Christi Barth has taken over the blog today……..
As you grow up, you learn the basic ingredients for Christmas: decorations, presents, family. Kind of assume everyone does it the same way. So imagine my surprise when I went off to college and discovered that all of America didn’t watch the Hollywood Christmas Parade on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. For me, that parade was the iconic kickoff to the holiday season. It was cheesy, full of B and C list stars, and I loved it. We’d watch it every year while decorating the house.
Then I kept moving across country, and learned the delights of the local flavor of Christmas. In Minneapolis, they are all about the Holidazzle Parade. That’s right – even when its waaaay below freezing, those hardy Minnesotans stand outside (at night, even!) to watch a parade of elaborately lighted and animated floats. In my current hometown of Baltimore, we don’t light a city Christmas tree. We have an elaborate ceremony to light the Washington Monument (that’s right, we’ve got the first one. That famous one down in DC happened afterwards). Ooh, and in Key West, instead of a ball drop on New Year’s Eve, they drop a huge lighted conch shell.
Chicago has loads of special Christmas displays. One is the ChristKindlmarket – a German inspired outdoor market full of shops, lavish Christmas trees and live performances. And to learn about lots more special Chicago holiday spots (far from subtle hint here), you can read my novella, Ask Her At Christmas. When two friends decide to come up with a Christmas themed proposal, they take readers on a tour of every famous Chicago Christmas tradition.
There are lots of sections of the country I haven’t made it to yet. What are your favorite local holiday traditions?
Ask Her At Christmas
Purchase at Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Carina Press
Caitlin McIntyre’s heart stops when her best friend drops to one knee and proposes. Kyle Lockhart never once hinted over the years that he has any idea she’s in love with him. Not wanting to jeopardize their friendship, she’s never let it slip. Good thing, too, since it turns out he’s only practicing—he’s about to propose to someone else.
A business merger might not be the most romantic reason to propose to a woman he barely knows, but Kyle’s determined to win the respect of the dying father who’s never seen him as quite good enough. Kyle’s always depended on Caitlin’s friendship, while trying to ignore the physical response she arouses. So he turns to her when it comes time to craft his proposal, not realizing his decision will affect their relationship, forever.
This Christmas, Kyle and Caitlin get one last chance to admit their feelings for each other, and find a mutual happily ever after, before he commits his life to another woman and Caitlin leaves town and him…for good.
Find out more about Christi here:
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Ask Her At Christmas is part of a Christmas Anthology
Want to check out the whole book?
We wish you a merry Christmas and a happily ever after!
A memorable three-night stand gets rekindled in a cabin in West Virginia. An office romance is sparked by an impulsive holiday kiss. And two best friends scout locations for a marriage proposal and discover that they make a perfect match. ‘Tis the season for laughter, love and a lifetime of happiness.
Edited by Angela James, this anthology includes:
We’ll Be Home for Christmas by HelenKay Dimon
The Best Thing by Jaci Burton
Ask Her at Christmas by Christi Barth
Stories also available for purchase separately.
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