Book Title: Fair Mountain Christmas
Series: Heartwarming Christmas
Author: Heidi Eljarbo
Publication Date: 4th October 2021
Publisher: Independently Published
Page Length: 98 Pages
Genre: Sweet Romance, Holiday Fiction
Nostalgia and Christmas miracles burn bright in this uplifting and heartwarming story about new beginnings and falling in love under a blanket of stars.
Fair Mountain, December 1972.
A few days before Christmas, Juni’s editor gives her a writing assignment that throws her far outside her comfort zone. She and her terrier, Leo, retreat to her grandparents’ old cabin in the Norwegian mountains in hopes of inspiration. But the trip turns into a heart-wrenching and emotionally challenging encounter.
Memories of Juni’s childhood seep in as soon as she enters the cabin, and as for the writing assignment…what does she know about what children need for Christmas?
Juni’s focus changes when handsome Henry Norheim from Moose Lodge down the hill unexpectedly shows up outside her cottage door. His dedication to family, traditions, and Christmas celebration is contagious, but for Juni, coming out of her lonely shell is easier said than done.
As Juni’s deadline draws closer, and the snowflakes softly swirl down on Fair Mountain, she has to face up to her past, open her heart, and dare to take a step forward.
Will the miracle of Christmas live up to its promise of hope, goodwill, and love this year?
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Extract
The roar of an engine approaching the cabin became louder until it stopped next to the porch. Juni wiped her tears and opened the door. Leo bounced outside and wagged his tail at the visitor.
“Hey, you.” Henry got off the snow scooter and shuffled through the snow toward her.
Juni put her hands out. “I’m so sorry, but there was no way for me to drive down to Moose Lodge. Doesn’t anyone plough the road up here anymore?” She made a slight frown. “I’m supposed to go back to town tomorrow, and I need someone to clear the road all the way here.”
“No problem. We’ll get a hold of the farmer later. Why don’t you get your things and hop on the back? I’ll take you to the lodge.”
Juni beamed a smile at him. The chassis was orange and yellow, and the huge skis underneath were black. She’d seen snowmobiles run up and down the various trails before but had never ridden one.
She stepped closer. “It looks fun. But what about my dog?”
“Leo’s invited, too. Can you get him to sit with you?”
She giggled. “This dog will sit anywhere to avoid being left at home. Do you want to come inside while I get ready?”
Henry followed her inside and kicked off his boots in the hallway. He stopped by the dining table.
“Wow, that’s a lot of papers. How’s the writing going?”
She rolled her eyes. “Still not finished. I’ll get some more done tonight when I get back. The article is due at the news desk tomorrow evening at the latest.” She looked at him with a sideways smile. “You’ll bring me back later today, won’t you?”
Henry pulled off his hat and ran his hand through his hair. “Well, about that. Why don’t you bring your notes? We have a typewriter and a fax machine. We can get your article to the newspaper in time.”
“But I should come back here and finish my writing.”
Henry stood by the cassette player, picked up a Perry Como tape, and popped it into the player.
“My family plays this kind of music non-stop in December.” He laughed. “I know more Christmas songs by heart than I dare to admit.”
He was too cute, but what was going on? Why was he evasive about bringing her back? Juni stuffed the papers and a few pens into her rucksack. “Henry, I need to—”
“And bring an overnight bag,” he said, swaying to the music.
Juni stepped into the middle of the room. “Why?”
“Because you never know if you might need it. This weather is unpredictable.”
Heidi Eljarbo is the bestselling author of historical fiction and mysteries filled with courageous and good characters that are easy to love and others you don't want to go near. Heidi grew up in a home filled with books and artwork and she never truly imagined she would do anything other than write and paint. She studied art, languages, and history, all of which have come in handy when working as an author, magazine journalist, and painter. After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She and her husband have a total of nine children, thirteen grandchildren—so far—in addition to a bouncy Wheaten Terrier. Their favorite retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summertime and ski the vast, white terrain during winter.
Heidi’s favorites are family, God's beautiful nature, and the word whimsical.
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