The Stockings Were Hung...

Debra St. John joins us at Tattered Pages today, with a Christmas post that will leave you all warm and fuzzy inside. She's also offering up a free .pdf of her latest Christmas story, A Christmas to Remember, so be sure and leave a comment to be entered into the draw! Take it away Debra!

It’s hard to believe Christmas is less than a week away. I think for the most part I have everything in order. The stockings are hung (on the closet doors since we don’t have a fireplace), the cookies are baked, the shopping is done (well, I might run out for one more thing later today), most of the wrapping is done (presents are under the tree), and school is done for the year.

Now comes the best part of the season. Sitting back from all of the hustle and bustle and just enjoying time with family and friends. Mom and Dad are back in town from their Florida winter abode, and we’ll see them at the end of the week. Over the weekend we attended the annual Christmas party of friends down the street. Christmas cards arrive by the handful everyday in the mail, bringing news of friends and relatives who are right here town, miles away, or halfway across the country.

Saturday morning we woke up to a light snowfall. Not enough to make things difficult, but enough to put some snow on the ground and bring visions of a White Christmas into our heads.

In the week ahead I have plans to catch up with some friends: lunch dates, movies, or just hanging out. Maybe one night the hubby and I will take a drive (or bundle up and make it a walk) around the neighborhood to look at the lights. We’ll also cuddle up and watch It’s a Wonderful Life and Christmas in Connecticut at some point. The lights from the tree will twinkle merrily in the corner of the room, while the shadows of candle flames will flicker on the walls, surrounding us with the glow and scent of Christmas.

It sounds busy, but these are the fun things. And there’s no schedule for them. Things can happen as they will or as we have an interest. For the next week, I don’t have to be anywhere or do anything at any certain time. Ahhhhh.

I plan on spending a lot of time curled up on the couch with a steaming mug of peppermint tea, a cozy blanket, and a good book (or several).

I’ve always loved Christmas stories, and this year I have one of my own out: A Christmas to Remember. For me it brought to the page the joy and wonder of this most magical of seasons. It has a cozy ski lodge, a sleigh ride, snow angels, and of course, kisses under the mistletoe!

Here’s an excerpt:

Sam's gaze drifted up, and his lips quirked.

“Well, this may help my cause.”

Her glance rose to the mistletoe dangling over their heads, darted to his, then briefly down to his lips, before meeting his again.
When his lingered on her mouth, a tiny hitch tightened her stomach.“So, why do people kiss under the mistletoe?” he asked softly, his voice as mesmerizing as his eyes.

“I-I don’t know.” Her words were as breathy as they had been up on the mountain earlier. This time she couldn’t blame the altitude.

Sam tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Something to do with Celtic tradition, isn’t it?”

A shiver slithered down Heather’s spine. “Maybe.”

She’d be hard pressed to come up with her own name right now, let alone the ancient history of some plant.

“It’s a nice tradition, don’t you think?” His thumb brushed her cheek.

Her lips parted.

“Did I ever mention I’m a very traditional guy?”

She shook her head. A wave of dizziness washed over her as he leaned closer. Her surroundings

blurred, until her vision narrowed to only his rugged features drawing nearer to her in excruciatingly

slow degrees.

His mouth finally closed over hers as his hand splayed across her back to draw her to him.

A Christmas to Remember from The Wild Rose Press.

by Debra St. John

www.debrastjohnromance.com

Newly single, Heather Morgan gathers her courage and decides to take a Christmas ski vacation on her own. However, the festive holiday atmosphere reminds her how dispirited and alone she feels. When she meets a mysterious stranger, her lonely vacation takes an unexpected turn.

Sam is at the resort at the urging of his brother, who thinks he needs to get out and have a little fun. Having no desire to get involved with anyone, Sam needs a way to get his brother off his back. The intriguing Heather seems like the perfect solution to his dilemma, so he makes her an offer she can't refuse.

Sam restores the joy of the season to Heather. Their time together is magical, something she'll never forget. Soon her feelings for him deepen beyond their romantic holiday fling. But Sam has a secret, one that could prevent the fantasy from ever becoming real.

Thanks AJ for having me here today. Merry Christmas to all! (Readers who leave a comment will have the chance to win an early Christmas present: a PDF of A Christmas to Remember, so be sure to leave your contact information!)

Thanks for stopping by, Debra! It's been a real treat having you here! Happy Holidays everyone!