On Tour with Prism Book Tours
Welcome to the book tour for Miracles Are Golden by Catherine Lanigan! Today I have an exclusive excerpt for you to enjoy. If you follow the tour, you'll find a lot more excerpts and reviews along the way. Please enjoy!
Please note that affiliate links are present within this post. Should you make a purchase through one, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Welcome to the book tour for Miracles Are Golden by Catherine Lanigan! Today I have an exclusive excerpt for you to enjoy. If you follow the tour, you'll find a lot more excerpts and reviews along the way. Please enjoy!
Please note that affiliate links are present within this post. Should you make a purchase through one, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Miracles are Golden
By Catherine Lanigan
Women's Fiction, Christmasebook, 100 Pages
February 2, 2016
This heartwarming story is about eight-year-old Jimmy Longwood, who has fallen in love with a Golden Retriever puppy. When his parents explain that their condo does not allow pets, Jimmy is heartbroken. While skiing in Aspen the entire family is killed in an avalanche. Jimmy goes to heaven and meets an angel who decides to send Jimmy back to earth as the very Golden Retriever he’d wanted for his own and to learn the one lesson all human beings must learn…unconditional love.
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Read an excerpt:
“Oh, thank you, Mommy! Thank you, Daddy!” Robin hugged his parents with weak arms.
“Thank your Aunt Daphne. She brought him all the way from New York City for you,” Hal said.
There was nothing weak about the brightness of the little boy’s smile as he approached the fireplace, his hands outstretched to cuddle Jimmy.
“Robin, do you think Santa remembered it right?” The boy’s mother asked.
Robin, I like your name. It’s like Robin Redbreast. The first sign of spring. The new life.
Robin unhooked the stocking and peeled the stocking away from Jimmy’s toes. “Aunt Daphne, did you put this red bow around his neck?”
“Actually, no I didn’t, Robin. I’ll bet Santa did that. He’s like that you know. Attention to details,” Daphne said with a wink.
Robin looked Jimmy in the eyes so deeply, Jimmy had to blink at the infusion of loving light. It reminded him of the white light of heaven. Jimmy knew it was the light of love.
Robin smiled. “I think I’ll call you Beau. But not b-o-w-. But Beau. Short for Beauregard. Isn’t that the name of one of the Knights of the Roundtable?” Robin asked his father.
“If it isn’t, it should be, son.”
Jimmy licked Robin’s cheek in approval.
“See that? He likes his new name,” Robin laughed as he felt Beau’s ticklish tongue.
“Beau is a wonderful name,” his mother said, coming over to pet Jimmy’s head. Jimmy licked her hand. “Beau. Short for “beautiful,” Daphne said. “I like it. A lot.”
Beautiful, that’s me all right! Jimmy thought to himself. Suddenly, Jimmy remembered that Mr. Angel had told him not to be prideful. It was a mistake he was repeating already!
Beau is a good name. A solid name. Beaurigard. I’ll have to starting thinking of myself as “Beau”.
Robin couldn’t pet Beau enough. He giggled at the least little noise or sniff the puppy made. “I think he’s the most intelligent dog ever,” Robin declared.
“Come on now, son. I don’t want you to get over-excited. Why not let’s sit on the sofa?”
“Okay, Daddy,” Robin replied.
Jimmy looked at Robin. Over-excited? All he was doing was petting me a little. A hug here and there. What’s so bad about that? And why doesn’t this kid stand up for himself? Protest a little. I would have.
Robin sat on the sofa, a moan escaping his lips.
Jimmy felt Robin’s fingers tighten around him as the boy leaned back. He was aware of a jolt of pain that washed through the boy’s insides.
“Robin? You okay?”
Robin’s eyes fluttered shut and remained that way without a reply for the longest moment Jimmy could ever remember. Like the family, Jimmy awaited a reply, though he didn’t understand exactly what was happening. Jimmy was keenly aware of the anticipation, even near-panic he saw on all three of the adult faces around him.
What gives here? These people act like this kid is a new reality television show.
Robin’s thumb began rhythmically caressing Jimmy’s head. Then his fingers slid ever so lightly over the fur down his back. Jimmy nestled his head against Robin’s chest, listening to his heart. Feeling the boy’s body next to his own.
As a puppy, Jimmy’s inclination was to romp out of Robin’s arms and investigate the new house. Maybe check out what was under the tree. But he didn’t. He sensed the frail little boy needed him right where he was. The more evenly Jimmy breathed, the more evenly Robin breathed. Jimmy took long, deep, cleansing breaths that went to the pit of his abdomen.
Instinctively, he knew this procedure would be important to Robin, but he didn’t know how. It was just breathing, wasn’t it?
With his mind, Jimmy tried to instruct the boy. Inhale deeply, Robin. Then exhale just as deeply, emptying all the bad air from your lungs. Even your belly.
Robin responded exactly as Jimmy wanted.
That’s impossible! You can’t read my thoughts! Or can you?
Just then Robin’s eyes opened and he looked Beau right in the eyes. Jimmy stared back.
You do understand me!
“Look, Mommy! Beau is talking to me! See how he raised his head off my chest just then?”
“Yes, but I don’t...”
Excitedly, Robin continued. “I know he wants to talk to me. He wants to tell me...”
Robin’s father drew near and stared from the puppy resting on Robin’s chest to his son’s face. “Tell you what, Robin?”
“I’m not sure. But just then, I was breathing just the way the puppy did. I thought puppies panted. You know, short, shallow breaths.”
“I wouldn’t know,” Becky said. “I’ve never had a puppy.”
“I think Robin is right, Hal. Puppies do pant.”
“I agree,” Hal said. “I’m not sure, but I believe that’s only after a lot of exercise. But the other times, I don’t know how they breathe. I guess that will be one of the fun things we’ll all learn now that we have a puppy.”
“Yes, I guess so.” Robin stroked Beau repeatedly.
Jimmy kept his eyes focused on Robin.
You heard me! I just knew such a thing was possible between animals and humans. You have no idea, Robin, how I tried to tell my parents this very fact. But they wouldn’t listen. What I want to know is, how is it that you were so lucky to have attentive parents? They hang on your every word. You’re living a dream here, kid. This is going to be great. I’ll talk to you with my mind and you can interpret to your folks.
Jimmy licked Robin’s cheek, then his lips.
Robin giggled. “This is the most wonderful Christmas I’ve ever had! Thanks, Mommy. Thanks Aunt Daphne. Thanks, Daddy!”
Robin held Beau aloft for a moment and rubbed noses with him. Then he hugged him tight. “If I lived to be a hundred, there can never be a better Christmas than this!”
About the Author
Catherine Lanigan is the international bestselling and award-winning author of over forty-five published titles in both fiction and non-fiction, including the novelizations of Romancing the Stone and The Jewel of the Nile. Ms. Lanigan’s novels have been translated into over twenty-four languages. Lanigan was tasked by the NotMYkid foundation to pen a collection of compelling and informative true stories of teen addicts. Ms. Lanigan’s SHORES OF INDIAN LAKE series for HARLEQUIN HEARTWARMING includes LOVE SHADOWS, HEART’S DESIRE , A FINE YEAR FOR LOVE, KATIA’S PROMISE, FEAR OF FALLING, SOPHIE’S PATH, PROTECTING THE SINGLE MOM, FAMILY OF HIS OWN, HIS BABY DILEMMA, RESCUED BY THE FIREFIGHTER and MY RACING HEART (2019).
Ms. Lanigan is a frequent speaker at literary functions and book conventions as well as inspiring audiences with her real stories of angelic intervention from her Angel Tales series of books. She is an outspoken advocate for domestic violence and abuse and was honored by The National Domestic Violence Hotline in Washington, D.C. She has been a guest on numerous radio programs including “Coast to Coast” and on television interview and talk show programs as well as blogs, podcasts and online radio interview programs. She writes a monthly blog for Heartwarmingauthors.blogspot.com.
Tour Schedule
November 26th:
Launch
It's All About the Romance
Andi's Book Reviews
November 27th:
Among the Reads
Wishful Endings
Book Lover in Florida
November 28th:
E-Romance News
Rockin' Book Reviews
Hearts & Scribbles
November 29th:
Uplifting Reads
Harlie's Books
Colorimetry
November 30th:
Heidi Reads...
underneath the covers
December 1st:
Grand Finale
Tour Giveaway
$50 Amazon eGift Card
Open internationally
Ends December 5, 2018
