Movie Monday: Christmas in Connecticut

Movie Monday: Christmas in Connecticut

Interestingly, Christmas in Connecticut was released in August 1945. However, according to IMDb, the move was purely strategic, “capitalizing on the post-war euphoria sweeping the nation following the end of World War II…recognizing the potential for success in the immediate post-war period, rather than waiting for the traditional holiday release.” A smart decision – the movie earned $3 million, more of a fortune in those days than now – a was one of the year’s most successful movies.

The movie features Barbara Stanwyck as Elizabeth Lane, a single, lifestyle writer who can’t boil water yet writes a regular column with recipes and homemaking tips and Dennis Morgan as Jefferson Jones, the returning soldier, a hero in the eyes of everyone. Sydney Greenstreet plays the publisher who sees a publicity opportunity and insists Elizabeth host a dinner for our intrepid soldier who has read all of her recipes while in the hospital.

Stanwyck who was orphaned at four years old and raised partially in foster homes, worked from a very

young age. At sixteen, she was selected as one of Ziegfield’s chorus girls. She moved into acting and the 1927 play Burlesque made her a Broadway star. Two years later she moved to Hollywood where Frank Capra chose her for his romantic drama Ladies of Leisure. She did well and by the late 1930s was a sought-after actress, and by 1944, she was the highest-paid actress in the US.

Dennis Morgan, not often remembered, yet an actor who appeared in dozens of films, got his start as a singer with a troupe in Chicago. He also spent some time as a radio announcer before moving to Hollywood in 1936 where he almost immediately found work with MGM, then Paramount who cast him as a leading man. Warner Brothers signed him as a contract player which was typical for the time and kept him busy.

British-born Sydney Greenstreet went into acting at the age of 61 and is probably best remembered for his roles in The Maltese Falcon, Casablanca, and Passage to Marseille. He’d only been in Hollywood for four years when he appeared in Christmas in Connecticut, a “witty performance” according to one source. Making another eleven films, he would retire in 1949.

The movie is referred to by most sources as a screwball comedy which is probably accurate as reality must be suspended for most of the film’s duration. However silly, Christmas in Connecticut is warm and endearing and a feel-good flick worth watching. The remake in 1992 that doesn’t quite hit the mark, stars Dyan Cannon and Kris Kristofferson as the romantic couple, and Tony Curtis as her publisher with an update that has the “fraudulent homemaker as an actress…making a reality TV show.” I’d give it a miss.
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The American World War II Home Front in 29 Objects:

Unlike Europe the American mainland escaped physical devastation during World War II as it was not subjected to full-scale invasions. However, that didn’t mean the United States wasn’t impacted by the war. The ramifications of large economic, cultural, and societal changes forced Americans to reconsider entrenched beliefs and traditions.

Artifacts collected from across the nation tell the stories of the American people whose lives were shaped by this second “war to end all wars,” World War II.

Pre-order Link: https://books2read.com/u/47pLxR



Photo Credits:
Movie poster: Theatrical Release Poster
Stills: Courtesy Warner Brothers

Throwback Thursday: Boxing Day

Throwback Thursday: Boxing Day

Courtesy Clean PNG

In honor of Boxing Day I'm re-running last year's post. Never heard of Boxing Day, you say? The origins of the holiday and its name are vague, but several websites I looked at indicate that it began in England sometime in the Middle Ages. In the countries (most of which are or were part of the UK) where it’s celebrated, it’s a “bank holiday” when banks, government offices, and the postal service are closed.

Some historians believe the holiday developed because servants were required to work on Christmas Day, but given the following day off and presented with gifts [boxes]. Others think it started because the alms boxes in churches were opened and the contents distributed to the poor. Regardless of how the day started, over the years it has developed into a time of charity, a time when service and tradespeople are typically given tips and bonuses for their work during the past year. The holiday has expanded to include giving to non-profit and needy organizations.

An episode of the TV show M*A*S*H explores Boxing Day. The 4077 staff treat a British regiment

that talks about the tradition of enlisted personnel and officers trading places on Boxing Day. During my research, I found only two references to this custom. The first was in a blog by a man who tells a story about his son’s army regiment participating in the tradition, and the other is an episode of The Nanny during which Mr. Sheffield refers to the custom and suggests that he and Niles switch roles.

The lack of evidence makes me wonder just how “traditional” this tradition is. What do you know about Boxing Day? Do you have traditions of your own?

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A Lesson in Love, part of the limited edition Strength of His Heart charity anthology

He thinks he’s too old. She thinks she’s too young. Can these teachers learn that love defies all boundaries?

Born and raised in London, Isobel Turvine knows nothing about farming, but after most of the students in her school evacuate during Operation Pied Piper, she’s left with little to do. Then her friend Margery talks her into joining the Women’s Land Army, and she finds herself working the land at a manor home in Yorkshire that’s been converted to a boys’ school. A teacher at heart, she is drawn to the lads, but the handsome yet stiff-necked headmaster wants her to stick to farming.

Left with an arm that barely works from the last “war to end all wars,” Gavin Emerson agrees to take on the job of headmaster when his school moves from London to Yorkshire, but he’s saddled with the quirky manor owner, bickering among his teachers, and a gaggle of Land Army girls who have turned the grounds into a farm. When the group’s blue-eyed, raven-haired leader nearly runs him down in a car, he admonishes her to stay in the fields, but they are thrown together at every turn. Can he trust her not to break his heart?

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4iaKzBc

Wartime Wednesday: A WWII Christmas

Wartime Wednesday: Christmas during WWII

For America, World War II didn’t begin until after the attack at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. At that point, Britain had been at war for more than two years. In an effort to maintain some feelings of hope and festivities singing songs continued at home and on the radio as well as the performance of plays. The BBC broadcast a special Christmas program in 1939 during which King Georg VI gave a speech. The event was so popular with listeners, the speech became an annual event that continues to this day by the British monarchy. (Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBtix3-C1hQ)

A year later, Christmas of 1940 occurred during the Blitz, but the British carried on, adjusting to

shortages and restrictions. Substitutions were made for tradition meals, such as “mock goose” which consisted of sliced layers of potatoes, apples, and grated cheese. Toys were often handcrafted and made from recycled materials. What toys could be purchased often had war themes, such as puzzles of war scenes, wooden trucks, tanks, and planes, and the like. Cards were smaller and printed on lightweight paper. By 1941, the Ministry of Supply mandated that “no retailer shall provide any paper for the packing or wrapping of goods excepting food stuffs or articles which the shopkeeper has agreed to deliver.” Instead, newspaper was often used to wrap gifts.

Creativity was also necessary for decorations. Old paper was used to make garland, “frost” was added to holly, ivy, and mistletoe with a solution of Epsom salts. A 1942 article in Britannia and Eve suggested dropping dried peas that had been colored red with melted sealing onto ivy and adding a red ribbon. The same issue gave instructions on creating a “realistic barrage balloon” table display. Hmmm. Not sure about that one.

As the war progressed, many children spent Christmas away from home as evacuees as part of Operation Pied Piper. Families relocated as a result of bombings or to avoid them. Shipment of cards and packaged became an issue as many postal workers were in the armed services. Transportation of troops and war matériel had priority so there was less room for mail. Despite the difficulties, most of the British managed to “keep a stiff upper lip” and “keep calm and carry on.”

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War’s Unexpected Gift

Love and war don’t mix. Or do they?

Eager to do even more for the war effort, nurse Gwen Milford puts in for a transfer from a convalescent hospital outside of London to an evac hospital headed across Europe. Leap-frogging from one location to the next, nothing goes as expected from stolen supplies to overwhelming numbers of casualties. Then, there’s the handsome doctor who seems to be assigned to her every shift. As another Christmas approaches without the war’s end, can she find room in her heart for love?

Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/u/4jG2wl

Movie Monday: The Thin Man

 Movie Monday: The Thin Man

Hardly considered a Christmas movie, The Thin Man takes place at Christmas and culminates on New Year's Eve. I enjoy the original Dashiell Hammett books (as I do many of the "hard-boiled" stories published during the Golden Age of Detective Fiction), but the movies are among my absolute favorites. Granted, I watch any film featuring William Powell and/or Myrna Loy, but they are best together and in this series. 

Nick and Nora Charles are newlyweds in the first of these six movies. He was a successful private detective before marrying wealthy heiress Nora, but can't resist helping out the police when murders fall in his lap. Rather than referring to Nick, The Thin Man initially describes Charles Wynant, the man Nick is hired to find: "a thin man with white hair." Proven popular, the phrase is used as subsequent film titles.

The dialogue is snappy and delivered with perfect timing. The couple's on-screen chemistry caused many fans to think they were married in "real life." According to Loy in a 1988 interview, she thought they were "too much alike for romance" to ever be married. However, they remained good friends throughout their lives which translates onto the screen. 

As much as I like the movies and the fun of watching Nick and Nora solve the crimes, their

relationship is what keeps me coming back. Their friendship and enjoyment of being with each other are obvious. They have a great time, no matter what they're doing, and there is lots of kidding around. The Christmas scene is but one example. Nora is lying on the couch draped in a fur coat and diamonds, and Nick is in his PJs playing with a pop gun. He, of course, shoots out an ornament, then pretends he's asleep and didn't do it. She goes along with the charade.

But when danger arises, their care and concern for each other surfaces, sharp and immediate. Nick doesn't hesitate to throw himself in front of Nora to protect her. In one of the later films, she does the same. Their relief at each other's safety is palpable. A study in sacrifice.

In the book, the relationship between Nick and Nora takes a back seat to solving the crime, but director W.S. Van Dyke allows that element to enhance the film. Powell and Loy would star in thirteen movies together, with her appearing in an uncredited cameo in a fourteenth film, the 1947 comedy The Senator was Indiscreet. 

Have you watched either of these talented actors or any of the "Thin Man" movies?

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War's Unexpected Gift (A Merry Heart anthology)

Love and war don’t mix. Or do they? 

Eager to do even more for the war effort, nurse Gwen Milford puts in for a transfer from a convalescent hospital outside of London to an evac hospital headed across Europe. Leap-frogging from one location to the next, nothing goes as expected from stolen supplies to overwhelming numbers of casualties. Then, there’s the handsome doctor who seems to be assigned to her every shift. As another Christmas approaches without the war’s end, can she find room in her heart for love?

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/47MO5Ms

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Patti Shene!

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Patti Shene!

I'm thrilled to welcome Patti Shene to my blog today. She has generously hosted me several times over the years. Grab a cup of your favorite beverage and learn about this interesting lady and her books.

What was your inspiration for the story?

I never had any interest in writing a Christmas story, but when I was invited into a MAP (multi author project), I decided to accept the challenge.

How do you develop your characters? (e.g. decide on their vocation, names, etc.)?

Those of us in the multi-author Christmas Ridge Romance series project agreed to choose different age groups for our characters. Since I am a widow, I wanted to create older characters and share a message of hope for those who struggle with the Christmas season while grieving a loss.

Cathy works as a church secretary, and although I never held that position, I prepared and printed our church bulletins every week for a few years. As David’s character shaped up in my mind, I could picture him as a retired math teacher who enjoys home repair projects and keeps physically fit.

When I shared the original name I chose for my male character with my sister, she informed me it was the most unromantic name ever! That led me to a google search of common first names from the decade in which my characters were born.

Have you ever considered writing under a pseudonym? Why or why not?

I do write under a pseudonym, more or less. My real name is Pat Gonzales, but I write under the name Patti Shene. The main reason is that my married last name is very common, especially in this part of the country, but my maiden name is not. I published Cathy’s Christmas Confession under the name Patti Shene Gonzales.

How are your characters like you? Different?

Funny you should ask! A friend told me after reading my novella that Cathy reminded her of me. They say your first published work is somewhat autobiographical.

I am a widow, and I also tend to be short on common sense like Cathy at times. I put simple things off

Pixabay/Scott Donald

that should be done, which can get me into trouble. Cathy’s failure to change the battery in her garage door opener leads to problems that might have been avoided. That is so me.

Cathy and I are not alike in that I have not met my David Martin! After seven years of widowhood, I doubt I will, but only God knows the answer to that!

If you were to write a spin-off book about one of your secondary characters, which one would you choose and why?

I would write about Officer Greenwald, the police officer who appears briefly near the beginning of the book. He is surly with no compassion and certainly no sense of humor whatsoever. He is hiding a deep wound and I’d love to match him up with someone who would love him and make him aware of how much God loves him too.

What is your process for writing? (do you outline, have a special place or time of day you write, etc.) What is your favorite part of the process?

I wish I could say I create wonderful outlines that direct me step by step, but I just don’t. I start out with a basic idea and I know how the story is going to end. It’s getting there that requires a lot of trial and error, deleting and rewriting.

My favorite time to write is in the evening, when I feel I have accomplished whatever tasks needed to be done that day. Then I can relax and enjoy writing, but I sometimes get carried away and end up staying up way too late!

My favorite part of the process is putting sentences together to paint a vivid picture for my reader. I like to create dialogue that expresses emotion and brings my characters to life.

What is your advice to fledgling writers?

Study the craft. Attend writers' conferences and learn all you can from other authors. Join a critique group. Don’t let rejection discourage you. If you have a passion in your heart for a certain theme, subject, or message, God has probably put it there for a reason. It may take a while to get published, but His timing is always perfect! Above all, write for God’s glory.

What writers or books have influenced you?

Courtesy:
The Oregon Encyclopedia

I have been a fan of westerns, both on the old TV shows and in books since I was young. My great aunt and uncle had a collection of Zane Grey books, and when I would go visit in the summer, I’d spend hours reading those books. In fact, when my aunt said, “tell me what you want from this house after I’m gone so I can be sure you receive it,” I told her I wanted her Zane Grey books! My folks brought them out here to Colorado over forty years ago when they visited from New York. They have been on my bookshelf ever since. Every few years, I get on a Zane Grey binge and read four or five of his books in a row.

What is your next project?

I enjoyed writing Cathy’s Christmas Confession, but as you may have guessed from my previous answer, my true passion lies with the western genre! I have a completed novel now in the process of editing, with the help of my excellent and supportive critique group. I plan to send it out for professional editing before submitting to a couple of publishing houses that have expressed interest.

First page peek:

Cathy Fischer chiseled at the thick ice encasing the windshield of her gunmetal gray Dodge Ram. Snow blew in her face, slithered down her neck, and crunched under her feet.

Why spend time today on what could be put off until tomorrow? Or the next day. Six decades of this philosophy that had caused her grief more than once was playing havoc again.

Ice wouldn’t have formed under a foot of snow blanketing her truck if a dead garage door battery hadn’t prevented her from putting the vehicle in the garage. That’s where it belonged during an overnight Colorado winter storm. She’d intended to replace the battery days ago.

By the time she cleared the windows, the defroster had left a peephole in the windshield.

Snow covered the roof. Should she stand on the running board and clear it?

Nah.

That frozen icing would stay right where it was on this metal cupcake.

She backed down the driveway and waited as a black SUV crept up the road. The white stuff fell in a heavy curtain, reducing visibility to less than a quarter of a mile. Wind whipped the shards of icy precipitation against her windshield. She kept a safe distance from the vehicle ahead and tested her brake.

Just in case.

Sure enough.

Slick pavement.


About Cathy’s Christmas Confession:

Christmas is not a time of joy for the hurting.

During a snowstorm, widow Cathy Fischer creams a stop sign on her way to work at the Christmas Ridge Community Church. Acquaintance David Martin stops to help. Cathy sees signs of deep grief in David, a recent widower. She reaches out with support to help David through this most difficult first Christmas without his beloved wife.

David Martin struggles with grief over the death of his wife. He blames God for her rapid demise after her cancer diagnosis. Cathy reaches out to him with compassion and support and soon enlists him in her mission to bring joy to others at Christmas. Will their joint quest restore David’s faith? David needs to turn loose of the past and embrace his future. Cathy has a confession to make to the entire community that may give David a different perspective of who she really is. Will her confession set her free?

Does God have plans in mind for the two of them they did not anticipate?

Social media links:

Website: http://www.www.pattishene.com
(sign up for my two blogs, Patti's Porch and The Over 50 Writer and podcast Step Into the Light or just one of the three or any combination as you prefer)
Facebook Step Into the Light: https://www.facebook.com/pattishene
Facebook personal: https://www.facebook.com/gunsmokefan/
Twitter: @pattishene
Linkedin: @Patti Shene
Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/pattishene/
Amazon Author Page
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Patti-Shene-Gonzales/author/B0BLHXMC71
BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/patti-shene-gonzales 

BIO: Patti Shene Gonzales hosts Step Into the Light, a weekly interview-style podcast, where guests share their journey out of darkness or ways they lead others out of darkness. She hosts writers on her two blogs, Patti’s Porch and The Over 50 Writer. Patti enjoyed a thirty-year career as a psychiatric nurse and has always harbored a desire to write. Cathy’s Christmas Confession released in November 2022 and is her first full-length published work. Patti enjoys writing, reading, critiquing, and spending time with family and friends. She lives in Colorado with her devoted feline companion, Duncan.

Wartime Wednesday: WWII Gingerbread People Cookies

Wartime Wednesday: Gingerbread People Cookies

Pixabay/
artistlike

Even though it's still October, Christmas wrap, decorations, and other associated items are in the shops and Christmas-themed books are being released by many authors. Because we go away each year for Christmas, I do very little decorating in our home, BUT I do love to bake. I love sweets and would have found it challenging to go without desserts during World War II when sugar and other ingredients used for making goodies were rationed and/or difficult to obtain. 

One of the desserts I think of when Christmas comes to mind is cookies. Snickerdoodles, chocolate chip, pumpkin cookies, and GINGERBREAD MEN, although I guess nowadays, it's more correct to say Gingerbread People. So without further ado, here is a fun and easy WWII recipe for this yummy treat:

• 350g plain flour. (approx. 12 oz.)
• 140g of butter or margarine (approx. 5 oz.)
• 100g dark brown sugar (approx. 3 oz.)
• 3tbsp golden syrup (or molasses)
• 1tbsp ground flaxseed (mix with 2.5 tablespoons of hot water, it helps hold the mixture together when baking)
• 1 tbsp ground ginger
• 2tsp ground cinnamon
• 1tsp bicarbonate of soda
• pinch of salt

Method

• Mix the flaxseed with 2.5 tablespoons of hot water. Mix well and set aside to thicken.
• Melt butter, sugar and golden syrup in a pan on a low heat stirring slowly until all runny and melted. Set this aside in a mixing bowl to cool down a bit.
• Stir in the flaxseed mixture thoroughly.
• Add in the sieved flour, bicarbonate of soda, pinch of salt and all the spices and mix until a smooth dough is formed.
• Wrap or place in container and chill in fridge for 30 minutes.
• Heat oven to  350 degrees  (180C for non-U.S. bakers)
• Roll the dough out onto a lightly floured surface to about 0.5cm and start stamping out the gingerbread.
• Place on parchment paper on a baking tray.
• Cook for about 15 minutes (slightly more or less according to your oven)
• Remove from oven when cooked. Leave on sheet to cool down for 15 minutes then transfer to a cooling rack. Once fully cold then you can keep in an airtight container for about a week or so.
• Decorate with icing sugar when fully cold. If no icing sugar is available dent the dough before cooking to form eyes, mouth and buttons! Or just decorate with anything you’ve got!

Makes about 12 large gingerbread people.

__________________

A Merry Heart: An Anthology - coming November 7, 2023

Experience the magic of Christmas in this heartwarming anthology featuring ten talented authors, as they weave enchanting tales of clean and Christian romance. Delight in the spirit of the season, where love, faith, and miracles come together to create unforgettable holiday moments. All proceeds from this anthology will be donated to a life pregnancy center to be announced soon!

My novella, War's Unexpected Gift features Nurse Gwen Milford from A Doctor in the House. I thought she deserved her own story.

Pre-order link (only $0.99!): https://amzn.to/3Q166iG

Western Wednesday: Christmas in the Old West

Western Wednesday: Christmas in the Old West 

 

Photo: public domain

Life in the Old West is sometimes romanticized, with images of Ma and Pa rocking on the front porch, kids playing in the yard. Or perhaps seated around the rustic kitchen table partaking of a nice New England pot roast dinner. For some families, that may have been true, but in the early days of settling the West, most folks had a different experience. 

 

Christmas trees were popularized in the mid-1800s when Queen Victoria’s German husband brought the tradition from his homeland. Magazines picked up the story, and soon Americans embraced the practice as well. Living in the prairie where trees were scarce, most homesteaders probably didn’t put up a tree, but stockings and other decorations were popular. For those who did put up a tree, ornaments were bits of ribbon or yarn, berries, popcorn or paper strings, and other homemade decorations. 

 

The holiday meal was a big deal, and women pulled out all the stops to create a feast. Their husbands

Photo: UNM Archives

went hunting for game, while they baked bread and sweets as well as brought out preserved fruits and vegetables. Plum pudding would have been prepared well ahead to allow it time to age before Christmas dinner. 

 

Gifts would have been simple and primarily homemade, either because of the financial situation of the family or the lack of items available. Cornhusk or rag dolls for little girls, carved wooden toys, embroidered hankies, pillows, scarves, hats, mittens, and socks would be worked on during the year. If the family had a successful year, children might also find candy and other store-bought goodies in their stockings. 

 

Photo: WikiImages

Christmas eve traditions differed for each family, but many would gather to sing carols around the fireplace. On Christmas Day, most would head to church for a special service, then return home for the big meal and opening of presents. Afterward, if the weather was fine, they would travel around the community visiting with friends and neighbors. 

 

Wishing you a blessed Christmas and Happy New Year! 

____________________________

 

A Doctor in the House: A Christmas Romance

They’re supposed to be allies, but mutual distrust puts this pair on opposite sides. 

 

Emma O’Sullivan is one of the first female doctors to enlist after President Franklin Roosevelt signs the order allowing women in the Army and Navy medical corps. Within weeks, Emma is assigned to England to set up a convalescent hospital. She leaves behind everything that is familiar and arrives in the unfamiliar country a short time before Christmas. When the handsome widower of the requisitioned property claims she’s incompetent and tries to get her transferred, she must prove to her superiors she’s more than capable. But she’s soon drawn to the good-looking, grieving owner. Will she have to choose between her job and her heart? 

 

Archibald “Archie” Heron is the last survivor of the Heron dynasty, his two older brothers having been lost at Dunkirk and Trondheim and his parents in the Blitz. After his wife is killed in a bombing raid while visiting Brighton, he begins to feel like a modern-day Job. To add insult to injury, the British government requisitions his country estate, Heron Hall, for the U.S. Army to use as a hospital. The last straw is when the hospital administrator turns out to be a fiery, ginger-haired American woman. She’s got to go. Or does she?

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3E9HVXb

Christmas Round-Robin Scavenger Hunt

Christmas Round-Robin Scavenger Hunt 

Merry Christmas! And welcome to the Christmas Round-Robin during which you have the chance to win one of three generous prizes! First prize is a $300 Amazon gift card, second place is a $150 Amazon gift card, and third prize is a $75 gift card. How cool is that?!

In each participating author’s blog post, you’ll find a questions that can be answered by checking out the book blurb or free Amazon preview of his/her book. The hunt stars here:  (Please note that you must answer the questions for EVERY author in the round-robin to be considered to win THIS PRIZE. At the end of my post is the link to the next blog, who will provide a link to the next blog…and so on…to the very end. When you're finished fill out your answers on this form.

My novella, A Doctor in the House, is part of The Hope of Christmas collection that includes stories by two other authors. I’m a history geek, and I write about ordinary people who did extraordinary things in days gone by. 

World War II was a particularly life-changing event for everyone: those who served in the armed forces as well as those who “held down the fort” on the home front.

In a society that dictated how (secretaries, nurses, teachers) and when (as long as they were single) women could work, the opportunity to hold positions only previously available to men was exciting and scary. Facing prejudice, ridicule, and disdain, these ladies worked extra hard to prove their capabilities to the detractors. It was only after working side-by-side with female employees and witnessing their performance, did men grudgingly agree theses gals had what it took to get the job done.

Margaret Craighill

The military was slow to create women’s auxiliary forces, but once the chance arose, more than 350,000 enlisted. However, it wasn’t until April 1943 that President Roosevelt signed the Sparkman-Johnson Act allowing female physicians to serve in the Army and Navy Corps. A month later, Dr. Margaret Craighill became the first woman doctor to serve in the Army inspiring my character Emma O’Sullivan in A Doctor in the House.

Emma is assigned to England to set up a convalescent hospital, and she leaves behind everything that is familiar. When the handsome widower of the requisitioned property claims she’s incompetent and tries to get her transferred, she must prove to her superiors she’s more than capable. But she’s soon drawn to the good-looking, grieving owner. Will she have to choose between her job and her heart?

Let’s continue this scavenger hunt! Go to the book on Amazon at this link and check out the book blurb. What is the name of the requisitioned country home in Britain where Emma is stationed?  When you have the answer, fill out this form and head over to the next blog!

Thank you so much for visiting! The next author on the tour is Valerie Comer, who will share with you about her Christmas book The Cowboy's Christmas Reunion. You can find it at this link. Remember the round-robin ends on December 16^th at 11:59 PM EST.

Talkshow Thursday: A Guest Post by Julie Arduini

Talkshow Thursday: A Guest Post by Julie Arduini

Restoring Christmas by Julie Arduini

Highlighting the Misunderstood World of Special Needs Students

One of the most exciting aspects of this time of year is the release of Christmas romances. Hallmark knows their popularity; they are now showing movies outside of December. I love losing myself in a love story surrounded by snow and sleigh bells. 

Last year I was honored to participate in a Christmas box set. Although it is no longer available, my novella, Restoring Christmas, has been re-released in both print and Kindle format. I had so much fun writing this story using another Upstate NY area and characters who need to surrender their issues and come together to save a beloved tourist attraction in fictional Geneseo Valley.

One element I used in Restoring Christmas was having the hero, Kevin Holt, bring his students with special needs to help at the failing Christmas mansion. These young teens wanted to make a difference, and Holly Christmas had to decide if she would let go of her pride and allow the community to come in for help. What I enjoyed about Holly was she approached the special needs class with love and a little anxiety, and I think that’s normal.

I have volunteered with ministries that involve families with special needs and in Restoring Christmas, I was intentional in not giving specific diagnoses because sometimes an issue isn’t visible, and people are misunderstood. Sometimes touch is very important, and in other cases, even a pat on the shoulder can be scary. Changes to schedules are a big deal sometimes, and so are different noises we might take for granted. For Holly, she wants to be understanding, but the mansion her parents worked on for years as the premiere Christmas stop each year holds a lot of valuable items. Will the students break things? Will there be tantrums that interrupt her deadlines? How will Holly handle it all and how involved will Kevin be in the process?

Answering those questions truly were a delight. There is so much I love about Restoring Christmas, and one was that I was able to bring awareness to the special needs community. I also gave a nod to my hometown, Corning, with the mention of glass ornaments. More than anything, I believe there’s a sweet romance readers can escape with.

Do you have a connection with the special needs community? If so, you are in the presence of the most amazing group God created. 

Connect with Julie:

Facebook: http://facebook.com/JulieArduini

Twitter: http://twitter.com/JulieArduini

G+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+JulieArduini/posts

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/JulieArduini

Instagram: http://instagram.com/JulieArduini

Snapchat:  https://www.snapchat.com/add/JulieArduini

Goodreads: http://goodreads.com/JulieArduini

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Julie-Arduini/e/B00PBKDRSQ/

Monthly Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/dCFG

About Restoring Christmas: 

Filled with grief and regret, Holly Christmas returns to Geneseo Valley and the family business, The Christmas Mansion. Can Kevin Holt restore her love for the season and the memories she left behind?

***

Holly Christmas left Geneseo Valley and her family’s holiday tourist attraction, The Christmas Mansion, as soon as she graduated.  Now both her parents have passed, and Holly returns when her uncle needs her help running the mansion. On Holly’s first day back, a blunt middle-schooler proclaims Holly hates Christmas. His comment forces her to reconcile the past while planning for the mansion’s future.

Kevin Holt is invested in offering hope to students with challenges. His best friend’s son is in Kevin’s class, and Nathan needs guidance. Their community project placement at The Christmas Mansion is an opportunity to make a positive difference. When Nathan blurts out his thoughts to the beautiful co-owner, Kevin wonders if he has what it takes to help restore the mansion to its former glory, mentor Nathan, and convince Holly Christmas she’s exactly where she needs to be.

Purchase Links:

Ebook: https://www.amazon.com/Restoring-Christmas-Novella-Julie-Arduini-ebook/dp/B07ZDHX954

Softcover Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1733687629