Monday, December 12, 2011

Celebrating Books and Christmas with Trish Perry (plus giveaway!!)!!!

Welcome one and all to our second Tuesday in the blogfest :D

Firstly, I just wanted to say that I am SO thankful to have this blog. It is such an outlet in times like these where I am stressed for my finals, my grades, and my appointments next week. So thank you for following me so faithfully and encouraging me to continue with it : ) I appreciate you all SO much!

Next, I am thrilled to have this guest with us today! I contacted her a couple months ago because I was so excited at the thought of having her hehehe ^_^ Though I have not read any of her books, I have read a couple interviews and boy, they sure do sound good! If you stick around to the end, you'll get the chance to win a fun Christmas story from her! So without further ado, welcome Trish Perry!!!

Hannah: Trish, thank you, thank you for agreeing to join us here today! I am so excited to hear your answers to these questions and to spend some time with you :D When does the Christmas season officially start in your household? What is the first thing done that marks the start (i.e. putting up Christmas tree, baking first gingerbread men, etc)?

Trish: The starting date definitely depends upon what else is going on around here, but usually I start warming up the first or second week into December. The front door wreath is typically my first effort. It makes it look as if I’ve got it all going on inside the house, when in fact I’m completely disorganized and working in spurts.

H: Hahahaha that is a really smart idea, in my opinion! We honestly do not decorate much outside (might try and get a picture for ya), but the wreath is definitely there :) By the way, I love that shirt you're wearing in your picture! Anyway haha, you wrote a Christmas novel, Love Finds You on Christmas Morning, why is it special for you to have written this?

T: Christmas is simply a romantic time of year, even if one isn’t involved in a romance. I mean, the setting is warm and friendly, hearts soften, and people are often more warm, fuzzy, and like minded. So I loved the chance to work a story around that environment. And I like the idea of endurance suggested with a Christmas-based story. They come back into style every year!

H: Awwww, love that you think of it as a romantic time of year. I would completely agree with that! And I'd never thought of that before! They really DO come "back into style" every year, huh?? Who is your favorite character in your book and why?

T: I love Harvey Fennicle, the eccentric old man in whose mansion heroine Nikki Tronnier lives and works. He’s funny, kind, and generous of heart. But, of course, my heroine, Nikki, is my favorite character, because this is her story. I love the fact that, even though she’s very modern and contemporary minded, she hankers for the warm family environment she remembers from her childhood, and she takes steps to recover that environment. She doesn’t just sit there, wishing her life were a certain way. She gets out there to make her life what she wants it to be. At least that’s what she tries to do.

H: I LOVE the names of the characters in your book.....Harvey Fennicle. A name drenched with personality, how cool! And that sure is a cliffhanger at the end ; ) What really happens with Nikki?? Now you've got me curious! In a Christmas fantasy land – who would be the famous figures, past and/or present, at your dinner table and why?

T:
• Edmund Gwenn, the fellow who played Kris Kringle in the 1947 version of Miracle on 34th Street, because he was one of my favorite characters as a kid (watching repeats of the film—I’m not that old).
• Bill Murray, who played Frank Cross in Scrooged, because he’s hilarious.
• Amy Grant, Enya, Rachel Lampa, and Nicole Nordeman, because they sing Christmas carols beautifully.
• The angel who appeared to the shepherds on Christmas Day—I think the common belief is that it was Gabriel—because I just think he has an awesome job and would love to hear about it.
• Jesus, because He’s the whole point. Happy birthday to Him!

H: Happy Birthday indeed!! Love that :D along with your other choices - very unique! Enya is very talented. What did you ask Santa for Christmas this year? *wink*

T: I actually have a lot of uncertainty before me for 2012, so I’m asking Santa (and the Lord) for a productive year, free of all surprises but the happy ones.

H: Wow....that is a very well thought out answer. I actually think that I would agree with that one in thorough. Sounds good to me. I'll certainly be praying for you as I'm sure my readers will too. What have been the highlights throughout 2011 for you?

T: My son finished his freshman year of film school and started his second, happy in his pursuit (which makes his mama happy).
My daughter and her hubby announced that my second grandchild will arrive in February 2012.
I saw the fruits of 2010’s crazy labors, releasing four books this year.

H: WOW! Congrats, congrats, aaaaaaaaaaaaand congrats! Those are incredible highlights!! :D Do you have any New Years resolutions for the upcoming 2012?

T: I don’t tend to make resolutions. But I am planning on doing my chiropractor’s “boot camp,” in January. I’m not exactly sure what that’s going to entail. I know it’s all about getting more fit and healthier in every facet of life. I’m scared.

T: Other than that, my resolution is to keep reminding myself that God has everything in hand. I’m leaning on that in a big way for 2012.

H: These are some “short answer” questions. You can answer them in as few words as possible – even simply one word.

Favorite Christmas book read this year? Remembering Christmas, by Dan Walsh

Movie seen? The Holiday, with Jude Law and three other people who aren’t him. (HAHAHAHAHA!! I love your answer XD)

Last Christmas song you heard? O Come O Come Emmanuel, by Enya

Favorite food to make or eat during the season? Pecan snowball cookies! Yum. I want some right now.

Briefly describe your favorite ornament. I have two, actually. My two kids are grown now, but I still have the picture ornaments each of them made while in elementary school. My daughter’s has her photo surrounded by a tiny grapevine wreath, and my son’s is his photo surrounded by puzzle pieces. I still see them as those little kids sometimes. Always my babies!

Anything else you would like to say? : ) I’d like to wish your readers a very happy Christmas. I pray that this is a joyous season for all of you and that the reminder of Christ’s birth renews a sense of hope and comfort for you now and during the coming year. I love to hear from readers, who can reach me through my website or on Facebook or Twitter (TrishPerryWrtr).
Thanks for featuring me, Hannah!

Wow, what a great interview! I am so glad that I was able to learn more about you! Thanks again for joining us today!

It's GIVEAWAY time!!!! Trish has happily offered you all a copy of Love Find You on Christmas Morning! Excited!? I think yes! Jealous I can't win it ; )
Rules:
~ Leave a comment for Trish
~ Must leave a valid email address so that I can contact you if you win!
~ Must have a US mailing address for this contest

+1 - Become a new follower of my blog
+1 - Follow Trish on Facebook or Twitter
+2 - Being an old follower of my blog : )

Contest is open until December 27, 2011. Winners will be drawn randomly from the List Randomizer at Random.org by December 30, 2011.

Today's song is gonna take you back, people : ) Just needed some happy music tonight before this final!!

Happy Tuesday, everyone. Enjoy chatting with Trish and see you tomorrow : )
Hannah

1 comment:

  1. Trish's book sounds great, and I love your blog - such fun! Thanks for the opportunity to win!

    Edwina Cowgill
    edwina@edwinacowgill.com

    Just signed up to follow your blog

    ReplyDelete