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Behind the Book: Home For the Holidays

L. I. November Sky
L. I. November Sky

Welcome to this week’s Moment! There’s a definite nip in the air and festive anticipation here on Long Island as the late fall and winter holidays quickly approach. I haven’t begun my Christmas shopping, but the weather and calendar are reminding me I better make that list!

During these hectic days, I hope you get a chance to pause and enjoy the little yet important things–those family traditions, friendships, and indulgences you treasure.

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One of my favorite holiday indulgences is reading Christmas romances. So when I was given the opportunity to write one for fellow romance readers like you, I jumped at the chance.

Since my most vivid memories of the holiday center around the small village in upstate New York from my childhood, it only felt right to set A LIGHT IN THE WINDOW there. Christmas, like other holidays, includes home and family. I haven’t always had the luxury of returning to the Adirondack region in snowy December, but I do whenever possible and I always miss it when I can’t be there in person.

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My heroine Jade’s hometown of Starling, New York is very much a fictional setting, but contains this writer’s wonderful, happy holiday nostalgia all rolled into one. That’s not to say that life in Starling is perfect for Jade’s family or the rest of its residents. The characters in A LIGHT IN THE WINDOW were created to be like people we’d meet on the street, know at work,  and have in our families–all with their own adorable idiosyncrasies. But, in spite of their human imperfections, they care and look out for each other year-round.

And especially at Christmas.

If you’ve read A LIGHT IN THE WINDOW, I truly hope you enjoyed it and that it left you “with a smile on (your) face and a warmth in (your) heart,” as an Amazon reviewer said it did for her.

If you haven’t read this Christmas novella yet, or if you have and you’d like to share the gift of reading with a friend, here’s your chance to win it!  All you need to do is sign up for my newsletter (I’ll never spam you or give your email to anyone, ever.) and share that you did that in the comment section below. All commenters’ names will be entered into a random drawing. One lucky entrant will win an e-book of A LIGHT IN THE WINDOW, a Christmas in New York Series collectible bookmark, a festive Tule Publishing pen (green or red), and a few holiday treats. Winner will be announced Tuesday, November 25th. International readers welcome. 🙂

 

Giveaway LW 2

And the winner of last week’s giveaway is…

MARY LAWSON. Congratulations, you’re the winner of last week’s Release Celebration Giveaway–a $10 Amazon gift card and holiday ornament!! Mary, please contact me privately at jolysebarnett@gmail.com with your email and home addresses within two weeks of this announcement. (List Randomizer at Random.com was used to select the winner. Thanks to all the readers who entered.)

Now, remember… for a chance at winning this week’s giveaway, sign up for my newsletter (scroll to the bottom and there it is!) and let me know in the comments section. For extra fun (optional), share your favorite place to celebrate the holiday and give a reason why.

18 comments on “Behind the Book: Home For the Holidays

  1. I like to spend Christmas with my side of the family at my mom’s house. I love my in-laws, but frankly it;s not as fun there…my kids will say the same!!

    1. Thanks for sharing, Cheryl. I always feel a bit torn. When we’re at my in-laws I miss my family and when I’m with my family I miss my in-laws. Wished they lived closer to each other.

      I hope you have a wonderful holiday, wherever you end up spending it. 🙂

  2. Beautiful photographs, Jolyse! Don’t enter me for the e-book…I have it, read it and LOVED IT! Did I tell you I’m a pen hoarder? Congratulations on your success.

  3. Thanks, Jill. I love pens too. The Tule holiday ones are gorgeous. So happy you enjoyed the book and thanks for stopping by. Have a terrific weekend. 🙂

  4. I’m signed up for your newsletter. My favorite place to celebrate the holidays is at my parents’ house. My mom goes all out with the decorating and the food. I get the chance to feel a little like a kid again.

  5. What a wonderful feeling that must be, Kimberly! I hope you’ll be able to celebrate with your parents again this holiday. 🙂

  6. As a child I loved going to my grandmother’s. We’d watch Christmas Carol and my big brother for several years hid under a chair and would peek out. Now, I love have all 9 of our grandchildren at our house. That will happen this year as after my husband and I go to Williamsburg to celebrat our 45th anniversary, we will go by and pick up a granddaughter and grandson to bring back from VA.

    1. Aww, what sweet memories, Mary. Nine grandchildren! Good for you. Congratulations on your 45 wonderful years of wedded bliss and have a wonderful holiday with your little ones. So exciting!

    1. I agree, Kelli! I can lose myself in them year-round. Guess it makes sense I love writing them, too. Thanks for signing up and good luck in the giveaway. 🙂

  7. Signed up for the newsletter. Can’t wait for more
    of your books. Will it be available in paperback?
    Enjoy the holidays with your family. I can’t wait to spend Christmas with my children and grandchildren. Christmas is meant to be special, a good romance story to read is the best way to relax during a busy time.

    1. Thanks, Sandra! A Light in the Window is available in paperback as part of an anthology with the other three novellas in the Christmas in New York series. I’m eager to visit my dad and siblings over the holidays; just hoping the weather cooperates. Enjoy your family…wow, grandchildren. Good for you!

      Happy reading. 🙂

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