New Release -- THE GIFT OF FORGIVENESS by Angela Raines -- Giveaway!

An Agate Gulch Story

When Nettie Hascall’s husband, Jacob, is killed, she knows she must move away in order to make a new life for herself and her two children, Ila and Albert. But tragedy seems to follow the little family to Agate Gulch, and Nettie feels more and more as if she’s running from Fate. The memories of the evil that had almost befallen now-thirteen-year-old Ila  resurface with cruel pranks…and then, the unthinkable happens—seven-year-old Albert is kidnapped. But why? And at what should be the most joyous time of the year, Christmas, the heartbreak is almost too much for Nettie to bear. She must find her son—no matter what.

John Flemming also is haunted by memories of things he did that he can never forget. Happiness will never be his, but he finds himself caring for Nettie and her children, and wanting to protect them all. When Albert goes missing, John knows he must break a vow to himself he made long ago—to lay down his guns forever. Now, he must take up his guns again to save Nettie’s young son—no matter the cost to himself. Going after Albert’s kidnappers spells the end of any relationship he might have hoped for with Nettie, but there is no other choice. Once he rescues the boy, he will move on…again.

Nettie and John have lost so much in their lives…can a Christmas miracle bring them the love they both hope for? Can THE GIFT OF FORGIVENESS spell a new beginning for two lonely people?

EXCERPT

     "Jacob Hascall, I stood by you during the trial. I even went along when you made Ila leave out the real reason for the shooting, but that's no reason to just give up. You still have a family."

     Nettie had been so tired of doing everything while Jacob sat around just staring at the walls. Even to herself, she had sounded shrewish—but she could only take so much. Yes, Jacob was justified in what he'd done. The jury had found him innocent, but the thought of killing the young man, despite what he had tried to do, seemed to take everything out of Jacob.

     "Nettie, just leave me alone," Jacob had growled, slamming the door as he left the kitchen. Later that day, his wagon, with its load going to Leadville, had gone off the edge of the road and down an embankment. Jacob had fallen to his death, his neck broken.

     Months had gone by since that awful day, but tears flowed through her fingers today, just as they had almost two years ago. How many times had the scene played over and over in her head? Was there to be no end to it? Nettie remembered the last time she saw Jacob alive. Six months later, she, Ila, and Albert had moved to Agate Gulch. Slowly, she and the children were putting their lives back on track. Up here, they were far away from the notoriety of the trial, the threats and the stares of those who hadn't understood.

     Time to stop feeling sorry for myself and get something done. Nettie dried her tears.

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THE HOLIDAYS ARE UPON US

Post by Doris McCraw (c)

December is a time of snow and cold in the Northern hemisphere, sun and rain in the Southern. It is the month of Christmas and New Year’s Eve. A time of gifts and celebrations.

The gift giving of the three wise men in the Bible are part of the tradition. However the idea of gift giving is a much older one. Ancient Rome, and early Pagan religions had celebrations with gift giving during the winter months, usually starting on what would now be December 17^th.

The decorated Christmas tree is credited as having started in Germany in the 16^th century, when early Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. They were not the first, however to celebrate with greenery. Most early societies believed the ‘evergreen’ plants were special, especially so during the cold winter months of the Northern Hemisphere. In my story, “Lost Knight, Out of Time” I fudged a bit and brought the decorated tree into the story. But if you read it, the concept fits.

New Year’s celebrations of January 1 began in Rome in 153 BC, because that was the beginning of the civil year when newly elected Roman Consuls took office. In fact January and February were not even part of the calendar until around 700 BC. Prior to that, New Year’s was celebrated in March.

From Authors (C) collection

So as we get ready to share our imagination, our stories and ourselves this season, think back to the rich history that comes with this time of year. The many authors here and elsewhere have spent time creating stories for you and your reading friends.

It is with joy and sadness I prepare to read Sara Barnard’s final ‘Everlasting Hearts’ story. The two wonderful Christmas anthologies PRP “One Winter Knight”, and “Cowboy Under the Mistletoe” are sure to please many. Zina Abbott’s “Bridgeport Holiday Brides” is out and my own “Gift of Forgiveness” is coming soon. Painted Pony Books has “A Christmas Spider” by Randy Lee Eickhoff. Watch for these and so many more stories for the Holidays, and don't forget all the other greats ones that have come to us throughout the year from Prairie Rose Publications and their imprints. 

I am a firm believer in books as gifts. When you give someone the gift of a book, you are not only sharing your love of reading, but the heart and soul of the author. When you have a book, and you know how to read it, you will always have someone with you. So this Holiday season, whether in the Northern hemisphere, where you bundle up to read and stay warm, on in the Southern where the beach is calling., you can’t go wrong with books.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, and remember, these traditions go back many centuries! (And yes, I do enjoy Alice Cooper's music, just not his stage shows *grin*)

Angela Raines is the pen name for Doris McCraw. Doris also writes haiku posted five days a week at – http://fivesevenfivepage.blogspot.com and has now passed one thousand haiku and photos posted on this blog. Check out her other work or like her Amazon author page:  http://amzn.to/1I0YoeL