Monday, December 14, 2009

GUEST AUTHOR -- EMILY BRYAN

We are very excited to have with us today guest author Emily Bryan. A classically trained soprano, Emily gleaned the elements of storytelling while performing operatic roles. She describes her light-hearted stories as Gilbert & Sullivan . . . with sex! Sounds like a perfect match to me! Emily's latest work is the novella "My Lady Below Stairs" in the Christmas Anthology A CHRISTMAS BALL. Please give a warm welcome to Emily Bryan.


There’s Something Better than Santa Claus. . .

I was a firm believer in Santa Claus. The big guy had always been more than generous to me and even arranged to come to my house early so we could make the trip to my grandparents for Christmas each year. My grandmother had a wonderful Christmas house, a big two story with a long staircase and plenty of room for a big family. She always wrapped the banister with greenery and filled the living room with the largest real tree she could find. Of course, the house didn’t have a fireplace, but Grandma set up a cardboard one to hang our stockings.

How Santa managed to enter the house through that cardboard fireplace was one of the great mysteries of my childhood, but I was prepared to take a few things on faith.

That’s why when one of my 3rd grade classmates tried to tell me he didn’t exist, we nearly came to blows on the playground. But the seed of doubt had been planted, so I went to my Dad with my questions.

And was devastated by his answer.

Still, old beliefs die hard. I was determined to learn the truth with my own eyes. So on Christmas Eve at my grandma’s house, I didn’t go right to sleep like a good little girl. I kept my eyes closed when my mother came in to check on me one last time and I lay still as a hare while the house quieted and all I could hear was the soughing of wind outside the frosty windows.

Then I heard another sound. A rustling downstairs in the living room.

I padded to the head of the stairs and crept down, careful to avoid that creaky third step. I settled on the stairs and peered through the evergreen-covered banister.

There was my grandma, filling the stockings. A fragrant orange in each toe, a handful of nuts still in the shell, cinnamon and butterscotch drops and a small toy. She was humming a carol while she worked in her soft true alto.

I stole back to my bed, the last of my childhood illusions shattered. But before I drifted to sleep, I realized I had something better than Santa Claus.

I had a grandma who loved me.

Thanks so much for having me here at Romance Dish. I love swapping Christmas memories and traditions. In fact, I did a study of Regency Christmas customs for my novella in A CHRISTMAS BALL. (If you’d like to learn more about the food, fun and festivities Jane Austen might have celebrated the holiday with, please visit my website and follow the Regency Christmas ball.

I’d love to give a signed copy of A CHRISTMAS BALL, my latest release to someone who leaves a comment or question here today.



Emily, thank you so much for visiting with us and sharing your memories of a very loving Grandma. As Emily said, she will be giving away a signed copy of A CHRISTMAS BALL to one lucky poster.

Also, if you are interested in purchasing a signed copy of A CHRISTMAS BALL at a 10% discount, check out this indie bookstore The Book Oasis.

35 comments:

  1. What a nice story!! I have NO memory of when I stopped believing, so I assume it wasn't traumatic!! LOL!! Those darn schools, my daughter was told there too!! I think she said she believed a few years more to get those extra goodies. I've read good reviews for A Christmas Ball!! Happy Holidays, Sue

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  2. That's a beautiful story. I was a faithful believer in Santa as a kid and I do still believe in him, but it's not with the same enthusiasm.

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  3. Few years back, my nephew decided Santa Claus wasn't real, then his younger brother told him you're wrong and started spouting off reasons why. Then the older started rethinking and made sure the cookies and milk were left out for Santa. And he called my other sister to make sure she didn't forget to stop by with her special reindeer dust, just to be on the safe side, lol.

    The younger nephew even wrote a letter to Santa about it and told him to write back so he could show his brother and prove he was real, lol. He couldn't find a stamp to drop it in the mailbox and happened to ask my mother to get him a stamp, so she saw it, had to open it and read it. We had an aunt who's good with tales send him a reply back "from Santa."

    Happy Holidays!

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  4. Sue--I wish the only thing we had to worry about in the schools was kids telling other kids about Santa. It was such a simpler time when we were kids.

    Like Arthur in Camelot, I sigh. "Do you know what I miss from those days, Merlin? Not my youth. My innocence."

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  5. Jane--I lost my sweet little grandma just a few years ago. She lived to be 92 and I was blessed to live in the same little town with her for the last 4 years of her life. I still think of her every time I fill my kids stockings.

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  6. Pam--Wow! A North Pole ghost writer! Your family is good at enabling the whole Santa thing!

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  7. Welcome, Emily! That's such a lovely story! Of my three children, only my youngest still believes in Santa, although my boys still say they do. I tell them that Santa is the spirit of giving and love. If you believe, then he's real!

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  8. Good morning, Emily, fellow UNI alum! Thank you for such a sweet post. I've got A CHRISTMAS BALL and thought it was quite good. (Don't enter me in the giveaway because then someone else can have a chance at it.)
    Merry Christmas!

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  9. Gannon--One of the first things I asked my Dad after he told me the truth was what happens to kids whose parents can't afford to be Santa. He said, "We can be Santa for them." and started me on the tradition of angel tree giving. It's a great opportunity to teach children to share.

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  10. Hey Deb! Go Panthers! I'm so glad you enjoyed A CHRISTMAS BALL!

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  11. Both my children still believe in Santa--I think. I was on a field trip with my youngest last week and heard her argue that "Yes--Santa was real--he is alive in every kind act." Made me feel good as a parent. Every year my father-in-law writes the kids a note from Santa after he finishes eating the cookies. They have kept all the letters. Soon they will match the handwriting and put two and two together. Until then it is creating wonderful memories.
    Thank you for such a wonderful post.

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  12. I still remember asking my father for the truth about Santa. He took me onto his lap and held me, and told me that he and my mom were our Santa Claus, and I remember a twinge of disappointment, but very little surprise. Sigh.

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  13. What a lovely story, Emily.

    I have wonderful memories of my grandma's Christmases, too. They always had a huge tree sitting in front of the picture window loaded with lights and ornaments to greet us on Christmas Eve after church. Inside, it seemed the presents under the tree took up half the room. Of course, I was a kid then, but it did seem like a lot.

    Lovely memories those childhood Christmases.

    Since I already have a copy of The Christmas Ball you don't need to enter me in the contest. I have started reading your story but the holidays are interferring with reading. Smile. I'm eager to finish it.

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  14. Hi Emily,
    That's such a sweet story. ^^ I was 9-10 when i stopped believing and Santa and knew it was my parents. It became something generally accepted.

    Now my younger brothers (4 & 7) still believe and my sister and i help play Santa along with my parents. My brothers are over the top about him. I played photographer for a childrens party last saturday and Santa was there. You'd think my brothers died and went to heaven how excited they were. Noah even went up and asked for his autograph. lol

    Melissa

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  15. Cindi--That's sweet that their grandpa plays Santa in the letters. Worth saving.

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  16. Barbara--Sounds like you were smarter than me. I don't know how long it would have taken me to figure out because the belief had taken such firm root in my heart.

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  17. Sandy--Everything was so much bigger when we were so much smaller.

    Hope you love A CHRISTMAS BALL!

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  18. jedisakora--Santa's autograph! The first time we went to Disney World, our oldest daughter asked Mickey for his autograph! And the costumed character gave it, signing importantly "Michael Mouse."

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  19. Great blog, Emily!

    I'm going through my first Christmas in 17 years without a child who believes in Santa. I'm a little bummed by that. On the plus side, it does make things a little easier. No hiding the "Santa" paper. No disguising my handwritting on the tags. But I did always enjoy those things.

    Congrats on your release! If you know of any good regency references for Christmas, please share! I need some!

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  20. Thank you for joining us today, Emily and sharing your lovely memories. I still remember my youthful anticipation on Christmas Eve and keeping it alive for my younger brothers for many years after I discovered the Santa/Parent connection.

    Congrats on the release of "A Christmas Ball." I'm looking forward to reading it!

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  21. That is a wonderful story Emily!

    I always told my children, who are adults now. If you stop believing in Santa, he will stop coming on Christmas. Hmmm to this day they still believe and he still comes! LOL! Happy Holiday everyone!!

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  22. Hey everyone! I'm just getting in from work. Sorry for the delay in responding :-)

    Emily, we are so happy to have you with us today. I just loved your blog! I really can't remember when I stopped believing in Santa but I do think it was shortly after my father suggested that Santa might want a beer with the cookies instead of milk - LOL!

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  23. Hey Sue! Thanks for stopping by today. Isn't it terrible that some children ruin the joy for others. My oldest doesn't believe any more but I threatened him with his life if he said anything to his little brother - LOL!

    Jane, I think we should all still believe in him. It's great to do something nice for someone else.

    Pam, that's a wonderful story! Santa leaves a note at our house every year.

    Hey Deb! I haven't yet read A CHRISTMAS BALL, but if you enjoyed them I'm sure to. We seem to have similar taste.

    Cyndi, I love that your FIL writes the Santa notes. We print ours from the computer. We told the kids Santa has to have technology at the North Pole too :-)

    Barbara, I think every child expriences a touch of disappointment that the magic is gone. But we get to feel it again when we are Santa as adults.

    Sandy, I love the image you painted of your Grandma's Christmas tree and all the presents under it. It is wonderful that you have such memories.

    Jedi, too funny about asking for his autograph!!!

    Christie, sorry to hear no Santa believers in your house this year. I had to laugh at you mentioning Santa paper. I have a stock of rolls of the same kind of paper that we use only for presents from Santa. I'm hoping I have enough to last until the youngest stops believing - LOL!

    Jane, I think that is the only way to do it!! :-)

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  24. Hello and welcome to The Romance Dish, Emily! We're so happy you're with us today. Congrats on the release of A CHRISTMAS BALL!

    I was eight years old when I found out the truth, though my mom asked that I not tell my brother. And I didn't. Especially when she said that if I did, I wouldn't get any more gifts from Santa. ;-)

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  25. Hello and welcome to The Romance Dish, Emily! We're so happy you're with us today. Congrats on the release of A CHRISTMAS BALL!

    I was eight years old when I found out the truth, though my mom asked that I not tell my brother. And I didn't. Especially when she said that if I did, I wouldn't get any more gifts from Santa. ;-)

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  26. Hello and welcome to The Romance Dish, Emily! We're so happy you're with us today. Congrats on the release of A CHRISTMAS BALL!

    I was eight years old when I found out the truth, though my mom asked that I not tell my brother. And I didn't. Especially when she said that if I did, I wouldn't get any more gifts from Santa. ;-)

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  27. Hello and welcome to The Romance Dish, Emily! We're so happy you're with us today. Congrats on the release of A CHRISTMAS BALL!

    I was eight years old when I found out the truth, though my mom asked that I not tell my brother. And I didn't. Especially when she said that if I did, I wouldn't get any more gifts from Santa. ;-)

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  28. Christie--I posted 6 pages about Regency Christmases on my website. Just follow the Christmas balls!

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  29. Hi Emily,
    Great story.
    Just read all the other notes to you. Really neat.
    My youngest boy kept telling me he believed in Santa. When he was about twelve years old or so, I ask again and was told, "I have know about You and Dad as Santa but I love Christmas and was going to keep it up as long as you did."
    Sending again it did not publish or say it was waiting to be published.
    I am Looking forward to reading A CHRISTMAS BALL. I will tell a friend that would be a good gift for me.

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  30. Hi Emily,
    Great story.
    Just read all the other notes to you. Really neat.
    My youngest boy kept telling me he believed in Santa. When he was about twelve years old or so, I ask again and was told, "I have know about You and Dad as Santa but I love Christmas and was going to keep it up as long as you did."
    Sending again it did not publish or say it was waiting to be published.
    I am Looking forward to reading A CHRISTMAS BALL. I will tell a friend that would be a good gift for me.

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  31. PJ & Jane--Sounds like you had and gave good incentive to keep believing!

    Buffie--Too funny! Did Santa mention a favorite brand of beer?

    Andrea--Like Jane with her kids, your mom made you an offer you couldn't refuse!

    Janet--Hope your friend is good at taking hints! ;-)

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  32. That was so touching and sweet, Emily. I even had to read your story aloud to my DH and 18-year old son. It seems at that early age, you realized the truth about who Santa really is, on a deeper level.

    I learned in 4th grade about who the gift givers were, but had to keep it a secret because I had 3 younger siblings.

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  33. What a wonderful memory of Christmas. I was just telling my oldest daughter today how much more fun Christmas is when you have small children that still believe in Santa Claus. Have a wonderful and safe holiday season.

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  34. I don't remember when I found out there was no Santa, but I do remember coping with the question from our children. I told them there was a Santa, but he was not just a single real person. He was the spirit of love and giving that was in each of us. They weren't always happy with that answer at first, but the more they thought of it, the more they liked and accepted it.
    librarypat at comcast dot net

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  35. Thanks so much for having me here to day! As soon as a winner has been chosen by the gals at Romance Dish, I'll be mailing out a signed copy of A CHRISTMAS BALL.

    To everyone else who commented, thanks and Merry Christmas. I'll be at Chicks of Characterization all week if you'd like another chance to win!

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