Twenty years ago this month, my first book, DECK THE HALLS, was published. It’s a story about three sisters who run a Christmas decorating service and came out in the Harlequin Romance imprint under my pseudonym, Heather Allison. How appropriate that this month, A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS, also a Christmas romance, is out. Different line, different name, but still a Christmas romance. There have been five Christmas romances in between these two. I like Christmas romances even though I’m usually writing them when it isn’t Christmas.

Christmas is always a busy, stressful time of year, filled with expectations and calories and shopping and family. Great fodder for book ideas. I remember the moment I got the idea for DECK THE HALLS. I’d just returned from a handbell choir performance, got the kids in bed and was about to hit the shower when I remembered that I had to bake cookies for somebody’s pre-school class the next day. And they had to be homemade using the recipe the school sent home. I thought, “I wish I could hire someone to do Christmas for me.” And got the idea for the book. The SANTA SLEUTH was inspired by a newspaper article about a little girl’s search for the best mall Santa. I was involved in a Christmas program when I thought of the plot for THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE CUDDLY. Families and their expectations prompted both MR. DECEMBER, and CHRISTMAS MALE. LONE STAR SANTA was inspired by a cocktail napkin that said, “Donner and the Vixen.” That was my original title, but I didn’t get to keep it. However, LONE STAR SANTAS was the original title for CHRISTMAS MALE, so it all worked out. The carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas” gave me the idea for A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS because the giver gives his true love such an extravagant set of gifts. What’s more extravagant that a gift of twelve men?

One of the similarities in the books is the Christmas tree. All the trees are decorated with a mish mash of ornaments collected over the years and multi-colored lights, because that’s what I like.

To celebrate, I’ll give away books to 7 people who tell me if they prefer designer trees, where the ornaments have a theme and everything is color coordinated, or what I’m calling a jumble tree, with a mix of homemade, gift, and souvenir ornaments. Winners can choose my new Blaze or any of my backlist, as long as you understand that the older the book, the deeper I have to dig!

And the 7 winners are Patsy Roberts, EllenToo, CrystalGB, Chey, Cathy W, Robin Coll, and Laurie G! Please email me at Heather (at) HeatherMacAllister.com with your contact info. You can pick A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS or any of my backlist, which is on my website. And then I shall brave the post office. What was I thinking? :-O

Admittedly, I am always the one whose ears perk up when the word “party” is mentioned. I’m not so fond, as in I HATE, a huge annonymous soire but give me a group of good friends getting together to celebrate and I’m all over it. (H)

So, I had this blog planned around Christmas trees — as in real vs. artificial trees. The bottom line is that I’ve never had an artificial tree. Most of the people I know have artifical trees — nuthin’ wrong with that. I’m just a hold-out. Hey, I figure someone’s got to keep the tree farmers in business. I like me a real tree — and yes, I do recycle it to the mulch pile afterwards.

Anywho, I had this blog planned but then something truly exciting and party-worthy happened — Romantic Times announced their nominees for Best Blaze of 2009!!! Hel-lo. Being the Blaze blog, how could we possibly bypass this opportunity to celebrate the nominees and party down?

So, the champagne fountain is flowing, the martini bar is open and chocolate-dipped fruit is available to all. Pick your toast of choice and join me in saluting the RT nominated Blaze Babes (y’all do us proud!):

A LONG, HARD RIDE
Alison Kent (Mar.)

MAKE ME YOURS
Betina Krahn (Jul.)

SHE’S GOT IT BAD
Sarah Mayberry (Apr.)

LETTERS FROM HOME
Rhonda Nelson (Jun.)

HOT UNDER PRESSURE
Kathleen O’Reilly (Aug.)

And a special toast to Blaze Babe Leslie Kelly for her RT Lifetime Achievement Nomination.

So, join me in the party and in offering congratulations! (And hey, I’m still interested in whether you do a real tree or not )