Come Join the Celebration!

I think we all could use a bit of Christmas cheer right now! And I’m going to do my part to facilitate that feeling. From now until Christmas, I will be celebrating Christmas and Thanksgiving books to get you in the spirit of the holiday season.

Each blog post will feature one specific author and details about his/her holiday book(s). Each author will chat about their favorite holiday traditions and tell you about upcoming books. 

I will also post links to receive free books and options for other giveaways. 

I'll be featuring 16 authors who I hope will become some of your favorite.  So you don't miss a single update on an author or a giveaway, follow this blog! 

Here's your FIRST opportunity. You could win a Kindle Reader by following authors on social media. Sign up with the following link: 

https://authorsxp.com/win-books/win-a-kindle-reader

Let's Talk Christmas Books and Traditions: Author Interview with W. Bruce Cameron

How did you come up with the idea for your Christmas book?

Several years ago I "made the rounds," as they say, to various television network talk shows (Anderson Cooper, Fox and Friends, etc.) discussing how stressful the holidays can be for people. My remarks were geared toward the idea that we have such high expectations of the experience that nothing ever matches up to our memories once we are beyond early childhood.

It has always stuck with me – this idea that everyone expects the holidays to be "perfect." And it occurred to me that as far as a dog is concerned, Christmas is a perfect day because pretty much every day is a perfect day.  Maybe not “bath day” but almost every other one.

So I wrote the story of the Goss family, a typical, if somewhat wacky and dysfunctional, middle-class, middle American family trying to get it right and kind of failing. They are vivid and heartfelt characters who are relatable and in crisis. When things look like they are close to the breaking point, a lost puppy is introduced, and what looks at first like it will be the final straw will prove to be the missing link for the family to get back together.

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?

Of all the traditions with which I grew up, my favorite was the midmorning fight between my mother and my sister. Inevitably, one of them would stomp out of the house and then return a little while later looking sheepish.

I'm only half kidding. It was something we could all anticipate, even if it really wasn't our "favorite."

Honestly, my favorite Christmas moments occurred when my own children were very young and would come in and see the tree all decked out Christmas morning. To them, it was just magic. Seeing their faces was the best part of the holidays.

What’s next?

I have a new book, A Dog's Courage, coming out in May. I also have another one of my "Puppy Tales" being published around the same time, Cooper's Story.  Plus I have four more installments in the Lily to the Rescue series publishing in 2021. Those are for children aged six to around 10. So: busy year. I am pretty excited! We've also got to scripts in development and are hoping that when movie production resumes, they will get going in 2021 for release in 2022.

What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been given you’d like to share?

The screenwriter, novelist and memoirist, (plus movie director and, oh, also my wife) Cathryn Michon taught me perhaps the most valuable lesson in storytelling: always know how it is going to end and how you're going to get there. In other words, outline, outline, outline. It's what turns a mediocre writer into a professional.

What do you know now about writing and publishing you wish you had learned sooner?

I think I thought that if I followed the instructions that appeared in books designed for amateur writers and wrote a synopsis and enclosed an SASE, etc. I would wind up being published in no time. Instead, I learned that, as you would expect, finding an agent and a publisher requires personal connections.

Had I understood this, I would have attended writers conferences and worked hard to meet agents and publishers and editors so that I could turn to them when I felt I had something ready to be evaluated and so that the responses would have been instructive instead of dismissive.

Any last words or tips?

About once a week I receive an email that looks something like this: "Hi, I really admire you as a writer and your books look like they are excellent. I have written something in the same genre and am wondering if you would read it and give me advice and perhaps a blurb that I could use to help secure an agent."

I forgive people for not understanding what a huge request this is. I also receive requests from close friends for similar favors, as well as forwards from my agents and managers. This is tantamount to a complete stranger asking if they can sleep on your couch for a month and oh by the way they are lactose intolerant so when you cook them meals please skip the dairy.

Are there any other books that you’d like to tell my readers about?

A Dog's Perfect Christmas is a novel about people, dogs, puppies, and Christmas. I think it is the perfect novel for these times, when so many world events are depressing and stress inducing. It also makes a great gift book. Another novel of mine that is similar in theme is The Dogs of Christmas. The two of them are upbeat, happy novels that I would recommend for these trying times.

If you'd like to learn more about Bruce's books, here are a couple of links to get you started.

www.adogspurpose.com

www.wbrucecameron.com

 

Let's Talk Christmas Books and Traditions: Author Interview with Kristen McKanagh

How did you come up with the idea for your Christmas book

This one started with my agent. He had learned from my now editor that he was looking for a Christmas story featuring a kitty, then called me to see if I had any ideas that might fit that. I grew up with a precious kitty and Christmas is my very favorite holiday (though I admit it ties with Halloween). So of course I was interested.

I could easily picture a snow white kitten that was all mischief and her voice was so vivid, I knew she had to have a small point of view in each chapter. I also knew I wanted to set several books with her, and so decided the Victorian B&B would be the best way for her to be able to matchmake with several different couples. It all continued from there!

Could you give a short synopsis on the book for my readers?
The Purrfect holiday awaits…Snowball–an aptly named bundle of feline fluff–is thankful to be spending her first Christmas in the comfort of Weber Haus, the Victorian B&B run by Miss Tilly. Emily Diemer, who cooks for the guests, dotes on Snowball, but she’s not thrilled about another new arrival at the B&B: Miss Tilly’s nephew, Lukas. Which is odd, because Snowball’s animal instincts tell her that Lukas and Emily should definitely be friends.

Everything Emily needs is in this quaint community–including, she hopes, the chance to open her own bakery one day. She doesn’t think much of Lukas for leaving his aging aunt to struggle while he jets around the world taking photographs. But now that he’s here, helping to spruce up the property and getting mixed up in Snowball’s antics, she begins to soften a little. Until she learns what he has planned . . .

Lukas is going to sell Weber Haus so that Miss Tilly can retire. But Snowball is certain that this B&B, and these people, are supposed to be her forever home. Somehow she has to get these stubborn humans to see things through the wisdom of a cat’s eye and a kitten’s loyal, loving heart…

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?
I love all the traditions! In my family, My favorites all involve time spent with family. Christmas Eve dinner and church service. Christmas morning—not just the presents, but also the breakfast. Then the rest of the day enjoying each other and a turkey dinner. Plus, of course, all the desserts!

What’s next for you?
The second book, The Twelve Days of Snowball, is already with my editor and due for release fall 2021. I had just as much fun with it as I did the first one! Also from this pen name I have a new Amish romance series. The first book, The Gift of Hope, releases in May.

What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been given you’d like to share?
Don’t wait for praise, but do seek feedback from people you trust and use it. Don’t stop after the first try. Do keep writing, and writing, and writing. Don’t wait for that “perfect” idea before you start. Do take classes and workshops. Don’t assume someone else can tell you how to write – incorporate what works for you. Don’t think there’s only one way to do this. Do research editors/agents you’re querying. Do spend money on a good editor/beta reader. Do help other authors out – this is a great community of supportive folks!

What do you know now about writing and publishing you wish you had learned sooner?
It’s all a process and takes time. Very few people nail this out of the gate. I wish I had done a creative writing degree to get a jump start on things, but beyond that, everything happened when it was supposed to and how it was supposed to.

Any last words or tips?
Romance is the genre that is all about hope and happily ever afters. It seems to me that we need more of that kind of hope in the world. Snowball’s Christmas is just my small contribution to that kind of world, and I hope you love it!

Are there any other books that you’d like to tell my readers about?
Just those mentioned above. I do also write on the steamier side of romance under the pen name Kadie Scott, and in paranormal romance as Abigail Owen!

If you'd like to learn more about Kristen's books, here are two links for you. 

http://www.kristenmckanagh.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/kristenmckanagh

Let's Talk Christmas Books and Traditions: Author Interview with Tess Thompson

How did you come up with the idea for your Christmas book? Could you give a short synopsis on the book for my readers?

When we decided who would write each of the Soul Sister's characters, I immediately chose the bride. Alissa just popped into my mind - a kindergarten teacher who has to work at a bar to make ends meet. Here's a little about the book...

Random circumstances brought them together. Love made them family.

Kind, funny, successful, and adoring, Jed Marsh is the man of Alissa Mann’s dreams. But Jed’s parents don’t think Alissa, who supplements her kindergarten teacher’s salary as a cocktail waitress at a gentlemen's club, is good enough for their son. And his controlling mother will stop at nothing to keep them from getting married.

When Mrs. Marsh threatens to reveal Alissa’s secret side job to the school administration and the meddling moms who run the PTA, Jed and Alissa reluctantly call off their intimate mountain wedding. But even after the nuptials are canceled, Alissa agrees to meet her sisters and mother at the beautiful Cedar Mountain Lodge. And in the loving arms of her own family, Alissa just might figure out how to move forward -- with or without Jed.

Fans of small-town stories, heartwarming holiday tales, sweet second chances, and whimsical winter weddings will fall in love with Alissa and her soul sisters in Christmas Rings, book six of the Soul Sisters at Cedar Mountain Lodge, from USA Today bestselling author Tess Thompson.

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?

I love decorating the tree with my girls, driving around to look at holiday lights, fixing holiday dinners and treats, watching Elf and Love Actually, spending the afternoon wrapping gifts and sipping on an adult beverage while Christmas music plays in the background.  

What’s next? 

Besides Christmas Rings, I have another holiday book, a full-length novel, Come Tomorrow, which releases Dec 1. This is the first of my The Castaway Christmas Series. Come Tomorrow is on preorder now. You can get it on your favorite retailer here: https://books2read.com/links/ubl/m2ZkBk

What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been given you’d like to share?

So many come to mind but I'd say for the aspiring author to give themselves permission to write a bad first draft. The magic is found in rewriting. For more experienced writers, I'd say to think of each scene in terms of the five senses. What does your character see, smell, hear, feel or taste? Get at least two of them in your scenes, if not all five. As your craft develops over time, these things will become second nature but at first you need to consciously choose them in your storytelling.

What do you know now about writing and publishing you wish you had learned sooner?

Probably to pay more attention to the business side of the work rather than rely on other so-called experts to guide me along the way. 

Any last words or tips?

Although the business side is important, as I stated above, the most important aspect of this career is to hone your craft before putting anything out for public consumption. I see so many books independently published before the writer was really ready. 

Figure out how to tell a story, work on your craft above all else. Then, when you have a compelling novel, learn the business stuff too. There's so much to learn about marketing etc. but it doesn't matter if you don't have a good product.  

Are there any other books that you’d like to tell my readers about?

I have two really popular series that fans of small town sagas/romances might want to check out, both of which have first in series on perma-free. Traded: Brody and Kara is the first in my Cliffside Bay Series. This series follows a group of friends as they fall in love. There are ten in all and best read in order, although they can be read as standalones as well. Get your free ebook copy here: https://books2read.com/TradedBrodyKara

The Blue Mountain Series features the Lanigan family. Each of the four siblings has a story - both a romance and a mystery. Get. your free ebook copy of the first one, Blue Midnight here: https://books2read.com/u/b5Oqel

Want to learn more about Tess's books and buy one or two, here are the links to get you started.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2x9Ng26

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTessThompson

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2vClTfX

Website: http://tesswrites.com/

Let's Talk Christmas Books and Traditions: Author Interview with Violet Howe

How did you come up with the idea for your Christmas book?

While attending a writer’s conference last year, the other Soul Sisters authors and I decided we’d like to do a collaborative project together, so we sat and brainstormed ideas for characters, settings, and plot points over dinner. As our idea began to came together, I very much wanted to write the mother’s character as I enjoy writing romance for older characters. 

I knew as we continued to formulate the story ideas that this was a woman who had dedicated her life to serving others, including her foster children. It was time for her to experience love and romance again and put some of her own needs first.

Could you give a short synopsis on the book for my readers?

It’s been fifteen years since Madeline Kirby adopted four girls and welcomed them into her home for Christmas. The holiday season has always been a special time for the family, and when one of her daughters plans a Christmas Eve wedding at the Cedar Mountain Lodge, Maddie looks forward to spending the week together in joyous celebration.

With the cancellation of the ceremony mere days before the family’s arrival, Maddie insists they must all forge ahead to the lodge to pull together and support the jilted bride. Luckily, love is swirling with the snow in the mountain air, and it seems no one is immune, not even Maddie.

She’d given up on romance when a tragic auto accident took her beloved husband along with her only child the year she adopted the girls, but a chance encounter with a handsome stranger ignites a spark that Maddie can’t ignore. As she tries to convince her daughters that love is a risk worth taking in their own lives, can Maddie be convinced she’s not too old for another chance?

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?

Decorating the house with lights, decorating the Christmas trees—one with the kids’ ornaments and colored lights, and the other with all purple, gold, and silver ornaments, and white lights. And stockings! I love having Santa fill stockings for everyone!

What’s next for you?

I have a new series coming out in January—Cedar Creek Suspense. These books will be set in the same fictional town as two of my other series—Cedar Creek Mysteries and Cedar Creek Families.

What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been given you’d like to share?

To accept your own writing style and not feel pressured to conform to what works for other people. Some people need to outline on paper; others outline in their heads as they write. Some people need to write every day; others need time to think and process before the words will come. Some people are productive early in the morning; others late at night. There is no one right or wrong way to write. So allow yourself to discover what works for you and embrace that rather than trying to fit into someone else’s mold.

What do you know now about writing and publishing you wish you had learned sooner?

I wish I had held onto books in a series until they were all done so I could control the timing of releases better and market for that. I also wish I’d spent more money experimenting with ads and less money taking classes to learn more about ads.

Any last words or tips?

The story you have to tell is a story only you can tell. No one else has your voice or your experiences or your take. So don’t compare yourself to others. Do your thing. Tell your story. And tell it well!

Are there any other books that you’d like to tell my readers about?

I’d love for you to get to know the people of Cedar Creek, the fictional town that is the backdrop for many of my stories. Building Fences, Book 1 in Cedar Creek Families, is a heartwarming romance with a 35 year-old divorced mom as the heroine. She’s searching for her birth mother, but along the way she finds romance and the courage to stand on her own two feet. 

The Ghost in the Curve, Book 1 in Cedar Creek Mysteries, features a heroine who is a former movie scream queen. She comes to Cedar Creek for a weekend retreat, but after meeting a friendly sixteen-year-old ghost who pleads for her help, she ends up sticking around to try and solve the mystery surrounding the ghost’s younger brother. Soon, she finds love as her own life is in danger and her own beliefs are put to the test.

If you'd like to learn more about Violet's books, here are some links for you. 

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/VioletHoweAuthor
Author Website:  https://www.violethowe.com
BookBub:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/violet-howe        Newsletter:  http://subscribe.violethowe.com/newsletter1

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/violet_howe
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Violet_Howe

Let's Talk Christmas Books and Traditions: Author Interview with Nancy Naigle

How did you come up with the idea for your Christmas book?
I’ve written several now and I still have ideas for more thankfully. For this one, A Heartfelt Christmas Promise, the original inspiration was those adorable Budweiser commercials with the lost puppy. Remember those? I’m a dog lover anyway, but those commercials absolutely stole my heart. 

I couldn’t wait to find a way to integrate a sweet puppy, and a handsome horse trainer into a novel. Six years later, here we are. I’m so excited for readers to visit the small town of Fraser Hills, NC and get swept up into all that’s going on in that small town.

Could you give a short synopsis on the book for my readers?
Yes, it’s a sweet small-town holiday love story, perfectly fine for readers of all ages, so mommas, you can share this one with your teenage-daughter and her grandmother, too.

Vanessa Larkin was supposed to be spending Christmas in Paris, France on a business trip she hoped to enjoy as a working vacation. Instead, she’s been assigned to Fraser Hills, North Carolina—home of the Best Fruitcake in the USA—to convert her company’s property into warehouse space and shut down Porter’s, the fruitcake factory. Offering retirement packages and selling locals on new job opportunities may not spread holiday cheer, but Vanessa believes she’s helping secure the town’s future.

Mike Marshall’s family founded Porter’s. For decades, the factory served as the lifeblood of the community until his grandfather sold the business to a Chicago corporation. The sale cost the town its independence—and the Marshalls their family ties. A horse farmer, Mike was never involved with his grandfather’s company, but still felt Fraser Hills lost part of its identity. And as a widower raising a teenage daughter, he’s suffered enough losses in one lifetime. News of the factory’s closing means losing another piece of the town’s legacy.

Far from the skyscrapers and rapid pace of the city, Vanessa finds herself enjoying the easygoing rhythms of rural living. With Mike as her guide, she learns to appreciate the simple pleasures found in shared holiday festivities among friends. Fraser Hills is a town she is growing to love—and Mike is someone she is falling in love with. Now all Vanessa needs is a Christmas miracle to give her newfound friends and home a gift they’ll cherish for many New Years to come.

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?
Oh gosh, there are so many! One of my favorites is hosting a cookie swap. It makes the daunting task of baking a huge and varied batch of cookies and treats for your family, fun and easy. Each participant makes six dozen of their favorite cookie or treat recipe. On the day of the swap everyone brings six dozen and goes home with an assortment of sixty cookies. A lot less work, and an evening of fun with the girls. What’s not to love?

I also still mail Christmas cards. Yes, it takes time, and stamps don’t make it nearly as economical as it once was, but there are some people that I want to be sure know they are on my mind through the holidays. Believe me, a little handwritten note goes a long way, and can mean so much more than a quick email. I treasure every Christmas card I receive.

What’s next? 

In the immediate future, Christmas in Evergreen: Tidings of Joy releases on 11/29 from Hallmark Publishing. It’s the third Evergreen novel featuring that old red truck I’ve written. I’m so honored to be the voice of the books that accompany those Hallmark Original movies.

On May 18, 2021, The Shell Collector comes out. This novel has been in my heart for years. Shells with messages are showing up on Whelk’s Island, and they always seem to be the encouragement or confirmation for those that find them. The Shell Collector is up for preorder so order yours now. 

We’ll be doing a cover reveal as soon as we get past the buzz of the holidays so stay tuned. It’s a beautiful story set on the coast of North Carolina, described as a touching novel of love and loss, a friendship that crosses generations, and learning how even the smallest gifts can change a life for good. Don’t hesitate…treat yourself right now: https://waterbrookmultnomah.com/books...

What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been given you’d like to share?
It’s so basic, but it bears repeating. If you’re writing, you’re a writer. You don’t have to write every day, or even every week. Find the process that what works for you. You might be the most organized writer around, or random as lightning bugs on a summer night, but it doesn’t matter as long as you continue to get words on the page and here’s the kicker…finish the book. Fourteen partial manuscripts are not going to get you anywhere. Dust off your favorite and get it over the finish line. GO!

What do you know now about writing and publishing you wish you had learned sooner?
Your voice is the only thing special you bring to the table. Don’t let anyone compromise that. As soon as I quit trying to write the way everyone told me I had to, I started selling. Trust your storytelling heart. The rest will take care of itself. In one word…BELIEVE.

Any last words or tips?
If you have a book in your heart…write it. Start today. If you wait for the perfect time, it’ll never come. Keep in mind at the very base of it all, if you wrote one simple page a day…just 250 words…you’d have a whole book at the end of the year. So what if you are short on time and it takes you three years. As long as you are making forward progress, you will meet that goal eventually. I know you can do it.

Are there any other books that you’d like to tell my readers about?
Yes, and it’s an amazing deal. On 12/1 along with ten other authors you’ll find a novelette from me in the Christmas Actually anthology. 11 brand new stories from 11 bestselling authors all for just 99c as long as you order before release date, so order today! Christmas Actually is available on all platforms. You’re going to love it. My story is called Mission: Merry Christmas and I think you’ll have fun with this Christmas story set in the Caribbean islands.

Stay updated on Nancy’s new releases, sales, and upcoming movie news by subscribing to her newsletter at www.nancynaigle.com.

A Heartfelt Christmas Promise
Amazon - https://amzn.to/31aiIvf
Barnes & Noble - https://bit.ly/2EhwLXO
iBooks - https://apple.co/33Wz7Fi
Kobo - https://bit.ly/3k0Pgz9
GooglePlay - https://bit.ly/2HaF2xu
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Nancy-Naigle/e...

Let's Talk Christmas Books and Traditions: Author Interview with Scott Douglas

Today is the start of my Annual Christmas Book Blog Tour. Every Tuesday and Saturday from now till Christmas, I’ll be posting interviews with best-selling authors. We’ll be discussing their new Christmas-themed books and holiday traditions.

Bring your own hot cocoa, cider, or mulled wine and relax with us as we chat about books. Share your holiday traditions with us, too. Now read on to my first Christmas book offering.

How did you come up with the idea for your Christmas book? 
The idea came while working on my last book--which was about the Ascension of Christ; it was an Easter / Lent book, and it made me think about how, just like Easter, there are a lot of things people don't know about the holiday they are celebrating. 

It's been 2,000+ years since the first Christmas, and cultures have tacked on a lot of things that take away from the original message. As I thought about this, I started wondering why there were wise men and what was the significance of their gifts? Did it really matter that Jesus was born to Mary and not someone else? And why did it matter that Jesus was born in Bethlehem?

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?
I have a four-year-old, so Christmas traditions right now are about blending the traditions of my family and my wife's family to make sure she has memories that she can one day pass down; one of my favorite traditions was my parents putting bananas in my Christmas stocking. It started because they were out of money and didn't want my brother and me to have an empty stocking, and continues to this day. One year they didn't do it, and my brother, who was almost 40 at the time, was actually angry!

What’s next?
I hope to continue this series, which explores the theology of the Bible in a much more friendly and even humorous way. My goal is to make the Bible approachable to people who aren't scholars (or even Christians).

What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been given you’d like to share?
Show don't tell.

What do you know now about writing and publishing you wish you had learned sooner?
I think it's rare for young writers to really understand the importance of having a platform. You are so busy writing, and you aren't working at all to find your readers. 1,000s of books are published every day, which means even if you've written a book worthy of a Pulitzer, there's a pretty good chance no one will read it. You have to actively work to find your readers, and can't expect them to find you just because you have something interesting to say.

Any last words or tips?
The graveyard is home to some of the best ideas--dead with the people who gave up on them. Writing isn't always about whose the best--it's about who can finish the race. Be persistent. The moment you feel like giving up is the moment you should run ten times faster. It took me about ten years before I started seeing stuff I wrote published, and another five or ten before I got a book deal.

Are there any other books that you’d like to tell my readers about?
If anyone is looking for a devotional for Lent in the New Year, check out Jesus Ascended. What Does That Mean? If anyone wants to know what it's like to be a librarian, check out Quiet, Please: Dispatches from a Public Librarian.

Here's the link to Scott's Webpage, so you can learn more about his books. 
www.ScottDouglas.org

When You Love What You Do: Author Interview with Tonya Kappes

This post is the beginning of my posts celebrating Christmas in novels. From now till the end of the year, I'll be interviewing authors with Christmas reads to get you in the holiday spirit. So read on to learn more about Tonya's writing process and her upcoming book.

You’ve now written over 80 books. At the beginning, how many books did it take before you felt you could make writing a full-time career?

It wasn't the number of books. It was the income that I needed to make in order to quit my job as a child therapist so I could still have a roof over our heads and food on the table for a family of six.

How long does it take to write one of your books?

My word count from HarperCollins is 50k words. That's the total I've held to since I started. I write at least 4k words a day, five days a week. I can get a book written in about three weeks. After that I have an editing service I pay that does three rounds of edits. I also have one hundred people who read the novels before they go to publication.

What made you use a camper as a focal point for our stories?

I wanted to come up with a new cozy mystery with a different occupation for the sleuth. I didn't want to do the typical baking, yarn, etc. shop.

Now you use your camper for your writing. How do you have it set up as an office?

I use the kitchen table for my desk. If we aren't camping in our camper and it's sitting on our property, I go there every morning to write. I bring my laptop and all the things I need for that book with me and carry it back and forth.

When you’re stuck on a scene or a plot point, how do you get back on track?

I see that as a sign of the characters not going in the direction they want me to. I know that sound weird, but I can take a walk in my woods on our property or just around our pond and my juices get flowing again for me to continue the story.

What is the hardest part of writing for you?

Actually I love writing. I love all aspects of it.

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?

Author Anne Perry bought my book and she told me, "You're going places."

How have you learned to write past writers rejection?

Honestly, I was rejected by the author community when I decided to self-publish so many years ago. They told me I was vain publishing. My success and determination was how I got past it.

What has surprised you the most in writing or publishing? 

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I love my job.

What frustrates you the most?

What frustrates me most is not enough time in the day to write more.

What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner?

The one thing I've said for the past couple of years was I'd not written so many series at once. I'd focus on one series and continued it until the readers no longer wanted to read it.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?

Write one series and focus on it.

What is the next book coming out? Can you give me a short synopsis?

The next book is Eggnog, Extortion, & Evergreen

Here are the details…Mae West is busy this Christmas season. She's running around Normal getting the town ready for the first Winter Festival, which she hopes will become an annual event for the tourist town.

The freshly fallen snow sure does make the Daniel Boone National Park beautiful and ready for Santa's arrival, but it also makes the curvy roads through the forest very slick. Unfortunately, Mae finds out just how slick the roads are after her car slides off the road and hits a tree, putting Mae into a deep coma.

Mae starts having memories about the fire that took her family and a memory of a murder plot that she thinks happened when she was in her coma. Only, she's having a hard time distinguishing between the two memories and the clues seem to have blurred lines. There's one thing she does know for sure, both incidents come with clues that neither were accidents.

Once again, Mae West with the help of the Laundry Club Ladies put on their amateur sleuth caps to help solve the mystery of the murders before the killer sends her a Christmas gift she can't return.

That does sound intriguing. If you'd like to learn more about Tonya and her books, here's the link to her website to get you started. https://tonyakappes.com/

Create New Stories to Intrigue your Readers: An Interview with Author Pat Wahler

How did you come up with the idea for your book Let Your Heart Be Light: A Celebration of Christmas?

In short, decluttering did it. I decided to pull out all my old files and organize them. It quickly became evident many of my previously published - as well as unpublished - pieces featured a Christmas theme. From there, the seed of an idea grew. Wouldn't it be fun to put together a Christmas collection? 

How did you put the book together?

I had a fair amount of material ready to draw from, but I did heavily edit them from their original form. In addition, I created new pieces. The collection is divided into three parts: "A Touch of Whimsy", "A Whisper of Love", and "Sentimental Journeys". Pieces in each section reflect the theme.

Tell me more about the writing in the book.

My essays and poems are laced with humor and tradition, not only in today's world, but in the past. For example, there are childhood memories about schemes to convince Dad we should buy a new modern Christmas tree. And how could I convince my parents to give me the gift of my dreams? 

And you include short stories as well, is that correct?

Yes. Short stories are a delight to write and take the reader on many different journeys. Here are a few of them: 

"Chip and the Truth About Christmas": The season as told from the dog's point-of-view 

"Myrtle": A woman's hope to find her future during a difficult holiday season in 1901

"The Snow-White Goose": Is it possible for love to hatch from a plan to rescue an abandoned goose?

No matter the medium, I believe readers will find the heart of Christmas in every one of these bite-sized tales. 

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?

Oh, I have so many of them! Probably the fondest is a long-standing tradition of a family Christmas breakfast. My parents decided we should do a fancy meal with goodies we rarely saw any other time of year. Country ham and sausage. Freshly scrambled eggs. Biscuits and red-eye gravy. Hash brown potatoes. Cranberry compote. All topped off with a wide assortment of Christmas cookies, featuring Mom's famous Snickerdoodles.

It wasn't only us who feasted. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins also showed up to enjoy the feast. My sister now carries on the tradition; although on a much smaller scale. It was one of our mom's final requests. 

Looking back on all the work involved, I'm not sure how Mom did it!

What’s next?

I'm currently working on Along the Road, Book 2 of the Becker Family Novels; a contemporary romance series. Book 1 of the series, On a City Street, released July 9. Book 2 will most likely release early in 2020. It's lots of fun writing these characters, and I hope readers will enjoy them as much as I do.

What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been given you’d like to share?

Much of writing is discipline. Get in the habit of putting words on paper, even if you don't feel like it. One must never wait for inspiration to strike. Words (even bad ones), give you something to edit. With a blank page, you have...nothing.

What do you know now about writing and publishing you wish you had learned sooner?
Regardless of whether traditionally or indie-published (I am both), a writer is ultimately responsible for marketing his/her own work. When scheduling your time, it's easy to go overboard on social media and marketing. Always remember, the best way for readers to notice what you're doing is to create new stories, so get words on paper! 

Any last words or tips?

I appreciate this opportunity to meet fellow writers and readers (yes, I'm also an avid reader!). I'm on most social media platforms and would love to hear from you.

Are there any other books that you’d like to tell my readers about?

Previous publications not already mentioned include my award-winning historical novel, I am Mrs. Jesse James, and a picture book I co-authored- Midnight the One-Eyed Cat.

That’s all for today’s interview. If you would like to learn more about Pat’s writing, here are some links to get you started.

Website/Newsletter: https://patwahler.com

Facebook Author Page: https://bit.ly/2LHhqkq

Goodreads Author Page: https://bit.ly/2S6LGXi

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patwahler/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PatWahlerAuthor

Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/32fJwcg

Bookbub Author Page: https://bit.ly/32cvRTr

Persevere and Keep Writing: Author Interview with Lauren Elliott

How did you come up with the idea for your Christmas themed book? Could you give a short synopsis on the book for my readers?

Christmas is my favorite time of the year and let it be known that I’m a six-year-old at heart and love everything about the holidays. I wanted to write a book that portrayed what is most important about the season to me while still writing within my cozy mystery genre.  I also wanted to depict scenes of family and friends coming together in celebration of the magic of the season and show readers what it really means. Not only from the aspect of sights and sounds of the holidays but also to the aromas. Keep in mind that scents can stir memories and create a link to our pasts.

In Murder in the First Edition, a story that is based around the discovery and mysterious disappearance of a first edition copy of, A Christmas Carol. There is a moment when Addie catches a whiff of a Christmas apple-spiced punch, similar to one her grandmother used to make. The fragrance stirs warm memories and for a moment, Addie is taken back, in her mind and heart, to Christmases past that were filled by her loving family gathered together in celebration of the season.

If readers love stories that are centered on bookstores and rare books, then they’re going to enjoy following the adventures of Addie, Serena, her best friend and local tea merchant, plus the other cast of colorful characters in the quaint seaside town of Greyborne Harbor where murder and mystery are not … uncommon.

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions? 

One of the traditions I love in December is baking. I’m not a crafty person and stand in awe of those who are, but I do love to create delicious treats for family and friends. It’s my secret weapon after a busy December day, whether it was spent open-air skating, sledding or perusing one of the many holiday craft markets.

What’s next? 

Here’s a sneak peek at the cover blurb for Proof of Murder, the fourth book in the series which will be released in April 2020.

The seaside New England town of Greyborne Harbor is home to many grand estates, including the Queen Anne Victorian Addie inherited from her great aunt. Now one of those mansions is holding an estate sale, which is just what the bookshop owner needs to replenish her supply of rare editions—even if the house is rumored to be haunted. Assisting an overwhelmed insurance appraiser with the inventory, Addie discovers an 1887 magazine containing Arthur Conan Doyle's first Sherlock Holmes novel, A Study in Scarlet, which she estimates to be worth over one hundred and fifty thousand dollars.

But when Addie later finds the appraiser dead in the estate's private library, with the door bolted from the inside, and the priceless edition missing, it's a mystery worthy of the Great Detective himself. She's certain the death and the robbery are connected—but who, other than a ghost who can walk through walls, could have gotten in to do the deed? It's up to Addie to find the key to the crime—before she's the next one cornered by a killer . . .

What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been given you’d like to share?

Read, write, learn the craft of writing, read, write, listen, read, write, and to never give up if it’s your passion.

What do you know now about writing and publishing you wish you had learned sooner?

That patience is a virtue and one I lacked. I am/was a very type “A” personality and wanted everything done yesterday. I came from a strong management background and was used to things happening clickity-clickity. The number-one lesson I’ve learned about the publishing industry is that nothing happens in my timeline. I have to take a deep breath and wait for everything.

It’s like a world unto itself, and guess what? I’m no longer a type A and have learned to breathe through the process of four to five rounds of edits, hashing out title and cover ideas with my editor, building an advanced reading team, pre-release marketing and promotion and then all the commotion around release day and the book promotion following that—but most of all.  I’ve learned to love letting the control go and enjoy the ride.  

Any last words or tips?

If you aspire to be a writer, remember that it is a learned craft and an evolving process. Don’t ever give up. It’s your passion and to also remember very few writers have the success of JK Rowling or Stephen King. It took them over twenty years to reach the success levels they enjoy today. At the beginning of their writing careers, they too received enough rejection letters from agents and publishers to wallpaper their home offices with before someone took a chance on them. Be prepared for the long haul, a lot of hard work, and the ability to develop a thick skin, but always remember why you are persevering and keep writing because if you don’t, a part of you will shrivel up and die.

Are there any other books that you’d like to tell my readers about?

I write the Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery series and to date, there have been six books contracted by Kensington Publishing in the series. Although each book can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend that readers begin with book one, Murder by the Book and then read the second, Prologue to Murder before jumping into book three, Murder in the First Edition. I think that starting at the beginning of any series helps in learning the back-story and seeing character development and growth throughout the course of a series.

If you’re ready to start reading Lauren’s books and what’s coming next, here’s how you can get connected:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ author/

Website: http://laurenelliottauthor.com/

Kensington Authors: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/author.aspx/32031