Our Story BEFORE The Stories ~ Jake, Lola, Sam, & Arthur - by - Bonnie Engstrom Candy Cane Girl Series

Cast of canine characters from The Candy Cane Girls Series:

Jake from Connie’s Silver Shoes

Lola from Melanie’s Blue Skirt 

Sam from Melanie’s Ghosts 

Arthur from Doreen Finds Her Groove

The scene opens with the dogs arguing about which one is more important.
Why aren’t we in this last book about Natalie’s Red Dress? Jake the Miniature Pinscher cocked his head to one side. We are all on covers, except Sam who makes a cameo appearance in Melanie’s Ghosts. I have the biggest cover feature on Connie’s Silver Shoes!

Because we are in a lot of her other books, Mr. Smarty. Sam the Chihuahua snorted. Even I figured that out, he huffed. He picked up his yellow ball, ran to the top of the stairs and dropped it to watch it bounce.

No one wants to play with you, Sam, so ditch that idea, Lola sneered. And ditch that ratty ball, too. You have three others, all newer and nicer, not falling apart or smelling like your breath. She blinked her long lashes and raised her ruffled brows. Tilting her pointy snout up high she wiggled her rump, backed up as close to Sam as she could and whopped his nose with her whirling tail. Sam blinked but made no move.

What’s the matter, old man? Confused? Watch me. I’ll show you how to play. She grabbed her favorite toy and swung it dramatically. See, not hard. Aw forgot, you only have nineteen teeth. I have all of mine. She shook her huge ears and swishing her dainty bottom pranced away, tail still rotating in overdrive.

That wasn’t very nice, Lola, Arthur admonished her. Not ladylike, either. You should be kind and caring to your brother. You are younger.

Ha! As the elder he should be kinder to me. I think he’s losing it, getting a bit senile.

He does stare off into space sometimes, Jake said. But, you do, too.

That’s only when I’m hungry. Like when I do this.

Lola splayed on her tummy with her back paws spread and front ones under her chin. I do have a perfect princess look, don’t I?

Well, you are the only bitch of the four of us, Arthur noted. That makes you the minority. You always get the treats first. Not fair!

You guys scoop up the crumbles I drop when I deliberately leave them for Sam. My hearing is better, but your eyesight is better. So there! My luxurious eyebrows get in the way. Swinging her derrière again, she sauntered away with a princess swagger.

Now, can we please get on with the story? I think Natalie might finally find her true love. Lola sneered. With my help and intervention, of course. She needs the help of a princess. Maybe that kitty, Shooting Star, in Cindy’s story has an idea. Although I hate to admit it, cats are smart.

What about the big Maine Coon cat in A Penney from Heaven? Jake asked.

And the Golden Retriever in that meatloaf story? Arthur asked.

Don’t forget the cat in A Culinary Catch. The one named after a spice. Sam held his head high and gave a sharp bark.

Gosh, Sammy Boy, you have a better memory than I thought. Lola said. But your bark is piercing! Tone it down, okay?

I guess I’m smarter than you thought. But we are the only animals featured in the Candy Cane series. Except Shooting Star.

Guess we are demoted to second, third and fourth best. Jake grumbled. Let’s get on with Natalie’s story. I hope the poor girl finally finds love. Maybe the story in Natalie’s Red Dress will bring love to Natalie.
Jake, Sam and Arthur nodded and laid down on the sofa sighing.

Are you boys arguing again? So like the male gender!

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ABOUT THE CANDY CANES

Six high school freshmen in Newport Beach, California formed a swim team that became legendary. They won the state relay swim championship four years in a row. In addition to their skill and devotion to daily practicing, they prayed together and vowed to be sisters forever. Another thing that set them apart was they chose their own swimsuits making them a team within a larger team. They chose red and white diagonally striped swim suits. Thus, became known as the Candy Canes. They always will be.

Noelle’s Christmas Wedding gave birth to a series, The Candy Cane Girls. Each book highlights one girl in particular, but all the girls and their families and friends are mentioned in every story because their lives are intertwined by a strong faith and strong friendships. Two decades later, some have married, two have children, one is pregnant with twins, one is a fashion designer, one is an international model, and Melanie is added to the group.

Woven into each story is a challenging social situation. Noelle barely escapes brutality and stalking; Cindy must decide if her love is strong enough to marry a man with a debilitating disease and a history of alcoholism; Candy faces her own dilemma with a man she divorced because of his emotional and alcohol problems – now that he is rehabilitated, should she marry him again? Connie falls in love with the “wrong” man, at least wrong in the lily-white environment of small town Newport Beach. Natalie is left hurting on the ground after an aborted sky dive and feels deceived by her instructor whose identity she doesn’t know. Melanie, the new girl in the group, is painfully lonely and seeks love by adopting a dog and joining an online dating site and she encounters the same situation Connie had.

Then tragedy strikes and changes her life. Can she live with the “ghosts” that haunt her? Doreen seems to live a charmed life as a renowned model, even with one leg shorter from the accident her now best friend caused. But while planning her wedding her fiancé gets a phone call that threatens their future. Natalie still longs for love and believes she has found it . . . until. Does the brother of one of her best friend’s truly love her? Whom can she believe? Him or the mystery man?

The Candy Cane Girls Series is nearing an end. The last story is Natalie’s. Natalie’s Red Dress is not completed, yet. Will Natalie find love? To help the author, please make suggestions. Here is a blurb about Natalie to help from Natalie’s Deception.

Lies, guilt, stalking. Natalie is injured and left lying on the ground.

Two handsome men vie for Natalie’s attention, traveling from Newport Beach to Scottsdale, Arizona to woo her. But one caused her back injury, and one strands her on the top of a Ferris Wheel knowing how terrified she is of heights, even though she took sky-diving lessons with him.

Will Natalie ever find love? She wants it badly, but is thrilled two Candy Canes are expecting babies. She will be an aunt again. But, when will she be a wife and mother?
Will a mystery man emerge from her past? Will she fall in love with a friend?

Natalie needs help. From you, Dear Readers. Share ideas in the comments. If your idea is chosen, you will have a cameo appearance in Natalie’s Red Dress and be thanked in the acknowledgements. You will also receive a signed copy of the book when it is published.

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Bonnie Engstrom will give away a signed copy of
Noelle’s Christmas Wedding, the first book in the Candy Cane Series to start you off.

A Women's Fiction/Romance novel

Please be sure to leave your email and your state when commenting.

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ABOUT BONNIE ENGSTROM:

I wear two domestic hats, both super important to me. I am a wife to my psychologist husband, Dave ~ have been for almost 55 years ~ a real milestone for a shrink!

Shrinky Dave and I have three children and six grandchildren, which brings me to my other domestic chapeau.

I am a grandma! Actually, Grammy is my name. Fifteen years ago my friend Judy said, “Choose your name well. It’s what they will call you. Like forever.” I did, and I love it!

I am Grammy to six kids. Four near me in Arizona and two in Costa Rica on the beach. Pura Vida!

Nuff about me. Let’s move on.

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Purchasing links:

• Noelle's Christmas Wedding
• Cindy's Perfect Dance
• Candy's Wild Ride
• Connie's Silver Shoes
• Natalie's Deception
• Melanie’s Blue Skirt
• Melanie’s Ghosts
• Doreen Finds Her Groove

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DRAWING TO BE HELD WEDNESDAY EVENING ~  June 3,  2019.

Our Story BEFORE The Story ~ Miranda (Randee) and Ace ~

My name is Miranda Jareau, but I’ve adopted the nickname Randee for my latest covert assignment with Ace Steele. I always wanted to go into law enforcement, but an ATF agent (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms) was the most natural choice, simply because I wanted more than anything to be like my dad. He was an ATF agent too—the very best. That’s no lie. No matter what the confidential files say, my dad didn’t make stupid mistakes. He wasn’t careless. In fact, Dad was the very opposite of careless—he was precise, meticulous and always on top of things. So, whatever went wrong the day he died, it wasn’t his fault. Dad’s death and his commitment to the job created a gaping relationship gap for he and my mother. For that reason, I understand her adamant refusal and attitude when I told her I’d joined the ATF. She’d lost one person she loved and didn’t want to lose another. I tried to please her by going to a different jurisdiction, but the ATF is home for me. Hopefully, she’ll forgive me and see I need to live my own life…someday.

Providing protective detail for PrimeRight Scientist, Ace Steele was like coming into my own. But no amount of training prepared me for the unexpected deadly twists and turns we would encounter while watching over his prototype, Ghost. The thing seemed to take on a life of its own. The pivotal factor I failed to consider was how Ace would affect me.


My name is Ace Steele. I spend my life comfortably hidden in a laboratory developing and creating. I’m the behind-the-scenes guy and I like it that way. My partner, Fritz Nelson, is Mr. Personality. The guy who scores new contracts and negotiates deals. We make a good team, and I trust him to handle the business end of things. I never imagined the life-threatening danger signing that government contract to create a completely plastic 3D printer gun would create. I love a challenge, but Ghost, that’s the name of the super top-secret prototype, was enough to make me rethink my career options. Still, I understand Ghost’s development is revolutionary, deadly, and a necessary means in the evolution of weapons. Staying ahead of the progressive curve means thinking like a criminal at times. I had plans to make the gun and hand it over to the ATF.

I never dreamed Ghost would take me on the ride of my life and introduce me to a woman who changed how I saw everything and everyone.

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My Story Title:   UNTRACEABLE EVIDENCE

My Story Genre:  ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

My Story Releases:   MAY 5, 2020

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The Author of My Story:Sharee Stover

Colorado native Sharee Stover, lives in Nebraska with her real-life-hero husband, three too-good-to-be-true children, and a ridiculously spoiled dog. A self-proclaimed word nerd, she loves the power of the written word to ignite, transform, and restore. She writes Christian romantic suspense combining heart-racing, nail-biting suspense and the delight of falling in love all in one. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Sisters in Crime, and Nebraska Writer’s Guild. Sharee is a triple Daphne du Maurier finalist, winner of the 2017 Wisconsin Fabulous Five Silver Quill Award, and her debut, Secret Past, won Best First Book in the 2019 National Excellence in Romance Fiction Awards. When she isn’t writing, Sharee enjoys reading, crocheting and long walks with her obnoxiously lovable German Shepherd.

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Get Connected

• Website:https://shareestover.com
• Email:authorshareestover@gmail.com
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/shareestover
• Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/c99ej9
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorshareestover/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shareestover/
• Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sharee-stover
• Amazon Author Page: https://amazon.com/author/shareestover

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WHERE can the book be purchased?

• Buy link for Untraceable Evidence: https://amzn.to/2SrYfhn
• Buy link for Silent Night Suspect: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1335232532

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Sharee will be honored to gift a winner a signed copy of
UNTRACEABLE EVIDENCE (US only)

Be sure to leave an email address when  you comment, so we know where you can be reached, should you win.

DRAWING TO BE HELD WEDNESDAY EVENING ~ May 20, 2019.

My Story BEFORE The Story ~ THEA FENTON ~ FADE TO WHITE

My Name is Thea Fenton and I am your average 16-year-old suburban teenager. I shouldn’t have a story to tell. From the outside, I look like most other girls. Average height, average weight, average number of pimples. Crazy mess of hair. Zero social status.

Up until this past fall, my life was mediocre at best. It actually kind of sucked. My grams died this past summer and without her presence in our home, our fragile family structure began to teeter and sway with each new mini-crisis. My parents fought constantly about finances and my dad’s ever-present grief. My brother stopped playing referee and instead put on the golden boy façade to ensure regular tuition infusions for university. I had friends, but my two besties had much more interesting things happening in their lives compared to my perpetual anxiety, which quite frankly, I was sick of talking about before I even started therapy. It was easier to deal with it on my own then to bother anyone else with it. So, I would run, or pretend to be someone else. And if that didn’t work, I would pull strands of hair from my head, until I could overpower the pain.

But then everything changed.

I thought it started with the story in the newspaper. The headline about a girl from my school who fell off a cliff. I was no stranger to panic attacks but reading that article sent me into a new state of fear that felt so surreal. It was more than just my body’s reaction to anxiety. Each experience left my world in blinding white light and an overpowering rush of noise.

That first time, I thought I was dying. But there was a voice from within the chaos of my mind. In that moment, something, or someone was fighting for me. I wasn’t getting better on my own, but the only person who could calm my fears was gone. Grams was my foundation. She was the only one who knew how to slow the beating in my chest, or quiet the arguments from outside and within.

Sometimes I let my memory linger on that last night we spent together. She said to me that I had a spirit in me. That pain could help me find it. I thought she meant physical pain. But hurting myself wasn’t solving anything. And I knew she wanted me to move past the pain. Not to live in it.

Then Khi appeared as though Grams knew the state of my heart and put in a special request for help. From the minute I met Khi, I felt at home. He saw through the outward veneer I tried to coat on each day. He saw the pain, but he didn’t stop there. He looked right through to the pain, to something deeper within me. He saw what my Grams knew was there all along - a small spark of light fighting to emerge.

I thought it started with the story in the newspaper, but there was a greater story planted in my heart long before the death of my classmate. That story already had an ending. My grams spent her last moments pouring out as much of that truth that she could. It was through her pain and death that I realized a greater story. One with an ending that would ignite my spark and allow it to spread to the one person I never thought I could love. I wanted to be part of the same story that gave Grams purpose within her pain. She passed through the pain. That is where my story really began.

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My Story Title:   Fade To White

My Story Genre:  Contemporary Inspirational YA

My Story Releases:   May 30, 2020

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The Author of My Story:    Tara Ross

Tara K. Ross lives with her husband, two daughters and rescued fur-baby in a field of cookie-cutter homes near Toronto, Canada. She works as a school speech-language pathologist and mentors with local youth programs. When Tara is not writing or reading all things young adult fiction, you can find her rock climbing the Ontario escarpment, planning her family's next jungle trek or podcasting at The Hope Prose Podcast.

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Get Connected:

• You can follow Tara’s blog and writing journey at www.tarakross.com
• Instagram @tara.k.ross

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WHERE can the book be purchased?

• Fade to White is available for preorder through the Illuminate YA/Lighthouse Publications Website: https://shoplpc.com/fade-to-white/
• You can preorder through Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Fade-White-Tara-K-Ross-ebook/dp/B085HKBG4P/ref=sr_1_1?crid=K9KEA661L73&keywords=fade+to+white+tara+k+ross&qid=1584668666&sprefix=fade+to+white%2Caps%2C284&sr=8-1

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Tara K. Ross will be honored to gift a winner an ebook copy of
FADE TO WHITE

Be sure to leave a comment with an email address where you can be reached should you win.

DRAWING TO BE HELD WEDNESDAY EVENING ~ May 13, 2019.