**WAVES** I’m new in town…

(Warning: If you believe in Santa, do not read this post!!) New house and new traditions…

 We moved over the summer to a different city.  One of the biggest selling points of the new house was the wood-burning fireplace in the corner of the living room.  It has a lovely light oak colored mantel and faux brick.  During the summer I found a big mirror and put candles on it and burned candles in the fireplace during parties, but the first cool day of September (FYI I’m in WI so yes the heat goes on in September lol) I decided to try out the fireplace.  With my shiny new fire extinguisher nearby, I lit the first fire and it was absolutely beautiful.  The kids came running into the room and almost the moment they saw the blaze my son (he’s six) pummeled me with Christmas questions.

The first and most disturbing question was “would Santa die if he can’t breathe in our chimney”.  No—Santa won’t die in our chimney.

The next question was about our Santa key.  As we’ve never had a fireplace before when my oldest was two I bought this lovely ornamental key we hang on the tree until Christmas Eve and the kids go and hang it on the door before bedtime so Santa can get in.  I told the kids it was up to them but the key wasn’t necessary now that we have the fireplace.  He proceeded to ask, “If my stocking falls in the fire will it burn up?”  I told him that we wouldn’t hand the stockings while the fire is burning. Now that we’re closer to the big day and the house is all decked out in holiday cheer he’s no longer worried about Christmas being ruined.

My daughter is ten.  The entire time my son was stressing about Ol’ Saint Nick the tweenager was giving the LOOK.  Yes that one, the I’m-too-cool-to-listen-to-this glare. When my son left the room to retrieve a toy the mini-woman gave me an eye roll and said, “I know there isn’t a Santa Claus and you buy the toys.  I can’t tell Dad ‘cause he’ll be mad if I know.”

I knew I’d hear those words someday, by they were painful and it made me wonder just how long I hadn’t been getting away with the “he’s watching behave” scam.  Alas, if she knows about Santa I wonder if the Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy are next.  I was afraid to ask, but I’m guessing she knows the truth about them too.    

My youngest returned and looked at the glowing fire for a moment longer before saying, “Just don’t forget to put that out before Christmas because if Santa burns himself you won’t be getting anything.”  He turned and walked away and all I could do is shake my head.  Some days a mother just can’t get any kind of respect.  We have a few other traditions like the completion to see which one of them will find the pickle shaped ornament and win a prize and our advent candles, (can you tell we come from a very German background).  The best part of Christmas for me is tucking in my kids on Christmas Eve after cocoa, cookies, and a Christmas story (usual The Night Before Christmas).  I watch them sleep and appreciate the truth that no matter how crazy they can be they are the best gift I ever received.  Don’t forget to take the time this Christmas just to be thankful for the people who make you smile.  Thanks for taking your time to giggle with me and I hope you have the most blessed Christmas ever!

I’m new to the Whisper Publishing family.  The authors and editors have made me feel very at home and I’m delighted to have my name on a WP book!  My first Release’s title is Whitney’s Wonderland and it was really fun to write.  I hope you’ll enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.  The story is about forgiveness and the power of sisterly love. There’s a ghostly fortuneteller, a sexy Robin Hood type hero, and a trip to another dimension so if you want a fast-paced story about making amends put this on your to-buy list today.  There’s no official blurb yet, but the cover is spectacular.  I hope you’ll check out the Whisper Publishing website for future updates.

I’ve been writing books since my teens, but finally took the plunge into becoming published in my 30’s.  I’m a working mom who is devoted to family and making a good life for my kiddos.  I’m a regular girl who enjoys daydreaming.  I get my ideas randomly.  I can be doing dishes or raking the yard when suddenly a new story pops into my head.  Usually I get just a scene and build around it.  Once in awhile my stories will be the result of a dream or nightmare, but most often, I think them up during my commute between home and work.  I’ve only been published since 2010 so I’m probably new to you, but I hope you’ll check out something from my backlist.  You can find out all about my writing by visiting http://ashlynnmonroe.com.  I’d love to hear from you at authorashlynnmonroe@gmail.com.