The Best Christmas Gift of All!

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard

Writing stories about the lives of fictional characters has given me lots of insights into my own life.

In a novella I recently finished, my characters were missing out on their happily ever after because of their fears of being hurt…or so I thought.

Closeup of a calligrapher working on a project

I eventually realized that what was really going on is something that happens to a lot of us when our life derails, and we get hurt.

We attempt to control everything within our power, as a means of coping with our fear of the future.

And that quest for a semblance of control can usurp the Lord’s rightful place in our heart and become the thing we cling to instead of God, because we’re no longer willing to trust Him with our future.

If you’re feeling in a dark place this Christmas season, I urge you to trust that God still has an amazing story to tell with your life.

Enkelten ilmestys paimenille, 1815, by Alexander Lauréus

The angels’ proclamation to the shepherds that first long ago Christmas is good news, precisely because our salvation through Jesus is a gift, not something to be earned.

Speaking of gifts…

Friends exchanging gifts at a Christmas party

it’s tempting to think if I just had—fill in the blank—I’d be happy. Children sure think that way when they eagerly write a Christmas wish list.

Child with Christmas wishlist

Yet, oftentimes, it isn’t until the stuff we think we want is stripped away is that we finally see what we truly need. For myself, I’ve noticed that when I don’t spend time with God, dissatisfaction can quickly seep into my days. Have you ever had that happen and find yourself blaming your job, or spouse, or children, or the state of your home, or whatever?

The glorious news of the Christmas story is that you were created by a God who loves you. A God who sent his Son in the form of a precious babe to deliver us from the sin that separates us from Him.

And finding our hope and purpose in Him alone is the best gift we can unwrap this Christmas.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Images by rawpixel.com

Save an Extra 25% on Jingle Bell Mysteries

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard

Annie’s is celebrating Black Friday this weekend by offering an additional 25% off your purchase. 

Use coupon code 25OFFBF at checkout, to get the hardcover Jingle Bell Mysteries set for only $7.50 USD + shipping. 

Jingle Bell Mysteries book bundle

Click the image or visit: https://www.anniescatalog.com/detail.html?prod_id=168648&cat_id=467

Christmas Book Bundle On Sale!

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard

Did you know there are only 40 days until Christmas? 

I have a fun gift suggestion for the mystery reader on your Christmas list. 🙂 

This morning, a friend asked me for the link to my mysteries with Annie’s. And I discovered that…

the Jingle Bell Mysteries 3-book bundle is on sale for less than ten bucks!  

Jingle Bell Mysteries book bundle
Click image to go to seller or see below

 

Unlike my contributions to other Annie’s Fiction series for which you need to subscribe to a 12- or 24-book series, the Christmas bundle is sold as a single purchase on their sister site, also home to craft products, magazines, and some partial bundles of other Annie’s Fiction series: Annie’s Catalog  

They have some great stuff on the site. I subscribed to their CrossStitch magazine for years. For my Canadian readers the price is in USD. Shipping to a US address is only $5.99. My friend had her bundle shipped to Canada and the shipping cost $15. (bringing the total price to the bundle’s regular price)

Still a great deal for 3 hardcover books that would make a lovely Christmas gift.

You can read more about my contribution to the series, Boughs of Folly, here: https://sandraorchard.com/books/1-jingle-bell-mysteries/

It’s set in Georgia, so not your typical Christmas holiday setting. 🙂

Christmas in July & Exciting News!

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard

The Jingle Bell Mysteries three-book bundle is now available!

You can order the hard-cover bundle from AnniesCatalog.com. I don’t currently see an Ebook option, but imagine we’ll see it when the bundle goes live on the sister site: Annie’s Fiction. 

In the meantime, Ebook readers hankering to cool down in this heat can check out this cool, Christmas-themed bundle: Mistletoe Mysteries. 

National Excellence in Story Telling 

I’m excited to share that Dangerous at Heart placed second in the suspense category of the National Excellence in Story Telling (NEST, formerly the National Readers’ Choice Award) contest. I haven’t entered a contest in more than six years, and am thrilled that readers still consider my stories award-worthy. 

book cover for Dangerous at Heart by Sandra Orchard

 

My 25th Novel ~ Boughs of Folly

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard

Woohoo, today is the official release day of my 25th novel, Boughs of Folly. I’m extra excited about this release, because it is the first of my Annie’s Fiction titles available without a bookclub subscription. 

Order the 3-book bundle of Jingle Bell Mysteries, Boughs of Folly included, in either hardcover or Ebook.

Click Here to buy the Jingle Bell Mysteries Bundle 

About the Book:

Jillian Green’s holiday cheer nosedives when her great aunt’s friend is killed while helping them decorate their plantation home for a fundraiser. But the case is more tangled than a strand of twinkle lights, and if Jillian can’t uncover the killer, their friend’s night might not be the only one silenced this Christmas.

All three mysteries take place in the world of Annie’s Chocolate Shoppe Mysteries in Georgia–a far cry from the snowy Christmases I know and love. But happily for me, my long-time prayer partner is a lifelong resident of Georgia. I had great fun acquainting myself with their unique Christmas delicacies and turns of phrases I never hear in Canada. 

If you enjoy Christmas-themed novels, Jingle Bells Mysteries are worth checking out. 

On the horizon

Looking ahead, I’ve written two romantic suspense that release next year as part of a new Hearts in Peril series from Annie’s Fiction. And I’m currently brainstorming outlines for a woman’s fiction title set on Mackinac Island, and for three more romantic suspense set in Montana, which will release in 2024 and 2025. 

These will definitely appeal to my Love Inspired Suspense fans.

Whenever I can carve out spare time, I play with new storylines for a Serena Jones reboot, for my Serena fans who have been patiently (or impatiently as the case may be 😆 ) waiting for a sequel.

And the 25th book recipient is…

Congratulations, Sandra Basso! Let me know which book you would like.

Once again, thank you for joining me in celebrating this writing milestone. It wouldn’t have been any fun without y’all. I deeply appreciate your interest in my books. Your encouraging reviews and personal recommendations to friends help keep the contracts coming. Thank you! 

#24 Hidden Threats

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard

Hidden Threats is my second contribution to the Sweet Intrigue collection from Annie’s Fiction.

Book Cover for Hidden Threats by Sandra Orchard
Click image to read back cover blurb

This novel is set on the enchanting Martha’s Vineyard. I plotted it with my friend Lisa as she toured me around the island to find prime locations for key events in the story. As a writer, that’s living the dream! 

It’s been several years since I’ve been able to enjoy such a research trip, but hopefully there will be more in my future. 🙂 

Our 24th book Recipient:

Congratulations Lynda Bertulli. Thanks so much for joining me in this month-long celebration! Let me know which book you’d like to receive. 

#23 Settling Auld Scores

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard

Thank you for sticking with me through my 25 book countdown. I hope you’ve been enjoying the extra insights I’ve shared into the inspiration behind my stories.

My 23rd book, Settling Auld Scores, was my final contribution to the Scottish Bakehouse Mysteries from Annie’s Fiction. 

Book Cover for Settling Auld Scores by Sandra Orchard
Click book cover to read back cover blurb

Like Lass and Found, this one isn’t a murder mystery. I even colour outside the lines sometimes too. 😉 

My grandson’s War Amps commercial with the Hamilton Ti-Cats inspired the football theme for this mystery. That and memories of a whopper of a football season when I was a high school junior. Like me, Laura Donovan, my baker sleuth, isn’t ordinarily a football fan, but her nephew’s participation has hooked her on the game. 🙂 

Our 23rd book recipient:

Today’s recipient was drawn from blog subscribers and commenters. 

Congratulations, Margaret Macleod, email me your mailing address and I’ll get Perilous Waters out to you. Ooh, and how appropriate that your last name is Scottish, given today’s book profile!  🙂 

 

#22 Dangerous At Heart

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard

Dangerous At Heart marked my return to writing romantic suspense. It’s part of the 12-book Sweet Intrigue book club with Annie’s Fiction (similar to Love Inspired Suspense).

book cover for Dangerous at Heart by Sandra Orchard
Click image to read back cover blurb

Best One Yet?

After my mother-in-law read this one, she surprised me by saying, it is my best one yet. I suspect she just enjoyed returning to romantic suspense after reading a slew of cozies. But apparently, I kept her guessing until the end. 

Scary thing is…I’ve wracked my brain as I’ve been writing this and I can’t remember who’s after the heroine!  😕  Although I did manage to remember why he’s after her. Or should I say she??? I can’t remember!  

Your Turn: 

Which do you prefer cozy mysteries: trade book size mysteries like the Port Aster Secrets series, humorous mysteries like Serena Jones Mysteries, or romantic suspense? 

P.S. I’ll be picking another name from amongst blog commenters. So…commenting will give you the best odds of being my next recipient of a complimentary book. Just saying… 😆 

 

#21 Paying the Piper

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard

Happy First day of summer! It’s appropriate that revisiting my twenty-first book should happen today, since Paying the Piper begins on July 4th, at an Independence Day picnic, in Loch Mallaig, Michigan. 🙂 

Book Cover for Paying the Piper
Click book cover to read the full blurb

This mystery revolves around a state-wide baking competition being held as part of the town’s annual Scottish Festival & Highland Games. We had the opportunity to watch some of the traditional events at such a festival while vacationing in Northern Ontario a few years ago. If you have the opportunity to attend one, go for it. They’re a lot of fun. 

I’m sure a murder won’t take place at yours. 😆 

Scottish Baking Recipes

I had to research a lot of traditional Scottish baking recipes for this series. Have you ever heard of millionaire’s shortbread or clootie dumplings? I hadn’t.

And of course, the only way to write about them authentically is to sample the goods. Yes, research can be a tough job, but I’m willing to gain a few pounds for the team. 😆

If you’d like to join me, here’s a good place to start: https://insanelygoodrecipes.com/scottish-desserts/ 

 

Rafflecopter Winners

I debated waiting until June 25th to announce the ten winners of my upcoming release, Boughs of Folly, since that will be the day I profile it here.

But for once in my writing career, I decided NOT to keep you in suspense. 😀 

Don’t be sad if your name isn’t here though, because I have three more books to give away over the next few days, so stay tuned!

P.S. One of those books will go to a randomly selected blog commenter. So, don’t be shy about leaving a comment to let me know which book you’d love to read. 😉 

Onto the winners…drum roll please

Congratulations to:

  1. Christin F
  2. Kara V… M… 
  3. Patti Jo M
  4. Ann S 
  5. Jackie Pad… 
  6. Linda O 
  7. Beverly D…-M…
  8. Edward A 
  9. Sandra A 
  10. Linda Gaw…

I emailed each of you last night to request your mailing address, so if you didn’t see my email, please check your spam folder and add me to your safe senders list. 😎 

Happy Reading! 

Your Turn: 

What’s your favourite thing connected to the Scots? For me, it’s scones. Yum! Although…I do love listening to Amazing Grace on the bagpipes. And I have a lovely wool tartan blanket I cozy up under to  read on cold winter nights. 🙂  

 

Drum Image by rawpixel.com

#20 Yule Be Sorry

Posted on: by Sandra Orchard

Writing this Christmas mystery whet my appetite for doing more set at this special time of year. I’m currently outlining a romantic suspense set on a Montana guest ranch and Christmas tree farm. But I digress. 😆 

Yule Be Sorry is the 9th book in the Scottish Bakehouse Mystery series I introduced yesterday.  

Inspired by the 12 Days of Christmas Song

Summary: 

On the first day of Christmas, Molly Ferris’s true love gave to her . . . one of many anonymous pranks leading up to Loch Mallaig’s upcoming Yule Festival, an annual tradition celebrating the Michigan town’s Scottish heritage. Initially, Molly and her best friends, Laura Donovan and Carol MacCallan, are charmed by the silly “Twelve Days of Christmas” gifts showing up at their Scottish bakehouse, Bread on Arrival. However, the fifth day presents ghastly tidings—the murder of local real estate agent Eric Wright, who’s found dead with five golden rings on his fingers.

Discovered by the bakehouse’s new delivery boy, whose girlfriend’s family was facing the loss of their home for the holidays, Wright’s homicide soon engulfs the entire village in suspicion and conjecture. With a history of shady deals, the murdered Scrooge had a seemingly endless naughty list of people who could have killed him—and perhaps it was someone Molly and her friends know and trust.

With their business’s wellbeing threatened by their ties to the murder, the Bakehouse Three resolve to solve the mystery of who silenced Wright’s night. Soon, the three Scottish hens realize that not only is their livelihood at stake but their lives as well. They must uncover the murderer before the killer gets to them—otherwise, they might be three bakers-a-dying. 

Find Scottish Bakehouse Mysteries at Annie’s Fiction. 

Subscribe to the Scottish Bakehouse Mysteries Bookclub to receive 1 hard cover book a month ($14.99) , or every two weeks ($10.99), or to receive 1 Ebook a month ($5.99). You can sometimes find individual books being sold second hand. 

I found several used copies of Yule Be Sorry for sale online at Amazon. But if you enjoy cozy mysteries and love everything Scottish, you’ll want to get the entire set of these! 

Our Next Two Complimentary Book Recipients are: 

Congratulations Velma and Marlene! I’ll be in touch.