Fresh Fiction Blog | Victoria James | As 2012 Comes to a Close...

I'm wondering how this year went by so quickly. Certain years I'm glad to say goodbye too-to the trials that left a sour note. Last New Year's Eve, I remember gratefully toasting away the end of 2011. We'd had a move, a new school, and a cancer diagnosis that took us all by surprise. This year though, it feels like we've turned a corner. Last year's worry has been replaced by gratitude and a new understanding of how quickly life moves, and how fleeting time with our loved ones can be. This year, I know my family will be toasting to the wonderful news that after a successful round of radiation treatment, my father is cancer free. We just received the news last week-and it's the best Christmas gift we could have ever asked for. The gift of health, the gift of time, of being able to create more memories has just been handed to us. My children will have more time with their Nonno, my mother will have more time with her husband, and I'll have more time with my father.

Growing up in a North-American-Italian family, the holidays were always filled with an abundance of family, food, and drama. Cousins, grandparents, aunts, uncles, parents, would gather, loads of homemade food would be eaten, and new memories created. The crowd was loud and the toasts with homemade wine were plenty. As the years went on, the traditions continued. As a child, these things were absolutes; no thought was given to the days in the future when certain family members would no longer be with us. Grandparents and great-aunts and uncles have passed on, and new generations have joined us. Now that I'm an adult, married, and have two young children of my own, holding onto the precious memories and traditions, while still creating new ones, is crucial. The holidays without family just wouldn't feel right. I am blessed to be surrounded by so many loved ones.

A few years ago I began wondering what if I hadn't grown up with anyone? What if I didn't know my family, know who my parents were? What if I never had a home, a place that was my own? Would I want a family when I grew up? Or would I want to be alone, not really knowing how to be in a family, or how to trust someone enough to be in a lasting relationship?

Or, what if for the first few years of my life I had grown up in an idyllic family and then my world came crashing down around me? If the person nearest and dearest to me died, and no one in the family could pick up the pieces again? As an adult would I yearn for those days and try and recreate that special time in my life? Or would the pain of the loss prevent me from ever wanting to take the chance at such meaningful love?

In my new release, THE BILLIONAIRE'S CHRISTMAS BABY, Jackson Pierce had a perfect childhood-until a death changed everything. The tragedy shattered his family, and he grew to hate the holidays, and everything that reminded him of the people he had lost. Hannah Woods, the woman who is about to challenge all his beliefs grew up with nothing, with no one. And yet, it is Hannah who teaches him the importance of family ties, and the power of forgiveness. Somehow, the two of them must overcome their pasts and find a way to be the family that both of them secretly desire...

How about you? What are you most grateful for this year? One commenter will win a copy of THE BILLIONAIRE'S CHRISTMAS BABY

Comments

Without a doubt -- the health of our family!
I'm glad to know your father's doing well!!
(Cate Sparks 3:38pm December 27, 2012)

I am grateful for my family! They are there whenever I need them.
(Colleen Conklin 3:45pm December 27, 2012)

Family and friends that you can always count on. I have so
many and I need each and every one. This story sounds great.
I'd love to win.
(Mary Hay 4:07pm December 27, 2012)

I'm most grateful for my husband, my pets, and our good health.
(Sue Farrell 4:10pm December 27, 2012)

I am most grateful for our family. We added 2 new members
this year, my brother's fiance and her little girl. They
are still in shock going from only having long distance
relations to hoard of inlaws and nieces and nephews nearby.
(6 siblings + spouses + kids multiplies rapidly.) But it
wouldn't be the Holidays without the joy of having everyone
around.

Best wishes on your Father's continued good health! Merry
Christmas and Happy New Year.
(Judith Cauthan 4:53pm December 27, 2012)

I am grateful for my husbands good health.
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 5:11pm December 27, 2012)

most grateful i have a job when so many do not.thanks
(Debbi Shaw 5:26pm December 27, 2012)

I'm grateful for family, friends, my health, and having a job in this economy.

Have a Happy New Year.
(Kai Wong 5:27pm December 27, 2012)

I agree with you that having family and health is so important. Your book sounds so great, best of luck!
(Renee Pajda 5:37pm December 27, 2012)

I'm unemployed. My car died. My mobile home had damage from Sandy. Had no power for more than 14 days (lost all the food in the fridge). My son, who is also unemployed, lives too far away for me to visit him and my grandkids very often. So what am I grateful for? Hope. If there were no such thing as hope, many folks would give up. Hope keeps us going through the dark times because there is usually something good that happens.
(Irene Menge 5:37pm December 27, 2012)

I don't know. The gkids probably. And finally getting to see the you gets
one. But not really feeling things. My mom died this year & Christmas &
NYEve were her fave times. So it is hard.
(Penny Mettert 5:43pm December 27, 2012)

I am grateful for my and my husbands good health and also being married to a wonderful husband for 46 years
(Shirley Younger 6:18pm December 27, 2012)

I'm thankful that my family is happy & healthy!

Happy Holidays & thanks for the amazing giveaway!
(Elizabeth Hyatt 6:38pm December 27, 2012)

I'm grateful that I have a roof over my head, which was something I wasn't sure about a couple of years ago, when we lost our house, and were living in our pop-up camper. I'm also thankful for the few things that we've been able to accumulate since then, because my family turned their back on my Husband and me, and we had to start pretty much from scratch. I'm thankful that my Husband is still here by my side, because he's been an Angel to help me through some serious health issues that are permanant, and not pleasant to deal with. I think he'll agree with me that the one thing we're most thankful for this year are our 2 kittens that we decided to take into our house this year. We needed some life in our place, and our dog passed away a few months after we moved into our new place. We never got over it, and there was always a void in our place. These 2 balls of fur have come here at the right time, even though it's a bit of a squeeze on the budget. We wouldn't change a thing!! When I read the excerpt about your book, it took my breath away!! It was almost like a parallel to my life!! I can't wait to read it!! Have a very Happy and Healthy New Year!!
(Peggy Roberson 7:14pm December 27, 2012)

I'm grateful for all my blessings. It wasn't the best year and hopefully next year will be better, but it's important to see a glass as half full rather than half empty.
The book sounds like a fun lighthearted read and that is what I'm in the mood for right now.
(Monica Vargo 7:33pm December 27, 2012)

I now have a new job after being laid off for 13 months.
(Susan Atkins 7:33pm December 27, 2012)

I am thankful that my husband, my kids & I are all in good health. Have a very Happy New Year!
(Sharlene Wegner 8:37pm December 27, 2012)

I'm grateful to have my husband (who is a Marine) home for the holidays.
(Kristin Bingham 9:06pm December 27, 2012)

Family - especially my new great-nephew!
(Diane Sallans 9:22pm December 27, 2012)

I am grateful to be happy with the lifestyle I have chosen/ended up with. Never expected to end up where I am (me a housewife? Never would have guessed that when I started college, lol.), yet I am happier than I ever expected to be. Slower, more aware of life and family. I don't take as many things for granted, yet am able to enjoy the little things in my life.
Mostly, I am thankful for my hubby being insinc with my enjoyment of the with simple things in life.

[email protected]
(Victoria Colyer-Kerr 9:44pm December 27, 2012)

My and my husband's continued good health! As my granddaughter says, we're not getting any younger!! Happy New Year everyone.
(Martha Lawson 10:27pm December 27, 2012)

I am so happy that I was able to spend Christmas with my family. I "ran away" to
college way out of state and never moved home, now it's hard to see them due
to work. Having my sister and nephew come to me for Christmas was amazing.
Not having to Skype those memories is absolutely priceless.
(Kelly Mullins 10:36pm December 27, 2012)

I was most grateful that this Christmas all my family was able to get together and everyone was so happy!
(p c 10:46pm December 27, 2012)

I'm very grateful for my family, we had a wonderful Christmas together. Would love to win. Happy New Year !
(Linda Hall 10:59pm December 27, 2012)

My year started off like the economy, in a state of depression but keeping head above water. Then it picked up and my family made progress all year. Now I am making positive plans for 2013. So to those above who are having bad times, I respect what you are going through and hope your life improves quickly in 2013.
(Clare O'Beara 7:55am December 28, 2012)

Grateful that the family was able to celebrate the holidays together and that all are well.
(Mary C 10:17am December 28, 2012)

im grateful for my fiance, my home , my family and friends
(Danielle McDonald 1:07pm December 28, 2012)

I'm grateful for my family and that everyone's in good health, that my oldest son found a wonderful wife and they are expecting twins (a boy & a girl) in a few months, and having a nice home and one smart, terrific 7-yr. old grandson, of my youngest son, to keep me smiling.
(Linda Luinstra 4:57pm December 28, 2012)

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Victoria James | As 2012 Comes to a Close...

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