Sunni Jeffers, Walter T. Mouse (Jim Jeffers), and Free Books!

Christmas Tails by Walter T. Mouse -- a rare collection of woodsy, wacky, heartwarming yarns about Christmas, family, and ranch living as seen through the eyes of a country mouse.

Before we meet today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Love Finds You on Christmas Morning, by Debby Mayne and myself, is:

teamob4@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll email you for your mailing address, and we'll get your book to you right away.

I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to participate in future book give-aways! Subscribers are entered a second time when they comment.

And now let's chat with novelist Sunni Jeffers and her husband Jim Jeffers, who is the author of the illustrated Christmas collection of humorous and nostalgic ranch adventures, Christmas Tails by Walter T. Mouse (Jim Jeffers, December 2015).

Tell us about yourself and Jim, Sunni.

Hi, I’m Sunni Jeffers, novelist, but I’m not the only writer at my house. When we moved from the city 23 years ago to become ranchers in the great Northwest, I handed the task of annual Christmas letters to my husband. He was not thrilled.

But then he met Walter. That’s Walter T. Mouse, our resident ranch hand. Walter is a fount of country tales, woodsy wisdom, and wacky humor. Walter says, “No one ever reads Christmas letters ‘cause there ain’t nothin’ interesting in them. I write excitin’ things that happen at the ranch ‘cause that’s what people want to read.”

And it seems he’s right. His Christmas letters have delighted our family and friends for years. My husband Jim finally compiled Walter’s stories into a charming Christmas book. So this year I’m introducing Jim Jeffers and Walter T. Mouse, a great writing duo.

Please tell us three random things we might not know about you two.

--Jim and I are living our fourth lifetime together. Ten years of Navy life, eighteen years operating a security sales and service business, seventeen years as ranchers, raising Scottish Highlanders, hay, timber, and assorted livestock, and now four years on the road full time. Walter is traveling with us, and all three of us are writing “on the road.”

--I’m not afraid of snakes. I’ll pick up most of them (non-poisonous). But don’t ask me to climb a ladder.

--I’m a foodie. Love creating new recipes. Sometimes it works out great. Sometimes, not so much. Jim and Walter try them all. I’ve posted some of my best successes on my website.

Oh, your life sounds so fun! 

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Christmas Tails with Walter T. Mouse.

Christmas Tails is filled with adventures, fully illustrated by an amazing artist from Romania.

Walter T. (the) Mouse takes on bank robbers, ice-skating dogs, cats, chickens and Scottish Highland cows. He’s a helpful mouse, which gets him, and Jim, in plenty of trouble, but he always manages to save the day. His stories contain at least a smidgen of truth, and they’re delightful for the entire family.

What is it about Walter that will make your readers care about him?

Walter is getting on in years, and he’s a bit tattered. Life on a ranch is hard work, don’t you know?

But that doesn’t stop him. He’s full of life and a love for adventure, and he isn’t afraid to take on anything. Living in the country, he has accumulated a wealth of homespun wisdom and humor over the years.

He loves to spin a good tale, and doesn’t mind embellishing the truth a bit to make it more interesting. He’s wily and sometimes gets into things and places he doesn’t belong, but he’s loving and loyal. He has saved the day many a time. And he’s happy to tell you all about it.

Write one sentence for us that tells us something about Walter as a little one.

Walter loved exploring, especially around the ranch house, and he was faster than all the other mice, which served him well.

What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?

Walter is enjoying Humor for the Holidays: Stories, Quips, and Quotes for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years , a fun compilation by lots of wonderful authors. Jim and I love it, too.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on a brand new Christmas novella for Guideposts Books series, Miracles of Marble Cove. It will be out in time for next Christmas.

Walter and Jim are working on a new collection, Ranch Tails, with more stories of life at Gold Hill Ranch.

Where else can readers find you online?

Sunni’s website is www.sunnijeffers.com.
Walter’s website is www.waltertmouse.com

The book can be purchased online via the following button:











Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

If you had a friendly mouse living in your house, what would be his (or her) funniest Christmas story from your house?

That's a tough one! Readers, you can keep it short--just tell us in a sentence or two what it would involve.

Thanks, Susan, Jim, and Walter, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel.

Readers, Walter has offered to give an signed copy of his book to the winner of our drawing on Monday, December 14. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Susan's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. The drawing is done by email, so leave your email address, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com. 

Also, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post.

Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer HERE.