The Joy of Christmas

If you love the Christmas season and all those sappy Hallmark movies as much as I do I know you'll love my novella, Saying Goodbye: The Christmas Gift.

It's a sweet little story of how a woman is reminded of the magic of Christmas and how life is full of love and wonder.

Get your FREE ebook copy today on Amazon, iTunes, or B&N

Here are a few of the reviews left on Amazon

This was one of the best books that I have read in a long time.  It kept me guessing right from the start. As you read you will probably wonder about one of the characters and like me may make up your mind that something isn't exactly right with him. And like me, you will probably decide what you think he may be. But like me, you will probably be wrong.
As you read this book, tears of joy and sadness may form in your eyes but you will be glad that you took the time to read it. Linda Barton, you are a great author.

Quick and easy read. Completed it in one sitting. Such a magical/spiritual story that will bring you both smiles and tears.

This was an amazing story and an easy read. It put a smile on my face the whole time I was reading it. It brought up wonderful memories for me and had a bittersweet ending. Take the time to read it and hopefully it will stir up wonderful memories for you too.

What Happened to Christmas?

Where has 2017 gone?  It seems like it was just yesterday when I was taking down our Christmas tree and packing up all the decorations.  When I went to the store the other day the shelves were filled with decorations for Christmas, alongside those for Halloween.  Whatever happened to letting each holiday have its own time???

I long for the days when Christmas did not officially begin until the day after Thanksgiving.  We all enjoyed the playfulness of Halloween.  Then we moved on to Thanksgiving and beloved family gatherings.  Then and ONLY then it was time for the Christmas season.  Yes, the Christmas season.  Not this watered-down, several months long thing the retailers have created and forced on us.  I understand businesses want to make money.  I have no problem with that. However, I believe putting Christmas items out WEEKS before Halloween is a bit much.

How are we supposed to enjoy each unique time?  None are allowed to stand out, to be thoroughly experienced before moving on to the next.  Call me old-fashioned, but I enjoyed the feeling of magic and wonder during December.  I loved shopping for gifts and seeing the decorations lighting up homes and stores.  I miss feeling the excitement in the air as each day brought us closer to Christmas eve and day.

I don’t know if I’m the only one who feels this way, but I’m sure I’m not.  I, for one, refuse to allow those grinches in merchandising to steal my Christmas spirit.  So many have forgotten or never experience the true wonder of the Christmas season. I only pray we can find the magic again.

Now that Halloween is behind us, we move on to Thanksgiving…

The Spirit of Christmas is in the air

I love this time of the year.  The bright decorations, cheesy Hallmark Christmas movies, and our favorite Christmas music always seem to warm my heart.  In the spirit of the season, I thought it would be fun to share a handful of my favorite Christmas songs with you... and yes, some will show how old I am. LOL

Now, my favorite since childhood and it still makes me cry...


I hope you've enjoyed these wonderful Christmas songs as much as I do each and every year.  Merry Christmas, my friends, and I wish you all a blessed New Year.

My Favorite Time of the Year

As we enter this joyous time of the year, our minds often fill with memories of Christmases long ago.  The happy memories of baking our favorite Christmas treats, preparing gift baskets for the less fortunate and opening our front door to see carolers singing our favorite Christmas songs. The treasured memories of Christmas mornings when we gathered together as a family around the Christmas Tree and watched the joy on everyone's face as they opened their brightly decorated packages.  Christmas is a magical time.  Sharing our love with others and reaching out to those in need.

As I write this post, our Christmas Tree is shining brightly, filling my heart with those treasured memories.  When I close my eyes, I see my mother busily preparing all the treats we came to expect each Christmas.  My mother always went all out for Christmas.  During the month of December, if you came to our house you'd find your favorite Christmas treats placed on crystal serving plates, waiting for you to enjoy.  The house was always festively decorated and she always made sure Christmas music was playing in the background during the day, and at night we would watch the same Christmas shows we had watched the year before... and yes, I often cried.

These memories are what inspired my Novella, Saying Goodbye: The Christmas Gift.  I poured my heart and soul into the story as I came to terms with painful issues in my life.  So often we bury the pain we feel over events in our lives. So much so that we allow them to keep us from truly enjoying the precious gifts life has waiting for us.  Writing this fictional story allowed me to put to rest some issues in my own life.  I hope it touches your heart and allows you to do the same.

Saying Goodbye: The Christmas Gift is no a story of loss.  It's a story of hope and love.

Available on Amazon for only 99 cents
and with Kindle Unlimited