A book by Dianne Hartsock!
Welcome Dianne to our blog party today! We are very happy to have you!
Author: Dianne Hartsock
Intro: After growing up in California and
spending the first ten years of marriage in Colorado, I now live in the beautiful
Willamette Valley of Oregon with my incredibly patient husband, who puts up
with the endless hours I spend hunched over the keyboard letting my characters
play.
I have to say, Oregon's raindrops are the perfect setting in which to write. There's something about being cooped up in the house while it pours rain outside, a fire crackles on the hearth inside, and a cup of hot coffee warms my hands, which kindles my imagination.
The intricate and fragile nature of the mind is always fascinating. Having worked with the public through various careers I've come to respect the resilience and strength of the human spirit. I'm always trying to capture that spirit in my writing.
Currently, I work as a floral designer in a locally-owned gift shop. Which is the perfect job for me. When not writing, I can express myself through the rich colors and textures of flowers and foliage.
I have to say, Oregon's raindrops are the perfect setting in which to write. There's something about being cooped up in the house while it pours rain outside, a fire crackles on the hearth inside, and a cup of hot coffee warms my hands, which kindles my imagination.
The intricate and fragile nature of the mind is always fascinating. Having worked with the public through various careers I've come to respect the resilience and strength of the human spirit. I'm always trying to capture that spirit in my writing.
Currently, I work as a floral designer in a locally-owned gift shop. Which is the perfect job for me. When not writing, I can express myself through the rich colors and textures of flowers and foliage.
Today's question is:
How old were you when you decided there was no Santa?
Dianne says: I think I was about eight years old when my cousin, who was
my age but much more worldly-wise, told me there was no Santa. I felt
devastated and went crying to my older sister. She calmed me down, and after
she explained that Mom and Dad were Santa's helpers, well, I felt much better
about the whole thing.
I think the myth of Santa adds that touch of magic to the
holidays that I love so much. It's harmless fun, and I know my kids still enjoy
getting full stockings on Christmas morning!
Our giveaway today is a copy of Merry Christmas Shelton! To enter for a chance to win a copy leave a comment telling us your favorite holiday tradition!
Can Shelton and Nevil overcome the obstacles of a blizzard, a baby, and one hot redhead and find their way to a merry Christmas?
Shelton and Nevil have rented a cozy cabin in the mountains in which to spend the Christmas holiday. Tree is lit. Presents sparkle. Shelton anticipates a very merry Christmas indeed. But then a blizzard springs up, landing a sexy redhead on their doorstep looking like trouble in a pretty package.
Tommy brings a message for Nevil, but when he first hits on Shelton in the shower, then offers to drive Nevil to his sister's side while she has her baby, Shelton begins to wonder just how this mixed up Christmas is going to end.
Find it here at Breathless Press!
Check out what previous authors have to say about how long they believed in Santa:
Lissa said: Seven or eight I think.
Danny said: THERE IS NO SANTA????
Havan said: What are you talking about? Santa isn't gonna put you on the nice list
if you keep talking like that...sooooo, wanna join the naughty list with me?
*winks*
Kimber said: Lol I was thirteen, believe it or not. I held on as long as I could, but my dad left
the tools sitting out in the living room after he put something together and I
realized I had to let the idea go.
Hank said: WHAT?!?!
DC said: I never believed in Santa. We didn't have a chimney.
LOL
Lee said: What? Dude...You're kidding right? I saw him over at the
mall just the other day...
Allison said: I can’t even remember. I had to keep pretending because
I had a little brother who was four years younger than me, so I didn’t want to
ruin it for him.
Jackie said: My sis, Steph told me when I was five. I was pretty devastated but in her defense I
was hoarding in on her gifts and annoying the heck out of her. Every eleven year old has a breaking point
with the younger sibling. Nabbing her
gifts was it :D
Pelaam said: I think I was five or six. My Uncle used to
come and stay with us, so he got my bed (which was normally in my parent’s
bedroom and moved to a spare room) and I shared their bed. This particular
Christmas, I couldn’t sleep and got the usual dire warnings of no presents. I
always hung a pillow case at the base of the bed. My Mom came in and took it, and
I crept down the hallway after her, thinking the worst. When I peeked into the
lounge, she, my Dad and Uncle were filling it with gifts. I tiptoed back to bed
and never told them what I’d seen.
I was pretty young when I found out there wasn't a santa. I was Ten. Though to this day my mom still says," Oh you don't believe in santa? I guess that means no presents!"
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Michael! You know, my Mom said the same thing. :)
DeleteThanks so much ladies for letting me join in the twelve days of Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI might have been 6 or 7 when I knew there was no Santa Clauas.
ReplyDeleteThat's about when my daughter caught us! Thanks for coming by, Suzanne.
DeleteSuzanne, you're my winner. Woo Hoo!
DeleteMy kids all found out around 6th grade they had their suspicions before that but finally told me around 10/11 years old. I'm glad they all know now it use to stress me out sneaking around trying not to get caught.
ReplyDeletejosiehink122026(at)gmail(dot)com
It's definately nice not to have to go to bed at midnight now so they don't catch us. :) Glad you came by.
DeleteThank you so much for stopping by! Make sure you check out the rest of the posts for our Christmas party. Still time to enter :D
ReplyDeleteWe go to mass with everyone in the family on Christmas Eve. I cant rember when I found out there was no Santa. Probably 5th gr.
ReplyDeletelauratroxel@yahoo.com
I still tell my kids Santa's watching them. :) I'm happy you made it by, Laura.
Deletei really do not remember when i did.
ReplyDeleteThird grade, so about 8 or 9 years-old? Nosy! *shrugs*
ReplyDeleteHi Amychelle! I still pretend Santa's real. ;)
DeleteWell, I still act like Santa's real, especially since I work with kids. Besides, writing letters to Santa is a great way of letting people know what you want for Christmas. Worked for years with my parents.
ReplyDeletetiger-chick-1(at)hotmail(dot)com
So glad you made it by, Emily!
Delete