Christmas Memories with Valerie Hansen

Please welcome Valerie Hansen to my blog today. She has a new Love Inspired book out this month.

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

Here, it's snow and warm, crackling fires in a wood stove and the pristine quiet of the forest.

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

Unfortunately, not anymore. When our children were little we used to go to grand parents' homes but it got really hectic and none of them were eager to share the time. If I had it to do over again I'd have stayed home more. The cookies were really good, though!

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

I'm particularly fond of Silent Night and Away in a Manger. I like the old fashioned ones a lot better than any "new" arrangements of the classics.

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

As long as I can choose any part of my life, I'd pick the times when we were all together as a family with young children. Now that that's no longer possible, I prefer times at church, like a candle light service Christmas eve. Those bring wonderous peace. And I'm not nearly as patient with little kids as I used to be!  (Jenny here I understand about the children and not being as patient)

5.    Do you have any special memories of Christmas?

As a child, I was used to 4 seasons. Moving back to Arkansas from California brought lots of great memories of sledding on snow and ice skating while holding my daddy's hand. Mom used to let me hang the wreaths in the front windows and I was so proud to be helping her decorate. 

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

This year I'll be on my own for the first time in over 50 years. It will be interesting to see how I fare. I suspect that as long as I keep my eyes and my heart focused on Jesus I'll be just fine. After all, He's the reason we celebrate. (Jenny here I know this will be a touch christmas but something I learnt last year was to do something different and create a new tradition which helps to cope with the day a little better. I started a Christmas village last year which was totally new just to me.)

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

I have always loved the original "Miracle on 34th Street" and "It's a Wonderful Life."  Books would be the one my grandmother read to me, "T'was the Night Before Christmas".  

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

Yes. When I was asked to write a Christmas book by my publisher, Love Inspired, I resisted. God had other ideas, of course, and the result is COZY CHRISTMAS. Few families enjoy storybook holidays and neither did I. In order to write this book I had to search my heart and come to grips with my own shortcomings as well as those of others whose customs and opinions may have differed from mine. It was quite a struggle - for me as well as for Josh Barton, the hero of the book. When you read about heroine Whitney Leigh's adventures in the kitchen, those of you who follow me on Facebook may also recognize a few of my personal fiascos.  My point is this. Our lives are a gift from God and so are the people around us who shape our futures. If we accept what we have as the precious gift that it is, we're far more likely to be able to honestly give thanks for whatever happens, not only at Christmas but every day of the year.

Blurb:

"For the first time in years, Christmas brings hope to Bygones, Knasas. But for Josh Barton, Main Street's coffee shop owner, it brings back sad memories he'd rather forget. He's a new man, with a new life and faith now. Still, he hides a huge part of himself from his neighbors - and from one very inquisitive reporter. Whitney Leigh seems determined to uncover the mystery of the town's recent windfall, and Josh could help her. But that would mean opening his guarded heart. Can a man who thought family and Christmas were only for others find a forever home where he least expects?" 

www.ValerieHansen.com
https://www.facebook.com/Valerie.Whisenand

Getting to know you Thursdays with Valerie Hansen

Please join me in welcoming Valerie Hansen to my blog today. Valerie has been patient with me as she was scheduled for a couple of weeks back. 

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I'm a southern-fried Yankee; born in Ohio, married in CA and finally came to live on an old farm in  AR (where I've always belonged) in 1995. My husband and I both feel as if this is where we are happiest and most content.

2. When you were a child did you have a favourite book or books?
I loved them all. Read voraciously - everything from comic books to Black Beauty and Gone With the Wind to Agatha Christie and thousands in between.

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

I love mystery and suspense. When I'm relaxing I like to read the short stories in Ellery Queen and Alfred Hitchcock magazines. As I wrote book after book for Love Inspired, the editors noticed my tendency toward mystery so when they launched the suspense line I was right there, ready and waiting!

4. Did you have favourite authors growing up who have influenced you?
I never followed authors then the way I do now. If a book intrigued me I read it. Period. Sometimes under the bed covers at night with a flashlight! Yes, I was a bit naughty. 

5. When did you know you wanted to be an author?
I was turning 40 and looking for something to do that would be fun. Something I had never really tried before. I'd already dabbled in commercial art and raising lots of animals so writing a book sounded like a nice challenge. NOBODY TOLD ME IT WAS GOING TO BE SO HARD. Or something that would grow into a whole new career.

6. How did you go about becoming an author?
I took a college extension class that I thought was just about writing. It wasn't. It turned out to be a lot of info about marketing and selling, too. Those teachers said I had potential and I was too "green" and naive to know how much work was going to be involved.

7. If you were not a writer what would you like to be?
I will always be a writer at heart. It's more than a job, it's a calling. A compulsion, if you will. In addition to this I have lots of other interests, especially art and animals.

8. Outside reading and writing what do you like to do?
Ah, here we go. Good stuff to share. I love to garden. Hike with my dogs in the woods. Fish in the farm ponds for the catfish we stocked there. And both my husband and I love to travel, although with all the books I'm contracted to write we don't get away as often as we'd like.

9. Do you have a place you love to visit or would love to visit?
We went to Norway, the country of my father's birth, a few years ago. Since we've seen most all of the USA over the years I might like to go back to Europe. Then again, there's no place like home.

10. If you could have a meal with 3 living people who would you choose and why?
This is a hard question. My husband would have to be included so then we're down to 2. Hmmm. I'm sitting here staring at the computer screen and thinking of people I've admired over the years but many are gone now. I did meet and was impressed by Ray Bradbury and Lawrence Block, but Ray died recently. I'd like to shake Billy Graham's hand and tell him that his longevity amazes and blesses me. So does that of the Queen of England. Beyond that I really can't say. I guess my philosophy is to be content where I am and in the company of close friends and family. It's not a cop-out. I just don't feel as if I'm missing anything.

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.

Gladly. I'm always at www.ValerieHansen.com and post info as well as book covers and excerpts. If I wasn't trying to write up to 4 books a year I might also have a blog but I just don't dare take that much time away from my work. 

 My final book for 2012 is STANDING GUARD, part of my "Defenders" series, set in rural Arkansas and dealing with CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates for children.

Then, in 2013, I have 2 scheduled already and will hopefully have more. EXPLOSIVE SECRETS, April 2013, is book #4 in a K-9 cop series and I wrote about the sweetest black lab while my new rescued lab, Lucy, slept under my desk at my feet. Then there should be a historical about the Cherokees in 1830, followed by book #6 in a new, as yet unnamed Love Inspired series with my contribution coming in Dec. 2013.  All I have to do is write it!!!

Book Review Threat of Darkness by Valerie Hansen

Book Description:

As a nurse and special advocate for children, Samantha Rochard is used to danger in small town Serenity, Arkansas. But when she suspects a little boy is in jeopardy from his powerful father, the danger turns on her. Her only source of protection? The handsome police officer who broke her heart five years ago. Yet after John Waltham comes to her rescue in more ways than one, Samantha must trust in him—and the Lord—to watch over her…and save one sweet little boy.

My Review:


Thanks to Netgalley for my review copy.


I enjoyed this story. Samantha is a nurse who is also a CASA advocate (Court appointed special advocate). John has come back to Serenity, working with the police and comes across Samantha after an attack at the hospital. Samantha and John have a history and he is not who she wants to see. When she calls for help the police don't react straight away as she has reported people for child abuse before and not always been taken seriously. Thanks to an incident at the hospital Samantha seems to be in danger and John is determined to keep her safe. I have heard of CASA before thanks to Dr Phil and was interested seeing it referred in this book. Its an important role and more advocates are needed. I love how the book highlights the work. While Samantha is in danger she is also on a case where she suspects a well respected man of abusing his child. This book deals with perceptions and how two people can have two different memories, It also deals with forgiveness and acceptance. The book kept me guessing til the end. A good read.