November 19, 2025

Spotlight: The Christmas Wish in Twinkle Falls by Freda Ann

November 19, 2025/ Michelle Bowles

(A Twinkle Falls Novel, #6)

Publication date: November 21st 2025

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Holiday, Romance

After my husband died overseas in an ambush, our kids became my world. He was my one and only—I could never meet anyone who makes me feel the way he did.

(Rochelle)

Needing a fresh start last year, I took my kids to Twinkle Falls for Christmas, but meeting Jesse was never part of my plan. When my best friend introduced us, this retired police officer’s charm and infectious smile started breaking down my walls.

Me and the kids agreed to make Twinkle Falls our forever home at the end of our three month break—but something went horribly wrong after returning home to pack up our things.

(Jesse)

After losing touch with Rochelle once she stopped all communication with me, I knew I’d been ghosted. Roe was the one person I could imagine a future with when my ex left me once I became an amputee.

With my buddies trying to fix me up, I decide it’s time to move on from the past.

(Rochelle)

Nine months after our planned move, me and the kids arrive in Twinkle Falls with everything we own after purchasing a home. Feeling horrible the way I left things with Jesse, our friends agree to let me be the one to tell him we’re here once me and the kids get settled.

Now ready to share the news, I texted Jesse asking if we can talk, but days go by with no response.

While having lunch with my friends I glance around the restaurant and my jaw drops. I see why Jesse didn’t respond to my message—he’s found another woman—the one whose hands are all over him.

Can a Christmas wish intervene and seal this couple’s fate?

This is a feel good, clean, faith-based Christmas romance featuring the charm of small town life, insta-love, and a Christmas miracle with a happily ever after.

It’s book 6 of an ongoing holiday themed sweet romance series, Hallmark style.

Excerpt

“Kids, you better get downstairs, Jesse will be here any minute to pick us up.” I holler from the foyer.

As feet quickly pound the steps, Lilly proclaims, “We’re getting our tree today!”

“Yay, we’re getting our tree!” Ty says when I hear the crunching of tires coming up the driveway.

The grandparents went in town for brunch at the Twinkle Falls Inn before watching the kids this afternoon when me and Trace go downtown.

Before Jesse knocks on the door I pull it open to his amazing smile as he scans the kids saying, “There’s two of my favorite kids.” They smile while all sharing a hug.

“Who wants to get a Christmas tree?” He asks full of enthusiasm.

They both scream while jumping up and down. “We do, we do!”

“Okay then, let’s get going.” He says leading Ty out to the truck so he doesn’t slide on the patches of ice while I hold Lilly’s hand walking carefully.

While Jesse looks for a parking spot Ty asks, “Mommy, is Mr. Kris really Santa Claus?”

Cutting my eyes to Jesse, my mouth opens then closes when I shrug at him and say, “Well, I can’t say for sure, but there are a lot of people that have lived here for a long time who kind of think so. Then again, why would Santa be working at a tree lot?”

Lilly matter-of-factly states. “Because he gets to talk to the parents and see which kids are naughty and nice.”

Giving me a brief sideways glance, Jesse cackles. “I think you might be onto something Lilly.”

After parking, I grab Ty’s hand so Jesse can have some time with Lilly. “Come on little man, let’s find the perfect tree.”

“Not if we find one first.” Jesse states while holding Lilly’s hand as they go to the left while I lead Ty to the right.

A while later we show each other the trees we like the most when Jesse suggests, “How about we flip a coin to see which one to take home?”

The kids look at each other and Ty shrugs, “Alright, can I flip it?”

Peeking at Lilly, she nods at me so I answer, “That sounds good to us, but we get heads.”

Whispering in Ty’s ear, my son says, “Okay,” before Jesse gives him a quarter which he quickly flips.

The coin bounces on the ground and lands on tails. “We won Mr. Jesse, we won!” Ty jumps up and down giggling and getting someone’s attention.

“That was a wonderful coin flip Tyler.” Kris bends over sharing his usual jolly smile with my son.

Ty’s jaw sinks down while staring at him for a minute then turns to me. “Mom, it’s Santa—I mean Mr. Kris.”

“Can you say hello to Mr. Kris?” I coax him.

Beaming, he looks him in the eyes and says, “Hi Mr. Kris. Are you really Santa Claus?”

Looking at Jesse, my face feels like it’s on fire. Sighing, I say, “I’m sorry Kris.”

“Oh it’s alright. I get that all the time. We do rather resemble each other, don’t we?” He lets out a long belly laugh while holding his round belly.

“How are you young lady?” He asks turning to Lilly.

Smiling, she says, “I’m good Mr. Kris.”

“That’s great to hear Lilly.” Her brows raise when he says her name.

He looks at Ty. “Have you been a good boy this year young man?”

Nodding, my son says, “Uh-huh.”

“That’s wonderful to hear. It looks like you’ve found the perfect Christmas tree. Well, let me get someone to help you take it to your car.”

As he walks away, the kids yell, “Bye Mr. Kris.” He chuckles and waves his hand through the air.

On the drive to our house the kids talk mostly amongst themselves about Mr. Kris, debating whether he is really Santa Claus or not while me and Jesse muffle our laughs.

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About the Author

Freda Ann is fondly known for her sweet/clean, HEA RomComs. Her loyal fans and reviewers have compared several of her books to Hallmark movies. Many have hit #1 in multiple categories after release.

She writes relatable, faith and family based love stories which include kids and adorable dogs. Her writing style appeals to people of all ages. Her books will take you on an emotional journey with likable characters, and dreamy settings you'll wish you could visit.

After retiring from a career in the law enforcement field, Freda feels blessed to be able to write and self-publish her stories for everyone to read. She adores her large family, 5 children and 9 grandchildren, and hosts monthly family gatherings.

To hear about new releases, please follow her on Amazon and also on Goodreads.

Connect:

https://fredaannwriter.com/

https://www.instagram.com/fredaannwriter/

https://www.facebook.com/fredaannwriter/

https://x.com/FredaAnn1663599

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17264005.Freda_Ann

June 12, 2025

Spotlight: The Captain’s Crush by Freda Ann

June 12, 2025/ Michelle Bowles

(A Bliss Cay Novella, #6)

Publication date: June 13th 20245

Genres: Sweet & Clean Romance/Christian Romance/Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

Amelia Marks met her first love, Lewis, on summer vacation twenty-six years ago as a teenager, but their future goals kept them apart once they left Bliss Cay.

Now a successful middle-aged widow, and mother to a teenage daughter, her career brings her back to the island, the same place where she met Lewis. After he pulls her over in his police car, she’s stunned when he insists they’ve never met.

Flat out mad that he’s making her feel like a complete stranger, considering the summer they shared together, Amelia is determined to leave her feelings for him in the past. That was before Amelia discovers she’s now his new boss at the Bliss Cay Police Department and his name is not Lewis, it’s Jesse, who shares a striking resemblance to the boy who stole her heart all those years ago.

This mid-life love story is about heartbreak, family bonds, and some unexpected new beginnings with a happily ever after ending.

(All books in this series are ‘standalone’ beach town love stories with new main characters in each book.)

Exceprt

Snapping back from my little trip down memory lane, a blaring siren pierces my helmet. I momentarily pull my gaze from the road to check the sideview mirrors for the cause.

I catch a glimpse of the police car behind me and ease my bike into the safety zone out of its way. Upon doing so, the marked car pulls behind me. I come to a stop putting the kickstand down and shutting the engine off.

Seriously? Relaxing my arms I force a breath out and rest my hands on my thighs waiting for the cop to approach me.

Hearing footsteps closing in, I turn to face them. Despite my helmet blocking a clear view, I notice a tall, muscular figure stopping a few feet in front of my bike.

Meeting his gaze, I see a man in uniform wearing dark sunglasses and his department issued hat resting his hands on his belt.

“Ma’am.” He gives me a slight nod. “I need your license and registration, please.”

Resisting the urge to ask the common question of ‘did I do something wrong officer’, I settle for, “No problem.”

Unzipping my vest I reach for the inside pocket, where I keep the paperwork. Pulling out what I need, I hand it to him and sit up tall while he looks them over.

As he scans my driver’s license and motorcycle registration, I furrow a brow studying his facial features. But when he senses me watching him, he lowers his hand and tips his head up staring back at me.

“Is something wrong?” The cop asks.

Curiosity gets the best of me the more I hear his voice. “Have we met before?”

Giving me a boyish grin as if he thinks I’m flirting with him, he dips his head and chuckles. “Uh, no ma’am. I can assure you we’ve never met, at least not until now.”

He hands me the papers when I say, “I guess not then. So, was I speeding or something?”

“Technically Ms. Marks you were going a little over the speed limit, but that’s not why I stopped you. There’s been a bike just like yours driving recklessly and cutting drivers off for a few weeks now. I’m just trying to keep everyone on our island safe.”

“Well, I appreciate that.”

He takes a step, stopping next to me while pulling his glasses halfway down his nose, looking over the top of them. “I hope you enjoy your stay ma’am.”

Peeking at the name tag on his chest, I state, “Thank you Officer Lewis. I’m sure I will.”

When he eases his car around me, I slide the papers back into my pocket. My brows raise up as his voice and what I could see of his eyes tickle a memory. “Wait, Officer Lewis? They wouldn’t use first names here, would they?”

I stare at the back of his patrol car as he drives away. That can’t be my Lewis, no way. He didn’t live here when we met. I could never forget his voice, eyes, or smile even after all of these years.

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About the Author

Freda Ann is fondly known for her sweet/clean, HEA RomComs. Her loyal fans and reviewers have compared several of her books to Hallmark movies. Many have hit #1 in multiple categories after release.

To hear about new releases, please follow her on Amazon and also on Goodreads.

Connect:

https://fredaannwriter.com/

https://www.instagram.com/fredaannwriter/

https://www.facebook.com/fredaannwriter/

https://x.com/FredaAnn1663599

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17264005.Freda_Ann

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December 03, 2023

Spotlight: Babies in Twinkle Falls by Freda Ann

December 03, 2023/ Michelle Bowles

(Twinkle Falls, #4)

Publication date: November 28th 2023

Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

Kylee Croft finds herself pregnant and alone as an only child of her deceased parents. Her father died soon after her birth, and her mother recently passed. With her grandparents also deceased, all that’s left of the family she’d known were photos…or so she thought.

Uncovering the biggest secret of her mother’s life, Kylee leaves the idyllic town of Chantilly, France for Twinkle Falls, Vermont in hopes of finding the family she never knew existed.

Soon after arriving, she becomes friends with her handsome co-worker, Trace Holberg, a single dad raising twin boys by himself.

As Kylee and Trace’s relationship grows, she forges a friendship with Bridgette Dupont, the woman who gave her a job when she desperately needed one. She’s the same woman Kylee believes to be the sister she never knew about, and the daughter of a father who’s very much alive.

Will Bridgette and her father accept the news Kylee believes to be the truth, or will her hopes and dreams of a new family be shattered?

Excerpt

(Trace and Kylee)

A squeal from the passenger’s seat pulls me back to the present just as we turn down the street to the hospital. Glancing at Kylee, she looks pale with moisture on her forehead.

I push on the accelerator. “Talk to me babe. Are the pains getting worse?”

Grunting, she rapidly nods. “It—uhhh!” She grabs her lower abdomen after another gut-wrenching squeal rings out.

“Whatever you do, don’t push. We’re almost there, Kylee.” I caress her shoulder and feel the heat from her feverish body.

Tears steadily flow when she bends forward holding her belly with both arms. “Something’s wrong.” Fighting a sob, she says, “I—I think I’m bleeding.”

“Maybe your water broke,” I say, trying to calm Kylee as well as my own fears. “We’ll be there in less than a minute, baby.”

“It’s not my water.”

With both hands on the wheel, I yell, “Hey, Siri, call the hospital ER.” I programmed the number in my phone after I became a single father knowing I might need it one day.

“Twinkle Falls Emergency Room,” a curt female voice answers.

“Any minute, I’ll be approaching the emergency room doors with a woman in labor. She’s feverish and may be hemorrhaging. Get a stretcher out here, now!”

“Uh, yes sir, right away.”

When the phone clicks, I carefully take the last curve leading me into the parking lot of the Emergency Department. Pulling to the curb, two men come running through the electric doors with a gurney rolling between them.

Jumping out, I meet them at the passenger’s door, flinging it open. They lock the wheels while I scoop Kylee up in my arms, gently laying her on top of the stretcher as they begin belting her to it. That’s when I see her blood smeared across my right forearm and on the sheets below her.

As I stare at the blood on my arm, I get tingly when one of the men grabs ahold of my shoulder. “Hey, she’ll be okay; let’s get her inside.” The three of us take off running through the doors and down the hallway to a large room just past the nurses’ station.

“What’s her name?” One of them asks.

“Kylee. Kylee Croft.”

“How old is she?”

“Twenty-two.”

“Is this her first child?”

“Yes.”

“Do you know her blood type?”

“Yeah, um…it’s O positive.”

A nurse is already in the room when they roll her inside, attaching what looks like an IV bag to the pole at the head of the hospital bed. Three more nurses rush in, one pushing an incubator against the wall near the foot of the bed.

While they remove the belts and lift Kylee onto the mattress, a woman wearing a doctor’s coat ushers me closer to the door asking, “Is this your wife?”

“She’s my girlfriend.”

“We’re going to need some information from you so we can treat her. I need you to come with me and let the nurses do their job.”

“No, I can’t leave her, she’s scared.”

“I’m Doctor Stringfield. What’s your name?” She holds my gaze until I answer.

“Trace, Trace Holburg.”

“Well, Mr. Holburg, we need to contact her OB-GYN for her medical history, as well as the baby’s pediatrician, and we need to do this now. My nurses will take excellent care of her; nevertheless, we need critical information before we can treat her and the baby, you understand?”

Raking my hand over my head, I nod. “Yes, I understand, though someone needs to stay with her. She gets pretty nervous in hospitals ever since her mom died.”

“I promise you she won’t be alone, not in her condition. We need to stabilize her, and that’s why you need to come with me to fill out some forms and make the necessary phone calls.”

Before leaving, I walk close enough for Kylee to see me. “I won’t be far, baby. I need to do some paperwork, and then I’ll be back, I promise.”

When one of the nurses blocks my view, I yell, “Stay strong, Kylee.”

(End of Excerpt)

No part of this book may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the author.

This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment and is a work of fiction. All names, people, places, incidents, events are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual people (living or dead), businesses, places or events is entirely coincidental and not intended by the author.

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About the Author

Freda was born in southern New Jersey but grew up in Florida. She has loved writing her entire life. After retiring from a career in law enforcement, she knew it was time to fulfill her lifelong dream of being a published author.

She's the author of The Hawaii Series, proudly named from her love of the beautiful Hawaiian Islands. It's a three-book series with all of them written as standalone books.

Freda loves her large family, horses, dogs, cat, and close friends. She hosts monthly family dinners at her home in the country, which she shares with her husband.

She loves baking (she owned and operated a cupcake business for years), cooking, yoga, crocheting, nature and traveling with the love of her life.

What helps her write? Music makes her happy! If music doesn't give her the right motivation, she puts on a romantic movie, usually from the Hallmark Channel, which she can't get enough of!

Freda speaks her mind and pushes perfection to its limit. She strives to be her best, most positive self she can be in life. With time, determination, and practice, she believes anything is possible.

Connect:
https://www.instagram.com/fredaannwriter/
https://www.facebook.com/fredaannwriter/
https://fredaannwriter.com/
https://www.pinterest.ca/fredaannwriter/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17264005.Freda_Ann

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May 16, 2023

Spotlight: Her Bodyguard in Bliss by Freda Ann

May 16, 2023/ Michelle Bowles

(A Bliss Cay Novella, #5)
Publication date: May 16th 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

Chance McNally is a former Navy Seal and a hot-headed Irishman who’s at the end of his rope trying to balance a new job while raising a difficult teenage daughter alone.

Along comes Riley Cole, a feisty event planner running a successful business, whose carefully curated life is changed by the constant threat of a dangerous stalker. Afraid for her life, she hires the best bodyguard in Bliss Cay…who happens to be Chance.

With Chance assigned to protect Riley, he must assume the role of her boyfriend in order to keep her safe from danger at all times—a feat easier said than done. When the two are together they’re oil and water, leading to explosive situations as they are forced to tolerate each other’s presence.

With Riley’s world turned upside down over the ever-constant threat of danger, the safety this fake relationship offers is something she realizes she’s been missing in her life. For Chance, Riley may be the spark of fire he needs to finally heal from past traumas.

Will the one person Chance never wanted in his life be the one to persuade him to face a tortured past, and will this relationship stay fiction—or can their growing feelings turn it into fact?

(Book 5 of a standalone series; can be read in any order.)

Excerpt

Hearing the gentle waves rolling ashore in the distance, a relaxing breath escapes me. I pull Taylor snugly under my arm, enjoying the rare moment of closeness we get to share while we’re both home for a short leave.

I remember the day we met and smile knowing it’ll forever be etched in my brain. This woman had some serious attitude, and was on a mission to prove herself amongst the all-male team she is now a part of; a team working alongside my own on one of many top secret missions we’d work together on in the years to come.

My fiancé leans forward, looking at me. “What are you smiling about?”

Kissing the top of her head I squeeze her saying, “You.”

“What’d I do?”

Chuckling when she squints, I admit, “I was thinking about our first meeting, you know…when you tried to put me in my place.”

“What do you mean tried? As I recall, your teammates razzed you to no end once I left.”

“Okay, okay, let’s just say we put each other in our places and leave it at that.” She elbows me as we bust out laughing.

Having ‘Type A’ personalities, it was inevitable that we’d clash, and we most definitely did. Little did we know our pig-headedness would force us closer together instead of pushing us apart.

After our commanding officers made us work scenarios together to keep us from arguing, one thing led to another and we couldn’t imagine our lives without each other.

Once our daughter, Emilee, was born a few years later, Taylor requested to be reassigned to another team. She wanted more time in the United States to be a bigger part of our little girl’s life, especially with me frequently getting deployed overseas at a moment’s notice.

It meant a lot to her to try and give our girl as normal a life as possible in between top secret missions and on the job training while in the Navy.

Taylor struggles at times since she no longer has her family around to make memories with. Her grandparents died one year apart before I met her, and three years before our daughter was born, her parents died in a multi-vehicle crash during a bad snow storm. Being close to each of them, she had a hard time managing so much grief in a short time.

When Emilee was eleven, she started acting out in school causing added stress for my parents. Taylor said it was time to change careers to give our daughter stability and to take pressure off mom and dad.

Putting feelers out for a job in neighboring communities, she was offered, and happily accepted, an investigative position with the State Attorney’s Office. She couldn’t wait to have a regular mother-daughter relationship with Em without being pulled away at the drop of a hat.

“So why did you agree to do one last mission before coming home for good?” I ask her. “You know Emilee can hardly contain her excitement about having her mom in Bliss Cay full-time, not to mention how thrilled my family is.”

Settling against my chest, the regret in her words is obvious. “They all but guilted me into it. I was reminded of how some of their missions were put on hold since they’re short staffed, and if we can’t pull this one off next week, some bad things are going to happen. When I explained that my new job starts in a few weeks, they assured me it’ll be a short trip.”

As her hand caresses my chest, I grin. “It better be. I think our daughter told the entire staff at school you’re moving back. Practically everyone I’ve seen the last few days said they’re happy for her to have you home again.”

“That sounds like our girl,” she beams. I kiss her beautiful lips savoring our time together, knowing I’ll be leaving tomorrow to prepare for my next mission.

“I’m really excited about this new chapter in our lives, Tay. My plan is to take leave more often so we can make more memories as a family before our daughter thinks it’s not cool to spend time with her parents anymore.”

She giggles while placing her head against my shoulder and admitting, “There’s nothing I’d like more, babe.”

Resting my head on hers, I close my eyes when gunshots ring out. I reach for Taylor to pull her onto the ground and out of harm’s way but all too suddenly—she’s gone. Stretching my arms as far as they’ll go to find her, I realize I’m not on the porch anymore, but lying next to the bed in our room with blood covering my hands.

“Noooo!” I yell out, the word vibrating through me as if in slow motion. Hearing the bedroom door open, I scurry onto my knees to the side table and search for my weapon. I have to protect her, I have to protect Taylor!

But before I can find it, the light comes on and I hear my little girl say, “Dad, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”

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About the Author