Christmas Countdown with Cindy K. Green

Hello and welcome to Day 2 of my Countdown to Christmas Blog! Today’s featured guest is friend and fellow White Rose author
Cindy K. Green. Cindy is here to chat with us about SNOW KISSED.

Before I join her out in the winter wonderland, here is a blurb and excerpt:

Today is one of those days Logan Reilly wished he’d stayed in bed. Not only does he have to deal with the annoying Winter Wonderland Carnival but his close friend, that whimsical lover of snow, Holly Armstrong, is leaving town forever. The question is why didn’t she tell him and why today, of all days, does he realize she might be more than a friend?

Holly can no longer stay in town knowing the man she loves only sees her as a friend. It’s time to move on; besides she has other career prospects.
As the carnival unfolds, watch God work in amazing ways. Can He change Holly’s mind and make her stay? Can He help Logan see beyond the friendship? Only time can tell.

Excerpt—from the opening scene:
“Just breathe,” Holly whispered to Logan, as she slowly took in a deep whiff. “You smell that?”

He shook his head. “What? Burgers from down the street?”

“No.” She laughed; he could be so dense sometimes. “It’s the first snowfall.” She inhaled another intoxicating aroma of winter air. “It’s coming.”

“And what’s so good about snow? It’s just annoying and inconvenient.” He pulled his arm away and folded them across his lean frame.

“Snow is beautiful…magical.” Her voice came out breathy with the idea of snow making her feel all tingly.

“It’s cold, wet stuff that falls from the sky.”

“Then there are the wonderful clothes: hats, scarves, gloves…”

“…galoshes, wool socks,” he countered.

She continued, not to be undone by his cynicism. “Fresh baked cookies, hot apple cider, hot cocoa, hot toddies…what is a hot toddy?”

He nearly laughed at her, a cute smile building in the corner of his mouth as he shook his head. “A hot alcoholic drink. You want to come in for some coffee? I just made a pot.”

She shook her head and took in a deep breath before releasing it. “No, remember I’m off to take my snow walk through Meriden.” She tilted her head up at him. “I’ll be at the carnival tonight, working the booth for the church. Of course, you wouldn’t dare show your face there, now would you?”

Pausing, she made a concerted effort to memorize his face, including his subtly uneven eyebrows. This was probably one of the last times they’d be together. A breath hitched in her throat at the thought of never seeing Logan again. They’d shared so many memories over the years: spring picnics at the lake, midnight movies, and disastrous cooking adventures. Life wouldn’t be the same without him.

She should tell him she was leaving town for good. This was the perfect moment. Maybe he would respond by telling her she should stay—stay because he loved her too much to let her go. In my dreams.

“Goodbye, Logan,” was all she could bring herself to say. Lord, help me. It was easier than being disappointed.

“Bye, Holly.” He said the words as he always did—with genuine warmth, when no one else was paying attention, that is. It warmed her heart to hear it. He released a small smile and Holly got caught in his gaze, a little thrill pulsing in her heart.

Logan was rugged—from the clothes he wore to the tough and edgy persona he showed to the world—but his eyes betrayed his softer side. You would have expected him to have black, beady eyes by the way he barked at everyone, but instead he had these deep, soulful eyes in the most brilliant indigo Holly had ever seen on any person, man or woman. She would miss those eyes and these stimulating conversations. Well, she’d miss everything that was Logan Riley.

Available Now at White Rose Publishing
http://www.whiterosepublishing.com/

And as the wind swooshes through the towering pines, Cindy waves to her adoring fans from the musical carousel. It’s a winter wonderland! Twinkle lights blink in a playful come hither, casting a magical glow on the ice skating pond. Sharon, cutting the ice with an impressive figure eight, takes off her skates, laces up her boots and joins Cindy on the carousel.
Sharon: Well, hello, Cindy! This is some winter carnival, isn’t it?

Cindy: Hello Sharon, it’s a beautiful winter carnival. The problem is that there’s no snow.


Sharon: We’ll just pretend. It’s the season of fantasy and make believe, after all. And what better place to chat about Snow Kissed than right here in the wonderland! Here comes Oliver with refreshments.

Oliver snowboards down a slippery slope, donned in fire engine red ski vest, galoshes, wool socks and fur hat, silver tray of cokes and fudge brownies poised above his head. Grinning, he winks. Placing the tray on the ledge, he yanks out his copy of Snow Kissed. Clearing his throat, he presents it to Cindy. If I might be so bold as to request your autograph, Ms. Green?”

Cindy: Why, of course, Oliver. Who am I to refuse a fan. (Cindy winks at Oliver.)

Oliver steals a kiss from Cindy, his voice ringing through the snow-capped mountains surrounding the carnival. ‘I’ve just been Snow Kissed!!!’

Sharon: Raises her eyebrows. He can’t help himself. So let’s talk about this book. Where did you come up with the premise for the story?

Cindy: This story first came about because my publisher needed a winter (not Christmas) themed story. I came up with the idea of a winter carnival first. Then these characters emerged—Holly who loves snow and Logan who hates it. The plot came along later and then it all merged together.

Sharon: Isn’t it wonderful when that happens. Can you tell us a little about the main characters, Holly and Logan.

Cindy: Well, as I said Holly loves snow. She’s enamored by it. Yes, she can even smell it coming. She also has a secret. She’s leaving town and she hasn’t told Logan, who is one of her best friends. Logan, on the other hand, detests the white stuff. He’s a gruff, inhospitable person to most people—but not to Holly. He loves her and hopes that maybe he can convince her to stay.

Sharon: I’m willing to bet there are a lot of friends whose relationships never develop into anything more for fear of taking a chance. What do you think?

Cindy: Oh, definitely. I love the best friend romance and think that’s because I believe people become friends first. As we all know, the flames of passion will tame down in time but that friendship is what will keep you together for a lifetime.

Oliver frowns and pumps his biceps at Cindy, daring her to even entertain the thought.


Sharon: Go away, Oliver. Cindy, do you believe in angels? Do you think they’re up there, fluttering about playing Cupid?

Cindy: I definitely believe in angels. I’m not so sure about Cupid, but I do believe God has his eye on us.
So true. Have you ever been to a winter carnival? And if so, what was your favorite part of it? The food? The magical atmosphere?

Cindy: I have been to winter carnivals before when I lived in California. But of course there was no snow. LOL! They were always fun when I was in high school. Hanging out with my friends, eating the food, playing some games, etc.

Sharon: When I think of a winter wonderland, I think of a place where dreams come true, mystical and magical. How about you?

Cindy: I love that—‘where dreams come true.’ When I look at the cover of this book, I think Winter Wonderland. It is exactly what I feel. Lots of blue and white, tiny lights, snow on the ground, dancing in a gazebo, snowflakes falling. I love that cover.

Sharon: It’s very beautiful, very magical. Do you have a favorite season, and if so, why?

Cindy: I love the fall best of all. The weather cools. The leaves change colors. And I just get energized again. My 2nd favorite season though is winter. I love putting on the warm clothes, coats, scarves, etc.

Sharon: Nicely put. Now your character, Holly, talks about the smell of a coming snow. How would you describe this?

Cindy: Hmm, I think it’s a skill only the very gifted possess. There is just a sense that the snowfall is coming. Something in the air—light and fresh.

Oliver dashes out, nose poised and sniffing. He turns and treats Cindy with one of his bone-melting winks.

Sharon: Sigh. Well I’m getting a bit chilled and this brings us to the end of this delightful interview. But before I leave, can you share a favorite Christmas legend or tradition with me?

Cindy: My family is very conventional about Christmas—the tree, gifts, nativity, sharing with family. Here are a couple traditions I do with my boys. I read Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol to my kids every year and then we watch the Patrick Stewart film adaptation together. My oldest son, who is now eleven, makes a Christmas chain to mark off the days until the 25th. A Christmas chain—you know, when you take strips of green and red paper, attach them into rings and then connect them together in a long chain. He pulls one off everyday with the last one being the day of Christmas. With my youngest who is five, we bake Christmas cookies and decorate them. The older one comes by just when it’s time to eat them.

Sharon: Those are lovely. Thanks for sharing, Cindy. And my last question I always ask. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? If you could star in any literary fiction, which would it be and why? And last but not least, who would you want playing your romantic hero?

Cindy: If I could live anywhere in the world, I’d pick somewhere in the Northeast of the US. Maybe around Philadelphia. I love all the history of these United States. It would be so nice to be close to it all. Although, come winter time, I might have to fly home to my birthplace in CA. Now, don’t get me wrong, there are so many places I’d love to visit around the world, but I wouldn’t want to live there on a full time basis. Born in the USA and proud of it.

I’d love to star in Jane Austen’s Persuasion as Anne Eliott. I think I might swoon to see Captain Wentworth. What a joy it would be to fall in love with him and he with me. ;) The Captain is my idea of the perfect man. Kind with a sense of humor, yet strong with the ability to love a woman with all his heart even when it seems impractical to do so.

Who would I want to play Logan?? Well, not to sound clichéd, but as I thought about this for a minute the person who came to mind was Hugh Jackaman. I know he’s a favorite with romance authors and yes I enjoy his performances, but on top of that—he really is a good actor. He can be the proper gentleman like in Kate and Leopold and he can be at the other end of the spectrum as Wolverine or even the playboy in Someone Like You. I can really see him playing Logan. Prickly to the whole world except with Holly. He wears a hard shell, but that’s just to protect his soft center.

Sharon: Where can readers buy your books and get in touch with you?

Cindy: Snow Kissed is available now at White Rose Publishing. And you can see all my books on my website. Join my newsletter. In addition to my news, I also include a short free read.


Just then Kelly Clarkson’s rendition of Before Your Love softly drifts through the winter wonderland. Oliver magically appears at Cindy’s horse, sweeps her into his arms and serenades her as they dance the night away.

Have a Merry Christmas!

Cindy K. Green is a multi-published author with degrees in History and Education. Previously a middle school English & History teacher, she now homeschools her own children and writes in several genres: Inspirational, Contemporary, Suspense, Fantasy and Historical romance. No matter what she writes, she always throws in a bit of humor and fun. Find out more about Cindy and her books at http://www.cindykgreen.com/ and http://cindykgreen.blogspot.com/. To join her newsletter email her at newsletters@cindykgreen.com, and she will send you out all three parts of her FREE READ serial, “Valentine’s Challenge.”