Donald Jay Author Podcast

Welcome to the final episode of a four-part podcast of me reading my short story, My Best Friend’s Valentine, for your romantic enjoyment. In the third episode, we found out what makes Evan’s swing so special, a second charm for Leah’s bracelet arrived, and one of the couple narrowly escaped being seriously injured. In this episode, Leah comes clean about her suspicions, more charms arrive, and the meaning behind them is finally revealed on Valentine’s Day.

Welcome to the third of a four-part podcast of me reading my short story, My Best Friend’s Valentine, for your romantic enjoyment. In the second episode, Mason overheard a conversation between Leah and Charlotte Flowers that crushed his planned romantic gesture while Leah took steps to test Mason’s intentions. In this episode, we find out what makes Evan’s swing so special, a second charm for Leah’s bracelet arrives, and one of the couple narrowly escapes being seriously injured.

Here’s the second of a four-part podcast of me reading my short story, My Best Friend’s Valentine, for your romantic enjoyment. In the first episode, we discovered that Mason Carver has feelings for Jacob Marley’s mother, Leah, but that Leah believes Mason’s attention is born of duty and loyalty to Leah’s deceased husband, Evan. In this episode, Mason overhears a conversation between Leah and Charlotte Flowers that crushes his planned romantic gesture while Leah takes steps to test Mason’s intentions.

My Best Friend’s Valentine: Not Romantic and The Accident is the first of a four-part series that unravels the love story between Jacob Marley’s mother, Leah Marley, and Dickens Station’s trusted general contractor and hardware store owner, Mason Carver. These two scenes set the stage for a true love story born of friendship to survive the test of misunderstanding. I also give readers a glimpse of how our favorite Christmas-themed village celebrates other holidays, in this case, Valentine’s Day.

In Christmas Renewal, Scene 4: Old Joe, one of Dickens Station's more colorful characters, takes George on an excursion into the railroader’s past to a fateful night that redirected George’s life, all the while revealing a new path forward into a meaningful retirement.  In Christmas Renewal, Scene 5: Reunion, George is reunited with his family, and a remarkable revelation from his granddaughter Sophie mends George’s heart and breathes new life into his soul. Truly a Christmas Renewal.

In Christmas Renewal, Scene 3: The Veteran, Lissa Dodson takes George to meet her very special friend, Troy Eldridge. Troy found a new purpose for his life after losing his leg in Afghanistan. Inspired by Troy, George begins to question his own limitations and finds a new perspective on moving forward.

Christmas Renewal - Scene 2: The Old Lady at the Church features a heartwarming encounter between George and a stranger, Layla, in the candle-lit Community Church. When George admires the cane Layla is carrying, she shares her inspiring story of overcoming a tragic accident, proving that strength can rise from despair. This touching moment leaves George reflecting on the alienation caused by bitterness and the restorative powers of resilience and faith.

My award-winning short story, Christmas Renewal, is not a Christmas tale. It’s a story of renewal offered to inspire anyone who finds themselves at a crossroads in life. So, in a sense, it’s a New Year’s story, or a “new life” story, empathizing with those of us confronted with change and reminding us of the boundless possibilities of life. May you find a sense of renewal within you as you reflect on George Gandy’s evening of rediscovery and renewal. This is the first in a four-part series featuring Christmas Renewal. Today's scene is entitled "Cat Nap."

I’ve started book #3, Elizabeth and the Toymaker, the second book in the Dickens Station trilogy. Find out more in this short episode.