Sunday, October 21, 2012

A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS - Anita Higman - 4 Free Books


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.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

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.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

32 comments:

pol said...

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.
thanks for sharing Anita.
Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)
a Ga reader

Unknown said...

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.

Marianne from northern Alberta

mitziUNDERSCOREwanhamATyahooDOTcom

Linda Kish said...

I love Christmas-themed stories

California

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Katie said...

Please enter me! It sounds like a wonderful story! I'm from NC.

Jan Christiansen said...

I'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!

Cindy W. said...

I love Christmas and stories set during Christmas. I would love to win a copy of A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS. Thank you for the chance.

I live in Northeast Indiana.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

scottsgal said...

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

cheryl in IL
msboatgal at aol.com

Jo said...

I love Christmas stories. Please enter me!

Blessings,
Jo from Southern Arizona
azladijo(at)aol(dot)com

Mary Preston said...

A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS would make a wonderful gift.

I love Christmas stories.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

karenk said...

Merry Christmas.

Thanks for the chance to read this story.

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
from PA

Judy said...

A Merry Little Christmas Sounds so good! I'd love to win a copy of it.

Thanks for the interview with Anita and this great giveaway!

Blessings!
Judy B from Indiana

Amy C said...

Yay! It's time for some great Christmas stories!
Amy C
VA

apple blossom said...

love Christmas books thanks for chance to win

live in ND

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Anita Higman said...


Hello 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

Patty said...

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.

Patty in SC

Nancee said...

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!
Nancee in Michigan
quiltcat26[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

Sarah Rebekah Richmond said...

Looks and sounds interesting, Enter me!!
Sarah
Blanch,N.C.

Linda Cacaci said...

I love Anita's earlier books and this book looks wonderful. Please enter me in the drawing.
Linda Cacaci
LinCaca3@aol.com

rubynreba said...

Christmas stories are my favorite. I also grew up on a farm and this sounds like a book I would thoroughly enjoy.
Beth from Iowa

Melody said...

I just love Hallmark Christmas mov
ies and romantic Christmas books!

From Donna, TX

Melody said...

I just love Hallmark Christmas mov
ies and romantic Christmas books!

From Donna, TX

Melody said...

I just love Hallmark Christmas mov
ies and romantic Christmas books!

From Donna, TX

Anonymous said...

I WOULD LOVE TO WIN THIS CHRISTMAS BOOK. ANGELA FROM KY

Angie Adair said...

Sounds like an awesome Holiday read! Angie in Illinois

Jackie Tessnair said...

I love Christmas books.I would love to win this one.Please enter me.Thanks...Jackie Tessnair from N.C.

Lyndie Blevins said...

Thanks for the opportunity to get this book.
Lyndie Blevins
Duncanville, Tx

sharon richmond said...

Enter me!!
Sharon Richmond
Blanch, NC.

Bluerose said...

This interview definitely put me in the Christmas spirit! I want to come to your Christmas brunch!! ;)

Tammy from AL

Merry said...

A Merry Little Christmas sounds perfect for getting into the holiday mood. Please sign me up! Thanks.
Merry in TX

Diana Gardner said...

Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks! Portsmouth, VA

Shopgirl said...

I love Christmas stories; sounds wonderful! I'm from MN.

Karen G. said...

Love reading Christmas books. Would love to win a copy of this book.

Karen G, Troy, NY
kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com