Stained Glass Secrets and Star Wishes

A Christmas Cookies Novel

by Celaine Charles

Genre: Paranormal Holiday Romance

Ember McCoy, a young and stressed accountant, plans to spend Christmas alone at her family’s lakeside cabin. But after a mysterious man offers his kindness and time, she begins to reassess her fast-paced world. Holding a star-shaped, stained-glass cookie up to the light, she makes a wish. Is the glistening candy-blue center a hopeful sign there may be more to her existence than the long work hours draining the joy from her life?

Laiken Devere, an Ashrai water fairy, laments the passing of his grandmother and his future in the shadows of his older brothers. To honor his grandmother, he visits the human world above James Lake, asking the stars to reveal his destiny. But why would fate lead him to an impossible relationship with a human, especially the sorrowful young Ember he found by the lake?

Does Ember and Laiken’s future together now rely on stained-glass secrets and star wishes?

Ember propped the flashlight against an inside corner of the snow castle. She took the bottle from his hands to lean in the opposite corner, then sat down at the ice table. Laiken exhaled away his thoughts and joined her, setting down the mugs.

“We should wait a bit for the Kahlua to chill,” she said. 

He nodded, afraid to say a word, because if he did, he might confess everything he was feeling inside. Meeting Ember had sparked new emotions. And these new emotions had him wondering if they were anything like Grandmother felt for her human friend…lover…whoever it may have been. The one she left behind.

“I can’t believe you made this. How long did it take?”

His attention snapped back. The Ashrai measured time differently, so he wasn’t sure how to answer. He pulled off his hat, shoved it into his pocket. “It was done before the sun rose.”

Her expression lifted as she blew out a breath. “You worked all night?” 

“Yes.” He swallowed at the nerves jabbing inside. The image of her crying in the window flashed through his mind again. “For you. I wanted to make you smile.”

Her mouth dropped open, pink lips unable to express what she might have wanted to say. Or maybe, like him, she wasn’t sure how much truth to divulge. He could see her struggling, her gaze latching onto his. They’d just spend the whole evening laughing and eating, sharing bits and pieces of themselves, without really sharing anything at all. The Ashrai were honest. They were bold. He didn’t know how much longer he could keep his mouth shut about their worlds. He was more than intrigued by her. Not only did he want to sweep away the sorrow he’d seen through her window that first night, but there was more.

Maybe he felt a little missed happiness himself.

Celaine Charles lives in the Pacific Northwest where she teaches elementary school, writes fantasy fiction and poetry, and blogs about her writing journey on Steps In Between.

On the fiction side, Celaine’s YA Fantasy, Seam Keepers (The Wild Rose Press), released in May 2021, and won a first place golden award (in the category of YA/Sci-fi) through Moonbeam Children and Young Adult book awards, 2021. Her new adult, holiday, paranormal, romance novella, Stained Glass Secrets and Star Wishes, launches November 2022 (The Wild Rose Press, Christmas Cookies Series).

On the Poetry side, Celaine’s book, Colors Collected (Palmetto Publishing Group), debuted in August 2019. This book stemmed from her online poetry series, Colors, hosted on Channillo.com, and was awarded Best New Series, Best Continuing Series, and Best Poetry Series for the 2018 Channillo Awards.

Currently, Celaine is working on the sequel to Seam Keepers, entitled, Dream Keepers, and a brand-new YA Contemporary Fantasy, Life Song. She is always penning new poetry for no other reason than to cleanse her soul, yet she is also working to create a new collection and exploring a children’s book project, as well.

When Celaine isn’t writing, she is usually with her family, reading, watching movies, or taking walks in her beautiful home of Washington state. Nature is always her muse. She takes a million picture on every venture.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

What is something unique/quirky about you?

I always burn a GlassyBaby candle votive when I write, even in the daytime. It sets the mood and brings me joy.

Where were you born/grew up at?

I was born in Florida but grew up in Washington. I think that’s why trees inspire my writing so much, while my heart longs for the beach!

What are you passionate about these days?

I am passionate about writing and inspiring other want-to-be writers to persevere through struggles, time, frustrations, and simply write. I also want to spread positivity and joy around to a world that really needs it.

What do you do to unwind and relax?

I practice Pilates every morning and take walks as often as I can. I read for pleasure (and for writing inspiration). The occasional glass of wine or Titos Martini with a twist can also do wonders after a long day. 

Describe yourself in 5 words or less!

Energetic, mostly-positive, thoughtful, creative, busy!

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I first considered myself a writer in 2017! I have written my whole life, never sharing a word of it, but in 2017 I entered my first literary contest, participated in the PNWA Writing Conference, and hired an editor. That’s a really long sentence to say, in that one year I learned I was a finalist in the poetry category for the literary contest, met some amazing writers just like me, and discovered my YA Fantasy fiction story needed lots of revisions. Ha! Another long sentence. But the truth is, I put myself out there and began living the author life I dreamed to have.

Do you have a favorite movie?

I love many movies…The Age of Adaline, and anything Marvel!

Which of your novels can you imagine made into a movie?

I would love to see YA Fantasy, Seam Keepers, in film form but unless you have a Harry Potter budget, fantasy books made into movies don’t usually do so well. And my paranormal holiday romance, Stained Glass Secrets and Star Wishes? Unless Hallmark dips into fantasy, then that story wouldn’t work either. I supposed it’s best to keep my books in the bright vividness of my mind.

As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?

For Stained Glass Secrets and Star Wishes, my paranormal holiday romance novella, my mascot would be Ollie, my main character’s springer spaniel! I have always wanted a dog, but my family is allergic. Writing this sweet character into my story made me smile the whole journey through the book. For Seam Keepers, my YA Fantasy, my mascot would definitely be a hawk—Mason’s shapeshifter hawk, of course!

Nov 25
kickoff at Silver Dagger Book Tours
Twisted Book Ramblings

Nov 26
Nicole’s Book Musings

Nov 27
Lady Hawkeye – GUEST POST

Nov 28
Natasha Brooks’ Favorite Books
Mythical Books

Nov 29
#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog

Nov 30
A Wonderful World of Words – GUEST POST
Lisa Everyday Reads

Dec 1
All Things Dark & Dirty
Word Processor, Romance, Cats, Kids and Creed

Dec 2
Naughty Nightie Book Blog
The Sexy Nerd ‘Revue’

Dec 5
Book Reviews by the Reluctant Retiree
Craving Lovely Books

Dec 6
Bedazzled By Books

Dec 7
Books a Plenty Book Reviews
eBook Addicts

Dec 8
Anna del C. Dye official page

Dec 9
Tina Donahue – Heat with Heart
4covert2overt ☼ A Place In The Spotlight ☼

Dec 12
Defining Ways
Girl with Pen

Dec 13
Books all things paranormal and romance

Dec 14
Inside the Insanity – GUEST POST
The Bookshelf Fairy

Dec 15
The Book Dragon

Dec 16
Plain Talk Book Marketing
Insane Books

Dec 18
I’m Into Books

Dec 19
FUONLYKNEW
Sylv.net

Dec 20
ⒾⓃⓉⓇⓄⓈⓅⒺⒸⓉⒾⓋⒺⓅⓇⒺⓈⓈ

Dec 21
Book Lovers 4Ever
The Scratching Post

Dec 22
Momma Says: To Read or Not to Read

Dec 23
Midnight Book Reader
Stormy Nights Reviewing & Bloggin’

Dec 24
Twirling Book Princess

Dec 25
Valerie Ullmer | Romance Author
Scrupulous Dreams

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

$40 Amazon

A Rafflecopter giveaway 

By KellyATX

I'm a Blogger, Reader, Reviewer & Bookstrammer. Die Hard TX Native & Rangers Fan.