Mel's Shelves: Christmas Blitz, Day 7: Unwrap the Romance Anthology

5 amazing authors from 5 Prince Publishing have come together to make this wonderful Anthology. Let's get to know them.

Romance author by night, pharmacist by day, Amy Gale loves rock music and the feel of sand between her toes. She attended Wilkes University where she graduated with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. In addition to writing, she enjoys baking, scary movies, rock concerts, and reading books at the beach. She lives in the lush forest of Northeastern Pennsylvania with her husband, six cats, and golden retriever.

Bernadette Marie has been an avid writer since the early age of 13, when she’d fill notebook after notebook with stories that she’d share with her friends. Her journey into novel writing started the summer before eighth grade when her father gave her an old typewriter. At all times of the day and night you would find her on the back porch penning her first work, which she would continue to write for the next 22 years.

In 2007 – after marriage, filling her chronic entrepreneurial needs, and having five children – Bernadette began to write seriously with the goal of being published.That year she wrote 12 books. In 2009 she was contracted for her first trilogy and the published author was born. In 2011 she (being the entrepreneur that she is) opened her own publishing house, 5 Prince Publishing, and has released contemporary titles and has begun the process of taking on other authors in other genres.

Bernadette spends most of her free time driving her kids to their many events. She is also an accomplished martial artist, working her way to her second degree black belt in Tang Soo Do. An avid reader she loves to meet readers who enjoy reading contemporary romances and she always promises Happily Ever After.

Jessica Dall finished her first novel at age 15 and been writing ever since. She is the author of such novels as Grey Areas and The Bleeding Crowd, the Broken Line Series, and a number of short stories which have appeared in both literary magazines and anthologies. When not writing, she works as a freelance editor and creative writing teacher in Washington, DC.

Railyn Stone hails from the TarHeel State and is a romantic at heart. She believes you can find romance in the simplest aspects of life and enjoys letting her imagination run wild. Trying new restaurants, listening to music, playing golf and writing over the top stories about ordinary people are the hobbies she cherishes most.

Lisa is happily married to her soul-mate and they have a daughter and two crazy dogs. She especially enjoys being creative and now writes almost full time.

In 2012 Lisa and her family relocated from England to their beloved Scotland; a place of happy holidays and memories for them. Her new location now features in all of her books.

Writing has always been something Lisa has enjoyed, although in the past it has centered on poetry and song lyrics. Some of which appear in her stories.

Since she started writing in 2012 she has loved every minute of becoming a published author.

Susan Lohrer grew up all over western Canada and lives in BC with her husband, their two children who are still at home, three dogs, and far too many aquariums. She believes life is always better with a healthy dose of humor.

Let's look at these 6 great stories!

BERNADETTE MARIE~Bestselling Author

A Romance for Christmas~ A Keller Family Christmas Novella

Tiffany longed to have the kinds of relationships she’d watched her best friend’s family create over the years. The Keller and Benson families forged long lasting—true love relationships that come once in a lifetime. Unfortunately, her romances were a little more on the freestyle side. That was until she met country music bass player Blake and it turned out to be the best Christmas ever.

LISA J. HOBMAN~Bestselling Author

Last Christmas – A The Girl Before Eve Christmas Novella

After two blissful years of marriage, Lily and Adam are going strong. Their relationship was always based on friendship and so they can pretty much get through anything.

That is until an opportunity of a lifetime is presented to Lily which will take her overseas to the USA.

Adam's role teaching high school English has been a part of his life for so long and the thought of upping sticks and moving across the Atlantic really doesn't appeal. Can he convince Lily that their life is in Scotland or will the promise of a new career in Hollywood be too good for feisty, independent Lily to pass up?

Is this one obstacle too far for the best friends turned husband and wife?

RAILYN STONE~Bestselling Author

Restored Hearts

EnVee McAlister just bought a house. It’s an old Victorian home that needs a lot of work, especially if she wants to get into it by Christmas.

Logan Edwards is the contractor she’s hired to help her. Unfortunately, he’s not like any man she’s ever encountered and his arrogance and crass demeanor is making it hard to deal with him. Both she and Logan hold no punches and their terribly blunt personalities clash like oil and water.

But when she finds out about Logan’s tragic past, it forces her to deal with her own insecurities and emotions she’s desperately tried to forget. And instead of a house for Christmas, EnVee receives something she never expected.

SUSAN LOHRER~Bestselling Author

A Christmas for Chloe

When free spirit Jessica Caldwell’s daughter is diagnosed with Down syndrome weeks before Christmas, her carefree existence sheds its holiday glitter in a collision with the regimented world of pediatric medical care.

For Brendan Kean, their first family Christmas is going to be the highlight of his life—until he learns their baby has Downs. Now his tangled feelings for his tiny daughter just make him want to spend more time at work. This Christmas is turning into such a disaster that some days it feels like even Santa is out to get him.

Jessica and Brendan are trying to salvage Christmas and their relationship the best they can—but could baby Chloe’s diagnosis be the one thing that shows them the true meaning of Christmas?

AMY L. GALE~Bestselling Author

Christmas Blitz

Small town real estate agent Holly Clifford is counting the seconds until she pays off the debt incurred from caring for her sick mother and can move out of Hilldale Vermont forever. After forfeiting her college scholarship to Eastern University Law School to be at her mother’s side, she obtained her real estate license and took a position at Trust Reality. NICK SHAW is on the path to victory. As a high school football hero turned rookie star wide receiver of the newest NFL team, the Iowa Talons, success is all he knows. But sometimes there’s things fame and money can’t buy. When Nick returns to Hilldale, he puts on offer on a lakeside mansion up for sale by Trust Reality and turns Holly’s life upside down. Can she stay on track and resist Nick’s charm or will she blitzed by Hilldale’s football hero this Christmas?

JESSICA DALL

Holidays Past

It doesn't feel much like Christmas in Green Haven this year. With bad weather and a relatively empty town, Marc is starting to regret not going home for the holidays. When an old flame shows up, however, a second chance at love might be worth the Christmas away.

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Let's get to know one of the author's and their story!

Author Top 10!

1) Spending time with my family

2) The color green

3) 1967 Shelby Mustang GT

4) The movie Pretty Woman

5) The entire Purple Rain album

6) The beautiful scenery of the leaves changing during autumn

7) An ice cold Pepsi on a hot summer day

8) Finishing the USA Today Crossword without using hints

9) Sea Salt & Caramel Gelato

10) CHRISTMAS!!!

Snippet Time!

EnVee was not happy. How could this happen to her? Here she was excited to be working on her dream house. The house she’d always wanted. She’d found the perfect one and now somehow she’d ended up hiring some arrogant, crass man that was going to be a nightmare to work with to restore it. She could hear him mumbling something as he opened the door for her to enter. Walking across the threshold, her frustrations with him subsided and she smiled at the old house’s charm. It needed work, but she didn’t care. It was perfect. Logan’s deep voice broke her trance.

“My brother says you have some things you are requesting. I wanted to go ahead and get those from you so I can work on the blueprints. If there are major structural changes, we need to plan for those up front so there are no surprises later in the job.”

She turned to see him staring at her and she felt a little intrigued. She wasn’t quite sure why this man had her feeling this way. She’d dated outside of her race before, so she had no problems with the cultural differences, but he wasn’t anything close to the clean cut, expensive suit types she’d ever been out with before or was usually attracted to. His dark hair lapped at his collar, but was still neatly coiffed and that was a plus. The eyes, she’d initially assumed were brown, were actually a deep sapphire hue and they were sheltered by rows of dark lashes. His strong jawline was covered by rugged but well-groomed stubble. Shaking her head, she reached into her briefcase and pulled out a list. “Here.”

Logan stepped forward and took the list from her manicured hand and she watched him skim the list before she turned to inspect the fireplace and mantel.

“Wow. I’m kind of impressed.”

EnVee turned on her heel, wiping dust from her fingers. “Excuse me?”

“Well, I figured a hoity toity like yourself would want to modernize everything about this house. You’d be wanting an elevator installed and all other fancy accouterments.”

“Are you this rude with all of your clients? I’m no hoity toity and I happen to believe this house is perfect the way it is. It just needs some refreshing. It doesn’t need too much modernization in its structure, just maybe needs life breathed into it again.” She’d gotten so caught up in her daydream of the house and all it could be that when she placed her eyes back on Logan, he was staring at her in shock. “Look, I don’t really care what you think of
me.”

“Obviously.”

“I just want the job done. Can you do it? Or shall I call your brother and tell him I can’t work with you and I need to find another company that’ll do the job right?” She crossed her arms in front of her, tapping her Jimmy Choo on the hardwood. She’d just about had it with his holier than thou attitude.

“I can more than do this job.” His eyes never left her face and he added. “You won’t find anyone better suited for this and who can handle this the way you want it.” His eyes were so intense, EnVee felt a spark of electricity shoot down her spine, settling in the pit of her stomach and she
cleared her throat.

“Well, fine. I’d like to see the rest of the house if that’s not a problem for you.”

Logan slightly bowed and with a flourish and twist of his wrist, he smiled. “After you Princess.”

Author Q&A!

1. What is your favorite part of writing?

My favorite part of writing is getting to know the characters. It’s that moment right after you figure out who the major players in the story are and then you dig into their backgrounds and find out what makes them tick. It’s the best part for me because I get to know them and really determine who they are and what they mean to the story. Everyone has a background no matter if they are a main character or a secondary character.

2. Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

I want readers to know that color doesn’t define who people are and it doesn’t define who you can and can’t love. As the tag line from my first novel states, “You can’t put a color on love.”

3. Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

My mom and dad are big on education. My mom read to me in the womb and I can’t remember a time when books weren’t a huge part of my life. We used to actually read the dictionary and make up games with words. I know it may sound silly, but it was a lot of fun. I ended up writing my very first book in second grade. I think she still has it somewhere at her house.

4. Give us an insight into how your writing day/time is structured?

I have a full time job, so I don’t usually get a chance to write until I get home in the evening. I’m a pantser so I don’t really outline everything and usually do a lot of free writing. I try to write at least a little bit everyday, but I try not to put any limits on the word count and I don’t force it. If nothing is really coming out right, I put the laptop down and walk away from it.

5. Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

I did. I learned not to force it and sometimes you have to cut things out and start all over to get the right story on paper. It hurts to cut thousands of words and have to start all over, but it’s worth it to ensure your story gets told in the right way.

6. What is the thing you struggle with the most while writing? And how do you defeat it?

I have a tendency to want to edit as I write and it slows down the writing process. Doing this lends to losing some of my initial ideas because I am too busy editing when I should just focus on getting everything down. I haven’t been able to defeat this problem yet, but I’ve learned to deal with it by keeping a pen and paper nearby so I can just jot down a few words of the ideas when they pop into my head so I can come back to them later.