UNEXPECTED GIFTS

Sarah Wilson moves to Montana into what used to be the family vacation home. The memories of her late husband and the heartache of losing him along with their son's affections visit her on a daily basis. Thankfully, she also remembers fun family skiing trips she went on as a teen with her parents and one special friend. Frank Taylor had never forgotten his best friend Alan's younger sister. Leaving for college had ended any thought of a relationship when he lost contact with her. No other woman ever measured up to the standards he'd set because of her. He's in for a surprise when he finds himself stranded in a blizzard and seeks shelter in the nearest home. Will the Christmas season bring Sarah another great love and help her regain the love of her child?

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PAPERBACK [EAN 978-1-941278-27-7 | ISBN 1-941278-27-2] 6x9 library trim (86 pages) Large Print | Average Price: $8.99

HARDBACK [EAN 978-1-941278-26-0 | ISBN 1-941278-26-4] 6x9 library casebound (86 pages) Large Print | Average Price: $19.99

EBOOK [EAN 978-1-941278-28-4 | ISBN 1-941278-28-0] Available in Kindle and EPUB (24,000 words) | Average Price: $4.99

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READ AN EXCERPT

THE big wrought iron canopy bed sitting in the center of the bedroom beckoned Sarah.
Maybe with the aid of her tea, the soft pillow top mattress and the warm down comforter would once again be her island of rest sans dreams of the past.
She kept paper and pens stashed throughout the house, never knowing when inspiration might strike or a character would give her a good one-liner. A notebook and pencil laid on her nightstand, waiting for her. All she needed was to slip into her favorite fleece robe, grab her mug of hot tea, and crawl into bed, writing anything that came to mind until she, hopefully, fell into a dreamless sleep.
Looking up as she turned off the overhead lights, she saw the snow falling in large fluffy flakes outside the kitchen window once again. The storm finally arrived.
Intent on reaching the sanctuary of her room, her steps faltered when a loud pounding on her front door interrupted her calming thoughts.
"Who is stupid enough to be out in this weather?"
She listened for another knock to be sure someone was truly there.
Bang, bang, bang!
She jumped at the strength of the knocks as she set her tea down and grabbed her Taser from the hall console table before heading for the front door.
Bam, bam, bam!
"Hold on, I'm coming!"
She left on the porch light out of habit, but when she peeked out the sidelight of her front door the electricity flared and then went out.
A flashlight flared to life outside as she rummaged through the drawer of the stand by the door for matches. Thankfully, she filled her oil lamps the day before in preparation for the possibility of this exact thing happening. After making sure the lamp stayed lit and the security chain remained engaged, she slowly opened the door.
The next thing she knew she was looking into the ice-blue eyes of her old friend, her first love, standing on her porch covered in snow.
Clearing the snow from his clothing, he wasn't paying attention to who opened the door. "Sorry, but I ended up in the ditch trying to get to the lodge. Can I use your phone?"
"Oh my God, Frank Taylor? I didn't know you still came up to the lodge. What are you doing here — out in this mess?
The mention of his name got his attention. The smile that spread across his face brightened the now dark evening. She closed the door enough to disengage the chain and then swung it open.
"Sarah! I thought you were in L.A. or somewhere like that."
"I used to be in L.A. I've been here for two winters now. Get in here before we both freeze. We can catch up later." She stood back, laughing as he entered. "Did you not check the weather report before you left your place this morning?"
"Thanks, and no, I've been on the road. Before you ask, I spent the drive listening to some new CDs I'd bought just for the trip. I knew to expect some snow, but thought I'd make it back before the storm hit. Guess I was wrong, huh?"
Frank peeled off his gloves and parka, which she took and hung up by the fire to dry.
"Let me light a few more lamps. Then I need to start the generator." She walked to the table beside the front door and picked up the matches.
"I can go start the generator for you."
"You just came in from the cold. Besides, I'd have to do it myself if you weren't here."
"But I am here, so let me help. It's the least I can do." He donned his coat and gloves. With flashlight in hand, he waited by the front door. "Where exactly is the generator?"
"Go through the kitchen and out the back. Turn to your right and you'll see a shed. The genny is full of fuel and ready to go. Thanks, Frank."
Dumfounded, she watched him walk through the kitchen and head out the back door.
What were the odds that Frank Taylor would end up on her doorstep?

[Copyright ©2023 Ariana Gaynor | No unauthorized reproduction or distribution]

READ REVIEWS

"UNEXPECTED GIFTS is an emotional story that has childhood friends, loss of a spouse, dealing with rejection, coping from day to day, reacquainting with a long lost friend, finding love and reconciliation. This is a beautiful story that I consider a sweet clean romance. Sarah Wilson is existing but not really living after the death of her husband Rick. She has returned to live in Montana at the place that was the family vacation home. Frank Taylor was Sarah's older brother's best friend but they had lost contact after he left for college and each moved on in their lives. Frank returned to Montana and purchased the ski lodge. The story brings Frank to Sarah's door during a storm when he runs off the road. Three days snowed in together renews a friendship. Will Frank and Sarah be able to rekindle feelings that each had for the other but never shared? Will Sarah's son, Chris, learn to understand that the death of his father was not his mother's fault. Can Christmas miracles happen for these three people." ~ reviewed by Redrabbit at Amazon [FIVE STARS]

"Counting five long years since her beloved husband Rick died, Sarah Wilson lives in their isolated cabin in Montana, missing him and their son, who is estranged from her. When she begins getting spirited visitations from Rick, encouraging her to move on with her life, she finds it hard to believe that the voice she’s hearing in her dreams and from shadows is really him. Then a freak snowstorm lands her first love, Frank, on her doorstep, and they are snowed in together. Could this chance encounter be what she’s been waiting for or a huge mistake? It’s been years since they’d seen each other. And how much of this is really 'chance'? Is her late husband looking out for her in ways she’d never anticipated? Can she trust this ghostly visitor, or should she run as far away as she can? In UNEXPECTED GIFTS, the author keeps you guessing right until the last page. ~ reviewed by Suzi Taylor

"I loved this book. This is such a great story. I loved how Rick, Sarah's dead husband would talk to her and tell her she needed to move on. An old friend suddenly shows up and her life is finally back on track with love. I highly recommend this book. It's a wonderful story for anytime of the year. I love stories surrounding Christmas. You cannot go wrong with this one." ~ reviewed by Charlie's Girl for Amazon Reviews [FIVE STARS]

"A beautiful story about loss and finding love again. The scenes with her husband were beautifully written although a tear-jerker at times. This is a story that proves there can be more than one soul mate out there for a person." ~ Amazon customer review [FIVE STARS]