Posts Tagged ‘Heartwarming’

5 STAR Amazon Ranking Celebration GIVEAWAY… WIN Summer Fun!

Tuesday, June 7th, 2016

“Very well written and an amazing cast of characters. I loved every minute of the book and hated to see it end…”

We’re celebrating WAITING FOR YOUR LOVE’s 5 STAR Amazon Ranking with another giveaway!

Who wants to WIN this Summer-Themed Coloring Set (isn’t it ADORABLE!) and a digital copy of  WAITING FOR YOUR LOVE?

coloring set

Even in my novellas, character is everything for me.

I sweat all the details, work my tail off with my editor to pick and choose just the right characteristics and actions and motivation and reactions will showcase the two leads and as many secondary characters as I can pack into the story ;o) Pacing and plot zoom you through what you’re reading. But in my books it’s always the characters you remember most, long after your done.

To be in the giveaway, comment about your favorite character(s) in the story you know will stay with you forever! You can also leave a comment on my Facebook Page Giveaway Post for a second chance to win!

Winner announced tomorrow, when I post the next release giveaway.

Keep checking back all week for more chances to win…

Oh, and snap up WAITING FOR YOU LOVE now for ONLY 99 CENTS! It’s already racking up 5 Star Reviews on Amazon

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WAITING FOR YOUR LOVE

Sweet, sassy, ADORABLE summer fun!”

WFYL FINAL

Friends to lovers should be the sweetest romance of all…

So how did Clair Summerville get herself into such a mess—pretend dating Conrad Lancaster of all people at her family reunion?

Clair can’t lose their life-long friendship. She and Conrad have always been there for each other, no matter how complicated their separate worlds have gotten. Now they’re playing with fire. And one of her best girlfriends, Bethany Darling (from His Darling Bride), is fanning the flames.

Of course kissing and cuddling like lovers in front of Claire’s nosy, controlling family leads to suspiciously “real” couple behavior in private. But no way can she reveal her true feelings for Conrad. Not with her survival instincts clamoring at DEFCON 1.

Clair’s desperate to cut and run, the way she has with every other guy she’s come close to trusting with her heart.
Except this is Conrad. She’s been secretly in love with him and his little boy, Harper, for years. And this is Chandlerville, Georgia, where neighbors have a pesky habit of pitching in—whether you ask them to or not—to make dreams come true. Especially the dreams you want so badly, they shake you to your core.

Looks like these made-for-each-other loners have everything they need to win their long-overdue happily ever after… If only they’d risk their tender hearts one more time.

Or will Clair and Conrad lose their last chance to fight for each other’s love?

RELEASE Celebration Giveaways: ADORABLE Mugs Up for Grabs!

Monday, June 6th, 2016

WAITING FOR YOUR LOVE is out and it’s time to PARTY ;)

Who wants to WIN this ADORABLE set of mugs?

mugs

As soon as I saw them, I could just picture Clair Summerville and Conrad Lancaster sharing their morning coffee and smiling over the brims ;o)

I hope WAITING FOR YOUR LOVE becomes your FAVORITE friends-to-Lovers romance. I know it is mine!

For your chance to win Clair and Conrad’s story, leave a comment in THIS POST, or on my FACEBOOK PAGE Giveaway Post, about a favorite friends-to-lovers story you experiences or watched blossom.

Winner announced tomorrow, when I post the next release giveaway!

Keep checking back all week for more chances to win…

Oh, and snap up WAITING FOR YOU LOVE now for ONLY 99 CENTS! It’s already racking up 5 Star Reviews on Amazon

***

WAITING FOR YOUR LOVE

Sweet, sassy, ADORABLE summer fun!”

WFYL FINAL

Friends to lovers should be the sweetest romance of all…

So how did Clair Summerville get herself into such a mess—pretend dating Conrad Lancaster of all people at her family reunion?

Clair can’t lose their life-long friendship. She and Conrad have always been there for each other, no matter how complicated their separate worlds have gotten. Now they’re playing with fire. And one of her best girlfriends, Bethany Darling (from His Darling Bride), is fanning the flames.

Of course kissing and cuddling like lovers in front of Claire’s nosy, controlling family leads to suspiciously “real” couple behavior in private. But no way can she reveal her true feelings for Conrad. Not with her survival instincts clamoring at DEFCON 1.

Clair’s desperate to cut and run, the way she has with every other guy she’s come close to trusting with her heart.
Except this is Conrad. She’s been secretly in love with him and his little boy, Harper, for years. And this is Chandlerville, Georgia, where neighbors have a pesky habit of pitching in—whether you ask them to or not—to make dreams come true. Especially the dreams you want so badly, they shake you to your core.

Looks like these made-for-each-other loners have everything they need to win their long-overdue happily ever after… If only they’d risk their tender hearts one more time.

Or will Clair and Conrad lose their last chance to fight for each other’s love?

WIN the Entire ECHOES OF THE HEART Series!

Saturday, June 4th, 2016

We’re celebrating Monday’s WAITING FOR YOUR LOVE release early with a FOUR-BOOK GIVEAWAY ;) WIN the entire Echoes of the Heart Series to date!

BOOKS ONLY

To win DIGITAL copies of Here in My Heart, Let Me Love You Again, and Christmas on Bellevue Lane…and a PRINT copy of His Darling Bride–comment with the name of your FAVORITE novel series and let us know why it’s so special to you.

Winner announced on WAITING FOR YOUR LOVE’s release day: Monday, June 6th.

All you have to do is comment to be eligible!

Then visit my blog daily
and follow me on Facebook (at my Author Page )
all next week and beyond, for more fun chances to win… (more…)

WIN a $10 AMAZON GIFT CARD: Waiting for Your Love’s PRE-ORDER Giveaway@

Friday, June 3rd, 2016

Party and WIN great prizes at WAITING FOR YOUR LOVE’s Release Party–RIGHT HERE on the blog ;O)

So many of you have not only written saying how excited you are to get your hands (and readers) on WAITING FOR YOU LOVE, but that you’re DYING to have giveaways again on the blog site (instead of only social media). AND Facebook’s making reaching my readers and fans ridiculously hard with each passing release…

SO, bets of both worlds time!

EVERY GIVEAWAY for WAITING FOR YOUR LOVE’s release (my new Echoes of the Heart novella launches next Tuesday, June 6th!) will have a blog post here, where you can comment for your chance to WIN (and for a second chance, if you also participate on my Anna DeStefano: Author Facebook Page.

Up first: a $10 Amazon Gift Card giveaway for all who PRE-ORDER WAITING FOR YOUR LOVE between now and midnight, June 5th!

To be eligible in the blog, leave a comment IN THIS POST with her Amazon Order Confirmation Number on or before midnight June 5th. You can also comment on my DeStefano: Author Facebook Page post, for an extra chance to win. Winner randomly chosen on release day from all commenters on both sites!

WFYL FINAL

Then visit my blog daily
and follow me on Facebook (at my Author Page )
all next week and beyond, for more fun chances to win… (more…)

His Darling Bride Release Party is LIVE. WIN a $10 Amazon Gift Card!

Monday, March 28th, 2016

Party and WIN great prizes all Spring in His Darling Bride’s Facebook Release Party ;O)

First Giveawaya $10 Amazon Gift Card goes to one lucky guest when we reach 250 readers attending! Click the link. Join us today. You don’t want to miss your chance.

Echoes of the Heart Cover Collage

Then visit my blog daily and follow me on Facebook (at my Author Page or His Darling Bride’s Release Party page) to stay in the loop for our Spring Celebration and more fun chances to win…

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His Darling Bride
Releasing April 26th, 20016
I love love love this series. It just gets better and better.”
~ 5 STAR GoodReads Review

Bethany Darling doesn’t kiss men at first sight…until she falls into the arms of a handsome cowboy bartender.

A mysterious stranger, Mike helps scare off Bethany’s obnoxious ex-boyfriend. Mike’s touch feels like coming home. But Bethany’s sonot interested. Between stalled-out dreams of becoming a painter, troubles reconnecting with her sprawling foster family, and the happy chaos of her sister’s upcoming wedding, Bethany’s already in over her head. But each time she and Mike stumble across each other in small-town Chandlerville…sparks fly.

A famous photographer hiding under a Stetson, Mike Taylor recognizes Bethany as a kindred artistic spirit. Together they rekindle her passion for painting—and she inspires him in unexpected, undeniable ways. Then when Mike’s own past threatens to tear apart his present, Bethany becomes his safe place to turn.

Can these two wandering souls finally trust their hearts? Or will they run from the forever love they never expected to find?

DeStefano-His Darling Bride-19100 - CV-FT

Pre-Order Today!

SPRING WEDDING Pinterest FUN ;o)

Monday, March 28th, 2016

Love Spring Weddings? And “relationships of convenience” that bloom into beautiful romances? And Heartwarming, community-basedfamily stories you can’t put down and don’t ever want to end?  His Darling Bride’s spring release (on April 26th) is for you!

DeStefano-His Darling Bride-19100 - CV-FT

And you just HAVE TO JOIN US at our new His Darling Bride Pinterest Board.

boots in a field

We’ll have giveaways and tons of fun. Re-pin and share on your social media streams as much as you like (to be in the running and to start your spring off with a bang, too!)

There’s also a Family Means…WEDDINGS! Board you’re going to love. Fun stuff coming there, too ;o)

Bride dress bunny

Those who dig Pinterest, dive in. (more…)

WIN Anna’s ENTIRE Christmas Collection!

Thursday, November 5th, 2015

Tell everyone at our Facebook Holiday Celebration what makes the perfect Christmas story for you, and be in the running to win my ENTIRE Holiday Collection (all three books set in reader-favorite Chandlerville, Georgia)!

christmascollection

Join the party now and comment for your chance to win!

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Christmas on Bellevue Lane
November 2, 2015
Pre-order on Amazon

Can Christmas in July be saved at the Dixon house?

With holiday carols, glittering ornaments and lots of cheer, Marsha and Joe Dixon welcome their new granddaughter to one of their favorite traditions. Marsha’s excited to share memories of her and Joe’s heartwarming love story, to help Camille feel even more a part of the sprawling foster family her grandparents have nurtured for decades.

But Joe’s struggle to recover from his recent heart attack and bypass surgery threatens their fun, and more than just Christmas in July is at stake. If he doesn’t regain his strength and ability to provide financially and emotionally for his family, the Dixon group home might have to close.
With loved ones rallying around and their treasured holiday tradition working its magic, Marsha’s convinced she can talk Joe into embracing the physical therapy he needs.

Will her and the Dixon clan’s Christmas-in-July wish come true?

Order Christmas on Bellevue Lane today!

GORGEOUS NEW CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT GIVEAWAY in our Holiday Release Party

Wednesday, November 4th, 2015

We’re talking Vintage Jewelry and Stationary in our November Holiday Celebration over on our Facebook Party Page…

I love these themes/symbols, which I introduced first with the Trifari Jewelry I spotlighted in my Christmas on Mimosa Lane. They’re hard at work again in my newest Holiday Novella.

See our latest excerpt below AND in the link to the party!

ALSO…

We’re giving away this beautiful two-dimensional, sparkly red hummingbird ornament, similar to the treasured memory Marsha and Joe Dixon hang on their tree every year (and during Christmas in July, where our latest holiday novella is set)!

hummingbird ornament red glitter

Here’s a sneak peak at how a vintage card makes
it’s way into Marsha and Joe’s story and
onto their tree in
Christmas on Bellevue Lane:

“I want our babies back. I want your parents back. You three gave me the only real family I’ve ever known. Being a part of something like that finally, experiencing it for myself, how could I ask you to give up your chance, our chance, to have as big a family as we can make?”

“But . . .” I could hear it in his voice. There was a “but.” I let him ease me around the mess I’d made, until I was back in his arms. “What are you saying?”

He kissed me, and I couldn’t keep myself from kissing him back. For a few seconds. Maybe a minute. Okay, two or three minutes. Because Joe’s a good kisser, mind you. Not because I’d forgiven him yet.

“But,” I said when I came up for air, “how are we going to have a family if—”

He placed a finger over my lips. “How do you think?”

From the back pocket of his jeans, he pulled out a small white envelope and handed it to me.

“What’s this?” I stared at the word he’d written on the front, and my life opened back up.

Our life and everything we were meant to be together felt possible again.
My knees turned to jelly. I leaned into Joe’s hug as I read and reread the single word my dear, sweet husband had written.

MOM

“This is your Valentine’s present,” he said. “Open it.”

And that’s when I saw my cardinals for the first time. There were so many beautiful birds on the card, a whole family of them. They were all so happy. And he wanted them all to be mine.

Ours.

“I’m sorry it’s not bigger.” His bottomless heart was in his eyes. “I wanted a really big one. I looked all over the Hallmark. This was the only Valentine they had with birds on it that seemed right for us.”

“It’s lovely.” I held it to my chest. I still didn’t understand. “But if we can’t have babies, then how—”

“We’ll have all the babies you want.”

Joe brushed his thumb over my lips, my cheek, my eyebrow.

“Or toddlers,” he amended, “like I was when I went into foster care Or elementary-aged children or even teenagers in high school. Whoever needs us, for as long as they need us. We’ll be their second chance at a family, and they’ll be ours.”

“Fostering?”

The way Joe had grown up.

Except this time it would be Joe and me caring for young people who had nowhere else to go. And we’d make sure every single child we brought into our home knew they were loved and accepted and wanted, the way my parents had welcomed Joe into theirs.

“I don’t know why I didn’t think of it sooner.” His smile was hopeful and happy. He was looking forward again to whatever happened next, instead of fearing it.

“We’ll take care of kids like you.” I felt our new dream blooming to life.

“We’ll give them a place to belong and grow, and to learn whatever they need to. They’ll know they’ll always be welcome, even when they age out of the system or go back to their families eventually or are placed in other homes after us. No matter how old they grow, our kids will always be ours. Once a Dixon, always a Dixon. That’s the only rule I’ll insist on. We’ll decide all the rest together. We’ll wing it as we go.”

We hadn’t talked much about his experience with family services. But I knew enough to want to go back and fix all the hurt he’d somehow found the strength to endure.

“We’ll make sure they thrive.” I placed my hand over my husband’s heart, making it a solemn vow…

LOTS MORE prizes are to come,
including a KINDLE GRAND PRIZE.


Join the party now and comment for your chance to win!

***

cobl-final (1)

Christmas on Bellevue Lane
November 2, 2015
Pre-order on Amazon

Can Christmas in July be saved at the Dixon house?

With holiday carols, glittering ornaments and lots of cheer, Marsha and Joe Dixon welcome their new granddaughter to one of their favorite traditions. Marsha’s excited to share memories of her and Joe’s heartwarming love story, to help Camille feel even more a part of the sprawling foster family her grandparents have nurtured for decades.

But Joe’s struggle to recover from his recent heart attack and bypass surgery threatens their fun, and more than just Christmas in July is at stake. If he doesn’t regain his strength and ability to provide financially and emotionally for his family, the Dixon group home might have to close.
With loved ones rallying around and their treasured holiday tradition working its magic, Marsha’s convinced she can talk Joe into embracing the physical therapy he needs.

Will her and the Dixon clan’s Christmas-in-July wish come true?

Order Christmas on Bellevue Lane today!

$5 Amazon Gift Card GIVEAWAY in CHRISTMAS ON BELLEVUE LANE’S Holiday Release Party!

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2015

Talk COMMUNITY with us on our month-long  Holiday Release Celebration FACEBOOK Party to be in the running for a $5 Amazon Gift Card!

We’re having  blast sharing what makes each of us love the communities and families of our dreams–and why I’ve created Marsha and Joe Dixon’s world to be exactly what it is in Christmas on Bellevue Lane and the rest of the Echoes of the Heart series!

Jump over the the Facebook Holiday Celebration Page (you must be a guest of the event and comment in THIS post to be in the running to win the $5 Amazon Gift Card giveaway), and share your community/family stories!

$5amazongc

Here’s another  sneak peak from
Christmas on Bellevue Lane
showing the BEST of the home Marsha and Joe have created
in their group foster home!

…Oliver and Travis and Dru were standing behind Marsha.

They’d crowded the doorway of the closet like a human wall of tough love, clearly determined to help with Joe. She didn’t know whether to thank her kids, or to look for a way to tunnel out of there with husband before what looked to be an impromptu intervention got out of hand. Meanwhile Joe’s back was turned to them, and he evidently intended to keep it that way.

His strong presence filled the closet. So, how could his health still be so precarious? How could her husband not be doing whatever he had to, to fight his way back to full strength?

When he finally did turn, she saw that he was holding a roll of bright red wrapping paper. He’d set the shopping bag down at his feet. His gaze tracked past her to the kids.

“Your mother and I need a few minutes alone,” he told them.

“You and Mom need help,” Oliver responded. “You have for a while now.”

“And we’ve all tried to pitch in,” Dru hurried to add. “We tried not to let it seem like we didn’t think you two can still do everything on your own.”
“But you can’t,” Travis insisted.

“And we’re done pretending otherwise,” Dru finished for him.

“Selena and I came home a little early”—Oliver crossed his arms over his chest—“to help Christmas in July come off without a hitch.”

“We’re all going to be hanging closer to home for a while.” Travis matched his brother’s determined stance. “At least until your recovery is in a better place, Dad.”

“Because we care about you both.” Dru touched Marsha’s arm near her elbow. “We plan to be here for your meeting with family services next week, too.”

“Whether we want you there or not?” Joe asked (more…)

WIN A BEAUTIFUL Hummingbird Ornament like Marsha and Joe Dixons’!

Monday, November 2nd, 2015

To celebrate Christmas on Bellevue Lane’s release, and to kick of our month-long November Holiday Celebration over on our Facebook Party Page…

We’re giving away this beautiful Laser-Cut Hummingbird Ornament, similar to the treasured memory Marsha and Joe Dixon hang on their tree every year (and during Christmas in July, where our latest holiday novella is set)!

hummingbird ornament circular flower_

Here’s a sneak peak at how much Marsha’s hummingbird ornament
means to her and her family in
Christmas on Bellevue Lane:

“What’s this one, Grammy?” Camille picked up a large crush of aging tissue paper. She peeled back the brittle, glitter-flecked layers, slowly revealing the treasure within. “It’s so pretty.”

Marsha smiled at her granddaughter’s awed expression, tearing up a little at the memories.

I want to give you beautiful things like this every day of our lives, Joe had said when he’d given it to her.

“What is it?” Camille studied the fragile creation more closely.

“It’s a hummingbird.” Marsha brushed her fingers across the tin ornament’s gilded surface.

Its colors had faded over the years. But it was just as beautiful as the first day she’d held it….

LOTS MORE prizes are to come,
including a KINDLE GRAND PRIZE.


Join the party now and comment for your chance to win!

***

cobl-final (1)

Christmas on Bellevue Lane
November 2, 2015
Pre-order on Amazon

Can Christmas in July be saved at the Dixon house?

With holiday carols, glittering ornaments and lots of cheer, Marsha and Joe Dixon welcome their new granddaughter to one of their favorite traditions. Marsha’s excited to share memories of her and Joe’s heartwarming love story, to help Camille feel even more a part of the sprawling foster family her grandparents have nurtured for decades.

But Joe’s struggle to recover from his recent heart attack and bypass surgery threatens their fun, and more than just Christmas in July is at stake. If he doesn’t regain his strength and ability to provide financially and emotionally for his family, the Dixon group home might have to close.
With loved ones rallying around and their treasured holiday tradition working its magic, Marsha’s convinced she can talk Joe into embracing the physical therapy he needs.

Will her and the Dixon clan’s Christmas-in-July wish come true?

Order Christmas on Bellevue Lane today!