Anyone who knows me (Tarah Scott) knows I adore Scottish historicals. Scottish romances are my first love””and with good reason; they’re rich with history, swash bucking action, and heroes and heroines who delight us with the challenges of falling in love. Our next guest delivers this””and more””in every story she writes, and she writes more than just Scottish romances! Of course, her book covers are beautiful works of art, which is always an added bonus, as well as a reflection of her work. Please welcome Jennifer Ashley!
When Santa makes his way to my neck of the woods, he might be surprised to see no snow on the ground. And while it’s cool and crisp, he won’t find freezing temps or frost on the windows. He might be tempted to stop his trip, don his shorts and flip-flops, and indulge in a margarita by the pool.
But not to worry: While Santa might get chile peppers in his hot chocolate and Navajo fry bread instead of cookies, we have plenty of Christmas cheer. We string up Christmas lights on the cactus, wrap up gifts, and sing “Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow . . . Up in the mountains so we can go ski come January.”
While I grew up in the West and Southwest, had to be reassured by my parents that Santa could get in and leave presents even if we didn’t have a chimney, and helped my mom put out the paper-bag luminarias on Christmas Eve, I do love the customs of traditional Old World Christmases.
Because I have set several historical series in England and Scotland (Regency and Victorian), I get to occasionally indulge in the traditions of those worlds: Plum pudding, Christmas crackers, and parlor games for the English Christmases; Black Bun, bonfires, and the First Footer for Hogmanay (New Year’s) in Scotland.
When writers are asked by publishers to contribute to a Christmas anthology, often we are writing those stories in January or February for publication the following October / November / December. By then I’m finished with celebrating and working in my garden, watching spring flowers explode into bloom (this happens at end of January and throughout February where I live).
It was nice this year to write a Mackenzie Family Christmas short novel, out December 15, during the Christmas season. I wrote in coffee shops surrounded by Christmas music, and watched people come together, laden with gifts, for informal Christmas parties.
In the evening, when I knocked off writing, I helped my family set up Christmas lights (on the oleanders; I don’t have cactus in my yard), decorate the tree, and go Christmas shopping. So this year, I got to experience Christmas past and present, in the American Southwest and chilly Scotland.
In the short novel, the Mackenzies gather for Christmas and Hogmanay at their family home””the four brothers, their wives, their children, and Daniel the nephew who’s now eighteen. Extensions of the family and friends are there as well””the McBride brothers, Hart’s friend David Fleming; Isabella’s sister Louisa; and Lloyd Fellows.
I had so much fun writing this book! I caught up with the Mackenzies and their children, revealed more about new characters, and revisited the warmth and love of this otherwise dysfunctional family.
Of course the path through the holidays can’t be smooth””these are the Mackenzies!
I had great fun this year experiencing Christmas traditions past and present, with the wild Mackenzies and with my own family.
Leave a comment about your favorite holiday tradition and win a copy of any book from my backlist of your choosing. It’s Christmas! You should have a present for yourself. See a list of all my books here.
I hope you enjoy your own holidays this year, whatever you may celebrate. And when Santa finishes his nachos and leaves the swim-up bar, he’ll be continuing on his way.
Jennifer Ashley
http://www.jennifersromances.com
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