Focus on Christmas with Merrillee Whren

Please welcome Merrillee Whren to my blog today to talk about Christmas. Welcome Merrillee

Firstly thanks for coming to my blog to focus on Christmas.

1.      What do you most associate with Christmas where you live?

I always associate Christmas with the reason we celebrate--the birth of Christ. But if you are wanting something that is unique about the Christmas celebrations in the area where I live, I can mention a few. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel near our home has a huge Christmas display every year featuring a gingerbread house or something made of gingerbread. Last year they had a ship. I'll include a photo. Also our little town has a Christmas parade, and you will see palm trees decorated with Christmas lights and Santas wearing flip flops, as well as a parade of ships decorated with lights.

2.      Do you have any special family traditions you do at Christmas time?

Our traditions are about food. I always make chocolate nut caramels with a recipe passed down from my grandmother. My husband makes the nut roll that his father always made before he passed away. They are two family favorites. I also make my Christmas cookies, and I decorate my house--inside and out--for Christmas. I have a collection of Nativity sets and international Santas that I display each year.

3.      Do you have a favourite Christmas Carol and if so do you know why?

My favorite Christmas Carol, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day," is one that isn't often sung, but I love it's message, especially in these times. I particularly like  the third and fourth stanzas. I will quote
them here.

               "And in despair I bowed my head:
               'There is no peace on earth,' I said,
               'For hate is strong, and mocks the song
               Of peace on earth, good will to men."

               "Yet pealed the bells more loud and deep:
               'God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
               The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
               With peace on earth, good will to men."

4.      If you could spend Christmas anyway you could how would you

celebrate?

I would spend it with family, especially our two girls and their families. This year we will be apart because it is their turn to go to their spouse's family for  Christmas. We live far away from each other, so we have to share. Some Christmas I would love to be able to gather with my three brothers and all of their  kids' families as well. That would be quite a family reunion.

5.      Do you have any special memories of Christmas?

I guess the best memory was from a year when I was in college and didn't know whether I would be able to make it home for Christmas. I was attending college over a 1,000 miles from home. One of my classmates discovered that an acquaintance of hers was making a trip to Spokane with her family and that they were willing to give me a ride. We drove through a horrible snow storm in Montana, but we made it. My parents didn't know I was coming, so I enjoyed surprising them with my visit.

6.      What is a typical Christmas eve and or Christmas day for you.

There is no typical Christmas Eve or Christmas day for our family. Because over the years we have lived away from extended family, we often traveled later on Christmas day to be with family in another state. Now what we do depends on the year and whether we will be traveling or staying home. If we are home, we usually gather on Christmas Eve and share the time with family and friends who have come to visit. Christmas day is for opening gifts, sharing in a meal and reading the Christmas story.

7.      Do you have any Christmas movies or Christmas books you like to see or read each year?

I like to watch 'Miracle on Thirty-fourth Street' both the old and new versions. The best Christmas book is the Bible.

8.      Do you have a Christmas message for my readers?

Remember the real reason for the Christmas season--the birth of Jesus, and try to do good, not just at Christmas, but all year round.

My current Love Inspired book is MONTANA MATCH. It takes place on a Montana
ranch and features a minor secondary character from my previous book, LOVE
WALKED IN. The heroine of MONTANA MATCH was a teenager in LOVE WALKED IN.
Here is a blurb:

Nanny to six-year-old twin girls isn't exactly the position Brittany Gorman
is looking for. But she needs a job. And the twins' struggling single dad,
rancher Parker Watson, needs all the help he can get. Soon Brittany is not
only assisting with the girls, but also helping Parker make peace with his
past. It seems Brittany's finally found a place to belong. And with two
little matchmakers on the loose, there's no telling what the future holds.
As her time on the ranch runs out, can Brittany and Parker find the strength
to face that future--together?

Focus on Christmas with Meredith Resce

Please welcome another Australian Author to my blog today to share Christmas in Australia. Welcome Meredith Resce. 

1.    What do you most associate with Christmas where you live?

If you mean in my actual street, it’s the house down the road that is lit up like….well, like a Christmas tree. A spectacular light display that has cars driving by just to stop and look at the lights. If you mean in our city of Adelaide, it’s the hustle and bustle of getting everything sorted to wind up the end of school year, have Christmas/end-of-year parties for businesses and clubs, and the onset of warm weather. For your northern hemisphere readers, we don’t switch the Christmas lights on until 9pm, and we take a walk in the warm evening to look at things going on in the neighbourhood. If you mean in the state of south Australia, being as I’m originally from the country, it’s harvest time, and I keep close monitor on how the crops are yielding. We watch out for bushfires, and get our BBQ’s working. We love a good open air carols-by-candlelight night.  (Jenny here I love the open air carols too.)

2.    Do you have any special family traditions you do at Christmas time?

Every second year, we gather at the family farm with the whole of my family – about 30 of us now. On the other year, we do a city Christmas, and those of our family in the city get together and walk around the streets singing Christmas Carols. Our family have a tradition of eating Port Wine Jelly with Cherries and ice-cream for Christmas breakfast. I’ve always done it, and I asked my mother where that tradition came from. She told me it was from when a travelling green-grocer used to go from farm to farm, and stopped by our farm every week, he would sell cases (wooden-box) full of fruit for preserving. My mother always bought a case of cherries, and would preserve them in her Fowlers preserving jars. She would always open the first jar of preserved Cherries on Christmas eve, make the Port wine jelly, and we would have it as a treat Christmas morning. 

3.    Do you have a favourite Christmas Carol and if so do you know why? 

Can’t limit to just one – Joy to the Word – Love the words. ‘He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove, the glories of his righteousness, and wonders of his love.’

Silent Night – The most beautiful carol, and evokes all sorts of memories from a wonderful childhood of faith.

4.    If you could spend Christmas anyway you could how would you celebrate?

We almost always celebrate with family. I love to have a Christmas Eve service, acknowledge the wonder of God with us in the Christ child. I am such a traditionalist, I love to celebrate the way we have always done it.

5.    Do you have any special memories of Christmas?

The majority of my memories of Christmas are special. When we were kids, it was great, everything just happened magically. Now I know that the magic was really my mother, grandmother’s and aunt. They made everything happen. O Joy, I get to make it happen now, and I love to know that the kids are having a wonderful time, but it is a lot more hard work than it used to be. My mother used to always organise a small Christmas concert for the grandparents after Christmas lunch. We would have costumes, and do little plays, sing songs and play the piano. Our grandparents always clapped and told us we were wonderful.

6.    What is a typical Christmas eve and or Christmas day for you.

Christmas Eve – a church service, and singing carols somewhere, somehow.

Christmas Day – even though my children are now adults, we still get up early, as my nieces and nephews are still young, and we have to do the Christmas thing all together. My father readers a Scripture and prays, then we share presents. Then we eat our Jellied cherries, and the grown up mothers get to start lunch preparations. The kids play. We have a traditional roast lunch, even if it’s 40 degrees (110 degrees F) outside. We eat our Hot Christmas pudding, and the works. Then the grownups get to clean up lunch, and the kids play some more. The grownups sleep, and then go ahead and fix leftovers for tea. We use cold ham and cold chicken, and just have salad for tea.

7.    Do you have any Christmas movies or Christmas books you like to see or read each year?

The Nativity; It’s a Wonderful Life; Miracle on 34^th Street; I’ll Be seeing You (old movie with Ginger Rogers and Shirley Temple); The Christmas Card (New movie with unknown actors). I like to watch these with the Christmas lights switched on. (Jenny again, I enjoy the Christmas Card also I have it on DVD)

8.    Do you have a Christmas message for my readers?

Christ is the whole reason the Christmas celebration began, but it is so easy to remove Christ, or shove him aside while we indulge in all the other Christmas things that have developed over the years. Make sure you keep Christ front and centre, and remember that Christmas is always followed by Easter – his work and victory over sin.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come – don’t forget, He’s still here in the person of the Holy Spirit, so, come, let us adore Him.

This is Meredith's latest book and one I can't wait to read. 

When Sarah Montgomery finds a man lying half-dead in the snow, she doesn’t stop to think of the consequences of trying to save his life. But being a Good Samaritan yields nothing but trouble. In her parents’ absence, she struggles against a deadly fever and a vicious snow-storm, doing her best to save the life of a stranger. But when her self-righteous neighbours eventually come to see how she fared during the storm, they draw a very different conclusion. Before she knows it, her reputation is in tatters, and she has been cast out of the church and her home.

Alone and destitute, Sarah is determined to seek work as a servant from the man whose life she has saved. But all is not well for the master of Mellington Hall.

 Someone wants Lord Alan Mellington dead, and he doesn’t know who or why.

The only person he seems to be able to trust is the gamekeeper’s daughter, Sarah Montgomery, who has intervened to save his life not once but twice.

This story blending mystery, scandal, murder and romance comes from one of Australia’s best-loved authors, Meredith Resce.

Focus on Christmas with Penny Reeve

Please join me in welcoming Penny Reeve back to my blog to talk Christmas.

2. Do you have any special family traditions you do at Christmas time?

We have a special Christmas Quilt which goes up on our wall in the first weeks of Christmas. The quilt is initially a plain background of hills and a night sky peppered with stars. As the days approach Christmas more and more items are attached to the quilt including a busy inn, a stable, Mary and Joseph, a donkey etc. We follow the journey to Bethlehem by moving the piece around until Christmas day when the baby Jesus is added to the scene!

3. Do you have a favourite Christmas Carol and if so do you know why?

No, not really. I think unfortunately I have allowed the commercialism of Christmas dampen my enthusiasm for Christmas carols!

 4. If you could spend Christmas anyway you could how would you celebrate?

I would have a quiet family Christmas with my immediate family. I'd make sure everyone could stay in their PJs for as long as possible and we'd eat all our favourite things regardless of whether they were traditional Christmas munchies or not! Then, perhaps in the afternoon, I'd like for us to be still for a little while and remember everything Christ did for us and consider some of the enormity of what that means. (Jenny here, now I am basically alone I do eat what I want regardless of tradition. although I do have bacon on Christmas, I like you idea of a quiet family Christmas, I have other friends who dont like the day due to the busyness and the rushing around etc)

 5. Do you have any special memories of Christmas?

I think this is probably where my ideal Christmas ideas come from. When I was about 12 my family were living as missionaries in North Australia and we had to travel to a remote location to cover the base there while another family was away. So, we were away from our regular home, but that Christmas is one of my most special ones. Yep, we wore our PJs all day. We had a lovely lunch with home baked bread rolls and our present opening time was one of quiet, special enjoyment.

 6. What is a typical Christmas eve and or Christmas day for you.

It depends on where the Christmas day is to be held as we have to share Christmas between families who live in different states. But Christmas Eve usually has a flavour of expectation to it, no matter how hard I try to avoid the whirl! The children are keen with enthusiasm and there is an atmosphere of preparation, a giving kind of preparation which is nice to be a part of.

 7. Do you have any Christmas movies or Christmas books you like to see
 or read each year?

No. I am a bit of a commercialised Christmas rebel, really. So if there is something out there designed to make me buy it just because it is Christmas, I'll avoid it. I don't even like Christmas trees, we only have one becuase the children enjoy it!

 8. Do you have a Christmas message for my readers?

Take time, in the bustle, between picking up the wrapping paper and sorting the mis-matched presents to consider Jesus. The baby part of the story is just one section of the miracle. God went to every length possible to invite us into his kingdom. Don't let this Christmas wizz past without thinking about that, and if possible, sharing that wonder with someone you love!  

Penny has several children's books out and I am including the covers of several. You can see her books at http://www.pennyreeve.com/

Focus in Christmas with Shawna Williams

Please welcome Shawna Willliams to share her Christmas Memories with us this week and also promote her Christmas book (which is a great read and on special at present for .99cents details at the end of the post).

1.    What do you most associate with Christmas where you live?

Our Christmas parade and fireworks show. It's symbolizes everything that's wonderful about life in a small town. All of the businesses, organizations, clubs and churches build floats. The whole town comes together to watch. The businesses on Mena Street stay open late so you can browse, visit and do a little shopping. Many serve hot cocoa to enjoy during and after the parade. Following the parade there's an incredible fireworks show in the park, where you get to watch the display directly overhead, and right after the finale the whole park lights up. The last few years a museum train has stopped in town. The cars are full of Christmas villages with miniature trains traveling through. I love our little town on this night. It feels like something magical is taking place.

2.    Do you have any special family traditions you do at Christmas time?

For a week before Christmas I sneak gifts under the little trees set up in my kids' rooms. When they were little they thought it was one of Santa's elves sneaking it into their rooms, and the gifts were small things, like a toy matchbox car for my son, or play jewelry for my daughters. I have three teens now, so the gifts have morphed into nail polish, favorite snack food, etc... but they still look forward to this. Of course, they now know that Mom is behind it all, but I still wait until they're asleep to sneak it under their trees. If I owned an elf suit, I'd likely put it on to deliver.

(Jenny here this sounds so cool would love to have had this happen as a child.)

3.    Do you have a favourite Christmas Carol and if so do you know why?

I love the song Silent Night. I have ever since I can remember. It's a beautiful song, but there's also great nostalgia associated with it for me, so I think it will always be my favorite.

4.    If you could spend Christmas anyway you could how would you celebrate?

Exactly as we do! At home with the family, celebrating the birth of our Lord and the love we have for one another. There's always plenty of food, games, lots of laughter. The one thing I'd mandate that we don't always have is snow. I love snow!

5.    Do you have any special memories of Christmas?

The best memories I have of Christmas time come from my grandparents' farm when I was a kid. It's not a specific memory, but a mixture of things from over the years. There was always a house full at Christmas time, and I remember evenings by the fire with everyone laughing. Most of the time I hadn't a clue what it was about, but the feeling created was one of warmth and love. There are several things that I have a particular fondness for: crystal chandeliers, the creaking sound of walking on wood-planked floors, the smell of pine, white German Shepherds, and funny shaped Christmas trees. All of these wonderful things are from memories associated with Christmas at Nonnie and Papaw's.

6.    What is a typical Christmas eve and or Christmas day for you.

I do a lot of cooking on Christmas Eve, but by night we settle down. Christmas Eve is also my mom's birthday, so if they are with us we go out for Mexican food because it's my mom's favorite. If they aren't with us then I cook Salmon. Then the kids open a single gift (pajamas). If we haven't already started The Lord of the Rings trilogy, then we'll probably start it that night. We end the night with a prayer of thanks.

On Christmas morning I fix a huge pot of oatmeal mixed with tons of maple syrup and butter. Then we open gifts. I set out appetizers that I made the night before: deviled eggs, pigs in a blanket, bean soup, taquitos and cheese dip and we snack during the afternoon and play games. Then I fix our main meal of Cornish hens, mash potatoes, ham and all the other traditional favorites for the evening. Desserts are an all day affair. Not to brag, but I make an excellent pecan pie. We're likely to watch A Christmas Story and one of the movies in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

7.    Do you have any Christmas movies or Christmas books you like to see or read each year?

We like the movie Elf. I also love the old classics; It's a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34^th Street, and Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without A Christmas Story

8.    Do you have a Christmas message for my readers?

Mainly to take the time to be grateful. There's so much rush beforehand and afterwards. Take the day to give thanks to the Lord, and to relax and enjoy the blessing of family. These are the memories that will endure throughout a lifetime.

Orphaned Hearts.

Pastor David Langley understands six-year old Caleb Holsheyer -- what it feels like to be damaged and alone. His family killed in a fire, and his body severely burned, David grew up in an orphanage, ridiculed and shunned. He couldn’t let that be Caleb’s fate.

When adoption plans fall through, David is desperate to find Caleb a new home. But in the midst of the Great Depression, most families are barely getting by. No one seems willing to take on the responsibility of an extra mouth, especially one belonging to a crippled child.

Except for Sadie Miller, the town spinster. In Sadie, David sees the answer to Caleb's needs. But Child Welfare doesn't agree, and demands other arrangements be found, or the boy be returned to the orphanage.

David and Sadie team up, determined to find a home for an orphaned child, but while searching, might they find a family instead.

you can buy this for for .99 cents at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Desert Breeze

Focus on Christmas with Paula Vince

Please welcome back Paula Vince an Aussie Author back to my blog for my focus on Christmas series. I wanted to have a few different perspectives of Christmas from different areas. I relate well to what Paula has said. Also her latest book Best Forgotten which won this years Caleb Prize would make a wonderful christmas gift.

1)      What do you most associate with Christmas where you live?

Some blistering hot days and pleasant, warm summer evenings full of the aroma of outdoor barbeques. Cool fruit punch and festive salads. The Christmas holiday period is a wonderful time for winding down as our Australian school year comes to an end.

2)      Do you have any special family traditions you do at Christmas time?

We love to watch or visit our Adelaide Christmas Pageant, which is said to be one of the best in the Southern Hemisphere. There are also other local pageants and festive occasions we attend. A five minute drive from where we live is a town named Hahndorf which was settled by German pioneers in the nineteenth century. Each December a traditional visit from St Nicholas takes place there, which I love to take part in with my children. 

On Christmas Eve night, we attend an 11pm service at our church. I love singing carols in the auditorium lit by nothing but splashes of candlelight. And, of course, one of our favourite traditions is driving around at night searching for light displays and nativity scenes set up in peoples’ gardens. We have a town named Lobethal in the Adelaide Hills, another one founded by European settlers, and its people hold nothing back when it comes to light displays, making it one of Adelaide’s most renowned tourist destinations each Christmas.  (Jenny here I would love to see the lights of Lobethal I have heard they are amazing)

3)      Do you have a favourite Christmas Carol, and if so do you know why?

It would have to be O, Holy Night. It is such a majestic piece of music that makes my spirit soar on the high notes, while I want to ‘fall on my knees’ with the chorus at the same time. I love the lyrics, which speak of the power and love of Jesus for each of us. The fact that he entered the world unobtrusively as a tiny baby fills me with awe each time I hear it. (Jenny here this is a song that many have picked and its one I really Love too.)

4)      If you could spend Christmas anyway you could, how would you celebrate?

I’ve never known anything but hot Aussie Christmases, but I wouldn’t mind, just once, celebrating it in a traditional cold, snowy climate for the contrast. Friends and family who have been lucky enough to be able to do it describe the experience as terrific.

5)      Do you have any special memories of Christmas?

My sister and brother are older than me by several years. During my childhood Christmases, we’d all sit around the tree first thing in the morning with our parents, taking turns to open presents. After lunch, we’d have a sit-down lunch with turkey and salads at the table. It was probably the only day of the year we used to spend together like that and I valued the time.

6)      What is a typical Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for you?

Christmas Eve is my birthday. I try to keep the day free to relax and observe it in some special way instead of simply letting it filter through my fingers in a mad effort to finish off last minute wrapping, cleaning and shopping. I spent it in that frantic way once before and promised myself never to repeat it. Last year, I spent my birthday driving home from Nelson, over our Victorian border, where we’d had a holiday for a week. I even called into the Naracoorte Christian bookshop and said, “Hi” to Jenny. (Jenny here I remember that you dont know how exciting it was for me to meet an author I even bought one of Paula's books. didn't realise it was your birthday at the time.)

On Christmas Day, we have lunch with one of our extended families and dinner with the other, alternating each year. This year, we’ll have lunch with my family and dinner with my husband’s.

7)      Do you have any Christmas movies or books you like to see or read?

We watch “The Greatest Story Ever Told” or whatever Christmas movie is televised. I’d love to get my hands on a movie called, “Bushfire Moon” about a true-blue, colonial Aussie Christmas. I saw this one at the movies in my teens and always remembered it. (Jenny here again I forgot about Bushfire Moon I also saw it at the movies. I remember it was really hot but one family still had a yule log.)

The kids and I borrow Christmas books from the library and I also like to read over every Christmas story by Laura Ingalls Wilder in her “Little House” series.

8)      Do you have a Christmas message for my readers?

I’d like to tell everybody to have a joyful and blessed time. Saying, “Don’t get caught up in the commercialism” is pointless, so get your necessary commercialism out of the way quickly so you can enjoy every minute of the days leading up to Christmas. Take time to reflect and relax. I love to think of us as a world-wide family all celebrating the birth of Jesus together.

God Bless, everyone.  

A young accident victim wakes up in hospital and can’t remember who he is. Why does he have nothing in common with his family? Why does he despise the person he was supposed to be? Why has his best friend disappeared without a trace? And is somebody after him?

His family can offer no solutions. His girlfriend is strangely aloof. And he cannot shake off a feeling that the answers will prove more foreboding than his amnesia. Yet he must find out before he runs out of time. Paula Vince has woven elements of secrecy and suspense with her trademark warmth and compassion to bring you a new, fascinating story.

Focus on Christmas with Camy Tang with giveaway

Please welcome Camy Tang back to my blog today. Camy is sharing some Christmas memories with us. Also due to ending up with two copies of Formula for danger I have a copy for an Aussie reader. Also check out Camy's latest book it would make a wonderful Christmas gift. I have it in my top ten for this year.

1.    What do you most associate with Christmas where you live?

Since I live in a city, the one most noticeable thing about Christmas is that all the large stores put up spectacular Christmas light displays on their roofs. They're really very beautiful, and I see them wherever I drive, even on the freeways.

2.    Do you have any special family traditions you do at Christmas time?

My family usually opens one gift on Christmas Eve. I think my parents started it just so that my brother and I wouldn't get so antsy, but we still do it even now.

3.    Do you have a favourite Christmas Carol and if so do you know why?

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel has always been my favorite because the melody is so hauntingly beautiful and the lyrics of the chorus are so inspiring. (Jenny here I like this one too and I agree its inspiring)

4.    If you could spend Christmas anyway you could how would you celebrate?

In Great Britain! I'd love to experience an English Christmas.

5.    Do you have any special memories of Christmas?

Our first Christmas with our dog Snickers was very special. We were so excited and got her all kinds of useless doggy gifts that she didn't even understand, but it was really fun.

(I could just imagine this. my brother actually bought my cat a couple of gifts once, one being a wind up mouse which the cat totally ignored.)

6.    What is a typical Christmas eve and or Christmas day for you.

These days, we visit family in Arizona for Christmas. We have a delicious Christmas Eve dinner with my uncle, and then a Christmas day brunch with my husband's family. There's always SO much terrific food that I end up eating seven days' worth in that 18 hour period!

7.    Do you have any Christmas movies or Christmas books you like to see or read each year?

My husband loves the movie A Christmas Story and watches it every year when it plays on TV. I think that if it didn't play on network stations, he'd buy the DVD and play it on the DVD player all day. The movie just makes him laugh and makes Christmas a fun day for everyone. (Jenny again, I saw this for the first time last year and I agree its funny. I had to see it after so many talking about it.)

8.    Do you have a Christmas message for my readers?

Don't get so caught up in the preparing for dinner and guests that you forget to spend time with family! People don't care if your house is clean, and if they are anal enough to care, you can tell them to pull out the poker up their butt and then go jump off a cliff. Christmas is about spending time with loved ones, not making a perfectly beautiful dinner in a perfectly decorated house.

Thanks for having me, Jenny!

Camy

Protection for Hire back cover blurb:

Tessa Lancaster's skills first earned her a position as an enforcer in her Uncle Teruo's Japanese Mafia gang. Then they landed her in prison for a crime she didn't commit. Now, three months after her release, Tessa's abilities have gained her a job as bodyguard for wealthy socialite Elizabeth St. Amant and her three-year-old son.

But there's a problem or two ... or three .... There's Elizabeth's abusive husband whose relentless pursuit goes deeper than mere vengeance. There's Uncle Teruo, who doesn't understand why Tessa's new faith as a Christian prevents her from returning to the yakuza. And then there's Elizabeth's lawyer, Charles Britton, who Tessa doesn't know is the one who ensured that she did maximum time behind bars. Now Tessa and Charles must work together in order to protect their client, while new truths emerge and circumstances spiral to a deadly fever pitch.

Factor in both Tessa's and Charles's families and you've got some wild dynamics--and an action-packed, romantic read as Tessa and Charles discover the reality of being made new in Christ.

http://camytang.com/books/protection_for_hire_series/1_protection_for_hire


Australian giveaway

HER LIFE WAS ON THE LINE

Someone wants dermatologist Rachel Grant's latest research, and they'll do anything to get it. Including trashing the plants needed for her breakthrough scar-reducing cream--and trying to run Rachel down. Desperate for help, she turns to Edward Villa, the only man she trusts. But the greenhouse owner knows too much about Rachel's research, and now he's a target, too. Break-ins, muggings, murder...the would-be thief is getting desperate--and getting closer. Edward vows to protect Rachel at all costs. Yet with time ticking away, Edward knows they have to uncover the madman shadowing Rachel before their chance for a future is destroyed. 

Focus on Christmas with Jennifer Hudson Taylor

Please welcome Jennifer Hudson Taylor to my blog today for my focus on Christmas series. I read Jennifer's latest book and the review is in the previous post. I have enjoyed getting to know Jennifer. Check our her books for gift ideas for Christmas.

Firstly thanks for coming to my blog to focus on Christmas. 

1.    What do you most associate with Christmas where you live?

 The spirit of love and giving. Here in America, people are commercializing Christmas way too much, but my family works hard to remember the reason we celebrate Christmas and that is the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

2.    Do you have any special family traditions you do at Christmas time?

My mom always gives us a keepsake ornament each year. My daughter and I usually read at least one Christmas novel or novella together. We pick at least one night and go look at Christmas lights. We watch Christmas movies all month.

3.    Do you have a favourite Christmas Carol and if so do you know why? 

 O Holy Night. It touches my heart and I feel the spirit of Christ through that song. (Jenny here this is a song thats special to me also)

4.    If you could spend Christmas anyway you could how would you celebrate?

Maybe on a vacation up north where there is actually snow during Christmas. We used to have colder weather at Christmas in North Carolina, but in the last few years, we don’t get Christmas weather until January or February and by then the season is gone and the cold weather is just a nuisance. 

5.    Do you have any special memories of Christmas?

One year we had a white Christmas here in North Carolina. I was a small girl, but I remember it. We lost electricity, so my parents piled us in the car and took us to Grandma and Grandpa’s house. I remember wondering, how would Santa know we’d be at Grandma’s? I couldn’t understand it and I fretted all night. Eventually I fell asleep. When I woke, all our gifts were under Grandma’s tree just like it would have been if we were home. That year was special because we got to share Christmas morning with both my grandparents. They’re gone now, but I cherish that memory.

6.    What is a typical Christmas eve and or Christmas day for you.

We spend Christmas Eve with my husband’s family and have a big Christmas meal, but this year things will feel like someone is missing, and I expect we’ll be a little sad. My father-in-law died two months ago and it will be our first Christmas without him. Christmas morning we open gifts with my husband and daughter. We read the story about the birth of Christ and when my daughter was little, we would sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. Then we get ready and drive to my parents’ house and have Christmas with them and a big Christmas lunch. At some point, someone will turn on the TV and we might watch a Christmas movie or the Christmas parade. If I could change anything about this day, it would be to eliminate the TV.

7.    Do you have any Christmas movies or Christmas books you like to see or read each year?

I love The Christmas Carol. It doesn’t seem right if I don’t watch that movie at least once. Another one that I’ve come to enjoy is A Season of Miracles by Hallmark. I also enjoy the classic, It’s a Wonderful Life. There are usually some new Christmas novels or novellas out and I buy a couple of those and read them.

8.    Do you have a Christmas message for my readers?

Forget the TV and all the hype about gifts and Santa Claus. Bring Jesus back into the picture and make Christmas simple again. We would all be better off with one special gift per person, than with all the junk we collect at Christmas that only ends up cluttering up our homes. 

Highland Blessings is the story of a highland warrior who kidnaps the daughter of his greatest enemy and clan chief to honor a promise he made to his dying father. Bryce MacPhearson, a highland warrior, kidnaps Akira MacKenzie on her wedding day to honor a promise he made to his dying father. While Akira s strength in the Lord becomes a witness to Bryce, she struggles to overcome her anger and resentment when he forces her to wed him, hoping to end a half-century-old feud between their clans. While Akira begins to forgive, and Bryce learns to trust, a series of murders leaves a trail of unanswered questions, confusion, and a legacy of hate that once again rises between their families. Clearly, a traitor is in their midst. Now the one man Akira loves no longer trusts her, and her own life is in danger. Can Bryce look beyond his pain and seek the truth? Will Akira discover the threat against her before it s too late? How will God turn a simple promise into bountiful Highland blessings?

A Sanctuary of Secrets . . .
Gavin MacKenzie, a chieftain heir who is hired to restore the ancient Castle of Braigh, discovers a hidden village of outcasts who have created their own private sanctuary from the world. Among them is Serena Boyd, a mysterious and comely lass, who captures Gavin's heart in spite of harboring a deadly past that could destroy her future.

The villagers happen to be keeping an intriguing secret as well, and when a fierce enemy launches an attack against them, greed leads to bitter betrayal. Then, as Gavin prepares a defense, the villagers unite in a bold act of faith, showing how God's love is more powerful than any human force on earth.