Lenora Worth | The Making of Sleigh Bells Ring
GIVEAWAY: a copy of SLEIGH BELLS RING
November 19, 2016
In the South, we get excited about our stories. When we hear someone shout,
“Y’all ain’t gonna believe this!” we all gather round because we want to hear
what they are about to tell us. This story is kind of like that. Only unlike a good Southern storyteller, I will
not embellish this. It’s true. All of it. So earlier this year, I was at my desk, hard at work. Okay, I might have been
doing some online shoe shopping but … I was trying to work, when I got an e-mail
from Sandie Bricker. The Sandie Bricker. She asked if I’d be interested in
writing a novella that would include four stories. She wanted to pitch the idea
to a publisher she knew I’d worked with before. I immediately said “Yes.” When she told me that Barbara Scott and Lynette Sowell would be involved, I was
even more delighted. Meantime, in a land full of brokenhearted dreams and
gorgeous boots (Nashville) two very savvy publishing world women were talking
back and forth and when Barbara Scott mentioned to her friend Sue Brower that
she was working on this novella collection, Sue’s eyes lit up. She suggested
Barbara send it to her since she’d just signed on as executive editor with
Gilead Publishing. Oh, and could we change the setting to Christmas? My e-mail started dinging like a cowbell. We were all in, of course. Oh, and
could we have the novellas done by April. We said yes. This was March. Okay, so that’s a good story in itself, right? But this is where it gets even
better. This is where you know God had this all along and why were you even
worried. We start writing away, comparing notes, brainstorming, laughing and …
we bonded. I’d know all of these women from afar and admired them all so much.
But in the middle of this I’d just moved into a new house and I was in my
office, organizing away with one hand while I typed away with the other. (Okay,
that might be an embellishment). I happened upon an old folder where I’d printed
out some e-mails from readers and when I opened it, this is the first thing I found:
Dated 5/6/99
Hi.
Do you write under the name Lenora Worth? If so, I just read “The Wedding Quilt”
and I just had to seek you out and tell you how deeply it touched me! I am a
writer, too. I have three young adult novellas published, and am in the process
of trying to break into inspirational romance.
At one time, I was director of the children’s department at my church and I
identified greatly with the heroine, and the story had the kind of inner and
outside tension to keep me turning the ages WAY LONGER than I should have each
evening!
I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed it. You’re an exceptional writer!
Unless, of course, you aren’t Lenora Worth. Then … never mind :-)
Sandie Bricker
I sat there, holding the letter that I had printed out and saved, tears falling
down my face. Seventeen years ago and I saved that e-mail. And I found it on the
very week we’d all gotten the news that our stories would be published by Gilead
Publishing. But this is the real story. No embellishments, no gimmicks, no doubt. Just God,
doing what he does. I am so honored to be a part of this collection and I hope
to work with these women again in the future. And ya’ll can believe this!
Lenora Worth writes romance and romantic suspense for Love Inspired Books,
Tule Publishing and Gilead Publishing. Three of her books finaled in the ACFW
Carol Awards and she’s been an RT Reviewer’s Choice finalist. “Logan’s Child”
won the 1998 Best Love Inspired for RT and recently she received an RT Pioneer
of Romance Award. Her LI Suspense “Body of Evidence” became a NY Times
Bestseller. Also a Publisher’s Weekly and USA Today Bestseller, she is now
listed on the RWA Honor Roll. With seventy-five books published and millions in
print, she loves adventures with her retired husband, reading, baking and
shopping … especially shoe shopping.
Four Contemporary Romance Novellas
Santa Claus is coming to town, and so are the Tucker sisters.
Never mind a pony. The Tucker girls have inherited their father’s horse farm
for Christmas. Make that . . . a run-down horse farm. It needs some serious TLC
in order to make it sell-ready. Joanna knows that by recruiting her sisters and
one handsome ranch hand they can fix up the place and even celebrate one last
Christmas while they’re at it. However, to Isabella, returning to their home in
Kentucky bluegrass country for Christmas seems like an impossible hurdle. Can
her Chicago boyfriend make life merry and bright again?
One thing’s for sure—nothing is peace on earth for Sophia as a new beau
brings up old wounds. And when the fate of the horse farm is put in jeopardy
because Amy accidentally fraternizes with the enemy, tensions rise. But it’s not
like the land developer stole Christmas . . . just her heart. Can the
Tucker sisters have themselves a merry little Christmas?
Inspirational Romance
| Holiday | Romance Contemporary
[Gilead Publishing, On Sale: October 14, 2016,
Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9781683700074 / eISBN: 9781683700111]
Comments
25 comments posted.
Re: Lenora Worth | The Making of Sleigh Bells Ring
Yes, they can...I know it! (Kathleen Bylsma 1:54pm November 19, 2016)
How cool is this!?! Sweet story, thanks for sharing! (Mrs. Lopez 1:56pm November 19, 2016)
I love your blog and can't wait to read this book! Thanks for the great giveaway!!! (Bonnie Capuano 8:38am November 20, 2016)
Thanks for this lovely giveaway. (Sharon Berger 5:18pm November 20, 2016)
Loved reading your Blog and can't wait to read your book. (Carol Woodruff 7:05pm November 20, 2016)
How wonderful. Thanks for sharing with us. I'm looking forward to reading Sleigh Bells Ring. Carol L Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com (Carol Luciano 7:33pm November 20, 2016)
Sounds like a great read and one for the Hallmark Channel. (Leona Olson 9:44am November 21, 2016)
The cover on this book is beautiful. And the story sounds great. Thanks for the chance to win. (Nancy Reynolds 9:58am November 21, 2016)
fingers crossed (Patricia Wagner 11:58am November 21, 2016)
That's got to be one of the best feelings as an author to know how your stories touch our peoples lives. (Jamie Stein 2:08pm November 21, 2016)
What a wonderful novella collection. Sounds perfect for holiday reading. I love Sandie's comments and encouragement to you. I am sure you will have many wonderful memories of her to cherish. How wonderful that four very talented ladies got together for this special book. (Maryann Skaritka 3:19pm November 21, 2016)
would love to read your book sounds great (Jean Benedict 3:58pm November 21, 2016)
What a great feeling i have been feeling down as i am disabled and can't drive so it;s hard for me to get others presents and now after reading this it has given me a good feeling. I look forward to the book and would love to share reviews on a few sites. (Peggy Clayton 12:31pm November 22, 2016)
Sounds like a great read! I haven't read any of Ms. Worth's novels for a while, but I know they are always top-notch! Thank you for the opportunity to win! (Jeanie Dannheim 12:54pm November 22, 2016)
Novellas are great reading when you are pressed for time during the holiday season. (Sue Farrell 4:03pm November 22, 2016)
Of course, the Tucker sisters can have a sweet holiday. They seem like strong women who don't hold back whether it's a love that needs nurturing or an animal that needs extra loving. I love anthologies and novellas especially ones that are themed or follow a piece of furniture, art, or jewelry over time and with different people interacting in each story. (Alyson Widen 5:11pm November 22, 2016)
Sounds like a great read. (Stephanie Allen 5:19pm November 22, 2016)
I would love to read this! A Christmas romance and horses! Thanks for the chance! (Tanja Dancy 5:30pm November 22, 2016)
What a wonderful book! I'm sure the Tucker sisters can have a lovely Christmas. Thanks for the great giveaway. (Bonnie H 9:17pm November 22, 2016)
Congratulations on your latest project, and on your latest book!! I'm looking forward to reading it!! Who can't pass up a book about a Kentucky horse farm, with a little romance thrown in, along with family??? When you make it a Christmas book to boot, you know I'll be there!! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!! I know that I will - NOW!! (Peggy Roberson 8:17am November 23, 2016)
Looks like a lot of twists and turns. Makes it more interesting. Thanks for this opportunity. (Nancy Luebke 10:49pm November 23, 2016)
Horses! As a horseperson, I cannot resist. (Irene Menge 9:14am November 24, 2016)
Looks like a very interesting book to read. Happy Holidays! (Mary Smith 11:16am November 25, 2016)
Yes, they can have a happy Christmas on the horse farm. I know there will be lots of anxious moments for them, but that's okay. By the way, I loved the letter you saved. It brightened my day. (Anna Speed 12:29pm November 25, 2016)
I would love to read the book to see if they can have a good Christmas, but of course we know they will (Jeri Dickinson 3:40pm November 25, 2016)
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