Happy Holiday Hop: The Final Gift

Aren't the holidays wonderful! So many parties and family events, and the decorations are so beautiful. I've had a great Christmas already. On Sunday, my family got together to paint miniature houses. The results ranged from the creative to the hysterically funny, but we all laughed and had the best time ever. I'll post a few pics for you throughout the post.

But there were a few missing faces around the table where we were working. During the holidays I always miss my dad who died a few years ago. He loved his family so much that he thought of a way to give us one final gift after his death. This is the way it was.

Okay, I admit it; I was always a daddy’s girl. My daddy was the first person I ever told a story to. I couldn’t write at the time, I hadn’t even started school yet, so I dictated the story to him, and he wrote it down for me. After he died I found that story written in pencil on notebook paper safely packed away in the cedar chest where he kept important papers.

He used to work the second shift and didn’t get home until eleven. I remember begging to stay up until he came home. Sometimes Mama would let me. When she did Daddy and I would watch the late news together while he ate a fried egg sandwich. He always shared with me. I don’t even like eggs, but sharing one with Daddy made it tasty.

Daddy also gave me a marvelous gift when I was eleven. I was horse crazy, but my mother was afraid for me to have a horse in case I should get hurt. Daddy talked her into it, and one icy Christmas morning I got a beautiful palomino mare from Santa.

Years later after I got married and moved to another state I was washing dishes one morning and looked out the window when a car stopped in my driveway. It looked like Daddy’s car, but what would he be doing at my house on a workday? He said he missed me and thought he’d take a day off to drive up and see me.

When I had my first child Daddy and Mama went crazy over him, especially Daddy. After a family of girls I expect that little boy did thrill him. That little boy was Daddy’s best man at his second wedding. My mother died young.

The last Christmas Daddy was alive he baked a fruit cake to bring to my house for Christmas dinner. I know what you’re thinking: fruit cake. Daddy loved to bake. If you’d ever eaten his fruit cake you wouldn’t turn your nose up at it.

Anyway, he only brought half of the cake. He said, “I decided to freeze half of it for you to have next year. I don’t think I’ll be here.”

Everyone pooh poohed him, but Daddy was right. He died in March of the following year.

As Christmas rolled around my stepmother said, “We still have the fruit cake that David baked. I’ll bring it.”

Those words struck terror into my heart. How could we eat the last thing my father baked? Once it was gone there would never be any more. The cherries and nuts that decorated the top had been placed there by his own hands in a pattern of his own design. It wasn’t right to eat it!

But on the other hand, how could we not enjoy it as he had wished us to do? Wasn’t that why he cut it in half the previous Christmas?

I went back and forth in my mind for several weeks, but the issue was decided a week before Christmas. The cemetery in our community hosts a remembrance ceremony right before Christmas each year. They put candles in white paper bags on each grave, and after playing a carol and having a prayer, relatives of the dead light candles in remembrance of their loved ones.

My heart felt like a lump of ice in my chest as I joined my stepmother at the cemetery. This was the first Christmas without my father, and it had cast a shadow over my holiday. As we lighted the candle on my mother and father’s grave my stepmother said, “It’s his first Christmas in Heaven.”

I thought about that for a long time. Wasn’t Daddy’s Christmas far grander and more glorious that anything I could imagine? Wasn’t he singing with the angel choir as all of Heaven celebrated the birth of our Lord?

I looked at that candle, and for the first time since March I felt something other than loss. I felt grateful for having had such a wonderful parent, and even though we're parted for a while, one day we’ll meet again. When we do, I intend to tell him how much I enjoyed that last fruitcake.

I'm giving away one copy of The Captain and the Cheerleader, one copy of The Table in the Window, and one copy of Her Kind of Man. Enter to win by leaving a comment telling me one of your precious Christmas memories. 

An InLinkz Link-up

My Writing Process Blog Tour

Welcome to the My Writing Process Blog Tour. Many thanks to Annette Snyder who invited me to participate. You can find Annette's blog at http://www.annettesnyder.atspace.com Annette's book Intimate Flames was a 2011 EPIC finalist.

Here are the blog questions and my answers.

1)      What am I working on?

At the moment I’m working on a women’s fiction novel set in the Isle of Palms, South Carolina. I live in South Carolina and have been to the Isle of Palms many times, so it seemed like a good location.

 My heroine, Alex, had a domineering, critical father which has colored her image of herself. My hero, Rhett, comes from an old, influential family. Alex describes their life together as a fantasy, a never-ending dream, but one day Rhett comes home with news that will shake the foundations of her world.

 Then she meets Harland and soon finds there is a choice to be made.

 At this time I have no idea what the title will be.

2)      How does my work differ from others of its genre?

Both romance and women’s fiction can be erotic in nature, but that isn’t me. I don’t know if I could write erotica. It would be more like an instruction manual than anything, so I think that is one important distinction.

 Another distinction is that some of the novels I’ve read are over the top and probably couldn’t happen in real life. I try to write things that could happen to anyone.

3)      Why do I write what I do?

I write romance and women's fiction because I think that first of all, most folks are fighting some kind of battle in their lives.  Maybe they’re in a relationship that went bad, and they’ve lost the one they love.  Whether it was by divorce, death, or just walking away, it tears a huge hole in someone’s heart.  Maybe the problem is health-related.  Someone has to accept that there are now limitations placed on them.  Have you ever dealt with unemployment?  How do you feed your children with no paycheck?  My romances always have a happy ending which gives us hope that tomorrow things will be better.  We can believe that ‘this too shall pass.’  

 Romance also satisfies our craving for justice. In my work the bad guys always get what’s coming to them, and so do the good guys.

 Besides, I’m a romantic at heart.

4)      How does your writing process work?

Naturally, it begins with an idea. Sometimes I can identify the source and sometimes not. Then I choose characters that I think would fit the story and make up a profile for them. Then, I start to write. Plot wise, I know where to start and where to end up, but everything in between is a mystery. I allow my characters to reveal themselves as I write.

I hope you've enjoyed a glimpse of my writing process. On June 9, your hosts will be Jennifer Gravely, Joselyn Vaughn, and RosaLinda Dias.

Jennifer Gravely: http://jenniferraegravely.blogspot.com

Born in Ohio but raised in Pickens, SC, Jennifer Rae Gravely graduated from Converse College with a triple major in history, politics, and English before earning a master's degree in education. Returning to her high school alma mater to teach English and coach volleyball, Gravely's teams won five state championships and seven upper state titles in eleven years. Moreover, the SCACA named her coach of the year for the 2013 season.

Jennifer writes about the fictional Southern town of Keowee. The Astraea Press novels, Knight of the Dead and Set to Love, in addition to the short story, "Love and Diamonds," deal with present day Keowee and are contemporary romances.

She lives with her husband, daughter, seven beagles, and one rescued barn cat.
Jennifer loves to talk beagles, balls, and books!

 Joselyn Vaughn

I live in the Great Lakes state with my husband, three rambunctious children and one geriatric beagle. When not cleaning up the disasters left by the aforementioned, I enjoy reading, running (sometimes it's fleeing the craziness at home), reconstructing clothing, thrift store shopping and surfing Pinterest.com. (I spend way too much time there and am getting all kinds of exciting ideas for projects for my husband to do. He is less than thrilled by this.) 
 

I love writing romance because I enjoy stories where everything works out all right in the end and the main characters have a happily ever after. My stories are set in small towns with quirky characters that take on a life of their own.

I would love to hear from you. Stop by my blog (http://joselynvaughn.com) or connect with me on Facebook (http://facebook.com/joselynvaughn).

RosaLinda Diaz 

RosaLinda was raised in a particularly magical section of Los Angeles; between the original Disney Hyperion Studios and Snow White’s Cottages. The magic in the air and soil gave her already active imagination roots and wings. Wings that took her gypsying around Europe, Australia, and Africa, and roots that brought her back to California to earn her B.A. at Pepperdine University. She makes her home in California’s Central Coast igniting the fire of creativity and sparking imaginations with her endeavors. Find her at http://rosalindadiaz.com/RosaLinda_Diaz/Welcome.html

Candlelight Reads: A Spring in Your Step Bloghop

If you came for Snippet Sunday, scroll on down, but why not enjoy this post first? There are some super great authors participating in the blog hop, and all of them are offering some nice prizes.

Find more blog hoppers here.

What says spring to you more than anything else? For me, it's when my azaleas bloom. I watch the buds as they grow bigger and bigger, and then one morning I wake up and there they are in all of their glory. My mother loved azaleas too which is probably where I learned to appreciate them. I've decided to take cuttings from her azaleas and root them so I can have beauty from plants that she planted with her own hands.

Here's a short excerpt from The Sentence where my hero talks about azaleas. Leave a comment and I'll enter you into a drawing for a copy of my latest novel Blue 52.

Clint parked his car in its old place behind the club. He remembered how much he had dreaded to leave six months ago.

Today, he looked at the place with new eyes and
didn't really like it much.

The back of the building looked plain compared to Cynthia’s
yard, but, of course, Bud didn’t have room for an azalea garden. He
had to have the space for parking. Clint sat there for five minutes
before he could bring himself to get out.

Night was fast approaching. The neon lights in the window
encouraged club patrons to come in and have a beer. At one time
he’d have loved to do just that. Now…now he wasn’t the same
man. The thought of all of that made him sick. The bar didn’t look
like home anymore. Home was a garage apartment with hardwood
floors and red accents. Home was a family who fed you vegetable
soup, dragged you to church, fussed over you, and helped you find
the gift that would last for all eternity.

The Sentence is available at Amazon and most other online retain outlets.

MFRW'S Home For The Holidays Blog Hop: Rob Has a Secret

;

 

Some years ago my husband and I moved far away from our hometown. As Christmas drew near, we gleefully packed our bags and headed home. What a time we had!  Everything seemed fresh and new to us even though the ornaments were familiar, the food old family favorites, and the jokes ones we’d heard before. When I think of that Christmas, I still get a warm feeling, and if it were possible, I’d go back and do it all over again.

Sometimes, though, a trip home doesn’t work out exactly how you think it’s going to. In this excerpt from The Table in the Window, my hero took my heroine home to meet his grandmother.

“Are you Rob’s grandmother on his mother or father’s side of the family?” she asked when Rob went to get G-ma’s homemade pumpkin pie and whipped cream.

“I’m his father’s mother.”

“I just wondered.” She tilted her head and thought for a moment. “Actually, Rob hasn’t said much about his family.”

The merry expression in G-ma’s eyes dimmed, replaced by something Marley could only define as dread. “You should ask Rob about his family. I thought he’d probably already told you about them.” She laughed lightly. “What has that boy told you about himself?”

Now that she thought about it, the answer was…absolutely nothing. Rob had told her nothing.

Now why would G-ma have a look of dread on her face? Does Rob have a secret? If you’re interested in The Table in the Window, you can get it at http://www.amazon.com/The-Table-Window-Elaine-Cantrell-ebook/dp/B006GYAQ26/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386633402&sr=8-1&keywords=the+table+in+the+window+by+elaine+cantrell  and at most online retail outlets.

Love Blooms Blog Hop

If you came for Fashionista Friday, scroll down after you check out the blog hop. You don't want to miss either one.

Welcome to the Love Blooms Blog Hop. I’m so glad to have you here at my blog. I hope you’ll feel free to look around and enjoy yourself because there’s something here for everyone. On Tuesdays, I do a feature called Beyond the Book. It's narrated by one of my characters who wants to tell what’s going on in his or her life after the book ended. On Friday, I post about fashion, and on Friday and Saturday you can read excerpts from my books. On other days I have guest authors, etc. In today’s hop you can win a $50 Amazon gift card. To enter go to a Rafflecopter giveaway    Now, I’d like to interview my newest hero, Prince Alan from The Enchanted. Prince Alan, it’s very kind of you to come.

Prince Alan: Not at all, Madame Cantrell. My father’s entire kingdom holds you in the highest regard and would do anything for you. The king and queen send you greetings and say to think you for attending the book release party in your honor.

Elaine: It was my pleasure. Readers, the party is over, but if you’ll scroll down to the May 14 entry you can see how the king honored me. You can also read chapter 1 of The Enchanted. Prince Alan, please tell the readers how you met the love of your life Princess Morgane.

Alan: (smiling): This is a subject dear to my heart, but it was not always so. My father arranged a marriage between me and Princess Morgane. I had never even met her.

Elaine: (looks appalled) That probably wasn’t much fun.

Alan: No indeed, yet I soon grew to love my princess with my whole heart. How could I not? She has the heart of a dragon and beauty beyond compare, but this is not what drew me to her.

Elaine: Really? What was it then?

Prince Alan: (His face softens; his eyes grow dreamy.) It was the noble kindness in her soul. She suffered much at the hands of her father, yet she remains brave, strong, tender, and kind. Anyone who knows her soon discovers her basic goodness. She is a friend to all, especially to me. Thanks to her love I am a better man.

Elaine: She did save your life twice, didn’t she?

Prince Alan: Indeed. If not for the princess who has no battle training whatsoever, I would now be dead. (He smiles proudly.) She does indeed have the heart of a dragon. I wish that you could talk to the warrior Renweard. He praises Princess Morgane all the day long.

Elaine: If I’m not being rude, tell me how you and your father are getting along. Things were once very tense between you.

Prince Alan: (nods) It is true that my father and I often did not see eye to eye, but the recent events in the kingdom have shown us that in spite of our differences, we care for each other.

Elaine: Did you ever paint that picture for Princess Morgane? You promised her a painting filled with sunshine on the day that you two were attacked and began your incredible journey.

Prince Alan: Yes, the painting is complete. Princess Morgane loves it. You may post a picture of it if you like.

 

Elaine: It’s beautiful. Is there anything else you’d like to tell my readers?

Prince Alan: (eyes twinkling) Tell them they may return soon to see the painting of my son or daughter.

Elaine: Wonderful! Congratulations to you and Princess Morgane.

Prince Alan: Thank you. My father the king is most gratified.

Elaine: Prince Alan, do come again soon.  To find other authors in the Love Blooms Blog Hop, look below, or go to http://www.candlelightreads.blogspot.com/p/love-blooms.html for the list.

 

 

Secret Santa Blog Hop

Welcome readers!  I hope your Christmas so far as been outstanding.  The rules for the blog hop are found at http://tabithablake.blogspot.com//  Don't forget to go there because even though you can win a prize here, the grand prize is a Kindle Fire. 

I have a few holiday eating tips to share.  They've been floating around the Internet for a long time, so I have no idea where they came from, but in case you've never read them, here goes.

1.Avoid carrot sticks.  Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit.  In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately.  Go next door, where they’re serving rum balls

 

2.Drink as much eggnog as you can and quickly.  You can’t find it any other time of year but now.  So drink up!  Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip?  It’s not as if you’re going to turn into an eggnog-aholic or something.  It’s a treat.  Enjoy!!!  Have one for me.  Have two.  It’s later than you think.  It’s Christmas!

3.If something comes with gravy, use it.  That’s the whole point of gravy.  Gravy does not stand alone.  Pour it on.  Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes.  Fill it with gravy.  Eat the volcano.  Repeat.

4.Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating.  The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people’s food for free.  Lots of it.  Hello???

5. Did someone mention fruitcake?  Granted, it’s loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost.  I mean, have some standards.

 

Remember this motto to live by:

Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body.  But rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming, “WOO-HOO what a ride!”

To win a copy of my Christmas novella The Table in the Window, leave a comment telling me what your favorite Christmas food is. Commenting will get you one entry for the Kindle Fire.

If you follow my blog you get an extra entry to win the Kindle Fire.  If you just leave a comment and don't say what you favorite food is you still get one extra entry to win the Kindle Fire. 

Remember, go to http://tabithablake.blogspot.com// for the rules of the blog hop.


You can get a copy of The Table in the Window at most all online retail outlets and at

http://www.astraeapress.com/#ecwid:category=1651593&mode=product&product=7885677

Around the World Mega Author Blog Hop: Ticket to Paradise

Summer's fast approaching, and I'm ready for a vacation. Join the authors of Ticket to Paradise for a virtual vacation to some of the most exotic and wonderful spots in the world. Here are the rules for our blog hop.

TOUR RULES:

1) Have fun!

2) INVITE ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!!! SPREAD THE WORD!!!

3) THIS TOUR STARTS: Monday, May 16, at Midnight (Arizona Time)
THIS TOUR ENDS: Monday, May 23, at Midnight (Arizona Time)

4) MEET AND MINGLE WITH ALL THE AUTHORS! EXPERIENCE A NEW DESTINATION AT EVERY STOP! PARTICIPATE IN EVERY BLOG CONTEST AND BE ENTERED FOR CHANCES TO WIN MULTIPLE PRIZES! EVERY BLOG VISITED IS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO WIN!!

5) 5) PARTICIPATION AT EVERY BLOG IS RECOMMENDED. BUT REMEMBER: THE MORE YOU HOP THE MORE CHANCES YOU HAVE TO WIN EVERY AUTHOR IS WAITING TO MEET AND INTERACT WITH YOU, SO PLEASE BE SURE TO SHOW EVERY AUTHOR SOME LOVE!

6) DID I MENTION TO HAVE FUN? WHOO! HOO!! HERE WE GO!

After you check out my fun place Myrtle Beach, South Carolina go to http://www.facebook.com/l/8c68cl-YKTEIQq6XizF70Oidc_g/jodilangston.blogspot.com/2011/05/trip-around-world-mega-author-blog-hop.html to continue your tour.

Myrtle Beach is one of my favorite places in South Carolina. The area opened for tourism around 1900 and was named for the Sweet Myrtle Tree which is a waxy shrub native to the area. It had inexpensive accommodations and wide, sandy beaches guarded by giant oaks. Simple cottages started popping up along the coast. A beachfront lot back then cost a whopping twenty five dollars. People spent peaceful summers playing on the beach and enjoying the ocean. Here’s a picture of me when I was three playing in the water with my mother. Notice the beach houses in the background.

That was then, and this now. Although the lovely weather and beautiful water is still a big draw, there’s far more to do than swim or sun. Do you like golf? Myrtle Beach is called the ‘seaside golf capital of the world.’ Many hotels offer golf packages, and if you need lessons you can take them. You can find lots of nice places to buy new golf equipment too. If you prefer miniature golf to the real thing, you can find a course on almost every corner.

If golf isn’t your thing, maybe you’d like to go to a dinner theater and watch a show. Myrtle Beach has been called ‘the Branson by the sea.’ Medieval Times where you can watch knights on horseback joust is one that’s fun, but you might prefer the Alabama Theater, Legends, or the Carolina Opry. And my list isn’t complete.

Do you have a camper? When my kids were small we went camping at Myrtle Beach and had a wonderful time. There are plenty of quality campgrounds to choose from, and most of them have things like pools and video games to please the kids.

Like shopping? You’re in the right place. Barefoot Landing is one place I think you’d like. Besides shopping you can ride a carousel, have an alligator adventure or go to the House of Blues or Alabama Theater. Broadway at the Beach might appeal to you. That’s an outdoor festival shopping experience. One of my favorite places to browse is the Hammock Shops. They have twenty two specialty stores and restaurants clustered under moss draped trees on the edge of a salt marsh. While you’re there, buy a hammock. And of course there are cheesy souvenir shops and outlet malls galore.

Don’t forget to sample the variety of local restaurants. Some of the seafood places serve freshly caught seafood which is to die for. A suggestion; try the Sea Captain’s House.

Myrtle Beach has great nightlife too. There are plenty of clubs that offer entertainment from karaoke to darts.

Hotels? You’ll find a big variety, everything from high-rise condos to small houses for rent. You’ll need to research this one.

Attractions? Try Battleship North Carolina, Ripley’s Believe It Or Not and Aquarium, Brookgreen Gardens, deep sea fishing, dinner cruises on the Intracoastal Waterway, and many, many more. Oh, and ladies, don’t forget to get a manicure.

Guess where I’m going on vacation this year? Yep, you guessed it. Myrtle Beach. We’ll be there on July 4. Last year the fireworks were spectacular, and I’m betting they will be this year too. Hope to see you there!

That's me and my family last year.