LOVE ALWAYS, CHRISTMAS, page 31
“I’m not,” Adam said looking deeply into her eyes. “I just want to know what took you so long?”
Relieved, Libby laughed but then got serious again. “Are we really going to do this, Adam? I thought you said you didn’t want a relationship right now.”
“You’re right, I did,” Adam said. “Because I was afraid of having another failed relationship but now, knowing you, I’m more scared of not trying and potentially missing out on what could be the love of a lifetime.”
Libby’s heart raced. “So, you’re saying you think I’m worth the risk?”
“No,” Adam said.
Libby’s heart sunk.
“I’m saying I know you’re worth the risk,” Adam said with conviction. “The question I have is…can you trust me? I know you’ve had a lot to deal with and a lot of people have let you down.”
Libby nodded. “Trust is my biggest issue, but I don’t want to live in fear or have any regrets either. Life is too short. So, what I’m saying is I want to try, if you do, to see where this could go, under one condition.”
Now it was Adam’s turn to look nervous. “Okay. What’s that?”
“That we need to have our own Love Always, Christmas tradition,” Libby said with a twinkle in her eyes.
Adam smiled back at her. “What are you thinking?”
“This,” Libby said. When she kissed him, and he kissed her back, she knew she had found the true meaning and magic of Christmas…
She had found love.
Acknowledgments
One of the questions I get asked the most is what inspires my stories. The answer is always multiple things, from the people I meet, the places I travel to, the different cultures I experience, to the stories people have shared with me about the great loves in their lives. This story, Love Always, Christmas, is a unique combination of all of these things. If you’ve fallen in love with CeCe’s charming cottage on the cover, I have fantastic news. You can stay here because this magical place exists!
When I was shooting one of my Travel Therapy TV segments featuring off-the-beaten-path hidden gems, the incomparable Heather MacDonald-Bossé with Tourism New Brunswick, Canada, introduced me to the 5-Star Heritage Landmark B&B the Quartermain House in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Meeting the remarkable owner Debra Quartermain and seeing all the love and care she puts into ensuring all her guests have memorable experiences, especially during the holidays, helped inspire my first Hallmark movie Christmas Camp. After the movie, I wrote my debut novel Christmas Camp and the novella sequel Christmas Camp Wedding.
I always thought the Quartermain House should be on one of my novel covers because I want my covers to be places you see and then want to visit. This year, in honor of Heather—a brilliant tourism ambassador and human, who also became one of my dearest friends—and for all the people in Fredericton, and throughout New Brunswick, I’m so grateful to share this cover with everyone. The memories of the time I spent with Heather at the Quartermain House Bed and Breakfast will be ones I always cherish.
A special thank you to Debra Quartermain for allowing me to use her gorgeous photo of the beloved B&B for inspiration, and to the incredibly talented cover designer Kristen Ingebretson, who beautifully brought the vision I had for this cover to life.
This last year has been another whirlwind for me writing novels, movies, and my first-ever scripted Audible Original multi-cast Christmas rom-com, Once Upon a Christmas Carol. This heartfelt and hilarious holiday charmer is scheduled to be released on December 1, 2022. I couldn’t be more grateful for the phenomenal cast of actors and the production team for bringing this story about the power and magic of classic Christmas carols to life in the most amazing way. My debut Audible project has been a dream collaboration from day one. I’ll always be thankful to Audible editor extraordinaire, Rose Hilliard, for giving me this opportunity to learn and grow as a storyteller in the dynamic and exciting audio world. I’ve also kept the movie, TV, and book rights, and I can’t wait to adapt Once Upon a Christmas Carol for multiple platforms.
I’m also honored to have all my novels as audiobooks, with my last three novels—Christmas Ever After, A Royal Christmas Fairy Tale, and now Love Always, Christmas—available as Audible Exclusives.
For all the advice, insight, and positive support in helping me be the best US and international hybrid author I can be, a heartfelt thank you to my superb literary agent Christina Hogrebe and her team at Jane Rotrosen Agency, including Sabrina Prestia, Hannah Rody-Wright, and Tori Clayton. Thank you to my publishing team—Elizabeth Mazer for your insightful and brilliant edits, Nan Reinhardt for your proofreading eagle eye, and Ramesh Kumar Pitchai for the inspired interior design! Also, thank you to Deon McAdoo, Leigh Pierce, and the entire Ingram family for continuing to create and distribute quality books despite all the challenges these last few years. You have been fantastic publishing partners.
And to powerhouse USA Today Bestselling Authors Jenny Hale, Nancy Naigle, and Teri Wilson, thank you wholeheartedly for embracing me as a new author and sharing your wisdom and advice. You have made a huge difference in my publishing journey, and your kindness and encouragement mean everything to me.
I couldn’t do what I do without my expert legal gladiators, attorneys Neville Johnson and Kim Swartz. To the Writers Guild America East and Jim Arnoff’s First Fridays crew, thank you for continuing to create empowering programming and a positive, safe space to learn and share. It has meant the world to me.
I am very blessed to have my family’s endless unconditional love and support. My mom, Lao Schaler, who reads a book almost every day, and my “bonus mom,” Kathy Bezold, have been the first to read every single screenplay and novel I’ve written, and also help edit the first draft! This year, under an extremely tight deadline, Margaret Schaler also made time to read this novel and give her invaluable notes. I couldn’t have done this without these remarkable women who I’m grateful to have in my life every day.
To my dad, Harry Schaler, for always believing I can do anything no matter the odds, and for living a fearless life. You inspire me to live and appreciate one day at a time, no matter what. I continue to be so grateful to have you in my corner. #TeamSchaler.
To Jon Clark, David and Margaret Crane, Nathan, John, Maddy, Marcus, Taylor, Debbie, and Wynn, I am grateful to have you as family. To my friends who are like my family, Brenda, Bryan, Anna, Carolyn, Jeryl, Clint, Geoff, Lorianne, Greta, Samuel, Louise, Lamar, Amy, Tim, Marybeth, Heather, Lee, Delia, Tom, Denise, Rob, Hope, Sue, and Carol, thank you for all your support.
To my stars in the sky who I know are watching over me, John Bezold, Tim, and my grandparents, Pat and Walter Crane, and Irene and Harry Schaler, I miss you every day, but you’re always with me in my heart.
And to you, my dearest readers, thank you for being on this journey with me. I’m humbled and grateful. I put my whole heart into every story I write, hoping it also touches your heart and brings you joy.
Have a healthy and happy holiday season.
Meet Karen Schaler
KAREN SCHALER is a three-time Emmy Award–winning storyteller, screenwriter, author, journalist, and national TV host. In addition to her novels, Karen has written original Christmas movies for Netflix, Hallmark, and Lifetime, including the Netflix sensation A Christmas Prince, Hallmark’s Christmas Camp, Lifetime’s Every Day is Christmas starring Toni Braxton, and Rediscovering Christmas. For her beloved Hallmark movie Christmas Camp, she also wrote the novel and is the creator and host of an immersive real-life Christmas Camp experiences for grown-ups. Karen’s Christmas Camps are held at resorts, hotels, and destinations around the world, where she carefully curates and hosts magical holiday activities from her movies and books. New for 2022, Karen is honored to have written her first scripted Audible Original multi-cast Christmas rom-com, Once Upon A Christmas Carol, scheduled for release in December. Traveling to more than sixty-eight countries, Karen is also the creator and host of Travel Therapy TV, that airs nationally on top TV and streaming outlets, where she features the most inspiring and empowering trips to take based on what you’re going through in life. All of Karen’s stories are uplifting, filled with heart and hope.
Visit www.karenschaler.com to sign up for Karen’s VIP newsletter for special giveaways, sneak peeks, discounts and deals, and free Zoom chats. Don’t miss Karen’s free DIY Christmas Camp Guide for exclusive recipes and activities from all of Karen’s novels and movies that you can download from her website so you can have your own magical Christmas Camp experience at home!
Karen Schaler’s Free Gift For You!
Get Karen Schaler’s DIY Christmas Camp Guide for FREE. This special holiday guide includes exclusive recipes, activities, and more from all Karen's Christmas movies and novels. The guide is updated each year with new content.
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More Novels by Karen Schaler
Recipes & Festive Activities!
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I’ve always loved Christmas traditions that include unique holiday dishes, delicious desserts, and fun, festive activities. This is why for every Christmas movie and novel I write, I make sure to include some unique Christmas goodies and holiday things to do that are inspired by my characters. I then have the delicious task of creating these exclusive recipes so I can include them in my novels, along with instructions for some Christmas activities to enjoy with your family and friends.
In Love Always, Christmas, who can resist trying Adam’s mom’s famous Christmas Rum Balls or Libby’s new favorite Chocolate Dipped Candy Canes? If you want a fun and quick holiday activity, Adam’s brilliant donut Christmas tree is always a favorite crowd pleaser. I also think everyone should have their own Love Always, Christmas List to honor their Christmas traditions, old and new.
If you’d like to see more ideas like these, you can also find many additional recipes and activities from my movies and novels in my free DIY Christmas Camp Guide, you can download them from my website, www.karenschaler.com.
Enjoy!
Love Always, Christmas – Christmas Rum Balls
* * *
This easy recipe makes 24 delicious no-bake rum balls (depending on preferred size) that have the added bonus of being gluten-free!
Ingredients:
1 cup coconut flour
1 cup almond flour
½ cup shredded unsweetened coconut
¼ to ⅓ cup dark rum, depending on taste
5 tablespoons cacao powder
6 tablespoons melted coconut oil
3 ½ tablespoons raw honey
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon sea salt
Optional Toppings:
Red & green sprinkles
Coconut
Cacao Powder
Powdered Sugar
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients—coconut flour, almond flour, shredded unsweetened coconut, dark rum, cacao powder, melted coconut oil, raw honey, vanilla, cinnamon, and sea salt—in a food processor.
Mix for several minutes, making sure all ingredients are combined.
Roll into small 1-inch balls. They don’t need to be larger because they’re packed with flavor!
Roll balls in your favorite topping choice.
Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for one week.
Love Always, Christmas - Chocolate Dipped Candy Canes
* * *
Makes around 12. So simple and so delicious. I love to use these as special stir sticks in hot chocolate. Now, if only there was a real Candy Cane Crush food truck I could go to!
Ingredients:
12 6-inch candy canes
10 oz. of dark chocolate chips for melting. I like the Ghirardelli brand.
⅛ teaspoon vanilla
Optional Toppings:
Any festive sprinkles you like!
You can also double-dip with white chocolate.
Instructions:
Melt chocolate chips over very low heat, stirring constantly, or in a microwave starting at 30 seconds and then doing 10-second intervals. Do not overcook the chocolate. Once melted, add vanilla.
Dip the curved end of candy canes into the chocolate.
Sprinkle on toppings, if you like.
Place on wax paper to set.
Love Always, Christmas - Donut Christmas Tree
* * *
I love this because it’s a super easy Christmas activity and a dessert all in one! You can let your Christmas creativity go wild when decorating your donuts if they’re not already decorated when you buy them. You can also decorate your Donut Christmas Tree. I’ve added everything from twinkle lights to mint leaves and any red berries like raspberries or strawberries for that pop of Christmas red!
Equipment:
24-36 donuts, depending on how big you want your tree. Added bonus if they’re already decorated for Christmas!
Christmas platter for the base
Optional Decorations:
Twinkle lights
Mint leaves
Red berries (raspberries or strawberries)
Directions:
With donuts placed flat, create a circle of donuts, filling in the middle.
Stack the next layer of donuts so it’s a smaller circle, creating a pyramid.
Repeat this step with each circle, getting smaller as you get to the top.
The sixth layer should be one single donut on top.
Add your favorite decorations!
Love Always, Christmas List
* * *
Equipment:
Paper, journal, or notebook
Pen
Directions:
You can create your Love Always, Christmas List any way that inspires you. You can make your list on a single sheet and add additional pieces of paper as needed, or you can make your list using a journal or notebook.Make a list of your favorite Christmas traditions—the ones you like to do each year, giving each tradition its own line. Example:
Bake Christmas Cookies
Decorate the Tree
Make Snow Angels
Snowball Fight
Christmas Caroling
Every year, add a new tradition to the list. I also like writing down the year I add the tradition as another fun reminder of when that tradition started.
You can also have a master list you keep adding to, and then each year, recreate that list on a separate page as a checklist so you can mark things off as you go.
The best part is making sure you add a new tradition every year to keep the Christmas spirit going.
Merry Christmas, XOXO
Contents
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Recipes & Festive Activities!
Love Always, Christmas – Christmas Rum Balls
Love Always, Christmas - Chocolate Dipped Candy Canes
Love Always, Christmas - Donut Christmas Tree
Love Always, Christmas List
Schaler, Karen, LOVE ALWAYS, CHRISTMAS
