
Because we lived in a rambling old Victorian house where the glory days were long past, we hosted a multi-generational Christmas in my childhood. All of the ten rooms were spacious with high ceilings so we brought home a tall Douglas fir each season. Our stockings were literally hung by the fireplace with all the hope of a child and Santa never disappointed. My mom was born on Christmas Day so our annual feast not only had all the classic elements of a holiday meal (turkey, homemade dressing, candied sweet potatoes and more) with a bakery birthday cake for dessert. From my great-grandmother to both sets of grandparents along with aunts, uncles, and cousins, we celebrate the festive season, exchanged gifts, love and laughter. My memories of those days remain sweet and sometimes I long for the joy I knew then as a little girl and wish I could recapture the glorious gatherings of the past. I now celebrate with my own children, now grown, and a few other family members but I live far from my hometown. Most of my remaining family lives there, not here.
In my most recent Christmas release, Homeward Bound Hearts (The Wild Rose Press 2024), the main male character, former saddle bronc rider Jeb Hill, has come home to the farm where he was raised. He longs for an old-fashioned Christmas with all the traditions and trappings. As he recovers from the injury which ended his rodeo career, he falls in love with Shelby Thacker. With Shelby and his children, he seeks a joyful celebration as well as a new life. Of course, Shelby’s not into Christmas which makes things all the more challenging!
Here’s a brief excerpt from the novel:
Six weeks loomed before the holiday. Thanksgiving came first. “I don’t understand what
Christmas has to do with us.”
Shelby sighed and grimaced. “You know, it’s not my favorite holiday. I love the birth of our Savior, but not the commercial stuff. I can’t afford Christmas. It’s better for you if I act like
Scrooge in my own house. I don’t want to ruin your celebration.” She cut her waffle into pieces
and forked one into her mouth.
His heart ached. His woman could be stubborn. Christmas happened to be one thing Shelby had a strong opinion about. Letting him pay for things was another. “There’s no way you could ever ruin my holiday unless you’re not part of it.”
Homeward Bound Hearts is available in paperback and Ebook formats at all major book retailers, online and in some stores as well.
Purchase Links:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJPGQMZH/thewildrosepr-20
https://www.walmart.com/search/?query=9781509259175
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/homeward-bound-hearts-lee-ann-sontheimer-murphy/1146332558
https://www.booksamillion.com/p/9781509259175
https://books.apple.com/us/book/homeward-bound-hearts/id6736653337
Where you can find Lee Ann
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