Friday, December 11, 2015

Ho Ho Ho Harlequin Holiday Extravaganza - RaeAnne Thayne- A Cold Creek Christmas Story




Wow its only two weeks until Christmas and today I have RaeAnne Thayne visiting the blog and in keeping with the giving spirit of Christmas is sharing a very special, very personal memory that has turned into a pay it forward Christmas tradition for her family. I hope you enjoy this very touching post and then enter to win a copy of RaeAnne's holiday novel, A Cold Creek Christmas Story plus a handmade Angel ornament.
Enjoy!



Angels at Christmas by RaeAnne Thayne

Several years ago, we were going through a very difficult, frightening time when our son, who was born with severe disabilities, was about three or four. That year had been particular tough for him, health-wise. By December of that year, he had been hospitalized several times with pneumonia and lung-related issues, which often prove deadly for medically fragile children. We were discouraged and afraid and our savings had long-since been depleted with his extensive medical bills.
To complicate matters, the furnace in our 100-year-old Victorian went out the first week of December and the costly replacement added to our worries.
The holiday spirit was just about the last thing on our minds as we headed toward Christmas, though we did our best to make it bright for our older daughter, who by then was around ten.
One night we were watching a Christmas special on TV when the doorbell rang. Our daughter rushed to answer it and came back with an odd expression on her face, holding a wrapped present. She explained that nobody was there, only the present, which turned out to be a lovely ornament for the tree.
The next evening, the same thing happened – the doorbell rang, our daughter rushed to answer it to find only a small present on the doorstep with no giver in sight.
This continued every night for, you guessed it, twelve nights, until Christmas Eve. We tried various ways to discover the identity of our mysteriously generous friend. Our daughter would camp out in front of a window overlooking the front door but she had no luck. Sometimes the present showed up in the morning, sometimes it would come in the mail, but more often than not it was a nocturnal delivery.
As a result of this thoughtful, caring angel, we turned outside of our fears and troubles for awhile, finally remembering to focus on the hope and wonder and joy of the season.
Each year now, we try to do something special for someone else (anonymously, if we can) to remind us of that year when twelve simple gifts of kindness helped shine much-needed light into the darkness of our fears.
What about you? How have you helped someone else this holiday season or in the past? Or how has someone touched you? I would love to hear! I’ll give away a copy of my current release, A COLD CREEK CHRISTMAS STORY, along with a handmade wire-wrapped Christmas angel ornament.






RaeAnne Thayne is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than fifty books. Her books have won many honors, including four RITA nominations from Romance Writers of America, the Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence and a career achievement award from Romantic Times magazine. Her stories – described as “poignant and sweet,” with “beautiful, honest storytelling (that) goes straight to the heart” – have sold more than four million copies and have been translated into more than a dozen languages. 





RaeAnne is giving away a copy of her holiday novel
A Cold Creek Christmas Story plus a handmade Angel Ornament
US ONLY
Good Luck!



Don't forget to visit GoneReading for filling
all those literary lover's stockings!

58 comments:

  1. Oh my, your story brought tears to my eyes! How wonderful and what a great way to feel the Christmas spirit and to share it with others!!

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  3. What a great story but as far as the question it is a big chore for me as i am disabled and so i have to take advantage of my hubby and friend when we go to town . I start early in the year and i don't like to shop on the internet due to you always seem to get something diff then what is pictured and some sites charge a high shipping and handling except if you are talking books or something. I do somehow get it done and ship to my grandkids who live in diff areas of Ca and that is the most important my adult kids in Ca understand a little and whoever i don't get i tell them i will do something for them during the year!

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    1. Hi ptclayton, thanks for sharing and that's great that you do get help with your shopping I can see how it would be a hassle. This year I did a lot of on-line shopping at Target/Walmart/KMart because you do get what is shown and you can return to the actual store which is fabulous.
      Merry Christmas!

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  4. I love Christmas shopping! I saw a story today where instead of getting gifts, ask your family and friends to do random acts of kindness. Like buy someone's lunch while Christmas shopping, buy their gas, be someone's driver for the day while they run errands or make meals, put in containers and deliver to homeless. I think I will get a bunch of coats and take to a shelter or give to homeless. This season is about giving not getting!

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    1. That's a great holiday idea Jillian. I love paying it forward.
      Merry Christmas!!

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  5. I love Christmas shopping. Although I stress myself out too much trying to find the perfect gift for people.

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    1. Oh Kim I hope this year you stopped a while to smell the Hot cocoa :)

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  6. If I have good ideas and the money, I love shopping for others. We always volunteer at our American Legion and help out veteran's families.

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    1. Catslady that's so wonderful helping our former servicemen!

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  7. I enjoy Christmas shopping online, but not in crowds. We shop for elderly folks on the Angel Tree.

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    1. Oh I love that Angel tree idea kalsquared. We have something similar here only for foster care children

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  8. I love shopping for gifts to give at Christmas time. I can't go out to do that anymore so on-line I go. There is such a plethora of items to please everyone there. It is fun and educational! for me.

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  9. What a lovely story of giving and bringing joy and hope into the family in a tough time. The true spirit of Christmas.

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  10. It is a chore I don't care for shopping. This year wasn't as bad I did most of it online.

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    1. I'm not a big fan of shopping either Crystal and I love online shopping

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  11. I do all my shopping online and have it direct shipped. I don't mind it at all.

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  12. I don't mind hitting the malls a little--the hurry, the decorations and people watching are usually fun once!

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    1. yeah holdenj I don't mind once but gah the crowds I can't do it a lot

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  13. This year as I have been caring for my mother who had major surgery in October, I have done almost all of my shopping online and have to admit I loved it and probably went a little overboard!! I do still need to go to Bass Pro Shop to buy presents for my husband, but am almost done!

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    1. Such a good daughter Mnull, I've been caring for my husband who is in failing health too so I know what you mean about on line shopping

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  14. I love Christmas stories especially yours. Hope I am lucky. Thank you for this opportunity.

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  15. When I was gainfully employed my group used to some charity every year. Maybe a homeless shelter or a children's home or deployed troops. I would buy a bunch of stuff and we would get it all packaged up and delivered. Now I'm unemployed, living with my elderly mother, trying to take care of her and feeling quite useless.

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    1. oh but you're doing so much caring for your mom. I recently had to quit my job to care for my ailing husband and I'm really glad I did. Yes it will be tight but we'll make it okay

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  16. That's a sweet story and it reminded me of the one my MIL tells of the first Christmas after her husband (my husband's dad) died. They didn't have much and it was hard, but a Secret Santa left them two huge bags of toys, holiday treats, and winter clothes on their porch one night. We've done this a couple of times for others and it is a wonderful feeling to give.

    Look forward to reading this Christmas romance after reading the blurb.

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  17. I finished my Christmas shopping in September, then just did some online/store shopping to fill in a few more gifts. Nice not having any snow right now too. I would love to win.

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  18. I enjoy Christmas shopping when I have enough money to buy what I want. LOL.

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  19. It's a chore.. I enjoy it once I get going, it's the get going that gets me :)

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  20. I WOULD LOVE TO WIN!!! THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE CHANCE!!!

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  21. I don't like fighting crowds, so I do most of my shopping online and I start right after the previous Christmas. I do like finding the perfect gift for someone.

    Marcy Shuler
    bmndshuler(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. I know how you feel. It seems each year I do more and more online shopping especially with free shipping

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  22. I'm not a shopper. However, I do like on-line shopping. I also request helpful hhints so I know I'm purchasing gifts they'll want.

    johns lake at usa dot com

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    1. Yes Laurie I remember when I was younger I thought it mattered what you spent on the gift I've learned that it's the thought that counts!

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  23. It can be a chore until you figure out all the fun ways to enjoy it

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  24. It can be a chore until you figure out all the fun ways to enjoy it

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  25. Oh my you made me cry. What a truly lovely story.

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  26. That is a lovely story! I'm looking forward to reading A Cold Creek Christmas!

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  27. What a wonderful story to remind us of the reason for the season, and thank goodness everything worked out. Christmas stories are so encouraging and give hope when there is none. But I always believe in miracles when most of us expect it least. I wish you and your family and Debbie and her family a wonderful and spirit-filled Christmas. Hugs...RO

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    1. Thanks Ro for the well wishes and back at you too!
      thanks for stopping by and yes it was a wonderful story one that definitely reminds us of the reason for the season!

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  28. I work in retail, so shopping is kind of a pain in the behind for me.

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    1. Oh I'm sorry esmerelda I'm sure this time of year especially. Here's hoping the season flies by for you!

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  29. Aw that's such a sweet story. Totally warms the heart. I love this time of year and hearing little things people have done for others.

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    1. I know Anna, it's especially good this year with all the hate flying around the world

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  30. I love Christmas shopping!!! It doesn't feel like Christmas if I don't shop

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