Three Christmas Writers and a Party Gift for You - The Party Continues

'Tis the season…♪♫♪ and all that.  I love Christmas, don't you?  I'm especially loving it this year because I have several parties organised and some great guests to mingle with and chat to.  Take my three lovely writers, Marie Higgins, Debra Holland and Elizabeth Ayers, for example.  They're very different people but they have one thing in common - they all have really great stories out for you to enjoy this Christmas.  Marie's story is called Dreaming of You and we're going to find out a bit more about it shortly. 

Before that, however, I have my own little Christmas gift for you - a free copy of my Christmas fairy tale, Wishful Thinking. To claim this, just go to https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/177240 and enter coupon code: LU54Y at the checkout.  Hurry though; it's only valid for a week.  I hope you enjoy it!

Marie Higgins

Now to my lovely writers, I was curious to know how my guest authors felt they had best encapsulated the spirit of Christmas in any one of their novels.  This was especially difficult for Marie with over twenty to choose from but she felt that Love Me Always came closest because "Christmas means having a loving heart and the kindness to give without expecting to receive.  Nicholas Fielding is my hero, and to make his dying uncle happy, he goes along with his uncle’s last wish—to marry. Unfortunately, the woman Nick’s uncle has chosen to marry is the woman Nick gave his heart to years ago. It breaks him to see his uncle planning to marry Catherine, but Nick wants to make his uncle happy and so gives up his happiness and hopes for the future."  Sounds like I'll need a full box of Kleenex to go with that one!

Dr Debra Holland

When I asked Debra, she chose A Christmas Pageant, from the Christmas book "because the whole town comes together to celebrate the holiday. I have a little German girl who is homesick and doesn't speak English, yet she sings Silent Night in German during the Christmas pageant and brings everyone to tears."  Another tear-jerker for sure!  On a more practical note though, Debra wouldn't need to play Santa to any of her heroes or heroines because each one receives a special gift that leaves them wanting nothing.  Except sidewalks, that is!  Laughing at our puzzled faces, she explained: "The town [Montana] could use sidewalks [it's 1894], and characters often complain about not having them. Maybe I'll write a story and give them sidewalks for Christmas."  Well that beats socks and scarves any day, Debra!

Elizabeth Ayers

Elizabeth chose A Snowy Christmas in Wyoming, explaining "Andy couldn't afford much, so he made his little daughter a set of blocks that he'd cut from scrap wood and sanded smooth. He gave her a little part of him, and it was filled with love."  How sweet!  She also said if she could give a special Christmas gift to one of her characters it would be an e-reader for Andy, "because of the audio capabilities. He's terribly dyslexic, and he'd be thrilled to be able to enjoy a book."  Now I would say Elizabeth has a bit of a soft spot for her hero - and who can blame her - I confess I fell a little bit in love with him myself when I read this great book.

Time to find out a bit more about Marie's lovely Christmas book, so here's an excerpt:

Dreaming of You

Katelyn Palmer never believed any harm could come from using her college crush as the hero in her first romance novel—the novel that jumpstarted her writing career. However, when Shane Hunter storms into town, demanding to meet the writer who used his identity Katelyn is confronted with more than her long, silent emotions. If Shane takes her to court for invasion of privacy, her career would be over.

Here's an Excerpt from Dreaming of You

Katelyn took a step toward a booth when a familiar face caught her attention. She took a double take at the patron sitting closest to the aisle. He had his eyes turned toward her, and she came to a stop. When recognition struck, she gasped.

What is he doing here?

Of all the days she chose not to apply make-up or style her hair, why did she have to run into Shane Hunter—the man of her dreams?

More specifically, the dreams she’d had seven years ago.

She gawked at him, knowing a dog on a hot day would probably drool less than she was, but she couldn’t bring herself to look away. Shane Hunter—in the flesh—sat in the booth with his gaze directly on her.

He hadn’t changed that much from when she knew him in college. Still gorgeous as ever, his dark brown hair was slightly longer than she remembered and waved gently against his neck. Much broader shoulders filled his blue cotton shirt perfectly, and just as before, his brown eyes made her heart flutter.

The last Katelyn had heard he was out of the state expanding his very successful lumber business. So what was he doing in this small hometown diner when his wealth could have him sitting at home eating breakfast in bed while a servant catered to his every whim?

Did he recognize her? Probably not. She hadn’t been popular on campus, except maybe in the library. Guys back then didn’t notice the girl with thick glasses and freckles, and who always wore their hair wound up in a tight bun that nearly had her eyes popping out of her head.

Moisture coated her palms, and she fisted her hands. He must think her crazy for gawking the way she did, but heaven help her, she couldn’t look away.

Seven years ago, she’d fallen hard for his knee-buckling grin and sparkling charisma. Being shy in college, there wasn’t anything she could do about her secret crush. Before graduation, he left town and within a few years had become successful.

Shane’s eyebrows lifted as his gaze slid over her gray sweats down to her worn athletic white shoes with old grass stains on the toes. When his focus met hers again, a different look accompanied his expression. Did he recognize her?

Holding her breath, she waited for him to say something. She prayed he didn’t know what she’d done. He couldn’t possibly know, could he?

Katelyn swallowed hard, wondering why he still stared at her. From the gossip circles, she’d heard he was now divorced. Her heart hammered quicker.

Finally, he gave her a friendly smile, breaking their staring competition. She wanted to sigh dreamily, but refrained. Her knees threatened to give way and let gravity bring her down.

“Hello,” he said in a deep voice.

Inwardly, she quivered. That reaction hadn’t changed since college, either. Silently, she scolded herself. Why was she acting like a love-struck teenager? Not only did he have a new life, so did she. After he’d left California to start his family, she had reached her goal of becoming a romance writer. He’d helped her whether he knew it or not.

Now there's a heroine we can empathise with in more ways than one!

More About Marie Higgins

Marie Higgins is a multi-published author of romance; from refined bad-boy heroes who makes your heart melt to the feisty heroines who somehow manage to love them regardless of their faults. Visit her website / blog to discover more about her – http://mariehiggins84302.blogspot.com

Buy Links:

Ebook $2.99 –http://amzn.com/B00A6G5JO0

Print $10.79 – http://amzn.com/1480234087

Quickfire:

Who interests you more - your heroes or your heroines? Heroes!

E-books or print? Print

Dogs or cats? Definitely dogs!

Sunshine or snow? Snow!

Christmas or Thanksgiving? Hands down – Christmas!

Favourite party drink? I don’t drink…so I’ll say Coke.