The Winner of Lily’s prize is Brittany McEuen. Congratulations, Brittany. Now, on to Belle’s Christmas memory.
Growing up in a family of five children made the Christmas season the most wonderful of times. My parents always managed to create such a festive, loving atmosphere. Some of my most precious memories revolve around decorating the Christmas tree. We would all bundle up in our family station wagon and make our trek to the florist shop that had all the Christmas trees out back. After much debate (with seven people everyone had their opinion) we selected a tree, tied it to the top of the station wagon and headed home. After Dad put up the tree we would begin the fun process of digging through our beautiful collection of ornaments and placing them on the tree. Everyone had a favorite ornament that they just had to put in a special spot. A lot of times the classic movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” would be playing on the television or we’d be listening to classic Christmas songs by Anne Murray or Johnny Mathis. To this day, “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire” is one of my favorite Christmas songs. With my own children (two girls) my husband and I have a Christmas Eve ritual where we buy them each a new pair of pajamas that we give them on Christmas Eve night. They both get so excited about their Christmas Eve pajamas and the anticipation of Christmas morning.
The Prodigal Returns
After injuring her best friend in a car accident, Cassidy Blake decided to leave town permanently. But now that her mother’s sick, she’s back to make amends. Sheriff Tate Lynch doesn’t want to forgive his former fiancée for his sister’s injury or for breaking his heart. And he certainly doesn’t want to admit he still has feelings for her. The community can see her commitment to the town as she helps rebuild a church destroyed in a storm. But Tate’s afraid of history repeating itself, even though Cassidy’s actions prove she’s a different person. Could the last secret she harbors about the accident drive Tate away for good?
Belle will be giving away a 15.00 Barnes and Noble card along with a copy of Reunited with the Sheriff.
Belle Calhoune grew up in Massachusetts in a family of five children. The daughter of a physician and a biologist, she always had her nose in a book. A lover of romance novels since she was in middle school, she always dreamed of writing her own love stories. After graduating from Thayer Academy she attended Syracuse University, where she received a B.A. in English. After a thirteen year career as a Federal Investigator in Boston, she became a stay at home mom after the birth of her youngest daughter and a relocation to Connecticut. She spends her days writing, catering to her two dogs (a mini poodle and a chocolate lab) and driving her kids to their various activities.
In her down time Belle enjoys family time, swimming, eating chocolate and watching classic movies. She loves traveling to such locations as Bahamas, Mexico and Puerto Rico. She enjoys spending summers in lovely Cape Cod. Having studied French for ten years, Belle has traveled extensively through France and visited Paris, Nice, Provence and Normandy, as well as many other French towns.
Belle lives with her college sweetheart husband and two beautiful daughters in Southern Connecticut. Writing inspirational romance novels and working in her pajamas is a dream come true. Her first book with Love Inspired, entitled “Reunited with the Sheriff” came out in June 2013. Her next Love Inspired book, “Forever Her Hero” will be released in May of 2014.
*To be eligible for Belle’s presents, you must leave a comment and live within the Continental United States. Winner will be selected using Random.org. The winner will be notified Dec 9 and posted on the sidebar as well.
21 responses to “8th Day of Christmas~Belle Calhoune”
What wonderful memories, Belle. I didn’t watch It’s a Wonderful Life for the first time until just four years ago, but it quickly became a tradition, and now we watch it every Christmas. I hope you and your family have a happy and blessed holiday season.
Thank you for stopping by Stephanie. I’ve watched It’s A Wonderful Life way more times than I care to mention. It is absolutely the type of film that can become a beloved tradition. Thanks for the Holiday wishes. I hope your season is filled with joy and an abundance of blessings for you and your family.
I would love to read your book. Your Christmas Tradition sounds awesome.
I have read this wonderful book so please don’t enter my name. I just had to tell you we do the PJ for Christmas eve also. Everyone gets a new pair – it is so fun. Have a wonderful holiday Belle and can’t wait to read you next book.
Hi Belle. Thank you, Belle, for sharing your Christmas memories.Our main tradition is having Christmas Eve dinner at my house every year.
Thanks Kirsten. My parents instilled in us a love of Christmas and of Christ. I love how even my teenager still gets excited about the Christmas eve pjs. Hope the Holidays are wonderful for you and your family.
Hi Jolene,
Thanks so much for stopping by. I love how your kids do the pjs too. It’s something so simple, yet so beautiful. I hope you have a wonderful Holiday as well.
Hi Amy,
Thanks for stopping in. I love your Holiday tradition. Christmas Eve is such a special time. The anticipation, the flurry of activity, the wonderful Christmas Eve services. You must be a great cook to take on such a tradition. Wishing you the best during the Holiday season.
Belle
Loved the book!! Those Christmas memories make me feel cozy!! 🙂
Hi Amanda,
I’m so glad you loved Reunited with the Sheriff. Christmas is so cozy, isn’t it? Love, warmth, devotion. Wishing you and your family a blessed Holiday season.
Christmas pajamas! What a great idea! I may have to steal that one!!!!!!
Hi KTheresa,
Steal away! I love the idea that the kids go to sleep that night, warm and fuzzy in their brand new pajamas. Thanks for stopping by. Wishing you many blessings during this Holiday season.
I like the pj idea. Sweet memories. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Angel,
Thanks for stopping by on a busy Sunday. Hope your grandson has a happy, blessed birthday.
The Christmas Eve pajamas is a wonderful tradition! I also love It’s a Wonderful Life. Christmas wouldn’t be the same without it.
Hi Mfbuscher,
Thanks for stopping by. Christmas Eve pjs and It’s a Wonderful Life. It doesn’t get much better than that. You’re right! It wouldn’t feel like Christmas without them. Hope you and your family enjoy a blessed Holiday season.
I have great memories of doing the same thing with our station wagon tying the tree to the top with my parents and I would love to own a station wagon they just don’t make them anymore with the 3 seats
Hi Stephanie,
Great to see you over here. Thanks for stopping by. Station wagons do seem to be a dying breed, although they do have the SUV ones. It always makes me smile when I see people driving with trees on top of their cars. Wishing you a wonderful Holiday season!
Thank you very much to all who stopped by and commented on my blog post. Special thanks to Christina Rich who conceived this wonderful 24 days of Christmas event. I had a lot of fun! Wishing everyone all the best during this blessed Holiday season.
Belle! What a beautiful picture of you that is. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas.
Awww, thanks for saying so Tina and for dropping by. Wishing you a blessed Holiday season.