Spotlight on Christmas Novels with Missy Tippens

Today we are spotlighting A Forever Christmas by Missy Tippens. Welcome Missy thanks for sharing about your latest release. I haven't read this book yet but I know its on the way and Im looking forward to reading it.

1. Firstly can you tell us something about yourself we may not know or you would like to share?
Well, since we're talking about my Christmas book, I'll share something I hate to admit! Once when I was in high school, there was a gift under the tree that was driving me crazy! It was expertly wrapped and was from this really cool boutique where a lot of my friends shopped--but my mom had never taken me because it was so expensive. So I was just DYING to know what was in that package. And (here's the shameful part!), I snuck and opened it enough to see what was inside!! It was a gorgeous sweater. But I felt so horribly guilty I could hardly enjoy it! LOL

There, my secret is out. Please don't tell anyone! :) (Jenny here your secrets safe with us. I admit to having done the same thing.)

2. As this month I’m focusing on Christmas books can you tell us how you came to write a Christmas book?
I was actually plotting this book last year in December! And I was writing a blog post for the new Craftie Ladies of Romance blog where we were had a theme of the twelve days of Christmas. The idea for the book hit me while thinking of that blog post! (Jenny again, I remember those blog posts)


3. How did you come up with the title “A forever Christmas” it sounds really cool.

My previous book, His Forever Love, is about a town where there is a tree everyone calls The Forever Tree. Legend says that a couple that holds hands around the tree will have forever love. So when I was writing a Christmas story about the town, I knew I had to have the word Forever in the title. Plus, I wanted to hint at the fact that my hero and heroine would be having Christmases together…forever! :)

4. Did you find it easier having a topic?
You know, in some ways it’s easier. You automatically have a setting to work with—all the sights and sounds and smells and decorations. But in some ways it made it more difficult because it put me on a tight deadline for getting the book finished in time! :)

5. How did you come up with the characters for your story?

The hero was the brother of my heroine in His Forever Love, so I already had him basically set up. But I had to find just the heroine for him. I went through a few different versions of the story before I finally hit on one that my editor thought would work.

6. Do you have a message you hope readers take out of your story?

There’s a theme of forgiveness in this book—forgiveness of others and of ourselves (which is sometimes harder!). The theme Bible verse I chose (or maybe I should say that God chose for me) is:

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. Psalms 103:11-12

7. Can you tell us a little about your book?

I’d love to! Here’s the back cover blurb:

Sarah Radcliffe’s quiet Christmas back in her hometown will be lost if she agrees to direct the church’s Christmas pageant. But when she meets two little boys determined to gain their father’s attention, Sarah agrees to help. Then she discovers that the dad in question is Gregory Jones, the man she loved and lost.
The single dad is working himself to the bone to give his boys the Christmas of their dreams, when all they want is some family time. Time that includes a new mommy. If Sarah can learn to open her heart, she may receive the most wonderful
present of all—a family of her own.


8. Do you have any upcoming projects you would like to share?

At this point, I’m waiting to hear on my next proposal. By the time you post this, I hope to have good news! :) (Jenny here on Missys blog today I read her proposal was accepted Congrats Missy)

9. Finally where can we find you one the net?

http://www.missytippens.com/, http://www.lifewithmissy.blogspot.com/, and you can find links for other group blogs. I hope you’ll visit me! And also, look for me on Facebook, Shoutlife, My Space, Goodreads, Shelfari.

Thanks for having me, Jenny!

Spotlight on Christmas Novels with Lena Nelson Dooley

Welcome to spotlight on Chirstmas novels with Lena Nelson Dooley. Lena has 2 novella's out also and has told us about both books. I have read both books and really loved them.
Welcome Lena.

1. Firstly can you tell us a little about yourself?

I am a wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. I live in Texas where I'm a full-time novelist. I speak several times a year to women's groups, writers groups, or conferences.


2. How did you come to be an author is it something you always wanted to be?

Actually, God told me to become a professional writer back in 1984. The story is pretty amazing. You can read all about it at the bottom of the main page on my web site: http://www.lenanelsondooley.com/

3. As this month I’m focusing on Chritstmas books and Lena has 2 Novellas focus on both books first I am focusing on Wild West Christmas. How did you go about collaborating for this collection?

Wild West Christmas was a fun book to work on. I knew all three of the other writers, and we work very well together. Our ideas meshed really well, so the book shows the strengths of each of us in interesting stories of four sisters living in Texas.

4. How did you find the topic and was it easy to write for you?

Since this is my first completely Texas story, I loved writing it. I think Kathleen Y'Barbo may have been the one to come up with the idea. She and I both live in Texas. The other two authors live in adjoining states.

5. How did you come up with the charactors for your story?

Actually, I pray about the stories. God helps the imagination he created me with to come up with interesting people for the novels.

6. Do you have a message you hope readers take out of your story?

First impression can be deceiving, and don't be judgmental.

7. Can you tell us a little about your story?

A working cowgirl, who can also be a refined lady, meets an uptight accountant from Boston. Through the story they both change.

8. Do you have any upcoming projects you would like to share?

I'm finishing writing my first Summerside Press book Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico, which will release in May 2010.

9. Finally where can we find you on the net?

I'm a lot of places:

http://www.lenanelsondooley.com/
http://lenanelsondooleynewsletter.blogspot.com/ - Monthly free book
http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/ - Author interviews/Free books
http://www.bustlesandspurs.com/ - Regular Blogger
www.facebook.com/lena.nelson.dooley
Www.twitter.com/lenandooley
www.shoutlife.com/lenanelsondooley


Now focusing on Christmas Love at Lake Tahoe How did you go about collaborating for this collection?
Since the stories take place in the same time period, we really had to coordinate our stories.

How did you find the topic and was it easy to write for you?
Jeanie Smith Cash contacted us with the story idea.

How did you come up with the charactors for your story?
Actually, I borrowed a couple of my grandson's friends for two of the characters. The others just came to me.

Do you have a message you hope readers take out of your story?
You can't go through life being fearful. It shows you lack of trust in God.

Can you tell us a little about your story?
It's about college roommates working at a new ski lodge after they graduate. I thought it would be interesting if my heroine didn't like to ski or take any kind of risk and the hero was a daredevil, who really only did what he knew he could handle.

Spotlight on Christmas Novels with Vickie McDonough part 1

Welcome to my secont spotlight on Christmas Novels with Vickie McDonough. As Vickie has 2 novella's out I am featuring both books this week. Part 2 will be Thursday.

I have finished the first book A Blue and Grey Christmas last night and loved it. I bought the 4 of the Christmas novellas and started with this one. Will put up my review hopefully tomorrow.

1. Firstly can you tell us a little about yourself?
Certainly. I’m a wife of thirty-four years, mother of four sons, have a great daughter-in-law, and a feisty three-year-old granddaughter. I’ve lived all of my life in Oklahoma, except for one year (1975-76) when I lived on a kibbutz in Israel with my husband and a group of other young people from our church. I’ve been writing for eight & a half years now. When I’m not writing, I love read, watching my favorite TV shows or a movie, meeting with my friends, gardening, and traveling.

2. How did you come to be an author; is it something you always wanted to be?
Actually, I never dreamed I become a writer. In school, I was a math lover and didn’t care for writing or English. I think it’s just a God thing. I believe writing novels is what He has for me for this time of my life. Almost nine years ago, I got a story idea running through my mind. It was keeping me awake at night and disrupting my life. I decided to try writing it down to see if it would go away, but it didn’t. After I completed it, another idea followed right on its heals. I finally figured God was trying to get my attention, and I jumped in with both feet, attending conferences, taking writing classes, reading books on writing and joining writings groups, both online and locally.

3. This month I’m focusing on Christmas books, and Vickie has 2 novellas out. I am going to do a 2-day interview, first focusing on A Blue and Gray Christmas. How did you go about collaborating for this collection?
I had a friend who asked me to be a part of this collection. We considered several options but decided on a collection that wasn’t linked except by the Civil War theme.

4. How did you find the topic and was it easy to write for you?
I’ve had my story, Beloved Enemy, for a long time. At first, I thought about proposing it as a long book, but I felt it would work better as a novella. When I was asked to be on this team, I already had my story idea.

5. How did you come up with the characters for your story?
I’ve had this story partially written that I honestly can’t remember how I came up with it? I just know this story has been on my heart a long time.

6. Do you have a message you hope readers take out of your story?
Yes, it’s a message of forgiveness.

7.Can you tell us a little about your story?
The premise is: An embittered Union soldier returns home to discover half his family is dead. He despises all southerners. He is quite taken though, by the young woman who has been living with his mother and helping care for her and the ranch. She is suffering from laryngitis, and he falls hard for the kind, compassionate woman before learning the truth—that she is a southerner. --