Debra Salonen rings in the holidays!
Today for Guest Author Wednesday I am delighted to welcome my California amigo, DEBRA SALONEN Hip, Hip, Hooray! Deb hails from the hilly areas above the Central Valley in California, and is a member of my local chapter there, the Yosemite Romance Writers. It has been my pleasure to count Deb as a friend and colleague for a number of years now, and I plan to continue to do so even though we now have a whole lotta States between us!
From award-winning journalist to nationally bestselling author with 26 published novels for Harlequin’s Superromance and American lines, Debra Salonen brings humor and heart to her stories. She was named Romantic Times Reviewer’s Career Achievement “Series Storyteller of the Year” in 2006. And her heart-warming tale, UNTIL HE MET RACHEL, May 2010, was named “Best Superromance of 2010.”
Her popular Indie release, ARE WE THERE YET, has been called “laugh-out-loud funny, poignant and just plain fabulous!”
COWGIRL COME HOME, her newest release for Tule Publishing, is a full-length novel set in Montana. Upcoming titles in Debra’s “Big Sky Mavericks” series, include: NOBODY’S COWBOY (August 2014).
To stay abreast of the latest Debra Salonen releases, sign up for her newsletter or enter her monthly contest, visit her website at www.debrasalonen.com
Other places to follow Debra~~
Facebook Debra Salonen Author
Twitter @DebSalonen
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Pinterest
Amazon Author Page
Take it away Deb Salonen!
Hi, Sharon! Thanks for inviting me to be part of your blog.
Let me wish you and all your lovely readers a happy early Thanksgiving and an even earlier Happy That-Holiday-That-Shall-Remain-Nameless until after Thanksgiving!
I struggle with the whole, Christmas-beginning-in-July Holiday season. I’d like to say I haven’t bought any C-gifts yet. But that would be a lie. I bought two yesterday. Sadly, the line between standing on my conscience and a great bargain waffles depending on the deal. 😉
And as an Indie author, I’ve found the calendar date for releasing holiday stories keeps creeping closer to mid-October. I understand why–the overwhelming volume of holiday stories is pretty staggering. And, of course, I’m adding my own, very small, humble contribution to the mix.
Alas, it couldn’t be helped. I LOVE most things about Christmas. Not the commercialism, but the good stuff: family, kids, magic, romance and love. The sort of things that make romance so real and believable…and possible.
My new holiday story is titled HER FOREVER GIFT. It’s sweet and short and part of it takes place in the 1970s–my era. Its lovely cover was designed my friend Rogenna Brewer.
HER FOREVER GIFT came to life because so many readers were curious about Louise and OC Jenkins–parents of Bailey Jenkins, the heroine of my first Tule Publishing release, COWGIRL COME HOME (July, 2014). Louise was a sweetheart. OC, on the other hand, was not an easy character to like, and yet, I came to have great sympathy for him by the time Bailey’s book ended. I sensed there was a lot to this couple I didn’t know.
Luckily, Louise was eager to tell their story for the benefit of her new son-in-law, Paul Zabrinski, and his children, Louise’s new grandchildren. I’m hopeful that even readers who are not familiar with my Big Sky Mavericks series will find something meaningful and hopeful in this very short story.
What’s your idea of a forever gift?
I’d love to give an e-copy of CELEBRATE ROMANCE – my 5-author holiday anthology–to three people who respond to this post. Happy reading! Deb
CELEBRATE ROMANCE Five heartwarming stories celebrating the sweet gift of romance on Father’s Day, the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas.
Man of the House by Linda Barrett
Bobby’s been the man of the house since his father died, but now his mom is spending time with Steve. Steve makes his mom happy, but no one can take Bobby’s dad’s place. Can Bobby have a change of heart and accept a new man of the house?
One Star Spangled Night by Rogenna Brewer
Navy Chaplain Lieutenant Lindsey Alexander is not as naive as world-weary Aircraft Carrier Captain Doug Reese believes. When the Top Gun is ordered into counseling, the junior officer is the only thing standing between him and his losing command of his ship.
Love With All the Trimmings by Barbara McMahon
An unexpected reunion at Thanksgiving changes a growing relationship when an old flame shows up just when Juliana has hopes for a future with Matt.
The Eighth Gift by Karen Sandler
When widow Sarah Meyer’s house is broken into and her son’s Hanukkah gifts stolen, her late husband’s best friend comes to her rescue. But as the friendship between Sarah and Jake Goldman blossoms into something more, it takes a Hanukkah miracle to lead to a new and lasting love.
My Christmas Angel by Debra Salonen
“Little Dickie Daniels is a Christmas angel.” So, 8-year old Abigail believes…until she meets the scruffy child her mother brings home on Christmas Eve. But looks can be deceiving Abigail learns, and some encounters leave an indelible mark. Thirty years later, Abby–author of the children’s book “My Christmas Angel”–receives a call that proves holiday miracles really do happen.
I also have my much beloved Grandmother’s wedding ring and it’s one of the most important of my possessions. Love the premise of the mother of your heroine telling HER story. Just lovely!
Thank you, Stephanie. While I was writing it, I kept thinking how wonderful it would have been if my mother had written down her story. That is a treasure of another kind.
Can’t wait to read her Forever Gift, love the cover.
My most treasured gift is my Grandma’s wedding ring. I did take the stones and put them in another setting with my diamond from my wedding. I now have a beautiful ring.
Sounds like a nice story, Deb. Congrats on the holiday release. Love the cover.
Hope you enjoy it, Shari. It was fun to look back at these characters’ lives.
Your ring sounds perfect. How special and unique! A great memory your daughter is probably hoping to inherit. 😉
Thanks, Annette! I love the cover, too. My friend, Rogenna Brewer, did it for me. I asked her to match the branding of the other Big Sky Mavericks books, but make it look from the ’70s, too. No small task, but she nailed it.
I do, too, Denise. Tule has sooo many beautiful new holiday books out. I keep buying because a day or two during the holidays to do nothing but read is going to be my gift to myself.
Not on FB…you rogue!!! I meant post the buy link to the original Rudolph here so I can see what it looks like. I’m tickled, too, I missed you at the last meeting I attended.
I love Christmas stories! My grandma’s wedding ring is one of my most treasured forever gifts.
Hi! Read and enjoyed Bailey and Paul’s story! Cant wait to read this new one.
A forever gift is something that goes beyond a physical object. An experience, or a memory can last forever. I think kids are the ultimate forever gift. LOL
Good answer, Melissa. I agree. Memories and being able to share oral histories with your children and grandchildren–these are precious gifts.
Hope you enjoy Louise and OC’s little story.
Deb
JoAnne, you’re a doll. Thanks for saying that about Until He Met Rachel. I wrote that under such difficult circumstances (my sister, who was my rock and dearest friend was dying). That book is very special to me.
I can’t believe you have great-grans. Share the link, if you see this message. I’d love to see it.
Deb
Deb –
Even now as I sit here, I am wearing my “Yes, it’s true. I’m not on Facebook. I’m just tickled I can answer your blog!
JoAnne
Hey, Deb –
Good to see you. Until He Met Rachel is one of my all time favorites – a real keeper. Although my keeper shelf is already crowded with a few other of yours. I’m reading Nobody’s Cowboy right now, when my waking hours leave me time to breathe. And, I’m with you over the let’s do Christmas right now, and it’s still 110 degrees outside. This year I’m sending away for copies of the original Rudolph to give my children, grans, and great-grans. Because it’s a mail order present, I’ll try to get my order in before Thanksgiving.
Hope to see you soon.
JoAnne
What a great job, Sharon! You really are a terrific host. Thanks so much for inviting me. I really wish you weren’t soooo many states away! But I admire your sense of adventure–and, of course, I understand about being close to your kids.
Deb
It is my pleasure to have you as my guest, Deb. I shall do my best to be the hostess with the mostest! 🙂
No worry about that. You’re great.
I just checked Amazon and my new book isn’t up yet. I used to get freaked out, but anymore I’ve learned to roll with it. Hey, at least, it’s not Christmas Eve. It’ll show up eventually. 😉
Deb
But it’s up now. Good job, Amazon. 😉