The Gift of Christmas

Judith Ashley is the author of The Sacred Women’s Circle series, romantic fiction that honors spiritual practices that nourish the soul and celebrates the journey from relationship to romance.

My usual writing process is a story starts appearing in my night and day dreams. I see the characters in various settings. I hear them talk to each other. So when I sit down to write, the story just flows. However, there have been a couple of times when I’ve veered from that process.

First Love is a short story in The Gift of Christmas Windtree Press anthology. Of course I knew the history of Ashley Ann Carlyle, who becomes the heroine of her own story in The Sacred Women’s Circle series. And originally Christmas didn’t figure into it at all.

However, I really wanted to be in this anthology which is why I deviated from my process.

What did I do?

I’d already written a rough draft of how Ashley and Art Kenner met, her family dynamics and their courtship including her stance on her voice being heard and respected and being a partner in the relationship. Since in the original story Art proposes in the spring, obviously not suitable for The Gift of Christmas theme, I rearranged the story line so that Art proposes on Christmas Eve.

However, First Love turns out to be a “Happily For Now” story. When you read Ashley, Book Four in The Sacred Women’s Circle series, you learn those promises Art made that Christmas Eve were not kept.

While First Love is about the promise of a future of love and laughter.

Ashley: Dragonflies and Dreams is about her journey to accept and love her physical self in a new way. And to learn to trust that the new her with inner and outer scars is lovable and deserves a future of love and laughter.

The Gift of Christmas contains 12 short stories by 12 different authors. Anthologies in general and The Gift of Christmas in particular are excellent ways to get to know a new-to-you author. It is available at all major e-retailers. Your local book store and library can also order a print copy for you.

Ashley: Dragonflies and Dreams is also available at all major e-retailers. And, yes, your local books story and library can also order print copies for you.

Learn more about Judith's The Sacred Women’s Circle series at JudithAshleyRomance.com

Follow Judith on Twitter: JudithAshley19

Check out Judith’s Windtree Press author page.

You can also find Judith on FB! 

© 2018 Judith Ashley

Ashley's First Love

Judith Ashley is the author of The Sacred Women's Circle series, romantic fiction that honors spiritual traditions that nurture the soul.

The Gift of Christmas Anthology, published by Windtree Press, contains one of my short stories “First Love”. The story of Ashley Carlyle’s romance  with Arthur Kenner. “First Love” is also the prequel to “Ashley” the fourth book in my Sacred Women’s Circle Series.

Spoiler alert: Art and Ashley do not live happily ever after.

What is it that happens in relationships that have such promise?

Why are life’s bumps in the road so challenging that some people no longer honor their wedding vows?

I wish I had THE answer.

What I do know is that it depends on many things. In Ashley’s case, when she has a recurrence of breast cancer, Art is unable or unwilling to stay.

Why do I say unable or unwilling? Because for me there is truth in those words. Some of life’s events are such that we are unwilling to hang in there and others are so overwhelming we aren’t able.

There is a belief that God never gives us more than we can handle.

There is a belief that all is happening as it is meant to.

Both are beliefs that can carry us through the darkness that is a part of everyone’s life.

Art decides the “in sickness and in health” part of his wedding vows did not include two bouts with breast cancer.

Some of you may read that and think that’s awful. Not that I’m defending his choices but I do know that there are many Arts out there. I know this because when I talk to readers about my books, some women just walk away, some stiffen and nod in acknowledgement. Some women have said “Been there, done that” or “This hits too close to home.”

Ashley has the support of The Circle as she battles recurrent breast cancer and a bitter custodial battle. How could anyone ever truly love someone like her – no longer beautiful, no longer young and with three young children? Since I write romance, you know there is someone who can and does but the other side of the issue is Ashley, herself. What does she have to learn in order to accept the unconditional love offered to her?

The first five books of The Sacred Women’s Circle series are available at major e-retailers.

You can learn more about The Sacred Women’s Circle series on my website.

Check out my Windtree Press author page.

Follow me on Twitter: @JudithAshley19

I’m also on Facebook

#Kindness #Happiness @JudithAshley19

Merry December! I'm Judith Ashley, the author of The Sacred Women’s Circle series, romantic fiction that honors spiritual traditions that nurture the soul.

December is Potpourri month for the Genre-istas. Although we can blog about any topic we want, the Blog Queens (BQ’s) do provide everyone with a list of topics. So this month is Potpourri and we decide what we want to talk about.

My topic is: #TakeChargeOfYourOwnHappiness or to shorten it to a friendlier Twitter size #Kindness and #Happiness.

This past summer I was struggling with the reality that one of my longest friend’s dementia had reached a point where we could no longer communicate as we had for over 30 years. It was rough going for me because she lives across the country and as one of her few remaining friends, it was important to me to support her as best I could.

What was also true is I have a life here in the Pacific Northwest: family, friends and my writing. If I moved to where she lived, I’d lose 99% of what constitutes my current life.

Because I’m on TheWilliam Glasser Institute – International senior teaching faculty I’m very aware that I do control how I feel. That doesn’t mean I never have sad thoughts or anger or depress but I know I can change this.

To shift myself from the bad feelings of not wanting to lose 99% of my life because I wasn’t going to move to live with her, I started to post on my Judith Ashley Romance blog about taking charge of my own happiness. Every Monday I share a tip that I find helps me take charge of my own happiness.

Another way of looking at it is “Make Your World A Better Place”.

Why?

Most of the tips have to do with actions that affect others.

Smile, smile, smile

Listen: Do You Hear What I Hear?

An Unexpected Gift

Intend Kindness

I found my “Intend Kindness” challenge a bit more challenging than I’d thought it would be (I see myself as a very kind and caring person). However, it helped me figure out a solution to a long standing irritant.

Challenge: #TakeChargeOfYourOwnHappiness or #MakeYourWorldABetterPlace this month (and beyond) and share the results. The kinder we are to each other, the more we add little actions into our day, the kinder, happier and better our world will be.

You can find Judith on Twitter: JudithAshley19

Check out Judith’s website.

Judith posts every Monday here.

Follow Judith on FB.

The Gift of Christmas

THE GIFT OF CHRISTMAS

A book review by Collette Cameron

collettecameron.com

Collette Cameron

An eclectic assortment of twelve holiday stories, I spent two pleasant evenings reading The Gift of Christmas.

Rather like a box of chocolates or an assortment of Christmas cookies, each story offered a tantalizing taste of holiday spirit.

From Susie Slanina’s, Metro’s Mountain Cabin, a simple tale of childhood chums seeking the perfect camping cabin, to Susan Lute’s, A Marine’s Christmas Proposal, a delightful sexy twist on an office romance,  the book kept me turning the pages.

I couldn’t wait to read the next story!

Melissa Yuan’s, The Cancer Christmas, brought tears to my eyes as she shared her personal experience as her father battled cancer. I cheered as the miracle needed to save the family farm came from a wholly unexpected source in Pamela Cowan’s, Christmas Miracles, and Courtney Pierces’s, The Nest, had me grinning at the antics of a ‘special’ guest who arrived for the holidays. 

Readers will sit on the edge of their seats trying to unravel the mystery in Paty Jager’s, Isabella’s Christmas Box, and they’ll shiver in suspense at the paranormal twist Anna Brentwood weaves into The Mermaid’s Treasure.  I fell in love with the characters in Christy Carlyle’s tender love story, Don’t Forget the Mistletoe, and I sighed with satisfaction when I finished reading Judith Ashley’s, First Love.

Just when I thought I couldn’t possibly read anything new and unexpected about the Christmas season, Jane Killick had me reeling with a fabulous twist in Christmas With You, as did Jamie Brazil in Career Conundrum Christmas.

Lastly, Maggie Jaimeson takes the reader all the way to Scotland in The Hogmanay Stranger, for yet, another inspiring tale of selflessness.

The Gift of Christmas contains everything a holiday anthology ought to.  A bit of romance, compassion,  mystery, devotion to family, love surpassing time and physical restraints,  these authors’ talents should be enjoyed with your favorite hot beverage, maybe a tasty treat or two, and tucked beneath a favorite blanket before a blazing fire.

The Gift of Christmas is sure to have something for everyone seeking the Christmas spirit. 

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Gift of Christmas

THE GIFT OF CHRISTMAS

A book review by Collette Cameron

collettecameron.com

An eclectic assortment of twelve holiday stories, I spent two pleasant evenings reading The Gift of

Collette Cameron

Christmas.

Rather like a box of chocolates or an assortment of Christmas cookies, each story offered a tantalizing taste of holiday spirit.

From Susie Slanina’s, Metro’s Mountain Cabin, a simple tale of childhood chums seeking the perfect camping cabin, to Susan Lute’s, A Marine’s Christmas Proposal, a delightful sexy twist on an office romance,  the book kept me turning the pages.

I couldn’t wait to read the next story!

Melissa Yuan’s, The Cancer Christmas, brought tears to my eyes as she shared her personal experience as her father battled cancer. I cheered as the miracle needed to save the family farm came from a wholly unexpected source in Pamela Cowan’s, Christmas Miracles, and Courtney Pierce’s, The Nest, had me grinning at the antics of a ‘special’ guest who arrived for the holidays. 

Readers will sit on the edge of their seats trying to unravel the mystery in Paty Jager’s, Isabella’s Christmas Box, and they’ll shiver in suspense at the paranormal twist AnnaBrentwood weaves into The Mermaid’s Treasure.  I fell in love with the characters in Christy Carlyle’s tender love story, Don’t Forget the Mistletoe, and I sighed with satisfaction when I finished reading Judith Ashley’s, First Love.

Just when I thought I couldn’t possibly read anything new and unexpected about the Christmas season, Jane Killick had me reeling with a fabulous twist in Christmas With You, as did Jamie Brazil in Career Conundrum Christmas.

Lastly, Maggie Jaimeson takes the reader all the way to Scotland in The Hogmanay Stranger, for yet, another inspiring tale of selflessness.

The Gift of Christmas contains everything a holiday anthology ought to.  A bit of romance, compassion,  mystery, devotion to family, love surpassing time and physical restraints,  these authors’ talents should be enjoyed with your favorite hot beverage, maybe a tasty treat or two, and tucked beneath a favorite blanket before a blazing fire.

The Gift of Christmas is sure to have something for everyone seeking the Christmas spirit. 

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Meet the authors at An Event on December 14th between 5 and 8 p.m. at Jan's Paperbacks, 18095 SW Tualatin Valley Hwy, Aloha, OR. In addition to meeting the authors, The Blenders will perform and light refreshments will be provided.

The Gift of Christmas is available through Windtree Press and other major e-retailers.

Why Didn't I Die?

by Judith Ashley

It happened on a Sunday about this time of year over forty years ago. I-84 was fairly new and not as well traveled as it is today. I'd spent the weekend in Umatilla, OR and was driving home to Portland - traveling west on I-84.

"The Rains" had arrived.

Wipers and radio on, I was singing along.

One minute I was driving and the next I was flying…my car hydroplaning. 

I lost control, spun out, and crashed into the cement divider. When the car stopped it was pointing the wrong way. Barreling towards me was a pick-up truck and cars.

I’m going to die, flashed through my mind. 

Accepting my fate, I curled in a ball facing the back of the front seat covering my head and face with my arms hoping I protected my face enough that the casket wouldn’t need to be closed.

My life did not flash before my eyes but I did pray my son would be okay and that he would be able to stay with my parents and not go to Ohio to live with his father.

Tapping and a voice caught my attention.

“Are you okay?” a male voice called out.

I lifted my head. A man knocked on my window.

Stunned, I struggled to sit, the seat belt still tight around my waist.

It wasn't easy but he managed to open my door. (The passenger side door was lodged against the cement divider). Thoroughly shaken, with supreme effort I scooted out and leaning heavily against the car, stood.

Another driver stopped and directed traffic until the state police arrived and took over that job. After getting my information and account as to what happened, the trooper arranged for my car to be towed to the nearest town, Cascade Locks.

A few days later, a friend of mine drove me out to get my car in his truck.

I stood staring at my car, my only transportation and the reality of what could have been slammed into my gut. My knees wobbled and if there had been a place to sit nearby, I would have reached for it. Instead I grabbed my friend's arm and held on until the wave of weakness passed.

I had no choice. In order to get my car back to my place I had to steer. We had a towline not a trailer. It was a dicey trip from Cascade Locks to North Portland. We stopped more than once and at the very end had to push my car onto the parking pad behind my house. 

Lessons learned?

Beware when "The Rains" come. Pavement turns to glass.

The concept “Life is fleeting” is a reality, not a myth. 

Some things did die that day (the car totaled, my belief that I was invulnerable destroyed). 

Yet, over forty years later, when I think back on that time, I have no idea how those vehicles stopped in time. I have no idea why I didn’t die.  

http://judithashleyromance.com
http://judithashleyromance.blogspot.com
http://glasserconceptstraining.com

And yet, when I think back on these past forty years, I can see many things I was able to accomplish in my work with vulnerable children and adults. Most recently I wonder if I survived that day so I could tell stories. 

So maybe this is why?                                       

Or This?

Or This?

Book One in The Sacred Women's Circle Series

© 2014 Judith Ashley