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Echoes of the Heart #1.5
Christmas on Bellevue Lane
Can Christmas in July be saved at the Dixon house?
With holiday carols, glittering ornaments and lots of cheer, Marsha and Joe Dixon welcome their new granddaughter to one of their favorite traditions. Marsha’s excited to share memories of her and Joe’s heartwarming love story, to help seven-year-old Camille feel even more a part of the sprawling foster family her grandparents have nurtured for decades.
But Joe’s struggle to recover from his recent heart attack and bypass surgery threatens their fun, and more than just Christmas in July is at stake. If he doesn’t regain his strength and ability to provide financially and emotionally for his family, the Dixon group home might have to close.
With loved ones rallying around and their treasured holiday tradition working its magic, Marsha’s convinced she can talk Joe into embracing the physical therapy he needs.
Will her and the Dixon clan’s Christmas-in-July wish come true?
With holiday carols, glittering ornaments and lots of cheer, Marsha and Joe Dixon welcome their new granddaughter to one of their favorite traditions. Marsha’s excited to share memories of her and Joe’s heartwarming love story, to help seven-year-old Camille feel even more a part of the sprawling foster family her grandparents have nurtured for decades.
But Joe’s struggle to recover from his recent heart attack and bypass surgery threatens their fun, and more than just Christmas in July is at stake. If he doesn’t regain his strength and ability to provide financially and emotionally for his family, the Dixon group home might have to close.
With loved ones rallying around and their treasured holiday tradition working its magic, Marsha’s convinced she can talk Joe into embracing the physical therapy he needs.
Will her and the Dixon clan’s Christmas-in-July wish come true?
162 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 2, 2015
35 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
About the author
Anna DeStefano
42 books273 followersAnna DeStefano brings to life heart-warming, emotion-packed stories about community, family and second chances. Her award-winning, nationally bestselling small town romances spotlight family, friendships and the forgiveness that nurtures her characters’ dreams…as they explore the issues all contemporary families face.
Anna’s imagination is forever inspired by our ability to claim an unlimited and exciting future—by honestly confronting and bravely overcoming the setbacks of the past.
She’s the author of more than twenty-seven books, including the Echoes of the Heart and the Mimosa Lane novels that are set in Chandlerville, Georgia, and her Atlanta Heroes series.
Look for her other titles featuring the reader-favorite Dixon family: Here in My Heart, Let me Love You Again, His Darling Bride, and Book 3 of the Seasons of the Heart series, Love on Mimosa Lane.
Born in Charleston, South Carolina, Anna’s lived in the South her entire life. Her background as a care provider and adult educator in the world of crisis and grief recovery lends itself to the deeper psychological themes of every story she writes.
A wife and mother, she currently writes in a charming northeast suburb of Atlanta, Georgia, not all that different from her characters’ beloved Chandlerville.
She is also a workshop, masterclass and keynote speaker, a writing coach, and a freelance editor.
Get to know Anna at annawrites.com/blog and the Anna DeStefano: Author page on Facebook, where she shares her inspirations, her challenges, a healthy dose of honest optimism, and tidbits about upcoming projects.
Anna’s imagination is forever inspired by our ability to claim an unlimited and exciting future—by honestly confronting and bravely overcoming the setbacks of the past.
She’s the author of more than twenty-seven books, including the Echoes of the Heart and the Mimosa Lane novels that are set in Chandlerville, Georgia, and her Atlanta Heroes series.
Look for her other titles featuring the reader-favorite Dixon family: Here in My Heart, Let me Love You Again, His Darling Bride, and Book 3 of the Seasons of the Heart series, Love on Mimosa Lane.
Born in Charleston, South Carolina, Anna’s lived in the South her entire life. Her background as a care provider and adult educator in the world of crisis and grief recovery lends itself to the deeper psychological themes of every story she writes.
A wife and mother, she currently writes in a charming northeast suburb of Atlanta, Georgia, not all that different from her characters’ beloved Chandlerville.
She is also a workshop, masterclass and keynote speaker, a writing coach, and a freelance editor.
Get to know Anna at annawrites.com/blog and the Anna DeStefano: Author page on Facebook, where she shares her inspirations, her challenges, a healthy dose of honest optimism, and tidbits about upcoming projects.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
October 25, 2015
A much needed return to Chandlerville Georgia. Once again a stop at the home of Joe and Marsha Dixon. Love love love this series. In the Novella, it is Christmas in July at the Dixon home. Joe has been having problems adjusting to his heart problems. Marsha and his foster kids are trying to encourage him. I loved the trip Marsha takes the reader back to the beginnings of the Dixon's relationship. Can't wait until the next book in the series: His Darling Bride.
October 27, 2015
I loved this book! This story has real life issues that we can understand and relate to. When the characters are feeling a certain way in the book you feel it too. These characters grab your attention from the first chapter and will keep you reading till you reach the last page. It was a must read and I recommend it to anybody! Another win for Anna DesStefano.
October 26, 2015
Magic happens in July when the Dixon family celebrate Christmas in July.
Anna DeStefano's Echoes Of the Heart series (Here in My Heart and Let Me Love You Again) has shown me the love of Joe and Marsha Dixion's love for all the children who have passed through the doors of their foster home.
Christmas on Bellevue Lane takes us to the beginning. It shares with us how Joe and Marsha came to be. It shares with us the meaning of hummingbirds, the perfectly matched set.
Will Joe come to terms with life after bypass surgery? Will social services decide that foster care is to much for Joe and Marsha to handle now? Grab your copy of Christmas on Bellevue Lane and enjoy a little Christmas in July with the Dixon family.
Anna DeStefano's Echoes Of the Heart series (Here in My Heart and Let Me Love You Again) has shown me the love of Joe and Marsha Dixion's love for all the children who have passed through the doors of their foster home.
Christmas on Bellevue Lane takes us to the beginning. It shares with us how Joe and Marsha came to be. It shares with us the meaning of hummingbirds, the perfectly matched set.
Will Joe come to terms with life after bypass surgery? Will social services decide that foster care is to much for Joe and Marsha to handle now? Grab your copy of Christmas on Bellevue Lane and enjoy a little Christmas in July with the Dixon family.
October 26, 2015
This was a lovely, heartwarming story of the backdrop to the Dixon family and how they came to be together as a family. Sharing Marsha and Joe's life, as told to the newest member of the family, Camilla, by her grandmother Marsha. We are taken on a journey of love, heartache and strength of the love between Marsha and Joe. And we find out the reason behind their annual "Christmas in July".
It was a great story to read on a lazy Sunday afternoon, or any day of the week when you want to loose yourself in a nice story.
It was a great story to read on a lazy Sunday afternoon, or any day of the week when you want to loose yourself in a nice story.
August 5, 2017
My Musings
This is a sweet and heartwarming story. I enjoyed getting this glimpse of Joe and Marsha's romance. If you like stories that touch your heart then you will love this book. Happy ☺reading 📚!
This is a sweet and heartwarming story. I enjoyed getting this glimpse of Joe and Marsha's romance. If you like stories that touch your heart then you will love this book. Happy ☺reading 📚!
November 12, 2015
Very sweet and heartwarming Christmas novella. I loved the previous book in this series so much so I was happy to have an opportunity to read the love story of Marsha and Joe Dixon. They are a couple who have spent their entire lives fostering children. They have a crazy family tradition of celebrating Christmas in July. Why??? Well, you'll have to read to find out.
This is a story that makes me think about how all of our life choices eventually come full circle. The good we give throughout our lives comes back to us in ways we would never imagine. Joe is having to cope with changes in his life that are a bit of a sting to his pride. But, where one journey ends, new ones begin. The great circle of life!
Lovely little novella... and better read by those who are already invested in these characters and the series.
Can't wait for the next full length book in the series... :)
ARC was provided by the publisher
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This is a story that makes me think about how all of our life choices eventually come full circle. The good we give throughout our lives comes back to us in ways we would never imagine. Joe is having to cope with changes in his life that are a bit of a sting to his pride. But, where one journey ends, new ones begin. The great circle of life!
Lovely little novella... and better read by those who are already invested in these characters and the series.
Can't wait for the next full length book in the series... :)
ARC was provided by the publisher
Follow us on
KT Book Reviews
October 27, 2015
Marsha and Joe Dixon have spent their married life making life much better for many foster children. Once a child comes into their home, they are a Dixon for life no matter where life may take them. The love they give these children is shown in the adult children that they consider 'theirs'. These your adults are right there to help Marsha and Joe anyway they can. They are struggling right now after Joe's heart attack and bypass surgery. Joe is resisting rehab and becoming uncharacteristically short tempered. As Joe struggles and they a prepare for their Christmas in July celebration, Marsha shares the story of how they met and decided to raise foster children with their newest granddaughter. She also shares the story of how Christmas in July first began.
I have wondered for awhile how Marsha and Joe first started their journey. This book has satisfied my curiosity. Anna DeStefano writes stories that feel like you have come home. Your friends are there and new ones arrive. Reading one of Anna DeStefano's books is like a big, comfortable hug!
I have wondered for awhile how Marsha and Joe first started their journey. This book has satisfied my curiosity. Anna DeStefano writes stories that feel like you have come home. Your friends are there and new ones arrive. Reading one of Anna DeStefano's books is like a big, comfortable hug!
November 4, 2015
If you've read any of the Echoes of the Heart novels, you have to pick up the novella, Christmas on Bellevue Lane.
Through a family tradition of having Christmas in July, we get to learn the backstory and love story of Marsha and Joe Dixon the two fabulous foster parents that figure heavily in both of the past novels.
This is a quick read that you'll want to be longer, because Marsha and Joe are such fabulous characters and you really want more time spent on them and their relationship, but it was great to see how they got together and how they chose to foster children.
I would recommend having some tissues ready when reading this, because Marsha and Joe's struggles are heartbreaking at times. Joe is exceptionally pigheaded, especially with regards to his health. There were times when you wanted to give him a good smack upside the head.
This novella is part of a series and can be read as a stand alone story, but I'd recommend reading at least one of the full length books so that you have a better idea of who is who.
Highly recommended!
Through a family tradition of having Christmas in July, we get to learn the backstory and love story of Marsha and Joe Dixon the two fabulous foster parents that figure heavily in both of the past novels.
This is a quick read that you'll want to be longer, because Marsha and Joe are such fabulous characters and you really want more time spent on them and their relationship, but it was great to see how they got together and how they chose to foster children.
I would recommend having some tissues ready when reading this, because Marsha and Joe's struggles are heartbreaking at times. Joe is exceptionally pigheaded, especially with regards to his health. There were times when you wanted to give him a good smack upside the head.
This novella is part of a series and can be read as a stand alone story, but I'd recommend reading at least one of the full length books so that you have a better idea of who is who.
Highly recommended!
October 27, 2015
Recently, it seems like it is a trend for writers of series involving siblings to include the love story of the parents. Perhaps it's because while reading the stories of the siblings, we learn so much about the parents and we yearn to hear their story too. Whilst reading the stories of Oliver and Dru, I definitely found myself wondering about the love story about Joe and Marsha and how they came about to be foster parents to so many children so I was definitely happy when Anna decided to write Joe and Marsha's story.
I really loved how Anna took us on a journey back in time to when they met, when they fell in love, when they faced various obstacles in their life. Not only is their love story entertaining and touching, it also teaches us a lesson - that love can overcome all obstacles if the couple love each other enough. I especially love the reason behind the Christmas in July tradition.
Definitely looking forward to reading more about the Dixons.
I really loved how Anna took us on a journey back in time to when they met, when they fell in love, when they faced various obstacles in their life. Not only is their love story entertaining and touching, it also teaches us a lesson - that love can overcome all obstacles if the couple love each other enough. I especially love the reason behind the Christmas in July tradition.
Definitely looking forward to reading more about the Dixons.
November 2, 2015
Anna DeStefano has written such a wonderful story of love, family and hope in Christmas on Bellevue Lane, Book 2 of Echoes of the Heart Series. I could reread this story over and over because it makes you smile and even have some tears in your eyes at times.
This is the story of Joe and Marsha Dixon. How they met which is sweet and funny to how their lives have evolved since. They overcame sadness and loss and turned it into something so beautiful and lasting. Now they have all these wonderful children they helped raised and are part of their lives. This story tells how much difference their love has made in the lives of many and are still making.
I don’t want to give too much away because it is such a wonderful story and it is told so much better by Marsha herself as she tells her grand-daughter Camille.
This is the story of Joe and Marsha Dixon. How they met which is sweet and funny to how their lives have evolved since. They overcame sadness and loss and turned it into something so beautiful and lasting. Now they have all these wonderful children they helped raised and are part of their lives. This story tells how much difference their love has made in the lives of many and are still making.
I don’t want to give too much away because it is such a wonderful story and it is told so much better by Marsha herself as she tells her grand-daughter Camille.
November 6, 2015
I loved Anna DeStefano's Christmas on Bellevue Lane, the latest in her Echoes of the Heart series. I was excited to read Joe and Marsha Dixon's story.
DeStefano has built an amazing family with the Dixons. We have the stories of a couple of the adult children but we finally get the parent's. I enjoyed the telling of their history by Marsha. The transitions between the current and the past were timely and keep me reading. DeStefano has a way of making you feel as though you're in that room with Camille, next to her and waiting to learn all you can.
Christmas on Bellevue Lane had me ready to enjoy family holiday traditions and wanting to start new ones. I can't wait to read more in the Echoes of the Heart series. Anna DeStefano continues to deliver characters living real circumstances in towns you'll want to live in.
DeStefano has built an amazing family with the Dixons. We have the stories of a couple of the adult children but we finally get the parent's. I enjoyed the telling of their history by Marsha. The transitions between the current and the past were timely and keep me reading. DeStefano has a way of making you feel as though you're in that room with Camille, next to her and waiting to learn all you can.
Christmas on Bellevue Lane had me ready to enjoy family holiday traditions and wanting to start new ones. I can't wait to read more in the Echoes of the Heart series. Anna DeStefano continues to deliver characters living real circumstances in towns you'll want to live in.
November 2, 2015
In Anna DeStefano's Christmas on Bellevue Lane, another installment in the Echoes in the Heart contemporary romance novella series, we're introduced to the Dixon family once again. For Joe and Marsha Dixon, they wanted to make Christmas in July for their first grandchild Camile to carry on the tradition. But since Joe was recovering from his heart surgery, everyone was concerned about his health. And when he fled the house, that's when Marsha told Camille her story on how she met Joe, and how they started fostering with the Christmas in July celebration in their foster family. And when he returned, he made it a Christmas to remember with heartfelt promises for the entire family to get better.
October 31, 2015
I love escaping to Chandlerville!
Chandlerville is the town where no one gives up on anyone else, people have a plan, family is everything and love is abundant. Oh and there is Christmas in July!
I have loved Joe and Marsha from the beginning. I'm so glad they finally got to tell their story. We have met some of their foster kids in previous books but this one helps the reader understand the fire and passion behind fostering.I love the motto "once a Dixon always a Dixon".
This is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone.
Chandlerville is the town where no one gives up on anyone else, people have a plan, family is everything and love is abundant. Oh and there is Christmas in July!
I have loved Joe and Marsha from the beginning. I'm so glad they finally got to tell their story. We have met some of their foster kids in previous books but this one helps the reader understand the fire and passion behind fostering.I love the motto "once a Dixon always a Dixon".
This is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone.
October 31, 2015
The Dixon Family has a lot of love, all thanks to Marsha and Joe. Unable to have children of their own, the Dixons became foster parents. "Once a Dixon, always a Dixon" is the family motto. Christmas in July is a tradition going back thirty-odd years, and on this special day, we see all the love and support this group had for one another. Marsha recalls some wonderful moments from her early life with Joe. Totally "meet cute."
October 27, 2015
Christmas on Bellevue Lane is a story of the Dixon family. Joe and Marsha Dixon and how their family
came to be. It is a very heart warming story of family life, the ups and downs of an illness. Marsha recalls her memories to her granddaughter Camille. In hopes that Camille will be at home with
her foster family. Family traditions and celebrating Christmas on July first. This will be
Camille's first Christmas in July. This is such a great read that I recommend highly!
came to be. It is a very heart warming story of family life, the ups and downs of an illness. Marsha recalls her memories to her granddaughter Camille. In hopes that Camille will be at home with
her foster family. Family traditions and celebrating Christmas on July first. This will be
Camille's first Christmas in July. This is such a great read that I recommend highly!
October 30, 2015
I've loved every one of the books in the Echoes of the Heart Series...but I think this one touched me even more than the rest because I can so relate to what Joe and Marsha are going through.
"Grow old with me; the best is yet to be" kept running through my mind as I was reading this lovely novella. The ups and downs in the Dixon's lives has just made them grow stronger as a couple.
Highly recommend this book!
"Grow old with me; the best is yet to be" kept running through my mind as I was reading this lovely novella. The ups and downs in the Dixon's lives has just made them grow stronger as a couple.
Highly recommend this book!
November 9, 2023
Marsha and Joe Dixon welcome their seven-year old granddaughter Camille to their family. Joe is recovering from a recent bypass surgery and fears he may not be able to financially provide for the family if he doesn’t get back to work soon. As the Dixon's venture to raise their foster children through heartache and the strength of the love between Marsha and Joe are hopeful to have a wonderful Christmas filled with joy. I really enjoyed this heartwarming holiday romantic novel.
November 11, 2015
What a heartwarming story! I hated to see it end. It will make you laugh and cry. Anna DeStefano makes her characters come to life and you feel like you are right there with them. I loved the way Marsha told stories to her granddaughter Camille about Joe and herself. It was great to hear their love story. This is Camille's first Christmas in July celebration.
Looking forward to the next book in the series Her Darling Bride.
Looking forward to the next book in the series Her Darling Bride.
November 6, 2015
The history of the Dixon family is rich in tradition. Anna DeStefano did a wonderful job of presenting the reason the family has Christmas in July as a beautiful short story. It was full of family memories and a great way to help get through more of the history of the Dixon family.
The love story between Joe and Marsha Dixon was a beautiful one. From their first meeting in college to the current Christmas in July. It's a beautiful, heartwarming story that you'll love.
The love story between Joe and Marsha Dixon was a beautiful one. From their first meeting in college to the current Christmas in July. It's a beautiful, heartwarming story that you'll love.
December 6, 2015
Marsha and Joe Dixon are foster parents and have raised a whole bunch of children over their 35 years of marriage. This is their story and how it all began for them. I like how it was revealed in memories retold by Marsha for her granddaughter Camille. They are getting ready for their Christmas in July and Joe is missing. His recovery from his heart surgery isn't going well and it has put a strain on their marriage. Glad to see how it gets resolved with their large family's help.
July 28, 2016
Heart warming
Incorporating a couple experiencing difficulty having children was a fresh idea compared with many other comparable story lines. Character descriptions and setting were well described. I felt like I was in each of the defined spaces and could visualize the characters. I would recommend this novella to anyone that enjoys clean romance with a twist or just loves stories about a family's love.
Incorporating a couple experiencing difficulty having children was a fresh idea compared with many other comparable story lines. Character descriptions and setting were well described. I felt like I was in each of the defined spaces and could visualize the characters. I would recommend this novella to anyone that enjoys clean romance with a twist or just loves stories about a family's love.
December 8, 2015
SNS Rating: 5.0
~~~~~~~~~~Val's ★★★★★ Review~~~~~~~~~~
I loved this book! It left me feel warm and fuzzy all over! The characters are great and I am so excited to know that there are other books and I plan to go read them right away! I loved the back and forth between past and present in the storytelling, I feel it added so much to the story and helped you really feel the memories. Great book!
~~~~~~~~~~Val's ★★★★★ Review~~~~~~~~~~
I loved this book! It left me feel warm and fuzzy all over! The characters are great and I am so excited to know that there are other books and I plan to go read them right away! I loved the back and forth between past and present in the storytelling, I feel it added so much to the story and helped you really feel the memories. Great book!
January 1, 2016
The real final book I read in 2015. What a beautiful story. I'm so glad I read it. The story behind the Christmas in July, the foster family, the recovery story, all that circled the real base of it all--one of the ageless stories of love--made for a great read. Beautifully written.
August 10, 2016
Really enjoyed this heartwarming Christmas-in-July story. A very quick read about a couple creating a strong and loving family through fostering children. A lovely "Hallmark movie" read. I look forward to reading more from this author.
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December 31, 2015Review outstanding
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews