AmandaTru

The newest Suamalie Islands book is here! My friend Chautona Havig just released Trust Fall. To celebrate, we are doing a series of blog posts on a theme Chautona chose, Accompanying the posts is a giveaway! Here’s Chautona’s prompt:

Life is full of hairy experiences, and then you have just “hair” ones. In Trust Fall, Kensi ends up cutting her hair in a rash move and regrets it… at first. Share a story about a hair mishap or how a hairy experience turned out good in the end. Bonus points if it’s both!

One of my earliest memories is of a “hairy experience.” I think I was only three—maybe four—at the time, but I remember it vividly. I was playing with my friend, Stacy, who lived a couple of houses down from mine. We were playing in her front yard when we decided to play “wedding.” We pretended that I was getting married. Of course, everyone knows that before you get married, you need a haircut. Stacy went inside the house and retrieved a pair of scissors. Then she proceeded to chop off my healthy fringe of 80’s bangs almost to my scalp. I must have looked so beautiful.

Then, with a squeak of the screen door, Stacy’s mom came out to the front porch. She looked at me and said, “I think you need to go home now.” Somehow, she didn’t sound too happy about my new look.

I said goodbye to Stacy and hurried to my house. My mom was horrified. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a whole lot she could do to fix a head of hair with just the bangs chopped. She couldn’t cut the rest of my hair to match, and there was nothing left to cut! Soon after that incident, my family moved, and I don’t think I ever played with Stacy ever again. But to this day, I remember that haircut and the rationale behind it.

And I think some good came out of it. My hair grew back, though I eventually opted out of the bangs look. More importantly, when it came time for me to get married in real life, I’d learned my lesson. I didn’t get a haircut.

Trust Fall by Chautona Havig

Protecting her without her knowledge might get them both killed.

Grief has held Eve “Kensi” Kensington captive long enough. Determined to move on after the death of her fiancé six years ago, Kensi moves to St. Alyn to help Ezra with the new boat book business. That there’s a great therapist on the island is just a bonus.

When the West Coast Agency learns that the former fiancée of a deceased informant is under the radar, Simon Garver is tasked to protect her—without her knowledge, if possible. Great. Listening in on her therapy sessions might be the worst thing he’s ever had to do as an agent.

Nope… scrap that. Falling for his client takes the cake.

When Kensi learns Simon has been keeping secrets from her, she’s done. Too bad the arrival of a guy sent to “take care of her” means she needs him. She’ll cooperate until she’s safe, toss the trust exercises her therapist has insisted on in the trash, and get back to her job on Ezra’s boat.

If only her heart would listen to the plan…

Take a trip to the Suamalie Islands where palm trees sway, the sand and sea pulse with life, and the people will steal your heart.

Check out some of the other “hairy experiences” from the other Suamalie authors:

Chautona Havig: April 30

Heidi Gray McGill: May 1

Amanda Tru: May 2

Rachel Skatvold: May 3

Jennifer Pierce: May 4

Susan K. Beatty: May 5

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We finally made it to the very last book in Year One of the Suamalie Islands series! Heidi Gray McGill brings us the book in the caboose position! To celebrate, we are doing a series of blog posts on a theme Heidi chose, Accmpanying the posts is a giveaway! Here’s Heidi’s question:

In A Deeper Love, Alicia is determined to be a successful business owner, even at the expense of the one thing she desires most—a family. Her father’s best friend helps her stay grounded, usually with a humorous quip. What’s the best dad joke you’ve heard recently that has a family theme?

I’m sorry. I can’t just answer this question with a one-liner and call it good. I need to tell astory!

I have three sons, and my daughter is the caboose of our family. My middle son, Elijah, is a unique guy. He’s very intelligent, serious, and intense. If something is worth doing, it gets his entire focus. He’s also quiet and introverted. He keeps his emotions hidden. He’s not easy to get to know because he doesn’t let just anybody into his circle. But if you’re lucky enough to make it in and get to know the real him, you’re blessed to find a caring, fun, and hilarious person who is intensely loyal.

His unique personality has presented some challenges as he’s grown up. He’s so quiet and reserved, that even the best, most amazing teachers have had difficulty drawing him out of his shell. I’ve received multiple calls from dedicated teachers basically asking for suggestions on how to get to know Elijah better. He’s never struggled academically or socially, but a good teacher desires to connect with her students. Elijah has been blessed to have teachers who have gone the extra mile and make that personal connection with him.

I’ve always given the same advice to anyone wanting to get to know Elijah: Tell him a joke. He has the most amazing, dry, understated sense of humor. He is hilarious. If you can get him to laugh, he just might give you the keys to his inner circle. And it’s worked. Some of his teachers have specifically worked to make that connection, and the result was a great relationship. Elijah was able to relax and be comfortable, and his teachers have gotten to know what an amazing individual he is.

To answer this question, it seemed fitting to ask 14-year-old Elijah for his best dad jokes. And he didn’t disappoint. He’s a dad joke encyclopedia sure to have the hardest hearts rolling in the aisles.

So here is my advice, if you really need to break the ice with someone, give one of these jokes a test drive. Hopefully, you’ll be treated to getting to know someone amazing who will truly make your life better simply by knowing him.

 

*** Elijah’s top pick:

Does an apple a day keep the doctor away?

Yes. If you aim it well.

 

*** In honor of Elijah’s older brother who just finished his golf season:

Why should you take an extra pair of socks when you go golfing?

In case you get a hole in one.

 

*** Elijah (rather embarrassed), “I’m not sure if this one would be appropriate or not.” Yes, I have to include it because I’m a mom, and he was adorable in the telling of the joke. For those who don’t appreciate potty humor, please skip this one!

Why can’t you hear a pterodactyl when he’s in the restroom?

Because the p is silent.

 

*** Family themed—since that was the original request:

Good moms let you lick the beaters.

Great moms turn them off first.

 

*** Tis the season:

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.

Summer wasn’t too bad either.

 

*** The grand finale. A writer’s joke:

Dad jokes are the best and now I’m gonna write why…

Why.

 

May you all have a great fall. May your inner circle be blessed with beautiful, unique people who both catch your tears and tell you the best jokes.

A Deeper Love by Heidi Gray McGill

What was that movie line about relationships built on intense experiences? Oh, yeah. They never work.

I get paid to do my

dream job, usually by wealthy men who thrive on adventure. But when their adrenaline rush is gone and vacation is over, I’m still here, on

a tropical island, with people who mostly leave me alone. And I like it that way.

Except for this guy. Seriously, Dan is the last man I want to get involved with. If he got Decompression Illness, the doctors would likely call it Mercedes Bends. He’s privileged and entitled and would never leave his city life behind for the challenges of living on a remote island. Which is a total relief, I’m telling you.

Don’t get me wrong—he’s prime shark bait, but I’m not ready to fall deeply in love with someone who won’t stay. There’s no such thing as going “too deep” where spiritual things are concerned. But when it comes to relationships, I’ll stay at the surface and snorkel rather than dive into the depths.

Take a trip to the Suamalie Islands where palm trees sway, the sand and sea pulse with life, and the people will steal your heart.

Check out some of the other fun dad jokes from the other Suamalie authors!

Merry Christmas! Welcome to my website, and thank you for stopping by and participating in this Christmas Round Robin! At each author’s blog post, you will find a question that can be answered by checking out the free Amazon preview of their book. Provide the answer at this form (add link).

Note: You must answer the questions for every author in the round -robin to be considered to win the $200 first place, $150 second place or $75 third place Amazon gift cards. [Note: these prizes are USD values. If you are not a U.S. resident, you will get a gift card from the Amazon store for your country; however, it will be valued at these USD amounts.)  At the end of my post is a link to the next blog, who will provide a link to the next blog, etc., to the very end.  

I’m so excited to tell you about The Bells of Christmas! This book is a Contemporary Inspirational Romance, and is very personal to me. Though it is labeled as book 4 in The Christmas Card series, it is a complete standalone book. It does not share any of the same characters, and the books can be read in any order. Their similar style and inspirational message within a heart-warming Christmas romance make this series one of my most beloved and popular.

When Tayde Wright lands a job at a distinguished magazine, she knows her dreams of being an investigative reporter are about to come true. But then her boss assigns her an advice column that is the equivalent of the magazine’s complaint box. Though she abhors writing clickbait to fuel the magazine’s online presence, she either follows her boss’s wishes and adopts the Wrongs made Wright column as her own, or she loses her job.

Her first column unexpectedly goes viral when an anonymous stranger replies, revealing a different side to Tayde’s column and completely humiliating her in the process. Now, Tayde must satisfy her boss’s wishes while also avoiding any further humiliation from the mysterious stranger, dubbed Mr. Bells.

Tayde’s journey passes alongside the stories of many others as she tries to right the wrongs of the world, but sometimes right and wrong are difficult to determine. Despite her best efforts, Mr. Bells continually paints her as the villain, and the public loves it. Who is Mr. Bells, and what compels him to respond to Tayde’s column? And why does he always ask the same mysterious question at the end of his letters?

Each story Tayde encounters changes her perspective and provides her more clues. It’s a message that will change the world, but can she lift her voice to speak it?

This book is one of the most meaningful books I have ever written, which is all the more fulfilling because the story is so personal to me. I include a lot of my own experiences and thoughts, fictionalized, of course! The author’s note in the book explains the story behind the story, revealing the truth in this unique work of fiction. The message of this book has been profound in my own life and in the lives of those who have read it. I’m continually amazed at how God is using it to touch others. I hope you end up being one of those touched, and I pray that you can hear the bells too!

Now it’s time for you to check it out! Go to the book on Amazon by clicking on this link to The Bells of Christmas. 

In the Look Inside feature, find the answer to this question:

At the opening of the book, what holiday was yesterday?

When you have the answer, FILL OUT THIS FORM and head on to the next blog!

Thank you so much for visiting! The next author on the tour is Robin Patchen, who is telling us all about her Christmas book Wreathed in Disgrace. You can find it at this link:

https://robinpatchen.com/annual-christmas-round-robin-wreathed-in-disgrace

Remember that the round-robin will end on December 11th at 11:59 PM EST.

Just a heads up that Amazon currently has some of my paperback books on crazy sale prices! 

Here are a few!

Bride of Pretense

Bride of Pretense

Regular$8.95, On sale for $4.38!

Amazon

Betwixt Two Hearts 

Regular Price 35.95. On sale for $13.28. The hardback is also on sale for only $15.01.

Amazon

Rogue, Book 4 in the Tru Exceptions series

Normally $11.99. On sale for $6.99!

Amazon

Merry Christmas! Welcome to my website, and thank you for stopping by and participating in this Christmas Round Robin! At each author’s blog post, you will find a question that can be answered by checking out the free Amazon preview of their book. Provide the answer at this google form.

Note: You must answer the questions for every author in the round -robin to be considered to win the $350 first place, $250 second place or $150 third place Amazon gift cards. [Note: these prizes are USD values. If you are not a U.S. resident, you will get a gift card from the Amazon store for your country; however, it will be valued at these USD amounts.)  At the end of my post is a link to the next blog, who will provide a link to the next blog, etc., to the very end.  

I’m so excited to tell you about Once Upon a Christmas! This book is a Contemporary Inspirational Romance, and is very personal to me. Though it is labeled as book 3 in The Christmas Card series, it is a complete standalone book. It does not share any of the same characters, and the books can be read in any order. Their similar style and inspirational message within a heart-warming Christmas romance make this series one of my most beloved and popular.

When her flight home is canceled a few days before Christmas, Moe Scott spontaneously agrees to spend a few hours sight-seeing with a fellow passenger. At the time, she doesn’t know the moments with James will change her life, nor does she know that before her plane takes off the next morning, she will turn around to find James gone.

With no way to contact him, Moe returns home only to lose everything before the new year dawns. Completely alone, jobless, and faced with the news that she is going blind, Moe remembers her time with James and clings to the idea of embracing the moments of vision she has left.

When opportunities for love and friendship come in the most unexpected places, Moe faces the choice of whether to continue to wait for the man who changed her life.

Will Moe and James ever find each other again? Can she learn to appreciate the beauty in each moment God provides and inspire those beyond her own darkness, even if she never sees again?

This book is one of the most meaningful books I have ever written, which is all the more fulfilling because the story is so personal to me. I include a lot of my own experiences and thoughts, fictionalized, of course! The author’s note in the book explains the story behind the story, revealing the truth in this unique work of fiction. The message of this book has been profound, and I’m continually amazed at how God has used it to touch others. I hope you end up being one of those touched, and I pray you are better for your “once” with me!

Now it’s time for you to check it out! Go to the book on Amazon by clicking on this link to Once Upon a Christmas. 

In the Look Inside feature, find the answer to this question:

What does James order at dinner? When you find the answer, fill out this  form and hop over to the next blog! 

Thank you so much for visiting! The next author on the tour is  Tori Higa, who is telling us all about her debut  picture book, The Christmas Color. You can find it by clicking this link: Tori’s Scavenger Hunt. 

Remember that you must answer every question from all 36 authors in this collection and the round-robin will end on December 13th at 11:59 PM EST!

I’ve always believed that a compelling story can be written about anything, even a paper bag. After all, the quality of a story doesn’t depend on the topic as much as the writing. So I decided to take the challenge and put my paper bag theory to the test!

So, here you go! Want to see if a paper bag can touch your heart? Make sure you read all the way to the end!

 

The brown paper bag slid from her fingertips, the wind conspiring with icy snowflakes to whip it away from the open car window.

Frantic cries of “Daddy, stop!” accompanied the bag’s exit, but the car sped away, the brake lights never flashing red.

The bag flew behind the vehicle as if on wings for a few glorious seconds before plastering against the windshield of another car. The car swerved while the driver yelled insults at it and the world in general until the bag lost its grip, flinging away from the smooth glass and tumbling to a landing in the middle of the road.

Snow continued to fall, dotting the bag with pinpricks of moisture until they joined together, transforming the once crisp brown paper into a soggy film that melted to the road.

A cat darted across the street, stopping to sniff the bag and the faint aroma of Christmas cookies lingering on it. The cat startled, looking up as headlights spotlighted its glowing eyes. Waiting for the last second, it crouched over the bag, daring the approaching car closer. Suddenly, it took off, streaking across the road as the car weaved, trying to avoid the dark shadow.

The bag waited patiently as traffic slowed with the night. Snowflakes no longer melted against it but formed a layer of ice, pinning it to the hard asphalt. Fluffy snow piled on top until the bag became part of the landscape, no longer distinguishable from the rest of winter.

Finally, dawn peeked over the eastern hills and a pair of huge glowing beacons, brighter and louder than any others, came barreling toward the bag. With a loud scraping against the asphalt, they scooped the bag up in an avalanche and carried it down the road to join a massive wall of snow. The vehicle backed away, but the bag clung to its metal shovel until the unsteady grunting and jerking became too much. Reluctantly, it released its hold, once again falling to the ground.

The sun chased away the last shadows of night. A speedy little car buzzed past, its tires running directly over the bag, imprinting its tread on the wet paper and carrying it along for the space of a dizzying merry-go-round ride until it stopped at a gas station. The bag escaped only to stand sentinel in the slush as a long line of cars stopped, pumped their gas, and left, no one seeing the brown paper bag beside them.

A woman stepped out of her car and checked her watch. Her movements hurried as she pushed buttons on the pump. She stepped back, her foot landing directly on the bag. Like glue, the wet paper clung fiercely to her shoe, and when she stepped, the bag came with it.

Grumbling, she reached down and ripped the bag from her shoe. With two disgusted fingers, she held the wet piece of trash away from her and marched it over to the garbage can where it belonged.

Suddenly, she stopped.

Thoughtfully, her now curious fingers carefully pried apart the gooey paper. She reached inside and pulled out a plastic sandwich bag. Nestled inside, kept safe from the bag’s obvious trauma, was a picture of a little boy with an ornament frame around it. The little frame had been painstakingly colored with a Christmas rainbow of markers. With the picture ornament was a note written in a child’s hand:

 

Dear Mommy

I made this for u. I hop God lets u hve

Crismas preznts in heven.

Love,

Max

 

The woman held the paper bag and its contents for a long time. Then she placed everything in her car, finished with the gas pump, and drove away. The paper bag spent all day on the passenger seat of the woman’s car. By the time she returned, the bag was dry and crinkly once again.

They drove to a store. The woman got out and eventually returned with a large, helium-filled balloon. She then drove to a park with heavy drifts of snow resting against the trees. She took out her phone and snapped a picture of the boy’s little face smiling from the ornament. Then she gathered the balloon in one hand and the bag and its contents in the other and marched through the snow to the center of the park.

With cold fingers, she tied the paper-framed ornament to the long string attached to the balloon and bowed her head. When her eyes opened again, she held the balloon outstretched. Then her fingers slowly parted and released it.

She watched as the balloon lifted high in the leaden sky, the little gift swaying gently on the string below. She snapped a picture with her phone then opened an app. Her fingers numbing with cold, she quickly typed out a caption:

 

Hey, Max, I don’t know you, but I found your paper bag with the present for your mom. Don’t worry. I sent it off to heaven. I know she’ll love it.

Love,

Lexi

 

After posting, she looked back up in the sky, watching until she could see the balloon and its precious cargo no more. With a sigh, she turned and walked back to her car, still holding the crumpled, torn paper bag in one hand. Beside her car stood a trash can. She walked over to it. The paper hovered once again over the garbage, waiting for its release.

But her hand drew back. She looked at the bag, and her fingers gently smoothed out the wrinkles that could never be erased.

She got back into the car and placed the empty bag back on the passenger seat beside her.

Maybe she’d throw it away later.

After all, it was just a paper bag.

 

“The Paper Bag” has a longer “sequel,” and I’m offering it for free to newsletter subscribers! To subscribe and find out what happens next, click here.

Amanda’s Newsletter

If you enjoyed this mini story, please share with friends so they can enjoy it, too! You can share this website post or you can share this Facebook post of “The Paper Bag.”

And to think it all started with a paper bag!