When Tiffany Marano’s high school sweetheart drove off to join the Marines and never looked back, she swore off men. Now, she’s content to teach at Summer Creek, South Carolina’s local elementary school, lead a Sunday school class, and spend weekends with her niece—until Nick Walsh suddenly reappears wearing a wedding ring and with a daughter in tow. Everything about Tiffany’s calm, quiet life is now one disordered mess.
Nick Walsh comes face to face with Tiffany after all these years, and sparks fly. But not the happy glittering kind, because each of them thinks the other responsible for their estrangement. Before they can work it out, though, Tiffany’s sister disappears. Left with custody of her niece and forced to work with new police detective Nick to find her sister, old feelings begin to resurface. As they start to unravel the truths that left them confused and apart for too long, Nick must learn to let go of his past. But can Tiffany let go of her fear and learn to trust that God isn’t the only one who won’t abandon her?
Available on Amazon
Welcome, Christina!
Tell us how your characters celebrate the holidays
Tiffany and Nick would first attend the Christmas Eve service at Grace Church and then head back home to baked penne, salad, bread, and dessert—got to have dessert. On Christmas Eve, dessert would be sugar cookies decorated by Elloree, his daughter. Christmas day would be spent opening gifts just the three of them in the morning, and then bouncing from house to house for Christmas dinner.
The day after Christmas, they recover from their food comas and just play board games and relax.
Does your hero have a favorite Christmas carol or movie? Does your heroine?
Nick swears that Die Hard is a Christmas movie and that’s his favorite. Tiffany loves “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
What is the theme of this book? If it’s part of a series, how does this book fit into the series?
The theme of this book is trusting in God, despite our fears. This is part of a series, and I think the overriding theme is turning to God—whether we are afraid or in need of forgiveness.
Why do you write this genre? What inspired this story? Do you write any other genres?
I write contemporary Christian romance. I love this genre because I want to share the salvation story in the here-and-now. This story was inspired by a young lady in my church—I wanted to give her fictional counterpart a happy-ever-after. Funny thing is, I had no idea but her prom date had the same name as my hero and the real life Nick also left her to join the military. The real-life Tiffany moved on, but the fictional heroine never did.
I haven’t published in any other genre, but I would love to do so—historical romance is another favorite.
Any tips to share with fellow authors/aspiring authors? What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard?
I believe we should never stop learning—I’ve been attending writing workshops and critique groups for decades. The best advice I’ve ever heard is that each of us has her own journey—don’t ever compare.
What is your favorite Christmas tradition and/or memory?
My favorite Christmas tradition is attending Christmas Eve service at church and lighting those little stubby candles and singing “Silent Night.” There is something magical about the church lights going down and the congregation’s voices rising up.
Finally! Answer for either yourself or your characters: Real Christmas tree? Or fake?
You might hate me for this, but for me personally, both. We have a real tree in the family room every year that we decorate with all the personal ornaments. In the front room, now my office, we place an artificial tree that has a seashell theme. So, the best of both worlds for me!
Thank you for sharing and I hope you have a wonderful, joyful Christmas!
Rachelle Paige Campbell 