This year, Christmas and New Year’s did me the favor of falling on the absolute perfect days of the week. With Christmas Eve falling on Wednesday, and New Year’s Day falling on a Thursday, I was afforded the luxury of two solid guilt-free weeks off of work.

Let me tell you folks…this is the life. Having your days to yourself to do with as you wish is the most priceless gift one can be given. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t hate my day job. In fact, I’m better when I’m working when it comes to making and keeping appointments, exercising, eating better, and all kinds of good things that structure can do for us.

But these past two weeks have been revitalizing. I slept in, ate like a horse, breaking all of my “rules,” munching late at night, drinking spiked chocolate milk with whipped cream on top or my new favorite drink — milk with amaretto in it (try it, trust me). I watched television and got caught up on all my guilty pleasures (hello Revenge). And I laid up on my behind.

And I wrote. I wrote a lot, actually.

Monday, my regular routine kicks in. And I’m okay with that. I have some cool writerly things to luck forward to in February and am really looking forward to finishing my WIP and querying it. And when I start to feel the push of the rat race, I’ll just start counting down the days till next December.

Happy January, y’all!

 

Song of the week: “Happy Idiot” by TV on the Radio — Love this song. The whole damn album is fantastic.

I love to recap my year in books here, and I hope you will enjoy this year’s list of my favorite ones. Keep in mind, these are not all books that released in 2014. These are all books that I read or listened to in 2014 — my ten favorites, at least. I hope you find some good suggestions!

The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer

About halfway through this book, I understood that I would one day read or listen to every book this author had available, and I am well on my way to doing just that. I also finished The Ten Year Nap and The Uncoupling this month, and have asked for two other books of hers for Christmas. I adore this writer’s work. I want to be her when I grow up, although our styles are quite dissimilar. These books carefully weave through characters’ lives, typically within groups of friends. If you enjoy deep and honest character study, pick up any one of Meg Wolitzer’s books.

Mariana by Susanna Kearsley

I listened to this one, and I’m not sure what was better, the time travel story, or the narrator’s haunting performance. Kind of creepy and mysterious in the best kind of way.

 

 

Still Life with Husband by Lauren Fox

I stumbled upon another of Ms. Fox’s books, Friends Like Us, and listened to it on my vacation this summer. I was so drawn to her witty observations and dry humor that I downloaded Still Life with Husband to my Kindle for a birthday present to myself this past summer. I spent my weekends by the pool reading this book and rooting for this main character who was so terribly flawed, but somehow relatable. How did Ms. Fox pull that off?

The Power of Now: A Spiritual Guide to Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle

Nonfiction? Me? Actually, yes. A friend who I admire and respect recommended this book to me, and it changed my life. I recommended it to my husband and it did the same for him. It’s all about ridding your mind of the ridiculous chatter and focusing on the moment. I know it sounds cliché, but it’s a wonderful concept. When I’m in the thick of this book or fresh off of it, I’m a more attentive mother, wife and friend. This is a book I will listen to and read over and over for the rest of my life.

Where’d You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple

Hilarious. I laughed out loud through much of it. But also intelligent and poignant — and takes place partially in Antarctica. Who can resist that?

 

 

Tempting Fate by Jane Green

Oh, how I love Jane Green. I’ve been reading and listening to her since the 90’s, and she never has ever disappointed me. This book about a married early-forties woman who is tempted by a younger man delves deep into marriage and the changes mid-life brings to us. You’ll find yourself looking around every corner for a viable solution and coming up empty. But I will say that Ms. Green found a perfect way to leave the reader satisfied.

 

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Yeah, yeah, I know I devoted an entire post to my love for this book a few weeks ago, but I can’t leave it off this list. Take the awesomeness of 80’s alternative music and wrap it around the magic of first love between two strange and awkward teens, and you have the beauty that is Eleanor and Park.

 

 

 

Seth Baumgartner’s Love Manifesto by Eric Luper

If you like John Green, you will love Eric Luper. Need I say more?

 

 

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

I usually don’t like to jump on a book bandwagon, but this one is well worth the leap. What a fantastic and important story for this author to have given us about a perfectly normal boy with a disfigured face. I love all the different perspectives, especially the one out of left field from the perspective of Auggie’s sister’s best friend. This book would make fantastic required reading in schools.

 

Outlander by Diana Galbadon

Yes, I totally got sucked in. I swore I wouldn’t, but after all the hoopla and swooning all around me, I had to see what it was all about. I started with the television show, and found myself downloading the audiobook just to get my fix before the next week’s show. I am absolutely amazed and awed by this author’s ability to detail so vividly 18th century Scotland. I swear, it’s like she was there. And the vast amount of research she must have done on everything from medicine to terrain to sword fighting is unfathomable. I like the television show, but I love the book. Be forewarned, it’s insanely long and there are seven others just as lengthy in the series waiting for you after you finish this one.

 

 

 

SONG OF THE WEEK: The Twelve Days of Christmas by Gary Hoey — If you’re a rock fan and don’t have Gary Hoey’s HO! HO! HOEY! you must get it. By far my family’s favorite Christmas album!

I love watching Christmas movies and reading Christmas books this time of the year. I invited some authors of Christmas stories to visit with us today. I’ve asked them each a Christmasy question. Check out their answers below.

 

FLIRTING ON ICE by Susan Scott Shelley & Veronica Forand

Professional hockey player Zac Elliott is in top form. He’s having the best season of his career, the local fans can’t get enough of him, and he’s in the middle of the most successful contract negotiations of his career. When the sexy little spark between Zac and the team owner’s daughter blazes to life, no matter how forbidden, he can’t resist.

Philanthropist Heather Ryan can’t keep her hands off of Zac. If her father finds out, it could end Zac’s career and ruin her reputation. What they share is deeply passionate and intensely private…until the press exposes their illicit relationship.

Now the fans have viciously turned against Heather, Zac’s game is faltering, and even his team has deserted him. The only way out of the penalty box is for Zac to play hockey like life—and love—depends on it…

Susan – What would the perfect Atlantic City Christmas Eve look like?

I grew up in Philadelphia, PA. Atlantic City, NJ is less than a two-hour drive from where I lived. Christmas in Philly is a ton of fun, and Atlantic City offers many similar attractions, from casinos offering holiday-themed shows that rival NYC’s Radio City Christmas Spectacular, to a Dickens Village, a Winter Wonderland, and a fabulous light show, which combines interactive lights with holiday music, and a huge 35-foot holiday tree in the center of it all.

The perfect Christmas Eve for me would be taking all of that in, and then, ending the day with a walk on the beach. The winter is a perfect time for this because you will often have the entire stretch of sand to yourself. It’s peaceful and soothing, and the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. While snow flurries on Christmas Eve would be magical, I’d hope for clear skies instead, so that when I’m standing on the beach, I can look up and see thousands of stars.

Veronica – How are your ice skating skilz?

Growing up in New England, I was able to skate outside on a pond every winter. I’d use my brother’s hand me down hockey skates. My skills included playing tag, jumping downed trees, and a decent hockey stop. I was not a figure skater.

My daughters, however, love to figure skate. When they were younger, we’d spend hours at the rink and instead of sitting around in the snack bar, I took a few figure skating lessons. I’m now able to do a decent waltz jump and some fancy footwork. On occasion, you may see me trying to spin around a few times on two feet. Generally, one or two spins causes severe dizziness so I wait until the end and then sit on the bench trying to find my balance again.

Flirting on Ice is available on Amazon.

 

CHRISTMAS GIVE by Meda White

Eva Walker returns home to Georgia for the first Christmas since her husband’s death. She’s missed her family, but is afraid the void left by her husband will make it unbearable.

Between losing his job as an NFL defensive back and losing his wife to the star quarterback, Adam “Mack” Riggs has had a rough year. Looking for a change of pace, he visits an old college friend for Christmas.

The attraction between Eva and Adam is instant, and so is the laughter. Enjoying life again feels so good for both of them. Simple Christmas wishes unite with a shared holiday tradition, putting them on a path toward healing and acceptance. A path that could lead to a future, if only their pasts would remain where they belong.

Meda – What is a holiday tradition that you revisit every year?

My family has two traditions we revisit each year, both involve shooting. The first is the family photo shoot. It’s particularly entertaining because it takes a while to get everyone positioned so no one’s head is too large or too small. It’s all about proportion. The second tradition is shooting firearms. In the rural South, it’s not uncommon for folks to have trap machines which throw sporting clays, and shooting berms for still targets. My dad taught my sisters and me to hunt and shoot when we were young, but it’s a skill requiring practice to maintain accuracy. It’s a blast. (Pun intended) After all the shooting, we eat.

Christmas Give is available on Amazon.

 

FAIRIES & WISHES by Karen Erickson (aka Monica Murphy) (part of the Love, Laughter and Merrily Ever Afters bundle)

Lily the holiday fairy is given a new assignment this Christmas season–teach a lonely doctor how to love again. But all Lily knows how to do is gently coerce people into embracing the Christmas spirit; she doesn’t have a clue what love really is. So imagine her surprise when she falls madly in love–and lust–with the good doctor in the process.

Karen – What magical qualities does Christmas hold for you?

Christmas is a magical time when seen through the eyes of a child, at least for me. I love putting together Christmas for my children, though now….unfortunately…the magic of Santa is over (they’re 11 and 10). But still, encouraging them to help decorate the tree and house, make cookies with me, listen to Christmas songs, watching them open their presents on Christmas morning, it’s all magical. It’s all about traditions too and I hope I’m teaching and encouraging them to continue on with their future families.

The Love, Laughter, and Merrily Ever Afters bundle is available on Amazon. (This one is ten stories for $.99!)

 

HER CHRISTMAS COWBOY by Adele Downs

Daisy Phillips has a choice to make: return to Pennsylvania and the Christmases she once knew, or stay in Texas and find a new way to celebrate the holiday–with the handsome cowboy who brought joy back to her life.

The heartwarming sequel to the Amazon-bestselling Lunchbox Romance, Kissing Her Cowboy!

Adele – Where is your favorite place to spend Christmas?

My favorite place to spend Christmas is…home. My husband and I plan Christmas dinner and cook it together for our family and friends. We serve organically grown and raised foods to our guests on a table set with winter-themed china and a centerpiece made of fresh pine. A fire burns in the fireplace and our tree glows with lights. I love Christmas and can think of no better place to celebrate than inside the comfort of our family home.

Her Christmas Cowboy is available on Amazon.

 

MISTLETOE WEDDING by Melissa McClone

Event planner at the Bar V5 Dude Ranch, Meg Redstone is dreaming of a white Christmas with twinkling lights, sparkly decorations and strategically placed mistletoe. She loves making dreams come true for others, whether planning a holiday wedding or giving her young daughter the best Christmas ever.

Ranch foreman Tyler Murphy loves the holidays, but his newest employee has taken over his barn with her over-the-top decorations. He admires Meg’s desire to give her daughter the perfect Christmas while planning a winter wonderland wedding, but he wants to show her that a Montana Christmas is more than glitter and lights.

After raising his younger sister, an instant family is not on Ty’s Christmas wish list. But he finds himself falling hard for the single mom and her little girl. Meg, however, is not interested in a romance with a cowboy like Ty, or any man. Getting her under the mistletoe is going to take a Christmas miracle . . . or a little help from Santa.

Melissa – What are some of your favorite Christmas decorations, and what color lights do you love the most?

My favorite Christmas decorations are the kid-made tree ornaments, nativity themed decorations (from ornaments to the set that we put under the tree branches) and my snow globe collection. We empty our shelves after Thanksgiving so we can display them! As for lights, I’m a fan of multi-color lights, but our tree has white lights. They reminded us of stars, but I’ve added strands of red holly berry lights so that there’s now some color. Outside we have some white icicle lights and multicolored strands and netting!

Mistletoe Wedding is available on Amazon.

 

These stories all look fantastic, and I’m going to try to carve out time to read each of them this season! Thanks to all of you fabulous authors for visiting with us today and for sharing a little piece of your Christmas magic with us!

 

SONG OF THE WEEK: “eez-eh” by Kasabian — New music from one of my favorite bands. Score!

PROGRESS FOR THE WEEK: NaNo project that I’m totally over — 2,000 words. Shiny new women’s fiction project I’ve been wanting to write for like five years now — 4,000 words today alone. (shh!)

It’s been a while since I wrote one of those inspirational blog posts where I encourage you to write if it’s your passion. I’ll be honest, there are many days where I want to get on this blog and scream at you, “Don’t do it! Zoning out to the television is for sure the way to go. Only complete masochists submit themselves to this crap.”

But for so many of us, there is no option. We have to write. There’s this nagging creature that resides deep inside our brain that dumps this huge amount of guilt on us if we even entertain the thought of quitting for a brief moment — even after we’ve been sitting in front of a blank screen for three days.

This industry is brutal. It sucks you in like a tornado and spins you right round, baby, like a freaking cyclone. One day you’ll feel like the road to publication is completely hopeless, and why aren’t I sitting in front of the television right now getting caught up on 87 episodes of last summer’s Big Brother?

But then, from within your miserable one-room cell, the scrape of the metal door above you has you looking up, and you get thrown a tiny little scrap of a bone. Hope.

So, it is with a bold sense of beaming pride that I announce that my first YA contemporary romance story has finaled in the Contemporary Romance Writers Stiletto contest.

What does this mean? Probably nothing. But my twenty pored over pages will go before two editors from two very impressive publishing houses. If they like what they read, they will request more or contact me. That’s it. Oh, and they will decide who “wins” of the three finalists. But really, haven’t all three of us already won?

 

SONG OF THE WEEK: “Heavy Metal” by White Rabbits – But don’t be fooled. This song is anything but. I’ve probably listened to the album this song comes from, Milk Famous, about six hundred times.

Last year this article popped up in one of my social media feeds. I read it, and it struck a chord enough for me to investigate further. I found my way to the Scary Mommy Thanksgiving Project.

Scary Mommy is a website where you can find all sorts of interesting info about parenting, and each year (since 2011) they work to raise funds for families who need monetary help with Thanksgiving dinner.

I’ll be honest, probably the most attractive thing about this particular fundraiser is it comes before the bank is completely broken with Christmas shopping and events, when it’s a little easier to part with $50. But you don’t have to do $50. You can donate any smaller amount and be grouped with other donors to make up the $50 dinner.

Also, if you need help, or know someone who needs help with their own Thanksgiving dinner, you can click here for information on how to apply for that help.

I’ve just skimmed the surface here, but basically, I think this is a really cool thing that is worth donating a week’s blog post to. 🙂  But don’t take my word for it!

Click here to learn more.

Happy Thanksgiving, y’all!