Christmas Memories with Ruth Logan Herne and Giveaway

Please welcome Ruth Logan Herne to my blog today to talk about Christmas Memories. 

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

SNOW!!!! I live in the quintessential picture-postcard setting for most Christmas shots. We are in a snow belt off of Lake Ontario and we get plenty of snow usually... from December well into March. In December I love it. In January, it's peaceful. By February, I'm counting the days until the first tiny crocuses poke their heads up out of the ground with the higher arc of the sun! But yes, December here brings cold and snow and Christmas lights to break the long spell of 16 hours of darkness... Love it! And Jenny, it can be VERY ROMANTIC!!!!  :)

(Jenny here except its Cricket season I think you have me at Very Romantic can I come stay? Of course it’s just for the Christmas season.)

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

We have a lot of them, but one of my favorites is "yarn for Jesus". Every time a little child does something kind or good, they get to lay a piece of colored yarn in the stable. The more good things we do, the more yarn there is to make Jesus's resting spot warm and cozy on Christmas Eve! It's a great visual for kids to see how they affect things around them... and a wonderful celebration when the baby is laid in the manger. All that yarn! All that kindness! Yay! (Jenny again love the “yarn for Jesus” how original and what a way to teach the children and adults)

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

My favorite is the medley hymn "Child of the Poor/What Child is This?". It's a beautiful rendition of remembering the spirit of Christmas was truly a child, a child born to a poor family in the dark of a stable. It's heart-wrenching, soulful and beautiful.

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

With family. That's my biggest treat is to be with the people I love. I don't need fancy. I don't need vacations. I just like being with my family. Unless they're snots, and in that case, a vacation might tempt me!!!  :) (Jenny again if they are snots as you say come visit me to see what a warmer Christmas is like can’t promise you a lot but I do know how to roast lamb)

5.    Do you have any special memories of Christmas?

I was born into a family that had become desperately poor by the time I was old enough to remember anything. It was very sad in some ways. Alcoholism and depression had taken my mother down a dark and lonely road. My father's anger and drinking completed a circle of sadness. But in that sadness were kind people, people who welcomed me into their homes, who didn't cast stones, who made me feel normal. We had food baskets delivered to us on Thanksgiving and Christmas. My father would mock the things in the baskets, as if he was too good to be eating their food. And then he would go and buy a much bigger turkey to show he was in charge. My mother would hide when people would come to the door. She'd send me or my younger brother to answer it, too embarrassed to go herself. But that kindness of strangers is what moves me to go bell-ringing for the Salvation Army. It's what spurs me to write the books I do, that show the sweet natures of neighbors and how that can affect a child of the poor. Those little kindnesses and welcomes of childhood helped me to become the person I am today. (I am so glad you found the kindness of strangers to be strength and made you what you are today.)

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

Christmas Eve is a lovely gathering with my husband's family. It's wonderful, good food, nice people and then it's culminated by MidnightMass at our church. When I was a kid I was so excited about getting old enough to sing in the Sacred Heart choir and sing for MidnightMass!!! Now I get to do the same thing and I love it!

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

Yes!!! I'm so predictable! I love "It's a Wonderful Life".... "Saint Maybe"... "Bells of St. Mary's".... "Charlie Brown Christmas"... "Miracle on 34th Street". And I listen to Christmas music ALL YEAR!!!! Sometimes because I'm writing a Christmas story and listening to "Breath of Heaven" or "Mary, Did You Know?" puts me in the mood for crafting Christmas, but usually it's just because I love Christmas music!!!  Trans-Siberian Orchestra is my favorite.

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

We've been working harder to "keep Christmas simple" in honor of Christ's simple beginnings. We do family gift-giving projects with the Salvation Army Adopt-a-family and Heifer International. And we do local charity things to help ease that strain of expectation so many face at Christmas. It's a great way to celebrate how blessed we are to have education and jobs and health... and to help others find that same path to self-sufficiency. So my message would be "Keep Christmas Simple" with God's love and blessings!

 

Blurb for Love Finds You in the City at Christmas:

In 'Red Kettle Christmas,' (book one of Love Finds You in the City at Christmas) it's 1947, and police officer Mike Wolzak inherits the family home. . . and the custody of his troubled sister. While on patrol during Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Mike meets a Salvation Army bell ringer struggling to support herself and her young child. Over the holiday season in Manhattan, she teaches the veteran how to support his family. In the process, he gains a new one.

Blurb for The Lawman's Holiday Wish:

Second-Chance Christmas

No one in Kirkwood Lake seems willing to forget, or forgive, Rainey McKinney's troubled past. But Rainey can't afford to let that bother her. Her top priority is rebuilding her life and being a good mom to her twin daughters. Even handsome deputy sheriff Luke Campbell can't distract her, tempting as he is. She's determined to keep her distance, but as his son and her girls form a special bond, Rainey and Luke can't help but do the same. Can Rainey put her past behind her once and for all and embrace a future full of hope—and love?

Kirkwood Lake: A town full of heart and hope.

Giveaway:

Ruthy has gladly offered one reader an ecopy of one of these books. This is an international giveaway as both are available. For a chance to enter please tell me one of your Christmas traditions or if you do not have any comment on the interview. Entries open to Dec 8. Please leave a way to contact you if I don’t already have a contact. 

3 Book Reviews of the Men of Allergany County by Ruth Logan Herne

Book Description:
Securing a location for his family's chain of sweet shops is big-city businessman Danny Graham's secret mission. But Grandma Mary's Candies will mean the end of Megan Russo's little shop—and the end of her dreams. How can Danny put a quaint, small-town candy shop out of business? Especially one owned by a kind young woman who's lost too much already? Still, here he is, trying to romance his sweet rival?although Megan doesn't know who he really is. Seems like Danny needs to look into his own heart and discover what matters most.


My Review:
This is the second in the Men of Allegany county series. Another good read. I had read the first book when I realised I didn't have the 3rd book. So I decided to wait till I had it to read the next 3 books at the same time. this book features megan who runs a candy store and Danny who's family run a candy business. He is in town to find a venue for a tribute store and runs into Megan and her mentally challenged brother, Ben. Ben is fun and maybe an adult but has the thinking of a child and the same mischief. Megan is passionate about her shop and how she makes the candies and has built up a good business which Danny may destroy. Megan has also had some bad relationships and is not looking for a relationship of any kind. I really loved Megan and her work ethic, the way she could make the candies (I wish I could but candy making and I equal disaster). I also love the way she cares for Ben. Danny is also interesting, he gets on well with Ben and treats him with respect and also sees things from a different perspective. The problems start when his reason for being in the area are found out. It is interesting how sometimes instead of talking with a person to get all the facts and letting them answer we often only hear enough to convince us we know the whole story. Where in effect its is not always the case. With Megan this is the case she is so use to being used she hears only part of the story. This is a good book.

Book Description;
High-powered businessman Jeff Brennan can't figure out why he's so smitten with the town's new librarian. Hannah Moore is quiet, skittish—and wants nothing to do with him. Yet as they work together on a fundraiser, Jeff resolves to discover why she came to the small New York town. Is working two jobs and tutoring kids with special needs an escape for Hannah? If so, Jeff is determined to show her that love can be the most powerful healing force of all. 


Book review:
This was the book I was waiting on. I am so glad I bought it. I love all Ruth's books but this one is special. We met Hannah in the previous book but this book tells her story. Right from the start we know there is something more but I would never have guessed what. I wish I could discuss this book fully as we see how courageous Hannah is but I don't like giving anything away. I will say she is a lot stronger than she thinks she is and I really appreciate this story in so many ways. Jeff is a high powered business man who is co-chairing a fundraising committee with Hannah neither want to do the job but they find working together they work well together. Jeff can see there is more to Hannah than she is showing and wants to help her if she will let him. This book deals with healing and also not judging someone on appearances. Very good read.

Book Description:
When Matt Cavanaugh returns to his Allegany County hometown, he's not as rough around the edges as he used to be. The former marine is a successful contractor now, a man who believes in the Lord and old-fashioned hard work. But when he buys a bankrupt subdivision, he realizes he's stepped on single mom Callie Burdick's dreams for her family. And when Matt learns about Callie's troubled past, he's determined to rebuild her trust-plus and entire community - in time for Christmas!


My Review:
I have to say I really like Callie, she isn't a gal thats scared to get her hands dirty, she can work on a building site with the best of them. Callie is however a single mom who along with her family are struggling to make ends meet after there subdivistion was bankrupted. Matt who we met in the previous book has bought this subdivision and needs Callie's families help. Both Matt and Callie carry wounds from the past one from things he did that he isn't proud of and the other by a selfish ex husband. I can identify with Callie in some ways, she isn't a girly girl, she is happy to work with power tooks and wear flannel shirts and not wear makeup or the pretty clothes. I maynot work in construction or wear flannel shirts but I also dont wear makeup and dont spent hours on hair and clothes. In saying this both Callie and I do like to have some nice clothes to wear etc. Also because of the lack of funds it means her son sometimes has to go without but we see he has learnt not to ask cos of the money. He is 8 but I too remember times when I knew we couldn't afford something so rather than ask I would just not mention it. I learnt early the value of money and that you can still have a good time without spending alot of money. I really likes how Ruth shows this. We see both Matt and Callie face issues from there past and see them deal with them in different ways. We also see again how we perceive an issue may not be how it is to others. I am eagerly awaiting the next book due out in a month. I actually have it on preorder. 

Book Review Reunited Hearts by Ruth Logan Herne

Back of the Book

Back in his hometown, military hero Trent Michaels comes face-to-face with a twelve-year-old boy who looks just like him. Same dark curly hair. Same blue eyes. And the boy calls Trent's old flame, Alyssa Langley, mom. Trent was a foster kid from the wrong side of the tracks when he fell in love with Alyssa. But she cast him aside because he wasn't good enough—or so he thought. Now Trent is determined to connect with his newfound son. And to get the truth from the woman he never stopped loving….

Book Review

I bought this book last year and have been eager to read it. The story is about a small town in New York state and stars Trent Michaels who is retired from the military and now back in his home town and Alyssa who was his former girlfriend who has a secret of her own and has recently also returned following her fathers heart attack. 12 years ago Alyssa left when she found out she was pregnant without telling Trent to save him having to choose between her and the military. 12 years later a chance meeting and he learns hes a father. The way the story plays out is interesting, seeing Trents reaction and learning why Alyssa kept quiet and what else has happened in this time. We see them dealing with old feelings and new ones. Trent is angry but he has feelings for Alyssa but she hurt him when she left. Aylssa is dealing with alot of heartache and guilt over decisions she has made. This book deals with alot of emotions and past feelings. Again we see how things from our past can affect our future and can be hard to get over. I enjoyed the book and am eager to read the rest in the series. 

Getting to know you Thursdays with Ruth Logan Herne

Please welcome Ruth Logan Herne to my blog today. I first got to know Ruthy from visiting Seekerville. I had to read her first book and if someone had given me the book with no author listed I would have known it was her writing. I love her books and cant wait to read her latest.  I hope you will all make her feel welcome today.  Thanks for dropping by.

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Very little. I am a recluse, a hermit, I reveal nothing! Nada. Zip. Zilch.

Of course none of that is true, but there are days I WISH it was true!  J I’m married to my high school sweetheart (I got him before he was old enough to know any better, really a great way to do things, you must try it!) We have six kids with a seventh ‘daughter of my heart’, we’re up to ten grandchildren and I buy way too many over the counter anti-wrinkle products in the ongoing and unsuccessful quest to maintain a youthful if slightly haggard appearance.

2. When you were a child did you have a favourite book or books?

Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield Fisher, great book. I highly recommend it as a children’s read. Lovely. Just lovely. (Jenny here I loved this book when I was younger but it was just called Betsy. I still have a copy somewhere in the house and its almost falling to pieces)

3. Do you have a favourite Genre to both read and right write?

No. I love reading, I love good writing and I read a broad spectrum. But I don’t have a lot of reading time right now. That’s a good thing sometimes because I do enough sitting on my backside while writing. Backsides do not take kindly to constant sit-down jobs.

Sigh…

4. Did you have favourite authors growing up who have influenced you?

Oh, yes. Mary Stuart, Phyllis Whitney, Janet Lambert, Catherine Marshall, Ayn Rand, Herman Wouk (I was older then, like… um…. Seven.  Maybe eight.)  (Jenny again I see you were a very advanced child! )

5. When did you know you wanted to be an author?

Probably in the cradle. I made up all kinds of stories to escape a rough childhood and imagined myself a princess or a lost queen or (of course!!!) that I was wrongfully adopted because my real parents who loved and cherished me (very “ANNIE”) misplaced me.

And I love seeing in some of my grandchildren that same pre-writing make-believe that goes to EXTREME MEASURES to create a four-year-old’s story. It’s humbling and exhilarating at the same time. And just downright fun.

6. How did you go about becoming an author?

Once my children were grown I just sat down at a Brother Word Processor (I thought I was sooooo cool to have a word processor, oh Mylanta, can you believe it????) and wrote. That first story which rambled FOREVER is (conveniently) forever lost, thank heaven! I worked for eight years plus, waking up at 4:00 AM so I could write before the day job. That’s how I still work today, up at 4:00, write until 6:30, then off to work. I’m a morning person so my brain works early. Late in the day??? I’m tired and cranky and kind of a wimp. Better for me to work in the mornings, by far. (I admit I work better in the mornings and often got up at 5am to finish a project more because I was a procrastinator who waited to the last minute to finish a project but I really couldn't wake up at 4am every morning I do admire you, oh im don't work later in the day either.)

7. If you were not a writer what would you like to be?

A teacher. I never went to college, but I’m born to teach and write but when it came down to going back to school to teach or work on my own for years to carve a writing career, writing won because that was always my dream. To write books. Sell books. Be an author. (My mum always wanted to be a teacher but never went to college she ended up teaching sunday school and Christian Endeavour  and felt God made a way for her to teach)

8. Outside reading and writing what do you like to do?

I love to garden but right now I mostly grow weeds and ivy. Ivy looks gracious, it takes over EVERYTHING, and it keeps the weeds out. Of course it keeps the flowers out, too. And did you know that garter snakes LOVE to crawl through ivy???  And that poison ivy loves to erupt through English Ivy. And that even if you were never, ever, ever allergic to poison ivy in your life, you can BECOME allergic like, overnight.  I am a school of hard knocks learner, and these are just TWO SIMPLE THINGS I would have liked to have known a little earlier. (Im growing really cool weeds too I dont think we have poison ivy here but I do have Ivy growing wild too but no snakes yet but did have a cute blue tongue lizard.)

And I like working with wood. I’m not afraid of power tools and I’m dangerous with a hammer, but love wielding one, LOL! (Im love power tools too but Im dangerous with an axe just ask one of the men at the woodchop our church had. funny no one will stand anywhere near me when I have an axe, Its not like I drew blood thankfully it was the blunt edge that hit him in the shin I admit he had a lump there for over six months!)

9. Do you have a place you love to visit or would love to visit?

Ireland, of course, home of my ancestors. When my daughter visited there she came home and said it was a country just filled with people like me!

And Australia. A Town Like Alice is one of my favorite movies. And The Man from Snowy River. G’day, mate!  (Would love to have you come downunder and meet you)

10. If you could have a meal with 3 living people who would you choose and why?

Oh, can’t pick three. It would be the Seekers, one and all. We love the rare chances to get together, it’s truly a blessing to have these women as friends, confidants and colleagues because (God love ‘em) they pull no punches.

Finally can you tell us about your current books and/or any that will
be coming out soon. Also where we can find you on the web.

Oh, Jenny, I absolutely love my current book. It’s just been released to stores, and I’m so excited!  Reunited Hearts is a beautiful, touching love story about a sacrificial girl who thought she was doing the right thing by hiding her teenage pregnancy from the hero, but realizes too late that she’s messed up in so many ways. And when the time comes when she could tell him, she’s ashamed of the choices she’s made.

It’s so hard to make the right choices as a young person, there’s so much pressure out there to be cool. Fit in. Be da’ man.

So this story takes that old romance that died a dozen years before and re-shapes it into a mature and abiding love. Toss into the mix a TOTALLY HOT HERO that looks like Patrick Dempsey…. And he’s just the kind of guy you root for from the beginning, and you just want to hug him and make everything all right because (of course) he’s been wronged!

But then you begin to realize that that pendulum swings both ways, and maybe, just maybe, these two can find a common ground.

“Reunited Hearts” kicks off my NEW SERIES WITH LOVE INSPIRED!!!! OH, YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!!  I’M SNOOPY DANCING/HAPPY DANCING IN UPSTATE NEW YORK!!!!! 

We have FOUR books coming out this year:  “Reunited Hearts” in April,  “Small-Town Hearts” in June, “Mended Hearts” in September and “Yuletide Hearts” in December. All of these books are set in Allegany County New York, an absolutely delightful place that has some of the most enchanting God-given beauty I’ve ever seen. Rolling hills, old homes, small churches, quaint stores, trees, rivers, streams. It’s idyllic and just invites you to stop. Stay awhile. And I knew the moment I saw it years ago that once I got published I wanted to set a series of books there because that inherent beauty just needed to be shared.

Thanks again for your time and agreeing to be on my blog.

Oh, no, thank you!!!  What an honor and right now I consider myself ‘visiting’ Australia for the first time!  Hey, I brought coffee and Danish along. Cheese Danish because they’re my favorite but there is triple berry (another favorite), raspberry (whoops, yet another favorite) and apple….

I love apple.

I guess I might have misunderstood the exact meaning of the word “favorite”.  ;)

Ruth's other books.

Single mom Rita Slocum wants to get her life back on track. Taking things one day at a time seems doable—especially with Brooks Harriman at her side. Brooks has been there for her through good times and bad. But she's always been leery of getting too close to the broad-shouldered woodworker who keeps his past locked away. Now that Rita's opening her own bakery, she needs him more than ever. If only Brooks would open up his life—and his heart—to Rita.

When family tragedy strikes, Sarah Slocum steps in as guardian to her two nieces and nephew. But raising children isn't like raising sheep, and the beautiful shepherd soon finds herself in over her head. Who'd have guessed that new neighbor Craig Macklin would jump in to lend a hand? Craig's always held a grudge against Slocums--Sarah included. Now the handsome local vet is helping with her livestock, giving her young nephew a job and smiling at her every chance he gets. Sarah must decide whether she can trust Craig--and God's plan--and allow him into her family.
























Book giveaway:
Ruthy had generously offered to give away a copy of her newest book Reunited hearts to one commenter on my blog. Just leave a comment with a way to contact you if you win. This is an the giveaway open to all (including Aussies) You have till 6pm Australian time Good Friday 22nd April to leave a comment.

Book review Made to Order Family by Ruth Logan Herne

Product description:
Single mom Rita Slocum wants to get her life back on track. Taking things one day at a time seems doable—especially with Brooks Harriman at her side. Brooks has been there for her through good times and bad. But she's always been leery of getting too close to the broad-shouldered woodworker who keeps his past locked away. Now that Rita's opening her own bakery, she needs him more than ever. If only Brooks would open up his life—and his heart—to Rita.


My Review:
I read Winter's end which introduced Rita to us as a secondary character and happy to see her get her own book. Rita is a recovering alcoholic who almost lost everything, shes now be sober for a year. She dreams of opening her own bakery. Brooks is also a recovering alcoholic who has been very supportive of not just Rita many of the AA members. It was interesting reading there story and also what what happening with Rita's 3 children. We see the youngest playing out alot and see how Rita deals with her. We also see some challenges which are a test for their sobriety. I am glad they did face challenges as recovering addicts do face different challenges.  One thing I love about the story is this is a serious issue which does affect many families and I hope this books will give hope to either someone dealing with this issue or who has a friend or family member with this problem and that it will be a book that will help them.