Tag: Christmas books

Destination Christmases
Escape into a Story · Romance Settings

Destination Christmases

Jaycee Weaver15 Comments

Destination Christmas blog postDo you travel for Christmas?

It’s been years since my crew has been away from home on Christmas. We have a lot of family we’re close to, which used to mean a lot of obligations over the holidays. As much as we loved everyone, it was exhausting. My husband and I decided early on that we wanted to keep Christmas Eve and the early morning of Christmas Day limited to us and the kids, and since then it’s become a sacred tradition we all look forward to. In a season that’s often as filled with anxiety as it is with wonder, that slice of time we carve out and safeguard gives my crew of introverts some breathing room between bouts of being “on” for our extended loved ones.

However, we do regularly travel around the holidays to see family in the Midwest, and there’s something special about celebrating the holidays with loved ones away from home. Whether traveling ” back home” or, as in my case, to family who moved away, family traditions feel different when you don’t live with your family of origin anymore. Sweeter somehow, even when the relationships might be complicated or strained. And then there’s exploring the local traditions of the place you’re visiting, indulging in local culture and flavors…

It’s no wonder why holiday travel is a common element in many Christmas romance books.

But then there’s an actual destination Christmas—essentially a vacation or road trip to a locale that isn’t and never has been home. Ski trips, sunny beaches, a private getaway…

I’ve never done a destination Christmas, and with a close knit family and three daughters, I honestly can’t imagine making this a reality. It certainly is fun to dream about, though! I’d love to whisk my crew off to Disney one year. It sounds fun (though I know it will probably never happen LOL).

Maybe that’s why I enjoy the concept of destination Christmases in fiction so much. It gives life to impractical dreams alongside the joy of reading romance and new love. I can revel in exploring complicated family dynamics and need for second chances in someone else’s life on the pages. There are new holiday traditions to vicariously experience, new places to discover and local flavors that inspire my imagination.

How about you? Do you enjoy traveling for the holidays? Do you go “home”? Visit family? Or have you ever taken a destination holiday to somewhere new and exciting?

If virtually experiencing a destination Christmas is more your thing, here’s a short list of suggestions I’m happy to share with you to fill your December TBR and get you into the holiday spirit!

I’m sure there are TONS more, but of course I never want to inundate you with too many. LOL! If you’ve read any contemporary Christian or inspirational holiday travel/road trip/destination Christmas stories recently that left an impression, I’d LOVE to hear your suggestions in the comments. And be sure to answer my questions above. I so enjoy chatting with you all every month!

Until next time,

From Fury to Feelings (+giveaway)
Giveaway · New Releases

From Fury to Feelings (+giveaway)

Jaycee Weaver30 Comments

I LOVE hate-to-love, enemies-to-lovers, whatever you prefer to call the trope. For me, it comes second only to friends-to-more as my favorite! There’s something about the fury, the chemistry, the potential for so much emotional entanglement.

It’s funny, since I’m not a huge fan of drama. Those books where a misconception and/or refusal to talk makes you want to throttle them both… yeah, not my favorite. Maybe it’s because I don’t mind a little confrontation. I’m a firm believer in airing your grievances (with love and grace and tempering that tongue) and not leaving things unsaid for too long because then they fester. But I LOVE me some infuriated characters who get annoyed easily or drive each other nuts—especially if one of the characters gets a kick out of poking the bear. Maybe I’m a little twisted… LOL!

It can be a tough trope, though. In fact, we talked about it in detail on an episode of the StoryChats @InspyRomance Podcast a while back. It’s worth a listen if you love or hate this trope!

After writing two more emotionally intense stories in my Sinclair Sisters trilogy, I knew Cindy’s story was going to be a lot more fun and less dramatic for my newest book, Not Another Christmas. Which is HILARIOUSLY ironic, considering she is by far the most dramatic of the three sisters. I knew right away that she lived apart from her Christmas-obsessed family, and that in her past she was enemies with her love interest. That was about it for the longest time.

Cindy Lou Sinclair, so named by her fanatical parents for that adorable little Who, has grown into a highly organized, independent young woman who’s worked her way up to hotel concierge and has her sights set on being top dog at the Coconut Springs Hotel in sunny Fort Lauderdale, FL. Her plans are thwarted by the arrival of the hotel owner’s nephew, who just happens to be an all too familiar (and dang it, handsome) face. The boy-next-door; her teenage nemesis, constant competitor, and irritating prankster.

Now that Nick Hoover has gained some experience to go with his degree, he’s ready to return to the place he grew up and reconnect with his Florida family after his workaholic father moved him across the country from them fifteen years ago. The last person he expects to see in Florida is the New Mexico girl he loved to infuriate most, but he’s not complaining.

Tension, irritation, and attraction unfold, and soon they fall into familiar old patterns (read: PRANK WARS) until her fury evolves into friendship, which gives way to feelings. It was such a BLAST writing their pranks, both in their history and in the present. I did a TON of research and had so many laughs reading blogs, anecdotes, and my own family’s devious ideas. Pranks have never come naturally to me, so being able step into Nick and Cindy’s shoes for a bit was a hoot.

What do you think about books with the enemies-to-more or hate-to-love trope? How about pranks? Tell me WHY or WHY NOT below in the comments!

I’ve collected quite a list of reader-recommended titles featuring pranks, so if, like me, you find these books to be a perfect escape for an afternoon of laughs, here you are:

(Disclaimer: I have not read all of the titles in this list, but the authors are known for writing clean books.)

I would LOVE more recommendations on CONTEMPORARY titles with pranksters and jokesters, especially if you can find Christian and/or inspirational titles! I’ll even go for enemies-to-more or hate-to-love. Anyone who comments with their remarks on the tropes, what you think about Cindy and Nick’s book, and/or title recommendations will be entered into a giveaway for a FREE EBOOK of Destination Christmas, out now on Amazon (which you could buy instead for 99¢ or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited)! Void where prohibited.

*I may receive a tiny commission from purchases made via provided links.

Until next month, my friends!

Childhood Sweethearts (+giveaway)
Giveaway · Romance Tropes · Roundup

Childhood Sweethearts (+giveaway)

Jaycee Weaver36 Comments

Childhood Sweethearts + giveawayWhat’s your favorite trope within CCR? I see this question asked a lot, and I have to admit I am one of those people who can’t choose a favorite ANYTHING to save her life. I mean, in all the breadth of the whole world, why would I limit myself? I do find myself drawn to some more than others, however, and one of my top ten favorites is childhood sweethearts.

Here’s how I’ll define childhood sweethearts, in case you’re wondering: a couple who knew each other as children/young teens and either one or both experienced a strong affinity for the other.

Best friends? Counts. Childhood crush? Definitely counts. Next door neighbors sweet on each other? Totally counts.

As you can see, I might be a little liberal in my definition of childhood sweethearts. But considering a little quick research (thanks to DuckDuckGo) reveals that only about 2% of the population marries their childhood first love and the numbers aren’t much higher for marrying a high school sweetheart, there’s got to be more to the story than two kids who’ve loved only each other most of their lives.

Perhaps that’s what makes childhood sweethearts such a wonderful trope—how well it pairs with others. Think about it. Second chance romances, reunion romances, marriage of convenience, friends to lovers… and that’s not even factoring in the various subgenres like cowboy romance, Southern romance, etc. The options are fairly limitless and equally appealing.

I’ve written a number of friends-to-lovers type books (and read a gazillion more), but childhood sweethearts is something I’ve only played with a couple times in the past year or two. I have to say, though, it’s a lot of fun keeping each story unique!

For example, in This and Every Christmas (which released individually on Oct 1), Noah and Clari met several times as kids. It was fun crafting vignettes in which their annual meetings were memorable enough they’d recognize each other years later. I got to pair this novella with the single dad trope, throw in a tree farm and a music teacher, all under the umbrella of the Christmas romance subgenre.

The sequel to this tale is coming up at the end of the month in the 2021 Christmas Lights collection Home for Christmas (eBook) and individually (paperback) October 26. Now and Forever Christmas is technically a friends-to-more/second chance romance, but since they were young teen sweethearts, I think it sort of counts.

I’m kind of loving this trope right now, if you can’t tell. The third sister will get her HEA in 2022 with Not Another Christmas, but for that one I’m twisting the childhood sweethearts into childhood enemies who gradually discover more. I’ve never done enemies-to-lovers, but that is one of my top five favorite tropes, so I’m kind of excited to finally write one.

And of course, I can’t forget to talk about Braver With You, which is in the upcoming Save the Date collection. I’m sure you’re tired of hearing me talk about this one (LOL! we’re in the home stretch, people!), but I’m really attached to Ashlyn and Conrad. This is the purest (as in, closest to the definition of) childhood sweethearts story I’ve written… or read for that matter, now that I think of it. They’ve only ever loved or dated each other and never faced a potential breakup. From their first pretend wedding as kids to the one they’re stressed over now, there’s never been a doubt in either of their minds that this was forever. These guys are the 2% statistic who defy the odds, and I adore them. Just because they’re sweet, though, doesn’t mean there isn’t trauma or chaos on the horizon they have to work through!

Have I enticed you to check out more of this fun trope? I hope so. And because I love contributing to your already out-of-control TBR pile, I’ve got a great list of other titles in CCR for you to choose from!

Starting with a randomly assembled list from several Inspy Romance authors and a couple others just because I can:

Okay, I’m letting the list get away from me. I know many more of our IR authors and CCR favorites have titles that fall under the “childhood sweethearts” heading, so I will leave the rest to YOU to put in the comments so I can add to my own out-of-control TBR. Influence away, my friends. Tell me why the title you’re commenting with qualifies! At the end of the week, one lucky commenter will be selected at random to win an eBook of their choice between This and Every Christmas or Braver With You (an ARC). Looking forward to reading your comments!

*As an Amazon associate, I may receive a small commission from any links clicked in the lists above.
Fall releases
books

Fall releases

Jaycee Weaver

It’s hard to believe we’re approaching the final quarter of 2021, but here we are! Next month, I have three books coming out!

This and Every Christmas (Sinclair Sisters Book 1) first appeared in last year’s Christmas Lights Collection (Hearts Aglow). It will be available in eBook and paperback October 1. Christmases past and present collide in a humorous yet bittersweet tale of a widowed tree-farm owner and his daughter’s music teacher as they collaborate to create a future worthy of her family’s wacky traditions and his family’s legacy.

Save the Date is FINALLY hitting shelves October 12. We’ve been working on this anthology for well over a year now, but due to many of our authors (and publisher!) facing illnesses, injuries, surgical complications, and the loss of our friend and co-author Marion Ueckermann, we had to push the release date out a month. I can’t wait to share Braver With You with you (ha ha!). This set will only be available for a limited time, so be sure to grab your copy wherever eBooks are sold.

Last but not least, the 2021 Christmas Lights Collection, Home for Christmas, will be out October 28th. Featuring military heroes and heroines from varying branches and occupations, this collection includes the second Sinclair sister’s story, Now and Forever Christmas, as well as tales from Chautona Havig, Cathe Swanson, and Toni Shiloh.

I hope you enjoy these books as much as I’ve enjoyed working on them. Until next time, be blessed!

Jaycee

Christmas Round Robin Christmas Scavenger Hunt Round-Robin: Five Gold Rings (Crossroads Collection Seven)
books · Uncategorized

Christmas Scavenger Hunt Round-Robin: Five Gold Rings (Crossroads Collection Seven)

Jaycee4 Comments

Happy Holidays! Welcome to the next blog post in this Christmas Round-Robin! At each author’s blog post, you will find a question that can be answered by checking out the free Amazon preview of their book. Provide the answer at this Google Form. Note: You must answer the questions for every author in the round -robin correctly to be considered to win the $350 first place, $250 second place or $150 third place Amazon gift cards.[Note: these prizes are USD values. If you are not a U.S. resident, you will get a gift card from the Amazon store for your country; however, it will be valued at these USD amounts.) At the end of my post is a link to the next blog, who will provide a link to the next blog, etc., to the very end.

I’m thrilled to get the chance to tell you about my book Christmas Mercy. This book is the first in the latest Crossroads collection, as well as a spin-off novella featuring characters who appeared in my fourth Everyday Love novel, Whatever Happens Next. Side characters Vera and Edie demanded their own book!

College sweethearts finding themselves unexpectedly pregnant, Rob and Vera got engaged but never made it to the altar. By the time their daughter was a toddler, it was clear something wasn’t right with her eyes, so Rob left to find work out of state but never returned. Vera’s been raising their daughter for seven years with the help of her mother and brother. When Rob shows up out of the clear blue flinging accusations, she doesn’t shy away from clearing up the outrageous lies he’s been told.

From there, rebuilding a relationship with his daughter, figuring out visitation and custody, and deciding to move home for good are just the beginning for Rob. More is going on with his parents than he initially thought, and old feelings for Vera fight their way back despite the false truths he’d believed for so many years.

I love this second chance story because Rob and Vera are two very realistic characters. They made mistakes in their lives before Christ that impact their daily lives today, but now that they’re both believers, they understand the fullness of forgiveness, grace, and especially mercy. Both have a lot to figure out with some very difficult situations, and it’s how they come together and approach life with intention that I really admire.

Five Gold Rings cover imageBefore we get to the question, I’d like to take a moment to shout out to the other four books in this amazing collection! Hallee Bridgeman’s tale, The Seven Year Glitch, features a devious relative who deliberately kept the heroes apart, but once they reunite and discover the truth their second chance is sweet. Lesley Ann McDaniel’s Laughing All The Way is a fun friends-to-more makeover story between two coworkers with big dreams. And in Chautona Havig’s Ghosted At The Altar, a cancelled wedding stuns both the bride and the groom—but a determined younger sister won’t rest until the lovebirds make it down the aisle. Finally, Amanda Tru’s Five Gold Rings ties all of the previous stories together with her own. As always, her book is emotionally gripping and sure to keep those pages turning to the sweetly satisfying conclusion!

Now let’s continue with the scavenger hunt! Go to the book on Amazon at this link and Look inside to find the answer to this question: What form of dementia affects Rob’s father?  When you have the answer, fill out this form and head on to the next blog!

Thank you so much for visiting! The next author on the tour is Jan Christensen with her book, Cairo’s Christmas Journey. Her link is HERE. Remember that you must answer every question from all 35 authors in this collection correctly and the round-robin will end on December 12th at 11:59 PM EST!

A Month of Christmas Books! + Giveaway
Giveaway · Roundup

A Month of Christmas Books! + Giveaway

Jaycee Weaver61 Comments

I have a thing for calendars. There, I’ve admitted it. I love them.

I remember buying my grandmother one for Christmas every year, taking care to choose one with pictures sure to put a smile on her face (usually filled with lots of cats). As an adult, I buy a wide-box calendar for my fridge at the start of a new school year to help manage the family, but I also buy one every December for the upcoming year and hang it in my office. I love to fill it up with ideas and plans and imagine all the things that lie in wait for me.

I like Bible verse flip calendars and funny-quote calendars. We have at least three advent calendars. Then this year, my daughters introduced me to dot journaling (aka bullet journaling). All their pretty Pinterest pins filled with calendars and record keepers and mood trackers, well, bless my calendar loving heart!

So as my holiday gift to you, I’m giving you a calendar of a very different sort—a new Christmas book to read for every day of the month for December 2020! I read a TON of Christmas books every December, so I’m giving you some of my favorites as well as a few new ones on my TBR list. If I haven’t yet read one of the titles on this list, I’ve at least read another (or more) by that author so that you know I’m only recommending titles that meet our Inspy Romance standards.

I hope you enjoy this list of new books, older books, multi-author collections, and more! And above all, I wish you and yours a very blessed holiday season. May the love of Christ be with you, may His life and light infiltrate into the deepest, toughest parts of where you are and bring you joy, peace, and grace in abundance.

And without further ado, I give you:

December 2020

  1.  Mistletoe Kiss by Andrea Boyd. One world record, two best friends, and a ten second kiss that changes everything. A perfect intro to her Spencer family books! (This one on sale and book 2 coming soon!)
  2. A (Kinda) Country Christmas by Krista Phillips. Two (sorta) opposites attract when small-town Christmas shop owner meets a crabby globe trotter. This whole series is a lot of quirky fun!
  3. Nowhere for Christmas by Heather Gray.Two virtual strangers, one teen, and the worst rental car in the history of mankind. Let the road trip begin. I loved this unusual premise!
  4. Something Borrowed by Toni Shiloh, Andrea Boyd, Jaycee Weaver, Mikal Dawn, and Teresa Tysinger. Six friends, five weddings, and one borrowed tiara. Five interconnected stories and SO much wedding fun! (Plus, only 99¢!)
  5. Operation Mistletoe by Elizabeth Maddrey. He raises funds for troops overseas by transforming his acreage into a wonderland and ministry opportunity. Why can’t she trust his intentions are honorable?
  6. Deck the Shelves by Toni Shiloh. Can two people hesitant on second chances find love as they Deck the Shelves? A bookshop owner heroine is just the start of what makes this one a delight.
  7. Ordinary Snowflakes by Jennifer Rodewald. A single mom, a snowy Christmas, and a Secret Santa gift. Perhaps her romance days aren’t over after all. This one’s hero is unlikely but swoony.
  8. Once Upon a Christmas (Christmas Card Series 3) by Amanda Tru. I very much enjoyed all 3 in this series!
    A once upon a Christmas inspires her story. Her ever after changes the world.
  9. A Christmas Romance Collection by Angela Ruth Strong, Kimberly Rose Johnson, Miralee Ferrell, and Vickie McDonough. Six heart-warming holiday romances from best-selling, award-winning authors.
  10. Not Until Christmas Morning by Valerie M. Bodden. She’s a fixer… He’s about as broken as they come… Can they learn to turn to God for healing and hope this Christmas? Again, I ADORE this whole series.
  11. Hearts Aglow (Christmas Lights 2020) by Chautona Havig, Cathe Swanson, Toni Shiloh, and Jaycee Weaver. Okay, so yes, I have a book in this collection. But the other three are worth recommending because they are so very excellent! Trust me. Tons of fun packed into these pages!
  12. Merry Kisses by Valerie Comer. Disillusioned by the over-commercialization of Christmas, the last new job she expects to find is as a mall elf working for the guy who got her fired from the last one.
  13. Second Chance Christmas by Merrillee Wren. I’m a sucker for a second chance marriage romance! This one sounds great (hang on while I add it to my TBR).
  14. A Match Made at Christmas by Courtney Walsh. This one is still on my TBR, but I love Courtney Walsh’s books! So much emotion packed into her pages. In this, years of friendship deepen into something more (squee!).
  15. Enchanted by Melissa Tagg. No one, and I mean NO one writes a novella like Melissa Tagg. And this trio is my FAVORITE. I could read them every year (and I hardly ever re-read anything).
  16. Restoring Christmas by Julie Arduini. Her last name might be Christmas, but she’s not the best example of holiday cheer to his students. Does he have what it takes to help her restore a town legacy and find her Christmas spirit?
  17. Beautiful Storm by Mandi Blake. I haven’t yet read Inspy newcomer Mandi Blake, but I plan to rectify that this Christmas! Two lonely, wounded hearts in need of healing in Christ PLUS that intriguing cover? You betcha!
  18. When Snowflakes Never Cease by Hallee Bridgeman, Amanda Tru, Alana Terry, Chautona Havig, and Jaycee Weaver. Five interconnected stories during a record breaking snowstorm as two doctors risk everything to find a dying girl’s father in this tear-jerker collection from 2019. I also recommend the other Crossroads collections!
  19. Tropical Kiss and Tell by Liwen Y. Ho. After two snowy days, I thought you might appreciate this tropical treat for a reprieve! They’ve been lifelong friends. This Christmas, does he let her marry another man or break up her engagement to make this the most memorable one of their lives?
  20. Seaside Christmas by Narelle Atkins. After a visit to the tropics, let’s head to Sydney, Australia for a little more Christmas-on-the-beach fun in this heart-warming novella.
  21. A Husband for Holly by Marion Ueckermann. While we’re traveling, let’s pop over to the UK and hang out with the Blume sisters, all of whom are delightful!
  22. Holiday Town by Jenn Faulk. We’ll continue our travels to Namibia and join a missionary family as they adapt to a whole new culture. I’ve read ALL of Jenn’s books and can’t recommend them enough.
  23. First Class Christmas by Katy Eeten. Let’s fly back to the USA with two strangers who find an instant connection on their flight home. This one’s up high on my December TBR list. I always enjoy Katy’s books!
  24. Love, Laughter, and Luminarias by Jaycee Weaver. Yeah, yeah, I’m promoting my own book on your calendar. But seriously, I LOVE these two so much that I made it only 99¢ for the whole month and the paperback’s new this year for only $6.99. It’s so much fun, I would love it even if someone else had written it.
  25. Once Upon a Silent Night by Kimberly Rae Jordan. I haven’t read her in a while, but I do love a good KRJ book. Out of reach dreams, sacrifices, a mob family, and two people trying to build a new life? Sign me up!
  26. Honey For the Holidays by Jessica R. Patch. Again, I LOVE this whole series! He’s got a plan but it requires the help of his ex, who despises him for all the wrong reasons.
  27. Better Than First by Kari Trumbo. I liked this 2018 release a lot! She’s too driven to see past her ice dreams, but her best friend plans to prove there’s more to life…including love.
  28. Winter Wishes by Tara Grace Ericson. Secrets, dreams, and insecurities keep these two friends from seeking more. Can’t wait to dive into this one, either! I just loved the first in the series.
  29. A Merry Miracle in Romance by Melanie Snitker. Haven’t read a book of hers that I haven’t loved. This whole series, each book a different author, looks totally awesome and is connected by their town!
  30. Love and Harmony by Sally Bayless. She’s got something to prove, he just wants to keep his job. There’s a whole lot packed into this one, and I really enjoyed it!
  31. Melodies of Christmas Love by numerous authors. Okay, so there are a LOT of authors I like in this one set. Plus, I mean, Christmas AND music? Definitely in my TBR for this year. At only 99¢ for 7 books, this one is a steal.

Aaaaaand, last but not least, just for fun, here’s one for New Year’s Day, January 1, 2021. A New Year’s Kiss by Delaney Cameron. I liked all of the clean, inspirational books in the Finding Love series. This one was wonderful, with two people coming to terms with life not turning out how they’d envisioned.

Well, there you have it! Thirty two titles that easily work out to closer to 50 actual books. And since it’s Christmas and I feel like giving a few books away, I’m going to choose TWO winners from the comments to receive a copy of Love, Laughter, and Luminarias—WINNER’S CHOICE of format (eBook OR paperback!). What are YOUR favorite Christmas titles? Have you read any of the above (let us know what you thought!)? Winner will be chosen at random and announced in the Sunday edition later in December. Entries close on Friday 12/4 at 11:59pm MST.

Merry Christmas and many blessings!

December 2020 It’s finally DECEMBER, you guys!
books · Uncategorized

It’s finally DECEMBER, you guys!

Jaycee

And boy, what a month it’s going to be. I’ve got a ton of bookish things on my calendar that I want to share with you, and I hope you’ll stop by and participate in some of them! Especially because most of the news I’m sharing involves tons of giveaways for books and Amazon gift cards (and who doesn’t want all that this time of year?)!

If you aren’t already subscribed, I highly recommend joining my email newsletter. Not only will you receive a free book, it’s the best way to get the latest updates. I try to only email 1-2x a month and make it worthwhile and not overly salesy. Yeah, I know, that’s not really a word (though it definitely IS a feeling, am I right?).

Okay, so here you go, with links and all, come join the fun:

December 1 — Becoming Us release day! It’s available NOW in paperback AND eBook, and is FREE to read via Kindle Unlimited. This collaboration with Jenn Faulk is one of my favorite projects of my writing career so far! We’d greatly appreciate your reviews when you’re finished (your honest reviews, however simple, are essential!).

December 2 — I’m blogging over on Inspy Romance! I’ve crafted a post FILLED with excellent reading options to last you the whole month long, and I’ll be choosing one lucky winner from the comments to receive a copy of Love, Laughter, and Luminarias!

Bookish Advent Giveaway

December 1-24 — The Bookish Advent Giveaway by Chautona Havig features 24 days of book giveaways from Christian authors (including ME!) PLUS a $350 Amazon gift card grand prize! Check daily on Instagram, IGTV, Facebook, and HERE to enter.

December 1-31 — A HUGE Christian eBook giveaway happening over here all month long. Discover some great new-to-you Christian authors and get free books, including my newsletter exclusive, Just Say Yes, plus a chance to win a $30 gift card to the eBook retailer of your choice.

December 7-12 — I’ve teamed up with Celebrate Lit for their 2nd Annual Merry Christmas Readers event. Enter for your chance to win 45+ books or a $500 Amazon card to buy a ton of books yourself! The link to enter is HERE, but it won’t be active until the 7th, so check back then.

Christmas Round Robin

December 6-12 — Hallee Bridgeman is hosting her annual Christmas blog scavenger hunt! With 35+ authors participating, we’ll be awarding $350 Amazon gift card for first place, $250 Amazon card for second, and $150 Amazon card for third. The fun begins Sunday the 6th, and all scavenger hunt answers can be found using Amazon’s “Look inside” feature! START HERE on the 6th and follow the links at the bottom to enter and then visit the next post for their clue.

December 7-20 — Something Borrowed goes on tour with the amazing bloggers at Celebrate Lit! This super fun collection will make nearly 30 stops with spotlights and reviews, and for readers, a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card, a set of 4 jewel pens, and a custom designed box of assorted chocolates from Chocglitz and Cream!

Love, Laughter, and Luminarias cover

December 22 — I’ll be sharing the story-behind-the-story on Love, Laughter, and Luminarias over on Alexis Goring’s Romantic Reads blog and giving away a copy to one lucky recipient! Also, did you see that I FINALLY got this one put into paperback? Yay!

Okay, that’s it. (Whew!) I’m tired already and the fun is just beginning today. But praise the Lord, His mercies are new every morning and He is faithful to sustain me through the season. He’s faithful to sustain YOU, too, if you only turn to Him and ask!

As you enjoy all the blessings (and probably a few hardships) of this holiday season, I pray you will find love, joy, and peace in abundance. I pray you and yours will find grace and mercy when you need it most and expect it least. I pray you will remember the Greatest Gift, that of our Savior Jesus Christ, who loves you infinitely more than you can imagine.

Be blessed and happy reading!

The Fruits of Faith and Peace
Devotional Thought · New Releases

The Fruits of Faith and Peace

Jaycee Weaver14 Comments

The Fruits of Peace and JoyI’ve been a Christian so long that, at times, it’s been easy to take my faith for granted. Dry seasons, wandering seasons, passionately in love with Him seasons.

Every frustrating dry season when I long to hear His voice but for some reason can’t inevitably ends up with a hard self-examination and facing my need to weed out the parts that aren’t bringing Him glory or redirect myself onto the path He’s chosen.

But the fruits of those seasons are always a rich harvest for which I am thankful. Each season has come with life lessons and helped shape me into a more empathetic person full of grace (toward everyone but myself, sadly).

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. There is no law against these things! – Galatians 5:22-23 NLT

The last bit always cracks me up. Do you ever hear people rant, “There ought to be a law!” about one frustrating thing or another? I imagine the religious lawmakers of Paul’s day said it a lot. And while there is no law against the fruits of the spirit, growing them in our daily lives is certainly no easier than following the Old Testament law.

By now, we can agree that 2020 has been a YEAR. Patience runs thin (which is the most difficult fruit of the spirit to grow anyway, IMO). Kindness, goodness, and gentleness are hard to find if you’re watching the news or other media, though if you look around in real life, you’ll find them like plants flourishing in the shade. Same goes for love and joy. I won’t even get started on self-control (hello, extra pounds).

I started out the year writing two books. The first, my final novel in the Everyday Love series which released in May. The second, Always Been Yours, part of the Something Borrowed collection with several of my dearest author friends. Hanady and Keenan’s friends-to-more story came together just how I envisioned. I wasn’t sure what the rest of my writing year held, but I trusted the Lord to show me the way.

Then… in came invitations from two more collections for this Christmas. Peace settled into my spirit while praying about joining them, so I did. And then came quarantine and stay-home orders, giving me more dedicated time to write than ever. With three commitments, I needed every second. Unfortunately, though I exercised self-discipline and saw that fruit grow in abundance, joy and peace began shriveling on the vine.

I finished my second book and excitedly began work on the third, a spin-off from my May release Whatever Happens Next. Rob and Vera’s story came pouring out in the beginning. By the time I hit the middle of Christmas Mercy for the seventh Crossroads collection, though, I struggled. Anxiety and self-doubt strangled my peace.

This was early summer when we were all growing weary of quarantine, our state remaining closed, and mourning all of our canceled plans. Still, I faithfully continued to write and work through the emotions and lack of peace and was overwhelmed by God’s reminder in my life of His mercy. His grace. His good gifts even when we’re a mess inside.

As I made plans to begin my final novella of the year, fear wanted to settle in and make its mark. I had to faithfully practice trust and fight off the doubts of the enemy while also resting in the promise that if God called me to it, He would equip me for it. And because He is faithful, He answered my fervent prayers and expanded my creativity to write This and Every Christmas, part of Hearts Aglow (The Christmas Lights Collection 2020). This story is unlike anything else I’ve ever written. How I wrote it was different, too. It grew me and stretched me and through it I learned so much about the kind of storyteller He calls me to be.

It also reminded me of the words in John 15:5. Apart from Him, I can do nothing. My vine will wither, the fruits shrivel, and words fail. He is the vine from which I grow, from which the fruits of my spirit will grow. These three books are the fruits of faithfulness and self-discipline as I sought peace despite my anxieties. They bring joy to my heart and are a strong reminder of what a big, wonderful God we serve. How He loves me through every up and down and calls me to do the same with Him (and others!). Seeing them out in the world, knowing how much they’ve been prayed and labored over is a tangible bit of each fruit that God has worked in me through 2020.

What fruits are flourishing in you this year? Are you struggling with any? How can I pray for or encourage you?

Be sure to comment, or if you’d prefer, you can always email jaycee@jayceeweaver.com or message me on Facebook. If you’d like to hear more devotional thoughts or stay current on what’s happening in my writer life, you can also subscribe to my irregularly delivered newsletter https://jayceeweaver.com/newsletter (and receive a free book).

Blessings!