Christmas Focus with Linda Goodnight

Today I am starting my Christmas Focus one A Bride by Christmas and Linda Goodnight. Thanks again for being on my blog. I hope all my readers enjoy these interviews.

Firstly thanks for agreeing to be on my blog. This time we are focusing on christmas.
So I thought I would have a few fun questions first.

1. For you what do you most associate with Christmas where you live?
Oklahoma is still a very tradional state so we still have navitity scenes and living nativities, school Christmas programs, and lots and lots of parades. All the stores are decorated and my mailibox is filled with sales brochures. But most of all, Christmas here means family get togethers.

2. Do you have any special family traditions you do at Christmas time?
Oh yes! So many. This will be our first year without children in the house so things will likely change, but we've always loaded the kids and the dog in the pick-up truck to go in search of the 'perfect' Christmas tree. We have a lot of land and there are evergreens everywhere, so we drive through the fields singing Christmas carols to the top of our lungs. Gene (my husband) honks the horn in accompaniment. It's a zany, merry time that I really enjoy.

Another tradition is food! I bake lots of candies and other goodies and on Christmas Eve we get together with the enormous Goodnight clan. Back home, we hang stockings and go to sleep, knowing Santa will come by morning. On Christmas Day we open gifts and have a huge family dinner. (Jenny here we bake cookies to give out also)

We have recently begun a new tradition of trying to put more emphasis on Christ and less on material goods. To that end, we've been involved in ministering to orphans and those less fortunate during the holidays. For the past three years, we've hosted a Ukrainian orphan in our home. That has been a wonderful blessing to us.

3. Do you have a favourite christmas Carol and if so do you know why?
I love Christmas music and drive my family crazy playing it during the holiday season. Except for the Nutcracker Suite, which I adore, all my favorites are about Jesus' birth. If I had to name one it would probably be either Silent Night or Mary Did you Know? Silent Night is just so beautiful. Both songs transport my mind to that special, holy night so long ago. I have an CD called "Harry Simeone Chorale that is my absolute favorite CD. I'm had it for years, first in cassette and now in CD. They do a version of The Little Drummer Boy that is almost all voices--the men's bass voices providing the drum beats--and it's fabulous. Fabulous!

4. If you could spend Christmas anyway you could how would you celebrate?
I have this fantasy of a perfect old-fashioned Christmas. All my family would be with me in a cozy, little cabin in the snowy mountains. A fireplace would be burning, of course, and snow would fall outside a big plate glass window. We would go to a simple church service by horses drawn sleigh where little kids would re-enact the nativity. We'd all sing Christmas carols and give thanks for the Greatest gift of all. Once back at the cabin, we'd snuggle by the fireplace and drink hot chocolate with tons of marshmallows, of course, munch popcorn, and just enjoy being together. (Jenny again, This sounds wonderful can I come too?)

5. Now a few questions about A bride by Christmas. I really loved the concept
of this book. was it hard to co-ordinate with the other authors?
No, not at all. The internet has made it possible for authors from all over the world to work together. The other authors in this collection are just super ladies and we really had a good time putting it together.

6. What was the best part about writing the Novella?
I was so thrilled to be part of a collection that introduced a wonderful new writer to the world-Therese Stenzel. It is such a treat to someone new break into this difficult business--especially a peson as nice as Therese.

7. I enjoyed the whole story you created, did you have a theme when
you were writing "The Cossack Bride" for Christmas?
No, I really didn't, Jenny. I seldom have a theme. I just write the story in my head. Because I am involved with Ukrainian orphans, I wanted to write something that celebrated their heritage. Most people think of the Cossacks as Russian but they were actually Ukrainian warriors who fought for and with Russia.

8. Do you have a Christmas message for my readers?
Yes! You've heard it before but it bears repeating. In all the hustle and bustle it can be so easy to forget the real reason for the season. So intentioinally plan a bit of time, even fifteen minutes one evening during the week of Christmas, and read the Christmas story in Luke with your family. I promise it will bless you!!

Thank you Jenny, for inviting me to your blog. God bless!