But a person in your position should live in a much nicer house in a much better area of the city. Maybe you’d be happier here if—”
“There’s nothing wrong with this house or my neighborhood. Or Angels Rest.”
“I didn’t say there was. Your house will be an easy sell, but I just didn’t think you were really serious about a house in the mountains.”
“You never listen to what I say.” Which was fine, really. It would be a different story if he were her boyfriend, but their relationship wasn’t like that.
“I do listen. Kind of. I guess I just didn’t put two and two together.”
“Well, call it four and help me, why don’t you?” He handed her a plate with barbecue, slaw, baked beans, and corn bread on it. “Do you know how much work a place like that could take?”
“I can take a leave of absence to do the renovation. It won’t be much different from what I do on a daily basis, but instead of opening a mega-retail site I’ll be opening an inn. I can do contract work from up there and do both for a while until I build up a clientele.”
“You really have thought this through.”
“I’ve been dreaming of it for years, Dan.” She walked into the living room with her plate and plopped down on the sofa.
“You just don’t get it. My grandparents owned this inn on the mountainside of Antler Creek. What are the odds of me finding this out the night before it goes on sale?”
He sat down in one of the chairs and balanced his plate on his knee. “One in a million, I’m sure.”
“Right. Each summer,” Liz said, “people came not just to Antler Creek, but to my grandparents’ inn for the fishing and fireside cookouts, and every winter they came for the skiing and Christmas festivities. The inn was known for the best Christmas lights around. You could see them from down in the valley. People came from miles around.” In her mind she was back there, bundled up and excited as people began to join together. “There were carriage rides up the mountain to see the lights up close. Gram would make hot chocolate and her secret-recipe cookies for visitors. I helped. It was magical.”
Dan took out his phone and started typing. “And today the population in Antler Creek is eleven hundred twenty-nine, and twenty-five years ago the population was twelve hundred thirty-four.”
So there wasn’t much growth. That was just year-round population. “A steady population,” she reasoned.
“A stagnant one.”
“It’s not about the population. Or maybe it is. Antler Cree is quaint. It’s the perfect place to relax. I loved spending time there.”
“That was a long time ago, Liz. And you haven’t been back in years. What’s that say about it?”
She shut her mouth. That was a fair point. “It broke my heart a little that my grandparents left it behind. I’d always assumed I’d take it over from them.”
“What will your guests do with their time when they stay with you?”
“All the things they used to. Enjoy nature. Fly-fishing. Antiquing. Hike to the waterfall. Pop led hikes and fishing excursions nearly every week.” Am I really brave enough to do this?
“I guess the waterfall would still be there,” he said. “Are you going to take strangers on hikes in the woods? That sounds like a recipe for disaster.”
“Why not? And fly-fishing on the stream was amazing in the summer. I used to be quite good at it.”
He sighed. “You know I’m not going to wade out in cold water and fish, right?”
She shrugged. This wasn’t about the two of them. He knew that too. “You can visit. I promise to have Wi-Fi.”
His mouth tugged to the side the way it did when he was disappointed.
“Be happy for me,” she said. “Please?”
He sucked in a deep breath. “I’m still not saying this is a good idea, but if you’re going to do it be careful. The sale is as-is, where-is, so if you win, you’re stuck with it even if it’s a hunk of termite-ridden rubbish.”
“I hear you. You’ve made your point, but I’m also stuck with it if it’s exactly like I remember, and that would be awesome.” She grinned so wide her lashes tickled her cheeks.
“I head to Denver tomorrow night for my cousin’s wedding,”
Dan said. “Are you sure I can’t talk you into coming with me instead? It’ll be a great party and a fun long weekend. Could save you six figures.”
She’d declined the invitation weeks ago. “No thanks. I’ve got things to do around here that I’ve neglected the past couple of months while I was working in South Carolina.” She took in a long deep breath, crossed her fingers, and held them up. “Or I might own a new home.” He rolled his eyes, and shoved the last bit of barbecue into his mouth. “I’ll be back Tuesday. Keep me posted.”
The next morning, Liz had met with her banker, submitted her proof of funds, and finished her entries on the auction portal with little time to spare before the auction began.
Like Dan, her banker had given her a speech about buying a property at auction sight unseen. He hadn’t seemed any less concerned when she mentioned that she used to spend every summer and winter there as a kid, and that she had a good feeling about this. It might have sounded like an impulse purchase to him, but she’d been wishing, hoping, and planning for this for years. It was surely meant to be. It didn’t really matter what his personal thoughts were. This was her decision, and her money, and she had the proof of funds letter in hand. She was set.


OTHER CHRISTMAS STORIES
BY NANCY

Christmas in Evergreen
Christmas in Evergreen: Letters to Santa
Hope at Christmas
The Christmas Shop

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12/12/2018

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS

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11/21/2016

CHRISTMAS JOY

CHRISTMAS JOY

A heartwarming Christmas story about family, friendship and finding love in unexpected places.

Joy Holbrook might be all work and no play, but that changes when her Aunt Ruby takes a fall that lands her in a rehabilitation center before the holidays. Joy takes a leave of absence from her job as a market researcher to run the family farm, even though the timing may hinder her chance at garnering the promotion of her dreams.
Ben Andrews isn’t your average accountant. He also happens to be the handiest man in Crystal Falls. He’s helped his elderly neighbor, Ruby Johnson, decorate for the annual Christmas Home Tour—and win—the last several years. He’s not about to let some drop-in niece break their winning streak.
Ruby seems overly concerned about Joy being able to handle Molly. Under the impression she’s referring Molly the bunny that is one of the menagerie of animals, Joy’s not worried at all until the next morning when a little girl named Molly shows up. For the sake of her aunt, Joy is forced to partner with Ben while Ruby is on the mend to help with preparation for the Christmas tour and, in the process finds her career-focused heart dreaming of a family.
Will the magic of Christmas help her to open her heart and find her everlasting joy?

***
The next morning, Joy stood at the kitchen sink, sipping a cup of coffee. The house was chilly. An old hooded sweatshirt jacket that had seen better days was draped on the back of one of the kitchen chairs. She slipped it on and pulled her braid free from the back. In so many ways, this place was exactly the same; it made her feel like a teenager again.

She stared out the window at the familiar property in the daylight. Ruby had always been an animal lover, but Uncle George would flip out if he knew that she’d adopted all these wayward animals.


She glanced at the worn edges of the oversized sweatshirt jacket. Had it been one of Uncle George’s? Maybe the animals were Ruby’s way of filling the gap that Uncle George had once filled. Couldn’t blame her for that. Had to get lonely out here by herself, but the place was beginning to look like a petting zoo. The smell was farm-y too. And at the moment, every single one of the motley crew was lined up side by side, like they’d rehearsed the formation all night long.

Seven o’clock wasn’t early. Joy would normally be up, dressed, and out the door by now, but last night’s farm duty had kicked her butt, and she had a little trouble getting a move on. Another twenty minutes of coffee time wasn’t going to kill those animals.


She turned her back on them and held the warm mug between her hands.
***
Feeding the animals had sounded like a real cakewalk, but Joy was feeling it this morning. In fact, she was sorer this morning than the last time she got cocky and went for the ninety-minute hot yoga session with Renee.

The sound of the front door swinging open caused the hot coffee to catch in Joy’s throat. The animals were definitely getting restless, but without thumbs, it wasn’t likely to be one of them coming in to drag her outside. So what—or who—was it? But this was Crystal Falls. And she hadn’t heard a car.


“Ruby-rooo-roooo.”

Now, that was one sick rooster, or someone was messing with her. She relaxed a little, fairly certain that no one was ever murdered after a See ’n Say sound check.


A fast clippity-clomp came charging down the hall, getting closer to the kitchen.

The only image Joy’s mind could muster, besides that giant Foghorn Leghorn from the cartoons, was that pesky goat, Waddles, kicking and galloping down the hall. Now, that could be a mess.


Rushing toward the ruckus to limit the damage, Joy stopped dead in her tracks at the sight of a little girl standing in the hallway, looking like she wasn’t sure whether to scream or scram.

Only about six feet separated Joy from the blond-haired child. “Who are you?”

The little girl clutched a black lunch bag in one hand against her blue jumper with a fancy M monogrammed on the front, and two chubby orange yarn hair ties hung from the other. The freckle- faced child looked so fragile standing there.

“What’s your name?” “I’m . . . I’m Molly.”

“You’re . . .” Like the rabbit? Joy noticed the hand-painted rabbit on the little girl’s lunch bag that looked an awful lot like Molly the Bunny. This can’t be happening.

Little girl Molly’s mouth hung wide and her eyes darted like a wild animal’s. Cornered and desperate. “Wh-where’s Ruby?”

“She’s not here. She’s in the hospital with a hurt ankle.”

“But I come here every day. Ruby makes my lunch and we go to the bus.” Tears welled in Molly’s eyes.

Maybe the goat running down the hall would have been better than this. Oh no, please don’t cry. “Where’s your momma?”

The little girl pointed toward the door, her hand shaking.

“It’s okay. I’ll straighten it out.” Joy whipped around Molly and ran toward the front door just in time to see a blue compact car back out of the driveway. She waved her arms spastically as she took the porch steps two at a time. “Excuse me. Hello!” She raced out to the front yard, but the driver of the car seemed completely un- aware of her yelling and hailing. As Joy ran to the end of the driveway, the car became a dot in the distance, then disappeared.

Out of breath, and out of her element, she turned and walked slowly back to the house.
What am I supposed to do with a little girl? There are certainly no instructions in the barn about that.

CREDIT: From CHRISTMAS JOY by Nancy Naigle. Copyright © 2016 by the author and reprinted by permission of St. Martin's Griffin.


Meet NANCY 
and you'll fall in love with her. No kidding. I've known Nancy on-line for years but we've never seemed to be in the same spot at the same time. UNTIL we sat next to each other at a reader's conference in Denver.  It didn't take long to be the best of buds. Keeping my fingers crossed that her 2017 trip to Texas will have her and Kelsey Browning (another buddy) close to my hometown of Dallas.

USA Today bestselling author NANCY NAIGLE whips up small-town love stories with a dash of suspense and a whole lot of heart. She began her popular contemporary romance series Adams Grove while juggling a successful career in finance and life on a seventy-six-acre farm. She went on to produce works in collaboration with other authors, including the Granny series. Now happily retired from a career in finance, she devotes her time to writing, antiquing, and enjoying the occasional spa day with friends. A Virginia girl at heart, Nancy now calls North Carolina home.

Download a complete list of Nancy's books from her website, then stay up to date with future releases by joining Nancy's free
Newsletter. 


Facebook   Amazon Twitter  @NancyNaigle  

THE JOYFUL INTERVIEW

ANGI: How often to you get lost in a story?
NANCY: Every time I read!  I love the escape between the pages of a book…and I do have a kindle, but I still read mostly in paperback.

ANGI: Hugh Jackman or Chris Pine?
NANCY: Hugh Jackman! Okay, in all honesty…I had to Google Chris Pine. He’s a cutie, but Hugh Jackman makes this girl swoon.

ANGI: What's your most favorite thing to do in your state?
NANCY: Go horseback riding. I’m a Virginia girl at heart. I grew up on the beach, but I moved to North Carolina two years ago. These days I enjoy going trail riding with friends in this gorgeous setting. Oh, and believe it or not, the place we go most often is called Love Valley. Seriously!

ANGI: What’s your favorite Christmas candy?
NANCY: Oh gosh. I’m such a sweet fanatic. I love that old ribbon candy. This isn’t exactly a candy, but there’s a monastery in Virginia that makes chocolate dipped fruitcake slices that are so delicious.

ANGI: What do you like about the hero of your book?
NANCY: The hero of CHRISTMAS JOY is Ben Andrews. He’s just a good ol’ boy doing things for the right reasons. He’s also so patient with Joy. I fell in love with him so easily!

ANGI: Sand or Snow?
NANCY: Neither? Both? Sand follows you around for a year. I grew up around sand, and still have a condo on the Outer Banks and you just can’t get rid of that stuff. But snow means COLD and I hate being cold. Hmmm…but a good day building sand castle or snowman is fun.  Gosh…can I flip a quarter?

ANGI: Santa or an Elf?
NANCY: Santa! I love that twinkle in his eye.

ANGI: Would you rather be in a Fairy Tale or Action Adventure?
NANCY: Fairy Tale. That’s easy. My friends say I live in NanLand. My own little version of happiness in the middle of this crazy world. I like it that way.

ANGI: What’s your favorite rerun on television?
NANCY: The Golden Girls. I can watch those episodes over and over and over and over.

ANGI: Hiking Boots or Dancing Heels?
NANCY: Boots. My dancing heels days are long gone. This 50+ girl likes dancing in cowboy boots these days.

ANGI: Are you a Holiday fan? Favorite thing about Christmas?
NANCY: I love holidays. In fact, if you go to youtube you can see a whole bunch of videos about all the things I love about Christmas from cookies to movies and songs.

ANGI’S GOTTA ASK: What’s one thing from your Santa list?
NANCY’S GOTTA ANSWER:  How about a pony? J
  
PREVIOUS RELEASES by NANCY

EVERY YESTERDAY
Boot Creek Novels – Book 2


LIFE AFTER PERFECT
Boot Creek Novels – Book 1


SWEET TEA AND SECRETS
Book 1 of 6 in the Adams Grove series.

ANGI'S back next Monday with
Maggie Tideswell

UP NEXT ON GLIAS: E.E. BURKE
Get Lost on Goodreads, Facebook
or @GetLostInAStory  #GetLostStories

NANCY IS GIVING AWAY A COPY OF LIFE AFTER PERFECT AND A LIMITED-EDITION CHRISTMAS JOY ORNAMENT. NORTH AMERICA READERS
UP NEXT for NANCY
GIMME SOME SUGAR
The G-Team Series,  Book 5

NANCY WANTS TO KNOW: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE CHRISTMAS COOKIE?