Tag Archives: Christmas story

Giveaway Alert Begins Now!

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In honor of Meadowville’s Lanterns of Joy and Hope one-month anniversary, I’m hosting a giveaway! Enter for a chance to win two beautiful Meadowville-inspired postcards, two bookmarks, and one Christmas ornament.

TO ENTER: Simply drop your answer to the following question at one of the required social media sites listed below.:

– In Meadowville’s Lanterns of Joy and Hope what was the first ornament Joy hung on her Christmas tree?

The correct answer is your entry into the drawing ending Wednesday, November 19, 2025, midnight. Answers accepted only in the comment section at my Instagram OR Facebook page! One winner will be drawn at random and announced on both platforms on Friday, November 21st.

Giveaway Rules:

  • U.S. only.
  • Must be 18 years old to enter.
  • Answers must be in the comment section at my Instagram OR Facebook page. Not at both sites, please.
  • Remember—Santa’s watching, so no texting bookish friends for the answer!

GOOD LUCK!

Need to grab a copy of Meadowville’s Lanterns of Joy and Hope? Here’s the link.

E-book/paperback not included in the giveaway. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered by, or associated with Facebook or Instagram.

Thank You for Making Meadowville’s Lanterns a Bestseller!

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Bestseller in three categories! I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for everyone who made Meadowville’s Lanterns of Joy and Hope such an incredible success.

I truly hope this story blesses you as much as writing it blessed me. Without your support—your preorders, reviews, shares, and messages—this powerful story wouldn’t reach the hearts that need it most.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for believing in Joy’s journey and for helping spread hope this Christmas season.

With grateful gratitude,
Dianne

One More Day: 99¢ eBook Sale Through October 15th.

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The clock is ticking! Get Meadowville’s Lanterns of Joy and Hope for just 99¢ before the price increases after October 15, 2025!

Twin sisters. One dream fulfilled, one dream shattered. A mysterious friendship. And Christmas lanterns that have sparked hope for generations.

Don’t miss this powerful tale about finding unexpected blessings when life doesn’t go as planned.

Grab your copy here! Also available in paperback—the perfect stocking stuffer.

Thank you, in advance. I hope you enjoy this Christmas story!

A Powerful Christmas Novel about Friendship

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What if the person you’re about to meet in a cottage you didn’t know existed, turns out to be the gift you need? What if that compassionate person became the path to healing your deepest wounds? Most likely, you’d return to that cottage again and again.

In Meadowville’s Lanterns of Joy and Hope, Joy Harrison does just that. Although hesitant at first to connect with the older woman, Joy found herself drawn in by the aroma of delicious food and a cozy library. Despite being decades apart in age and of different races, both share the heartache of broken dreams—and develop a genuine friendship.

Reward a friend and read this powerful Christmas tale together about the bonds of friendship, motherhood, sisterhood, and faith.

Get your Meadowville’s Lanterns of Joy and Hope copies here.

Always check prices before ordering.

When Real Life Inspires Fiction: The Birth of a Christmas Story

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Three real moments inspired my Christmas story—and they actually happened to me.

  1. Connie, a real person with whom I had struck up a conversation in the grocery store, told me her name then gave me one of the sunflower bouquets she had bought. She had no idea I’d just taken a medical test—one of those annual tests that bring back memories of a serious illness and creates anxiety while waiting for results. Her kindness changed my whole day. I still look for her in the grocery store hoping to thank her again and share her cameo appearance.

  2. The bookstore lanterns on the cover are real. The moment I saw them they illuminated joy within me—just like they do in my story. That joy returned when I wrote about them, first as a short story that Bestselling Author Jerry B. Jenkins selected as a writing contest winner, and second, in writing Meadowville’s Lanterns of Joy and Hope.

Please like and share if this makes you want to read my book and also gift hope to others. The e-book is only .99¢ for a very short time. Just click here to get your copies. Thank you in advance.

Always check price before making a purchase.

From Short Story to Christmas Novel

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My new Christmas novel is available for preorder at the special introductory price of .99 cents, and I’m so excited to share its history and powerful story!

About the Origin

It began when I visited a charming bookstore with three Christmas lanterns on display. They were so beautiful nestled among book stacks that I photographed the lanterns, and later wrote a story about them. Bestselling Author Jerry B. Jenkins selected it as a short story contest winner! This inspired me to continue the tale in a powerful holiday novel about motherhood, sisterhood, friendship, and faith.

About the Story

When Joy Harrison learns her twin sister received the blessing she desperately wanted, their unbreakable bond begins to strain. In their parents’ small-town bookstore, legendary Christmas lanterns bring miracles to visitors in need of hope. Yet they seem to overlook Joy. As century-old secrets surface, the lanterns may now illuminate her own path forward—but how? When what she wants is beyond the bounds of possibility.

Preorder Meadowville’s Lanterns of Joy and Hope while it’s only 99¢. Exclusively on Amazon.

Paperback coming soon!

From the Bookshelf . . .

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Here’s a little glance into my upcoming novel:

In Meadowville’s Lanterns of Joy and Hope two strangers come together for fresh-baked goodies, books, and curiosity. What unfolds between them will change everything.

Preorder copies will be available very soon! So keep a lookout!

Want to join the launch team? Click the link here .

Calling all Christmas Story Lovers!

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Are you ready for a tale that will touch your heart and renew your faith?

I’m launching my new Christmas novel very soon and looking for passionate supporters to join my book launch team.

This moving story follows twin sisters whose bond is tested when dreams collide with unexpected realities. Set in a charming bookstore with mysterious lanterns infused with hope, it’s a journey about broken dreams, tested relationships, and the miracles that can emerge from our darkest moments.

What’s in it for YOU:

  • You’ll get access to a substantial discount when preorders go live!
  • Beautiful promo graphics and content about the book will be provided for your sharing convenience!
  • There just might be surprise gifts for active participants!
  • Plus that awesome feeling of being part of something special!

If you love supporting authors of stories about faith, family, and hope, I’d love to have you on my team!

Click the link here to learn more about the story and see if this opportunity is right for you.
Thank you!

Release Day!

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Today is the day, friends! Dress Shop Miracles is live on Amazon and it’s dedicated to those with a dream. If this is you, be sure to read the Dedication page.

Here’s the blurb:

Molly is determined to achieve her dream as a dress shop owner before accepting Ted’s marriage proposal. As the Christmas-season grand opening approaches, an unexpected curve derails her plans—which means possibly letting go of her career hopes. But at least she has Ted . . . or does she?

Ted, a former city guy turned small-town farmer, longs to marry Molly more than anything. He also wants her happy doing what she loves. He uses his city connections to help solve her problems when his secret comes to light and she wants nothing more to do with him.

As if life isn’t hard enough, a stranger enters Molly’s life, testing her faith even further. She tries to move forward with a broken heart when she learns that God had been working behind the scenes all along and that Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without His miracles and healing grace.

I can’t reveal all the characters, but I can share the following personalities that carry small but significant roles.

Hetty isn’t bashful. She has all the answers to Molly’s problems and she’s not afraid to speak her mind.

Mr. Hollow, a booming, older man bearing threads on his apron, leads a pack of merchants when members need help.

Simon, a shopowner of exotic creatures gives a freshwater fish to Molly for good fortune.

Noah and Julia are sure their natural methods will make life easier for Molly, at least for the moment.

Shanna, a bookshop owner, believes the answer to Molly’s problem is to read a book.

Then there are the pets! But you’ll have to read the story to learn about them and their owners. So get your ebook copy today!

Dress Shop Miracles is available on Amazon. Get your copy now!

Want to catch up on previous blog posts about Dress Shop Miracles? Here are the links:

It Took a Miracle or Two

The Book title Challenge

The Truth about Snow

Writing about a Farmer

I’d love for you to follow me on Facebook and Instagram.

Writing about a Farmer

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Now that we’ve discussed my research about the weather—more specifically, snow—how about talking farmer? As in Ted, Molly’s boyfriend in Dress Shop Miracles.

As a master gardener, I’m familiar with sowing and harvest schedules for home gardeners in my zone. Not so much with commercial crops in snow country. Naturally, a list of questions ran through my mind. What type of winter crop would a farmer harvest before the ground freezes and the first snowfall? What does a packing building look like? What equiptment and material would it contain? How does a farmer keep busy during the off-season?

A trip to Apple Hill during harvest season, where I walked through a packing building, had all the elements I needed. Google data and a California crop calendar answered my other questions. I had a pretty good idea of what farmers do during the winter, but I wanted to gather as much information as possible. I found an award-winning website with a blog post titled, What Do Farmers Do in the Winter? A second website broke down winter tasks by the month, with photos of Montana snow. 

Pinewood Village isn’t in Montana, but farming tasks are much the same in most states: fertilization, seed purchase, plant, and crop harvest, storage, farmers’ market, export, hiring field hands, and the list goes on. 

If all this sounds boring, trust me, it’s not. The details are weaved with plenty of drama and special moments at Ted’s farm. There are also tender scenes at Molly’s Pinewood Village apartment. In one scene, Ted helps her preserve a batch of his apples. Here’s an excerpt: 

Ted removed the last of the pint jars containing apple-cinnamon butter from the water bath. He eased behind Molly and untied her apron bow. She tossed her apron onto the preserves cooling on the counter and then twisted around in Ted’s arms.  “I’m beat. How about you? “

“I’m never too tired to hold you.” Ted kissed her on the neck, the jaw, then her earlobe. 

I can’t tell you what happens next but I assure you this is a clean Christian read. I can tell you there are a lot of surprises. Life isn’t all kisses and hugs for Ted and Molly. Bad choices are made. Undeserved adversity enters their lives. As it’s true with all of us during difficult times, they needed supportive friends. I’ll reveal a few of them in the next post.

Release day is November 1, so be sure to get it now on Amazon while it’s discounted. Still not sure? Read the blurb here.

I’d love it if you would 1) share this blog post; 2) follow me on Facebook and Instagram.  

Thank you for reading!

Top Photo Background: Dianne Marie Andre; Couple:  Joanna Nix, Unsplash