Christmas in Evergreen Tidings of Joy - Nancy Naigle Page 0,82
David’s shoulder. Her ring caught the sunlight, sparkling, lighting her way. With her family. She pulled David and Thomas closer.
She had no idea how the three of them would ever top her first Christmas as mayor of Evergreen, but she had no doubt that next year would be even more magical.
The people of Evergreen busied themselves all winter and well into the spring, planning the next time capsule for another exciting adventure on the one hundredth annual Christmas Festival. Each day of the advent had been assigned to the person who’d opened that box. Those who’d left Evergreen weren’t forgotten. They were still part of the elaborate project. In true Evergreen style, it’d become a bit of a competition, raising the stakes to make the two hundredth year anniversary even more spectacular. Ezra, Katie and Ben would manage their teams through the wonderful tools in this age of technology, and Katie had already decided to make her box, the fifteenth day of December, a snowman-building challenge.
That spring, Ben officially moved to the city and began his job at the magazine. His fresh writing style engaged the readers, and although he missed the library and Nan, he found new inspiration in the bustling city with Katie and new friends.
Katie wrote a heartwarming novel of hope and second chances set in the town of Evergreen that involved a set of twins, a mystery and a couple planning a wedding in the small church the following summer. There were already whispers of a sequel.
No one could really say for certain that the snow globe had anything to do with Katie’s success…or the love she felt for Ben, which grew stronger every day, and which he returned in full. But Katie mentioned to Ben the need for a visit back to Evergreen soon to make one more wish on the snow globe at the Kringle Kitchen, just in case.
The End
Cranberry Crostini
In Christmas in Evergreen: Tidings of Joy, the Meet and Mingle at Barbara’s County Inn is a chance for the Evergreen community to share friendly conversation and holiday cheer over tasty hors d’oeuvres. Katie has two of the Cranberry Crostini before Ben arrives…and for Katie, his presence makes a great party even better. These delicious and pretty Cranberry Crostini are perfect for any holiday mingling.
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Serves: 10
Ingredients
1 baguette, cut on the bias into 1-inch slices
Olive oil, as needed
Kosher salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
12 oz. fresh cranberries (can substitute frozen)
1 orange, zested and juiced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon thyme, fresh, chopped
1 to 2 tablespoons prepared orange marmalade
8 oz. goat cheese, softened
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Place baguette slices on a baking sheet, generously brush with olive oil and season lightly with salt and pepper. Bake until lightly brown and crisp, about 15 minutes.
In a small sauce pan over medium heat, combine cranberries, sugar, vinegar, red pepper flakes, thyme, marmalade and a pinch of salt.
Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes.
Reduce heat and continue cooking another 10 minutes or until mixture begins to thicken.
Let cool.
To assemble crostini: top each crostini with a smear of goat cheese and a dollop of cranberry marmalade.
Garnish with fresh thyme leaves and orange zest, if desired.
Thanks so much for reading
Christmas in Evergreen: Tidings of Joy. We hope you enjoyed it!
You might like these other books
from Hallmark Publishing:
Christmas in Evergreen
Christmas in Evergreen: Letters to Santa
The Secret Ingredient
Wrapped Up in Christmas
Wrapped Up in Christmas Joy
Christmas in Bayberry
Christmas Charms
A Timeless Christmas
An Unforgettable Christmas
For information about our new releases and
exclusive offers, sign up for our free newsletter at
USA Today bestselling author Nancy Naigle whips up small-town love stories with a whole lot of heart. She began her popular contemporary romance series Adams Grove while juggling a successful career in finance and life on a seventy-six-acre goat farm. Along with the Christmas in Evergreen books, she is the author of The Secret Ingredient, Christmas Joy, and Hope at Christmas, all made into Hallmark Channel Christmas movies. She’s also the author of the Boot Creek Novels and the G Team Mysteries. Now happily retired from a career in the financial industry, she devotes her time to writing, horseback riding, and enjoying the occasional spa day. A Virginia girl at heart, Nancy now calls North Carolina home.
Sneak Peek of Wrapped Up In Christmas Joy
Turn the page for a sneak peek of
Chapter One
“I’ll pay somebody fifty bucks to take my place,” Cole Aaron offered his fellow firefighters at the Pine