Maybe it’s just me, but it seems that Christmas comes around sooner than it used to. It’s December again and I’m not ready for the baking and wrapping and the general happy chaos of the season. I’ve had a wonderful, very busy fall, getting ready for the launch of CAROLINA GOLD next week ( stay tuned for news of a mini-launch giveaway next week–it’s going to be  fun), writing my 2014 book, and reading background for the 2015 book. And working on two novellas. In such a challenging time for authors and publishers, I’m so lucky to get to write stories I love, full of romance, mystery, history and hope.

With Ron at Shiloh Military Park.

Last month I spent several days in Nashville meeting with my publisher, Daisy Hutton, my editor, Becky Philpott, and my entire team at Thomas Nelson, talking about books. After a busy morning, we adjourned for lunch at the Germantown Cafe downtown, a delightful place that serves a mean jalapeno burger.

While I was in town, I had a chance to lunch with my fellow author Tamera Alexander at Ellendale’s, a wonderful restaurant that occupies an historic house in Nashville. It was the perfect setting for two authors of historical fiction to share a meal and talk shop. We had a grand time.

Ron was able to join me in Nashville on Friday and we spent the next few days with my brother and his family at his vacation home overlooking the Tennessee River. His house is just a hop, skip and jump from Shiloh National Military Park. We spent half a day touring the park, and the next day drove down to Corinth Mississippi to the Civil War Interpretive Center. Both are well worth your time if you are ever in the neighborhood.

The week of Thanksgiving, we drove to east Texas to see my mom and had a delightful visit, despite the threat of icy weather. Thankfully, the temperature stayed just above freezing and we were able to get home without difficulty. Of course we had to make the obligatory stop at the Collin Street Bakery in Waco ( the original is in Corsicana) for Ron’s Christmas cakes. A forty year tradition in our house.

I loved every minute of the whirlwind that was November, but I’m happy to be home, settling back into my writing and looking forward to Christmas. Earlier this year we had to say goodbye to Major,  our beloved older golden, who developed cancer at age 12. And Ron suffered a stroke in early September. But he has made a good recovery, our younger golden, Jake, delights us with his antics and warms us with his devotion, we have work we love, friends and family we cherish…everything we need to have a blessed and joyous Christmas.

I wish the same for you.