Megan’s wedding band hurts. Why? Her sister, Pamela, whispers in her ear and the adventure begins. Megan and Pam are in the same situation. Who knew making a quilt would cause such a stir? What is Brett up to always running to the bathroom with an upset stomach? Is he also channeling famous NFL star Rosie Grier? What do Scoosy and Mavis have to do with Megan and Brett’s dilemmas? Suddenly the small Arizona community is decorated with a huge balloon arch for a special announcement at Christmastime. Can Megan overcome her resentment of big sister Pammy? Maybe whispers from heaven from her Grammy and her mother Lori encouraging her to pray will help.
A sentimental journey…
Can romance still flourish after fifteen years? Will a teacher and a former stable boy remember their first kiss?
Jenni wasn’t sure why she was taking this journey back in time. Surely, she didn’t expect to see her first teenage crush, Jake the stable boy. She had moved on from fifteen years ago and sneaking kisses in the barn after trail rides. Undoubtedly, he must have, too. Who on earth would stay in the tiny town of Cambridge Springs?
Looking forward to a peaceful respite from teaching, she planned to read, take quiet walks and indulge in delicious hotel meals. She hoped the old hotel still served the succulent roast pork, her favorite. At least no one knew where to find her, none of her friends, and not even her family.
Odd that the name of the historic hotel had changed. She wondered who would have done that, who had the capability to do it. Maybe new owners. She hoped not much had changed and that the rooms were still filled with antique furniture. She wanted to soak up memories, alone. Unless by a Christmas miracle Jake was still there to share them.
Patti never expected to portray a legendary character, nor fall in love.
She just wanted a part-time job over the holidays. But between the Simon Cowell look-a-like guy who played Santa and her granddaughter Tabitha, and maybe God, she pulled on the green vinyl boots, powdered her eyebrows and “sucked it up”, as Tabby would say until . . . the Santa who came to give out gifts at church was different.
And she kissed him.
Did she kiss the wrong Santa?
Love is a gift at any age…isn’t it?
Betsy’s life is one crisis after another. She never wondered–or care–who her birth parents were until her friend Bett confesses, “I have a child.” Betsy’s adoptive mother, Harriett, and Bett have been best friends since college. Could there be a connection?
Betsy resents that Bett secretly set her up with over-the-top handsome Noel with Crayon blue eyes, tons of dough, and a quirky psychological problem. But, when her kitchen blows up, he saves her life—over the phone!
When daughter Brie shows up pregnant and abandoned by her husband, like Betsy’s husband, The Jerk, abandoned her when she was pregnant with Brie, Betsy takes charge. Noel could help, but will he? And, how does his old friend Muriel fit into the equation?
Will Betsy’s messy life ever get straightened out? How can she help Brie restore her marriage, as well as nurse Noel back to health from the flu with her leg in a cast—the leg she broke visiting him during one of his marathon hospital stays?
Will Noel turn out to be the hero Bett claims him to be and the lover Betsy hopes him to be? Or, will Noel disappoint her and become another butterfly dream?
Need to be in control Kate meets take charge Lance during a National Cook Off in California, and sparks almost fly. How could the sponsors have scheduled the only two meat loaf contestants to share the kitchen at the same time?
After Kate boldly credits Christ for her cooking success on national television, the CEO of Family Foods professes his faith. Kate’s promotion to Global Outreach Minister at church threatens her relationship with Lance, and she still doesn’t know what he does for a living. But, his personal assistant, Felicity, does. “I know everything.”
Lance impulsively buys a house for them without Kate’s involvement, and sparks really do fly, practically putting an end to their romance. “I had no say in it!”
Hopefully, her Golden Retriever Sandy can save the day when the dog’s soulful, amber eyes approve of the house. “She wants a child in here to play with.”
Will these two ever be able to create magic in the kitchen when they’re still trying to figure out the recipe for Happily Ever After?
The cooking class was to be a respite for Jillian from her stressful job as a high school guidance counselor. Was meeting co-student Erik who carried a baggage of guilt for his parents’ murder and his unique way of witnessing an invitation to emotional disaster? Caught between “friendship” with Erik and her politically incorrect support of Josh, a Muslim student turned Christian, Jillie almost lost her faith in love.
Marci had learned to cope with her deformed leg. As the curator of The Bridal Museum, she felt almost fulfilled … until the new chef arrived to oversee the Café Wedd. But, Conrad Thorstrom was beneath her educationally. His minor accomplishments and associate degree didn’t match up to her MBA. Besides, she was a gimp, and he was a tall, handsome Swede who dubbed her his Wild Irish Rose. An unlikely coupling. And, what about the curly-haired Tracy, the adorable hostess of the café, who worships Connie? Furthermore, why does he insist on being called Connie? Will Marci learn the answers to these questions, or will she be too stubborn?
Three stories in one book! Read this compilation of Butterfly Dreams, A Winning Recipe and A Cup of Love without ever having to put it down!
The Candy Cane Girls Series
Ten years ago six high school freshmen formed a swim team that became legendary. They won the state relay swim championship four years in a row. In addition to their skill and devotion to daily practicing, they prayed together and vowed to be sisters forever. Another thing that set them apart was they chose their own swimsuits making them a team within a larger team. They chose red and white diagonally striped swim suits. They became known as the Candy Canes. They always will be.
Click on each book below to read the descriptions and purchase.
Noelle’s Christmas Wedding
Noelle Day finally has the courage to break off her ill-fated engagement with her volatile fiancé and cancel their Christmas wedding. It’s embarrassing, and she has to share the humiliating reason with her friends The Candy Canes. The other five girls were to be her attendants in red taffeta gowns.
When she faints and falls into the arms of Braydon Lovejoy, the now former wedding florist, Braydon is confused by her abrupt manner. Who is this beautiful woman with the sepia hair and the huge brown eyes? Is she a damsel in distress as he suspects? He prays for an opportunity to find out. Then he backs his delivery van into her precious red car, and he’s sure she would never go out with him, especially since he was hired to deliver a huge bouquet of roses to her from a secret admirer.
Noelle isn’t sure how to respond when Bruce, the school principal, physically forces himself on her. After all, he is her boss, and she’s just a first year English teacher. She finally accepts a lunch date with Braydon, and he takes her to Sherman Gardens in Corona del Mar where she learns he is the local rose expert. But, Noelle worries their friendship is happening too fast and calls a respite.
One of the Candy Canes has a tragic accident, and the women bond together. But Braydon, who is not sure why he is involved, becomes their anchor.
Will Braydon’s prayers heal the hurts, physically and emotionally? Will the injured Candy Cane forgive the woman who caused her accident, the woman who is related to Bruce the principal? Will Noelle ever have her California Candy Cane Christmas?
Cindy’s Perfect Dance
The Candy Canes are a tight knit group; the six girls are like sisters. They share everything from successes to secrets. Even marriage doesn’t keep them apart. Then …
Cindy caught the bridal bouquet, and Rob caught the blue garter. Neither of them believed in fate or tradition. But, something happened when she stepped on his toes dancing.
When Rob agreed to help his brother by working in the Love In Bloom Floral Shop while Braydon was on his honeymoon, he asked Cindy to join him. He didn’t know what to expect, especially over Christmas break. Would she take over with her promotional ideas and anger his mother, the owner?
Would their relationship flower? Could Cindy accept Rob’s secrets? How would that change her love for him? And, what about Emily, the woman who claimed Rob loved her?
Cindy has decisions to make. She is supposed to receive her unique engagement ring on Valentine’s Day. Should she accept it, or say no to Rob because of the secrets he recently shared? If she accepts, they will have a lifelong commitment and have a wedding on the beach. Is she strong enough to go through with the plan, or should she back out and be safe?
Candy’s Wild Ride
CANDY IS ON A WILD RIDE
Too many Bills?
Candy and Natalie have trouble separating them. Handsome Bill Senior is old enough to be their father, and his son Bill Junior is drop dead gorgeous. Candy’s brother Billy complicates things with his concern for Candy and his former association with Will, Candy’s ex.
Can the girls sort out all the names and personalities? Who is in love with whom?
Fortunately, they have their Candy Cane sisters to pray with them, even though one of them, Cindy, is thousands of miles away needing prayer, too. Which would help her more, corn chips or prayer vigils?
Will Candy Canes Melanie, Connie, Noelle and Doreen help Natalie and Candy figure out love, or will they just add to the confusion? What will happen when Candy’s mother, Vivian, is thrown into the Bill mix? Who rides which motorcycles, and does the little red Harley hinder or help when Candy takes a wild ride?
Connie’s Silver Shoes
Connie’s life is about to change.
Is it possible she may be falling in love with the handsome, dark skinned banker? What will her Bible quoting mother say, and how will his family react? What part does Jake the little dog play in their romance?
When she takes off a shoe and rubs her leg against his ankle, will that make a difference in his feelings for her?
Can they really have a future together?
Natalie’s Deception
Lies, guilt, stalking. Natalie is injured and left lying on the ground. Melanie is terrified of her step-father. Bryce is drowning in guilt. Billy is frustrated, mad at himself. Emily is despondent. Claire has something up her sleeve.
Two handsome men vie for Natalie’s attention, traveling from Newport Beach to Scottsdale, Arizona to woo her. But one caused her back injury, and one strands her on the top of a Ferris Wheel knowing how terrified she is of heights, even though she took sky-diving lessons with him.
Depressed Emily confides in Natalie, and Emily’s life takes a turn thanks to Nick’s meddlesome mother, Claire. Is love still possible? If it is, what would the Feng Shui designer chose as a wedding theme? Certainly, not pink. And, hot dogs at the reception?
Will Natalie ever find love? She wants it badly, but is thrilled two Candy Canes are expecting babies. She will be an aunt again. But, when will she be a wife and mother?
Melanie’s Blue Skirt
Two lonely women. Natalie and Melanie are the only ones of the seven Candy Cane friends who are unattached. Even physically disabled Doreen has a lover. The others are all married. All loved and protected. What is wrong with Mel? And Nat who collapses in motherly Claire’s arms sobbing, “I am lost, a lost cause.”
Melanie tries to fill the emptiness with Lola the scruffy rescue dog who is so cuddly. Can lovable Lola with the big ears, long snout and dark eyebrows overcome Melanie’s loneliness?
Natalie at least has a budding romance with Larry. But, his dark skin and numerous tattoos could be a problem. Still, she’s attracted to him, and he to her. Until he and Melanie meet and sparks fly – across a hospital room and land on her blue skirt in her special God color.
Larry drops hints about a secret he has, but everyone has secrets, don’t they? And, friends don’t pry. Jaeda finds that out when Connie deceives him about her pregnancy. Doreen fears Bill, Jr. loves her out of pity. Cindy is angry her mission to plant a church in Costa Rica is failing. Candy and Noelle are the only women of the group who seem secure.
Suddenly surprises become the norm. Connie’s surprise is a mind-boggling statistical anomaly. Larry’s secret shatters Melanie’s trust. Will any of the women have a normal life, a normal love? What happened to the Love and Marriage and the Baby Carriage they all dreamed for? Will faith and friendship redeem them?
Melanie’s Ghosts
Ghosts
One is laughing down from heaven.
One wears rags.
One is falling in love with her.
Melanie’s faith is shaken.
Her husband Larry is dead. They had only been married a few hours before he was arrested. Will her best friend Natalie be enough? Who will understand about Larry’s crime, his deception and how he died? Surely not her new friend Robert who lost his wife to cancer; no deception there. Just sadness.
Should she believe the homeless old woman who claims to be Larry’s estranged mother, calling herself Melanie’s mother-in-law? Especially when the raggedy old lady stalks her and camps on her doorstep. Why did the woman abandon her son and husband over thirty years ago? Robert gives her empathy and support … until his own secret is revealed.
All Melanie has left of Larry is the gorgeous blue diamond ring!
Her special group of friends, the Candy Canes, promise to pray for her. But, is prayer enough? She counts on all of them for support and answers! The love of a dog with her shaggy fur, big eyes and her kisses may have to be enough.
Larry, his homeless mother, and even Robert, all haunt her. Her only normalcy is teaching the adorable three-year-olds in her preschool class. Maybe little Jackson will help put the ghosts to rest.
Doreen Finds Her Groove
The phone call to Doreen’s fiancé Bill is frightening. The woman swears he has a child. Bill vows he never had a romantic relationship with the Italian shoe heiress. Is he lying? Could the woman have seduced him during his modeling stint for the famous motorcycle company? Maybe Doreen should put off their wedding plans until the truth comes out.
Doreen’s friendship group, the Candy Canes, gather around her to pray. She’s a nervous wreck until she adopts Happy Arthur. Will the little fluffy canine help her take her mind off her troubles?
Bill’s dad does some sleuthing on social media and comes up with an elaborate idea to expose the Italian woman. Will it work?
Doreen’s biggest fear about her forthcoming wedding is how will she do the first dance with her handsome groom on her shorter leg. Maybe she should follow the latest trend other brides are doing and wear tennis shoes for their first dance. Will her little dog Happy help when he presents her with one? Would the comfy shoes help her find her groove?
Natalie’s Red Dress
Will Natalie, the one whose friends call “the tough girl,” overcome her fear with the help of her best friend, Melanie?
Maybe Alan’s impromptu proposal will boost her morale when nosy neighbor, Gladys, accuses her of being a loose woman.
Natalie’s group of friends, the Candy Canes, gather to pray for her at their favorite Starbucks and even have a silly, unconventional pizza party with crazy ingredients to cheer her up. But stubborn Natalie doesn’t cheer up easily.
Hoping a change of attire from everyday gym clothes to something fancy will calm her fears she goes on a rare shopping spree. The effusive saleswoman persuades her and she splurges on an elegant RED DRESS. So not Natalie! When and where would she ever wear it? Unless, maybe, she invites a special man to dinner. But will he accept? What if he really loves someone else?