Hosted by Donna MacMeans
It's never too early for a little Holiday spirit. Let me introduce LuAnn McLane in the lair. LuAnn, best known for her Romantic Comedies with a Southern kick, found working on a novella for a Christmas anthology affected her more than anticipated.
“Have a holly-jolly Christmas it’s the best time of the year!” Those Johnny
Marks lyrics from the favorite Christmas classic Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer were made famous by the unmistakable Burl Ives. And it wouldn’t be Christmas without Andy Williams crooning, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!”But for some, the holiday season is filled with sadness and stress and is anything but the most wonderful time of the year. A loss of a loved one during this season is especially difficult. The holidays can bring on financial woes. Too much to do in too little time can make a person feel… well let’s just say less than merry. On a personal level going through a divorce a few years ago made the holidays a painful time for me. Every single holiday television commercial was a reminder of a lifestyle I no longer had. The sparkle of Christmas seemed forever lost. I knew that writing a believable holiday story was going to be a difficult
.jpg)
task. So in Hot Whisper, my novella in the anthology WICKED WONDERLAND with Susanna Carr and Janice Maynard, I wanted to explore these emotions. Along with my characters, I needed to learn how to recapture the joy of Christmas.My wounded hero, Jesse Marshall has his reasons to hate Christmas. Ironically, Jesse carves Santa figurines and angels, a trade taught to him by his father. Every year just before Christmas he leaves Colorado for a tropical vacation but when a sudden snowstorm hits Whisper, he is stuck and can’t escape. My heroine, Claire Collins, is desperately trying to get home to Atlanta for the holidays. Because she is admiring Jesse’s Santa carvings at the train depot she misses the boarding whistle and well… the sexy wood carver rescues her. Little by little bubbly Claire brings broody Jesse out of his shell and… well no spoilers but let me just say that there is a bit of Ch.jpg)
ristmas magic along with help from an angel.
Writing Jesse’s story has been a healing process. Even during my darkest times I have always been a sucker for holiday stories and Hallmark movies. It's also been fun to get back to my erotic romance roots since I mostly concentrate on southern bent romantic comedy. PLAYING FOR KEEPS is the first book in my small town Cricket Creek series and will hit the shelv
es in March.
I was also honored to help country superstar Wynonna Judd write RESTLESS HEART, a novel that will be released in February.
So tell me: Do you believe in the magic of Christmas? And what do you and your families do during the holidays to keep the stress at bay and the magic alive? Or are you bah-humbug and struggle during the Christmas season?
I will randomly choose one post and give away a signed copy of WICKED WONDERLAND along with some holiday treats and goodies.
Happy reading and happy holidays!
78 comments:
There's no time like Christmas! Thanks for visiting and reminding us of the magical time of year coming up--it's family time for us, and I love when we take the time to remember what this time of year is truly about. Thank you, LuAnn! (and can't wait to read your newest!)
Hi LuAnn,
Congrats on the upcoming release. I do believe in the magic of Christmas. It's definitely a stressful time because you want to make sure everyone can get together for the holidays and plus you want to get the perfect gift for your friends and family. If I starting feeling the stress I just try to remember that the holidays are a time to celebrate with the family.
I love the magic of Christmas! Unfortunately, my family's pretty bah-humbug about it all...well, no, more like about the holly jolly stuff as opposed to Christmas in general. I combat the Scrooginess by listening to Christmas music with headphones, watching Christmas specials and hitting a mall or two during the Christmas rush(without being part of the rush, itself). There's a large mall downtown whose main Christmas tree is covered in Swarovski ornaments every year. Sparkly!
I enjoyed Christmas in the past, when I had lots of family, and little ones to celebrate with. Now, after moving to the other side of the country, I don't really have anyone to buy presents for except my adult son, and there aren't any children around (they make Christmas magical), so I'm a bit of a humbug. I used to at least decorate for Christmas at work, but since I was laid off I won't be doing that either. So I guess you could say it will be Bah, Humbug this Christmas.
Hey fichen - Nice grab on the Rooster.
I noticed the Christmas decorations down in the basement when I was pulling out the Halloween decorations. Won't be long now. These months - October, November & December seem to fly by with all the celebrations. It'll be great to have WIcked Wonderland to read through that cold spell of January.
Hi LuAnn! Great to see you here! I'm rubbing my hands together because a lovely publicist sent me a copy of this book - woot!
Jane - You know what I think adds to the stress of Christmas? All the baking and eating. For whatever reason, I feel that I HAVE to make tons of cookies, pies, breads, etc. Very stressed if it's not done on time. Then I feel obligated to eat it! Which means I gain back all the weight I lost the months before.
But even with all that, I love the holiday. It really is the best time of the year.
Pissenlit - Good for you on having the holiday spirit in the midst of those that don't. The tree sounds beautiful. Sparkly works for Christmas.
Hugs Barbara E. Sounds like you need LuAnn's book! Yes, children definitely make the holiday bright. My children are grown and there's no grandchildren yet, but we'll still be decorating and celebrating. There's still time between now and Christmas. Hope things improve your way to make the holiday a little brighter.
Speaking of Christmas, my daughter just sent me a picture about two minutes ago with the words: "Oh yes, I did." Yep - you guessed it. She put up her Christmas tree!
Growing up, Christmas was really magical although we kids all knew that there was no Santa and that my parents were supplying the presents. Now, without any kids around (my niece and nephew are Jewish so only Hanukkah with them), Christmas isn't nearly as much fun. On the upside, this also means that I don't have to bake or even get a tree; I just wander in the mall for a dose of Christmas spirit as needed. I do still buy one ornament to symbolize the year.
ironss[at]gmail.com
Aloha! Yes, I believe in the magic of the holiday season. Despite the hustle and bustle, I see family, friends, and strangers taking time to help others.
Last year, every state had snow except Hawaii. Surprising, this is uncharacteristic as the two peaks on the Big Island, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, generally do have snow (they are considered the "tallest" mountains when measured from their bases under the sea. Mauna Kea is home to several observatories). Let's see if this year all 50 states have a White Christmas!
Well done Fedora have fun
LuAnne
This book sounds wonderful I do love reading Christmas stories at this time of the year. And as you said it is not always a happy time for everyone. For our family once I get all the shopping done and the cooking done we have a wonderful time. Hubby and I have 5 grandchildren now between the ages of 4 years and 6 months and this really adds to the joy and fun for us as well as the expense LOL.
As a family we all get together for a fantastic cooked lunch and here in Australia that takes a lot out of me because it is most times a really hot day.
Congrats on the release and thanks Donna for inviting LuAnne along today to meet us
Have Fun
Helen
I don't do a lot for Christmas anymore, I used to decorate and cook like a fiend. I still enjoy the movies and the music and I still cook a "special" dinner. I just don't stress out like I used to and I have to say I can handle it a lot better than the stressed version.
honestly I love christmas the family togetherness and the magic of wonder and the giving ness of others for my family we keep the stres satbay by telling eachother everyday tahtw e love eachother more so durring the holidays because of the holiday blues ect meand my fiancee worked out a system if either one of us feel over whlemd we tell eachother what we loveabout this time of year and it works
Congratulations on your successes! Both of my children are young adults so the holidays are not as frantic but also less exciting than they once were. Now I do what I want from decorating to baking since I do the majority of it.
Enjoy GR Fedora
I love stories about Christmas.... we have Christmas with the children and grandchildren.... as Helen said it is hot here and although I have been here for 30 years I still cannot get used to the heat as I was bought up in the UK where it was always cold. To me Christmas should be cold LOL
Congratulations on the release LuAnn
Good deal grabbing the GR flchen!
LuAnn - I hate for any to lose someone during the holidays. It's bad any other time but you're right about how it's a constant reminder of that loss at a time that means so much to family. Sorry you had to go through a difficult emotional time during a past holiday but your story that came out of it sounds wonderful. I bet it helps a lot of other people in healing.
I stopped all adults (family and friends) from exchanging gifts at Christmas many years ago to take one stress off the holiday time. We make a point of meeting for a meal as our gift to each other. It's been much more enjoyable and far less stressful.
Hi Luann,
Everything about Christmas is magical to me. From the gift buying, baking and cooking,and major decorating (the grandkids love it)and so do I :). Having 7 grown children and all their little ones makes for a big loud family celebration which starts with mass on Christmas eve, watching Christmas movies, especially "It's A Wonderful Life" And everyday I play Christmas music. I believe in miracles as well.Even shopping with the crowds and hearing the music can be exciting. sometimes lol
I definitely have Wicked Wonderland and Playing For Keeps on my TRL.
Carol L.
Lucky4750@aol.com
LuAnn, welcome! Congratulations on all these fabulous projects.
The desire to make everything perfect, like a Norman Rockwell painting or a Hallmark card, used to create a lot of stress in my family. Now we just sort of go with the flow, and life is much easier. And we enjoy the holidays more.
Fedora, congrats on the bird!
Welcome, LuAnn! Wicked Wonderland looks like wicked good fun! :)
I love Christmas! It's always been a special time of year for me. I begin decorating and baking the day after Thanksgiving. It's not a chore for me. It's something I truly love to do but I don't drive myself crazy getting things done. I used to do that but my husband's death nine years ago changed my perspective. Now I concentrate on the joy of the season, doing things for others, being grateful for each day and not stressing out over making things perfect. It's the imperfections, I've found, that frequently make life the most enjoyable.
Hi, LuAnn! Congrats on the new release! I love Christmas! The decorating, the presents, the food, and the holiday spirit. I have two kids, so they help make it extra special.
Btw, that is one smokin' hawt cover!!
Hi LuAnn - welcome to the Lair. Your story touched my heart as I know how you felt, having been there myself. I still hate New Year's Eve for that reason and avoid anything to do with celebrating it (other than the champagne *g*)
In England, Christmas is our big holiday and I love it. Love the decorating, lights, special food, movies and fun. On the upside, it make everything so cheerful. And hopeful.
On the downside, all the family pressures you guys spread out over two holidays gets thrown together into one for us. I've learned the hard way, over many years, to make the holiday special for me and my lovely hubby and damn the rest! We don't travel to see people - if folks want to come and see us, that's great and they're more than welcome. We try not to stress over stuff and enjoy being together, having a giggle.
The Christmas hasn't been particularly stressful time ever since we stopped doing as much STUFF as we used to. I do love to bake, but I'm glad there isn't so much of it as there once was. And mom bakes hardly at all anymore. Instead, she orders all the Carelian pastries and other goodies from the local bakery.
Becke - LOL - I've been known to put my tree up early, but never before Halloween (grin). I do love the look of a Christmas tree in the front room. Sets the tone for the season.
Sheree - The mall is a little too chaotic for me to get a good sense of Christmas spirit. I prefer to drive around and look at the lights. There's a couple of places around here where a horse-drawn carriage will take you around to the highlights.
LOL Kim - While a white Christmas is beauutiful, it's a bit on the treacherous side when it's not confined to the mountaintops. I prefer a frosty Christmas as we tend to travel on the actual day. Tell you what - I say if it looks like it's going to be a white Christmas here...you come to Ohio and i'll go to Hawaii (grin).
Hi, LuAnn, welcome to the Lair. Your novella WICKED WONDERLAND sounds wonderful. I love stories were the characters recapture some lost emotion or feeling, and the love of the holiday season is perfect.
I adore Wynonna Judd. Can you tell us more about how you came to collaborate with her?
Oops, forgot a few things: Donna, thanks for bring LuAnn to the Lair.
Flchen1, wahoooo on getting the rooster.
I have a love-hate relationship with the holidays. I'm lousy at picking Christmas gifts, and of course, wait until -- well -- NOW to buy any. But I love the holiday itself, the decorations, the log in the fireplace, the magical atmosphere.
Woot! Way to go, Fedora! Got the GR !
Hi, LuAnn !
Love the sound of Wicked Wonderland. I always drag out my Christmas anthologies after Thanksgiving to read during the lulls. They keep me in the Christmas spirit. I run the bakery at our local Walmart and the holidays are very stressful and VERY busy for us. (Right now I'm seeing dancing orange pumpkin cupcakes in my sleep!)
Holidays got tough the year we lost my Dad. He was a HUGE kid when it came to Christmas. After the first year we found it easier because we made sure some of his favorite traditions continued. He had a train set that was only set up at Christmas-time. It runs around the Christmas tree in the living room. We also have a set of patriotic ornaments and lights made just for the huge blue spruce in front of Mom and Dad's house. My Dad was an Army and Air Force veteran. We started the red, white and blue tree after 9/11 and my niece and nephews look forward to decorating it every year.
We still hang our stockings up at Mom's house and we still get oranges, apples, nuts and little toys in them. Even the granddogs and grandcats get stockings from Nana.
We have some Christmas gift boxes that have been in our family for over 20 years. Mom keeps them every year to put our gifts in because the tags still read in my Dad's handwriting FROM SANTA CLAUS.
Hi LuAnn! So great to have you with us in the Lair today! :>
I'm popping in to say howdy, then back to the grindstone. Grins.
Gosh!! Can't believe we are talking about Christmas!!
I love to spend time home with kids. They are growing up so fast.
I do most of my shopping online. It helps to avoid the long lines at the mall.
Merry Christmas!!
Hi Donna, thanks for the invitation to blog with the Bandits!
Hi Jo,
Wynonna and I share the same publisher and since I write southern fiction it was a perfect fit! The book Restless Heart comes out in February.
Hi Becke! Hope you enjoy Widked Wonderland. It was fun to get to do another anthology with Janice Maynard. I am reading Susanna's novella now and it is a hoot.
Hi Nancy! Thanks for the warm welcome!
Congratulations on the anthology. I've never been one for the holiday anthologies, but as a divorced single mom who spends a lot Christmases (including the one coming up) alone, I have a feeling I'll really relate to Jesse.
I definitely still believe in the magic of Christmas, even if I haven't experienced it much in the last few years. :)
I love Christmas--the decorations, the music, the special foods, and the gatherings from my annual hours-long holiday lunch with my BFF to the church-wide party after the pageant. I especially love Christmas books, rereading old favorites and discovering new ones.
I admit that I sometimes get stressed with the shopping and cooking, but looking at my mother's Christmas angels that seem touched with her presence, listening to the sound track of A Charlie Brown Christmas, or getting a special, exuberant, just-cause-it's-Christmas hug from one of the grands serves as a 100 per cent effective stress buster.
Kirsten - I love those Christmas movies. I think I know the dialogue by heart to the old classics. One of my favorite Christmas movies - not exactly a classic - is Love Actually. A gamut of emotions in that one.
Helen - Your house must be a riot at Christmas with all the kids. Great fun that must be!
LuAnn,
All I can say is Wow! Wow! Wow. Hot Whisper and Playing for Keeps sound wonderful! And hearty congratulations on partnering on a novel with Wynnona Judd. She really lucked out with you.
Very best wishes for continued success!
Hugs!
Patricia
Dianna -
i think we all run this course. When I was younger - with more energy and less wisdom - I felt I had to do everything to make the holiday perfect for my kids. I baked and decorated to distraction. Shopped, wrapped and hid far more presents than necessary.
Now that I have less energy, but more wisdom, I realize the holiday is already perfect without my need to do it all. I don't make gingerbread houses anymore or hand-crafted ornaments. I believe strongly in storebought (grin), and I'm more restrained in my shopping. It's now a beautiful holiday - and a less stressful one.
Hey Karyn - you haven't claimed your prize from Kate Walker's visit - please send me your snail mail details to anna@annasugden.com.
SINn - That sounds like a fabulous tradition. I hope your fiance and you maintain that tradition far into your old and gray years. Congratulations!
Maureen - Sounds like the perfect holiday. You are in total control. (grin)
Barb - I'm afraid I'd feel sort of lost if it was hot during Christmas. I think of Christmas and I think of snow, snowballs, snowflakes, frosty windowpanes, snowmen, fur coats, icicles... it would be hard to listen to all the Christmas tunes while wearing shorts and barbequing turkey. (grin)
Louisa -
That you reuse those gift boxes because of the handwriting on the tag is one of the sweetest things I've heard in a long, long time. I have a card that I keep from my dad. It says - Thank you in a very shaky hand. Makes tears well up in my eyes whenever I see it.
Hugs to you on losing your dad. Hugs to you for sharing the memory and the story of the boxes.
When I was growing up I struggled to get into the Christmas spirit. My father died on Christmas morning when I was 8 and it has colored Christmas for me ever since. It wasn't until I had children of my own that I could really get into the spirit of Christmas. Now I have grandkids to enjoy during the holidays. So when I hear about how stressful and sad Christmas can be for people believe me, I understand completely.
God how I love Christmas, just not the shopping and spending during it...mostly I like cooking and decorating the house, having family together! Congrats with the upcoming release and your corroborating on a book with Wynonna. Did you ever think THAT would happen in your lifetime? Keep up the great work. I adore spending time with you and your books!
You know,there is this Finnish animation about Rudolph's son!
niko and the way to the stars - I need a hero
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dn1AsN1B5Bw&feature=related
Hi LuAnn,
Congrats on the anthology.
Stores are already selling Christmas stuff! - I think that can lend to the "frenzied and fried" feelings these days.
After a rough Christmas one year, I discovered the "simplicity" word. I sometimes still over-buy, cook,decorate, etc. but I start w/ a list w/ the 2 important items for me being: A real, live Christmas tree and midnight mass. Everything else I approach as dressing. It's like a wedding, sometimes you have more notice and time to prepare than at other times, but it always ends up perfect and beautiful,in its own unique way.
I enjoyed reading the tips people wrote on keeping stress-bugs away.
Wishing you all a Happy Christmas season.- Tanja
Terri -
Christmas should be extra fun for you this year. You have that new house to decorate (grin).
Hi PJ, Hi Andrea - That is one hawt cover she has there. Wouldn't mind finding him in my stocking (though the dh may have a work or teo to say about that).
HI LuAnn
I am so looking forward to your books.
I generally love christmas. Last christmas was hard since we knew dad didn't have much longer to be with us. I am sure this holiday will be just as hard.
I love having a little one in the family. Amya just makes it all better.
I believe in the magic of Christmas. Especially when kids are around. One of the ways we decrease stress levels is to plan who does what ahead of time.
I do believe that Christmas does has something magical about it because you can see a change in some people for the better.
The family tradition is to have a get together with something good to eat and everyone pitches in to help.
lenikaye@yahoo.com
Hi Jane,
Thanks! I had always wanted to write a Christmas story... and almost missing the train out in Denver almost happened and yes I was shopping!
Barbara I know just how you feel... it has taken me a long time to recapture the fun of the holidays. Writing Hot Whisper certainly helped.
Kirsten I love your advice!
HI Anna! Thanks for the welcome. Your Christmas sounds lovely.
Hey LuAnn! Welcome to the Lair!
One of my daughters and I LOVE Christmas books. I think yours will be top on our list.
I love holiday romances, LuAnn! My only problem is finding time during the busy holiday season to sit down and read.
Looking forward to WICKED WONDERLAND!
I usually play my Christmas music the day after Halloween. George Michael's "Last Christmas" and Charles Brown's old Blues songs..
Laurie I know... it's difficult to find the time to read during the holidays but it's a nice way to wind down at the end of a busy shopping day.
My two grandchildren have helped me recapture the fun of the holidays... and I do believe that it is a magical time of the year. I just had to have a touch of magic in Hot Whisper.
Terri since my divorce the holidays have been tough even though my kids are all adults. I was the one cooking the huge Christmas meal at my house but my little condo doesn't even have a dining room. But I have learned to enjoy what I have and not dwell on the past.
Dianna I know what you mean... less stress is so much better!
Thanks Patricia! Writing Hot Whisper really did help me recapture the magic of the holidays. My Christmas is different that what it used to be but that doesn't mean it can't be magic. It has taken me four years to figure that out. And yes working with Wynonna was such an honor! I am a huge fan.
I can't wait to read Wicked Wonderland! You and Janice together...what a treat!
My biggest stress was always juggling Hanukkah and Christmas...Hanukkah at my house and Christmas at mom's. Now that she's gone, I don't have that dilemma. My biggest challenge now is finding a friend who still gets a real evergreen for the Christmas tree...gotta have that pine scent fix!
I loved Christmas until about 12 years ago. After working in retail for several years it got to be such a stressful time that I stopped putting up a tree or listening to Christmas music. My husband and I both work in retail, and had the same feelings about it. (we have no kids) Then last year, we moved into a new home and decided it was time to try to start getting back into the holiday spirit. We put up a tree that my mom let us borrow. It's about 7 feet tall and has hundreds of lights on it. It was beautiful and it made such a difference. It's the first time in 10 years we were excited about Christmas. I do have to put it up early though, or work makes me lose my will to. lol
Christmas romance novels, and my old Buck Owens Christmas albums always put me in a more holiday frame of mind even before we put up the tree.
@Donna - there are houses in my neighborhood that are completely decorated (I think one family has to live in their driveway for the duration of the holidays). It's fun to look at them. What I like about the malls are the decorations, not so much the "got to buy a gift at the last minute" or the "kids whining for the toys they really want" energy.
BTW, I'm putting "Wicked Wonderland" on my TBB list; on top of everything else, it has my favorite model on the cover. ;)
ironss[at]gmail.com
Thanks for all of the wonderful posts. The holidays are all about traditions and I think that's why we all have trouble when a divorce, illness, fiancial stress or loss of a loved one changes everything... sometimes forever. But as many of the posts said we have to reduce stress and enjoy what we have and not what we no longer have. I am still a work in progress durning the holidays but this year I am going to do my best to make my holidays happy! I hope you all are able to do the same!
I love Christmas time! The snow and the lights and the music--and Black Friday--lol. And if I get stressed there's always HOT CHOCOLATE!! Can't wait to read the new book!
Christmas is one of our favorite
family times. There is always a
lot going on: birthdays, concerts,
holiday parties, choir rehearsals,
Midnight Mass, and Baby Jesus's
Birthday celebration. We have a
birthday cake with a candle and
sing "Happy Birthday" with all of
the grandchildren. We make sure
that we give thanks as a family
for the blessings of the season.
Pat Cochran
I love Christmas! It is my favorite time of the year. I love the decorations, music, seeing the wonder on my kid's faces! This year is going to be different for us though! We are moving to another state (from CA to AL!) the week before/of Christmas. We ahve a trailer that we're pulling behind our vehicle, and besides the living basics, we are putting our Chrismas tree, a box of ornaments and the presents in it! I want my kids to have Christmas amongst all the changes!
Hi LuAnn,
First wow, I would love to just meet Wyonia but to write with her, Awesome!
In this anthology,I like that the herione misses the whistle and the hero ironically carves santa figurines. lol Thats cool.
I love Christmas and hold my memories of my momma close, boy it's hard without her and us going out to fetch the tree ourselves, yes I am from the country. I live in the city now and everything is different but I have always tried to put the magic and keep the magic alive for my kids. My husband says I am a big kid at Christmas. :) I even make the reindeer food that is good for the birds to prove Santa has been. (hehe) We string popcorn I pop and everything. My husband lost his mom right after Christmas so the holidays are always bittersweet for him, but I just keep him busy and try to involve him every chance I get. Why is it men don't gift wrap? lol
This year my son turned 18 and he is graduating so I told him he could pick how we decorate the tree, boy my 13 yr old was like so it's my turn next year right! :D There always seems to be real magic this time of year as Christmas approaches and I find if you smile other people will to. (most of the time) I never understood the bumhumbug way so I just sing along with the songs and of course start shopping early so it is less hectic, I do have to mail stuff back home and I want it to get there.
Best Wishes!
We have a winner. LuAnn is sending Linda C. a copy of Winter Wonderland and Christmas booty. So Linda C. could you please send your contact info to luann @ luannmclane.com. Congratulations!
Post a Comment