We may have gone a little overboard this Christmas. Oops.

I would be lying if I said we didn't always do Christmas up big. As a family, it's our absolute favorite time of year. But somehow, this year has exploded.

For years, my dad has challenged Clark Griswold to have the most decorative house in the neighborhood. Yes, I know Clark Griswold is a fictional character. He knows it too, but does that stop him?

No.

A couple years ago, they downsized to a house that has a yard only a quarter of the size of their last plot of land. And yet, the man brought all of his blow ups and twinkly lights in the move. (There are pics all over my IG page. @authormecarter.)

I will admit, it's an impressive display, but where the yard used to have room for pathways and different vantage points, now there's not as much space. Again, does that stop him?

Again, no.

Nothing will stop this man from putting up well over a hundred blow ups and thousands of twinkly lights. Now he just adds them to the roof of the house, much to my mother's dismay, and has expanded to his driveway and the alley behind the house!! Y'all, I am not kidding. People are driving down the alley to see his Christmas lights. So. Weird.

But of course, my mother can't be outdone. When they bought the house, she made the builders create a closet specifically for her Christmas cookie jar collection. At last count, I believe she had 125. They are everywhere.

Now, it's not all vanity and showing off. They have at least three "open backyard" nights for people to come enjoy the fun. They provide hot cocoa and cookies, and ask people to bring canned goods for the local food bank. So they're doing their part to make it about the community.

So if you happen to fly over Lubbock, Texas at night during the month of December, make sure you have a window seat. You can see it from the sky. As a retired pilot, my dad made sure of it.

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Speaking of the holidays, New Year's Steve is now available for your reading pleasure!

People are so excited about Sara and I writing together again. Here's what they had to say:

"Sara & M.E. are two of my favorites and I squealed with excitement when I heard this book was being released." -Kindle Customer, Amazon Reviewer

"These two authors just have the magic touch together ❤" - Noiya, Amazon Reviewer

"Sara Ney & M.E. Carter are one of my all-time favorite writing duos and they have delivered an awesome new holiday story!" - Crystal Andrews, Amazon Reviewer

Grab this super fun holiday romcom. It'll put you right in the spirit!. Order it today!
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3lrVZ5Y
Amazon Universal: https://books2read.com/NewYearsSteve

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Matters to You is coming 1.21.21!

We're less than a month away from the release of Matters to You, the fifth book in The Hart Series.

I can't wait for y'all to meet Paul and Kiersten. Even better, there are quite a few cameos from some of your old faves and also...

A WEDDING!!!

My lips are seals on who's getting hitched, but trust me, you don't want to miss this!

Preorder is available on all major retailers!
Apple Books: https://apple.co/3ehNS7S
Nook: https://bit.ly/2ZQSfBy
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3ecFtCi
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2W0k3lQ
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2VWFPHe
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/3eexcxM
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2ZaDKth

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Read Little Miss Perfect FOR FREE!!!
We are finally at the end of this sweet, hilarious, swoon worthy short story. Now you can read it in its entirety!

You can read it here... https://www.authormecarter.com/little...

This month's password: aputi8

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I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and enjoy some calm and bright. Happy Reading!