Readers – it’s my great pleasure today to welcome Alice Orr to The Daille-y News. Alice is sharing both a very special New Year’s story, as well as news of her latest release, a Christmas novella entitled A Vacancy at the Inn.

THE BEST NEW YEAR’S EVER 

A glance at my chart told me I had staphylococcus. The treatment plan was another surgery. I’d had ten by then. After removal of the staph-riddled tissue the infectious disease specialist would perform lavage. I’m always on guard when something is prettied up with a French word. Those situations too often turn out to be anything but pretty.

Meanwhile, a powerful antibiotic that cost $120 a pill had pretty much knocked me out. Taking a single step required effort I could barely muster. I was hardly equal to hearing how much danger I was in but somebody told me anyway. “My daughter had the same problem. The staph traveled to her lungs and she was dead in forty-five minutes.”

This was a woman I’d known well once but we’d fallen out of touch. I don’t know why she called to tell me this frightening thing but I took it as a heads-up to gather loose ends. I made a list of people to call with things I didn’t want to leave unsaid. I’d made it through the first four names but didn’t have the strength to continue.

That’s when I called Dorothy. I knew she’d get my message to the rest of my list. I phoned her from the same desk where I’d received the breast cancer diagnosis a year before. I leaned on my forearms for support. “I’m sorry,” I said. “I can’t speak very loudly right now.” “That’s okay, baby,” she said. “I can hear you.”

I told her what I wanted people to know. I wasn’t frightened.  I was at peace. My life had been full and rich and I was okay with whatever came next. Most important – I wanted them to know I loved each of them with all my heart. Dorothy didn’t make a sound until I’d finished. “I’ll tell them,” she said. And she did.

She sent my message across the internet plus the time of my surgery and a plea for prayers. I have little memory after that. The trip to the hospital. Being wheeled into the operating room yet again. All was devoured by my exhaustion. The next thing I recall is waking in my hospital room with my husband asleep on a cot by the window. “Thank you, God,” I said. “Thank you for my life.”

Jonathan was covered by a thin blanket pulled up to his chin. My bed was heaped with warm coverings. I was hooked to an IV pole on one side but my other arm was free. I knew I shouldn’t get out of bed but I did it anyway. I gathered blankets with my free hand and shuffled from my bed to his.

I spread the blankets over him so gently he didn’t know I was there but I knew. I was joyful to be alive and putting blankets on my husband was most joyful of all. I’d been given the strength to do something for someone else after so many had done so much for me. It was also New Year’s Eve Day.

Later as midnight approached – two aides appeared in my room. They bundled me into a wheelchair and swaddled me in blankets. Jonathan pushed the chair while an aide rolled my IV pole down a long corridor and into a room with high wide windows. Through the glass I could see the Space Needle – the tall tapering structure that is the symbol of Seattle.

The fireworks began as Jonathan held me through one spectacular explosion after another. Then he was gone for a moment and I heard the pop of a cap followed by a fizzing sound. I don’t know how he got the sparkling cider but there it was along with plastic champagne flutes. Flashes of color danced across the walls as we toasted. “To life and to us.”

We kissed long and lovingly and with tears flowing. The danger had passed. A circle of good will had opened around me and I’d made it through yet again. I felt warm and comforted by more than just my swath of blankets. It was the most wonderful New Year’s Eve of our lives.

~~~

About Alice’s novella:

On a cold December day Bethany Miller and her son Michael arrive in Riverton.

She grew up on Riverton Hill in remote upstate New York where her complicated family still lives. She moved away to escape all of that and more. Now she’s back because of complications in her present life with what is best for her son. She hopes the Miller family will be a Christmas blessing for Michael. She’s less hopeful about what this homecoming will be for her.

The last thing Bethany wants is further complication. That means the last person she needs to see is Luke Kalli staring down at her from the roof of Miller’s Inn. They shared a glorious connection before she fled from here. The power of that encounter and the deep feelings she experienced came at a tumultuous moment in her life. They were yet another strong reason to leave Riverton Hill on Riverton Road and never return – until today. She has no idea this place will put her son in peril.

A Vacancy at the Inn is the first Novella of the Riverton Road Romantic Suspense Series featuring the Kalli family and now the Miller family too in stories of Romance and Danger. A Wrong Way Home is Book 1 of the series. A Year of Summer Shadows is Book 2. A Villain for Vanessa will be Book 3 – coming soon.

Find A Vacancy at the Inn* here:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B017RZFGWC

*UPDATE: Alice’s novella is now free for Kindle readers through this coming Wednesday. Grab it while you can!

All titles are available at:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B000APC22E.

About the author:

“Alice Orr is a brilliant writer who has a Number One best seller hidden in her pocket. I look forward to more of her work,” says one Amazon reviewer. I say “Thanks!” I love to write. Especially romantic suspense novels and blog posts. I’ve been a workshop leader, book editor and literary agent. Now I live my dream of writing full-time. I’ve published thirteen novels and four novellas – both traditionally and independently – plus a memoir so far. I wrote my nonfiction book, No More Rejections, as a gift to the writers’ community I cherish. A revised edition is now in progress. Amazon says, “This book has it all.” About my romantic suspense, Amazon says, “Alice Orr turns up the heat.” Most of all, I like to hear from readers. Visit my website at www.aliceorrbooks.com. I have two grown children and two perfect grandchildren and I live with my husband Jonathan in New York City.

Find Alice online at:

http://www.aliceorrbooks.com

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Alice – thanks so much for joining us and sharing your beautiful story.

Readers – thank you for stopping by. Please feel free to leave a comment for Alice.

All my best,

Barbara