It's the final stop of the Countdown to Christmas Party! Valerie Hansen, author of Cozy Christmas, is here to close us out and share some special Christmas memories. (If you've
missed other stops along the way, you can check them out here.)
i blog 4 books: Valerie, I'm so glad you could stop by today! What is your most memorable Christmas and why?
Valerie Hansen: I remember being a child in Cleveland, OH and hearing "Santa" on the roof. If my younger sister hadn't told me the truth I would have been totally fooled.
ib4b: Haha! Gotta love those younger siblings. :) Name three words that you associate with Christmas.
VH: Jesus, family, decorations
ib4b: How will your family celebrate Christmas this year?
VH: Not to be a downer, but this will be my first Christmas in a very long time without my husband. I'm not sure how or what I'll do but I do know I'll be involved in everything my church is doing. I'm already singing in the choir for the cantata.
ib4b: I'm so sorry! I hope that you'll find many wonderful ways to celebrate with friends during this season. What is the best gift you’ve ever given?
VH: When I was a child my sister and I saved and pooled our allowances, at 25 cents a week, to buy our mother a cashmere sweater she had admired. When she opened the box she cried - then proceeded to take the sweater back to the store because she said it was too expensive. I will NEVER return a gift from anyone unless it's a problem of size and I can get the exact same thing in exchange.
ib4b: Who gave you the best Christmas gift you’ve ever received? What was it?
VH: I don't remember things as much as I do the love. My husband and children always gave me whatever they could, wrapped in love. Nothing is better. (although a new puppy is always nice, too!)
ib4b: Tell me about the Christmas tradition that means the most to you.
VH: When I was asked by my editors to write a Christmas book I was afraid I couldn't do it because that time of year always brought family strife and conflict. But I did it with COZY CHRISTMAS and learned a lot about myself at the same time. I think the fondest memories were decorating a tree with my kids when they were little and so excited about doing it.
ib4b: How do you keep your focus on Christ during this hectic but wondrous time of year?
VH: It gets easier every year, particularly since I moved to the Bible Belt about 20 years ago. I spend a lot of time at church and trying to help others.
ib4b: What is your favorite ...
Season Of Cheer
For the first time in years, Christmas brings hope to Bygones, Kansas. 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 up his guarded heart. Can a man who thought family and Christmas were only for others find a forever home where he least expects?
About Valerie Hansen
Valerie has always loved to write. That, and the strong conviction that this is what she was meant to do, led her to Steeple Hill and the Love Inspired series. Besides extensive research, she has plenty of interesting experiences to draw upon when creating stories.
Valerie and her husband now live on an 80-acre farm in northern Arkansas. She loves to hike the rocky, wooded hills behind the picturesque old house they renovated, watch for the wildlife so abundant in the area and think up new ideas for her books.
She's always been a dreamer, a romantic who invented happier endings for books and movies that didn't already end on a lighthearted note. She was an adult before she realized that everybody didn't automatically do the same thing! To learn more about Valerie and her books, visit her website.
Giveaway
Valerie is giving away a copy of Cozy Christmas! Giveaway is open internationally and ends December 19. Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
*** All participants must be 18 years or older. The winner will be contacted via email. Once contacted the winner has 72 hours to respond with the required information. If the winner does not respond within the timeframe specified, another winner will be chosen. I am not responsible for shipping mishaps. Void where prohibited. ***
Valerie Hansen: I remember being a child in Cleveland, OH and hearing "Santa" on the roof. If my younger sister hadn't told me the truth I would have been totally fooled.
ib4b: Haha! Gotta love those younger siblings. :) Name three words that you associate with Christmas.
VH: Jesus, family, decorations
ib4b: How will your family celebrate Christmas this year?
VH: Not to be a downer, but this will be my first Christmas in a very long time without my husband. I'm not sure how or what I'll do but I do know I'll be involved in everything my church is doing. I'm already singing in the choir for the cantata.
ib4b: I'm so sorry! I hope that you'll find many wonderful ways to celebrate with friends during this season. What is the best gift you’ve ever given?
VH: When I was a child my sister and I saved and pooled our allowances, at 25 cents a week, to buy our mother a cashmere sweater she had admired. When she opened the box she cried - then proceeded to take the sweater back to the store because she said it was too expensive. I will NEVER return a gift from anyone unless it's a problem of size and I can get the exact same thing in exchange.
VH: I don't remember things as much as I do the love. My husband and children always gave me whatever they could, wrapped in love. Nothing is better. (although a new puppy is always nice, too!)
ib4b: Tell me about the Christmas tradition that means the most to you.
VH: When I was asked by my editors to write a Christmas book I was afraid I couldn't do it because that time of year always brought family strife and conflict. But I did it with COZY CHRISTMAS and learned a lot about myself at the same time. I think the fondest memories were decorating a tree with my kids when they were little and so excited about doing it.
ib4b: How do you keep your focus on Christ during this hectic but wondrous time of year?
VH: It gets easier every year, particularly since I moved to the Bible Belt about 20 years ago. I spend a lot of time at church and trying to help others.
ib4b: What is your favorite ...
- Christmas movie? "It's a Wonderful Life"
- Christmas song? "White Christmas"
- Christmas treat? FUDGE! my own homemade
- Christmas smell? pine boughs
- Christmas children’s book? "The Night Before Christmas"
Season Of Cheer
For the first time in years, Christmas brings hope to Bygones, Kansas. 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 up his guarded heart. Can a man who thought family and Christmas were only for others find a forever home where he least expects?
About Valerie Hansen
Valerie has always loved to write. That, and the strong conviction that this is what she was meant to do, led her to Steeple Hill and the Love Inspired series. Besides extensive research, she has plenty of interesting experiences to draw upon when creating stories.
Valerie and her husband now live on an 80-acre farm in northern Arkansas. She loves to hike the rocky, wooded hills behind the picturesque old house they renovated, watch for the wildlife so abundant in the area and think up new ideas for her books.
She's always been a dreamer, a romantic who invented happier endings for books and movies that didn't already end on a lighthearted note. She was an adult before she realized that everybody didn't automatically do the same thing! To learn more about Valerie and her books, visit her website.
Giveaway
Valerie is giving away a copy of Cozy Christmas! Giveaway is open internationally and ends December 19. Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
*** All participants must be 18 years or older. The winner will be contacted via email. Once contacted the winner has 72 hours to respond with the required information. If the winner does not respond within the timeframe specified, another winner will be chosen. I am not responsible for shipping mishaps. Void where prohibited. ***
I am going home to Texas to spend Christmas with my family
ReplyDeleteI will spend Christmas with my husband, children, and their families. It is going to be great!!
ReplyDeleteI will be going to Texas and I'll spend Christmas with my Mom, my brother & his wife, my niece & her husband & 3 great-nephews. Just being with my three great-nephews is memorable and make new memories.
ReplyDeleteI will be spending Christmas with just my family at home in cali. And also we will be having my cousins in from NM for New Years. I so can't wait too see them.
ReplyDeleteoh.hello.hiya@gmail.com
I will be spending Christmas at home in Colorado. My son, daughter in law and 18 month old grandson will be here too!
ReplyDeleteI will be celebrating Christmas with my husband, my mother, and my kids.
ReplyDeletesusanmsj at msn dot com
My parents, my husband and I, our two children and their spouses and our three grandchildren will all be spending Christmas together. Four generations of us, what joy!
ReplyDeletemauback55at gmail dot com
Just my husband, we will celebrate the blessings of Christmas!
ReplyDeleteMy husband and children, as well as my mother-in-law, who will travel in from out of state. Then, there will also be my mom an dad and grandmother (my kids' great grandmother) who all live nearby.
ReplyDeleteCelebrating Christmas Eve with our sons; celebrating Christmas Day with my brothers and parents.It will be special to play games and visit with family. sharon wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI will be spending Christmas at home with my love and our 2 daughters. :) He and I will have a wonderful Christmas with our girls!
ReplyDeleteI will be with my husband,mom,children,grandchildren and a few friends.
ReplyDeleteI will be with hubby and daughter...making memories by remembering the greatest gift ever given!
ReplyDelete