Welcome, Anita. What inspired you to
incorporate Jim Crow laws and segregation into your book?
Even
though A Merry Little Christmas is really a love story, I felt it
needed some additional conflict, and some of the racial struggles of the 60s
seemed to be the right choice for this particular plot. I grew up in the 60s,
and I was always interested in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. In
some ways I feel I’ve waited my whole life to write this book. It came easily
to me in that it’s been percolating in my imagination for a long time, but it
was also hard to write because I had to consider more deeply the injustices of
that era. Even though it sounds like a cliché, A Merry Little Christmas
truly was the book of my heart.
The farm scenes seem pretty
realistic. Did you grow up in the country?
I
did. While the small towns in the book are totally fictitious I did grow up on
a wheat, cattle, pig, and chicken farm in western Oklahoma , and it was pretty much identical
to the one in the novel. If the farm scenes seem realistic it’s because I got
to know farm life quite well before I moved off to college at eighteen.
Franny and Charlie come
from very different backgrounds, but are both looking for something very
different from the way they've grown up. Do you think as humans, we all just
have a "grass is always greener on the other side" mentality?
Yes,
that is a human frailty that is easy to succumb to, and I’ve been guilty of it
as well. But God is good about reminding me that he’s placed me on my own
unique life-road, and it may have little to do with anyone else’s journey. Besides,
in many cases when we get a closer look at someone else’s “lush green grass” it
usually turns out to be turf.
Do you think that
sometimes we don't pray for what we want because we are afraid of getting what
we pray for?
Perhaps
that’s true, which would explain why Franny is equally nervous and excited about
the sudden answer to her prayers.
Was there a reason you
added the themes of Christmas and music to the story?
My
editor asked me to add those elements, and it was a blessing, since Christmas
is my favorite time of year, and I love music. Also, female readers in general love
novels that are set during the holidays, and I’m hoping the music adds a cozy
feel to the overall Christmas theme.
What is your favorite
Christmas song?
“The
Holly and the Ivy.” The song has a melancholy feel to it, but it’s also
beautifully sweet. I love the Currier and Ives style pictures my imagination
conjures up when I’m listening to it.
What is your favorite
Christmas tradition?
I
love to have my gal friends over for brunch around Christmastime. I have been
collecting tea dishes for many years, and so when I do a brunch, I go all out. Women
are usually in a service mode most of their lives so when they come to my house
I want them to feel wonderfully pampered. And by the time they leave, I hope their
hearts are a little merrier and they feel we’ve celebrated Christmas well!
Is Franny's character
based on any real life person?
Franny
is like me in some ways, but she has a lot more courage than I have and more
laughter in her heart. So, really, I want to be Franny when I grow up.
Does the song "Have
Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" have a special significance to you?
The
song makes me swoon it’s so romantic and lovely. It makes me think of being
snowed-in with the man I love. Of course, that scene also needs a mountain
cabin with a crackling fire and two mugs of wassail.
You have written
everything from romance to suspense/thrillers to nonfiction. What is your
favorite genre to write?
I love inspirational romance. There’s just nothing else like it for
writing and reading. It naturally makes you want to curl up on an overstuffed
couch and read the day away.Thank you, Anita, for sharing this Christmas book with us, and thank you for offering so many free books to give away.
Readers, if you don't win and want to buy a copy, you can click on the cover on my left sidebar to take you straight to a place to buy the book both in ebook format and in print. Of course, it would make a good Christmas gift.
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
I have not read much by this author but love to read Christmas stories..this sounds like it has great story with somefacts that need to be told woven into a love story which is one I think I want to read.
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing Anita.
Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)
a Ga reader
Thanks for a great interview, Lena and Anita, and for the chance to win. i like the idea of a farm...a working farm, in a Christmas story. i am looking forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteMarianne from northern Alberta
mitziUNDERSCOREwanhamATyahooDOTcom
I love Christmas-themed stories
ReplyDeleteCalifornia
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Please enter me! It sounds like a wonderful story! I'm from NC.
ReplyDeleteI've read A Merry Little Christmas and absolutely loved it! The characters are great, and if you can put it down before the end, you're stronger than me!
ReplyDeleteI love Christmas and stories set during Christmas. I would love to win a copy of A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS. Thank you for the chance.
ReplyDeleteI live in Northeast Indiana.
Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.
countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com
I'd love to read this - I'm excited that all the christmas books are coming out now - it's one of my fave genres
ReplyDeletecheryl in IL
msboatgal at aol.com
I love Christmas stories. Please enter me!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Jo from Southern Arizona
azladijo(at)aol(dot)com
A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS would make a wonderful gift.
ReplyDeleteI love Christmas stories.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to read this story.
karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
from PA
A Merry Little Christmas Sounds so good! I'd love to win a copy of it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the interview with Anita and this great giveaway!
Blessings!
Judy B from Indiana
Yay! It's time for some great Christmas stories!
ReplyDeleteAmy C
VA
love Christmas books thanks for chance to win
ReplyDeletelive in ND
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
ReplyDeleteHello everyone,
I really was excited to see all your comments, and so I posted a bunch of replies. I do apologize. I did something wrong, and my posts vanished with the dawn. I'll try again and see it they stick this time. Thanks for your patience.
Blessings,
Anita Higman
Thanks for the interview ladies! I was born just after the civil rights era and have not really read many books set in that era.
ReplyDeletePatty in SC
Like Anita, I grew up in the '60s during a very difficult time of racial tension. Having been raised in the country by open-minded parents I was taught respect for all human life, and the racial slurs that were evident at that time were very difficult for me to accept. A Merry Little Christmas sounds like a fsbulous Christmas read. I'd love to win a copy. Thank you for a wonderful interview!
ReplyDeleteNancee in Michigan
quiltcat26[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
Looks and sounds interesting, Enter me!!
ReplyDeleteSarah
Blanch,N.C.
I love Anita's earlier books and this book looks wonderful. Please enter me in the drawing.
ReplyDeleteLinda Cacaci
LinCaca3@aol.com
Christmas stories are my favorite. I also grew up on a farm and this sounds like a book I would thoroughly enjoy.
ReplyDeleteBeth from Iowa
I just love Hallmark Christmas mov
ReplyDeleteies and romantic Christmas books!
From Donna, TX
I just love Hallmark Christmas mov
ReplyDeleteies and romantic Christmas books!
From Donna, TX
I just love Hallmark Christmas mov
ReplyDeleteies and romantic Christmas books!
From Donna, TX
I WOULD LOVE TO WIN THIS CHRISTMAS BOOK. ANGELA FROM KY
ReplyDeleteSounds like an awesome Holiday read! Angie in Illinois
ReplyDeleteI love Christmas books.I would love to win this one.Please enter me.Thanks...Jackie Tessnair from N.C.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the opportunity to get this book.
ReplyDeleteLyndie Blevins
Duncanville, Tx
Enter me!!
ReplyDeleteSharon Richmond
Blanch, NC.
This interview definitely put me in the Christmas spirit! I want to come to your Christmas brunch!! ;)
ReplyDeleteTammy from AL
A Merry Little Christmas sounds perfect for getting into the holiday mood. Please sign me up! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteMerry in TX
Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks! Portsmouth, VA
ReplyDeleteI love Christmas stories; sounds wonderful! I'm from MN.
ReplyDeleteLove reading Christmas books. Would love to win a copy of this book.
ReplyDeleteKaren G, Troy, NY
kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com