title: Heartfelt Stories About Beanie Babies(R) and Those Who Collect Them
author: Pamela Knapp
description: "A precious compilation of all the joys and goodness that have come from giving, receiving, and collecting Beanie Babies...You will love this reading experience." -- <i>Mary Beth Sobolewski, Editor-in-Chief , Mary Beth's Bean Bag World Monthly magazine</i><br /><br />"A wonderful anthology of truly special stories from collectors both young and old...Beanie Babies have proven to be truly magical. These stories remind me of why I love them so and will continue to collect them for years to come." -- <i>Sara Nelson, "BeanieMom," creator and Webmaster of "BeanieMom Web site</i><br /><br />"Ms. Knapp's book is...significant because she allows Beanie Baby collectors to tell their stories in their own words...It strengthens the study of popular culture by providing important data about an important phenomenon in people's lives." -- <i>Angela M. S. Nelson, Ph.D., Director, Center for Popular Culture Studies, Bowling Green State University</i><br /><br />"Precious compilation of all the joys and goodness that have come from the giving, receiving, and collecting of Beanie Babies(R)... You will love this reading experience." -- <i>Mary Beth Sobolewski, Editor-in-Chief, Mary Beth's Bean Bag World(TM) Monthly magazine</i><br /><br />"The first book of its kind that really touches the soul and captures the true meaning of Beanies. I highly recommend adding Heartfelt Stories...to your home library." -- <i>Janie E. Daniels, commonly known as Ms. Janie, author of The Beanie Invasion</i><br /><br />"The first book of its kind that really touches the soul and captures the true meaning of Beanies(R). I highly recommend adding Heartfelt Stories... to your home library." -- <i>Janie E. Daniels, commonly known as Ms. Janie, author of "The Beanie Invasion"</i><br /><br />"This book will touch your heart and move your spirit.... It will be difficult to hold back your emotions as you read about how Beanie Babies(R) have changed people's lives. Take the time to share these stories for all generations with family and friends." -- <i>Becky Phillips, co-author of Beanie Mania II: The Complete Collector's Guide, and publisher and editor of Beanie Mania magazine</i><br /><br />"What a wonderful, inspiring book! It is full of insight into why and how we collect...It's funny at times and is always touching. Heartfelt Stories About Beanie Babies...captures the true essence of the collector..." -- <i>Suzy Haghighi, creator and Webmaster of "BeaniePhiles" Web site</i><br /><br />"What a wonderful, inspiring book! It is full of insight into why and how we collect.... It's funny at times and is always touching. Heartfelt Stories About Beanie Babies(R)...captures the true essence of the collector...." -- <i>Suzy Haghighi, creator and Webmaster of "BeaniePhiles" Web site</i><br /><br />"Wonderful anthology of truly special stories from collectors both young and old... Beanie Babies(R) have proven to be truly magical. These stories remind me of why I love them so and will continue to collect them for years to come." -- <i>Sara Nelson, "BeanieMom," creator and Webmaster of "BeanieMom" Web site</i>
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  THE GIFT OF LOVE
  
  by
  
  MEARA PLATT
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Copyright © 2020 Myra Platt
  
  Cover Design by Dar Albert
  
  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and
  incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used
  fictitiously. Any resemblance to similarly named places or to persons living
  or deceased is unintentional.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  CHAPTER ONE
  
  
  London, England
  
  
  
  
  
  December 1820
  
  
  Of all the bad luck.
  
  
  Dahlia Farthingale forced a smile on her face as the guests at her sister’s
  party crowded around her and cheered because she’d found the pea in her slice
  of Twelfth Night cake.
  
  “Queen Pea! Queen Pea!”
  
  Ugh! They were all still chanting as they closed in around her and Captain
  Ronan Brayden, forcing them up against each other. He had the misfortune to
  find the bean in his slice of cake, which meant he was now her King Bean.
  
  “King Bean! King Bean! Kiss your queen!”
  
  Dahlia’s sister, Holly, had recently married Ronan’s brother, Joshua, a