Today we have a special guest for Christmas Day... my friend and writing critique partner, Kim Hornsby, who is one of the most effervescent, fun, creative, determined and inspiring people I know. She's been an art teacher in elementary schools, a singer who opened for famous muscians, an actress, a dive instructor, and a loyal and true friend to me for several years!
Kim's also a working mom of 2 who's managed to write several books in her "spare time" and begin her own publishing company, Top Ten Press. Her first book was of course her own: The Dream Jumper's Promise, which I promise is a great love story and mystery combined and a surprise ending.Kim's next book, Necessary Detours, is due out in April via Wild Rose Press. So she's one busy woman!
Please help me welcome someone who's been a Santa in my life as she talks about finding joy AND balance in the season... and check out her special book offer at the end of the post. Take it away, Kim!
Merry Christmas, Everyone!
I do not refer to this time of year as the generic ‘holiday season’ or Festivus or any other name to include everyone in the world. Sorry. It’s Christmas-- my favorite time of the year.
I was raised under the influence of a Presbyterian minister grandfather and as we prepare for Santa's visit and shop for gifts for people we appreciate, many are remembering the birth of someone who influenced the world so greatly that we are still talking about him two thousand years later.
Santa's trip down the chimney is a bonus, tacked onto the age-old celebration, like whipped cream on cocoa. For me Christmas has become the time of year to haul a tree inside the house, string lights and enjoy a jolly atmosphere. To eat cookies, sing carols, wrap presents, hope for snow and decorate the house with garlands and pictures of the kids on Santa's lap from days gone by.
It’s a time to see extended family members, gather friends together for parties and to take a moment to laugh. Christmas is a magical time, based on tradition and rooted by family values. I love the way nasty personalities are transformed by Christmas (read the book Scrooge).
Extend a Hand
Helping others at this time of year is something I highly recommend. It feels just plain good. Like donating a goat to a village in Africa http://donate.worldvision.org/OA_HTML/xxwv2ibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?go=gift&§ion=10389 on behalf of Grandma and Grandpa or sponsoring a family who's down on their luck this year but still want their children to get a present. Both benevolent gestures are wildly gratifying. Or just picking out the perfect pair of earrings for a mother who's worked so very hard all year picking up clothes and toys, is another act of kindness (hint).
Don't Forget Your Sanity, Ladies!
As we approach the end of the season that can drive a sane woman to the brink of too much Chardonnay, I implore you women to pace yourselves. Don't burn yourself out, take moments to breathe, don't go overboard on the toys and remember, no one will remember if the napkin rings all matched but they will remember if the hostess was a mental mess at Christmas dinner.
This is a tough time of year for women who manage a household and try to do everything perfectly. Most of us deserve some pampering by the time husbands go back to work, kids go back to school and the house is quiet once again. That’s why so many of us get massages on January 2nd, and that’s why you can’t book a pedicure all that week.
Women, get to your stations, arm yourselves with cookbooks and happy smiles and when it’s all over, curl up by the fire for a stolen moment, grab a good book and escape for awhile in someone else’s life.
On your mark... get set... GO!
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Jolly Kwanza, Delightful December Everyone!
‘Tis the Season to give Freebies. And just to make your season a little brighter.... from Christmase (December 25th) to the 27th The Dream Jumper’s Promise will be free on Amazon Kindle.
About The Book
Tina Greene can't accept the surfing death of her husband
Hank without a recovered body. Months after signing the death certificate, she
pulls herself from the emotional wreckage and trades mourning for saving her
Maui dive shop from bankruptcy.
When war hero, Jamey Dunn, walks back into Tina's life,
things take a strange turn. Lifelike dreams have the dive instructor
questioning her sanity and leaning heavily on Hank's best friend, Noble. Jamey
and Noble clash at every turn, both desperate to help Tina. When the dreams
uncover clues to Hank's disappearance, Jamey must reveal his strange ability to
enter dreams.
But for Tina, trusting the man who betrayed her years before,
doesn't come easily, and the decision to let Jamey enter her subconscious has a
price she isn't sure she can pay. As Noble, Tina and Jamey get closer to
solving the mystery of Hank's disappearance, grave danger sets in to reveal
that one person is flirting with insanity, one is a traitor, and one is a
murderer.
What Readers are saying about The Dream Jumper’s Promise
“This is a little gem. The story is engaging, the relationship between Tina and Jamey builds nicely, the suspense keeps coming, and there are twists and turns that caught me completely off guard.”
“A very engaging and entertaining beach book--even better, a great winter read for bringing a little Hawaii warmth into colder climes.”
“I will be staying up late again tonight to find out what happens.... great first book by Kim Hornsby!”
“I was hooked by the vivid imagery and relatable characters. The paranormal aspect of the story was delicious icing on the cake.”
About The Author
I'm a mother, a wife, an animal lover and a girl who loves adventure. Writing takes me through the long wet Seattle winters without the help of a shrink and satisfies my need to talk non-stop.
When I'm not furiously typing away at my computer, I can be
found outside. I don't like to spend alot of time inside a building (even my
own house) so look for me in the garden, at the dog park, on the lake (see
photo), at the soccer field, the grocery store or at Hector's with my critique
group. Ok, the last two were buildings, but hey a girl has to get groceries and
visit her writer friends.
For more information about Kim or her novels and recipes from her books, visit http://www.kimhornsby.net/index.html
Brilliant read!
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