Sharon Donovan, Author: Legend of Rudolph

Origin of the legend

Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer is the only addition to the Santa folklore in the twentieth century. In 1939, Robert May, an advertising copywriter for the Montgomery Ward Department Store in Chicago conceived the idea for a shiny nosed reindeer, a Santa’s helper to distribute to parents and children. An artist friend, Denver Gillen spent hours at a local zoo drawing whimsical sketches of reindeer at rest and play. After many names, May finally settled on naming the reindeer Rudolph, the preference of his four-year old daughter. That Christmas in 1939, 2.4 million copies of the Rudolph booklet were handed out at Montgomery Ward stores across the country.

Rudolph was reprinted as a Christmas booklet sporadically until 1947. That winter a friend of May’s, Johnny Marks, put the poem to music. One professional singer after the next declined the opportunity to record the song until 1949 when Gene Autry consented. The Autry recording rocketed to the top of the Hit Parade. Since then, 300 different recordings have been made and more than eighty million records sold. The original Autry hit is second only to Bing Crosby’s White Christmas as the best selling record of all times.

Sharon Donovan

Romantic Suspense with a Twist of Faith

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sharonad@comcast.net

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Charade of Hearts
Oliver’s story!
http://www.thewildrosepress.com/charade-of-hearts-p-4346.html

Her Biggest Fan
An edge of your seat chilling suspense
ISBN: 1-60154-813-3

http://www.TheWildRosePress.com/Her-Biggest-Fan-P-4234.HTML

Mask of the Betrayer
Book one in the Mask series
Filled with so many twists, turns and surprises, you’ll be
hooked from the first chapter.
ISBN: 978-1-936167-06-7

http://www.whimsicalpublications.com/sharon_donovan/mask_of_the_betrayer.html

Echo of a Raven

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/echo-of-a-raven/7275809

UPDATES ON SHARON

6th January 2012

Sharon went through heart surgery yesterday, after problems with her heart pump which she had after her heart attack nearly eighteen months ago.

Miraculously, her heart was found to be strong enough now to be restarted. Our prayers have been answered, but please continue to send your prayers and messages for her progress and recovery. It will be a while before she is able to be at her computer again, but we know she'll be anxious to get back to wrting those wonderful romances.

***
Thanks again to everyone who's been sending prayers messages of love and support. Mary Beth, Sharon's sister, has told her about them and I know they will be helping her. Please keep up the prayers, I'll let you know as soon as I have further news.
Get well soon Sharon, we love you!

Lyn

A selection of UPDATES after Sharon's surgery

Latest update: 9th October 2010

Wheeee! See who's left a comment at the end of all the messages on her 'Get Well' post!

Welcome back Sharon, you've certainly been missed. We know it'll be a while before you can type as much as you'd like to, but even a few lines is great, and proof of your determination and the fact you're getting stronger every day. Go girl, go, we're all right behind you!

(I've removed some of the updates as there were quite a few of them, but I've kept the 'milestones' and it's wonderful that now Sharon can once more post to her blog herelf!) Lyn

***
Latest update: 3rd October

Sharon's home again and telephoned me all the way across the pond this morning! She's feeling much better and getting stronger and able to read messages and emails on her computer, although she can't manage to type replies herself yet, but she wanted me to let you know how much all the wonderful messages, love and prayers have helped her, and that she really appreciates each and every one. She had a great time a her Book Release party at the Author Roast and Toast on Friday and having so many visitors stop by and join in the fun made her so happy! Lyn

24th September
Mary Beth reports: "Sharon was feeling better this afternoon (Thursday) The first thing she said to me was “my book comes out tomorrow!” She is very excited about this news...She is anxious to talk to everyone and continues to amaze us with her will and courage to get through this hurdle and continue her recovery."

21st September
Sadly, Sharon is back in ICU after becoming very weak and tired, and needed a blood transfusion. I know you'll join me in prayers that she'll be stronger soon and able to return home.

19th September
Mary Beth says Sharon is making good progress and finding it hard to wait until she is able to use her pc again. She has her first clinic visit at the hospital this coming Wednesday. Thanks again for your continued messages of support and love, I'm sure they're helping with her recovery.

5th September
Mary Beth wanted me to mention that Sharon's brother Tom and his wife, Priscilla, have been staying with Sharon's parents ever since she was hospitalized and have being handling the brunt of the caretaking. So on behalf of Mary, myself and Sharon's many friends, I'd like to say thank you to Tom and Priscilla, and to Mary Beth and of course Sharon's parents, for being there for our dear friend and taking such wonderful care of her. For all she's been through, dear Sharon is truly blessed, in having such a lovely, caring family.

4th September (From Mary Beth)
Dear Sharon was released from the hospital today! ... we were at the hospital all day getting trained on her heart pump and all her new medications and we all had to take a written test to succeed in taking care of her at home so it was a long process and she finally got released with many hugs and kisses from her doctors and nurses (about 5 pm tonight). She got good chicken soup from her dear friend Karen when we got home but poor thing was so exhausted by the end of the day was just ready for hopefully a good night sleep without getting woken up and pricked for more blood. My brother and sister-in-law will be here until Monday and after that my parents will be her main caregivers and I will help and visit as needed as I live about 30 minutes away...Sharon was progressing very well and will have home therapy (both physical and occupational) and her hand/arm is improving every day!
***
29th August

Mary Beth says:Sharon is settled in her regular room back at Allegheny General. She was feeling very good yesterday – they are giving her stomach meds via IV and she was comfortable and had a better appetite. She was sitting up in her lounge chair and was very gabby and we had a nice visit. The drs. Have taken her off the blood thinner for a few days as they cannot do the scope test until her blood has thickened up a bit. They hope to do this test Monday to see what is going on in her stomach. The bleeding has stopped but they still want to do this test. Also she has some fluid in her lungs they want to drain. I believe this will also be Monday. Other than that her heart dr. was very pleased yesterday and said instead of sending her to another hospital again for the physical therapy she may even be able to go home for this and get a home therapist so we will look into these options next week. She does not want to go back to the last place, West Penn! She did not like them there and they did not treat her so nice! Her dr. agreed he would not send her back there! He is so very nice and wonderful bed side manner as well as a great surgeon.

27th August

(From Mary Beth) I wanted to let you know that Sharon had a bit of a setback last night and got transferred back to her original hospital, Allegheny General, back in the ICU.

She had a very low sugar episode the night before (Weds) and yesterday was really feeling out of sorts and later in the day she got very sick to her stomach and was bringing up some blood so they wasted no time in getting her back to the ICU where her heart drs. Are. They are going to run some tests today to determine where the bleeding is coming from but did say this is not uncommon after this surgery and she is on blood thinner as well, so hopefully it is just a matter of adjusting some of her medications. She has also had stomach problems in the past which maybe contributing.

Keep the prayers going and I’ll go to see her this afternoon and get back with an update.

PS – Lyn I read her all the reviews you sent yesterday and boy did that perk her up even as sick as she was feeling.

Aug 16

Mary Beth reports: "Sharon is progressing very well today was sitting up, alert, and asking very many questions. We have been reading to her all the wonderful well wishes on her blog, and she has been very touched by the outpouring of love! "

Please keep the messages and prayers coming, they mean so much to Sharon, we make sure they get passed on to her. I don't think she realised just how many friends she has and how much she is loved.

You're surrounded by love, Sharon, sweet friend. We miss you and pray you'll soon be back on form again

9 comments:

Sharon Donovan said...: I hope you enjoy this legend as much as I did. Merry Christmas!; December 11, 2011 at 2:36 PM
Oliver said...: I'm serving drinks with a wink and a smile so belly up!; December 11, 2011 at 2:40 PM
Hywela Lyn said...: Hello Sharon and Oliver

What a fun post -I've always been fond of Rudolph but have to confess I didn't know his origins.

Oh some mulled wine would be lovely Oliver, thank you. Cheers!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas ...; December 11, 2011 at 3:37 PM
Oliver said...: A fine goblet of mulled wine it is Lyn my lovely, and a chocolate strawberry. Let me feed you, wink; December 11, 2011 at 3:55 PM
Beth Caudill said...: I love Rudolph. I even have an old book version of Rudolph and Twas the night before Christmas.

My oldest says he's outgrown the cartoon specials but the youngest just had to watch when the special came on TV.; December 12, 2011 at 4:01 AM
Oliver said...: Hello Beth dear, a nice toddie perhaps. Wink; December 13, 2011 at 6:26 AM
Sharon Donovan said...: Hi Lyn, dear friend, we do love our legends! I always find a little more lore with a little searching.; December 13, 2011 at 6:32 AM
Sharon Donovan said...: Hi Beth, who doesn't love Rudolph. One is never to old. The legend lives on...; December 13, 2011 at 6:33 AM
Mary Ricksen said...: You are something else my friend. Where do you get the inspiration!!! I'll just sit here Oliver and listen to Sharon tell us Christmas tales.
One hot chocolate please! Thanks, take care of Sharon...; December 16, 2011 at 3:14 PM

Sharon Donovan, Author

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Legend of Rudolph

9 comments:

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UPDATES ON SHARON

A selection of UPDATES after Sharon's surgery