48 Hours 'Til Christmas: Miracle Circle, #2

By Stephany Tullis

~It's all about the miraculous spirit of Christmas~

Miracle Circle, Book 2

 

If you enjoy Hallmark small town holiday specials, you'll love Stephany Tullis' made-for-the-big screen larger-than-life characters! 

 

Mayor Luke Evans and Deputy Mayor Jocelyn Lopez promise Smoothville, Georgia residents a Christmas celebration like none other in order to heal their broken city torn apart by the recent mayoral election.  After all, everyone loves Christmas. What better way to mend ill will?

 

Luke resolves to do whatever it takes to regain the trust of Smoothville citizens and even more importantly, his wife and friends. He charges his team to plan an event that will put Smoothville on the map; — and of course, make his citizens forget about last year's fiasco.

 

Newly appointed Smoothville City Manager and an award-winning project manager, Angelica Mason, agrees to undertake the massive project but only after conferring with Lopez—Luke's rival and nemesis.  

 

When Angelica's faithful sidekick and well-known political strategist, Jonathan Jarewski, aka JaRew, takes on the role of lead assistant, the holiday event takes on a life of its own.  One modeled after NYC's annual tree lighting at Rockefeller Center. As Christmas approaches, JaRew discovers someone's out to sabotage Smoothville's Christmas Extravaganza. And he's determined to identify the culprit.

 

Smoothville residents' tempers flare when rumors circulate that the mayor never planned to deliver on his promise. Angelica convinces Luke and Jocelyn they need a special SWAT team to identify the Grinch in their midst.  

 

Is the community right? Is Luke the undercover Scrooge?

 

The SWAT team and Smoothville residents work around the clock to salvage Smoothville's Christmas celebration. Christmas music, holiday food and festivities, and a few angelic hosts make this Christmas novel a holiday favorite; a beautiful story about the magic of Christmas, the strength of family and friends, and the power of forgiveness.

 

48 Hours 'Til Christmas by USA Today bestselling women's fiction author Stephany Tullis.
"It's all about the miraculous spirit of Christmas." 

Other Holiday Stories by Stephany Tullis
Love Rescues (The What Love Can Do Series, Book 2)
Love, Peace & Joy: An Inspirational Holiday Romance Collection

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stephany Tullis
• Release date: Nov 13, 2014
• ISBN: 9798215699096

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

CONTENTS

CONTENTS

PROLOGUE

PART ONE

PART TWO

PART THREE

PART FOUR

PART FIVE

EPILOGUE

BONUS EXCERPT

PROLOGUE

PART ONE

CHAPTER ONE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

OTHER BOOKS BY STEPHANY TULLIS

~It’s all about the miraculous spirit of Christmas~

Miracle Circle, Book 2

If you enjoy Hallmark small town holiday specials, you’ll love, Stephany Tullis’ made-for-the-big screen, larger-than-life characters!

Mayor Luke Evans and Deputy Mayor Jocelyn Lopez promise Smoothville, Georgia residents a Christmas celebration like none other in order to heal their broken city torn apart by the recent mayoral election. After all, everyone loves Christmas. What better way to mend ill will?

Luke resolves to do whatever it takes to regain the trust of Smoothville citizens and, more importantly, his wife and friends. He charges his team to plan an event that will put Smoothville on the map; — and of course, make his citizens forget about last year’s fiasco.

Newly appointed Smoothville City Manager and an award-winning project manager, Angelica Mason, agrees to undertake the massive project but only after conferring with Lopez—Luke’s rival and nemesis.

When Angelica’s faithful sidekick and well-known political strategist, Jonathan Jarewski, aka JaRew takes on the role of lead assistant, the holiday event takes on a life of its own. One modeled after NYC’s annual tree lighting at Rockefeller Center. As Christmas approaches, JaRew discovers someone’s out to sabotage Smoothville’s Christmas Extravaganza. And he’s determined to identify the culprit.

Smoothville residents’ tempers flare when rumors circulate that the mayor never planned to deliver on his promise. Angelica convinces Luke and Jocelyn they need a special SWAT team to identify the Grinch in their midst. Is the community right? Is Luke the undercover Scrooge?

The SWAT team and Smoothville residents work around the clock to salvage Smoothville’s Christmas celebration. Christmas music, holiday food and festivities, and a few angelic hosts make this Christmas novel a holiday favorite; a beautiful story about the magic of Christmas, the strength of family and friends, and the power of forgiveness.

LOVE

"Santa Claus is anyone who loves another and seeks to make them happy;

who gives himself by thought or word or deed in every gift that he bestows."

~Edwin Osgood Grover~

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

"Mankind is a great, immense family.

This is proved by what we feel in our hearts at Christmas."

~Pope John XXIII~

DEDICATION

I dedicate this book, with love, to my mother, Shirley, for sharing her faith and making every Christmas special.

PROLOGUE

A local resident’s YouTube video of the Christmas tree lighting ceremonies, along with the Smoothville Christmas event calendar, went viral a few weeks ago. Many compared the magnificence of the Smoothville lighting and planned events to the annual tree lighting at Rockefeller Center in NYC.

Sunday night, city planners expected more than 10,000 holiday revelers to crowd the Smoothville Amphitheater for the free Atlanta Symphony Orchestra holiday performance. Residents regularly checked their Twitter for the latest buzz on soon to be revealed guest soloists. Michael Bublé, Kelly Clarkson? Usher? Blake Shelton? Perhaps Jennifer Nettles?

Mayor Luke Evans, his deputy Jocelyn Lopez, department heads, and all city workers were on high alert.

Despite all the preparation, someone was out to destroy Smoothville’s Christmas Extravaganza!

A black and white image of a pair of glasses Description automatically generated with low confidence

PART ONE

14 Months Earlier

~THE MAYOR AND WOODY~

Luke Evans rose to greet his guest, who crossed the full length of the office in five elongated strides and with a smile so charming an observing stranger might believe he was the mayor’s long-lost friend. Not waiting for an official greeting, he stretched his arm across the enormous mahogany desk. The mayor grabbed his visitor’s hand in both of his, holding onto them as though they were an offered life line: one the mayor could not risk dropping.

How are you, Pastor Jones? Thank you so much for coming over on such short notice. I hope I didn’t interrupt your Thanksgiving plans.

No problem, it’s good to see you, Mr. Mayor. Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to you Reverend Jones.

Reverend Jones, can I get you some coffee? Sorry to interrupt, but it’s chilly out there and I’d love for you to sample some of my pumpkin cheesecake. I made a couple and I hope you take one home with you. Sara Evans, the mayor’s wife, was only vaguely acquainted with the well know pastor, but it elated her to see him. If he could do anything to lift her husband’s depression, she’d be forever grateful. A cup of coffee and some dessert was the least she could do.

That sounds great, Mrs. Evans. I’m one to watch my diet, but during the holidays, I just can’t seem to help myself.

Surprised by the deep resonance of the pastor’s voice, she felt like singing.

Please call me Sara, Reverend Jones. What about you Mr. Mayor? She smiled but quickly added, Are you going to break bread with Reverend Jones, honey?

She joked, but her husband dropped three pant sizes over the last year. The very healthy appetite he had for the more than 25 years she knew him had plummeted on the campaign trail. Before he could refuse, she closed her husband’s office door cheering, I’ll be right back y’all.

Not knowing what else to say, Woodruff T. Jones, Senior Pastor at Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, opted to continue to stand and say nothing. He learned the hard way when you don’t know what to do. It’s best to stand still. He was shocked two weeks ago when his secretary delivered the message that Luke Evans, now a two-term mayor—about to begin his second term in January—wanted to meet with him. Marguerite got some free dates from him. Voila, now here he sat.

He had no clue what to expect. One thing he knew for sure: the mayor needed to eat some of that pumpkin cheesecake his wife promised. He looked like he could stand to gain a few pounds. His polo appeared to be at least two sizes too big. It plainly drooped on his body; as saggy as a wet baby’s pamper. Jones wasn’t wearing his glasses, but was sure the mayor’s clavicle was poking through his shirt.

Reverend Jones, join me here at the table. I appreciate you coming over to meet with me.

Not a problem at all, Mayor Evans. These seats look mighty comfortable. Hope I don’t get too relaxed. Don’t take it personal now if I nod off on you Mr. Mayor. You may not know it, but I just celebrated another year of life. I’m grateful for the blessing, but these years are catching up with me.

Call me Luke, Reverend.

Well Luke, call me Woody. That’s what my friends call me. And most of my congregation call me Pastor Woody—at least the ones who really know me.

Woody sat. And smiled—having not the slightest idea as to the purpose and direction of this impromptu meeting.

The mayor sat. And he smiled. Granted, he’d convened the meeting but didn’t know where to begin. He smiled again and nodded his head as though implying the good pastor possessed the spiritual insight to read his mind. 

Never one to rush into anything, Woody did what he did best: What does this man want me to do? He obviously needs something. Help me Lord.

Well Woody, I’m just gonna be blunt. And please forgive me if I’m too blunt. I’m in a pickle, as they say. As you know, I won the election but you may not know that I feel like I lost my city. Heck, I feel like I lost myself. I don’t like the man I became during that dang, oh sorry Reverend, I mean Woody… during the election. And I can’t run Smoothville like I’m feeling’. Just look at me.

Woody didn’t need to look any closer. He’d already concluded that the mayor needed some meat on his bones. He