The inspiration behind “An Apple for Christmas” novella
Book 4 in The Christmas Traditions series with
Cynthia Hickey, Niki Turner, Darlene Franklin, Patti Hall Smith and Jennifer Allee.
I have two Christmas stories this year. For An Apple for Christmas, I knew I wanted to write a story set in Vermont in the 1890s (my six-book Vermont historical series, Maple Notch Brides and Maple Notch Dreams, skipped from 1864 to 1927). When I discovered apples were a burgeoning industry in that decade, I had my story: a teacher/scientist, involved in creating new varieties of apples, crosses paths with the owner of an orchard. Mix in twin daughters, a plethora of epigrams about apples, and all the delicious apple recipes available for the holidays led to my volume in the Christmas Traditions series. Available at Amazon.
When I decided to write a second Christmas story, I took inspiration from the story of the Wise men. In Christmas Visitors, three wise women from the East (Boston) arrive in Bethlehem, Texas, just in time to present gifts to a five-year-old born on Christmas Day. Their gifts mix ideas from “We Three Kings of Orient Are” with faith, hope, and love. Healing comes to more than one broken heart through their gifts. Available at Amazon.
Author’s Bio
Darlene Franklin’s greatest claim to fame is that she writes full-time from a nursing home. She lives in Oklahoma, near her son and his family, and continues her interests in playing the piano and singing, books, good fellowship, and reality TV in addition to writing. Her historical fiction ranges from the Revolutionary War to World War II, from Colorado to Vermont. You can find Darlene online elsewhere on Facebook and her Amazon Author Page.
Giveaways
Johnnie here! Our generous guest is giving away copies of both of her books if at least ten visitors leave a comment before 11:59 p.m. (Central time) on Friday, December 19th. Two names will be randomly drawn, one for An Apple for Christmas and one for Christmas Visitors.
Christmas Traditions Series
Two other authors in the Christmas Traditions Series shared the inspirations behind their stories last week.
Story Spark: “The Fruitcake Challenge” by Carrie Fancett Pagels
Story Spark: “Sadie’s Gift” by Niki Turner
Darlene, thank you for being today’s guest and sharing the inspiration behind your stories. So glad to have you here!
Johnnie, thanks for having me as your guest! I am glad to be here.
I’d love to win a book! What an inspiration she is!!
What an adorable little one! Thanks for coming by,
So glad you stopped by, and I love your “handle”: pennypinchingpeach. How cute is that! And yes, Darlene is an inspiration.
What an amazing inspiration! I’d love to read these books.
Thanks for helping to promote Darlene’s giveaway on Facebook and Twitter, Shelli. Sooooo appreciate it!
My daughter loves historical fiction. This would be a great win!
Hi, Beth. I love historical fiction, too, and both these stories sound intriguing. Thanks for stopping by!
Darlene, both your Christmas stories sound wonderfully intriguing. I’d love to win.
Blessings ~ Wendy ❀
Wendy, I hope you have a chance to read one or both!
Hi, Wendy. Thanks for participating and for liking the post. God bless!
Hi, Darlene and Johnnie!!
Thanks for spot-lighting Darlene and her novellas, Johnnie!! I loved these novellas – Darlene writes heart-warming stories with unique story lines.
Please don’t enter me in the giveaways as I have both novellas.
Shared post.
Why, thank you, Bonnie!
Hi, Bonnie. I love it that you’ve read the stories and can recommend them. Thanks!
I’d live to win either book. Christmas stories are fun this time of year.
Yay, Diane! So glad to see you here. There are so many Christmas stories this time of year, and I’m so glad to have had a few highlighted on my blog.
I have devoted all my reading since Thanksgiving to Christmas stories. So many good ones! I hope you get to read mine.
Thanks for the giveaway..would love to win!
Rita, thanks for your interest!
Hi, Rita. So glad you could join the “Christmas Giveaway Party”!
These books sound amazing. Whoever wins will be very lucky. Crossing my fingers! Love reading Christmas books.
Sonja, glad for your excitement! Good luck in the drawing.
Hi, Sonja. So glad you could stop in. I agree with you about Darlene’s books. I especially like the premise behind Christmas Visitors. Such a clever idea.
This sounds really cool! I love that she writes from a nursing home and her stories sound intriguing!
BetJett, writing from a nursing home is an interesting challenge! I hope you have an opportunity to read my stories.
Hey, Bet! Glad you’re here. Thanks for participating in the giveaway.
I LOVE reading Christmas stories at Christmastime! Count me in.
Me too, Laura! I hope you can add one or both of these stories to your reading list this Christmas.
Laura, I imagine reading Christmas stories is a welcome break from the tomes you read for your classes. Appreciate you!
Sounds wonderful Merry Christmas to both of you!
Thanks, Jean. Merry Christmas wishes right back atcha!
Jean, Merry Christmas to you as well!
Both of these books sound great. I love Christmas stories and would love to win. Merry Christmas.
Susan, thank you for your interest. I hope you get to read or both!
Hi, Susan. Thanks for participating, and Merry Christmas.
You can definitely see your skills within the work you write.
The sector hopes for even more passionate writers like
you who are not afraid to say how they believe.
At all times go after your heart.