Smorgasbord Bookshelf 2022- Share an Extract from your latest book #Romance – Love, Me – A Christmas Wish Novel by Jacquie Biggar

In this series you are invited to share an extract of 500 words from your most recent book published within the last 12 months. Details at the end of the post.

The aim of the series

1. To showcase your latest book and sell some more copies.
2. Gain more reviews for the book.
3. Promote a selection of your other books that are available.

Today an extract from the romantic Christmas story Love, Me by Jacquie Biggar a book I enjoyed very much and reviewed in January

About the book

Will a Christmas wish bring two lonely hearts together and give a little girl the family she’s always wanted?

Single parent, Grace Donovan arrives in the small town of Emerson with the hope a trial program at the local cancer clinic will be the answer to prolonging her young daughter’s life. She doesn’t expect to fall for her handsome boss.

As principal of Emerson Elementary, Kyle Roberts is aware of the students’ medical issues and his heart goes out to little Cassie Donovan and her mother. When he learns Grace needs a job, he fabricates a childcare program, and is pleasantly surprised by its success. Now, if only he could help Cassie’s recovery and get Grace to give him a chance before she learns of his duplicity.

Cassie Donovan barely remembers the father who died when she was just a toddler, but she does know her mother is sad. Even though Cassie wants a puppy more than anything, she gives up her wish to ask for a daddy from Santa Claus, that way if she gets sick again, Mommy won’t be alone.

This Christmas, two families are brought together by a Christmas wish and a child’s need for a miracle.

Love, Me
A Christmas Wish Novel by Jacquie Biggar

Cassie Donovan leaned over the notepaper her mom had given her and concentrated on getting her Christmas wish to Santa Claus just right. Mom warned her to take her time, because once it was in the mail and on the way to the North Pole there was no changing it.

And Cassie wanted to be sure.

Trouble was there were two things she really wanted, but she could only choose one. Momma said it was selfish to ask Santa to make extra gifts for every kid, he was busy enough, so she was supposed to choose the one thing she wanted the most. More than anything, Cassie dreamed of having her very own puppy. She almost got one a couple of years ago for her birthday, but then Daddy got sick…

She glanced up at her mom, but she was busy making their dinner, so she went back to carefully printing out her letter.

Dear Santa,

Mommy wants me to choose a special present for Christmas—it was going to be a puppy—but I was wondering if I could trade it for a gift for my mom?

She’s been sad for a really long time, and I was hoping you could bring us a new Daddy so she’s not alone anymore?

I promise to be a really good girl for the whole year!

Thank you, Santa
Cassie

“Just about done, honey? Dinner is nearly ready. You need to wash your hands.” Mom carried a steaming casserole dish to the table. “Can I see what you’ve got so far?”

Panicking, Cassie hurried to fold the note and stuff it into an envelope with the Santa Claus, North Pole, H0H 0H0, address on the front. “It’s bad luck if anyone but Santa sees it,” she said, knowledgeably. “Mrs. Samson told us to keep it a secret.”

Mom slapped the potholders together and smiled. “She did, did she? Well, I hope you practiced your very neatest spelling, then. Santa needs to be able to read it.”

Cassie nodded. “I did, Mommy. Are you going to write one?”

Mom tapped Cassie’s nose. “I don’t need to; I have everything I want right here. Now hurry and wash your hands, I’m starving.”

Cassie set the letter aside and hopped down from her chair to scamper into the bathroom.

Maybe next year she could wish for a puppy.

* * *

Grace waited until her daughter closed the bathroom door to reach for the envelope she’d left behind. She felt a twinge of guilt for snooping, but Cassie had been remarkably quiet about what she wanted for Christmas this year. They’d been through a tough time, the two of them, and now that they’d made the move to a new home in a new town, she wanted to bring back some joy into the holidays.

Curious whether Cassie had asked for the latest doll or maybe one of those bake sets like she’d received as a child, Grace unfolded the note and started to read. Her eyes teared up.

David would be so proud of his girl.

She lifted her head and gazed at the ceiling, as though he could see her. “She’s just like you, you know. Always thinking of others instead of herself. Her teacher tells me Cassie is shy and withdrawn, but kind and courteous. She never used to be shy. Remember when she ran up to that stranger who dropped her scarf? I had a mild heart attack, and you laughed and said, ‘That’s my girl.’”

She blinked away the tears and carefully refolded the letter before replacing it in the envelope. Maybe some people thought her crazy for still talking to her husband, but she didn’t care. So far as she and Cassie were concerned, he was still with them, even if it was only in their hearts.

The moment Cassie left the washroom, her gaze searched the table until she spotted the letter and let out a gusty sigh. “Can we post this tomorrow, Mom? I don’t want to take any chances. Santa has to see my message.”

Great. How was she to explain without giving away the fact she’d snooped, that there were some wishes Santa Claus couldn’t fulfill?

One of the recent reviews for the book

Jo 5.0 out of 5 stars Heartwarming story Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2022

I loved this beautiful story it was so very heartwarming. “Love Me” by Jacque Biggar is a wonderful holiday read about a mother (Grace) and her daughter (Cassie) who is fighting leukemia. Grace and Cassie (who lost husband/father about years ago) move to a new town to try an experimental treatment, and luckily an anonymous donor covers the expenses.

I enjoyed reading the story as it was told from both the mother and daughter’s point of view. The little girl struggling to appear normal to her classmates, not wanting them to know about her illness. The mother so independent not wanting charity, her strength and caring shine throughout the story as a powerful symbol of love.

The author’s writing so full of emotion, I could literally feel the emotion behind Grace’s struggles, also Cassie and her fear for her mom if she was not there. Wanting Santa to find a man for her mom. The story brought tears to my eyes many times as I was reading. I could not stop reading and wish it had not ended when it did. I highly recommend the book.

Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – and: Amazon UK

A small selection of Jacquie’s other books

About Jacquie Biggar

Jacquie Biggar is a USA Today bestselling author of romance who loves to write about tough, alpha males and strong, contemporary women willing to show their men that true power comes from love. She lives on Vancouver Island with her husband and loves to hear from readers all over the world!

 

Thank you for dropping in today and I hope you will be leaving with some books.. Sally

What will be in the post and how to get in touch

• • • I will top and tail in the usual way with your other books and links, bio, photo and social media.
    • I will also select a review from Amazon or Goodreads that I feel has the best selling pitch for the book.
    • If your book is very recent and as yet has not received a review then I will share one from a previous book.
      
    • This series is open to all authors both those on the Bookshelf or new to the blog
    • I suggest an extract of approximately 500 words or a poem that you feel best reflects the theme of your collection.
    • If you have an illustration or images you can attach to the email for me to include. No need to send the cover as I will have that or will access from Amazon.
    • If you have not featured on the blog before then I will need Amazon link, Goodreads, blog or website plus your social media links (main three you use)
    • Please send your extract and any accompanying images to sally.cronin@moyhill.com