Ceci Giltenan, Author

I realize I have friends who follow my blog who are not necessarily fans of romance in general, and historical romance in particular. However I know many of you are. Previously I have shared why I love historical romance. I love the fairy tale and the happily-ever-after. But I also love the situations that characters can be thrown into which simply can’t happen in modern romance. No one shows up at a young woman’s home in the 21st century, with a directive from the country’s leader, telling her she must marry a stranger and travel with him to his home. Just imagine that for a moment. Now imagine that he is handsome, and hurting, and needs you. There is a great story there but only believable in a setting where it could happen.

So, even if you only occasionally read historical romance, what is it about them that you enjoy?

Wishing you all a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

Ceci

A couple of weeks ago, I introduced you to Graeme Brown, an author of dark fantasy. On New Year’s Eve, Graeme is hosting a writing event on Twitter under the hash tag #writingmarathon2013 and would like to extend the invitation to all writers.

Graeme is aiming to finalize his novel A Thousand Roads this year. It’s all coming together, but he plans to end the year with a final marathon. If you are a writer and you want to ring in the New Year with a leap forward on your current work in progress, you’re invited to the party.

“You can participate however you’d like, whether that means coming for an hour, or coming back a few times throughout the day, but it’s my hope that supporting one another with a writing event will be a great way to keep us accountable and putting in whatever time we can to our projects.”

For more details, see Graeme’s blog

Writing Marathon 2013

I’ll be popping in occasionally. The last week has been filled with company and I have accomplished much less than I intended! New Year’s Eve will be on the quiet side in my house, so a little virtual party, that also helps me get some writing done sounds like just the thing.

Ceci

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My answer:
I would like to increase my activity some. I think I am going to aim low again and try to go on at least two 30-minute walks a week. Perhaps I can increase my resolutions kept to two!

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My answer:
Yes. Perhaps only one, but it was a big one. Two years ago I was extremely overweight. I had unsuccessfully set unreachable goals for years. I would start off well and then get discouraged. I decided to set a smaller one. I wanted to lose 50 pounds and keep it off. I lost 70 pounds using Weight Watchers and while my weight fluctuates now by about 5 pounds, I still have kept most of it off.

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My answer:
Sadly, I am not reading anything at the moment. I am terribly busy writing my third novel, currently titled, Highland Intrigue which tells Fingal MacIan’s story.

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My answer:
I loved the large (3 feet tall) Raggedy Ann doll I received one year. I slept with her for ages and even took her to college with me.

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Wishing you all a very merry Christmas!

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My answer:
I love music, particularly Christmas music so it is hard to pick one favorite. However my favorite is perhaps a slightly lesser known carol, The Snow Lay On The Ground. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xgnWAXXjHI

I also love the Peace Carol performed by John Denver (God rest his soul) and the Muppets. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMEhUu6RAA4

More recently, I have found Labor of Love, from the movie The Navity, performed by Jill Phillips, particularly moving http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMEhUu6RAA4

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My answer:
Chocolate pecan shortbread bars. I have included the recipe below. This is a simple, quick recipe if you are short on time.

Chocolate Pecan Shortbread Bars

1 Cup salted butter (room temperature)
1/2 Cup powdered sugar
1/2 Cup granulated sugar
1 Teaspoon vanilla
3/4 Cup (divided) very finely chopped pecans
2 Cups flour
1 Cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels

Cream butter and sugar well. Add vanilla and mix well. Add flour gradually, mixing well between additions. Stir in 1/2 Cup chopped pecans. This mixture may be crumbly. Grease the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch pan. I also line the pan with baking parchment. Press the mixture into the prepared pan. Bake at 325 for 20-25 minutes until just barely golden brown. Remove from oven, sprinkle chocolate morsels over surface evenly and return to oven for about 5 minutes until chocolate has melted. Remove from oven and gently spread melted chocolate until it covers the surface. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup of pecans. Allow to cool for a few minutes. Cut into squares while still slightly warm and remove from pan. I cut into 35 pieces (5 cuts length wise by 7 cuts across).

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My answer:
A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Linus Van Pelt:
“Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.”

“Lights, please.”

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'”

“That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”

On Amazon: A Charlie Brown Christmas

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