Also check out the giveaway at the bottom.
1. Firstly thanks for coming back to my blog this time we are focusing on Christmas. What do you most associate with Christmas where you live?
Thanks for having me back, Jenny. It’s always fun being here on your blog. As for Christmas, for the first 30 years of my life, Christmas usually meant time with my family, a Christmas Eve service at church and wishing or praying for snow Christmas morning. But, I lived on the East Coast and the mid-Atlantic area. Now, I’m married and live in Colorado, and the prospect of a White Christmas is much higher. In fact, the very first year I was here, it snowed on Christmas and left 5 inches on the ground.
No matter where I live, though, Christmas will always mean family to me, and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. I’m extremely blessed to have Christians on both sides of my family, so family and God go hand-in-hand. That makes Christmas even more special.
2. Do you have any special family traditions you do at Christmas time?
Well, before I married, my family would open 1 gift on Christmas Eve. Then, Christmas morning, we’d cook a nice breakfast of eggs, pancakes or waffles, sausage, bacon and toast. We’d read the Christmas story from Luke 2 and around noon, we’d open our gifts. As children, we’d obviously wake early, but as we grew, our wake-up time became later and later. In more recent years, my older brother and I forbid our 2 younger brothers from waking us before 10am. J
Thanks for having me back, Jenny. It’s always fun being here on your blog. As for Christmas, for the first 30 years of my life, Christmas usually meant time with my family, a Christmas Eve service at church and wishing or praying for snow Christmas morning. But, I lived on the East Coast and the mid-Atlantic area. Now, I’m married and live in Colorado, and the prospect of a White Christmas is much higher. In fact, the very first year I was here, it snowed on Christmas and left 5 inches on the ground.
No matter where I live, though, Christmas will always mean family to me, and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. I’m extremely blessed to have Christians on both sides of my family, so family and God go hand-in-hand. That makes Christmas even more special.
2. Do you have any special family traditions you do at Christmas time?
Well, before I married, my family would open 1 gift on Christmas Eve. Then, Christmas morning, we’d cook a nice breakfast of eggs, pancakes or waffles, sausage, bacon and toast. We’d read the Christmas story from Luke 2 and around noon, we’d open our gifts. As children, we’d obviously wake early, but as we grew, our wake-up time became later and later. In more recent years, my older brother and I forbid our 2 younger brothers from waking us before 10am. J
(jenny here we always have Bacon too. sounds like a good tradition)
3. Do you have a favourite Christmas Carol and if so do you know why?
I’d say it’s a toss-up between Walking in a Winter Wonderland and Jingle Bells. Both feature sleigh bells, and snow, and speak of days gone by. The simpler times. As a historical author, anything that reminisces about the past is a definite favorite. (Would love to go on a sleigh ride)
4. If you could spend Christmas any way you wanted how would you celebrate?
I’d love to have the room to invite a family who might not have a Christmas to spend the day with my family, share in our meal and even open gifts with us. Christmas is all about giving, not receiving, so I’d love to bless another family. Until the time comes when we’re able to do that, we’ll continue to give to projects like Angel Tree and Operation Christmas Child. Angel Tree provides gifts to children in the U.S. with one or both parents in jail at Christmas time. Operation Christmas Child provides shoeboxes of necessary items and special gifts to children overseas in impoverished countries.
http://www.angeltree.org/angeltree-home
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/index/
3. Do you have a favourite Christmas Carol and if so do you know why?
I’d say it’s a toss-up between Walking in a Winter Wonderland and Jingle Bells. Both feature sleigh bells, and snow, and speak of days gone by. The simpler times. As a historical author, anything that reminisces about the past is a definite favorite. (Would love to go on a sleigh ride)
4. If you could spend Christmas any way you wanted how would you celebrate?
I’d love to have the room to invite a family who might not have a Christmas to spend the day with my family, share in our meal and even open gifts with us. Christmas is all about giving, not receiving, so I’d love to bless another family. Until the time comes when we’re able to do that, we’ll continue to give to projects like Angel Tree and Operation Christmas Child. Angel Tree provides gifts to children in the U.S. with one or both parents in jail at Christmas time. Operation Christmas Child provides shoeboxes of necessary items and special gifts to children overseas in impoverished countries.
http://www.angeltree.org/angeltree-home
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/index/
(jenny again, we also do the operation Christmas child here its a great cause)
5. Do you have any special memories of Christmas?
We had two special years when my grandfather lived with us. As I shared my birthday with him and was the only grand-daughter, you can imagine how much I treasured this time with him. Looking back now, it’s even more important to keep those two precious years alive, as my grandfather passed away the night before I turned sixteen.
Those two years, though, bring a smile to my face as I picture my grandfather sitting in his favorite chair. One we brought from his house when we moved him in with us. He looked so regal, observing my three brothers and my parents as we distributed the gifts to each other, opened them in turn and celebrated together. I don’t recall what gifts I received either of those years, or even the gifts my grandfather received. What I do remember, however, is the smile on his face and on the faces of my family.
6. What is a typical Christmas Eve and or Christmas day for you.
Christmas Eve involves attending church for a candlelight service with Christmas carols, the reading of the Christmas story and a brief sermon from our pastor. Christmas Day recently is spent with my immediate family in the early morning followed by a drive to my parents-in-law’s house to share the rest of the day with them, including a big meal and lots of socializing. The best part is all the children together, opening their gifts and playing with them.
7. Do you have any Christmas movies or Christmas books you like to see or read each year?
A favorite is definitely It’s a Wonderful Life, but my favorite is Holiday Inn and White Christmas, both starring Bing Crosby. Books? I love Cosmic Christmas by Max Lucado. It’s been re-titled as An Angel’s Story, but it’s the retelling of the birth of Christ from the perspective of Michael, the archangel. Very creative, and it opens up a whole other side to the story.
8. Do you have a Christmas message for my readers?
In all the hustle and bustle of the season, it’s easy to let the hectic pace override thoughts of those in need. You spend so much time getting what you want or thinking about what you might be getting in gifts under the tree, that you forget about those less-fortunate who might be struggling at Christmas for one reason or another.
Try to find someone this year you can bless in some way. It can be anonymous or known, big or small. The important thing is that you give to someone from what you’re able. And remember, it’s far more blessed to give than to receive.
5. Do you have any special memories of Christmas?
We had two special years when my grandfather lived with us. As I shared my birthday with him and was the only grand-daughter, you can imagine how much I treasured this time with him. Looking back now, it’s even more important to keep those two precious years alive, as my grandfather passed away the night before I turned sixteen.
Those two years, though, bring a smile to my face as I picture my grandfather sitting in his favorite chair. One we brought from his house when we moved him in with us. He looked so regal, observing my three brothers and my parents as we distributed the gifts to each other, opened them in turn and celebrated together. I don’t recall what gifts I received either of those years, or even the gifts my grandfather received. What I do remember, however, is the smile on his face and on the faces of my family.
6. What is a typical Christmas Eve and or Christmas day for you.
Christmas Eve involves attending church for a candlelight service with Christmas carols, the reading of the Christmas story and a brief sermon from our pastor. Christmas Day recently is spent with my immediate family in the early morning followed by a drive to my parents-in-law’s house to share the rest of the day with them, including a big meal and lots of socializing. The best part is all the children together, opening their gifts and playing with them.
7. Do you have any Christmas movies or Christmas books you like to see or read each year?
A favorite is definitely It’s a Wonderful Life, but my favorite is Holiday Inn and White Christmas, both starring Bing Crosby. Books? I love Cosmic Christmas by Max Lucado. It’s been re-titled as An Angel’s Story, but it’s the retelling of the birth of Christ from the perspective of Michael, the archangel. Very creative, and it opens up a whole other side to the story.
8. Do you have a Christmas message for my readers?
In all the hustle and bustle of the season, it’s easy to let the hectic pace override thoughts of those in need. You spend so much time getting what you want or thinking about what you might be getting in gifts under the tree, that you forget about those less-fortunate who might be struggling at Christmas for one reason or another.
Try to find someone this year you can bless in some way. It can be anonymous or known, big or small. The important thing is that you give to someone from what you’re able. And remember, it’s far more blessed to give than to receive.
AMBER STOCKTON BLOG TOUR
BIO
Tiffany Amber Stockton is an author, online marketing consultant, and web site designer who lives with her husband and fellow author, Stuart, and their baby daughter in Colorado. They also have a vivacious Border Collie mix named Roxie. Amber has sold eight books to Barbour Publishing with more on the horizon. Other writing credits include five short stories for Romancing the Christian Heart, and contributions to Grit for the Oyster and 101 Ways to Romance Your Marriage. Her goal in writing is to convey the message that God is always present, even during the most difficult circumstances. Read more about her at her web site: http://www.amberstockton.com/.
Promises, PromisesBarbour Publishing/Heartsong Presents
Book 1 of Liberty's Promise (HP #784)at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1597899399/eagledesigns-20
Release date: February 2008
ISBN-10: 1597899399ISBN-13: 9781597899390
-- Raelene Strattford believes God has forsaken her, but her neighbor proves just the opposite while giving her a voice in a world where women have none. --
Has God forsaken Raelene? What kind of God would take a girl's family and leave her alone in a wild land where women have no voice? When Gustaf Hanssen promises Raelene's dying father that he will take care of her, he finds himself bound to her happiness, her success, and her well-being in ways he never imagined. To keep his word, must Gustaf really oversee all of Raelene's affairs, find her a husband, and maintain her farm, while she does nothing but scorn him? Can God reach through Raelene's pain and self-centeredness and give her the love that awaits, if only she will accept His will?
Read the first chapter here: http://www.amberstockton.com/excerpts/ppexcerpt.html
-- Raelene Strattford believes God has forsaken her, but her neighbor proves just the opposite while giving her a voice in a world where women have none. --
Has God forsaken Raelene? What kind of God would take a girl's family and leave her alone in a wild land where women have no voice? When Gustaf Hanssen promises Raelene's dying father that he will take care of her, he finds himself bound to her happiness, her success, and her well-being in ways he never imagined. To keep his word, must Gustaf really oversee all of Raelene's affairs, find her a husband, and maintain her farm, while she does nothing but scorn him? Can God reach through Raelene's pain and self-centeredness and give her the love that awaits, if only she will accept His will?
Read the first chapter here: http://www.amberstockton.com/excerpts/ppexcerpt.html
Click here for my review and extra content.
Quills & Promises
Barbour Publishing/Heartsong Presents
Book 2 of Liberty's Promise (HP #803)At Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/160260049X/eagledesigns-20At Barnes & Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/ISBNInquiry.asp?EAN=9781602600492Release date: July 2008ISBN-10: 160260049XISBN-13: 9781602600492
-- Separated from Madison when he leaves to fight the French and Indians, Elanna Hanssen must choose between her heart and her head, especially when Madison's integrity is questioned. --
Innocence paired with wisdom beyond her years--With these traits, Elanna Hanssen unwittingly captures the attentions of Major Madison Scott. Her honest desire to understand the war fascinates him, and he resolves to get to know this perspicacious young lady better. When he is called away to fight the French and the Indians, they begin a correspondence, cautiously baring their hearts to one another. Elanna has never known emotions like these before, but she is drawn to the integrity she sees in her major. When a writer for the first newspaper in the colony questions the major's credentials and activities, however, will she allow her heart or her head to rule? Can true love grow over such distance and around such obstacles?
Read the first chapter here: http://www.amberstockton.com/excerpts/qpexcerpt.html
click here for my review
Deceptive Promises
Barbour Publishing/Heartsong Presents
Book 3 of Liberty's Promise (HP #823)At Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1602601895/eagledesigns-20At Barnes & Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?EAN=9781602601895Release date: November 2008
ISBN-10: 1602601895ISBN-13: 9781602601895
-- Living during the American Revolution and the formation of a new nation, Margret Scott gets involved with a spy and a life of deception that could endanger herself, her family and the man she loves. --
Is deception fair in wartime? Margret Scott finds she must deal with this question as she becomes attracted to the enigmatic Samuel Lowe. As the tensions grow between the colonists and the British soldiers and loyalists, Margret struggles to determine where Samuel's loyalties lie, despite his reassurances that they lie with the colonists. Samuel's duties have him working for both sides of this war, and he is often torn between what is right and what is wrong. He promises Margret she can trust him, and Margret promises him she does. But can promises born in deception be trusted? Can relationships built in uncertainty survive?
Read the first chapter here: http://www.amberstockton.com/excerpts/dpexcerpt.html
Copper and Candles
Barbour Publishing/Heartsong Presents
Book 1 of Michigan historical series (HP #843)At Christianbook.com: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&p=1152452&item_no=603405At Amazon.com: http://http//www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1602603405/eagledesigns-20Release date: April 2009ISBN-10: 1602603405ISBN-13: 9781602603400
—A young lady of means discovers that keeping secrets, no matter how noble the intent, demands a price that she and a refinery worker, with all their resources, might not be able to pay.—
Society teas and garden parties, shopping, gossip—Life as a young lady of means may be fun, but Felicity wants to do more. Unfortunately, she finds that her position and wealth can sometimes hinder her efforts to help those around her in need. Thus, when a charity case falls ill and cannot work, Felicity determines to go to work as a commoner in Detroit's dangerous factory district. Relationships become complicated, however, and she soon finds herself falling in love with a worker from the copper refinery next door. She knows her family would never accept him as a suitor, but what's a girl to do? What she doesn't know is that Brandt has his own secrets and hides his identity just as carefully as she. Brandt and Felicity soon discover that deception—no matter how noble its intent—demands a price that even they, with all their resources, may not be able to pay. Can they survive the storm when truth is revealed?
Read the first chapter here: http://www.amberstockton.com/excerpts/ccexcerpt.html
Hearts and Harvest
Barbour Publishing/Heartsong Presents
Book 2 of Michigan historical series (HP #867)At Christianbook.com: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&p=1152452&item_no=605760Release date: September 2009
ISBN-10: 1602605769ISBN-13: 9781602605763
—A destitute young man fights society's mores to win the hand of his privileged sweetheart.—
William's is a true riches to rags story...Once members of Detroit's elite society, the Berringer family lost everything they had in the financial crash of 1893. From a life of influence and privilege, they now find themselves working a potato patch alongside immigrants and other destitute folk on borrowed land. William's resentment toward his current situation—and mostly toward God for allowing it—simmers barely beneath the surface. All it takes is one charitable visit to the fields from a lovely society darling to burst his façade of acceptance. Annabelle Lawson, convicted by her pastor's admonishing words, begins delivering food and water to the workers on her father's donated land. But as she learns the stories of the people who work there, she becomes increasingly drawn to their plight. Especially that of the inscrutable William Berringer. Can Annabelle and William overcome the stigma placed upon his family by a society that once embraced them? Will her parents remember their own meeting or forbid this budding romance altogether?
Read the first chapter here: http://www.amberstockton.com/excerpts/hhexcerpt.html
Patterns and Progress
Barbour Publishing/Heartsong Presents
Book 3 of Michigan historical series (HP# )At Christianbook.com: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&p=1152452&item_no=606876Release date: December 2009
ISBN-10: 1602606870
ISBN-13: 9781602606876
—A farmer's daughter would rather turn back the hands of time than accept the fact that advancement in technology could be in God's plan.—
Shannon Delaney was right. Every time she might consider changing her stance on what other people called progress, something bad would happen and she would be proven right again. Take the day Jacob Berringer almost ran her over in that new Model-T, for instance. And he had the nerve to suggest she'd been daydreaming? Or the Titanic. A marvel of modern invention. Look where that got them. Or how about the new tractor her brother insisted they try out. What did he get from that? A broken arm. Why can't things just stay the way they are—the way they should be? Jacob's got his work cut out for him, proving to the stubborn but beautiful Shannon that just because he works for the Henry Ford Company, he isn't evil incarnate. But something about her tells him she's worth the effort, and when Jacob puts his mind to something, he doesn't turn back. But will either of them look to God for direction?
Read the first chapter here: http://www.amberstockton.com/excerpts/pnpexcerpt.html
TOUR SCHEDULE (with many chances for a giveaway)
11/28
Petticoats & Pistols - http://www.petticoatsandpistols.com
11/30
Dawn Kinzer (all week) - http://dawnkinzer.blogspot.com/
12/1
ausjenny - http://ausjenny.blogspot.com/
Erica Vetsch - http://onthewritepath.blogspot.com/
12/2
Martha Rogers - http://marthasbooks.blogspot.com/
12/3
Pat Gonzales - www.pattishene.com
Abi Buening - http://myheartbelongs2books.blogspot.com
12/4
Abi Buening - http://myheartbelongs2books.blogspot.com
Stormi Johnson - http://writesthoughts.blogspot.com
12/5
Cara Putman - http://carasmusings.blogspot.com/
American Patriot Blog - http://americanpatriotseries.blogspot.com
12/7
Edit Cafe - (guest blogger) - http://editcafe.blogspot.com/
Cindy Woodsmall (all week) - http://www.cindywoodsmall.com/booklover/category/book-lover/
Rose McCauley - http://rosemccauley.blogspot.com
Lauralee Bliss - http://blissfulwritingthoughts.blogspot.com
12/8
Jennifer AlLee - http://jenniferallee.blogspot.com/
Allie Newberry - http://blog.allienewberry.com
Favorite PASTimes interview - http://favoritepastimes.blogspot.com
12/9
Cathy Bryant - http://WordVessel.blogspot.com
Eileen Astels - http://eileenastels.blogspot.com
Favorite PASTimes interview - http://favoritepastimes.blogspot.com
Seriously Write - http://seriouslywrite.blogspot.com
12/10
Patty Wysong - http://pattywysong.blogspot.com/
12/11
Patty Wysong - http://pattywysong.blogspot.com/
12/12
Margaret Chind - http://cherryblossommj.blogspot.com/
12/14
Lisa Lickel - http://livingourfaithoutloud.blogspot.com
* * * * *
For A chance to win one of the 6 books just leave a comment with a way to contact you. (If i know you or your contact thats fine) you have till next Tuesday 6pm Australia time. Thats the 8th.
16 comments:
I loved Amber's book Copper and Candles and would love to read some of her others!! martha(at)lclink(dot)com
Jen--
You have a beautiful blog! Have been jumping around trying to win one of Tiff's books. Hope this is the place. Blessings on your holidays. (Would love to know some of the Christmas traditions of the folks down under on this spot). Glad I dropped in. Pat I.
Enjoy Tiffany's books. Haven't read this one. Please enter me. Thanks
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com
That's too funny! We open one gift on Christmas eve too and read the birth of Christ out of Luke on Christmas morning after breakfast!! White Christmas is one of my favorite movies too! Love Bing Crosby. :D I've only read one of her books and really liked it. Maybe I'll win! You can contact me at my blog or my email address is Jennafraugh@gmail.com
Martha and Linda, great to see you both here, and I'm sure I'll see you around other places too.
Pat, best of luck in winning one of my books. I think you should go for Quills & Promises as that's set during the French & Indian War right up there in your neck of the woods.
Jennifer, how amazing to learn we have such close similar traditions at Christmas time. Those are ones I would love to continue with my family now. So...which book have you read of mine?
Hey Jenny, I love reading your interviews with authors. I'm especially loving the Christmas focus. So nice to hear some familiar traditions and some new ones. I really liked when Amber said about blessing someone...what I thought about was that even if you can't financially do something you can always give the gift of time and attention.
Bel
thanks all for the replies Bel, I love the Christmas box we do that each year. We actually buy all year round so its not as expensive like in Jan we buy the school supplies when they are on special.
I love the traditions.
I wouldn't mind winning one of these. They sound interesting.
I'm really organised this Christmas. I've just about got all the presents I'm giving and wrapped them.
These all sound great!! More to add to my wish-list!! lol!! Please enter me. Thanks!
esterried[at]yahoo[dot]com
I've read your Copper and Candles ones...although now that I've read the synopsis of the rest of yours I really want to get the ones you have set during war eras! I love war stories...it's the history nerd in me.
Jennifer those are the ones I recommened on the LI goodreads list.
they are good and I have a review under each one if you click.
This was a sweet interview. Young parents starting their own traditions. Please sign me up for the contest.
Deborah M.
debbiejeanm[at]gmail[dot]com
All the books sound great. I would love to win one. Please enter me. Thanks!
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
Hey, count me in, too!
sglahn (at) aspire2(dot)come
Having not yet read any of them, I'd like to start with one of the first in the trilogies. I guess that means either Promises Promises or Copper and Candles
Wow! Look at all these great comments.
Jennifer, I have just 2 books set during war time. Quills & Promises during the French & Indian War and Deceptive Promises during the Revolutionary War. Both are available through Amazon.com or my web site.
Laetitia, Sandi, Anita, Charity and Beth....good luck! And if you don't win, I hope you'll add at least one of my books to your TBR pile. :)
Deborah, how flattering to call my husband and me "young" parents. We're actually in our 30's, which isn't so young to have an infant at home. Still, we are focused on establishing traditions early. Gotta keep them alive through the generations!
Good luck everyone! And thanks for dropping by.
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