I love Christmas. For me my excitement for Christmas starts as soon as Autumn happens. The minute you get that smoky bonfire scent in the air, the leaves turn to gold and red, and the evenings draw in, I am in seventh heaven!
There is that whole low level of excitement that buzzes through me, and I try to capture that in my Christmas stories. Probably the best capturing on how I feel is in The Christmas Throwaway and in New York Christmas. Both heavily feature snow.
We don’t really get that much snow in the UK đ If your image of the UK is like The Holiday with the cottage in the snow then you’d be disappointed. The last time we had really good snow down near London was 2010 (and yes, you can’t be a Brit unless you can remember these weather type things!). Scotland and northern England will get better snow, as does North Wales. Down south we may get a couple of days, but it never stays. There is nothing like taking that first step on fresh snow, and the look of the landscape and houses with everything softened by white.
Which is probably why my new Montana book, whilst not a Christmas book, definitely has one hell of a lot of snow.
Then I had to add in another of my favourite things – cheesy, schmaltzy, sentimental Christmas made-for-TV movies. Some are appalling – trying very hard to be perfect by including all the right elements but not quite making it right. But, every so often you find a TV movie that just ticks all the boxes. I noticed that there were several actors that seemed to appear in a lot of Christmas movies, and so, Jordan Darby’s character was born. He ‘is’ the King Of Christmas.
I hope you are having a good season so far, and if you celebrate then, Happy Christmas.
HUGS XXX
For your chance to win a copy of Crooked Tree Ranch (Montana #1) leave a comment with your snow story.
Cover by Meredith Russell |
The Book
An actor in the closet, a sheriff in love, and memories that wonât stay hidden.
Jordan Darby is known as the King of Christmas. The star of eight made-for-TV Christmas movies, the leading man who always gets his girl. Filming at Crooked Tree Ranch in Montana, in the ice and snow, Jordan is fighting to make a go of his new company and dealing with fears of exposure over one huge secret. After all, who the hell would buy into him being a romantic straight lead if rumors about him being gay were proven to be true?
Sheriff Ryan Carter is advising on the new movie being made at Crooked Tree. He hoped this would be one day of work and nothing more. Until, that is, he meets the hero. But while Jordan is sexy, heâs also very much stuck in the closetâeverything that Ryan doesnât need in his life. And then lust becomes part of the equation, and Ryanâs quiet life is thrown into turmoil.
Their story unfolds against the chaos that overtakes the ranch, with Adam regaining memories that terrify him and make him look at Justin differently, and Justin leaving the ranch to make things right. Only through trusting in love and friendship can Justin and Adam learn to look to the future instead of letting the past destroy everything. But will they ever see clearly enough to do that?
Montana Series
Book 1 – Crooked Tree Ranch
Book 2 – The Rancher’s Son
Book 3 – A Cowboy’s Home
Claudia says
On the topic of SNOW,I'm a girl from the Caribbean now living in Massachusetts USA.Growing up I used to watch movies and TV shows from the states and the snow scenes were always beautiful and everyone was always frolicking and DRY. Don't laugh but As a child playing in snow for the first time I did not expect to get wet,I knew it would be cold but for some reason getting wet was a surprise for me.
Merry Christmas all! And thank you for the great reads RJ.
H.B. says
I remember a year where snow fell so much that when it was shoveled it was maybe 7 feet high. As a kid it seemed like it could be fun to try to climb. Needless to say it was too slippery but I had so much fun with my dad, trying to climb it.
humhumbum AT yahoo DOT com
Anonymous says
AHPG
Merry Christmas and congrats on the release of Snow in Montana đ
We don't get a lot of snow either but it seems like we did get more snow when i was a kid then we are getting nowadays. Because i remeber getting a sled on my birthday (january)and i remember the fun me and my friends had with it.
Not entering this giveaway because i already have read and loved A Crooked Tree Ranch:)
ahpg(at)ziggo(dot)nl
Tan says
Just like you in the UK we don't get a lot of snow in the Netherlands either. I think the last time we had snow was the same year is you did in 2010. Not surprising as both countries are fairly close. I still am keeping my fingers crossed for snow this year during Christmas. Christmas is much more special with snow.
booksandmore says
I was snowed in once, while going for a trek in the mountains of my area. I was with some other friends, and the heavy blizzard trapped us in a hunter's lodge with some other fifteen people. No electricity, no heating, at least we had plenty of cans! Anyway it was a really funny experience. We spent two days there, and we made some new friends.
Ginger Connatser says
This looks interesting. My snow story. I slid in the snow and ended up glancing off of a tree with my car.
Ginger Connatser says
My info.
Ginger Connatser says
My info.
Jen CW says
I grew up in Wisconsin when it used to snow pretty heavily. I used to love going with my parents on walks at night when it snowed, they would pull me in a sled behind them and the streetlights would light up and make the fresh snow sparkle. It was so beautiful.
Suzi Webster says
Dont enter me in the draw as I have Crooked Tree, I do love the series and have got Snow in Montana today.
We are north west but being an Island, dont get much snow either! But on a clear day can see the snowy Cumbrian mountains
Sheryl Howard says
Christmas has always been special to my family. Dad played Santa, etc. One year kids were home snow was blizzard like, not fit for anyone. My youngest whined for like two hours to go out and play; of course I said no. Eventually she'd pushed my buttons and I threw her out the door into the snow mountain; harsh yes. Did it make my point definitely!!!! She now asks once; that's it.
Cinders Osborne says
Took kids to sled and they went so fast they about ended in the river. When I was 17 went skiing and hit a tree head on.lol
Ami Savitri says
I wish I have a snow story; I live in a tropical country, in the smack dab of the equator. I guess I just see snow on TV or movies