I am very happy to have as a guest, Denise Finn. As most of you know Denise is a prolific writer of children’s books, adult fiction, and poetry. She has a new book just in time for the holidays and she’s going to tell us all about it.
Thank you, John, for having me on your amazing blog to kick off the release and blog tour of Ghosts & Miracles Past: A Christmas Collection Two. I’m so grateful for your support!
I started a train story for another short story collection, but never finished it. Giving it another look, I decided to bring it into the Christmas season, and immediately found Rita’s story. I’ve been wanting to write a train story because I’ve been a fan since I was a little girl. I’ve been on many trains and plan to make this ride Rita took to Reno in the winter. I’ve watched that train cross over the summit many times from the overlook over Donner Lake. I have not only wondered about the view from the train, but also the history it carries. Now, I don’t know if they’ve ever made a murder mystery ride, but it sounded fun to me and became my idea for the story. I also like to use local settings when I can, and “The Christmas Train Mystery” was perfect for that. I almost ended it at one point where it would have been a short story, but that turned out not to be the end when a ghost and an angel got involved.
BLURB:
Miracles saturate the sweet-scented Christmas season—a reminder we aren’t alone.
Miracles & Ghosts Past: A Christmas Collection brings eight stories from past holidays. Rita buys train tickets for her and Morris’s 30th anniversary in the novelette, “The Christmas Train Mystery.” She’s convinced this trip will bring her and Morris closer—if he can find the time. A murder mystery excursion will change Rita’s life in more ways than one, but will she go with her workaholic husband or by herself? In the first short story, “Christmas Rescue,” Opal trusts the wrong man and loses her mother in the same year, leaving her feeling lost. On a mission to get candles for the dinner table, she makes an unexpected find. “Is There a Santa?” goes back to the 1920s, where a widower is desperate to hold on to his farm and children. He doesn’t want charity, just a bit of luck or a miracle. In the final stories, you’ll meet an eleven-year-old who’s home alone, a family living in the aftermath of war, a girl who gets some shocking news, a widow with a warning from beyond, and a woman trapped on an elevator with Santa. Hope underlies these stories; it endures even in the direst of circumstances. Whether help comes from a ghost, Santa, or an angel, miracles are just within reach.
EXCERPT FROM: The Christmas Mystery Train, 1986
Rita smiled as she tucked the train tickets in her purse.
The woman in the small booth grinned. “Happy thirtieth wedding anniversary to you and your husband. You’re going to have a great time!”
“Thank you, Patty. I’ve always wanted to go on the murder mystery ride and can’t believe they added in a special holiday one.”
“This is the first one, and it’s almost sold out. Enjoy!” Patty waved as her phone rang. She shut her window and answered the phone.
Rita unlocked her husband’s new red BMW M3. Her sensible gray, six-year-old Mercedes-Benz 300D was in the shop getting a tune-up. Their son, Kevin, picked up his dad to take him to work in his fancy blue Corvette that morning. The men in her life loved their cars, and she loved them, even though they weren’t always easy to deal with.
Rita was careful backing up. Morris wouldn’t be happy if his baby got scratched. She hurried to her salon appointment to get her hair highlighted with blond and red streaks, as Morris liked. Next on her list was to have his car washed and vacuumed, and finally grocery shopping. She made sure to park at the far end of the parking lot so no one would scratch the car. She had learned her lesson when someone had taken a key to her door at the mall last week. Her fault or not, she was blamed.
“No point in getting you a new car with how you care for this one.” He’d folded his arms.
“I’m sorry, I’ll be more careful.”
“I hope so. We have an image now to keep up, but I suppose they can fix this when it’s in the shop for maintenance. It helps Kevin, too, as he moves up the ladder. Soon he’ll be a partner like me.” He pointed to his puffed-out chest.
“Yes, he is exactly like you.” Rita plastered a smile on her face.
He beamed like he was a lawyer lighthouse. “Yes, I’m very proud of my boy. Plus, he is marrying into one of San Francisco’s prominent families. Think of how that will help our firm.”
“I’m sure it will.” Rita hid her misgivings.
The girl was a delicate beauty but aloof and rude to people beneath her. A habit her husband had developed lately too. It was ironic because he would have been one of those people as a child. He grew up in a poor but loving family. Fifteen years ago, when his parents died two years apart, Morris blamed their poverty, not the cancer or heart attack. From that day forward, his focus was on making sure he didn’t end up like them. He stopped responding to his brother’s calls and put all his energy into work. It was like none of them or that life had ever existed, no matter how many times Rita tried to remind him. She sighed loudly and pulled into the Fabulous Forties, where the wealthy lived.
FUN FINN FACTS
- I’m a big fan of train rides and have been on amazing ones like the Skunk train out of Fort Bragg, CA. Many more to explore!
- Must-watch Christmas movies and shows for me are: It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, White Christmas, A Nightmare Before Christmas, Charlie Brown Christmas, The Grinch, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
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.
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D. L. Finn’s Gratitude Store
To celebrate the release, I will be giving away three Amazon Gift Cards: $5, $10, and $15. At the end of the tour, I will randomly pick the three winners from those who leave comments during the blog tour. Good Luck!
Fiction Favorites 
Fantastic post to start off the blog tour! I loved the excerpt, Denise, and look forward to reading the book. Thanks for hosting, John!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
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Thank you for the support, Yvette. 😊
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Happy ro be visiting John to kick off the tour, Yvette 🙂 So happy you liked the e cerpt and I hope you enjoy the read. Xo
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Congratulations, Denise! I’ve picked up my copy and look forward to the read. Thank you, John, for bringing this latest collection to our attention. 😊
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And thank you for supporting Denise today, Gwen. 😊
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Yay! Thank you, Gwen 🙂 I hope you enjoy it xo
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Miracles at Christmas, we can all use more! A perfect book for the holidays! BRAVO!
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I think so too, GP. Thanks for supporting Denise today. 😊
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My pleasure, John.
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😊
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We sure can, GP! In fact all year long. Thank you 🙂
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Surely, MY pleasure!
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Looks like a book that has the potential to become a Christmas classic. Great share, John.
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I agree, Pat. Thank you for your support. 😀
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Welcome, John.
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Thank you, Pat 🙂 Fingers. Crossed!
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🤞🤞🤞
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Kudos on your latest book, Denise. I grabbed my copy of Miracles & Ghosts Past: A Christmas Collection Two and looking forward to the read.
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Thank you, Grant. Your support is appreciated. 😊
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Thank you, Grant 🙂 Yay! I hope you enjoy it.
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A great start to your blog tour. The book arrived on my Kindle today. Can’t wait to read it. xo
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So happy for your support, Darlene. Thank you. 😀
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Great place to kick it off, Darlene and look forward to our visit. Yay! I hope you enjoy it! Xo
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[…] Guest Post – D.L.Finn – Miracles & Ghosts Past – A Christmas Collection Two #newbook […]
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Thank you, Charles
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I remember Denise’s first Christmas collection. I’m looking forward to reading the second one!
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Thank you, Priscilla 🙂 I hope you enjoy it! Xo
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Thank you, Priscilla. 😀
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It’s great to see Denise’s Christmas book on a blog tour, and wonderful that you are the first stop for it, John. It looks like a real nice Christmas read.
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thank you, Timothy:) Thrilled to ge on John’s blog! That’s my hope,and fingers crossed, it turns out to be a nice Christmas read.
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Thank you, Tim. I think it will be a treat at the holiday time. 😊
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😊
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Such a good writer makes promotion and interviewing a breeze! Congrats, Denise!
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Thank you, Noelle 🙂 A great host does rhe same. Xo
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Thank you, Noelle.
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I appreciate your support, John and for kicking off the celebration in grand style. Xo
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Always a pleasure, Denise.
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Congratulations to Denise on her new book!! I love Christmas tales and look forward to a good read 🙂
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Thank you! Happy you enjoyed the other book and hope you like this one as well 🙂
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It’s great to see Denise here, John, kicking off her tour. I love trains too, Denise, and look forward to this story. It’s interesting how some stories are just waiting for the right time to be completed.
And my favorite Christmas movie is “A Christmas Story.” It’s hilarious if you haven’t seen it yet.
Congrats on the new book!
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Thank you, Diana 🙂 You are right about the right time for a story. Nothing better than a train ride too. I love A Christmas Story! How did I forget to include that? You are right it is hilarious and one often quoted in our house.
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🙂 🙂
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Thank you for the lovely comment, Diana.
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Congratulations to Denise. Thank you for the interview. Very interesting.
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Thank you, Esther 🙂 So happy you stopped by!
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😊 Thank you for the visit, Esther.
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Thanks for kicking off the tour, John, and congratulations to Denise. I loved Gratitude & No Fairy Tale so I”m not wasting any time. This is loading into my Kindle app as we speak.
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Tay! Thank you SO Dan 🙂 Might require a happy forest dance. I hope you enjoy it!
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lol… I meant Yay
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I owe you a review, but I will get that up soon.
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Thank you 🙂
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Excellent, Dan. Thanks for the support.
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I like trains, too. Congratulations on the new release.
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There is something so soothing about them and a bit magical too, Sharon. Thank you! Xo
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Thank you, Sharon
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That sounds like a very intriguing book of short stories. I love train rides too. My younger son thought for the longest time that me being an engineer meant that I was driving trains. Anyway, this was a great first stop on the blog tour and it was a great excerpt.
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Thank you, Thomas. Such a lovely story about your son. I hope he wasn’t too disappointed when he found out the truth.
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Thank you John. I think it he took it well. He learned something new, that not all engineers drive trains.
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😊
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Thank you, Thomas 🙂 That’s a cute story about your son. Trains are pretty special.
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Already got my copy, and I’m excited to read it! We share some of the same Christmas movies, Denise. We also watch Christmas Vacation, Just Friends, and The Family Man.
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Yay! Thank you Teri:) Hope you like it. You added more good movies to the list! Xo
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Thank you, Teri. 😊
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That’s sounds like a wonderful train ride over Donner pass! Makes you curious to hear what happened.
Great post!
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Thank you for the terrific comment. 😀
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Thank you! I can’t wait to make that ride instead of watching it pass by.
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The first collection contained many uplifting short stories. I suspect that this will follow a similar format. For those who are tired of violence and negativity, this may be the perfect antidote.
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I agree, Pete. Thanks. 😊
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Thank you, Pete 🙂 I did try to follow the same format except keep it pre cellphone! I know I’m tired of the negativity and violence.
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Romance, horror and fantasy–what a fabulous variety of books to read. Good luck with your new book, Denise. And perfect time for a Christmas book–you can never shop too early for the holiday.
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You are absolutely right. Lois. Never too early.😀
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Thank you, Lois 🙂 I do like exploring genres. Never too early for a bit of Christmas cheer!
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Congratulations to Denise on her new release, just in time for the Christmas gift-buying season! Sharing to help spread the word.
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Thank you, Liz. 😊
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You’re welcome, John.
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Thank you, Liz! I always appreciate your sharing.
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You’re welcome, Denise!
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How lovely of you to feature, Denise, John! No love how she brought this idea she had brewing into fruition and her fascination action with trains. What a great train ride! All aboard! We should have a real ride like this! 🩷🙌🏽🙏
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I think so too, Cindy. Thanks. 😊
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You’re so welcome! 😉
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Thank you, Cindy! I’m so glad this became a Christmas story. I would love to go on a murder mystery train ridevover the summit, just as long as there are no real crimes 😉
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Christmas and trains just go together. This sounds excellent.
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Thank you, Jacqui. I agree.
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They sure do, Jacqui. Took the grands on the Polar Express, was a lot of fun.
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Wow! That excerpt just pulls you right in.
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It does. Thanks, Craig.
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Thank you, Craig! Good to hear 🙂
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Welcome and best wishes on your book tour. And thank you for sharing that excerpt…so tantalizing!
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Thanks, Monika. I agree with you.
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thank you so much, Monika! Happy to hear it tantalized you 🙂
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There’s nothing quite as much fun than reading a good mystery. 🙂
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Excellent pick to start the wheels on the tour bus/train rolling, Denise:)
Thanks for hosting, John:)
Sandra
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Thank you, Sandra.
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Yes, John sure got it rolling! Thank you, Sandra continuing 🙂
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[…] 9-24 John Howell […]
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John, I really enjoyed this guest post. Really! D.L. Finn is quite the writer, and this new book is certainly a winner.
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She is certainly talented. Thanks, Jeannie.
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You’re welcome, John
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Thank you SO much, Jeannie 🙂 I loved writing it.
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You are welcome! 😀
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[…] Head over to find out more about the collection: John Howell hosts Denise Finn […]
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Thank you for sharing Denise’s laugh post, Sally.😀
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Congratulations and good luck to Denise, and thanks, John!
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Thank you, Olga
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Thank you for your well wishes Olga!
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Hello Denise,
Congrats on the new book!
I trust the blog tour is doing well. I’m hoping to catch another few stops!
Thanks for hosting, John! 🐂
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🐂
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🐂
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Thank you, Resa 🙂 It’s going very well, I’m touched with all the support xo
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Nice! xx
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So great to see Denise here with her new book. I loved the excerpt and look forward to reading. 😍
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Thank you, Debby. 😊
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🙂
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Thank you, Debby 🙂 Glad to hear you enjoyed the excerpt and hope you enjoy reading it. Hugs xo
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Thanks Denise. xo
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Congratulation to Denise on her new release! Thank you for introducing her book, I enjoyed reading the excerpt. 🙂
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Thank you for the visit and lovely comment, Nicole. 😊
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Thank you SO much, Nicole! I’m happy to hear you enjoyed the excerpt 🙂
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[…] 9-24 John Howell […]
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Thanks for the mention, Denise.
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I bought Denise’s book and look forward to reading it!
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😀
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Yay! Thank you, Dawn. I hope you enjoy it 🙂
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[…] 9-24 John Howell […]
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[…] 9-24 John Howell […]
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[…] 9-24 John Howell […]
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[…] 9-24 John Howell […]
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