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You’ve heard of Army brats? Maybe you are one. Generally, their childhoods have one thing in common: living in a lot of different places.
I like to joke that I’m a retail brat. By the time I was eight years old, I’d lived in eight houses in six cities and attended four different schools.
My dad worked in retail, and as he got promoted up the chain, we moved. A lot.
And one thing about growing up in retail is that the holidays are always hectic. Thanksgiving? That’s the day before Black Friday. Last minute Christmas shopping? Dad can’t take you—he’s making sure everyone else gets theirs done. A leisurely day after Christmas? Nope, December 26 is returns day!
You’re always hoping for a good holiday season to carry you into the start of the year. And you’re always at the mercy of the schedule. There are almost no Monday through Friday 9-5 roles in retail.
And I drew on that background as I got to know Jessica Bretton in Holiday of Hope. This is her world. Her memories are wrapped up in the store—and especially in Christmas. In the past, Christmas and the tourists of Port Provident had never let her down.
But now, after Hurricane Hope, things have changed. She’s tried to keep all the plates spinning, but now they’re crashing down on her and she feels powerless to do anything about it.
That is, until Bradley Thorpe gives her an idea.
Sometimes, all we need is one person to believe in us. Just one person can inspire and motivate us to get across the goal line.
The Bible says in Ecclesiastes that “if one falls down, his friend can help him up.”
We all need a good friend who can help us see the power and beauty in ourselves.
I can’t wait for you to meet Jessica and Bradley. I think we’ve all been in Jessica’s shoes at one time or another. Who was there to lift you up?
This story may feel familiar because Port Provident isn’t just a place, it’s a place that’s better because of you and how you connect with these stories. It’s a community that you can be a part of every time you pick up one of these books. I think readers want more stories that are uplifting and make us think of the good in the world—because regardless of what the news tells us, it’s out there. And that’s why I created Port Provident—a town for all of us to visit for a sweet escape.
I’d like to invite you to become a part of the Port Provident reader community today. Just go to www.kristenethridge.com. You’ll see the box to join right at the top of the page.
One of my signature Sweet Escape Romances is Layla and Ridge’s story, A Place to Find Love. Layla’s spent her whole life searching for a greater meaning in her life. She comes to Port Provident running on fumes, but once she meets Ridge, she begins a journey that fills her with more than she ever hoped for—faith, family, and a place to find the love she’s always longed for. I’ll send you a copy just for joining my reader community, plus you’ll be able to keep up with the latest on my books and Port Provident through regular emails and more reader bonuses.
Welcome to a Texas beachside town you can escape to anytime. I promise these stories will lift you up and leave you with a smile.
All the best,
P.S... One of the best ways to get to know Port Provident even better is to get your Passport to Port Provident. It’s a behind-the-scenes reader exclusive that’s available when you join me on Facebook Messenger.
