Restoring Christmas Memories

Restoring Christmas Memories

Secret Santa Blog Hop



Return to the main blog hop page and directions here.

On Thanksgiving this year, my sister brought me a very special gift, a restored Christmas toy. Patty Playpal was a three-foot tall doll who could actually stand up all on her own (if you posed her just right.) The Christmas I got her, my grandmother even made me a dress to match Patty’s. She was my companion whenever I played house. I have a picture of the two of us playing together (I'm on the right, in case you can't tell us apart).

Patty, however, had two defects related to her construction. Her head and arms were connected together by some very strong rubber bands. Because of her size, I first tried to drag her around by wrapping an arm around her neck and pulling. Her neck extended and then retracted, pinching my arm. I learned quickly to avoid doing that. Her arms also had tendency of disconnecting from the rubber band.

My sister and a friend also decided that Patty needed a haircut, and they obliged her. The first picture is obviously prior to the "trim."

PP shares a tiara with Terri Rochenski & Christmas Magic

A happy tiara wearing day

to Terri Rochenski!

Let's get to know

all about her.

How did you get from your day job to writing romance? I gave up the day job when I had daughter #1 four years ago. It was the best job move EVER. Now, I’m a stay-at-home mom, and I steal minutes here & there for writing whenever my two girls allow. 

What are your three favorite books of all time? Tough question. I’ve read all of Lisa Kleypas’s books at least twice, a few I’ve pulled off the shelf more times than that. Stephanie Laurens also has a shelf in my home. I’ve read some of hers more than once as well. I adore fantasy as well – LotR, WoT series, SoT series. Have all of those. Read them more than once as well. Honestly I love so many books. Not sure I can pinpoint any particular one.

Morning, afternoon, or evening person? Morning all the way. My girls wear me out by 4pm. Some days I don’t even make it that long!

When I Wasn't Home for Christmas or Celebrating the Holidays Abroad

(Blog in France Christmas Blog Hop Participant)

            The first year after we moved abroad, we couldn’t go home because (a) we needed the days to ensure we spent enough time out of the country for the tax deduction for living abroad and (b) we couldn’t afford four tickets to the US. Not that we suffered as a result. We could afford four tickets to Mexico where my husband was from, and my parents and grandmother met us there. I believe it was the one and only time my grandmother ever left the US, and I’m glad we were able to share some of my husband’s family traditions and the beautiful sights in and around Mexico City with her and my parents.

            Since then, as a family we’ve celebrated the holidays in a number of different countries and every one has been memorable and moving. Once, we toured Israel and Egypt and went to Bethlehem days before the city was turned over the Palestinian state. Nativity Square was very barely visible through the Palestinian flags and photos of Arafat strung across all the buildings. Another time we were in Austria and attended a midnight mass in a small church that looked as if it had been plucked from a postcard. We didn’t understand the words, but the beauty of the church and the choir’s songs still provided us with the peace and joy of the season. At a minimum, we’ve heard services in Spanish, French, Russian, and German.

Favorite Holiday Romances!

With two releases last week, I'm submerged in holiday romances... Which got me thinking about some of my favorite love stories - then my favorite holiday love stories. So I thought I'd take this opportunity to share my top five holiday romances are all films, actually. Yes, in addition to being a bibliophile, I’m a rather hopeless film addict. J Either way, it’s about the story, right? And these five holiday romances are too awesome not to love.

The PP welcomes a special gal-Jeffe Kennedy!

Come say Howdy and

get to know more about her.

How did you get from your day job to writing romance?  Well, I’m still working my day job, so I haven’t quite transitioned yet. Right now I put in fairly long days (~12 hours) with time on both. I work from home, so that helps. The day job still pays much better, though the writing is starting to catch up. I’m hoping the writing will win the race someday!

What are your three favorite books of all time? This is always hard for me to answer, because I love so many. Ones I often recommend are Truth and Beauty by Ann Patchett, Cat’s Eye by Margaret Atwood and Possession by A.S. Byatt. All really excellent, wonderful, insightful books.

Morning, afternoon, or evening person? I used to be a night owl, but I retrained myself because, if I wanted to write every day, I needed to write in the mornings. My schedule didn’t really allow for a consistent time at any other point in the day. Now I wake up fairly early – 6am- and make sure I get plenty of sleep every night and I feel like I’m pretty much awake and productive all day.

Plotting Princess Vicki Batman & Launch Day!!! Twinkle Lights

"Twinkle Lights"

a holiday story, is launched today

and to party on, I'm giving away a $50.00 Amazon gift card and an e-book.

Just leave a comment which includes

your email address to be eligible.



https://museituppublishing.com



Now, on to the good stuff!

Here's a fun excerpt from "Twinkle Lights!"



Puppy Rescue Mission

We all love our dogs. They're part of our family. My two mutts are pampered puppies that bang on their crates when they're ready to get up and greet me at the door each evening. Even on the worst day, they make me smile and warm my heart. They're spoilt rotten, but I couldn't imagine leaving them behind or giving them up.

If you were a soldier in Afghanistan or Iraq and you befriended a dog while you were there, could you walk away and leave your friend behind?

I'd never heard of Puppy Rescue Mission until a lady in my Yoga class, who is a volunteer for PRM, was talking about picking up a dog at the airport.  She told me to go to their Facebook page and take a look. There I saw soldiers cuddling dogs. Their page says, "It's so funny how something as simple as a puppy can make even the hardest, toughened soldier melt upon a few kisses to the face." PRM's mission is to help soldiers bring their battle buddies home."