Sunday, December 16, 2012

Special Guest K.E. Saxon + Giveaway!

Hi everyone, and welcome to Sunday's installment of the Christmas Blog Party. For a complete list of the posts and current giveaways up for grabs, please visit here.

Today I'm thrilled to have K.E. Saxon as our special guest. Not only is she sharing wonderful Christmas memories (That are making me drool, btw.), she's also offering up a $25 Amazon GC!! Make sure and enter via the Rafflecopter form at the end of her post.





Old Houses and Warm Biscuits on Christmas Morning
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you, and thanks so much to Jodi Redford for inviting me to her lovely blog party!

In my newest novella, A Heart is a Home: Christmas in Texas, the story centers on a house, specifically, the hero’s childhood home. It’s an old house, built in the 1920s, and I took a lot of what I remember about my paternal grandparents’ house to “build” this one into my story. 

My grandmother made the best biscuits I’ve ever had. The closest in flavor and texture to hers I’ve ever come across are at Popeye’s Chicken of all places, but even THOSE can’t hold a candle to hers. She tried to tell us how she made them, but she never measured anything, so she’d say things like “add a little of this, or some of that.” Needless to say, none of her granddaughters EVER got the recipe right!

The house had that special smell that I’m sure is a combination of mold, wood flooring, old (and better quality) building material, and, of course her homemade biscuits. It’s so hard to describe, but every time I enter an old house that has a similar smell, it transports me back to that house, my childhood, and her kitchen.

Both my parents grew up in the same small Texas town, and so we always traveled there for Christmas, spending part of the time with my dad’s parents and those relations and part with my mom’s and those relations. We always drew names for gift-giving for that visit, and my parents (and uncles and aunts) all hauled their own family’s Christmas presents to their parents’ house, so come Christmas morning, there were LOADS of presents under and around the tree.

And of course, there were those biscuits first thing in the morning, and later, the FEAST. The kids dined in the kitchen around a round table, while the adults sat around a long oak table. That dining room looked a lot like the one I describe in my book, too!

What about you? Do you have a warm childhood Christmas memory to share?


How does a smart, easygoing serial monogamist tame a closet Bohemian?

Adam Taylor believes selling his childhood home is the only way to put the past...and the memories behind him. Then he meets Joy Pettigrew. The uptight real estate broker isn't what she seems.

Freaky and Joy Pettigrew no longer mix. She's a corporate girl now. She plans to make the sale, get the commission, and never look back. So how does she keep the truth from Adam Taylor long enough to get him to sign on the dotted line? He swears he wants to sell his grandfather's house and move on. She knows he's lying to himself. He insists she throw off the façade she's hiding behind. She knows she's lying to herself. She also knows he's going back to Houston. Nothing she does will change his mind...and even their shared passion won't convince her to go with him.

She's already home. After all, Christmas is just around the corner and everyone knows you spend Christmas at home.
Find K.E. Saxon on: Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | Pinterest





http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/297b4924/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway

53 comments:

K.E. Saxon, Author said...

Thanks again for inviting me to your Christmas blog party, Jodi! Merry Christmas!

Karen H said...

FYI: There is no photo to pin on Pinterest.

Favorite Christmas memory has to be laying on the floor gazing up at the tree after it's all decorated.

Thanks for the giveaway.

K.E. Saxon, Author said...

Thanks for the heads up Karen! I think I fixed it now. :)) Great seeing you here!

Unknown said...

One year, my next door neighbor dressed up as Santa Claus. He even brought presents to give to us. We didn't know it was him at the time.

amysmith98@gmail.com

K.E. Saxon, Author said...

That's a very FUN Christmas memory, Amy! Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Even though I'm a quarter-Texan and love to bake, I haven't mastered biscuits yet. My grandfather (the Texan) was a pretty fun Christmas guy, though...

vitajex(at)aol(Dot)com

katsrus said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
katsrus said...

My favorite Christmas memory is going to my grandpa's farm. He lived far away so it was treat to go. Got to see all my cousins, aunts, & uncles too. Was so fun. Thanks for the giveaway. Your book cover is so pretty. Sounds like a wonderful book. "I read about this hop on your newsletter!"
Sue B

bn100 said...

Every time we decorate the tree together

"I read about this hop on your newsletter!"

redzsm said...

Yummy Christmas memories!!! I too have some great memories of baking cookies with my family. I miss those days!!!

redzsm said...

Yummy Christmas memories!!! I too have some great memories of baking cookies with my family. I miss those days!!!

Sue Sattler said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sue Sattler said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
elaing8 said...

One of my favorite memories, is the four of us kids sitting around the Christmas tree Christmas Eve with only the lights of the tree on and Christmas music playing. Watching the snow fall outside.
Thanks for the giveaway
elaing8[at]netscape[dot]net

Sue Sattler said...

My favorite memory was when I got my Easy Bake Oven for Christmas and my grandma and I cooked up all kinds of goodies.

"I read about this hop on your newsletter!"

proudarmymom32(at)yahoo(dot)com

bas1chs said...

Hey K.E.! I read about this hop on your newsletter!

My favorite Christmas memory is my nephew's second or third Christmas and being able to see the holiday through a child's eyes.

Thanks for taking part in this event.
bas1chsemail at gmail dot com

flip said...

My favorite Christmas gift is Little House in the Big Woods. Merry Christmas and may your new year be filled with books.

flip at ida dot net

Lisa W said...

I read about this hop in your newsletter!
I love so many Christmas memories, but they also make me miss those that are gone now.
modularmates(at)comcast(dot)net

DANIELA said...

Making preparations for Christmas dinner with my Grandma. I miss her...


dany7578 at hotmail dot com

Jessica E. Subject said...

Oh my gosh! I've learned to bake like your grandmother. I only look at the recipes now as a list of ingredients. I don't really measure anymore. Unless it's a new recipe, of course.

My fav Christmas memory is making cookies and tortiere with my mother. And I enjoy making many more with kids of my own.

I read about this hop on your newsletter!

Jyl22075 said...

One year my mom and I made over three hundred chocolate covered pretzels to give out to family and friends. We had a blast!

JYL22075 at gmail dot com

Francisca said...

going to christmas mass with my family :)
thanks for the giveaway!

Anonymous said...

One of my favorite memories is of sharing a box of See's candy every year among the family.

strive4bst(At) yahoo(Dot) com

laurie said...

going to christmas mass with my family :)
thanks for the giveaway!

parisfan_ca@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I used to like sledding in the snow. Now I like blog hopping on the internet!

Thanks for a chance to win some goodies.

Gail
djgandyfan@gmail.com

Elizabeth H. said...

"I read about this hop on your newsletter!" Don't want to be entered into the contest but I do want to come buy and support a wonderful and generous author!! Thanks for all the wonderful giveaways K.E.!!

Christine said...

We always got to open a present on Christmas Eve - it might be something like pajamas we could wear to bed. We always felt like it was extra special because we got to open it early! I read about this hop on your newsletter.

isabelli3619 (at) aol (dot) com

Lasha said...

Getting that Barbie Dreamhouse I always wanted. :)

Thanks for the hop. Happy Holidays!

Lasha
mslasha at gmail dot com

June M. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
June M. said...

Some of my favorite memories when I was growing up was going to my grandparents' house each Christmas Eve. After dinner, my grandfather would read the story of the first Christmas aloud from his Bible. Everyone from the youngest to the oldest would listen quietly and we all miss this since he passed away a few years ago.

I read about this hop on your newsletter :)
June
manning_J2004 at yahoo dot com

Happy Holidays to all!

Gale Nelson said...

when my husband proposed to me

BLHmistress said...

My favorite memory is when we would go to my grandma's when I was younger every Christmas Eve.

Rafflecopter Name: Dawna Newman

*Pernille* said...

My favorite christmas memory is from when I was 6-7 years old, and me and my cousins looked through the keyhole to see if Santa had delivered christmas gifts.
My grandpa saw that and found a ladder to crawl in the window on the other side in Santa clothes. I remember how much we cheered and shhsed when we saw Santa hehe

Arely ZPerez said...

One time when I was younger, my mom and I just sat around the Christmas tree. I don't remember what we were doing, but I remember feeling happy.

lisagkendall said...

One of my favorite Christmas memories is receiving my Sony ereader from my husband. Thanks for being part of the celebration. lisagk(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

My fav memory is driving around with my grandpa to see all the wonderful Christmas lights!
grapeapril75(AT)gmail.com

Unknown said...

My favorite holiday memory is when I was nine and my mom managed to get me a Cabbage Patch Kid the year they were so hot. It even looked like me. She was an addict so for her to put any effort into anything to do with her children really was amazing!

Happy Holidays,
Marlena
charmedpoms(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

My favorite Christmas memory would have to be the year my Hubby proposed to me :-D It was so romantic!

Ashley Applebee said...

My favorite Christmas memory is the first Christmas we got to have with my dad when he got out of prison. We'd had to spend 9 years celebrating Christmas-and his birthday which is Christmas Eve-without him. That Christmas when he was home was the best ever!!
Ashley A
ash_app@hotmail.com

Joanne said...

When my husband's grandmother gave me a ring that was a family heirloom. I was so touched.

e.balinski(at)att(dot)net

joye said...

My favorite memory was when we took my young sons skiing in Colorado for the holidays. We did not have to decorate, fix a big meal or wrap presents We had fun as a family and they still talk about those trips.
JWIsley(at)aol(dot)com

Swordlily said...

I still remember being little and going with my parents to choose the perfect Christmas tree :)
Karina V

magic5905 said...

When all our family would gather on Christmas Eve and we would have a great time.
magic5905 at embarqmail dot com

K.E. Saxon, Author said...

I am SO enjoying reading all about everyone's Christmas memories! Thanks for stopping by and posting a comment. I love seeing my newsletter subscribers here, too!

Mer said...

Many of my favorite Christmas memories are in the kitchen--my grandmother letting me 'help' cook Christmas dinner, baking cookies with my mother, even having to sit still and eat my breakfast before I could open my presents on Christmas morning. These days my family always tries to get together for a baking party so we can pass on the recipes and create new memories.

I read about this hop in your newsletter!

dancingcelt at gmail dot com

cheralyn said...

My favorite Christmas memories are of the Christmases spent with all of my family. Thanks for the giveaway! Merry Christmas! cheryllynne(at)rocketmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

My favorite Christmas memory was when my Mother open a gift I gave her when I was teen. I remember her laugh and see her smiling. Haven't a clue what I gave her. Thanks for the giveaway.
roya-clan@sbcglobal.net

wpogrant said...

Seeing my grandson open his gifts on his first christmas.
wendy.pogrant@yahoo.com

ceagles said...

Thanks for sharing that it was nice.
I love the smell of baking pies1

Chris
ceagles48218@yahoo.com

JanD said...

When I was a child, waiting for midnight on Christmas Eve was exciting because it meant it was time to eat the delicious food set out on the table.
bituin76 at hotmail dot com

Daniel M said...

when i was a kid i got a tabletop hockey game, me and my friends had tournaments for years, loved it - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com

Beckey said...

Thanks for the great giveaway :)

Happy Holidsys

Booksrforever123 said...

please enter me in the grand prize drawing
carolyn
j-coverholser at sbcglobal dot net