Category Archives: Fiction

Do You Believe In Santa Claus? From The Blog Archives!

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This is an old blog post from 2008!

 

When you were a kid, did you believe in Santa Claus?

Believe it or not, it’s a few days before Christmas, and I’m struggling with the Santa Claus issue. As a Christian, is it right to teach my child to believe in Santa Claus? I just don’t know. Santa Claus came to my three-year-old’s daycare this morning and gave the kids gifts. I took pictures. When I picked up my son at the end of the day, he was anxious to take his gift home and open it. He said, “I want to open the gift that Santa Claus gave me.”

As you might be able to tell, I’m not the most holiday-spirited person. I grew up not believing in Santa Claus, and I’ve never purchased a Christmas tree. My hubby and I usually exchange gifts with one another for Christmas, but, now that we have a child, Christmas celebrations may be taken up a notch or two! For the last few years, our child wasn’t really vocal about celebrating the holiday. However, this year, he notices the Christmas lights and he’ll say, “Mommy. Look at the lights! Are they out here because it’s Christmas?”

We don’t have a tree this year, but we’ve got lots of great Christmas cards decorating the mantle over our fireplace! Our son has never asked for a tree, but I feel that next year will be the year when we’ll buy him a Christmas tree.

I’ve purchased a ton of gifts for our son. I’ve been wrapping them while he’s in bed. I’ve hidden the gifts in the closet in my office. I’m not sure what I’ll say when he sees the pile of gifts at the appointed time. If he says, “Mommy, did Santa Claus bring the gifts?” What’ll I say…Yes?? or, No…??

I guess, as of right now, he’ll just awaken to the pile of presents, and I’ll say, “Open your gifts!” I won’t mention Santa unless he does, and then I’ll play it by ear, decide on what to say!

My question to readers is: What would you do if you were me? Did you believe in Santa when you were a kid?

 

Recipe For Family – Free Book For One Week

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A Recipe For Family (A Cookies and Kisses Novella) – Free for one week!

Have you ever been reunited with an old boyfriend/girlfriend?

Heather is a single mom, raising her daughter (Jenna) alone with the help of her parents. Jason, her daughter’s father, has returned to town. He’s tired of sending a child support payment every month and is now ready to be a part of Jenna’s life. However, Jason not only wants to be a part of Jenna’s life, he also wants to be a part of Heather’s life again. Can Heather forgive him for his past immature actions? Can she trust him to be a part of her and Jenna’s lives? Will Heather’s parents ever learn to keep their noses out of Heather’s personal business, and allow her to make decisions on her own?

All of these questions are answered when you read this wonderful novella! It’s free for one week, so, download your copy today! A Recipe For Family is part of the Cookies and Kisses collection, too!

So, have you ever been reunited with an old love? Were you able to forgive one another for past mistakes?

Manila Marriage App

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Would you ever fill out an application for marriage?

As a joke Shay Callahan fills out a marriage application, applying for the bridal “position” for a missionary (Timothy Flynn) currently stationed in Manila. Her life takes on a drastic change when her application proves favorable and she flies to Manila to meet Timothy. She’s stunned to discover the cold, brooding man. She can’t get over his puzzling attitude, yet, she’s attracted to him.

Timothy is haunted by his traumatic past, which lends to his brooding nature. He’s surprisingly attracted to Shay, even though she’s a blond.

The scenery in this book was breathtakingly beautiful. You’ll want to visit the Philippines to see this exquisite land and meet the wonderful people.

 

This light, sometimes funny story shows how two opposites can really be attracted to one another. This romance novel also shows us that at times, we have no idea what God has in store for  our romantic future!

So could you ever fill out an application for marriage? Why or why not?

In The Midst of It All

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In the Midst of It All

In The Midst Of It All by Tiffany L. Warren

Do you know anybody who’s involved with a cult? Have you ever joined a cult?

Zenovia has always been a loner. She has a schizophrenic mother, and she must watch her mom closely, hoping she doesn’t have one of her “spells” while in the company of others. She can’t have friends because explaining her mom’s condition to others just proves too difficult – plus, they would simply not understand. Things change for Zenovia when her and her mom receive some visitors from a church called The Brethren. Zenovia’s life makes a huge change when her and her mom are befriended by this unconventional, friendly congregation.

This book took me back in time, a long time back. So many things that the Brethren practiced, their weird beliefs, reminded me of my childhood, back when I was raised in the Jehovah’s Witness religion. The things that Zenovia and her mother faced, even the cavalier attitude of the Brethren regarding mental illness, was very realistic. This book is quite truthful in the way that a cult twists scripture and instead of having salvation by grace, they believe that salvation is granted by the heads of their church, which is totally wrong.

If you want to know what it’s like, being in a cult, then this is an excellent book to read. I highly recommend this novel.

So, have you ever been in a cult? Do you know anybody who has been involved in a cult? If so, what happened? Were they able to leave that toxic religion?

A Cedar Cove Christmas

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A Cedar Cove Christmas

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A Cedar Cove Christmas by Debbie Macomber

Have you ever had siblings who interfered with your life? Did they interfere so much that you felt you had to run away?

That’s Mary Jo’s dilemma. She’s pregnant (nine months), abandoned by her ex-boyfriend. Her brothers are arguing, claiming they’ll find her ex and force him to marry her. It’s Christmas Eve and Mary Jo is determined to find her ex in Cedar Cove before her brothers find him first!

This was a delightful short book where you’ll become reacquainted with the Cedar Cove cast. It’s like a modern version of the original Christmas story, complete with 3 Wyze men, a King, a stable, barn animals, a drummer boy and even bursting stars! This is a nice quick story to read over the holidays.

So, have you ever had brothers or sisters who’ve interfered with your life? What did you do about it?

Secretly Yours

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Secretly Yours by Valerie Comer

Have you ever had a secret admirer? 

Well, Lindsey has one! Lindsey is a chef at a popular restaurant in town and she’s agreed to cater the youth group’s Valentine’s Day dinner/fundraiser. Her sister Madison has begged for her support. Lindsey is floored to discover that the youth pastor is Nick, the guy whom she had a crush on in high school! Nick was not very nice to Lindsey back then, so has he changed? Why is he suddenly interested in her?

To make matters more complicated, she has a secret admirer? Why is she suddenly getting all of this attention?

This novella demonstrates how we need to accept God’s grace, no questions asked. Remember His sacrifice for our sins. It’s a sweet, inspiring read.

So, have you ever had a secret admirer? If so, did you ever discover your admirer’s identity?

 

Til Grits Do Us Part

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Til Grits Do Us Part by Jennifer Rogers Spinola

What do you recall about planning your wedding?

Shiloh P. Jacobs is getting married! However, her wedding plans are not coming along as she’d like. She’s marrying Adam, a nice Christian southern man. She’s also learning to lean on her new-found Christian faith. Shiloh has an admirer/stalker who keeps sending her dreaded gifts of roses, disturbing phone calls, and threats. How could the Lord allow these things to happen to her? After all, this should be one of the happiest times of her life, not the scariest.

As Shiloh learns secrets about her mom’s past, she continues her friendships with an eclectic mix of southern Christian friends – a far cry from her cronies in Japan.

This book shows us that we need to lean on the Lord ALL the time, especially during times of desperation and despair. This novel also touches upon guilt, you may feel bad about the way you treated a deceased loved one, but, you should not let that guilt fester and make you angry.

So, do you remember planning your wedding? Did you have any problems with your nuptial plans?