Our favourite things

IT'S MISTLETOE MONDAY -  The Not Your Usual Suspects authors share their personal Holiday season decorations and delights with you.

Tell us about your favourite decorations and traditions at this time of year - we'd love to hear them!

**Comment on any post this month & be entered to win FREE BOOKS!**
***Countdown today: EIGHT BOOKS under the Christmas tree, see below***



We love to decorate! Here are some of the beautiful displays on view by our authors:

Rita says: I grew up in Florida. Christmas never included snow. We made our own wreaths from cedar boughs or magnolia leaves, decorated with holly and humongous pinecones. Garlands were made of the same material all of which we gathered ourselves. Table decorations could be palm fronds, magnolia leaves, holly and citrus fruit punctured with cloves. It was the job of the cousins to decorate the citrus with whole cloves. I associate the smell of cedar, drying citrus and cloves with Christmas. Our big family tradition was to celebrate Christmas Eve at my aunt’s century old home. Many times all the doors and windows were open because it was so warm. There were a few times we had a fire in the fireplace. But I remember the room as being so toasty we didn't spend much time in there. I’ve spent Christmas in many places from Hawaii to the Midwest and back to Florida. I loved being immersed in the local traditions wherever I was and decorated accordingly. Back in Florida now my decorations reflect where I live, the beach. My Santas are in floral print shirts and/or shorts. I love decorating the palm trees with lights. My wreaths have shells and holly. My tree has a giant starfish at the top, mermaids, flamingo and starfish lights while my neighbors, who are all from the North, still decorate the way they did up there. Don't tell anyone but, I think I like my decorations a lot more.

Rita Henuber

Website

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Carol says: 
Left: my family called this ornament "Big Red", and it's well over 50 years old. Every year I continue the tradition of picking a special spot on the tree to showcase 'Red'.

Middle: my office held a Xmas wreath competition, and I created a Shih Tzu wreath, including rawhide candy canes. I didn't win, but I love putting it out every year.

Right: My Shih Tzu Maddie as she's my most treasured Xmas decoration.

Carol Stephenson

Escape to Compelling, Heart-Racing Stories
Website; Facebook; Twitter; Not Your Usual Suspects

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Julie says: This is a picture of my Christmas tree. The other is of a favorite ornament (a girl cheerleading that looks a bit like me!) that I got shortly after high school. I went to school in Okinawa, Japan and our team colors were red and white.

 
Julie Moffett

Website

                              



Update on the BOOK GIVEAWAY:
Follow this on each post during Dec as the books mount up. Comment on any post to to be entered in the draw. Final prize giveaway on Jan 2!

EIGHT BOOKS TO DATE!

Blinded by Our Eyes by Clare London

Dead Silent - Shirley Wells

Sea of Suspicion by Toni Anderson

Under Fire by Rita Henuber

The Shoeless Kid - Marcelle Dube

No One to Trust - Julie Moffett

Icescapade - Josh Lanyon

Choice of backlist - Shelley Munro