Saturday, December 8, 2012

Southern Fried Christmas by Marian Merritt


Romance/Holiday



Love: purer than Colorado snow, deeper than a Louisiana bayou.

The Colorado Rockies have always been home to journalist Kelly Shepherd, but after the death of her father, and facing her first Christmas alone, she accepts an assignment that leads her deep into Louisiana’s Cajun country.

Since his wife’s death, Denny Labouve has focused his attention on his ten-year-old daughter and the family business, but Kelly sparks the dying embers of his heart even as a Christmas cold front moves through his beloved Cajun country.

Will Denny and Kelly be able to trust God to bridge the span between the Colorado Rockies and the Louisiana bayou?
 
 
Excerpt:

December 19th

           Kelly Shepherd followed the bustling passengers through the New Orleans terminal and toward the signs to baggage claim. Colorful posters of boiled seafood advertising famous restaurants lined the walls and the faint sound of jazz drifted to her ears. Regret rolled through her stomach, along with her meager in-flight snack.
Lord, why did I agree to do this?
 

As she descended the escalator, her gaze scanned the sea of awaiting faces. She noticed the sparkle in a young man’s eyes when he spotted the beautiful blonde standing on the step below her. When they embraced, longing filled Kelly’s heart. The person waiting for her was an editor who had volunteered to share his home and family for eight days while she wrote her Cajun Christmas story.

Kelly searched the crowd, but failed to see a brown-haired man with a receding hairline. At least that was how Carroll Lebouve had described himself over the phone.

“Miss Shepherd? Miss Shepherd?” The high-pitched child’s voice echoed above the hum of conversation in the busy airport. Kelly followed the sound to a little girl standing on tiptoes next to a row of chairs. She seemed to be about ten and held a brightly wrapped package. Mr. Labouve hadn’t mentioned a daughter. Kelly’s heart leapt at the sight of the candy cane taped on top the gift. Even though they didn't know what the candy cane meant to her, it was a comfort.

A tall, muscled man stood next to the child. Although, his full head of dark hair didn’t match the receding hairline description, he held a small poster with her name written in red print. His dark eyes searched the group of arriving passengers until his gaze settled on hers. He mouthed, Shepherd?

She nodded.

As she approached, the corners of his mouth tilted. More on the left than the right.

“Miss Shepherd.” He tossed the poster into a nearby trashcan then extended his hand—a solid masculine hand. “Denny Labouve, I’m Carroll’s brother. He sends his apologies for not being here. His father-in-law was rushed to the hospital this afternoon.”

“I’m so sorry.” She shook his hand. “Is he all right?” Even at five-nine, she had to tilt her head back to meet his brown eyes. A scar interrupted the smooth hair of his left eyebrow.

“Heart attack. He’s in surgery right now. Our whole family has been praying. Carroll will call when they have more information.” He turned toward the child standing next to him. “This is my daughter—”

“I’m Chelsea Labouve.” With an erect posture and brilliant smile, she extended one hand toward Kelly.

Kelly smiled and leaned toward the girl. “It’s nice to meet you, Chelsea, I’m Kelly Shepherd, but you already know that, don’t you?” Chelsea’s small hand warmed her own for the brief moment they touched. Either this child resembled her mother or she was adopted because with her fair hair and blue eyes, she looked nothing like her father.

Chelsea pointed toward the trashcan where Denny had ditched the hand-made poster. “Yes, ma’am, Miss Shepherd, I do.”

Kelly cringed then smiled. She’d never been called ma’am before. Suddenly, at thirty she felt old.

“This is for you.” Chelsea extended the package toward her.

Kelly accepted the gift and paused to rein in her emotions. If only this child knew what the candy cane meant to her. She stole a glance toward Denny Labouve. The loving look and gentle smile he showered on his daughter melted Kelly’s heart.

 

 

Author Bio:
 
Marian Merritt grew up in south Louisiana in a bayou community south of New Orleans, Louisiana. Her love for the written word began while sitting on her grandparent’s front porch swing reading books. The stories allowed her to meet interesting people, took her to far away places and made her think beyond her own world. Her desire to write about the south keeps her grounded in her roots and the hope that one day she can do for someone what many of the authors of her childhood did for her.
She has a Bachelor of Science degree in physical therapy and an accounting certificate from the University of South Alabama. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and hones her writing skills by attending writer’s conferences and studying how-to books on the craft. Marian writes from her home Colorado home that she shares with her husband and a Labradoodle, named Chili. Visit her at: http://www.marianmerritt.com
 
 
Reviews/Notices/Awards:
 
I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Cajun country by way of Marian Merritt's Southern Fried Christmas. She has decorated the set with realistic glimpses of Louisiana - from traditional food to the steamy humidity - and transported me to the deep south for Christmas. I liked Denny and Kelly and rooted for them all the way. I will read more from Marian Merritt. ~   Carla Rossi – Author of Dr. Noah and the Sugar Plum Fairy, Unlikely Praise, and Limited Light
 
 
 
Why did Marian write this book?
While I currently live in Colorado, the southern way of life is something that stays with you regardless of where you live. I wanted to showcase the Cajun culture in as true a light as possible. The warm, caring nature of the culture is something worth showcasing. I don’t think many of the books or movies out there  “get it right”. I hope that Southern Fried Christmas does. Bonne Christmeusse!
 
 
Purchase Links:
 
Amazon/Kindle. http://tiny.cc/w2f0ow
 
Barnes & Nobel/Nook. http://tiny.cc/o4f0ow