Welcome back,
Darlene. Let’s do some fun questions first. What song most closely resembles
your life?
Yesterday at church I heard an old hymn that describes my
life’s journey very well, “Day by Day (and with each passing moment.)” I love
these words from the first verse: “He whose heart is kind beyond all
measure/gives unto each day what He deems best/lovingly its part of pain and
pleasure/mingling toil with peace and rest.”
Do you have a favorite
Bible verse? And why is it a favorite?
Here’s another recent discovery, from the passage in
Lamentations that starts with the exclamation “Great is thy faithfulness!”
Later in the paragraph, Jeremiah says, “When life is heavy
and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don’t
ask questions: Wait for hope to appear. Don’t run from trouble. Take it
full-face. The ‘worst’ is never the worst.” (Lamentations 3:28-30, Message).
I love the phrase “wait for hope to appear.” The word “hope”
(which also happens to be my middle name, lol) has been popping up over and
over again. Don’t fuss, don’t question—just wait for hope to appear. Because it
will.
I love that, Darlene.
One of my favorite verses from The Message is Romans 15:13:
“Oh! May the God of green hope
fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives,
filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!”
What is the one thing
you wish you could go back and change in your life?
Oh, that’s a tough one. If I think about all the things I’ve
done wrong in my life, I’ll end up with a long list of regrets—but they have
made me the person I am today. Lately I’ve wondered “what if” I had switched to
a music theory major as my professors suggested, when I failed to as a
candidate for a Master of Music in piano. Instead, I switched to a Master of
Arts in religious education.
What is the most
important characteristic for a good friend to have?
Listening! When needed and without judgment.
What extracurricular
activities did you participate in when you were in school?
I was in band and choir and also participated in the math
club and the Spanish club. A real nerd.
What is your favorite
movie of all times?
Field of Dreams
and It’s a Wonderful Life never
disappoint.
Tell us about why you
wrote this book.
The origins are unclear. I thought we were writing a sequel
to the highly successful Christmas Traditions series published in 2014. My
publisher suggested a matchmaking theme which replaced the sequel idea. But my
book combines both threads: the twin daughters who appeared in An Apple for Christmas became matchmakers
for each other.
So why? I love writing Christmas stories and this was an opportunity
that will hopefully sell well. A story that felt silly and foolish while
writing it turned funny and charming when I read it.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
MATCHMAKER MIXUP
Maple Notch, Vermont , October 1901
Pippin Cortland
lingered by the wall of the University’s gymnasium, trembling in anticipation.
Why she had ever agreed to her twin’s hair-brained scheme? How could they
possibly get through the evening without their escorts discovering their
duplicity?
For a moment she thought she saw her twin, Margil, with Ned
Hawkins, and her heart stuttered. But her date for the night, Clint Keller,
didn’t notice them, and she relaxed. Her sister had accepted two dates to the
homecoming dance and insisted that Pippin go with Clint, who’d asked first, so
Margil could attend with Ned when he finally got round to asking. “Besides,”
Margil had said, “it’s our senior year. You have to go to homecoming at least
once.”
The band played “Good Evening, Carrie.” Clint turned to
Pippin. “Would you care to dance, Marg?”
Before she could answer, Clint swept her onto the floor.
According to the twins’ plan, Pippin and Clint would dance during one set while
the other enjoyed refreshments or took a walk. They were wearing identical
outfits, something they hadn’t done since childhood.
The dance was nothing like the nightmarish images Pippin had
conjured last night. Long ago dance classes proved valuable as Pippin slipped
into a lively two-step for one the year’s most popular songs. “Was you dreaming
‘bout me, Carrie?” Clint was an excellent dancer. Her fears of having her feet
stepped on in Marg’s uncomfortable heels proved unfounded. Also, dancing
minimized talking.
They stayed for a second song. Clint had the physique of a
football player, a talent for baseball, but the glasses of a scholar. When he
smiled, Pippin wished he were smiling at her, Pippin Margaret Cortland. But of
course he believed her to be Margil Rose Cortland.
“Marg.”
That single word threw cold water on her spirits.
“I’m glad you agreed to come with me. I was afraid you would
politely decline, as your sister has many a time.” He pushed his glasses back
up his nose, something Pippin’s mother often did. Even with the glasses his
brown eyes sparkled at her.
Pippin blushed. She had indeed turned him down on numerous
occasions, not believing a man with his handsome features and fondness for
sports could be seriously interested in a wallflower such as herself. Her mouth
stayed closed as she searched for an explanation. How ironic, that Clint
finally had the woman he had pursued for years but didn’t know it.
They danced for a moment before she said, “I’m curious as to
how my sister is perceived. I want her to find happiness in this world, and not
only in her fantasies.” She smiled and twirled the curls around her face, the
way Margil did.
“How rude of me to mention her.”
I’m liking this
already. How can readers find you on the Internet?
Twitter: @darlenefranklin
Thank you, Darlene, for sharing this new collection with us. I'm eager to read it, and I know my readers will be, too.
Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Merry Matchmakers: 10 Christmas Novellas (A Merry Matchmaker Novella)
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (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.
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30 comments:
Ohhhhh, how I love the novela collections, and now a Christmas one! Thank you so much for the chance to win a copy.
Wendy in FL
wfnren at aol dot com
I always enjoy Christmas-themed stories. Thank you for sharing Darlene's interview and first page.
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)om
Wendy, Connie, I love doing Christmas novellas. Now I have to write a Christmas story every year.
I like Christmas-themed stories. Have a wonderful week.PA.I enjoy reading your books. Thank you for the opportunity to win.
Love, love, love Christmas and holiday feel good stories - can't believe Christmas is in 3 months
Cheryl in IL
would love to win angela in ky
I love Christmas books and I love Darlene's books. A winning situation here! Thank you Darlene and Lena.
Melanie Backus, TX
I love reading Christmas stories. Fun.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
I love reading stories set during Christmas year round. I would love to win. Thank you for the chance,
Blessings,
Cindy W. from Indiana
I agree with Darlene on favorite hymns (though I have many, many favorites) that Day By Day is one of the top Most-Favorites of mine. Not only do the words reach out and touch my soul, but the music swells and rolls giving vent to my heart's deepest feelings and longings.
I'd love to have this sweet Christmas read. Please enter me (but only if an "in print" copy and not an ebook).
Vera G.
in North Carolina
Wow!! Just from the sneak peak, i am hooked!! I would love to win this. I love everything Christmas!! Thank you for sharing the interview, gives us insight to the author, and the sneak peak. Have a blessed day from Westlakr , Louisiana!!!
Emma from Pa, I love Christmas stories too.
Scottsgal, I know, only three months. . . writers have to plan for it far in advance. I already know the theme for next year's collection (masquerade!)
Angela, Good luck on your entry.
Melanie, win-win indeed. Thanks for your interest.
Mary, I would love to read Christmas stories set in Australia.
Cindy, then you have plenty to read! We write so many Christmas stories because they're so much fun to write and read.
Vera, love your appreciation of the hymns! We could have a good chat. Unfortunately, this is an ebook only.
Debra, I had fun telling Pippin and Margil's story (although even I had trouble keeping them straight from time to time, lol)
thanks for the chance to win this Christmas series. Love Darlene's books.
live in ND
Aw, Apple Blossom, thanks so much. Speaking of apples. . . this is a sequel to An Apple for Christmas.
It is the time of year to start thinking of Christmas and looking forward to the special books/novellas focusing on the season! Thanks! Cathy - TX
Cathy, get in the mood reading a good Christmas book like this. . .
How fun.. Twins! My daughter is expecting twins and this would be a fun book to read :)
Dee from NE
Dee, I had fun with the twins.
Dee, P.S., congrats on the twin grandchildren! Two at once, twice the fun from Grandma.
Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway SC.
Sharon, appreciate your interest.
I love stories with a Christmas theme. Sure would like to win. Thank you for the chance.
Brenda in VA
Brenda, early Merry Christmas! Thanks for your interest.
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