I’m happy to have Stephanie here today! She’s an awesome writer but also a great person to know. By the way, if you didnt catch my review of her book, The Hungarian, be sure to click on the title to read it. It’s a wonderful historical romance. If you leave a comment, you’ll be entered in my Nov. 30th drawing, and be sure to check out Steph’s goodie time at the end!

STEPH: I’d like to thank Diane for having me on her blog today. I love Diane’s writing and my favorite story of hers so far is “Whitney in Charge.” Two thumbs up!

DIANE: Thank you, Steph! I loved writing about Whitney and her two sisters.

STEPH: Just a little about me: I was born and raised in Manchester, NH. When I was 18, this New England Patriot fan joined the US Army for a great adventure and spent 7 years overseas in Germany. I met a fair-haired California boy and we were married in Denmark in 1991. Little odd fact: I visited the Keukenhof in The Netherlands. Now, the adventure over, I work for LAPD as a 911 Operator.

DIANE: You have such an interesting biography. Can you tell us a little about your background?

STEPH: I am an unique mix of Polish, French, and Ukrainian heritage. I was a young girl in the 1970’s and a young woman in the 1980’s. I never appreciated my Polish heritage until I read a book called, “Push Not The River,” by James Conyrod Martin, and I realized just how rich my Polish heritage was. Now I get my boys excited about Pierogi days (It’s an all day affair in the kitchen) and my husband’s family involved. My boys like to cook and watching them get excited about experiencing a part of their Polish heritage warms my heart. My grandmother (Bopshie, Polish for grandmother) would have been proud of them.

As for the French part of me, I have always wanted to learn more. I took 3 years high school French and visited France on several occasions while in the Army.

I grew up in NH, spent 7 years in Germany, traveled Europe, was stationed in Romulus, NY and Ft. Irwin, CA in the US. I’ve now settled down in CA.

DIANE: California sounds great to me right now. The weather has gotten colder here in Ohio. How did you and your husband meet? Did you fall for him first or was it the other way around?

STEPH: Believe it or not, we celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary on 14 NOV! We met in October 1990 in Butzbach, Germany at a military leadership school known as PLDC (Primary Leadership Development Course). We were in the same squad. I thought he was drop dead gorgeous and he thought I was drop dead cute. The school was only 4 weeks long, but when it was over, we both went back to Bad Hersfeld, where we were stationed at and began dating. Within a month we were in love. He asked me to marry him on Christmas Eve. I think we mutually fell at the same time.

DIANE: Congratulations on celebrating your 19th anniversary. That’s so romantic how you two met and how you both fell in love so quickly.

Tell us about your story, “Christmas in Bayeux,” which is in A Christmas Collection, Stimulating.

STEPH: It’s a contemporary romance. Aiden Seward is an Iraq war vet who has lost his parents while in Iraq. His grandfather was a World War II veteran who always encouraged him to see the beaches of Normandy. Aiden thinks by going it will help heal his wounded heart – that and meeting Noel again.

DIANE: What a great story. What other genres do you write in?

STEPH: I try not to limit myself. I’ve done a “sweet” military romance, a children’s book, horror, paranormal romance, sci-fi romance, and now I’m working on an inspirational for VTP’s spring anthology.

DIANE: Do you outline, wing it, or something in between?

STEPH: Something in between. A rough outline keeps me straight, but allows me to detour if my characters go that way.

DIANE: What’s your favorite pizza?

STEPH: European style: shrimp pizza. American style: Pepperoni. When I tell people that I like shrimp pizza it usually grosses them out, besides I haven’t had it in years. I eat my pizza with a knife & fork still, European style.

DIANE: I’ve never had shrimp pizza. If you could wish for anything, what would it be?

STEPH: For my son, Joseph, to understand and manage his Sensory Integration Dysfunction better. I hope he’ll be able to mainstream with other children next year.

DIANE: That’s a wonderful wish and I hope it comes true. Parting Comments?

STEPH: I hope everyone has a happy, healthy, and fun filled holiday season! Joyeux Noel!

Here’s an excerpt:

Annabelle returned with warm drinks and her pastries. Aiden walked in with his box of new ornaments and Noel started rummaging through her box of old decorations.

“What do you want to put on the tree first?” he asked.

She held up a string of white lights. “It will be easier if we get the lights on first.”

Aiden held the string and Noel walked around the tree, laying the lights on it. Once the lights were set, she plugged them into the wall and they came alive with light.

Aiden smiled. “Time for bows and balls.”

Noel put silver and gold balls on the tree while Aiden decorated the branches with red ribbons.

“I never had bows on the tree before,” said Noel.

Aiden paused and sipped his drink. “Seward family tradition.”

“Ah.”

His happy disposition warmed her heart. The sun grew low and Noel put the entranceway lights on so they could see.

They worked in silence as they finished hanging wooden ornaments on the tree, nibbling on their pastries.

Aiden plucked a silver star out of Noel’s box. “Are we ready for the finishing touches?”

Noel smiled. “We’ll need a chair.”

Aiden took a wooden chair from the entranceway. “Will this do?”

“Be gentle. That’s an heirloom from the 1600’s.”

He nodded. “You should put the star on. It’s your house.”

“You should. You’re the guest.”

He pointed to the chair. “I don’t want to damage the heirloom.”

Noel grabbed a blanket from a nearby closet and put it on the seat cushion. “I want you to put it on, Aiden.”

“Are you sure?”

“I want you to have a nice Christmas.”

Check out the Story Teaser on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-muZ0dhOvSE

Buy Links:
Amazon: (print) http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Collection-Anthology-Stimulating/dp/1456304410/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1289273692&sr=8-1

Ebook, Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/29148
Create Space, Print book: https://www.createspace.com/3494425

Victory Tales Press: http://victorytalespress.yolasite.com/online-store.php

Goodie Time: Leave me a post and I’ll pick out two winners to receive an autographed postcard of the cover. Tell me your favorite Christmas story and I’ll pick a winner to receive a mousepad of the cover of the anthology. I’ll come back on 30 NOV to pick the winners.

Find me on the web at:
http://sgcardin.tripod.com
http://sgcardin.blogspot.com

Bayeux Cathedral

I’ve been quite pleased with the reviews for A Christmas Gift. If you can’t decide whether to buy this book for yourself or for Christmas gifts, maybe these reviews will sway you to buy it. And if you leave a comment, your name is entered for my Nov. 30th Drawing. Winner gets to select A Christmas Gift or my other release, A Christmas Collection Anthology and a $10 GC. An angel ornament will be included in the package giveaway. However, if winner is outside of the US, then an ebook download will be substituted.

First, I’ll give a few short comments from bloggers and published authors:

Shawna Williams said, “Diane, this is one of the most precious, heartwarming stories I’ve ever read.”

Sid Frost said, “I finished The Christmas Gift and all I can say is WOW! It was wonderful.”

Carole Brown said, “Diane, I just read your book this morning that you sent me e-book. Fantastic story. I got choked up! That’s a sure sign it resounds w/me. :)” (Carole is interviewing me in February - more about it next year.)

Janet Thompson wrote:
This is a short read but it is packed with a wonderful message! I LOVED this book! Diane did an awesome job of developing her characters. Her writing style pulls you in and puts you right there, in the Reeves house in 1957! You will be truly blessed by reading this book. - 5 stars *****

seriouslyreviewed.blogspot.com:
When I first opened this story I felt like I was reading an autobiography. A woman tells a story of a Christmas years ago that she remembers fondly. Let me start by saying that while I am not usually a fan of first person…..I really, really, really like it!

There was something so powerful and real about the story and the characters…And oh how my heart broke right along with Debby’s on several occasions. I cried more than once during this story…in a good way though. It was that touching for me that I was moved to tears.

A wonderful story that will really touch your heart. I highly recommend it

4 cups
Reviewer: Venus for Coffee Time Romance

Diane Craver chronicles a wonderfully inspiring tale of overcoming obstacles with willpower and familial support. This heartwarming story brought me to tears and yet left me with a glowing impact of the knowledge that with hard work and the encouragement of the people who love you obstacles can be overcome. Although this story takes place in the 1950s, I think it has a timeless feel to it and a message that lasts a lifetime. I have not decided if this is a good thing or a bad thing… it is so well written and the descriptions so authentic. This is truly an inspiring story for readers, young and old alike.

BUYING LINKS: Click on each for buying page!
Amazon Kindle - $3.99

Paperback - Amazon - $7.95

Barnes and Noble - paperback - $7.55

I received my brand new copies of A Christmas Gift late Saturday afternoon. Perfect timing because I celebrated my b-day during the weekend so a nice gift. The books are gorgeous! I adore the new cover! I went to the post office this afternoon and mailed books to the following winners: Molly in North Carolina (winner from Janet’s Treasures blog), Dina in Wisconsin (she won K. Dawn Byrd’s blog contest), and Gladys in Texas won the first drawing for my package giveaway of $10 GC (she chose B & N), ACG book, and ornament.

Next drawing is November 30th! If you’ve left comments at these blogs: Celia’s, Regina’s, Shawna’s and Jenny’s plus mine, your name is entered. So feel free to leave comments here too. I won’t draw until next Tuesday evening. I want to give everyone a chance to comment on my author guest’s post next Monday. I’m happy Stephanie Burkhart will be visiting here.

I had the best Italian dinner on Sat. evening - better than eating in a restaurant. Our daughter April made spaghetti with a delicious meat and mushroom sauce. Our daughter-in-law Lea made stuffed mushrooms that were yummy. I want to get the recipe from her. Christina brought a chocolate angel food cake and a pumpkin cream roll - both were so good. I never had a chocolate angel food cake before and definitely want it again.

Because my b-day was Sunday, I got to celebrate again. Not bad. We ate at a Mexican restaurant and it was wonderful. I guess you can tell that I love Italian and Mexican food a lot. Later in the afternoon, we saw the movie “Morning Glory” with Diane Keaton, Rachel McAdams and Harrison Ford. The show about a morning news show reminded me of my contemporary romance, Whitney in Charge. Whitney was a morning news producer.

More good news about A Chrismas Gift. It is NOW available in Kindle AND Paperback. Ebook is only $3.99 and paperback is $7.95. Here are the buying links - just click on Whimsical’s name or Amazon: Whimsical Publications,
Amazon - Paperback, Amazon Kindle

REMINDER: DRAWING on NOVEMBER 30th! If you leave a comment on my blog or the ones I have visited, you will be entered!!!!

BLURB & EXCERPT:
Justin Reeves is a man who has it all: a good job, a loving wife and children who are the center of his universe - or so it seems. Justin also has a secret he’s hidden from everyone his entire life or so he thought. Quite innocently his small daughter, Debby, stumbles upon his secret and is shocked by what she finds. She confronts her father with the awful truth, and together they embark upon a journey which takes her father from the darkness of shame into the light of victory.

Drawing from true events in her own childhood, author Diane Craver captivates the reader from page one to a stunning climax which will touch your heart and impact your life forever in this must-read story of love’s triumph over adversity.

This excerpt is from Chapter Eight of A Christmas Gift. Carl is Debby’s big brother.

Over his shoulder, Carl said to me, “Hey, squirt, I want to see your playhouse. I heard there’s a couch in there now.”

“Sure.” I glided slowly across the frozen pond to the bench. After Carl and I removed our skates, we noticed Gail and James were skating side by side.

Carl grinned at me. “I think our big sister might like James. What do you think?”

I nodded. If Gail and James fell in love, then I might get to be a flower girl in their wedding. It had to be fairly soon though or Gail might decide that I was too big to be a flower girl. I guess I could be a bridesmaid instead. “Gail talks to James a lot.”

We put our boots on, and I picked up a thermos of hot chocolate. Gail looked too busy skating with James to miss the hot drink. We walked to my playhouse, which was behind a fence in the backyard. Carl opened the front door of what used to be a chicken coop. He held the door open and said, “After you, my lady.”

I walked inside my favorite spot in the whole world. Last summer, Daddy pulled the chicken coop down our country road with his tractor. A neighbor had gotten rid of his chickens. He said we could have the coop for free. When Daddy asked me if I’d like the small building for a playhouse, I couldn’t believe it. My very own spot to play house with Ellen and my other school friends.

Carl plopped down on the couch. “You have everything in here now. This is unbelievable.”

I glanced around the room. An old dresser was at one end while the couch was across from a small metal table and red chairs. The table set had been a previous Christmas gift. Ellen and I liked sitting on the chairs while having our tea parties. “I love it. It’s the best playhouse ever.”

“Debby, it’s freezing in here.” Carl rubbed his hands together. “It seems colder in here than when we were outside ice skating. Too bad Dad didn’t wire this with electricity. It’s a neat playhouse, but I suppose you spend little time in here during the cold months.”

“I don’t come out here much in the winter.” I removed my wool scarf and put it around Carl’s neck. “This should help keep you warm.”

“No, I don’t want your scarf. You keep it.”

I shook my head. “I’m fine. And I heard you telling Mommy and Daddy how your blood’s thinner from being stationed in a warmer place.”

“You were listening at the upstairs register again when we thought you were sleeping.” He smiled. “What else did you hear?”

Carl was too smart. Because I had trouble sleeping, I sometimes pressed my ear against the register in my bedroom so I could listen to the adults talking to each other. “I heard Daddy tell you that if you ever decided to quit the military, you could become a farmer.”

“It was awful because I was speechless. All I could do was nod my head. I don’t want to be a farmer ever. But don’t tell anyone.”

“But Daddy won’t care. He said that was all he could do because he couldn’t read, and he hated working in the factory.”

“But he’s proud of having a farm. He said even though he couldn’t read, he’d been smart about saving his money and working hard, so that he and mom could buy this property. He’s hoping when my military career’s over, I might want to farm. He wants to pass the farm on to me.”

I frowned. “Daddy will understand. You won’t have to be a farmer.”

He shrugged. “I thought I’d like being in the military but I don’t. Before the military, my dream was to play football, but that didn’t work out for me either. I’m too small to play college football. You’re lucky you’re a little girl and don’t have to worry about what to do with your life.”

I didn’t know what to say, so decided to pour hot chocolate for us. “How about hot chocolate?”

“I’d like a cup.” He noticed my tiny white tea cups on top of the dresser. “But I’ll use the thermos cup.”

I opened a deep drawer and removed a mug with a picture of a Model T car on it. “You can use my souvenir cup. Daddy bought it for me when we went to Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village. I’m sorry you didn’t get to go with us to Michigan. I missed you.”

Carl smiled. “Mom said you enjoyed everything, especially the taffy they bought in the gift shop.”

I unscrewed the thermos cap and poured hot chocolate in the mug. After I handed him a cup, I poured mine and sat next to Carl on the couch.

He sipped his drink. “Mom sure makes the best hot chocolate. What do you want to be when you grow up?”

I thought for a moment. “Maybe a singer and a doctor.”

“That’s an interesting combination. Are you going to sing to your patients to take their minds off their pain?”

“No, silly.” I giggled. “I might be a singer on weekends and be a doctor during the week.”

“That sounds like a good idea. Maybe everyone should have two careers so when one doesn’t work out, you have something to fall back on.”

“Ellen thinks I might be a better singer than a doctor.”

Carl asked, “Why’s that?”

“I had trouble stitching up Ellen’s doll after I cut her open. But it’s okay. I got duct tape off Daddy’s workbench and used it.”

“Well, at least you were creative, but I wouldn’t cut open any more dolls.” He grinned. “Ellen might not stay friends with you.”

I remembered what else I wanted to do when I became a grown-up. “I want to marry someone like Daddy when I’m old enough. He’s handsome and kind.”

“I agree. And of course, your future husband should also be like me.” He gave me a thoughtful look. “I’ll tell you a secret. Everyone needs a little girl like you in the family.”

I shrugged. “Gail doesn’t think so. She says that I’m nosy, talk too much, and I’m a pest.”

“Gail loves you. I think part of the problem is she doesn’t want to live at home any longer, so she complains about you. And she reminds Mom and Dad that I don’t live at home so it’s not fair they expect her to stay here until she gets married.”

We heard footsteps making a crunching sound on the packed snow around the playhouse. I stood and opened the door.

Mom stepped inside, holding her unbuttoned coat together with one hand. “Gail said you two disappeared in the playhouse. I’m glad you showed Carl what else you have in here. Your dad heard on the TV we might get several inches of snow tonight so you won’t be coming out here anytime soon if that happens.”

“Carl, we should stay here and get snowed in. I could practice my singing for you.”

“Very funny, peanut. We’d freeze out here.”

Mom put her arm around me. “And you’d miss seeing Grandma Fogle and Aunt Louise. They just arrived.”

Gladys Paradowski from Texas won the first drawing. She gets a signed copy of A CHRISTMAS GIFT, a $10 GC to Barnes and Noble (her choice of book and gc), and an angel ornament. I had over 100 comments from all the blogs I visited and my own blog here, so all of these names were included in my big drawing last night. Thanks, everyone, for the comments. I have 3 books to mail this week to the winners: Dina for K.Dawn’s blog contest, Molly Edwards won my book on Janet’s Treasures blog, and Gladys for my own Christmas blog contest. I should get my books this Wednesday so will get them out this week to the winners!!!! Thanks for your patience!

NEXT DRAWING: November 30th - Tuesday morning! Yes, you read that right - I decided to change the second drawing’s date of Dec. 8th because I want to get everything mailed out by Dec. 1st.

For 2nd November drawing: Same giveaway package as first drawing winner! Will get to choose a $10 Gift Certificate to Amazon OR Barnes and Noble or GC to any of my publishers. Also winner gets to choose one of my new Christmas books in print – A Christmas Gift or A Christmas Collection – Anthology. If outside of the USA, then an ebook format will be substituted. An angel ornament will be included, because there’s an angel in A Christmas Gift!

Here are my blog stops for this week for the next drawing and also if you leave comments on November 29th here when Stephanie Burkhart visits or any of my posts the remainder of the month, these comments will also be included in the next Christmas blog drawing!!!!

MY BLOG STOPS:

Celia’s Blog - http://celiayeary.blogspot.com
Regina’s Blog -http://reginaandrews.wordpress.com
Shawna’s - guest post about ANGELS - http://shawnawilliams-oldsmobile.blogspot.com/
Come Meet AusJenny - http://ausjenny.blogspot.com/