Welcome back to Romance Sweet Reads. This week and next we’ll be featuring the nine individual stories from the holiday anthology, Hearts, Homes and Holidays. The anthology is a currently available to pre-order for just 99¢ on all major ebook retailers. All proceeds from the sale of Hearts, Homes, and Holidays will benefit Reece’s Rainbow, an organization that assists with the adoption of special-needs children.Today, we’ll look at the fourth of our nine stories, A Home for Christmas by author Jean Jacobsen, including an exclusive excerpt available only on Romance Sweet Reads.
So, sit back and enjoy a look at the fabulous collection of heartfelt holiday romances by some of your favorite authors.
Family Ever After
A Home for Christmas by Jean Jacobsen
Young widow and Ladies Society of Denver member Madeline Collier finds solace in charity work and fundraising for a local children’s home. There she meets and befriends the orphaned Chloe, a young lady with a tragic past and great potential for the future.
Peter Townsend moves west from Philadelphia to escape his past and begin a new life. He purchases the Rocky Mountain Star newspaper, determined to bring the fledgling business to vibrant life and thus, record the birth of the fast evolving boom-town.
An unexpected meeting brings Maddie and Peter together to promote a charity event. It doesn’t take long for their past friendship to renew and bloom into something more. When the seed of an idea is planted for Chloe’s possible future, Madeline realizes she needs help to see it to blossom to fruition. Can she involve Peter enough to commit to a marriage of convenience and in so doing, help her give Chloe a forever home?
Enjoy an Excerpt
Although dressmakers were available, Maddie and her friends only used them for special occasions. As a matter of fact, they all had an appointment at La Salle Salon to fashion elaborate gowns for the Charity Ball and Dinner to be held in December. Today, they were looking at on the rack dresses, which were becoming popular. The process of dressing and undressing was tiring, and the foursome soon declared it was time to return home.
Maddie’s was the first stop. To her surprise, her friends exited the carriage along with her. She thought it strange, then considered they meant to help with her packages, of which there were many. With their arms full and their spirits high, Maddie found the front door locked. That was strange. They hardly ever locked the door. She engaged the large brass door knocker and was surprised when Mary Jane from the orphanage opened the door.
“Mrs. Collier, welcome home. May I assist with your parcels?”
Too stunned to answer, Maddie stood stock still until the others pushed their way in. They were met with a resounding, “Surprise,” by Peter and the husbands of her friends.
Mary Jane and her two helpers retrieved the packages as Peter made his way to Maddie. “Happy birthday, darling. I wanted to do something special for you on your birthday. These good people were kind enough to help me.” He kissed her on the cheek.
Maddie fought hard to hold back the tears forming in her eyes. She was indeed blessed to have such loving, caring friends.
“You are all too clever. You managed to keep the secret all the while we were in meetings and attending social gatherings with one another. I couldn’t ask for better friends.”
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Meet the Author
Jean Jacobsen is an award-winning storyteller of Sweet, Historical Romance. Featuring strong female characters, roguish heroes, and 19th Century adventure tales. She pens stories that transcend the heart and always have a happy ending. Because of Jean’s deep passion for history, she includes real events from the time period, making her stories come to life as they transport you to a by-gone era. Join her on the next adventure.
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Adoption is another word for love, and proceeds from this collection of inspiring stories will benefit special-needs adoption grants through Reece’s Rainbow.
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Please come back again all next week when we’ll be featuring the final five stories in this extraordinary anthology.
Blessings,
Nancy
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