Welcome back to the Countdown to Christmas {Book} Party! In case you missed it, the party kicked off earlier today with an interview and giveaway with
Tricia Goyer. Now, I'm pleased to have
Ruth Logan Herne here to keep this party going! (Melody Carlson will be stopping by tomorrow!)
Ruthy has two Christmas books out this year: Love Finds You in the City at Christmas and The Lawman's Holiday Wish. Be sure to read all the way to the end to find out more about these books and for a chance to enter a copy of each!
i blog 4 books: Ruthy, thank you so much for stopping by this afternoon! Tell us about your most memorable Christmas and why?
Ruth Logan Herne: When my baby niece was born on Christmas day, a month early, very healthy, a true blessing. Her parents had lost their first son nearly a year before, on January 6th and I prayed that God would grant them joy of a baby at Christmas… and he did! Amity was a five-pound gift from heaven. Nothing would ever replace the big brother she would never know, but having her get born on Christmas day was a wonderful thing!
ib4b: Oh my! That IS a wonderful Christmas! And Amity is such a pretty name! Name three words that you associate with Christmas.
RLH: Joy, Love and Giving! Followed closely by EGGNOG and music!!!!!
ib4b: How will your family celebrate Christmas this year?
RLH: Oh, we have a big family, so multiple times and ways. Family parties, bell-ringing for the Salvation Army, adopting a family, helping with Christmas “boxes” and foods, lovely dinners cooked by me because I get so excited when my ‘away’ kids come home for the holidays! Love it!
ib4b: What is the best gift you’ve ever given?
RLH: Oh, my. Oh my stars. Oh my gracious sakes. I have no idea. Piffle, you’ve stumped me!!!! I think that means I’m a LAME GIVER!!!! Dagnabbit!
ib4b: Haha! I don't think that means you're a lame giver, though! Maybe it just means that ALL of your gifts are awesome. :) Who gave you the best Christmas gift you’ve ever received? What was it?
RLH: God!!!! And I mean that so sincerely because that first gift of Christmas, “a child” is so intrinsically a part of me. I love children, I celebrate babies and we’re so blessed to have a family. So yes, this one I can answer whole-heartedly: Best Gift Of Christmas: The Christ Child!!!!
ib4b: Tell me about the Christmas tradition that means the most to you.
RLH: Reading the Gospel of St. Luke at our annual family Christmas party. My mother did it once she was older and we’ve carried the tradition on with all of the kids and grandkids… we read about shepherds and angels and stars at night! And a child, born to the poor.
ib4b: How do you keep your focus on Christ during this hectic but wondrous time of year?
RLH: I’ve had to work to learn to do this. I got caught up in the “fancies” of Christmas when the kids were smaller and I had to re-learn simple. I love simple! Good food… Great people… God’s love. And music! I love Christmas music! And The Muppet Christmas Carol is one of my favorite fun Christmas movies. The Fozziwig Christmas party!!! Happy dancing, just thinking of that!
This or That ...
- White or colorful lights? Both! Several rooms, we have fun with different lights in them!
- Turkey or ham? Turkey!!!! With gravy… mashed potatoes…. Cranberry orange relish! Oh, yum!
- Tree - real or fake? Both. We have a real tree in the dining room and an aritificial one In the living room because it’s got a wood-burning stove. The real tree is our family tree, all the fun paper ornaments the kids made when they were little, the ones that mean so much! The other one is a “country” tree I saw at Agway Farm Store twenty years ago. I fell in love with it and saved $5/week so when they put it on sale after Christmas, I bought it. Just sweet, country, white lights and farm animals. Burlap. Paper. So sweet!
- Hot cocoa or apple cider? Cider! I love spiced apple cider and I live in “Apple Country” truly our local designation! My friends are apple farmers and they give me lots of guidance on farm books… In fact, Kim Zarpentine, owner of Zarpentine Farms in Hilton NY was a big help in developing the story line for “Piper McKinney” my heroine and recurring character from my second Kirkwood Lake book “Falling for the Lawman”.
- Frosty or Rudolph? Rudolph. I love Rudolph!!! Although I can sing music from both shows, very badly, ty the way, and enjoy them with the little kids, but Rudolph wins!!!
- Wrapping paper or gift bag? I love gift bags for showers and things like that, but no one should mess with the joy of a kid unwrapping presents under a tree!!!
About The Lawman's Holiday Wish
No one in Kirkwood Lake seems willing to forget, or forgive, Rainey
McKinney's troubled past. But Rainey can't afford to let that bother
her. Her top priority is rebuilding her life and being a good mom to her
twin daughters. Even handsome deputy sheriff Luke Campbell can't
distract her, tempting as he is. She's determined to keep her distance,
but as his son and her girls form a special bond, Rainey and Luke can't
help but do the same. Can Rainey put her past behind her once and for
all and embrace a future full of hope—and love?
About Love Finds You in the City at Christmas
Love comes to New York City in two heartwarming stories of Christmas past and present.
In 'Red Kettle Christmas,'
it's 1946, and police officer Mike Wolzak inherits the family home. . .
and the custody of his troubled sister. While on patrol during Macy's
Thanksgiving Day Parade, Mike meets a Salvation Army bell ringer
struggling to support herself and her young child. Over the holiday
season in Manhattan, she teaches the veteran how to support his family.
In the process, he gains a new one.
In 'Manhattan Miracle,' a
war-weary soldier finally comes home. Max Wolzak is celebrating
Christmas in the Manhattan brownstone where he spent much of his
childhood when he meets Sarah, his sister's old schoolmate. Sparks fly
as the pair gets reacquainted over holiday events, but when Max realizes
she will leave for the Middle East the day after Christmas, he has a
decision to make.
About Ruth Logan Herne
Born into poverty, Ruthy is a hearth-and-home author who loves God,
chocolate, her family, coffee, dogs and frappuccinos... And not always
in that order!
She lives in tiny-town USA in upstate New York, loves to visit her
kids in big cities, and thinks that getting lost is God's way of giving
her new plot lines to explore!
When she's not writing she's working full time torturing small
children for financial gain and shamelessly exploiting kids and baby
animals to sell her delightfully sweet books.
She's pretty sure cleaning is over-rated, that orderliness is a
military skill to be admired from afar, and that possums should leave
the cat food on the side porch alone.
And snakes should stay outside or beware the consequences.
She hangs out in
Seekerville with an awesome bunch of writers and readers and loves chatting it up with folks. That's a nice way of saying she talks a lot!
Connect with Ruth Logan Herne Online
Giveaway
Ruthy is giving away a copy of Love Finds You in the City at Christmas and The Lawman's Holiday Wish to TWO winners! (Winner's choice of paperback or e-copies.) Giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada and ends December 9. Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
*** 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. ***
