2-in-1 Supernatural Romance Novellas
Book 2Similar author (as provided by Karen): Nora Roberts/Rachel Lee The Amethyst Star {Futuristic Romance Novella}: They live in a time when humans have become an endangered species...
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2-in-1 Romance Novellas, Book 1: 2-in-1 Inspirational Romance Novellas by Karen Wiesner
2-in-1 Inspirational Romance Novellas
The Amethyst Angel {Traditional Romance Novella}: Elena Lopez's father has decided to play matchmaker with his long-time friend and neighbor, Marta Delgado, when Marta's nephew comes to town. Elena has a secret though: She's always loved Marta's own son Pablo. An amethyst angel belonging to a dying boy reminds Elena that spending her life waiting for something to happen isn't living and that love must be shared. Can she take the risk of telling Pablo her feelings even if he doesn't share her love?
A Home for Christmas {Inspirational Romance Novella}: All Christie Renata Zondervon has ever wanted is a family, especially at Christmas-time. Craig Stevens has dried her tears, held her hand, listened to her talk about her hopes and fears at any time of day or night. She's never looked at him romantically before...until he invites her to spend Christmas with his family. How does a painfully shy man reveal his heart without voicing the words that could lead to rejection? Craig has given himself twelve days to convince Christie he can be the man of her dreams. Now it's a countdown to win her heart or bust!
The Amethyst Angel {Traditional Romance Novella}: Elena Lopez's father has decided to play matchmaker with his long-time friend and neighbor, Marta Delgado, when Marta's nephew comes to town. Elena has a secret though: She's always loved Marta's own son Pablo. An amethyst angel belonging to a dying boy reminds Elena that spending her life waiting for something to happen isn't living and that love must be shared. Can she take the risk of telling Pablo her feelings even if he doesn't share her love?
A Home for Christmas {Inspirational Romance Novella}: All Christie Renata Zondervon has ever wanted is a family, especially at Christmas-time. Craig Stevens has dried her tears, held her hand, listened to her talk about her hopes and fears at any time of day or night. She's never looked at him romantically before...until he invites her to spend Christmas with his family. How does a painfully shy man reveal his heart without voicing the words that could lead to rejection? Craig has given himself twelve days to convince Christie he can be the man of her dreams. Now it's a countdown to win her heart or bust!
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Chapter 1
Elena Lopez's father joined her as she completed her rounds through the Children of Hope Hospital. Three generations of Lopez's had cared for terminally-ill children, but Elena was the first woman doctor in her family.
At thirty years of age, she'd given her life to the hospital. She'd grown up inside its walls, and she'd known since she was a young girl that she would follow in her father's footsteps.
"Marta's welcome party is this night. We should get ready soon," her father reminded her, his voice sounding more melodious to Elena as the unpainted plaster walls and saltillo tile halls absorbed and hushed it to an intimate whisper. "You are planning to attend?"
Elena glanced at him warmly. "Of course. How could I turn Marta down?"
Her father's mouth turned up in amusement at the mere thought.
Though Marta was in a wheelchair, crippled from the car accident that had claimed Elena's mother's life years ago, she was a formidable woman who simply didn't take no for an answer--certainly not from her best friend's family, which Marta had claimed as her own since Susana's death.
"I just want to look in on Juan before we go."
Her father nodded, and they stopped long enough to put on gowns, masks, shoe coverings and gloves to protect Elena's patient from infection. Then they continued down the hall to the isolated section of the ward. Her father stayed in the doorway while she went into Juan's room.
Though Juan Habanera had had a bone marrow transplant a few weeks earlier and hadn't developed an infection in that time, Elena could recognize the signs of decline in the seven-year-old. Even so, the joy in his smile was never affected by his unstable health. His optimism belied all of his suffering. He'd come to the hospital three years ago, justifiably afraid and uncertain of his future, but he'd become a new person in that time. Everyone in the ward drew strength from him.
Juan was frail, with huge dark eyes set in a pale face. He'd lost his hair long ago from treatments. In his hands, he held the small amethyst angel statue Elena had given him when he came. As he often did, he raised it up toward the window beside him. The sun pierced through it and exploded light-filled, lavender rays all around him. Elena had told him her mother gave her the angel just before she'd died, promising her the angel's light of love would never go out as long as life was lived and love was shared.
"How do you feel this afternoon, cariño?" Elena asked him with a smile.
"Sleepy. Happy. I hoped you would come back tonight to tuck me in."
Elena picked up his chart, anxious about the results of the tests she'd taken earlier. His temperature was elevated, and she could see the glands in his neck were swollen even from the foot of the bed.
She moved to the side of the bed and folded his blanket down past his waist. Gently, she probed his abdomen below the ribs and confirmed an enlarged spleen.
She didn't want him to see her unhappiness. The results of the bone marrow biopsy she'd performed that morning weren't in yet, and she wanted all the facts before she talked to him. She set down the chart. Sitting carefully beside him, she unlooped her stethoscope from around her neck and warmed it in her gloved hands.
"How did you enjoy the sunshine today, Juan?"
"The sun felt nice. I was glad to be outside. Pablo came with magic up his sleeves."
Elena laughed at the delighted smile of memory lighting the boy's pale face. "He did, did he? Seems I missed the best part of the day."
Though activities had to be limited, considering the isolated patients' tendency toward infection, everyone--including the staff--enjoyed a good magic show.
"He asked after you," Juan told her with a teasing smile. "If you'd been there, the flowers he pulled out of his construction hat would have been yours."
Elena lowered her gaze, too aware of how her heart rate had picked up with the mention of Pablo. He'd used his lunch hour to entertain the children again. "Yes, I saw Pablo's flowers on Liz's nightstand. She was very happy with them."
Elena pressed the warmed stethoscope to his chest, listening to his heart and breathing. He sounded labored.
"Is Liz still afraid of being alone during her dialysis?" Juan asked.
"She's getting better. She loved the picture books you suggested. That helped a lot. Thank you, Juan."
"I'll try to visit her tomorrow."
"I think she'd like that." Elena drew his blanket up around his shoulders. "Have you had any headaches?"
"Not bad. Not like they were."
Elena nodded, sure they would be back soon, based on the symptoms she was seeing in him. "All right. I'll have Henry start you on antibiotics right away, then you need to sleep, cariño. I'll come back and check in on you before I go to bed tonight. 'Night."
"Goodnight, ángel de amor."
Elena hugged him before getting up to jot notes on his chart. She left the room, her father's calming hand at her back. "Bad news?" he asked when they were far enough down the hall to be out of Juan's hearing.
"He's developing pneumonia. I'm still waiting on the results of the biopsy I did this morning. The last thing he needs right now is to get an infection."
At the receptionist desk, they removed their scrubs. Elena gave the ward nurse instructions for starting the IV, telling him to page her if Juan developed cyanosis and a higher fever over the next few hours.
Her father didn't offer her any of the number of platitudes she already knew when they left the hospital. In silence, they followed the stone path behind it to the simple home several generations of Lopez's had lived in, in order to be on call at all times. None of the children in their hospital were expected to live more than five years. Many of them wouldn't survive to the end of the year. Her father also didn't tell her not to get involved. He--they--believed it was their calling in life to make sure these children were comfortable and as happy as they could possibly be in the time left to them. Loving them was a given, and it was necessary to give freely of what they had.
"Have you met Marta's nephew before?" Elena asked once they let themselves inside the cool shadows of their foyer.
"Arrio, no, though I have met several of her other nieces and nephews." He placed his cane in the oversized antique Apache basket.
"Did she invite many people to the welcome celebration?"
"Merely all of Santa Fe, I believe," her father said, his face serious. Marta had to be excited about Arrio's arrival.
Pablo would be there. Of course he would. He was Marta's son, and therefore Arrio's cousin. Pablo would certainly be there. Her pulse jumped at the thought.
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Reviews
“These two novellas hit me hard. They were very romantic and a joy to read. Now I can't wait to see what Ms. Wiesner comes up with next!”
Reviewed By: Hotcha
★★★★★2-in-1 Inspirational Romance Novellas
Review for The Amethyst Angel and A Home for Christmas (2-in-1 Inspirational Romance Novellas):
“In The Amethyst Angel, I love that Dr. Elena Lopez takes her job seriously. She has so much love for the terminally ill children she cares for, she has no time for a love life. She has feelings for her best friend Pablo, but every time she looks at him he looks away. Shy Pablo grew up with Elena, but he assumes he has no chance with her. Pablo enjoys doing magic for the children and little Juan is a joy to entertain as he always has a smile and laugh so much that others can’t help but laugh, too.
“In A Home for Christmas, I love how patient Craig is with Christie while she’s in love with his brother Gregg, who’s tried hard to let her down easy. Craig’s is the shoulder she comes to cry on each time her heart is broken. Given that he’s long known Christie’s feelings for his sibling, Craig is justifiably timid about admitting his own for her. Easier to wait for her to come around to the truth. But, this holiday season, he’s determined to prove he’s just the man Christie needs.
“These two novellas hit me hard. They were very romantic and a joy to read. Now I can't wait to see what Ms. Wiesner comes up with next!”
Reviewed By: Hotcha
★★★★★The characters come alive for the reader. The Amethyst Angel lifts the reader’s heart with hope and inner peace. A book to read without putting down. After a cover-to-cover read, you'll want to pick it up and read it again and again as times goes by. This is a book to be prized for your library of keepers.
Reviewed By: Long and the Short Reviews
★★★★★Wiesner delivers a touching story of life, love, and friendship. The characters in this story will evoke a reaction in even the most cynical heart. An outstanding read not to be missed.
Reviewed By: Fallen Angels Reviews
★★★★★This reviewer cannot remember any bad things about this story. The book was extremely believable. The characters were very connected with both each other and the reader. The setting of this story made it easier for the reader to be captivated. Go and get your copy today!
Reviewed By: Love Romances
★★★★★The characters come alive for the reader. The Amethyst Angel lifts the reader’s heart with hope and inner peace. If one looks closely enough, there is a lesson about living along with romance.
A book to read without putting down. After a cover-to-cover read, you'll want to pick it up and read it again and again as times goes by. This is a book to be prized for your library of keepers.
Reviewed By: Long and the Short Reviews
★★★★★The Santa Fe backdrop makes this story colorful. The flowery cultural intricacies among the characters don't overwhelm the story. Enjoy the sparkling secondary characters.
Reviewed By: another Love Romances reviewer
I believe this is my favorite Karen Wiesner story to date. I found this to be the most poignant story I've read in a very long time. I was very deeply touched. I just can't tell you how much I enjoyed this old fashioned (yet modern) look at love in its purest sense.
Reviewed By: Once Upon A Romance Review
★★★★☆A treasure for those who read it, this will entertain all who read it. Captivating and well written, bringing you deep into their characters' lives. A treasure filled with magic, love, and happy-ever-after. Don't miss adding this impressive story to your reading list.
Reviewed By: Ecataromance.com
★★★★☆I enjoyed how the story unfolded, proving how tragic events can bring people’s true feelings to the fore. The Amethyst Angel is a lovely reminder of what it’s like to experience that first-love feeling.
Reviewed By: BTS Book Reviews
The Amethyst Angel is heart wrenching. We are delighted immediately with the quick dialogue. The family's effort is more than a setting here, and involves the reader deeply even before we get an idea of the love story involved. This heartwarming story makes excellent nightstand material.
Reviewed By: another Long and Short Reviews reviewer
★★★★☆With The Amethyst Angel, Wiesner has written a very emotional and heartfelt love story that will have you in tears. The characters are well written with interesting histories.
Reviewed By: Coffee Time Romance & More
A mini tearjerker.
Reviewed By: Lighthouse Literary Reviews
★★★★☆Very enjoyable reading. An excellent mix of characters and plot.
Reviewed By: The Romance Studio
The Amethyst Angel is a bit of a heart-jerker.
Reviewed By: Classic Romance Revival
Wonderfully touching and heartwarming with wonderful characters and an enticing, imaginative plot to make the story a true winner, and not just at Christmas!
Reviewed By: EuroReviews
Karen Wiesner pens her best tale yet of two people who are in love and just haven’t told each other of it yet for lack of confidence. This story is a very uplifting one for the holiday, and one of Ms. Wiesner’s best. Fun, well crafted, and the full meaning of love in the season came through.
Her story come alive with characters that reached for a dream and weren’t afraid of failing in that quest. Ms. Wiesner’s was her best work of two people, very shy but confident in their love of Christ and taking a chance to lay their hearts on the line. I loved it. It was the best holiday book I have read this season.
Reviewed By: Classic Romance Revival
★★★★★A read you truly don't want to miss. Unique and truly a gift to the reader. I highly recommend making this part of your holiday reading.
Reviewed By: Ecataromance
Ms. Wiesner writes an excellent novella. While the book is connected to WAYWARD ANGELS [Book 4 of Karen Wiesner's Wounded Warriors Series], it will fully stand alone. I say this because it took me the first couple of chapters to remember I had read the first book.
The characters were familiar, but I didn't put it all together at first. Ms. Wiesner writes a sensitive novella that looks at the fears some of us have. She delves into the fear of failure, fear of flying and other fears.
For some of us, these fears can overwhelm and paralyze us and it keeps us from living life to the fullest. It was so tastefully and sensitively written how Craig and Christie work to overcome fears together. I was rooting for them the whole way through the book.
I think you'll get a chuckle out of the misspoken phrases Craig sometimes says. You'll get an insightful look into Christie's fear of flying. Craig and Christie's story is an inspiring look at the way love really can overcome all.
Reviewed By: Once Upon a Romance Review
★★★★☆I thoroughly enjoyed reading A Home for Christmas. What sets this story apart is the way the same old, same old is played out. This is a feel-good story which can be shared with anyone who loves happy endings.
Reviewed By: BTS Books Reviews
★★★★☆The strengths and surprises of the main characters are very parallel. I gave this a 4 rating because of the quality of the writing and also because the characters are like people I know. The main characters also have an enjoyment of life factor that really enhances the story.
Reviewed By: The Romance Studio
★★★★☆Christmas is a truly wondrous time of year, a time when love, hope, and faith abound. Find Christmas early with this short holiday treat. Karen Wiesner offers an inspirational romance that will have you smiling by the last page.
Craig is a devoted man, committed to the Lord, family and friends. His kindness towards Christie is wonderful to see. The faith they display and the friendship they share is a strong basis for a future together, and readers can't help but hope that Craig gets his heart's desire.
In a season beset with hectic malls, endless parties, and the need to complete everything before the bell tolls on the 24th, this story takes a moment and brings readers back to what is important, offering friendship and love for the holiday season. Readers will enjoy this precursor to Christmas, and it is sure to get readers in the mood long before the temperatures start to chill.
Reviewed By: Fallen Angel Reviews
★★★★☆A Christian religious theme resounds throughout this story of a young man attempting to travel home for Christmas to allow his family to meet the woman he loves. The attraction between the characters is strong." ~Love Romances "I liked Christie and Craig and the concept of an orphan finding a home and love for Christmas. Well written with good characters.
Reviewed By: Coffee Time Romance & More
'Tis the season to be jolly and what better way than with an unforgettable story? Treat yourself and sit back for a relaxing, unforgettable journey.
Reviewed By: MyShelf.com
In A Home for Christmas, we meet a shy and charming man, as well as the love of his life. His self-doubt makes him less than open about his feelings, but his affection comes through in his kindness and support. In this everyday sort of adventure, the strength that comes through faith is also explored.
The story itself is nicely Christmasy, and music, especially the favorite Christmas carols, is a connecting theme. Heartwarming and makes excellent nightstand material.
Reviewed By: Long and Short Reviews
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