Christmas Traditions

Over the course of all the Christmases I’ve celebrated as an adult, I’ve probably made hundreds of ornaments--out of clothespins, recycled paper, pipe cleaners, hand-painted ceramics, cross-stitched fabric, and (memorably) star-shaped baked cinnamon sludge that still carries a spicy fragrance years later. I’ve wrapped hundreds of gifts--sometimes using hand-stamped paper and handcrafted ribbons. I’ve made holiday mix tapes, CDs, and playlists. I’ve trimmed dozens of evergreen trees and hung miles of multicolored lights. I’ve probably baked (quite seriously) millions of sugar cookies, spritz cookies, and frosted gingerbread teddy bears (my family’s personal specialty--so cute!). I’ve even gone Christmas caroling. But only once. I don’t know why the other carolers didn’t ask me back.

Actually, I do. But that’s a story for another day.

So why am I telling you this? Because I do all these things for the same reasons that YOU probably do, when it comes to your personal holiday traditions. I love seeing the people around me smile. I love surprising children with gifts, friends with goodies, and family members with unexpected favors. When it comes to Christmastime, I’m easy. I can’t say no.

That gives me a lot in common with the hero of my current book, Home for the Holidays. Reno Wright is the “go-to” guy in his small Midwestern town. His friends and neighbors rely on him for expertise, advice, and hands-on know-how...and Reno never says no. Behind his tough-guy demeanor (he’s a former NFL kicker!) hides a big heart. Even though Reno is busy running his successful sporting goods store, dealing with his divorcing parents’ ongoing feud, appearing as Santa in his niece’s grade-school holiday play, and trying to win the town’s annual holiday lights contest, he agrees to play Christmas Cupid for his best friend...and that’s where all the trouble starts. Because pretty soon, all Reno wants for Christmas is his best friend’s dream girl...and he doesn’t know how much naughty or nice one man can withstand before he finally gives in.

Sound like fun? It is! I promise. I’m crazy about the holidays, and I hope my enthusiasm for all things red, green, shiny, or spangled shines through in Home for the Holidays. I did my best to pack the story chock-full of Christmas cheer. I truly hope you’ll check it out.

In the meantime, I’m dying to know... What are YOUR favorite holiday traditions? How did they begin? And are there any new traditions you’re thinking about starting? Let’s dish!

Lisa :)

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Lisa Plumley is the USA Today bestselling author of more than two dozen contemporary and historical romances. Her book Let's Misbehave was named one of Booklist magazine's Top Ten Romances of 2007, earned a 4-1/2 star Top Pick! rating from Romantic Times, and was a finalist for the Booksellers Best Award in the mainstream/single title category. She's excited to have two new books on the shelves right now: Home for the Holidays (Zebra) and Hallowe'en Husbands (Harlequin Historicals). You can find her on MySpace or Facebook, drop by her blog or visit her Web site to read first-chapter excerpts from any of her books, sign up for new-book reminder e-mails, download her reader newsletter, and more!

You Can't Go Home Again...Or Can You?

That’s what they say, but I just realized something: I don’t believe that. In fact, I’m kind of obsessed lately with the idea of a “do over.” In my books, I love to send my characters back to a place they’d thought they’d left behind forever...and make them deal with the consequences. So far, I’ve sent a showgirl to her former hometown to claim an inheritance that’s under dispute by the local bad boy (Josie Day Is Coming Home. I’ve booted a down-on-her-luck fashion stylist from Hollywood and sent her to the snowy Midwest to deal with a hunky former pro-football player while she rebuilds her career (Home For The Holidays). And right now, I’m sending a runaway witch back to her old magical stomping grounds to learn about...whoops! That’s my work-in-progress, and it’s top secret until I turn in the manuscript.

Ahem. Moving on... In a similar vein, I’ve also reunited a few ex-lovers in my books (Reconsidering Riley, The Honeymoon Hoax, Her Best Man, My Best Friend's Baby). Because if you ask me, a lovers’ reunion is just another version of returning home again. After all, these people are truly meant for one another. What’s more of a homecoming than returning to the arms of someone you loved (and lost)? I’m crazy about the idea that everyone deserves a second chance...and would rise to the occasion if that second chance ever arrived.

Which is weird, actually. When I’m not wearing my author hat, I’m a very forward-looking person. If I could go back and change anything in my life, I wouldn’t do it. Period. I’m happy where I am now. But my poor characters don’t have that option! They have to go where I send them. And I have to admit...they cope admirably with the challenges they face, right up to their (much deserved) happily-ever-after endings. So why am I so obsessed with filling my stories with “do over” scenarios? It’s anyone’s guess. But as long as I keep finding interesting ways to refute Thomas Wolfe (at least some of the time), I think I’ll keep it up.

So... Do YOU believe in second chances? Would YOU like to have a “do over” of your own? Let’s discuss!

~Lisa

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Bestselling author Lisa Plumley has written more than two dozen books for Zebra Books and Harlequin Historicals, including contemporary romances (Home For The Holidays, new!), western historical romances (Hallowe'en Husbands, in stores now!), and stories in romance anthologies (Santa Baby, reissued!). Her funny, warmhearted style has been likened to such reader favorites as Rachel Gibson, Jennifer Crusie, and LaVyrle Spencer, but her unique characterization is all her own. Please visit Lisa at www.lisaplumley.com, be her friend on MySpace or Facebook, or drop by her personal blog today!

What if?

Happy Saturday everyone!

My name is Kimberly Killion and I write Sexy Medieval Romance. My debut book, HER ONE DESIRE, came out in July from Kensington/Zebra books. It is the story of a Scottish spy and his quest to protect the executioner’s daughter.

Those last two words were the only words I needed to sell that book: executioner’s daughter. Where did I get the idea, you ask?...

While in the midst of brainstorming ideas for my next book, I found myself searching for inspiration. I looked in the mirror and thought if I keep staring I would be able to find something in my brain to trigger an idea. Unfortunately, my reflection hollered, “What the hell are you looking at?”

I didn’t find what I was looking for there so I went outside and looked at the fields of corn, the gravel driveway, a blade of grass. Nothin’. So I looked up and said, “Give me an idea, pleeeeease.”

Yes, I was asking for the supreme being of all creation to take time out of His busy day and give me an idea for my next book. That was selfish when you think about it. I mean, He has more important things to do, right? So, I thought long and hard and what did I come up with? Lunch. Yep. Lunch. So I fixed myself a little southern fired something and flipped on the TV. A documentary was on about the lives and families of the executioner. It was really quite fascinating. So then I started playing that game…you know the one…the ‘What if?’ game.

What if I wrote a story about the executioner? Oh, he started out as my villain, then I mixed it up a little and he became the hero. It still wasn’t right, so I said the word’s that practically wrote HER ONE DESIRE for itself…What if the heroine was the executioner’s daughter. And there is was. An idea was born.

You know how long it takes the Road Runner to sneak up on Wile E. Coyote? Well, that’s how long it took me to google a few keywords: executioner, occupation, medieval, torture … This went on and on, and before I knew it I had educated myself on every form of torture between hung, drawn, and quartered to peine forte et dure (Pressing to death)

Curiosity leads me to ask, ‘What if?’ So, as I sit here trying to develop my next story idea, I’m also curious to know how other writers develop ideas. Do you play the ‘What if?’ game? Do you get on your knees and pray for inspiration? Does whiskey help? Please, do tell…