It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas (Reads) GIVEAWAY: Silent Night, Deadly Night (+ guest post)

today’s book: silent night, deadly night by richard l. mabry

Christmas is only EIGHT DAYS AWAY according to Google, BUT now ’tis the season when I start craving cozy Christmas reads. (Okay – I crave them all year round but now’s when I can get away with talking about them LOL) This year I’m continuing my annual blog series spotlighting new and recently-released Christmas reads, and I’m super excited! Christmas books make me happy!

So… snuggle in, grab your fave hot beverage and comfiest blanket, turn on some Christmas tunes and start your own bookish Christmas list! Oh… and did I mention there are GIVEAWAYS with EACH POST in this series??!! (Because authors are awesome!)

Today’s featured book is a whodunit suspense novella + the author shares reflections on Christmas after the loss of a loved one.

SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT
GENRE: Inspirational Suspense
RELEASE DATE: November 11, 2015
PAGES: 122

The colored lights on the snow gave it a holiday appearance, but the dead woman’s body in the yard added a grisly touch. How did Ina Bell Patrick die? Who killed her? And why?

The dead woman had no direct heirs, so two nephews and a niece stood to inherit. Dr. Laura Morris was left to make all the arrangements, attorney Roger Morris could certainly use the money, and Zack Morris had disappeared two years earlier. Then there was neighbor and “best friend” Fay Autrey, who was certain the woman intended to leave her some money—a great deal of money.

The police were still looking for the killer who left the frozen body in the snow when it became apparent someone was trying to pick off the heirs, one by one. Who would win the race—the police or the killer?

amazon affiliate link used

Also available to read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

celebrating christmas without them

by Richard L. Mabry, MD, author of Silent Night, Deadly Night

After the death of a loved one, every holiday that follows carries its own load of renewed grief, but there’s little doubt that Christmas—especially that first Christmas without him or her—is the loneliest time of the year. It was for me.

Following the death of my wife, Cynthia, I was determined to keep things as “normal” as possible for that first Christmas. Since this was an impossible goal, the stress and depression I felt were simply multiplied by my efforts. My initial attempt to prepare the Christmas meal for my family was a disaster, yet I found myself terribly saddened by the sight of my daughter and daughters-in-law in the kitchen doing what Cynthia used to do. It just wasn’t right—and it wasn’t ever going to be again.

Looking back now, I know that the sooner the grieving family can establish a “new normal,” the better things will be. Don’t strive for the impossible task of recreating Christmases past, but instead take comfort in the eternal meaning of the season. The first Christmas will involve tears, but that’s an important part of recovery. Don’t avoid mentioning the loved one you’ve lost. Instead, talk about them freely. Share the good memories. Don’t keep a gloomy countenance. If you find yourself laughing, consider those smiles a cherished legacy of the person whom you miss so very much. It’s not disrespectful—it’s the ultimate in respect.

For most of us, grieving turns our focus inward. We grieve for ourselves, for what might have been, for what we once had that has been taken from us, and this is normal. But it doesn’t have to occupy our every thought and action. Will family and friends be there? Take advantage of their nearness. If they’re happy, rejoice with them. If they seem hesitant to speak of the loved one who has passed on, turn the conversation to how they would have enjoyed the season—and how much they must be enjoying Heaven now.

When you’re grieving, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by Christmas, especially the modern version. The echoes of angel voices are drowned out by music from iPods. The story of Jesus’ birth gives way to reruns of “Frosty, The Snowman.” Gift cards from Best Buy and Wal-Mart replace the offerings of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. If you find the season getting you down, the burden of your loss too great to bear, remind yourself of the true meaning of Christmas. Read once more the Christmas story in Luke, chapter 2. Even if you celebrate it alone, remember what Christmas means—God’s greatest gift to mankind.

Carrie’s Note: For more on this theme, check out Dr. Mabry’s first book The Tender Scar.

Dr. Richard Mabry is a retired physician, now writing “medical mystery with heart.” His novels have garnered critical acclaim and been finalists for ACFW’s Carol Award, both the Romantic Times’ Inspirational Book of the Year and Reviewer’s Choice Awards, the Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and the Selah Award. He is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, the International Thriller Writers, and Novelists Inc. Bitter Pill is his latest novella.

He and his wife live in north Texas, where he writes, works on being the world’s greatest grandfather, and strives to improve his golf game. You can learn more about him at his website, and via his blog and Facebook page.

Richard L. Mabry is offering one of my readers a signed copy of Silent Night, Deadly Night or winner’s choice of another book by Dr. Mabry. (US only) This giveaway is subject to Reading Is My SuperPower’s giveaway policies which can be found here. Enter via the Rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What about you? What interests you most about Silent Night Deadly Night? What spoke to you most about Dr. Mabry’s post?