We’re Playing Santa!

As I write this, there’s less than a month to go to Christmas and, for me, even less than that ‘til I may move house. I’m just waiting for a few things to fall into place—here in NYC, if you live in a Co-op, which I do, you need Board approval of your sale after contracts have been signed, and I’m still waiting to hear about that. So I have no real idea where I’ll be for Christmas, but wherever I lay my head, I do know I’ll have the comfort of my family and will be looking forward to a merry time.

I’ll also, of course, be looking forward to time with friends, whether in person or via Skype and Facetime, or just sharing Christmas events via email. As I’ve written before, we all now have friends we may never have met in person but feel we know well via this cyber world we inhabit. In the past year, I’ve had the pleasure of working on anthologies with several authors whom I now count among friends, and I’ve been delighted to meet two of them in person. We’ve got together again here with some thoughts about the holiday season. We’re also going to play Santa Claus and do some present-giving of our books to folks who leave a comment below.

My own ‘gift’ will be an Audible copy of my multi-award-winning, western historical mail-order bride novella, Dearest Darling.

He’s waiting for a different woman, she’s looking for a different life. Can love make a difference to them both?

 My very best wishes for the Happiest and Healthiest Holiday Season ever! Our winners are as follows:

Stacy Myers receives a signed copy of Devon McKay’s Lead Me Into Temptation; Colleen Bergman gets a digital copy of The Dove, Wings of the West Book 2 by Kristy McCaffrey; Charlotte O’Shay receives a copy of Patti Sherry-Crews Desert Heat and Tea Stetler will be gifted with an Audible of Dearest Darling by myself.  Happy reading and listening, ladies!

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Christmas Ornaments

                           By Kristy McCaffrey 

Christmas tree ornaments often tell family stories.

One of my favorite decorations is a small pine cone glued to a wooden base and sprinkled with glitter that was made by my eldest son, Sam, when he was three years old. It’s such a simple design and has held up well over the years, reminding me of that special time when he was young, and I was a new mother.

There is a lovely clear ball given to my youngest daughter, Hannah, from her swimming teacher many years ago—in the center is a photo of her and the other children in her class. Besides being a beautiful ornament, it helps me recall how Hannah, at the age of five, loved to swim.

The ornament that commemorates the birth of my younger son, Ben, is also a favorite. It’s a bear with a pacifier in its mouth and my son’s name and birthdate imprinted in red ink on the belly. My son was born big and cuddly and right on time (whereas the others came early).

While in grade school my other daughter, Kate, painted a ceramic cross with a yellow background and purple dots. As a youngster she quite enjoyed the act of creation and always took great joy in the spiritual side of her life. The cross is a favorite of mine.

I have a nice collection of ornaments from my close friends while we raised our children together. In any other situation we might never have been chums, but sharing the experience of watching our offspring grow created a connection like no other.

A Christmas tree can be a vault of family memories, alive with the pulse of your loved ones.

Kristy will be gifting an eBook of  The Dove (Wings of the West, Book Two) [The Wren (Wings of the West, Book One) is permafree at all eBook vendors.  https://books2read.com/TheWren]

Reunited with Logan Ryan on the steps of the White Dove Saloon, Claire Waters hides under the guise of a fancy girl…and lets the ex-deputy believe the worst.

Visit Kristy at http://kmccaffrey.com/

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The Best Christmas Present Ever!

                                     By Devon McKay

I love Christmas. In fact, there’s not one thing I don’t love about the holiday. The chilly temps and the scent of pine and cinnamon in the air. The cheerful holiday wishes. The bright, colorful lights decorating houses. The trimming of the tree. Yes, even the Christmas songs. I love it all.

This year Christmas came early for us and we received a very special gift. Anyone who knows us, knows we are animal people. We love our furry friends and have quite a handful of them to prove it. We have three dogs, two cats, three long horn steers, two pygmy goats, and chickens who run amuck here at the farm. Definitely animal people. We have our hands full, but, I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Needless to say when my son moved into his own apartment, he wasn’t allowed a pet. This is hard for a young man who has always been surrounded by critters. He did end up investing in a fish tank, and though it’s filled with beautiful, vividly hued fish, it simply isn’t the same as a dog or a cat.

Gracie

After three years, the apartment building owners have finally decided to allow small dogs and cats. Enter Gracie. The absolutely cutest little gal ever. Her spunky personality has already won our hearts and brought a smile to my son’s face that I haven’t seen in quite a while.

Though she only weighs a pound or two and can fit in the palm of one hand, this furry bundle of joy is full of mischief and curiosity. More so than any of our other animals.

At the moment, our Christmas tree has caught her eye. And though it’s over 6 feet tall, it has drawn her complete attention. I can only imagine the thoughts going on in her cute little head. That being said, this Christmas should be full of laughter from a tiny pup’s silly antics.

I’m looking forward to every minute of it.

Devon will be gifting a copy of Lead Me into Temptation

Visit Devon at http://authordevonmckay.com 

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What I Like About Christmas

By Patti Sherry-Crews

What I’m looking forward to the most on Christmas is doing nothing. November is like birthdaypalooza for my family with three of them in that month, not to mention Thanksgiving which we host. I feel like November is a version of speed dating for extended family get- togethers.

Before the turkey leftovers are even put away, we start the Christmas shopping, cookie baking, tree decorating madness. This period of intense activity, which needs a master list of things-to-do, doesn’t end until Christmas Eve. I love Christmas Eve which is all about elegance and family traditions in my home.

By the time Christmas day comes around, I appreciate the quiet. The lack of expectations. The stillness. With almost everything closed, you’re forced into a state of muffled togetherness, which is how it feels to me. We sit around in our pajamas eating Christmas stocking candy. We might play a board game or sit and read books Santa left under the tree.

Later in the day, I venture out for a walk. The streets that were bustling with noise and activity since Black Friday are empty on Christmas day. I can casually take in the shop windows, now with their slightly ravaged-looking holiday displays. There’s always that one coffee shop that’s open, but it’s fun to run into friends and neighbors.

I love to cook, but by December 25, I’ve been stuck in my kitchen since November between birthdays, Thanksgiving, and our special Christmas Eve dinner. So, a few years ago we started a new tradition. Chinese take-out Christmas dinner! We set out all the white paper containers, buffet-style, not bothering with dressing things up. Then everyone finds a spot on the big sectional sofa and we watch movies—some family members are likely to still be in their pajamas.

Patti will be gifting a copy of Desert Heat

Single mom, Angel Harper, only has time for her son and trying to keep her guest ranch afloat, in that order. She’s not willing to risk all for romance, but when sexy fireman and cowboy, Boone Donovan, happens to fall into her life, he’s not taking no for an answer. Will she let go of past injuries and give him a chance?

Visit Patti at http://pattisherrycrews16.wix.com/author-blog