Host: Tarah Scott
Grace Burrowes. What else need one say? Grace writes historical romance with those traditional covers that remind me why I love historical romance. And there’s just enough of the modern touch with oh so very sexy men that it’s nigh to impossible to say no to one of her books. If you’re not salivating yet, you will be.
Say hi to Grace, everyone!
While waiting for Father Christmas to come by, I often think about what I’d like to find under my Christmas tree. Signed copies of books by Joanna Bourne, Meredith Duran, Julie Ann Long, Loretta Chase and Mary Balogh would figure prominently on my list as would really good, calorie free chocolate, and cats who change their own kitty litter.
Those gifts would be nice, and I have been reasonably good, but they aren’t what I truly need to keep the happily ever afters flowing onto the pages. For that, all I need is a little enhancement to my perspective, and maybe a few hours to watch, “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
I love that movie. Sometimes the pacing is a little slow and the acting predictable, but the message is one we can’t hear often enough: Each one of us, in our simple, every day, mundane lives, matters tremendously. We have a bigger impact than we know, and the world would be impoverished without us.
This realization can be humbling, as when we think that the complaining we did about the boss might circle around and eventually cost the woman her job, or the scolding we gave our son might wreck his whole day needlessly. Words can land with the force of a blow, and yet, we often fling them around like popcorn, expecting them to harmlessly bounce off all in our ambit.
The opposite is true too, though: When you smile at the harried postal worker, you may be providing the only ray of sunshine he sees all morning. When you take the time to leave a five-star review on Amazon, you might be boosting an author through a really tight knothole of self-doubt. Your kindness and consideration are among the most powerful gifts anybody has ever left under your tree.
Or under mine. A romance author has a lot chances to encourage other writers, to thank the many, many people who help get a book onto the shelves, and to respond to readers with appreciation and an open mind. Maybe even more than the books she writes, an author’s—anybody’s—ethic of kindness, abundance, and gratitude can be a gift to the people around her or him.
So for this Christmas, I hope you find under your tree a renewed sense of your own value, and of your own ability to make a terrific contribution through small gestures of humanity and respect. Maybe next year we’ll have the calorie-free chocolate (the cats are hopeless, I know), and as for this year…. To three people commenting below about their ideal Christmas gift, I’ll provide a signed copy of “Lady Sophie’s Christmas Wish.”
Happy holidays, and may you find exactly what you need under your tree!
Be sure to leave a post to be eligibile to win one of three signed copies of the third book in Grace's Windham Series Lady Sophie's Christmas Wish.
And check out the other books in the series.
Just a reminder that Grace is giving away a Kindle. A comment on any of the Santa Watch blog posts put you in the contest. Good luck!
0 COMMENTS
Shadow
13 years agoHi! Your books are wonderful! You really know how to pull the reader in and keep em hooked! 😉 Thanks! Happy holidays!
shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com
Fedora
13 years agoHonestly, my ideal gift I wouldn't be able to unwrap–it'd be to have my kids treat each other with consideration and kindness. We're definitely going through a massive bickering stage and it's driving me up the wall! Thank you for the gentle reminder of the impact of our own actions, Grace!
f dot chen at comcast dot net
Grace Burrowes
13 years agoShadow, thanks for stopping by and happy holidays!
Fedora, I'm one of seven, and we bickered endlessly. My parents pretty much let us sort it out, unless somebody asked for parental intervention, and then it was mostly "separate the combatants." My siblings and I are all good friends now, some of my all time favorite people on the planet. I think the families to worry about most are the ones who can't tolerate even a smidgeon of honest friction. That bickering might be the sound of how children learn to get along… we can hope, right?
For Christmas, I'll wish you peace and quiet–one silent night to call your own, and the sound of laughter in the morning. Merry Christmas!
Tarah Scott
13 years ago AUTHORGood morning, Grace!
Michelle
13 years agoCrossing my finger for a kindle fire to load it up with great books like yours!:-)
Amy Atwell
13 years agoWhat a lovely, uplifting post, Grace. And I love your book covers. Our little gift under the tree came early this year–a new kitten. I totally get the appeal of self-changing litter!
Tarah Scott
13 years ago AUTHORGood morning, Amy. So nice to see you!
Fedora
13 years agoGrace, what an encouraging response–thank you for reminding me that sometimes we can interfere too much 😉 I'll be praying my kids turn out as well as you and your siblings!
f dot chen at comcast dot net
Larisa LaBrant
13 years agoBy a chapter into your first book you became one of the "must keep, must *share* with friends' authors. Love the nuances and depth in your characters, St Just is still my favorite. His book especially reminds me of "careful what you say." Would love to have a copy of "Christmas Wish" so I can reread it each holiday season.
So glad the WIndhams are a large family, and you're telling us their stories.
Grace Burrowes
13 years agoGood morning, Tarah, and Merry Christmas.
Michelle, Good luck on the Kindle Fire! And when you get it, stop by http://www.sourcebooks.com/it-all-started-when.html and download a bunch of series starters for $1.99 (Including my personal fave, "The Heir"). If you end up with a an ipad, Nook, etc, don't fret–all of the books are available in all fo the formats.
Amy–You can never have enough Christmas kitties!
Grace Burrowes
13 years agoLarisa, St. Just is the brother I would marry. HE's a keeper (meaning no disrespect to his charming brothers). Thanks for your kind words regarding all of the books, and good luck on giveaway.
Lexie C.
13 years agoOh Oh I'm in the middle of Sophie's Christmas Wish right now!! I have to agree with you Tarah – the covers are perfect and remind me why I enjoy the genre so much 🙂
Tarah Scott
13 years ago AUTHORA historical romance reader knows, right, Lexie?
Larisa LaBrant aka KitcheWitch
13 years agoNine Christmases ago a kitten marched into my life. Little fuzz ball is the center of my home. Thanks to family he also arrived with a Dirt Devil deluxe and a Litter Maid box. The Litter Maid is the next best thing to a cat who uses the toilet!
Missy
13 years agoMy ideal Christmas wish would be have my Mom, brother and Grandma here for Christmas and everyday. However, they are all now together in heaven celebrating with each other. Christmas has always been a family holiday for us, as is every holiday. There is really nothing else that I wish for, except maybe, for my 4 children to behave for more than an hour at a time.
Grace Burrowes
13 years agoLexie, Say hi to Sophie, Vim and Kit for us. I'll pass along the appreciation of the covers to the art departrment. I am endlessly happy with covers that say, "Historical Romance Fans, look no further!"
Larisa, will look for Litter Maid box for my guys and gals. Don't suppose they come in horse size?
Missy–the holidays do make us miss the good times past and the good people who have passed. I'm amazed you can get four kids to behave for a solid hour. Must be you have angels on your side.
Christy
13 years agoI hope its not too late to post. I have been busy doing a turkey. My ideal gift would be some romance and erotic ebooks, fitness game, mp3 album, new phone, and some stuff from Avon. Its not really about gifts.. I am fortunate to get to enjoy Christmas with my family and everyone is in good health. Merry Christmas! Those books look great 😉 christina_92 at yahoo.com
Pamela Mason
13 years agoHello Grace! And yes… I too love It's A Wonderful Life. Its affirmation of goodness and generosity that kicks in when someone you may know and love – or not love, but are just acquainted with – is one step away from self destruction.
I have known such generosity that saved me – more than once in my life. And just as recently as last December, when I was depressed and floundering, I found a spark from another romance writer who believes in me with just the barest of network acquaintances.
The romance writers I know are all supportive and helpful, positive and warm. I only hope to live up to the standards of those I know. Thanks and Happy Christmas!
Grace Burrowes
13 years agoChristy, we're glad you could stop by, and understand that turkeys wait for no busy lady. Your Christmas list is probably the universal wish of most ladies, though it sounds like–once the turkey is done–you're going to have a wonderful Christmas even without the gifts. Good on you and yours!
Tarah Scott
13 years ago AUTHORIt's a Wonderful Life is my #1 favorite movie of all time. It gets to me every darn time.
Ronda Tutt
13 years agoAll your books so yummy. Merry Christmas!
I love heart inspiring movies during christmas but my favorite to watch are the ones who make me laugh like Chevy Chase's movie – Christmas Vacation. I also love Home Alone 2 – love that kid.
Ronda Tutt
mrsqueentutt@yahoo.com
Grace Burrowes
13 years agoPamela, I think that sense of shared appreciation for each other comes through in what we write. Readers know when your heart is in the book. You also remind us that December is a hard time for a lot of people. The heating bills go up, the expectations around the holidays can be unrealistic, a lot of trades slow down so there's no paycheck, and the weather can drive some of us barmy.
So here's to a the pleasure of a good read on a long winter night, and to good friends at any time of year!
Joanne B
13 years agoI love Grace's covers. My ideal Christmas gift would be books, books, and more books.
Happy Holidays everybody!!
e.balinski(at)att(dot)net
Tarah Scott
13 years ago AUTHORI'm with you, Joanne!!
Elaine Breault
13 years agoLove Grace Burrowes, this line of books is fantastic. If you do not have one of the books in print, get the ebook to read instead.
Colleen C.
13 years agoMerry Christmas! Oh I just love books, so they would make my holiday ideal… but having family together is the best! I agree that your book covers are wonderful!
Grace Burrowes
13 years agoJoanne, books and the time to read them all.
Elaine, I was surprised to find that about 25 percent of my website hits are overseas, and a substantial portion of my ebooks sales are too. Guess you're not the only one who thinks in terms of options, and isn't that a lovely thing for me and for the Windham family?
Lindsey E
13 years agoHave loved this series from the first book. Saw It’s A Wonderful Life in the theater this year and it didmake me think about all the connections between people.
Grace Burrowes
13 years agoLindsey, If Frank Capra et alia never did another virtuous thing in their lives, they deserve gold stars in heaven for that one film. It does make you think–and without being the least bit preachy.
Zee
13 years agoThese book covers are divine and I am a sucker for a pretty book cover. Delicate, feminine. I must read a Grace Burrowes novel. FirePagesEditor@yahoo.com
Tarah Scott
13 years ago AUTHORYou really must, Zee. She’s quite good.
Grace Burrowes
13 years agoThanks, Tarah! And if Zee is lucky, she'll win a "Lady Sophie," whom RT nominated for Best Historical Romance of 2011. Must be they like the covers too!
NatashaBlackthorne
13 years agoDear Grace,
You are so correct in saying there is a lot of power in the little daily kindnesses. I love your books and your beautiful covers. 🙂
June M.
13 years agoI was lucky enough to win a copy of LADY SOPHIA'S CHRISTMAS WISH on another site. I really must get the other books, hopefully before this one comes in the mail.
Happy holidays.
manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com
Grace Burrowes
13 years agoNatasha, thanks much.
And since there seem to be a fair number of Windham family readers here, allow me to remind you: Send me an SASE to Grace Burrowes, 21 Summit Avenue, Hagerstown, MD 21740, and I'll pop a signed bookplate (or more than one) into the mail to you.
NatashaBlackthorne
13 years agoThank you kindly, Grace. 🙂
Deanna
13 years agoIf I were to get my ideal gift this year it would be true happiness in my marriage. We have been struggling and the hubby was given the final notice, if you are to put it that way. Anyhow, don't want to be a bummer but, no gifts needed this year for me….just contentment.
Theresa Newbury
13 years agoIdeal Christmas? Oh let me count the ways….kids that don't argue, house that cleans itself, bills that are magically paid, one of these romance heros stepping out of the pages and into my life.
*ding* oh! what? huh….ahh ok yeah reality! Kids to be healty and happy and less stress when it comes to meeting those 'needs' of life.
Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays
Grace Burrowes
13 years agoDeanna, I am a divorce mediator by day (when I'm not representing foster kids) and I ended up getting a divorce myself–and my husband had been my mediation partner. Made for some interesting talk over at the courthouse, but we got through it. I hope the final notice is the wake up call needed to set things to rights, but if it isn't , hang tough. Half of us go through divorce and go on to have meaningful, even joyful lives. You'll manage, hopefully your hubby will too.
Theresa, it strikes me that we're all a little more realistic this year than in some years past. Good health, the ability to gather with loved ones somewhere safe and warm, maybe Aunt Louella's special chocolate pie for dessert… ther's plenty to be grateful for, but do let me know any romance heroes come calling at your house. I want them to have my address too.
Chris Bails
13 years agoMy ideal Christmas would be that my whole entire family was able to be together, especially my younger cousins in Iraq. I have one in the army and one in the navy. I would love to have everyone there for Christmas. No one is able to be mad at each other and everyone is just supposed to be happy. I also hope that my kids have a great Christmas and even though they did not get everything, Santa only has so much money to give to all the kids.
I have the Heir in my TBR pile and can't wait to read it. I would love to win the Kindle, but the book would be awesome also. Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win.
Grace Burrowes
13 years agoChris, it's always hard to have family far from home at the holidays, especially when that fmaily is in the military. And as for the kids not getting everything… what kid who gets everything learns to appreciate any of it? I'm convinced most kids would rather have what you're alluding to–lots of family (not all of it necessarily biological), all getting along well enough, safe and happy just to be together. I hope The Heir is a lovely distraction from the burdens and frustrations of life, and that you like it well enough to stay with the Windham family as they deal with their burdens and frustrations.
Jane
13 years agoMerry Christmas, Grace. I loved the first two books in this series and can't wait to read Sophie and Val's stories.
janie1215 AT excite DOT com
Grace Burrowes
13 years agoJane, there's also a little vignette for Their Grace's Christmas here: http://bit.ly/uNIlow and you can see a sneak peek of "Lady Maggie's Secret Scandal" on the graceburrowes.com website. Glad you're enjoying the books!
suzy
13 years agoGrace
thanks for reminding me of the"power" the individual…I…may have on the world. My ideal gift would be the constant reminder that the little things I say can make a difference to my kids' lives. Then I have to balance that with knowing I'm not the only influence in their lives…LOL. Ahh, to be content with being a "good enough"mother.
Keep writing those great books.
Grace Burrowes
13 years agoSuzy, I'm a single mom and always have been. I know that haunted, "Am I doing this right? How can I be a better mom?" feeling. For every person who told me I was Mother of the Year, another would tell me I was wrecking my kid, and both would be members of my extended family. We do the best we can, whether parenting or writing a novel, and that's all anybody is entitled to expect from us.
My mom once said any parent who was worried about the quality of their parenting was probably a good enough parent. She's on to something… Have happy holidays, read lots of good book (Julie Ann Long has a new one coming out and does Eloisa), and enjoy the parenting years as much as you can.
Teresa Kleeman
13 years agoGrace,
One thing I want to say is that your covers are always so beautiful. The next your right about smiling at someone. I've always try to be good to people. I'm one that believes Agape Love can heal more wounds on anybody. Especially to that stranger that is having a bad day and you stop and say Good Morning or offer a smile and say Hi or Hey how are you.
I know when someone walks by and gives me a smile it brings a little light to my day. My motto is simple live by the Golden rule. do unto others that you want done unto you.
I was once in Walmart at the checkout, where a man had finish putting his things on the belt. Once he was done I started putting my things on the belt behind his. He went off cussing at me calling me filthy names. I started to get angry and told him not to talk to me that way. It made him more Irate. I looked him straight in the eye and smiled and said; God loves you and so do I. And I'm sorry to have upset you.
It silenced him when I said that; the thing is; I meant what I said. I did love him. Even though he was a stranger I still love him. He packed his grocery's and kept turning back to look at me like I had three heads. The cashier was watching this exchange and said; how did you do it. I said through the Grace of the Creator. It was the right thing to say.
I might not go to church, but I do believe in being good to others no matter what. That was the way I was brought up. So the next time you see a homeless person, offer to buy them a cup of coffer or a bowl of chili or a sandwich. It will make you feel good.
Merry Christmas and may you have a blessed one.
Teresa K.
tcwgrlup41(at)yahoodotcom
Nikki
13 years agoHi Grace!! I love the cover art!! I started on historical romances and still to this day love reading them!! They give you a warm fuzzy feeling! Thanks for the giveaway and joining in the party!!
viajeradelmar@aol.com
Grace Burrowes
13 years agoTheresa, you said it! Christmas is not a day or a denominiation, it's available inside each of us every day. ( I wrote a little blog about that, in fact, featuring my other all time fave holiday movie, Rudolph: http://blameitonthemuse.com/grace-impersonates-the-bumble-by-grace-burrowes/ )
Nikki, I started reading romance so long ago, that historicals were the only option–medieval, colonial, Regency, take your pick, but it was going to be historical. Something about the long ago will always appeal to me, glad it appeals to you too.