Whenever I see a photo like this one, it starts my creative...
Whenever I see a photo like this one, it starts my creative gears a-turnin'. It's like looking into a holiday fantasy, isn't it? One you'd never want to leave, right?
Hey, are you up for a Christmas fantasy novel? Alexandra Lanc's got a read for you entitled Clara Claus. Leave a comment on this post, and you could be the lucky recipient of a free copy, as well as a lovely ornament made in the style of the "blue Christmas" themed cover.
Read on:
A Guest Post from Alexandra Lanc
Why Christmas is Special to Me
Growing up, Christmas wasn't full of toys or present or even a big feast, because unlike a lot of other children I knew, my family didn't have the money for those things. My mom always made sure that I had at least one thing — and tried to get the one thing that I wanted most — and my dad would buy me a few presents, but because of the "lack" of gifts, Christmas became, to me, more about something else.
Family.
And Hope.
And these became the center of my Christmas novel, Clara Claus.
When I told my family and friends that I was going to write a Christmas novel, some of them looked at me strangely, but when I sat down to write Clara Claus, I was amazed at the story that was unfolding, even though I was the one writing it. Because as I sat down to do something I'd never done before, I was able to share my thoughts about Christmas through my novel, and share the Hope that had been instilled in me as a child.
Because as a child, Christmas wasn't so much about toys or presents — at least, not the presents that I got. Growing up, I made most of my gifts for others, and I loved giving them. I loved decorating our tree, and making sure that the plastic, glittering manger scene we'd had for nearly forever was in its special place underneath. I loved helping making breakfast on Christmas day, and getting up early to put on a Christmas CD (no iPods then). I loved Christmas, and I still do, and writing Clara Clausnot only brought back those fond memories for me, but it helped me to make new ones — memories of seeing reviews and letters from my fans, memories of making people smile as I handed them the signed copy.
Clara Claus is a story of Hope, a story of family, and a story born out of my love for Christmas. I hope you get the chance to read it, and I hope it brings some joy to your heart.
Have a merry, Hope-filled Christmas.
Yours in Writing,
Alexandra Lanc~
True to form, Alexandra has a lovely handmade ornament she'll be happy to send her US prize winner. That's right, if you're the US winner of her giveaway here on my blog, you'll get a signed copy of her book & this lovely ornament:
International winners will not be left out, either. You're eligible to win a free ebook of Clara Claus.
How to enter? Why, I thought you'd never ask. Just follow my blog, and follow Alexandra's, and let me know you've done so, and you're entered! You'll have through the 12th to enter, and then the winners will be notified on the 13th.
Click that gorgeous Christmas scene up top to read the reviews of Clara Claus. Looks good!
Christmas fantasy photo reblogged from:
