Love, Peace & Joy: An Inspirational Romance Holiday Collection

By Stephany Tullis

~It's all about that everlasting love~
An Inspirational Romance Holiday Collection

Maddie M. Merriweather is naturally a happy-go-lucky person—even on those just okay days.

But during the Christmas season, she's euphoric and miraculously transfigured into Mrs. Maddie M. Claus. 'Tis the season to be jolly and she seizes the season. Her heart beats with a 'little drummer-boy like' rhythm. And Mrs. Maddie Claus prances to her own holiday rhythm in her crimson red, winter white and shimmery silver holiday attire.

She doesn't tolerate a scrooge mentality, and while some may say she starts a tad bit too early, her family and friends accept and expect the planning and shopping to begin.

The bottom line is Mrs. Maddie Meriweather Claus loves Christmas and everybody knows it. And hubby, Mr. Meriweather, just issued his annual alert: 'Don't mess with my Maddie's Christmas!'

But has anyone shared the official news with the unpredictable cankerous spirits that threaten to overtake the Meriweather household during this sacred season?

 

If you enjoy Hallmark, you will love:
Chocolate Covered Kisses
Baby Boomer Bash
Missing Christmas Joy
Joyeux Noelle

Love, Peace & Joy is an Inspirational Holiday Romance Collection by USA Today bestselling women's fiction author Stephany Tullis.
"It's all about that everlasting love." 

Other Holiday Stories by Stephany Tullis
Love Rescues (The What Love Can Do Series, Book 2)
48 Hours 'Til Christmas (The Miracle Circle Series, Book 2)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stephany Tullis
• Release date: Nov 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215430576

Stephany Tullis

Stephany's life changed dramatically in the fall of 2008. The professional contract and business writer was unable to find the senior manager job she expected to easily find after her relocation to Atlanta, Georgia. The move was for family reasons and a little sooner than expected but was a part of her personal life plan. Refusing to succumb to the heavy disappointment of not advancing her career in a city with such promise, Stephany struggled to understand purpose behind sudden and unexpected life changes. When her oldest son asked, 'why don't you just write a book? Do what you love to do?', after a few weeks of thought, she decided to give it a shot.  She loved to write and realized that one of the reasons she succeeded as a proposal writer was because of her ability to 'create programs and program designs' ---so effectively that they were loved by her business clients and convincingly presented to and funded by grant sources! From inception to publication, Stephany worked for four years on her first novel, The Master's Plan, A Novel About Purpose. When thinking about how much she continually enjoys reading her debut novel, she writes, "I still laugh at all my favorite chapters and have yet to decide who is my favorite or least liked character. It's amazing! I was able to spin a tail around two frameworks that have had a major influence on my life: church and government politics. In writing The Master Plan, I was reminded of what a blessed life I have had and that despite what appeared to be very dismal circumstances, I was able to use my creativity and love of writing in a different way. Truly, I can see and believe, it was all part of a master plan."

Book preview

LOVE, PEACE & JOY

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AN INSPIRATIONAL ROMANCE HOLIDAY COLLECTION

A Saga of Everlasting Love, Volume 1

STEPHANY TULLIS

USA TODAY Bestselling Author

Love, Peace & Joy (An Inspirational Romance Holiday Collection)

Published in the United States by Diamond TK Publishing

Text Copyright @ 2022 Stephany Tullis

All rights reserved.

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. You may not make this eBook publicly available in any way. This book is copyright protected. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the publisher. Published in the United States of America. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Previously published Missing Christmas Joy (slight revisions) is included in this edition. Published as a part the Chandler County Seasons of Suspense Anthology

Cover Design by Michelle Fairbanks, Fresh Designs

Adobe Stock images

2nd Edition

CONTENTS

LOVE, PEACE & JOY

CONTENTS

PART ONE

CHOCOLATE COVERED KISSES

PART TWO

BABY BOOMER BASH

BBB – Chapter 1

BBB – Chapter 2

BBB – Chapter 3

BBB – Chapter 4

BBB – Chapter 5

BBB – Chapter 6

BBB – Chapter 7

BBB – Chapter 8

BBB - Chapter 9

BBB – Chapter 10

BBB – Chapter 11

BBB – Chapter 12

PART THREE

MISSING CHRISTMAS JOY

PROLOGUE

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

EPILOGUE

JOYEUX NOELLE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

~It’s all about that everlasting love~

An Inspirational Romance Holiday Collection

Maddie M. Merriweather is naturally a happy-go-lucky person—even on those just okay days.

But during the Christmas season, she’s euphoric and miraculously transfigured into Mrs. Maddie M. Claus. ‘Tis the season to be jolly and she seizes the season. Her heart beats with a ‘little drummer-boy like’ rhythm. And Mrs. Maddie Claus prances to her own holiday rhythm in her crimson red, winter white and shimmery silver holiday attire.

She doesn’t tolerate a scrooge mentality, and while some may say she starts a tad bit too early, her family and friends accept and expect the planning and shopping to begin.

The bottom line is Mrs. Maddie Meriweather Claus loves Christmas and everybody knows it. And hubby, Mr. Meriweather, just issued his annual alert: ‘Don’t mess with my Maddie’s Christmas!’

But has anyone shared the official news with the unpredictable cankerous spirits that threaten to overtake the Meriweather household during this sacred season?

If you enjoy Hallmark, you’ll love:

Chocolate Covered Kisses

Baby Boomer Bash

Missing Christmas Joy

Joyeux Noelle

Love, Peace & Joy is an Inspirational Holiday Romance Collection by USA Today bestselling women’s fiction author Stephany Tullis.

It’s all about that everlasting love.

Other Holiday Stories by Stephany Tullis

Love Rescues (The What Love Can Do Series, Book 2)

48 Hours ‘Til Christmas (The Miracle Circle Series, Book 2)

LOVE

"Christmas, my Child, is love in action.

Every time we love, every time we give, it’s Christmas."

~Dale Evans~

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

Oh, Christmas isn’t just a day, it’s a frame of mind.

~Miracle on 34th Street~

Dear Reader,

Thank you so much for reading Love, Peace and Joy (An Inspirational Romance Holiday Collection). I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. This collection is very special to me for several reasons. As many of my readers know, I love Christmas. The season guilelessly generates a spirit of hope and love. For one solid month, everyone appears to be naturally happy—I’m convinced that the holiday spirit is contagious. So I write about Christmas hoping that my stories help generate that same loving spirit throughout the year.

The ‘Love, Peace & Joy’ short story collection revolves around my favorite couple, Maddie and Nels Meriweather. Like me, Maddie and Nels rely on their family traditions to regenerate age old holiday traditions. I can’t wait for you to meet them.

As a writer, I love all my couples but the Meriweathers are unique. I don’t know how they do it. Maddie and Nels have survived major disappointments, chaos and confusion, both mental and physical storms, yet their love and relationship is stronger than ever.

Maybe you can help me figure it out after you’re met them. If you do, I’d love to hear from you. Share your thoughts with me at: [e-mail]. What makes Maddie and Nels’ everlasting love so special?

Happy Reading,

Stephany T.

PART ONE

CHOCOLATE COVERED KISSES

Maddie fumbled as she double tapped the button on the bedside alarm clock. She peeked at her husband and was glad to see he slept through the opening notes of ‘Joy to the World’. She lay stiff as a board on her side of the bed, thinking it would take more than a few musical chords about Christmas joy to enliven her soul on this bleak wintry Sunday morning.

Unable to rebuke temptation, she tugged the blanket up to her chin, semi complacent with the thought of lounging in bed all day, ignoring the whispering tinges of guilt. Get up! You know you need to go to church.

Maddie’s Sunday morning routine was just that—routine. Nelson, her husband of twenty-five years, buried his head under his pillow at six AM, thirty minutes before the scheduled alarm and usual brief gospel interlude. Gospel host Judson Johnson had just enough time to bless the Meriweather household with five words of prayer or a few bars of an inspirational tune before Maddie silenced Mr. Johnson in his spiritual tracks.

Nelson appreciated his wife’s efforts each week to let him sleep as she prepared for church. His job demanded an early rise. He had to be on the construction site and ahead of his team six days a week. Sunday was his only day to sleep in. This morning, despite his body’s demanding call for rest, he realized his wife was still in bed. By now, she would be in the shower. Sometimes he’d fall back asleep to the rhythm of water that melodiously accompanied his wife’s deep contralto as she hummed one of her favorite hymns. This morning’s aberrant silence unnerved him.

What’s wrong Maddie? Are you feeling okay?

Without movement she muttered, I’m fine, honey. I just don’t feel like facing the cold weather. Go on back to sleep. Sorry about the alarm.

He turned over to face her, shocked to see that she lay staring at the ceiling and so close to the outer edge of the bed that if he rolled over, she might easily fall to the floor.

Maddie! Come on now. Cold weather never stopped you from going to church before. So what’s bothering you, baby? His deep-throated, whispered concern nudged her conscience.

Rather than continue to disrupt her husband’s sleep, she murmured, Get some sleep, Nels. She sweetened her response with a kiss. I’m okay.

Officially rebuking temptation, she began her usual Sunday morning rituals. She tiptoed to the bathroom, dressed in their spare bedroom, and by the time she returned to say goodbye, Nelson buried himself under their heavy comforter—both pillows over his head.

She whispered, not wanting to wake him, I’ll see you after church.

He grunted a muffled response. See you later, honey. Hope you feel better. Take some of those cold tablets.

*  *  *  *

Thankfully, she made the trip to church—the service was as special as she hoped. At least fifty crimson poinsettias lined the hallway leading to the sanctuary, huge boughs of evergreen sprinkled with gold sparkles and swathed in multi-shade crimson ribbon draped the pews on each side of the center aisle. The sweet pine fragrance permeated the entire church mystically, lifting her spirit as Mrs. Lewis ushered her to her favorite seat. The triumphant Voices of Angels Christmas Ensemble and red, green, yellow and blue abstract designed stained glass windows in the sanctuary provided the peace she sought. As easy as the peace encompassed her spirit during church service, it inextricably dissipated by the time she crossed the church parking lot to her car...her soul depleted and empty. Again. But why? I don’t know, she whispered to herself.

About two inches of snow had fallen, and she dreaded the long ride home, chiding herself for even making the long trip. Getting up at six to make it to church by eight thirty had been a struggle for her today. If she dared admit to herself, every day was a struggle. And, even worse, everything was a struggle. She felt like a defeated soldier who expected her battalion to lose yet another battle.

She hadn’t shared her feelings with Nels. No need to worry him. He had enough on his plate. Just last week, she’d overheard him on the phone talking to his mother about his younger brother. Unable to hear any details, she knew by the somber tone in his voice and the look on his face when she entered the room that it must be bad. Whatever it was. Other than that, he would have shared it with her. In typical Nels style, she knew he would do anything to ensure that she enjoyed her Christmas holiday. Somehow she’d do it. How hard could it be to conceal your sadness with joy? Christmas was her favorite holiday and just like Nels didn’t want to spoil it for her, she didn’t want to ruin his loving efforts to protect her from herself. How difficult could this be? After all, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year.

*  *  *  *

Maddie stomped her feet, one by one, shaking off the freshly fallen snow, not wanting it to melt onto the floor mats of her already warm car. She was thankful for the remote starter the car sales associate recommended last year when she bought her new to her but slightly used Buick Lacrosse. Once settled in, she removed her winter white turtle fur hat and matching cashmere gloves. As she loosened the scarf around her neck, she twisted the rear-view mirror from habit. Maddie groaned at the image staring back at her. Despite her meticulously applied eyeliner, Maddie’s hazel eyes drooped with weariness. The remaining smudge of Holiday Rouge lipstick showcased the apathy of her soul failing to deliver the Christmas joy promised by the TV ads promoting the celebratory shade.

She readjusted the mirror, combing her fingers through her shoulder length natural wavy cocoa brown hair as though reminding herself of the biblical based scripture that was so often mis-quoted: A woman’s hair is her crown of glory. Her eyes crinkled at her frivolous thoughts. She warmed to the heat blasting from the car vents and adjusted the gauges. Fearing that she might nod off, she decided a cup of coffee might be just what she needed. Maddie questioned but dismissed the somber thought—maybe I need to schedule an appointment with Dr. Chagnon thought. Why am I so tired?

*  *  *  *

Glad she stopped at He-Brews Coffee Shop, Maddie sipped her steaming cafe latte eager to get home and finish dinner. The pound cake she bought after church to support the Women's Ministry would be the perfect finishing touch to her Sunday meal. Nelson wasn't satisfied with Sunday dinner unless it included dessert.

Neither am I. Maddie laughed at her unexpected admission. But her laughter was short-lived. This was the first year that she and Nelson would celebrate Christmas alone.

With the children grown and gone, it was never a surprise when at least one of them called; like clockwork—two weeks after Thanksgiving to report their special plans. Plans that did not include another trip home.

Her eldest son, Lionel, true to schedule, called to say he and the family wouldn’t be able to make it for Christmas this year because they had promised the kids a ski trip to Colorado.

Then Isabel, her youngest daughter, texted her a few days later: Vry sorry, mom, ‘cause I know you love Xmas. Apparently her college roommate’s family invited her to Switzerland for an all-expenses paid holiday.

The clincher was the call she got from Jo, her youngest sister, this week. Her mother-in-law was sick and her husband, Larry, insisted they spend Christmas with his mother.

After this last devastating announcement, Maddie’s spirits sunk even lower, if that was at all possible. If asked and if she dared admit, Maddie’s spirit thermometer registered below zero.

Traditionally, Maddie and Nelson bought their tree a few days before Thanksgiving and trimmed it the Friday after Thanksgiving. The kids and their friends home for the holidays, her friends from church, and a few of Nelson’s friends from the job would share Thanksgiving potluck, bring out the Christmas music, board games, and the electronic ones, for an