Thankful for Romance by Kathy Coatney

             What do I have to be thankful for? This is a frequent theme in my books, especially my Christmas books. Most of my characters face difficult challenges—some painful and some more of an annoyance, but they always have plenty to be thankful for by the end of the book. 

This stems from the secondary characters. They're the ones who advise and encourage the hero/heroine. These are the characters who are always there for my h/h when the going gets tough. It could be a husband, parent, children, siblings, grandchildren, or friends. Just having these people in their corner is the best gift in the world. Kids, in particular, have such a unique way of making someone feel special and needed, and that is an incredible gift, in my opinion.

 What I love most about romance is that connection between the h/h and the secondary characters. Even if the h/h don't have that special someone in their lives—yet—they still have a lot to be thankful for.

 I also think romances get us through the hard times. I've heard of so many readers that say an author's book has helped them through serious illness and death. Sure there's a happily-ever-after in the end, but when real life is unbearably hard, it's nice to read something uplifting with a guaranteed happy ending. 

I write small-town romances, and I’ve always preferred to set my books in winter, but 

I’ve never written Christmas books—until last year. I've discovered I really, really like writing holiday romances. I think a major reason for that is the thankful theme fits so well with Christmas since the holiday is all about being grateful and helping others. That theme really resonates with me.

          Last year I wrote the Crooked Halo Christmas Chronicles—The Murphy Clan. Each story is about 100 pages and they have guardian angels watching over the couple in need of assistance on their journey to finding true love. The angels sent to guide them are also attracted to each other, so there is a dual romance going on in each story. 

          Last year there were three stories in the Crooked Halo Christmas Chronicles—The Murphy Clan that concluded with a happily-ever-after for the angels, too. I’m currently working on a new Christmas chronicle with two new angels helping bring about a Christmas romance while fighting an attraction to each other.

          I just finished Santa Comes to Snowside, a full-length holiday romance that is with my editor right now, with a November release date. After I lost a dear friend last spring, it motivated me to write this book. She loved Christmas and every year her house was a Christmas wonderland. She was one of my biggest supporters—my critiquer, my beta reader, my everything for writing and friendship. 

          I was so thankful to have known her, and that's part of what drove me to write this book and start a new Christmas series (series title pending) that gives her a recurring role as Jody Claws, and her husband, Nick. Every Christmas they help bring a couple together and spread the Christmas spirit. I hope Jody loves these characters and the story as much I’ve enjoyed creating and writing them.

I look around at my life, and I truly have so much to be thankful for. My husband, children, and grandchildren have all made my life deeper and more meaningful, filling it with joy and happiness. I'm also grateful for the readers here today—for all my readers, in fact, because I love sharing what comes from my heart.

Here is a sneak peek of Santa Comes to Snowside:

Prologue

Snowside, Vermont

When humor exists, love isn’t far behind

          “Well Nicky, where are we off to this Christmas holiday?” 

          Nicholas Claws arched busy brows as he glanced at his wife, Jody, seated beside him in their candy cane red Mini Cooper convertible. He shifted into high gear and punched the gas just enough to throw her head back. The wind tossed her silver curls, producing the tinkling laugh he loved.

          “One of our worker bees found a place I think you’ll love. It’s called WorkForce, and Jack Davidson, the man who started the nonprofit has the kind of giving nature that’s right up your alley. He helps the low income and unemployed find work by providing them with work clothes, write resumes, and even has a hair salon onsite.”

 Jody’s smile warmed him through and through. “I love it! Tell me more.” 

          “Well, our visionary, Mr. Davidson, saw a need in the community, gave up a lucrative career and swanky high-rise apartment on the eastside of Snowside, invested his savings and retirement to buy a rundown warehouse in the industrial section. He’s currently living above it to save money.”

          Jody’s blue eyes rounded beneath wire-rimmed glasses. “And he’s doing this all on his own?”

“Not totally. Mickey Roberts, his uncle, supported his vision from the start, and he manages the hair salon at WorkForce. The downturn in the economy several years ago started Jack on his path to enlightenment. White collar workers were laid off, including his best friend who almost lost everything. Then Mickey struggled after returning from Iraq, and if not for family support he could have ended up on the street three Christmas’s ago.”

          Jody stroked Prancer, the miniature poodle asleep on her lap. “Well, color me intrigued. This sounds like a perfect Christmas project for us, but will we be able to make it home in time to finish our Christmas village?”

          “It might be tight, but we’ve always made it home for Christmas, and WorkForce could definitely use some volunteer support to keep it up and running. I don’t see how we can pass this up, do you?” He flipped the blinker to the left and pulled onto the freeway, heading south.

          “No, we can’t. This project is just what we’ve been looking for. We’ve got a nonprofit that needs a bit of assistance, and we can’t walk away from that, but you haven’t told me much about Jack.”

          Nick might have found the perfect nonprofit for them, but Jody always wanted to know about the people—in particular their relationship status. “Jack’s single, estranged from his parents, and at the moment unattached, but I think there’s a prospect that with your special touch could bring about a holiday romance.”

          Jody lifted her face to the unseasonably warm sunshine, the bare trees marking the beginning of the holiday season.

          “Then we not only need to work on the romance but also bring Jack back together with his parents.”

          “There’s also a teenager named Tony who needs our help, too. He’s a non-believer.”

“Oh my, we can’t have that. We’ll have to come up with a Christmas miracle or two to get him back on track.”

          “You read my mind.”

          “Oh, I do love the challenge of a new project. It’s like the first flush of love. Do you remember when we first met?” 

          His wife looked over at him, rosy cheeks and blue eyes twinkling as bright as the silver bells dangling from her earlobes.

          “How could I forget? You bring it up every year when we start a new project.”

          “So what attracted you to me? My cookies or hot chocolate?”

          A loaded question that he wasn’t about to debate again. There was only one correct answer. “Both.”

          Jody winked at him. “Good answer.”

          Nick pressed down on the accelerator and headed toward Vermont, where they would spend the duration of the Christmas holiday.

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          Thank you all for being here today. As a special thank you, you can get the first book Be My Santa Tonight, The Crooked Halo Christmas Chronicles—The Murphy Clan, for free at https://tinyurl.com/3t84zp86.

          You can find me at my webpage and sign up for my newsletter to get more free reads at: https://www.kathycoatney.com.

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