CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS - Darlene Franklin - One Free Ebook

Welcome back, Darlene. Do you have a favorite genre to write? If so, what is it?

I love writing historical romance, but I’m discovering how much fun it is to write a cozy mystery. I am taking part in NaNo (National Novel Writing Month) for the first time this year. I write the mystery in first person, and I love it.

If you didn’t live in the part of the country where you do, where would you live?

For many years, I would have said Colorado. I lived there for a blissful 19 years. Then God led me back to Oklahoma, near my family. But if God moved me away from here? New Mexico or Arizona, where the hot dry desert would be easier on my bones.

I so understand that. A cold front blew in last night, bringing rain, my bones ache today. What foreign country would you like to visit and why?

I’d like to visit the British Isles someday, starting with Scotland. My great grandparents were members of the MacAlister Clan.

Describe what you think would be the most romantic vacation you could take.

Oh, my. If I had the right man (I’m single), I’d like a quiet retreat where we could simply spend time together and enjoy God’s beautiful creation. Maybe a national park like Rocky Mountain National Park, Arcadia (which is from my home state of Maine), anywhere along the California coast or definitely Hawaii.

Where would you like to set a story that you haven’t done yet?

I would like to write a story that actually takes place in Maine, my home state. Most of my heroines who moved west come from Maine. I’ve written books in Vermont and Rhode Island, but none in Maine.

What is the main theme of this book?

Christmas Traditions has eight novellas. My entry is An Apple for Christmas. The hero is overcoming the grief of losing his wife, and the heroine struggles with her attraction to a man who has lost faith in God.

Tell us about the story.

Ruby Nelson trades her job in the laboratory for teaching in a small girls’ school in Vermont. Twin sisters challenge her position—and their father captivates her imagination. Will the orchard grower graft Ruby onto his heart?

Please give us the first page of the book.

Spruce Hill, Vermont, 1895

Ruby Nelson ran her hands across the oiled surface of her teacher’s desk. Few understood her decision to leave her research position in New York to teach at the Spruce Hill Female Academy in Vermont.

The twelve girls on her class list were the reason she’d accepted a teaching position. A dozen young minds to mold, to be seen as individuals. As she read her students’ names, she pictured each girl’s appearance. A person’s face revealed so much. How well was she taken care of? Were her eyes bright with hope or dull from disappointment? Did she meet Ruby’s eyes, or avert her gaze?

           

Comparing the reality to her guesses made it fun. Two girls had the same last name, Cortland, twins, probably. Pippin and Margil? She shook her head. What unusual names for girls.

           

Next, she examined the applications, including transcripts, essays, and referrals. One girl was a year younger than the others, hungry for something more challenging. An only child. Ruby stared out the window. That had been her, thirteen years ago, too smart to fit in, too small to play most games.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Website

Amazon

Facebook

Twitter

Thank you, Darlene, for sharing this collection with us. I love the Christmas novella collections.

Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.

Christmas Traditions: An 8 author Multi Christmas novella series

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the ebook. 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 Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, 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