On tour with Prism Book Tours.
We’re highlighting 13 FREE short stories by beloved Harlequin Heartwarming authors available from Harlequin during November. All Heartwarming titles are 30% OFF during November from Harlequin as well! Use code HEART1115.
TODAY’S FREE SHORT STORY:
The Sweetheart Tree by Rula Sinara
Environmental activist Serena Myss has a reputation for not shying away from difficult situations, yet memories of her brother’s death and Austin—the man who’d failed to save him—have kept her from returning home for years. But when she hears that the tree she and Austin once carved their initials in and shared their first kiss under is getting cut down by Thanksgiving, she has a new fight on her hands. That oak and the fields around it are a centuries old wildlife habitat, but if she can’t bring herself to admit that the tree and land aren’t the only things worth fighting for…she stands to lose more than just memories.
For officer Austin Shale, building a teen center on the land behind his home isn’t only about helping kids to stay out of trouble…it’s about clearing away the past and any reminders of the girl next door—the girl he thought he’d spend forever with. He refuses to survive another Thanksgiving with the pain of blame and heartbreak or looking out on the tree that reminds him of growing up with and falling for Serena Myss. The last thing he expects to be thankful for this year is finding her tied to their tree in protest…and getting the chance to arrest her.
Read it HERE!
Guest Post by Rula Sinara:
I’m an Autumn Addict. I love everything about it from the foliage colors and seasonal decorations, to the celebrations. There’s something peaceful about autumn, especially in the countryside where I live. When I stroll through the woods on a crisp fall morning and a black walnut thuds at my feet, followed by leaf confetti showering softly around me, I can’t ignore the message to slow down. The message that even nature needs time to rest, recover and digest all that’s happened during the year.
With Thanksgiving comes family gatherings and reunions. I love my family, but let’s just say those quiet morning or evening walks are a life saver for me. Even in happy times, I need time to decompress and renew my energy. Sometimes I need time to simply step away ;). If any of you have perfectly calm, quiet, uneventful family gatherings, please raise your hand. In my experience, if there are kids, siblings, parents, cousins, pets, humans, hormones, food or opinions present, quiet doesn’t happen.
In my Harlequin Heartwarming Thanksgiving short story, The Sweetheart Tree, environmental activist Serena Myss doesn’t only take a short walk in the woods when her family suffers a tragedy…unable to cope with her emotions or loss, she leaves home for several years. In doing so, she leaves behind the very people who love her, including the man she once thought she’d spend forever with. The story is also about recognizing when someone’s anxiety or depression has reached a critical point and finding help before it’s too late.
The holidays in general can be an exceptionally tough time for families or individuals who have suffered loss. Even without loss, for some, returning home and facing the past can be an emotional battle. But Thanksgiving isn’t just about mouth-watering calories and football, it’s about the potential for new beginnings. It’s about forgiveness, peace and realizing that life comes full circle…that there’s no place like home…that in the place of crumpled leaves shed by trees, new ones will emerge.
Ultimately, for me, Thanksgiving is about home and family…and (I must admit) eating my favorite foods and stealing that quiet moment to sit under a tree.
Award winning and USA Today bestselling author Rula Sinara lives in Virginia’s countryside with her husband, three boys and zany but endearing pets. When she’s not writing or doing mom stuff, she loves organic gardening, attracting wildlife to her yard (cool bugs included) or watching romantic movies. For updates on her latest releases, gluten free recipes and more, check out her website, blog, sign up for her newsletter or like her on Facebook.
Website – Blog – Goodreads – Facebook – Twitter – Pinterest
Other Heartwarming Books by this Author
TOUR SCHEDULE
Don’t miss any of these FREE novellas or the extra tour content! Stop by each of the tour stops each day:
11/2: Snow Day Baby by Amy Vastine
Singing Librarian Books, The Power of Words, & Katie’s Clean Book Collection
11/4: Wedding at Turkey Run by Liz Flaherty
My Love for Reading Keeps Growing, Babs Book Bistro, & Heidi Reads…
11/6: Her Thanksgiving Soldier by Leigh Riker
Letters from Annie (Douglass) Lima, Mel’s Shelves, & Brooke Blogs
11/9: Mr. Right All Along by Jen Snow
Katie’s Clean Book Collection, Min Reads and Reviews, & Love thy Shelf
11/11: Falling for the Cowboy by Sophia Sasson
Kindle and Me, The Power of Words, & Colorimetry
11/13: The Marriage Gift by Tara Taylor Quinn
deal sharing aunt, Babs Book Bistro, & Brooke Blogs
11/16: Heart of a Hero by Pamela Tracy
Writing Pearls, Wishful Endings, & Waiting For Wentworth
11/18: Thankful for You by Karen Rock
Christian Chick’s Thoughts, Getting Your Read On, & Love, Laughter, Friendship
11/20: Autumn at Jasper Lake by Carol Ross
Reading Is My SuperPower, I Am A Reader, & Colorimetry
11/23: The Firefighter’s Promise by Kate James
Canadian Book Addict, Mel’s Shelves, & Beck Valley Books
11/24: Wedding of His Dreams by Cari Lynn Webb
Bookworm Lisa, Kindle and Me, & Zerina Blossom’s Books
11/25: The Sweetheart Tree by Rula Sinara
The Written Adventure, Reading Is My SuperPower, & Writing Pearl
11/26: Married by Thanksgiving by Melinda Curtis
Heidi Reads…, Love, Laughter, Friendship, & Singing Librarian Books
11/29: Grand Finale
11/30: Facebook Party
GIVEAWAYS
Goodreads Giveaway
13 Harlequin Heartwarming Books
Enter on Goodreads HERE.
Pinterest Giveaway
Pin one or both of these images to spread the word and enter to win this adorably festive Thanksgiving Table Set:
Pinterest Prize includes: four reversible, quilted placemats, four matching napkins, hand-painted matching napkin rings, matching table runner, matching quilted hot pad/trivet, floral centerpiece in pot, and hand-crafted pilgrim pair.
– Enter via the Rafflecopter below
– Open to US only
– Ends December 4th
Grand Prize: Harlequin Heartwarming Year Subscription (Provided by Harlequin and to US/CAN only)
$40 VISA card (US only)
13-Book Heartwarming Prize Pack: The Best Laid Plans, Back to McGuffy’s, If I Loved You, Love, Lies & Mistletoe, First Comes Marriage, Once Upon A Marriage, Small Town Secrets, Winter Wedding Bells, If Not For A Bee, When The Right One Comes Along, Wedding of His Dreams, After The Silence, and A Memory Away (print copies if US, ebooks if international)
9-Book Prize Pack: The Best Laid Plans, If I Loved You, Love, Lies & Mistletoe, First Comes Marriage, Once Upon A Marriage, When The Right One Comes Along, Winter Wedding Bells, If Not For A Bee, and After The Silence (print copies if US, ebooks if international)
Ends December 4th
Love, love, loved Rula’s story. Thanks for having us 🙂
Thanks so much, Pam!! You’re the sweetest!