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The Unexpected Christmas Gift - Carol James



Blurb:

Eli Walker is a fun-loving entrepreneur. His job is to advise and restructure struggling companies. Holly's mission is to save the company she works for by finding new customers at a trade show in Dusseldorf.

But when she fulfills her promise to her boss to visit the cathedral in Cologne, her quest changes.

Filled with twinkling lights and snowflakes, Christmas markets and a romantic Ferris wheel, Eli and Holly's time together in Germany is an unexpected gift. But when they return home, Eli must make a decision that could cost him what he wants most in lifeā€¦Holly.

Excerpt:

The Ferris wheel stopped at its apex. Holly turned back toward Eli, but he was facing the market, his back to her.

ā€œHolly, come see.ā€

She stepped across the pod to the side that overlooked the market and slipped into the seat beside him. 

ā€œIt looks like aā€¦galaxy.ā€ 

He was right. Lights draping from the giant, central tree out to the edges of the market were woven together with masses of twinkling lights strung from the roofs of the Old Town buildings and blanketing the entire market with a golden glow. She scooted closer and rested her head on his shoulder. ā€œThank you.ā€

ā€œThank you for coming.ā€

ā€œThatā€™s not what I meant. The train. The prayer. Thank you.ā€

He wrapped an arm around her and drew her closer. ā€œIā€™d be honored to pray for you any place, any time.ā€ He placed his free hand under her chin and lifted her face toward his. ā€œAbout anything.ā€

The butterflies from the other day returned in full force. His coffee eyes looked deep into her soul. He was going to kiss her. A part of her wanted to let him. But she hardly knew him. Yet what she knew, she loved. 

He bent nearer. She leaned in and closed her eyes. His breath was warm on her lips. 

She couldnā€™t do it. Chad. What about Chad? Heā€™d been her first, last, her only love. Forgetting him, replacing him would be so unfair. Her eyes filled as she drew away. All she could manage was a whisper. ā€œEli, no. I canā€™t. I canā€™t.ā€


Bible Verse: (Some of my favorites. Itā€™s so hard to choose.)

Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)
18 
ā€œForget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
19 
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

Link to book:

BIO:

Carol James is an author of inspirational fiction. She lives in a small town outside of Atlanta, Georgia with her husband, Jim, and a perky Jack Russell "Terrorist," Zoe.

Having always loved intriguing stories with happy endings, she was moved to begin writing to encourage others as she'd been encouraged by the works of other authors of inspirational fiction.

Her debut novel, Rescuing Faith, has been a number one best seller on Amazon.

Carol enjoys spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren, traveling with friends, and serving in the production department at her church. And most days, in the late hours of the night or the wee hours of the morning, she can be found bringing her newest novel to life.

Comments

Carol James saidā€¦
Thanks for featuring me today!

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