The Spirit of the Season

by Shanna Hatfield

When I was a little girl, my family often gathered in the family around the television to watch a few favorite shows together.

In the winter, I always chose the spot closest to our wood stove, soaking up its warmth and growing sleepy-eyed as the noise from the TV hummed in the background.

A few weeks before Christmas, my dad had his 1970s version of a remote control (that would be the youngest child  - yours truly - standing to the side of the TV set manually turning the knob) surfing through the five available stations and we stopped on a holiday movie that was just starting.

It was a Hallmark movie starring a young Beau Bridges, based on a book written by Jack Schaefer.

If you've never seen it before, Stubby Pringle's Christmas is guaranteed to touch your heart.

The story begins with a young cowhand named Stubby Pringle. It's Christmas Eve and he can't wait to get to the annual Christmas dance. He met a girl there the previous year and fell in love, but  forgot to ask her name. So, in true romantic cowboy fashion, he has bought her a few presents is eager to see her again.

On his way to the dance, he happens upon a needy family and ends up helping them

What Stubby learns is the true spirit of the season - of selfless giving with no expectation of receiving anything in return.
 
 Below is a link to a YouTube video of the movie. You can also find the story at Family Christmas Online.
May your holidays be filled with the joy and wonder of an old-fashioned Christmas.

 ~*~ 

 Shanna's latest release is part of the American Mail-Order Bride series!
Dacey: Bride of North Carolina —

A conniving mother, a reluctant groom and a desperate bride make for a lively adventure full of sweet romance.

Braxton Douglas spends his days managing the family’s plantation and blissfully avoiding the state of matrimony. Unbeknownst to him, his mother tires of waiting for him to choose a wife and sends for a mail-order bride. When the woman arrives, ready to wed, Braxton has his work cut out for him if he plans to remain unaffected by the lively, lovely Dacey.

Dacey Butler has nothing to lose when she agrees to travel to North Carolina to marry a stranger. Eager for an opportunity to put her past behind her and enjoy a new beginning, she embraces the adventure of traveling south to marry a man she thinks is a simple farmer. Upon her arrival in Asheville, she immediately decides Braxton Douglas has no idea of her existence, and there is nothing simple about the man.

 ~*~ 

USA Today Bestselling Author Shanna Hatfield is convinced everyone deserves a happy ending and is out to make it happen, one story at a time. Her sweet historical and contemporary romances combine humor and heart-pumping moments with characters that seem incredibly real.

When she isn’t writing or indulging in chocolate (dark and decadent, please), Shanna hangs out with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller.

The author is a member of Western Writers of America, Women Writing the West, Romance Writers of America, Sweet Romance Reads, and Pioneer Hearts.

Find Shanna’s books at:

Amazon | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords | Apple

Shanna loves to hear from readers! Follow her online:

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Make sure you sign up for her newsletter to get the latest on new releases and exclusive giveaways!

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Silver Belles and Stetsons - Cowboys of the Past and the Women Who Loved Them by Kathleen Ball #ASMSG

I'm so Excited to be part of the Christmas Anthology-

Silver Belles and Stetsons 

by Kathleen Ball

I was invited to be in the Christmas boxed set and I'm honored to be among such great writers-

Silver Belles and Stetsons
Ten Western Romance Christmas Novellas by Amazon bestselling and Award-Winning Authors
Available as a boxed set for a limited time 

                       Preorder On Amazon

Bestselling and Award-winning authors bring you ten western romance novellas featuring alpha-cowboys from the past. This boxed set will take you back in time when
men were rugged and handsome and the women who loved them courageous and
daring. 

The Greatest Gift: A Montana Cowboy Christmas by Kathleen Ball. Amazon Bestselling
and Award- Wining Author. Looking for the man who ran out on her, Ginger finds a
cowboy worthy of love but he doesn't want or need love.

Catherine’s Cowboy by Cait Braxton, Amazon Bestselling and Award-Winning Author. During a supernatural dust storm, Fate steps in when rugged army tracker Elam helps Catherine deliver her child.

Stone Mountain Christmas by Caroline Clemmons, Amazon Bestselling and Award-
Winning Author. Can Celia restore the town's Christmas spirit? "A beautifully written
story about love and hope and all the emotions Christmas brings out in people." Karren Lucas

Angel and the Texan from County Cork by Carra Copelin. Amazon Bestselling and Award-Winning Author. Does Angel trust marriage to the man she suspects of killing her husband or the stranger who promises to pay off her debt and set her free if she decides their marriage of convenience won’t work?

The Drifter’s Proposal by Kristin Holt, Amazon Bestselling Author.

The Perfect Gift by Lyn Horner, Award-winning author. Friendship has blossomed into young love, but it seems destined to die on the vine...until an unexpected Christmas gift promises happiness.

Marshal Mistletoe by Susan Horsnell. She married the wrong man. Will fate intervene?

Christmas Redemption by Paty Jager, Amazon Bestselling and Award-Winning Author. Can two battered hearts find solace or will the past continue to haunt their lives? "A story of forgiveness that has a wonderful hero who has worked hard to redeem himself."

A Hard Candy Christmas by Hebby Roman, Amazon Bestselling Author. Two damaged souls. Can their budding love and the healing power of Christmas bring them together?

Christmas Cowboy by Margaret Tanner. Will a miracle Christmas baby unite two tortured souls, or will it forever keep them apart?

Join Me At the Release Party

 

The Spirit of Christmas

The Spirit of Christmas 

by Christina Cole

Christmas is always a special time, both in my own life and in the lives of the characters I create. The holiday season plays a role in my newest western historical romance, due out from Secret Cravings Publishing in January, so it was important for me to do a little research to learn how Christmas was celebrated in the past.

I found that by the mid-1800s, Christmas traditions in America were very similar to those we know today. They included brightly-decorated trees, the exchange of cards and gifts, caroling, lots of festive foods, visits from Santa Claus, stockings hung by the fireplace, and many religious celebrations.

Of course, farther west, in rural areas and sparsely-populated villages, celebrations were sometimes quite humble. Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote of  receiving precious gifts: a tin cup, a shiny new penny, a heart-shaped cake, and a peppermint candy. In the west, many gifts were homemade, and wintry weather often interfered with holiday plans, but despite the hardships of life on the prairie on in rough, unsettled territories, the spirit of Christmas lived on. 

Several years ago, my family and I visited the National Frontier Trails Museum in Independence, Missouri for their annual Christmas celebration. In addition to visiting with and hearing stories from Laura Ingalls Wilder (through the talents of a gifted re-enactor) , we toured the old railroad depot. This brought back a wealth of memories for me. Many of you know I lived with my grandfather while growing up. He was a railroad telegrapher, and touring this depot was like stepping back into my childhood.

Upstairs, where the agent and his family lived, the table was set for a festive Christmas meal.

In the old west, tables probably weren't this ornately set, but I cherish this image. To me, it somehow exemplifies the beauty of the holiday season and the importance of home and family. I had this vision in mind as I wrote about Emily Sue Phillips on Christmas Eve.

As a little gift to readers, I'm now sharing two short Christmas excerpts from the story, He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not.  I hope you enjoy them.

In this excerpt, Emily Sue reflects upon Christmas, childhood, home and family. 

Each year on Christmas Eve, the Phillips family gathered in the parlor at sunset for a festive celebration. Emily loved Christmas. When she’d been a child, the holiday always meant gaily-wrapped presents beneath the tree, Mama’s holiday cakes and pies, sweet cinnamon candies and peppermints, and fresh oranges tucked inside stockings hung on the fireplace mantel. Once upon a time, she’d actually believed in Santa Claus. In fact, she’d believed in the jolly, bewhiskered fellow for a good many years. She wished now she could go back to those childhood days, those simpler times when she could make wishes and, as often as not, they came true. Of course, she knew now that it was Pa, not Father Christmas, St. Nicholas, or any other legendary figure who brought the gifts she cherished.
     Earlier that morning, Kat's husband had cut down a lovely spruce tree and brought it to the house. Emily and Mama had worked together for most of the afternoon, adding ornaments, bows, tinsel, and tapers, but then Mama had been called away. The Sherwood family was about to get a brand new baby for Christmas. Soon after she left, a heavy snow began to fall. Mama would not be able to make it home until the weather cleared.

Alone now, Emily lit the candles one by one, reflecting on how many things had changed over the years. Kat now celebrated Christmas Eve in her own home with her husband and children. Mama did very little holiday cooking and baking these days since she was usually too busy attending to her midwifery or caring for Pa. His days were numbered; he wouldn't be with them forever. Each year when Christmas came around, Emily wondered if this might be their last together. The thought brought a tear to her eye. For all his faults -- and her father had many -- she loved him dearly.

With the candles glowing brightly, she stepped back to gaze upon the magnificent sight. The sweet scent of pine filled the air, mingling with the aroma of hot spiced cider and frothy cocoa. For a moment, her spirits lifted. Christmas possessed a special magic.

In this excerpt, Emily Sue receives a visit from Benjamin, the young man she loves. They've been through some difficult times in their relationship in recent weeks.He has brought a gift wrapped in butcher's paper and tied with a coarse jute string. 

"Why are you here? Why are you doing this?"

"It's Christmas. I'm giving you a gift. That's what Christmas is all about."

"Not really, but I won't quibble over theology. My point," she said, her voice growing cooler with each word, "is that you've made it clear you don't want anything to do with me. Of course, then you do an about-face and tell me how much I mean to you, but in the next breath, you're sending me away again. You've got me so confused, I don't know what to think."

"I'm sorry. I know I've put you through a lot over the last few weeks."

"And this is supposed to make up for it?" She took the gift he held out. Its szie and shape alone, plus its weight in her hand, clearly made known its contents. She turned toward the tall spruce with its glittering tapers and shimmering tinsel and slipped the crudely-wrapped present beneath the fragrant pine branches. Next to the other gifts, Ben's contribution looked woefully out of place.

"You're not going to open it?"

"I can't. It's not Christmas yet," she explained. "My father won't allow us to open even a single gift until Christmas morning."

"Are you sure you can't make an exception?"

"Sorry, Ben. No exceptions."

A crestfallen expression showed on his face. "I hoped to be here when you unwrapped it. I wanted to know if you liked it."

"I'm sure I will," she said in quiet voice. She would cherish anything Ben gave her.

But her reply did not appease him. He huffed out a short breath. "How can you say that? You don't even know what it is."

Emily rolled her eyes. "It's a book, Ben. It's not like it's any great mystery." Lifting the present again, she hefted it up. "I appreciate it, all right?" For the life of her she couldn't understand why she was acting like such a spoiled brat. Too many emotions were vying for control.

“I swear, you’re impossible.” Ben nodded toward the tree as she placed the present beneath it once more. “Fine,” he said. “There’s your gift. Yes, it’s a book. A book of poetry, to be precise. It’s nothing terribly fancy. I got it from old Asa Taylor at the mercantile. I hope you enjoy it.” He turned and walked away. “Merry Christmas,” he added in a gruff voice.

     Although Christmas may not be so merry for Emily Sue Phillips and Benjamin Brooks, I sincerely hope your holiday is filled with warm wishes, true love, and the joy of family and friends. It is a special time of year. Enjoy! 

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not 

Coming in January 2015

Secret Cravings Publishing

For more information, visit Chistina Cole's Love Notes on Facebook.

Holiday Goodies - Old West Style

 by Shanna Hatfield

I love to bake, especially during the holiday season. There is nothing like the smell of gingerbread or some cinnamon-laden concoction creating mouth-watering aroma as it bakes in the oven on a cold wintery day.

It's like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket of sweet comfort.

Because of my interest in baking and recipes, it's always incredibly fun for me when one of my characters also likes to bake or cook.

The challenge comes in making sure the food I mention in the stories is appropriate to the time-period.

One resource that has been so helpful to me is FoodTimeline.org

Want to know when salt was first used (neolithic times), you can find all the details on the site.

Did you know ginger as a spice goes back to 5000 B.C.?

Or that vanilla came onto the scene in 1500 B.C., a New World flavoring used by the Aztecs to add a little oomph to their chocolate?

Egg nog, that creamy staple at so many holiday celebrations, was first introduced in 1760.

Ever received an orange in your stocking Christmas morning? Blood oranges first arrived in the US in 1878.

In addition, you'll find when certain recipes and dishes first debuted. The 1880s were a sweet success for bakers, ushering in such classics as angel food cake, chocolate pie and pumpkin pie.

Brownies and banana cream pie made 1906 a great year! Divinity, one of my dad's favorite holiday treats, debuted in 1907.

Hungry yet?

In my sweet holiday romance, The Christmas Bargain, the heroine, Filly Granger, is an amazing cook. It was her cooking that made it possible for her to marry her husband, Luke, the town's banker. 

He went out to her father's farm to collect on a long overdue loan and, after eating dinner with them, accepted Filly in lieu of the payment. The pastor insists Luke marry the girl before he takes her home, and Luke reluctantly agrees. Although he plans for her to be his housekeeper and cook,  it doesn't take long for him to realize he's gotten the best end of the bargain with a wife who turns out to be sweet, gentle, sassy, and an incredible cook.

***

Luke glanced at her. “I have observed, dear woman, that you put others before yourself, you are a dedicated and caring friend, and that you have a keen mind with a quick wit. You are clever, smart, and not afraid of hard work. Also, you’re very talented with domestic skills and inspiring as a cook. Your chocolate pudding could make grown men weep.”

Filly offered him a perturbed glare. “So, Mr. Granger, I have missed my calling as a schoolteacher or perhaps a cook at the restaurant. If my chocolate pudding makes grown men weep, what will my peach pie do to the male population? Bring them to their knees? Make them beg for mercy?”

***

It was interesting to me to research the types of foods, especially the holiday treats, Filly would have made in the early 1890s. She creates pralines, caramels and sweet breads, along with Boston cream pie (she had to dig through a recipe book for that one), and a variety of cookies, including sugar cookies.

Here's my favorite recipe for Sugar Cookies. Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

Soft Sugar Cookies

1 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup powdered sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

dash of lemon juice

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

2 1/2 cups flour

Frosting

Cream together butter and sugars. Add in eggs, vanilla, and lemon juice. Mix dry ingredients together and gradually add into creamed mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for an hour (or overnight).

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Generously flour a flat surface and your rolling pin. Scoop out half the dough and roll until about 1/4 inch thick. You want to work quickly at this point because the warmer the dough gets, the stickier it becomes and you don’t want to add more flour. Cut into shapes and bake about 6-8 minutes or until cookies are just set. You do not want them to get brown (unless you like crispy cookies, then go ahead). Cool in pan for one minute. Remove to wire rack to cool completely. Frost and decorate then watch them disappear.

You can use a royal icing if you are of a mind to stir up a batch or, if you are a lazy slug like me, whip out a can of Betty Crocker vanilla frosting and frost away. I like to use decorator gels, especially the sparkly variety, along with sprinkles to finish the cookies - if I get to them before Captain Cavedweller starts eating them!

Makes about three dozen, depending on the size of your cookie cutters.

***

Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund®

Now through Dec. 24, I'll donate 10 percent of the net proceeds from all book sales to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund. The JCCF is a non-profit organization that assists rodeo athletes who’ve sustained catastrophic injuries and are unable to work for an extended period.

About Shanna Hatfield

A hopeless romantic with a bit of sarcasm thrown in for good measure, Shanna Hatfield is a bestselling author of sweet romantic fiction written with a healthy dose of humor. In addition to blogging and eating too much chocolate, she is completely smitten with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller.

Shanna creates character-driven romances with realistic heroes and heroines. Her historical westerns have been described as “reminiscent of the era captured by Bonanza and The Virginian” while her contemporary works have been called “laugh-out-loud funny, and a little heart-pumping sexy without being explicit in any way.”

She is a member of Western Writers of America, Women Writing the West, and Romance Writers of America.

Find Shanna’s books at:

Amazon | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords | Apple

Shanna loves to hear from readers! Follow her online:

ShannaHatfield | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads | You Tube | Twitter

 

A Right Jolly Old Elf

Santa Claus by Thomas Nast, 1963

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

Though he called him St Nicholas, Clement C. Moore's most famous and beloved poem essentially invented the modern Santa Claus in 1823. The legend of a saint became the myth of a "jolly old elf" who drove a sleigh pulled by flying reindeer and could magically pop up and down family chimneys whether they were in a tenement in New York or a little house on the prairie.

What Moore described in words, illustrator and political cartoonist Thomas Nast manifested in pen and ink for Harper's Weekly in 1863.

Visiting the Camp by Thomas Nast, 1863

 America was at war. Nast supported the Union. His political cartoons and illustrations reflected his abolitionist beliefs. President Lincoln said of him: "Thomas Nast has been our best recruiting sergeant. His emblematic cartoons have never failed to arouse enthusiasm and patriotism, and have always seemed to come just when these articles were getting scarce."

It makes sense that Lincoln would go to Nast for an illustration of Santa Claus visiting the Union soldiers - a clever piece of Yankee propaganda.

Nast continued to refine his vision of Santa Claus over the years. By 1881, he had image that would be as easily recognized by children today as those who saw his art when it was first published.

Santa Claus by Thomas Nast, 1881

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

Other artists, particularly Norman Rockwell and Haddon Sundblom, would refine Santa's image, but Clement C. Moore and Thomas Nast defined it.