I am pleased to have Denise Finn as a guest today. She is a terrific writer and a lovely person. We go way back, and I’m happy she is launching a holiday collection. My copy arrived last week and I can’t wait to get to it. So, without any further delay, here is Denise.
Thank you, John, for so generously sharing your blog with me today to share my latest release, Miracles and Ghosts: A Christmas Collection.
Please check out the note at the end of the blog post. 😊
Miracles and Ghosts started off to be a single story, but it soon branched out into a novelette and eight short stories. In one of these stories, A Man and His Cat, Usra is a bus driver who lost his beloved wife to Lupus. All he had left was the cat Shoes that she loved. He was planning on a quiet Christmas when he came home from work and found Shoes sick. Ursa doesn’t even bother to change out of his work uniform but immediately rushes the cat to a pet hospital. Money is no object; he can’t lose his connection to his wife, Gloria.
I based this story on the times we’ve had to rush a pet to an after-hours pet hospital, which is an hour’s drive for us. Sometimes we have had happy results, other times we haven’t. It wouldn’t matter if it was Christmas Eve or not if our pets need care that can’t wait.
Not every holiday goes according to plan, and sometimes we are taken to places we least expect, like a pet hospital. We haven’t had to go on a holiday to an ER veterinary hospital, but Ursa did.
Blurb:
Miracles and Ghosts: A Christmas Collection’s eight tales bring light in the darkest of circumstances. In the novelette, A Perfect Ghostly Christmas, Julie has survived the foster care system and finally comes home. She now owns her grandparents’ house and has received an offer that appears too good to be true. On top of that, the family she felt had abandoned her during her difficult times has reentered her life. But it’s the otherworldly experiences that lead her to something her grandparents left behind. This discovery changes everything and opens a door to danger. The seven short stories explore fractured families, a widower’s loneliness, a mall shooting, financial struggles, strained relationships, woodland kittens, and a woman haunted by a red truck. Whether it’s a ghost, an angel, or Santa, some unseen force is there to provide help when needed. A reminder in the busy holiday season or anytime we are never alone, and miracles are possible.
Excerpt:
A Man and his Cat
Ursa dropped off his last passenger at her bus stop. He was off for the next week and looking forward to going home and watching football with his cat, Shoes. It wasn’t everyone’s idea of a great Christmas, but after his wife, Gloria, passed, it was what he had. They weren’t blessed with kids to enjoy the day, but they always had each other until last year. She had been his light and joy in a dreary world.
He worked diligently to provide for the cat his wife had adored. He had no desire to have friends and pushed concerned neighbors, coworkers, and distant family away. A few persisted for a couple of months and then honored his wishes. Alone, he could remember Gloria and pretend she was next to him, watching TV as Shoes lounged on his lap.
He entered the apartment carrying the old gal’s special catnip treat. Shoes wasn’t waiting for him in her box like she always did.
“Shoes?” he called. Nothing. He searched all her favorite spots. “Where are you? Are you resting in the shoes again?” He smiled, remembering how Gloria had named the small kitten who hid in their shoes. They planned to name her something else, but Shoes stuck.
Finally he found the cat, her orange tail draped over his wife’s old sewing machine, which he couldn’t bear to part with.
“You’re missing her too, huh?” The cat lifted her head and sighed. “You okay?”
Shoes closed her eyes and went back to sleep. He felt the cat’s hot nose. Shoes’s breath came fast. “You aren’t okay! I can’t lose you too. I’m taking you to the vet. I don’t care how old you are or how much it costs.”
Ursa gathered the lethargic cat into his arms and tenderly placed her in the gray carrier. Without bothering to change out of his uniform, he tugged on the black wool coat Gloria had gotten him ten years ago, back when life was perfect, before lupus found its unwelcome way into their lives.
Grabbing his keys and the carrier, he stepped back into the freezing night.
“Merry Christmas!” his neighbor Bob called. “Going to visit family?”
“No. The vet,” Ursa said. He got into the red SUV without another word.
Fun Finn Facts
- Animals are not only a strong presence in my life but in my character’s lives too. We have four cats and a gold fish right now.
- Ghosts, do they exist? I think so, especially if they want to protect someone or get a message across, but there might be angry ones out there as well.
About the Author
D. L. Finn is an independent California local who encourages everyone to embrace their inner child. She was born and raised in the foggy Bay Area, but in 1990 she relocated with her husband, kids, dogs, and cats to Nevada City, in the Sierra foothills. She immersed herself in reading all types of books but especially loved romance, horror, and fantasy. She always treasured creating her own reality on paper. Finally, surrounded by towering pines, oaks, and cedars, her creativity was nurtured until it bloomed. Her creations include children’s books, adult fiction, and poetry. She continues on her adventure with an open invitation to all readers to join her.
Note: There’s a chance to win one of two $10 Amazon gift cards just by leaving a comment! I will randomly pick two winners from the comments during this blog tour. Good luck and thank you for stopping by.
Fiction Favorites 
[…] Guest Post – D.L. Finn #newbook – Miracles and Ghosts: A Christmas Collection […]
LikeLiked by 2 people
Great share. Thank you, Charles.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Definitely one for the reading list, and I shall look forward to reading it…
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you for your support, Jaye. 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
You are more than welcome, John…
LikeLike
Thank you, Jaye 🙂 I hope you enjoy it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
💖
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations again to Denise! Thanks John, for having Denise to introduce her newest book! Best wishes, Michael
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for your good wishes, Michael. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Michael 🙂 I appreciate your well wishes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh no, Shoes! I hope she’s okay. I’ll have to read the story to find out.🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Priscilla. I think Denise would love it if you did. 😁
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Priscilla! Hope you enjoy it 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I can relate. We have made those trips to the emergency vet before.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Amen. Thanks, Craig.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Never any fun, but glad we have places to take them when needed, Craig.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for highlight this collection, John. I need to add this to my library. Good luck to Denise.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Dan! I hope you enjoy it 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m sure I will!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Dan. Denise will be happy to hear that.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Sounds like a cool Christmas book.
Congratulations Denise! A smart and timely release!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Resa 🙂 I waited to get past Hallowee.!
LikeLiked by 2 people
LOL! I know what you mean. Some stores had Halloween and Christmas up at the same time. 😂👻🎄
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Resa. I agree. 😁
LikeLiked by 2 people
😁x
LikeLiked by 2 people
😁❌
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m trusting you that Shoes will be okay, Denise! I’m with you on the emergency visits – I’d take Bond to the vet no matter what time of day it was.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, we’d do anything for our furry babies. Glad we have options to get them help, Teri. I’d love to comment on the story, but can’t 😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
We are lucky to have several 24 hour facilities near us. (we need them too.)
LikeLiked by 2 people
Miracles and Ghosts at Christmas? Why yes!! I wish her great success with the book. Thanks for the introduction, John.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for the support, Deborah. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Deborah 🙂 It does seem to be a good combination!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your ongoing support, John! I appreciate you 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always a pleasure. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Denise’s book look like an interesting series of stories with a great cover. I certainly relate to the emergency visits. Great book for the holidays and best of luck. Thanks for sharing it, John💕
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for your supportive words, Cindy. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re so welcome always, John💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤗
LikeLike
Thank you, Cindy. I think all pet owners can relate to that visit.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’re so welcome, Denise! Absolutely true❣️
LikeLiked by 2 people
Congratulations, Denise. I’ve got my copy, and I look forward to reading it. Thank you, John, for spotlighting this Christmas collection. 🌞
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for supporting Denise, Gwen. 😁
LikeLike
🌞
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Gwen:) I am happy to hear that and hope you enjoy it! Xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
🌞
LikeLiked by 2 people
Great job on the blurb, Denise. I’m hooked. I have to find out what happens to Shoes. I’ll pick up my copy later today.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Pete 🙂 Happy to hear that and hope you enjoy it!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Pete. 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lovely feature and looking forward to reading… thanks John and congratulations Denise.. hugsx
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Sally 🙂 I hope you enjoy the stories! Hugs back xo
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Sally. 😁
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Pete 🙂 Happy to hear that and hope you enjoy it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can feel this story tugging at my heart strings.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. Might need to invest in tissues.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Animals always tug at my heartstrings.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Can’t help it!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I did buy the book.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi John, it’s great to see Denise featured here. Thanks for hosting her 🦋🩵
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for adding support to the post, Robbie
LikeLike
Thank you, Robbie 🙂 Happy to be here today!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for the tip. Sounds intriguing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for stopping.
LikeLike
Thank you 🙂 Glad it intrigued you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Stories about pets always appeals. Sounds like a lovely book. Thank you for sharing this author’s latest work.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for the lovely comment, Monika.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Monika 🙂 Yes, I’m the same way about stories about pets.
LikeLiked by 2 people
So great to see Denise here today! I finished this book last night and highly recommend it. This story touched me. Thanks for hosting, John!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for the recommendation, Jan. 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Jan 🙂 Your comment has me smiling. Happy to hear you enjoyed it! Xo
LikeLiked by 2 people
What a heart-wrenching excerpt . . .
LikeLiked by 3 people
I know right? Thank you Liz.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’re welcome, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was hard not to feel for Ursa and Shoes, Liz!
LikeLiked by 2 people
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Marvelous, John! It’s wonderful seeing Denise’s fantastic book getting this much attention.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yes it is, Tim. Thanks you for adding to the support. 😁
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Timothy, and for your support 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
My pleasure, Denise. Thank you for being so talented.
LikeLiked by 2 people
All the stories sound very gripping. The extract tugs at our heartstrings. Very moving.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Tes it does. Thanks for your comment, Esther. 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Esther 🙂 We would do anything for our pets.
LikeLiked by 2 people
So many good stories in this collection.
Thanks for hosting Denise, John.
Sandra
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for your endorsement, Sandra.
LikeLike
Thank you, Sandra 🙂 I appreciate you saying that xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
I mentioned on another site, that Denise picked the perfect time of year for ghosts and miracles!! I’m happy to see how well the book is being received.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, GP. Yes, it is nice to see.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you. GP 🙂 I am thrilled with its reception.
LikeLiked by 2 people
What a story, Denise. It’s so hard when our pets get sick and I could feel Ursa’s urgency in both your description of the story and the excerpt. I know I’m going to enjoy finding out what happens. Congrats again on the book, and thanks, John, for hosting. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
My pleasure, Diana. Thanks for lending your support too.
LikeLiked by 2 people
We all know that feeling Diana if we ever had a sick pet. We’d do anything for them. Glad that came across. Happy reading xo
LikeLiked by 2 people
This story sounds very moving, Denise. Hoping for a Christmas miracle for Shoes . Thanks for sharing, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Joy 🙂 I won’t say anything to ruin the ending. Hope you enjoy it when you read it. Xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful story with a happy ending. Loved all of these.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for you endorsement, Jacqui.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jacqui 🙂 That makes me so happy to hear xo
LikeLiked by 2 people
An alternative-type Christmas story sounds appealing. Thank you for sharing, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the visit, Michele. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, thank you. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Michele 🙂 I had fun writing this collection.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’re welcome! I ordered the eBook – will read next month. 🎄
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for hosting, John! I have my copy that I will start reading soon. 🙂 What a story to introduce us to the collection! And the cover is beautiful. Congrats to Denise!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your support, Lauren. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay! Thank you, Lauren. I hope you enjoy this holiday collection 🙂 xo
LikeLiked by 2 people
I know I will, Denise. 🙂 xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Delightful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jennie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jennie 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’re welcome! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Having made the trip to an ER veterinary hospital on a holiday, I can identify with what poor Ursa went through in your story! Thanks for sharing, John 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for supporting Denise, Nicholas.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry you had to go through that, Nicholas on a holiday. We do love our pet and would do anything for them.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Sounds like perfect holiday reading!
LikeLiked by 2 people
It does, doesn’t it. Thank you, Dawn.
LikeLike
Thank you, Dawn 🙂 Happy to hear that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations, Denise. Thanks for sharing, John!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Beem.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Beem 🙂 I appreciate you following along.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I love how Denise includes animals in her stories. I look forward to reading this book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Darlene. It is always fun to see her use of animals.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Darlene 🙂 I don’t even think about including animals, it’s just natural to me. Hope you enjoy it!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Congrats to Denise for being featured here, John, and thanks for hosting. After spending many hours at pet ER in the past, though not on a major holiday, this story still resonates. I have this book and will begin reading towards the end of the month. I’m slowly reading this year, but I’d like to save this for around Christmas anyway. 🥰🎄
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for your support, Lauren.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Lauren. I think many pet owners can relate to that ER trip. We just want them to feel better and that can’t always wait for normal vet hours. I hope you enjoy it when it comes up on your list. Sounds like the perfect time and reading slowly just means you are enjoying your reads 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
[…] John Howell: November 6thA Man and His Cat […]
LikeLiked by 1 person