The Meaning in Mistletoe - Rachael Bloome Page 0,66
settled over Reed as he listened to the exchange.
If anything had happened to Olivia, he didn’t know what he’d do.
Losing the woman he loved to another man had been unbearable.
But at least she’d seemed happy. He couldn’t stand the thought of anything less.
Stepping away from the circle, he slipped out his phone, preparing to do the one thing he’d vowed against.
Contact Olivia Parker.
You can continue Reed’s story and find out what happened to Olivia in The Faith in Flowers.
But before you go, I have a special gift for you. Visit rachaelbloome.com/secret-garden-club to download a bonus scene featuring Colt and Penny’s wedding.
If you enjoyed Jack and Kat’s story, please consider leaving a short review. Even a few words can help a potential reader discover the beloved world of Poppy Creek.
Acknowledgments
As I prepared to publish my second Christmas novel, and the fourth book in my Poppy Creek series, I was overcome with gratitude for how many people have come alongside me on my author journey. I wouldn’t be where I am today without each and every one of them.
First, I’d like to thank my incredible ARC Team—You’ve all been so generous with your time and instrumental in ensuring that each launch is as successful as possible. My deepest, heartfelt thanks goes to:
Alethea Bjune, Amy Baker, Annalisa Turner, Annette Sullivan, Bernadette Cinkoske, Carol Schmoker, Cynthia Alexander, Dawn Najpaver, Diane Laverick, Diane Moreci, Elsie Nicolette, Emily Dill, Gwenn Henderson Eyer, Heather Womboldt, Ingrid Vitalis, Jean Cottrell, Judy Frayne, Kim Pierce, Kirby B, Kristy Fluckiger, Lesley Eyre, Lisa Roth, Lisa Wetzel, Lori Raines, Michelle Severt, Muriel Logan, Pam Merrill, Pamela Bandy-Dafoe, Patti Moore Clack, Paula Cox Hurdle, Peggy Potempa, Penny Leidecker, Rebecca Brewster, Rhonda Freeman, Robin White, Sandra Tuozzo, Sherry Izell, Sherry Johanson, Vivian Morgan, and Wendy Gnau (a particularly talented typo catcher).
Next, I’d like to thank my brilliant design and editing team who turn my jumble of words into a finished product.
Ana—Your creativity never ceases to amaze me. And each new cover you design inevitably becomes my favorite.
Beth—I’m so thankful to have an editor I trust explicitly, who preserves my “voice” while transforming my prose into a polished, professional novel.
Krista—You continue to go above and beyond, proving to be the best proofreader in the biz as well as a dear friend.
Dave—You are my first line of defense. Or is it offense? I’m not sure. Either way, you see my chapters before anyone else. And your feedback and words of encouragement are often what inspire me to sit down and write the next page, which is a gift I can never repay.
Trenda—Your notes and insights were invaluable as I prepared to send this novel out into the world. Having a fresh pair of eyes read the story from start to finish gave me the confidence I needed to finally convince myself that it was ready.
Gigi, Mel, and Sarah—You ladies mean so much to me. I cherish our online chats and can’t wait for the day we can finally have one in person.
Lynn, Cheryl, and Patti—Special thanks to you three for putting in the long hours to proof my audiobooks so I could focus on writing. You’re a dream team, and I’m so grateful.
Pam and Adam of Vanguard Krav Maga—I miss you both dearly and look forward to a time when I can throw some more elbows with my Krav family.
For all the lovely men and women in my Facebook group—You’ve turned our little corner of the internet into a fun, welcoming space where I often go for advice. As someone who was previously social media shy, I can’t thank you enough for being so kind and loving. I sincerely enjoy all of our online “get-togethers.”
Unending love and appreciation for my incredible family—I wouldn’t be where I am today without you.
And last, but not least—Many heartfelt thanks to you, dear reader, for returning to Poppy Creek with me for the fourth book in the series. I hope we have many more visits ahead of us.
All my love and gratitude,
About the Author
Rachael Bloome is a hopeful romantic. She loves every moment leading up to the first kiss, as well as each second after saying, "I do." Torn between her small-town roots and her passion for traveling the world, she weaves both into her stories—and her life!
Joyfully living in her very own love story, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two rescue dogs, Finley and Monkey. When she's not writing, helping to run the family coffee roasting business, or getting together with friends, she's busy planning their next big adventure!
You can learn more about Rachael and her books at rachaelbloome.com
Pequeños Milagros Recipe
Fern’s Tiny Miracles
Ingredients
For Cookies:
* * *
1 1/2 cup softened butter
3/4 cup powdered sugar
3 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup chopped cinnamon-roasted pecans *recipe at the end (or regular roasted pecans)
* * *
For Cinnamon & Sugar Coating:
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 Tbs ground cinnamon
* * *
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
* * *
Combine butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Beat at medium-high speed until completely blended.
In a separate bowl, combine flour and salt.
Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture until completely combined.
Carefully fold in the pecans.
Roll dough into 1-inch balls, coat in cinnamon and sugar, and place approximately 2 inches apart on a nonstick (or lightly greased) cookie sheet.
Bake for 15 minutes.
Remove from oven and immediately roll in cinnamon and sugar a second time.
* * *
Enjoy!
* * *
Alternate Powdered Sugar Coating:
Ingredients:
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 tsp salt
Instructions:
Combine powdered sugar and salt in a medium size bowl.
Once you’ve removed the cookies from the oven, immediately roll in powdered sugar mixture and place on a rack to cool.
Once cooled, coat in powdered sugar a second time.
Optional:
Add a dash of freshly ground star anise to cinnamon and sugar mixture, to taste.
* * *
Cinnamon Roasted Pecans:
Ingredients
2 1/4 cup pecan halves
2 Tbs egg whites (or 1 large egg white)
1 Tbs water
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
* * *
Instructions:
Combine the egg white and water until fluffy.
Coat pecans evenly.
Combine sugar, salt, and cinnamon until well-blended.
Coat pecans evenly.
Spread pecans in a nonstick (or lightly greased) baking pan and bake until toasted and fragrant (about 1 hour) stirring every 20 minutes.
Allow to cool before chopping.
Book Club Questions
1. How did you feel about Kat’s reaction to learning she had a half-sister? If you were in her shoes, would you have contacted your sister right away, waited a certain period of time or never reached out at all?
2. What did you think about Kat and Penny’s reactions to meeting each other for the first time? Did the growth of their relationship feel authentic? How do you think you would react in a similar situation?
3. In her pain, Kat avoided talking about her mother and didn’t tell Penny that Helena had passed away. How would you have handled things differently?
4. How do you think Jack should have handled the conflict with his father?
5. Fern told Kat that love is generous… what does this phrase mean to you?
6. What are your thoughts on Helena Bennet? Would you classify her as a villain, misunderstood or somewhere in between?
7. What are some of the themes you noticed in the novel?
As always, I’d love to hear your responses or answer any questions you might have. You can reach me at [email protected].