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Helenkay Dimon: Thanks for having me here today to talk about my newest release, WE’LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS. The book came out a few weeks ago and I’m really excited about it.
WE’LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS is the third in my Holloway series, which takes place in and around the fictional town of Holloway, West Virginia. I’m not sure if the series is part of the traditional “small-town romance” book-a-palooza explosion that’s happening in the contemporary romance genre right now (which is awesome). For some reason when I think of “small-town romance” I immediately think the book is sweet even though many aren’t. And this one sure isn’t sweet. The hero and heroine – Spence and Lila – actually met in a bar and enjoyed a…let’s call it a fling. It was really a three-night stand. Now, months later, it’s a few weeks before the holidays and Lila and Spence meet up again. This time they keep their clothes on (well, at least at first) but the sexual tension and spark between them hasn’t gone away.
The town does play a part in the series. This isn’t a small town where everyone is friendly all the time and nothing ever goes wrong. Honestly, I’m not really familiar with that type of town. Holloway is more like the small town where I grew up in Pennsylvania. Some folks are nicer than others, most are helpful, and a few are a touch too nosy. It was a good and decent place to grown up, but it was NOT perfect.
Capturing that beat of closeness, and sometimes too much neighborly closeness, was my goal for Holloway.
Since Spence is a hometown boy many people are also very invested in this bachelor’s love life. The poor thing. That means while he’s trying to woo Lila, he has a cheerleading crowd, including his newly married brother. But that sense of community is what I love, and what I think a lot of other people love, about romances that take place outside of a city. Not that city dwellers can’t have a sense of community, because they absolutely can and do, but there’s something about the idea of a group of people who have known each other forever that adds to the overall comforting (and potentially claustrophobic) feel of the setting.
I hope no matter where you live or what you celebrate that you and your families have a safe and happy holiday season!
Rowena: If you read LEAN ON ME, then you’ve met the hero Spence. When I first met Spence in the beginning of LEAN ON ME, I thought he was a great big poopy head but he won me over during the story and I ended up really liking him. I’m anxious to read this one.
Thanks so much to Helenkay Dimon for stopping by today to talk to us about her new release. We always love having her around.
GIVEAWAY ALERT: Lucky for you guys, Helenkay was kind enough to offer up a copy of WE’LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS to give away on the blog. So if you’re interested in winning this book, leave a comment on this post and tell us about your favorite Christmas memory. Childhood memory or a more adult (hehe) memory, share your memories with us!
We were always allowed to open one present on Christmas Eve, it was like an appetizer to the main course. 🙂 I plan to do it with my kids this year and can’t wait!
My favorite memory is of the fourth Christmas Hubby and I spent together. It was the first one with our son. There is just something about kids and Christmas. Everything is more wonderful! Thanks for the giveaway.
I remember waiting up for Santa when I was about five and hearing noises on the roof. My dad got one of his buddies to dress like Santa and climb down and surprise us. It was great. Thanks for the giveaway. Can’t wait to read We’ll Be Home For Christmas.
e.balinski(at)att(dot)net
I remember waiting with my sister at the top of the stairs so my dad could get the video camera ready to take pictures as we ran down the stairs to see our presents.
msboatgal at aol.com
Thanks for the fantastic post and giveaway! I loved my childhood Christmases… b/c we had to split Christmas Eve and Christmas w/ the extended family, we always did our immediate family gift exchange on Christmas Eve morning. That was fantastic as a kid!!!
Great spending time with family and vacation time
Kimh
Great spending time with family and vacation time
Out town has a Christmas Eve Carole sing around the green at 7pm – there are a lot of twinkly lights, people hold lite candles – it is just beautiful.
sallans d at yahoo dot com
I can remember receiving a train set one year for Christmas. Pretty cool for a girl.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Having a holiday meal with family and friends
bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
Every year we would open one present on Christmas Eve. Then after Midnight Mass one more. it was always fun to try and guess the best one to open.
bacchus76 at myself dot com
One of my favorite childhood memories is waking up early and just looking at all the presents on Christmas morning.
mce1011 AT aol DOT com