For me Christmas has always been about giving. As a child,
yes, I liked to see what Santa brought me, but I was more interested in seeing
the reactions to the gifts I gave.
I love thinking about the person I’m giving a gift to and
finding something they will truly like. I’ve been known to pick up a Christmas
gift in January if it is the perfect thing for a family member or friend. Then
it’s hard to hang on to it( I usually give it as a birthday present because I
can’t wait).
I always make at least one thing for the grandkids. One year
it was stuffed lions out of fleece. They were 36” long and the mane required lots
of clipping. I brought my husband into the picture for that. He sat in front of
the TV each night clipping the tubes I made making the curls for the mane . This year I’m making hats and
scarves out of the colors and animals the kids each like. No clipping for the
hubby- maybe. ;)
Along this line of giving, I have a Christmas Novella, Christmas Redemption, that I’m giving
away free. You can find it at any ebook outlet.
Christmas Redemption
took shape in my head when I read a story about a man who twenty-seven years
after robbing a bank became that bank’s vice president. I thought “Wow, that
would make a great premise for a Christmas story.” Only my hero who was a lookout for a robbery,
came back to the town with a trade- bootmaking. Twelve years after being hauled off to prison
and serving a longer sentence than his crime deserved he returned to make
amends to his family and the town. He learns family secrets and why the judge
had it out for him. He also falls in
love with the daughter of the one casualty of the robbery.
Blurb for Christmas
Redemption:
Van Donovan returns to Pleasant Valley, Oregon where twelve
years earlier as a boy of fifteen he left in handcuffs after standing guard for
a bank robbery. He's learned a trade and excelled at it and is ready to prove
to his father and the town he can amount to something.
Upon his return he learns the fate of the daughter of an
innocent man who died in the robbery crossfire. To make amends he takes her out
of the saloon and gives her a job, not realizing she'd been squatting in the
very building he'd purchased for his business.
Can two battered hearts find solace or will the past
continue to haunt their lives?
Enjoy my gift to you and keep the goodwill of the season in
your heart all year long.
Paty
16 comments:
Paty,
Thank you for the gift of Christmas Redemption! This is the best Christmas story I've read in a long, long time. I love second chance stories because everyone deserves a second chance.
Thanks Sarah, I'm glad you enjoyed the story.
I already have this, Paty, but unforunately, with the business of the season, haven't had time to read it yet.
But thanks for reminding me that's it's there on my Nook. When I finish my current read, I'll put your story next in line to be read.
Hope you enjoy the holidays!
Very nice post and story.
Hi Susan, I know what you mean about getting to things this time of year! I've been pushing to finish a manuscript and owe my CP some crits. I haven't had time to do any fun reading. I hope you enjoy the story.
Ella, Thank you. Merry Christmas!
Hi Paty, the cover of Christmas Redemption is beautiful. I've downloaded it and can't wait to read it. Best of luck with sales.
I too love to make the presents I give. Last year I made scarves for my 3 older girls(includes my son's wife). This year I knitted afghan throws for them, taking my oldest daughters yarn to Atlantic City/New York this fall. I finished them all in October.
Nice post Paty. I love the excerpt.
Thanks, Debby! I hope you enjoy the story and please leave a review.
Thanks Chris! Making gifts is fun. My daughter's still have the pillows and bears my mom made them when they were small. I think it might have been the last Christmas she was alive. They cherish those items.
Paty, I also love the reaction when someone opens a gift I've given them. I too shop all year. Sometimes I've forgotten where I hid something and find it about February.
Thank you very much.
Oh Caroline, you and I are cut from the same cloth. I'm always finding things I've tucked away sometimes Years Later (lol). The year I had my office renovated and we had to clear Everything out, I found treasures and treasurers and more treasures.
Paty, I too hope the goodwill of this season remains in people's hearts all year long. It's one of the reasons I leave Christmas lights up on my house all year - whenever I turn them on, I'm reminded to keep the goodwill of the season alive in my life.
I often make gifts for some people in my life, but just as often purchase something that I know a loved one wants. I am blessed that I can do whichever one is best for the receiver who is, in a round-about way, me.
Caroline, I've done that a time or two as well. Put a gift away and found it later.
Katy, You're very welcome!
Judith, I hadn't thought about that for the Christmas lights remaining up all year. Good idea. I have an 18 inch "Christmas tree" on my desk all year long that holds the "western" ornaments my RWA chapter gave me when I was the outgoing president. That not only reminds me of the wonderful people in the chapter but it reminds me to pass along the goodwill and Christmas feelings all year long,
I have a 3 ft. tall sparkly tree on top of the computer box. When the sun shines, it's magical and just the inspiration I need. I also have a Santa elf on the shelf above my computer that I see whenever I look up from the screen. I used to have Christmas ornaments hanging from house plants, light fixtures, etc. but hated dusting them so they eventually were put away.
I must admit that I take delight in saying to my granddaughter when we drive down the street in the dark and first catch sight of our house "Wow, look at that house. I bet wonderful people live there." Wording may vary slightly but the message is clear - people who hold the goodwill of the season in their hearts are special.
Your Western tree is a treasured possession. It isn't something that can be replicated because of how it came to you and the special ornaments that deck it.
Paty, thanks for Christmas Redemption! I've heard only good things about it and it is the next book for me to read on my Nook.
Your western ornaments and tree sound so pretty. What a nice memento from your RWA group. I try to always make my daughters and or the grandkids something each year. The year of the knitted scarfs my daughter-in-law arrived early and helped me wrap two of the scarfs. (She didn't know there was one for her to) and she said "Next year all I want is a knitted scarf!" Imagine her surprise when she got one!
Happy Holidays!
Judith, Your tree sounds inspiring!
Hi Diana! I hope Christmas Redemption stands up to your expectations. Making gifts is so much more fun. I bet your daughter-in-law cherishes the scarf.
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