Run With the Wind: Life on the
scrub was rough, but it was all she needed. Then he arrived. He wanted to start
over. But this . . .
Life changed for the world in a
stable one Christmas. Could it also begin for Linney in this stable?
Excerpts:
1. Nellie moaned, and Linney
pulled. The emerging calf licked her face. “We better hurry, Pa. He just done
licked me. Don’t want him thinkin’ I’m his mama.”
“You’ll make a good one someday.”
“That ain’t happenin’. Why would
anyone want to go through this?”
Pa looked around Nellie’s bulk. His eyes found Linney’s. “For
the likes of you, girl. It’s worth it.”
2. Her eyes
shifted to the rider. He appeared to be a few years older’n her. She caught her
breath. What was that? His square shoulders and square jaw made him much wider
than most Crackers. But there was
something else. It made her feel jittery. She must have overeaten, or that new
calf licked her too much. Her stomach didn’t normally flop around like a snake
hit by a cowman’s whip.
It had to be a dream. How can one visit create such confusion and provide such provision?
Excerpts:
1. The sizzle of bacon cooking brought Ivy to an
upright position out of sound sleep. The smoky flavor tantalized her nostrils
as the fog in her mind slowly lifted. Her hands flew to her face. It’s
Christmas! The words rose within her, not with joy, but with panic. How could
she have slept so late!? Mama will have my head. I should be making
breakfast. But wait. It’s Christmas! Mama must have let me sleep. A
wonderful gift, to sleep past dawn. Ivy heard a gentle snoring and looked to
see the cat curled next to her legs.
2. “What’s inside, Ivy, is your gift to your parents.”
Granddad patted her hand again.
She sighed and ran her other hand through her hair.
She must do better and help more.
“And the
quilt is our gift to you.” Grandma smiled that smile that seemed to hug her.
“You really
made it before you, I mean, before…”
“Yes, before I died. And I hid it too.” Again, Grandma’s steel-blue eyes twinkled. “But before we tell you where, we want to talk about you hiding something.”
Bio: Judy DuCharme grew up with
Lake Huron next to her back yard and has always loved the water. She, her
husband, daughter, and son moved to Door County in 1984. After teaching 5th
Grade at Gibraltar School for 22 years, Judy followed the calling that tugged
at her all her life to write. She has had seven books published, her eighth is
under contract, and she is the recipient of numerous awards. She also writes
for Guideposts Magazine. If you visit Door County, you may find her hiking in
the woods, jet skiing on the bay, worshipping at her church, teaching a Bible
study, cheering for the Green Bay Packers, playing with her amazing grandson,
or sitting outside enjoying the beauty around her.
Awards: Christmas Ivy won First Place in Short Story at the
2016 Florida Christian Writers Conference and was a 2018 National Indie
Excellence Award Winner.
Run With the Wind was named Best Book in Romantic Inspiration
in the Winter 2020 Pinnacle Achievement Awards.
1.
Why this book? What inspired you to write it? Christmas
Ivy: I was thinking of helping out with the kid’s Christmas Play at our church.
The story came to me as we drove home from a prayer meeting. I sat on the steps
next to our little heater and wrote almost all of it that night. Mysterious
visit, unique quilt, age-old story of God's provision -- it all takes place one
Christmas morning. It didn’t become the play, but it did become a book.
Run With the Wind: I’d never heard of the
Cracker Cowboys, but read a fascinating book on the history of Florida while we
wintered there. Then a request from the publisher came for Christmas Cowboy
Novellas. I suggested a historical Florida Cracker Cowboy story, sent in a
blurb, and was given a contract. I panicked for a few minutes as I had two
months to write it. Then I got busy and had a blast writing history and romance
that culminate at Christmas.
2. What is your favourite carol/song
and why? O Holy Night. It encompasses the heart, majesty, and beauty of all
that Christmas truly means. “The thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices”
sends a thrill through me of all that Jesus is and what He brings to every heart.
3. What is the best Christmas
present you ever received and who was it from? I think my first cell phone was
my favorite gift and it came from my husband. I was 50, so it was time. Cell
phones provide a doorway to so many places. Sometimes they demand too much
attention, but I’m thankful that I have it.
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