Happy Holidays, y’all! Goodness Christmas is only two weeks away…where does the time go? 2024 has been a very busy year for me. I wrote five books…three within the span of four months. Whew! I know other authors are far more prolific than I but then again family milestones impacted my writing schedule. A new grandbaby! Grandson’s college graduation and wedding! A fall foliage trip to New England! Adoption finalized! Son & daughter-in-law moving to North Carolina!
All that being said, I’d like to introduce my three Christmas books and tell you about them.
A Sleigh Ride For Claire – With Christmas on the horizon, Claire McAllister has far too much to do to entertain dreams of a husband and family. Even if she feels inclined to help Lincoln Wyse outwit his three mischievous young daughters, it’s impossible to imagine the handsome widower seeing her as anything but a scolding schoolteacher.
Even though the pretty schoolteacher never turned a favorable eye to him, Linc Wyse’s heart skipped a beat whenever she pinned him with her mesmerizing green eyes. Beautiful or not, Claire McAllister was a meddling spinster who placed judgments on him and his family.
Yet, neither one can imagine how three little, mischievous matchmakers and a magical Christmas Eve sleigh ride will open their eyes to love…or how the Lord will awaken their faith and hope.
Ivy – Christmas Quilt Bride –Years ago, Ivy Sutton was drawn to the new orphan boy in town. Unfortunately, she soon became the focus of Grady Walsh’s mischievous deeds in school.
Ivy is back home in Harmony, Kansas for good but is she willing and able to forgive the boy who made her childhood unbearable?
Grady Walsh lost his heart to the sweet girl the day she gave him a quilt. Now, as a well-liked and respected tradesman in Harmony, can he make up for the reckless actions of his youth?
Or will another steal her away before they have a chance to discover a kind of love that might heal the pain from the past?
Holly In His Heart –What is a boy to do when he is trying to play matchmaker for his father? Seven-year-old Danny Stone is working hard to help his lonely widower father find love again. When a pretty, new teacher moves to Angel Falls, Danny believes she is the perfect choice. But so far, his matchmaking attempts have not been successful until a snowstorm hits and strands Miss Holly at their farm.
Fleeing an ill-fated relationship, Holly Ross accepts an interim teaching position in Angel Falls, Kansas. During the first week, she is knocked down by a stranger, and his rude behavior raises her annoyance when he insists he saved her life…not that she believed she needed saving. When she discovers Jesse Stone is the father of one of her students, she vows to give the man a wide berth. But when Danny leaves behind a scarf belonging to his late mother, she makes a decision that will alter her Christmas plans…and her life.
Since his wife’s passing, Jesse Stone has no interest nor time for romance. With a herd, a ranch, and a seven-year-old son to raise, the last thing he needs is ungrateful criticism from a woman he saved from being hit by a wagon. His irritation grows when he discovers Holly Ross is the new teacher his son keeps praising…and the feeling is mutual. So, she is the last person he expects to see at his door at the start of a blizzard.
Will a dose of Mother Nature’s magic, along with a bit of divine intervention make a little boy’s Christmas wish come true?
There you have it…these three sweet historical romances are filled with family & friends, joy, second chances, and the magic of finding love at this most wonderful time of the year!
Provide your best caption for the picture below – humorous, thoughtful or poignant – to be entered in the drawing.
All entries will be eligible for our oh-so-beautiful Grand Prize, too!
Winners announced Sunday, December 15!
(USA winners only, please.)
Born and raised in western Massachusetts, Jo-Ann Roberts was fascinated by America’s Old West and always felt she was destined to travel on a wagon train following the Oregon Trail. With her love of history and reading, she began reading historical romance during high school and college. Victoria Holt, Jude Deveraux, and Roseanne Bittner were among her favorites. Influenced by her father, she fell in love with John Wayne, James Garner, and her all-time favorite, James Stewart and grew up watching Wagon Train, Bonanza and Rawhide.
A firm believer in HEA with a healthy dose of realism, Jo-Ann strives to give her readers a sweet historical romance while imparting carefully researched historical facts, personalities, and experiences relative to the time period. Her romances take her readers back to a simpler time to escape the stress of modern life by living in a small town where families and friends help one another find love and happiness.
When she isn’t creating believable plots and relatable heroes and heroines, Jo-Ann enjoys spending time with her husband, children and grandson. She also enjoys baking, quilting and eating way too much chocolate.
After 38 years in public education in Connecticut and Maryland, she’s now calls North Carolina home.
If I toss it, do you think I’ll get something better next time?
“There’s no crying in baseball!”
I’m ready to start decorating. When do we start?
Baby’s first Christmas
“Does this even bounce like the tennis ball the dog has?”
So, this is what a Christmas ball looks like.
Strange makes no sound.
Thinking hard about whether to bite into this or throwing it.
The wonders of Christmas from the heart of a child.
Why did they give me an Easter egg for Christmas ?
Hmm I don’t thin k I can eat this thing.
What is this thing – something to eat – to throw? I know something to play with!
Hmm, wonder why this thing doesn’t feel like food? Why would they give me something I can’t eat?
that is a weird color for an egg!
Enjoy the wonders of Christmas!
This isn’t a cookie! If I have to wear a Santa hat, there better be cookies here, too!
“It’s pretty but doesn’t taste very good.”
Beautiful ball in my hand, who’s the fairest of them all?
Wait, what is this?! Does it do anything?
I can see myself, but what is it?
Oh! What is this can I eat it?
Hmm, what is this?
Mmmmm…..so that’s what my future looks like.
Santa’s cutest elf!
I wonder if I throw this at them if they will stop taking pictures of me?
So pretty but I would prefer a biscuit.
So confused, so I eat this of play with it & of I play with it what is there now noise or lights?
What is this? If I can’t chew it then I am not interested.
Joy and Peace in December
What is the deal with all this red and green stuff??
Mmm. I wonder what my big brother would think if I threw this at him. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
It’s that time of year for these shiny things to be hung on the tree. I can’t wait to play with them.
What is this? Can I eat it?
Can I eat it or just throw it?
What is this funny looking thing and what am I supposed to do with it?
All I got was this lousy ornament in my stocking!
I saved it Mama, now what is it?
“Ummm…..what can I do with this?”
Jo-Ann, I enjoyed your story Holly in his Heart! This was a great series for Christmas reading!
Merry Christmas!
Hmmmm, I wonder if it tastes good…………
Hmm I wonder if I should eat this or play with it.
Ooh the color is so mesmerizing!
At least it isn’t in my mouth.
Should I try the fast ball that ended the World Series, or just try to get out that runner at first base who’s been annoying me?
Did I do that???
I’m not sure why I am supposed to do with this. Do I eat it, put it on the tree or throw it. It is very shiny though.
Hmmm, okay I’ll figure this out after all look how I’m dressed and that got something to do with Christmas I just know it.
Another Christmas Mystery
Ooh, shiny!
Oooo! Can I eat this?
Christmas is mine
How do they expect me to hang this on the tree? I’m stuck in this basket.
I wonder what this tastes like
Should I eat it or what?
This is my pitching arm.
Oooh! Shiny!
I wonder what this tastes like.
Hmmm! I wonder if I can get this in my mouth at one time?
Christmas bulb + Ho Ho Ho Ho hat + Christmas PJ’s = Christmas Baby
Is this food?!
Hey sweet cheeks, no! No! No! … not in your mouth, (sigh)
Oh my is this my teether it sure is shiny!
Hmm…what good is it if I can’t eat it?
What am I supposed to do with this? I tried eating it and that didn’t work.
You call this shiny?