Christmas Traditions with Belle Calhoune
I am so happy to have Belle Calhoune with me today. Belle is not only a fellow Love Inspired author, but also a very dear friend. I have been very blessed to get to know her in the last few years. She’s funny, honest and smart. She’s here today with her brand new book, and it is fabulous! And, she’s also offering a giveaway. I love giveaways!
So, here’s Belle.
Hello! Belle Calhoune here. Happy holidays!
I have a December release from Harlequin Love Inspired this month and I’d love to give away two copies of the paperback.
My new release, Reunited at Christmas, is part of my Alaskan Grooms series and it is set in the Alaskan town of Love. The heroine, Ruby Prescott, has been presumed dead for two years. In actuality she is suffering from amnesia after being injured in an avalanche while working on a search and rescue team. Her husband, Dr. Liam Prescott, is overjoyed to get his wife back, although he soon realizes that Ruby isn’t the same woman from two years ago. With love and faith and the spirit of Christmas, Ruby and Liam must find their way back to one another.
I loved writing a Christmas story and having my characters enjoy the holiday spirit and the joy of a loved one’s return. Christmas is a time when miracles are possible, hence the miraculous return from the death of my heroine, Ruby. I have a scene where the characters went caroling which reminded me of being in the choir when I was a child. To this day I love signing at church, especially during the festive Christmas holiday season. My favorite Christmas song was always “Come All Ye Faithful.” To this day it still is.
Christmas has always been the happiest time of the year for me. Growing up in a family with five kids meant lots of excitement and laughter and joy in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Picking out the perfect Christmas tree was always one of the most exciting Christmas rituals. Everyone had a different opinion about which tree was “the one.” Decorating it was my favorite part. Unpacking the ornaments every year felt like greeting old friends. And it felt almost tragic if an ornament fell and broke. But, it seemed as if the ornaments were endless. Box after box of beautiful, magical ornaments. I’ve carried my love of ornaments with me. I can’t resist buying new ones and I have quite a collection.
Christmas morning was always a blast. The child who woke up first was responsible for rousing the rest of the kids, as well as my parents. We never went down to check out what Santa had brought us unless we were all there to do the unwrapping together. And of course after all the presents were unwrapped we would dig into the stockings hung by our staircase. The memory of those seven stockings hanging there will always be near and dear to my heart. My parents worked so hard to create wonderful memories for my siblings and I. We knew the true meaning of Christmas and we celebrated the birth of Christ with our church family and loved ones.
This past April we lost my brother, the oldest of the five children. This will be our first Christmas without him. He gave us so much joy and laughter while he was with us.
Thankfully, those memories will last a lifetime. I’ll cherish them always.
I love writing inspirational romance and showcasing how God plays a huge role in the lives of my characters. Happy endings are a must! I consider myself to be extremely fortunate to have my dream career. After all, some days I work in my pajamas.
Thanks so much, Dana, for inviting me as a guest on your blog. Wishing everyone a blessed holiday season.
Thanks for sharing with us, Belle, both the joy and heartache of Christmas. Your post has touched me.
Readers, this is Belle’s cover to her new book.
Isn’t it gorgeous? I can attest to the fact that it will be a story that stays with you. Two commenters will receive a copy of Reunited at Christmas. The giveaway will end on December 10th, 2016.
About the Author:
Belle Calhoune grew up in a small town in Massachusetts as one of five children. Growing up across the street from a public library was a huge influence on her life and fueled her love of romance novels. Belle is the author of seven Harlequin Love Inspired novels with two more contracted. She has Indie published the popular and best-selling inspirational romance series, Seven Brides, Seven Brothers. Her new indie series, the Secrets of Savannah is a spin-off of her debut series. Belle loves writing romance and crafting happily ever afters. When she’s not wrangling her two high maintenance dogs or spending time with her husband and two daughters, Belle enjoys travel and exploring new places.
The book sounds wonderful. I liked hearing about your Christmas memories. Sorry you lost your brother. First holidays without a loved one can be hard. Prayers for all.
Thanks so much, Connie. Christmas really is such a special time of the year. And although this holiday will be even more poignant I’m hoping my happy memories can sustain me.
Blessings, Belle
Love your books. I can’t wait to read this one.
Thanks Ashly. It was a tough book to write because of the technical details, but I really loved the journey of writing it. As an author I enjoy being challenged. I hope you enjoy it.
Blessings,
Belle
Belle’s books are always a good read. I’m sorry about your brother. Prayers and hugs. Merry Christmas !
Hi Lucy! Thanks for being such a great supporter of my books. Wishing you the happiest of holidays.
Blessings,
Belle
Absolutely loved finding out more about Belle. I love reading her books and now knowing about her experience I can see how she portrays this in her books on family! You’re so inspiring, Belle! Merry ‘early’ Christmas. Hope you and your family will be comforted at this magical time!
Hi Hanna. Thank you so much for your heartwarming words. And I’m so happy you’ve been enjoying my books. Wishing you a very happy holiday season.
Blessings,
Belle
Would love to read this book!! Sounds great!
Hi Robin. Thanks so much. Honestly, this is one of my favorite books that I’ve written. I love writing stories about family and faith…add in the Christmas season and I’m in heaven. Hope you have a wonderful holiday season.
Blessings,
Belle
Love this series by Belle Calhoune. I can’t wait to read this one. Especially love a good Christmas story.
Hi Pam. Happy Holidays. I’m so glad you’re enjoying the Alaskan Grooms series. It’s been such a blast writing about the town of Love, Alaska and all the people looking for a love of a lifetime.
Blessings,
Belle
Hi Pam. Happy Holidays. I’m so glad you’re enjoying the Alaskan Grooms series. It’s been such a blast writing about the town of Love, Alaska and all the people looking for a love of a lifetime.
Blessings,
Belle
Would love to read the latest from Belle Calhoune. Thank you for the chance.
Hi Deana! Thanks for stopping by. Wishing you and yours a wonderful, blessed holiday.
Blessings,
Belle
Belle, thank you for sharing your beautiful memories. I pray that these memories will bring you peace and comfort as you spend your Christmas without your brother.
Hi Connie. You’re very welcome. I think sharing our feelings always helps in the healing process. Thank you for your sweet wishes. Family is so important and I plan to be in the presence of my family this holiday season, so I know it will be wonderful.
Blessings,
Belle
Reading your Christmas memories brings back my childhood memories. My dad always had a cup of coffee when we opened gifts. He handed out gifts in such an order that everyone opened one at a time. He always made each one of us feel special by giving us the “spotlight ” when opening one gift. We always had new pj’s waiting for us at home after Christmas Eve with my grandparents – an early Christmas present. So many to list – a lifetime if memories!
Hi Teresa. Thanks so much for sharing your Christmas memories. I love how your Dad made everyone feel special. I think children especially need to feel that way. And I always buy my daughters Pajamas and they wear them on Christmas Eve. It’s such a great tradition. And my oldest is a college girl but she still loves the rituals.
Blessings,
Belle
Love your books.
Hi Diane. Thanks so much. That makes me really happy to hear that you enjoy them. If you happen to read Reunited at Christmas, I really hope you enjoy it. Happy Holidays.
Blessings, Belle
We let the kids open their stockings on Christmas Eve and one small present from under the tree (my choice). I love singing Christmas songs, too.
Hi Becky. Great to see you here. I love your Christmas traditions. And I really enjoy stuffing my kids’ stockings. I also allow my girls to pick one gift from under the tree…my husband resisted that tradition at first lol. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season.
Blessings,
Belle
I would love the chsnce to read this book. Reunited at Christmas looks so good. I love Belle’s books. I pray that this Christmas will hold special nrmories for you and your family.
Blessings
Deana
I am sorry for the loss of your brother. I have read one of your books and I enjoyed it. I am looking forward in reading more of your books.
Hi Sherry. Thanks so much for your condolences. And I’m so thrilled you enjoyed one of my books. That means a lot. And if you get a chance to read any more of them, I surely hope you enjoy them as well. Reunited at Christmas is a good read (or so I’ve been told). Happy Holidays.
Blessings, Belle
I a sorry to hear of the loss of your brother. I enjoyed reading your story of your Christmas memories. Looking forward to reading your newest book. Have a very blessed and Merry Christmas.
Hi Patricia. Thanks for stopping by. Wishing you a blessed holiday season. I hope you enjoy reading Reunited at Christmas.
Blessings,
Belle
Belle, I read your Seven Brides Seven Brothers series and absolutely loved them all! They reminded me of my own family since I have 4 adopted sisters. I can’t wait to start reading the Alaskan Groom series! Merry Christmas!
Hi Shannon. I’m so happy you enjoyed Seven Brides, Seven Brothers. I actually have a spin off coming soon. The Donahue cousins of Pelican Bay. And wow four adopted sisters. You must have a really cool family. I love it. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas.
Blessings,
Belle
I would love the chance to win this book . I love Belle’s books. Merry Christmas .
Bought the book so no need to add me to the list. Thanks fir your hard work getting my posts back on Dana.
I would love to read this one too!
Merry Christmas 🙂
Hi Deanna. Great to see you here. Merry Christmas to you as well. And if you read Reunited at Christmas, I really hope you enjoy Liam and Ruby’s story.
Blessings,
Belle
Belle, I came across your books several weeks ago, with Seven Brides and now Secrets of Savanah. It was a time in my life I really needed the inspiration. You gave me that and much more with your stories. Your books proved to be a great blessing to me. Thank you for the wonderful stories, I believe you are spritually guided. Im so sorry to hear about the loss of your brother and pray your memories will get you and your family through this time. Wising you a Blessed Christmas and New Year. Looking forward to more reading time in your book world
Hi Isabel. WOW. You really made my week by saying that. I am very proud of Seven Brides because it really is a shout out to all those families who take in foster kids and adopt. Many do this in a color-blind fashion, which is something I deeply respect. I’m so thrilled you found it inspiring. I’m about to launch book one of the Donahue Cousins of Pelican Bay, so look out for that series. I agree with you, Isabel. I am spiritually guided. And I hope my work is pleasing to God. Wishing you a happy holidays! Blessings.
I am sorry for your loss.
I’m always on the lookout for new-to-me indie authors so I would love a chance to win your book.
Hi Jennifer. Great to see you here. Thanks for your kind words. This holiday season I’m going to try to embrace the best of my childhood memories, especially ones that include my brother. Good luck on winning Reunited at Christmas. I think it’s a great holiday read (but I might be biased). Blessings.
I already bought the book a couple of weeks ago and am looking forward to reading it.
Hi Kim. YAY. You just made me so happy. It always gives me a thrill to know someone picked up one of my books. I really hope you enjoy Liam and Ruby’s love story. And wishing you a wonderful holiday season.
I know what it is to have holidays when a family member is missing and the first one is the hardest. 12 years ago I lost my son in an accident then 8 years ago I lost a daughter to cancer. Tomorrow I will be attending my only sister’s funeral. But God is faithful to see us through it all.
Stella. ..So sorry for your losses. God will see you through, even when it hurts.
Hi Stella. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Such devastating losses. Parents should never outlive their children. And the loss of your only sister is like losing a best friend. I’m praying for you. And you are right! God is with us all the time. He walks beside you in sorrow and in sunshine. Wishing you peace during this difficult time.
Blessings, Belle