Patty Smith Hall shares insight into her real-life romance, plus her characters’ from her latest Historical Romance novella, A Home for Christmas, included in the collection, Five and Dime Christmas. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing for a copy of the collection. Deadline: Oct 22nd, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Patty:
Real-Life Interview:
- What’s the most romantic thing your spouse has ever done for you?
One of my biggest heartaches in this life is losing my mom to vascular dementia. Physically, she’s still with us, but I lose a part of her every time I go and see her. Thursdays are my days to take her out to lunch and maybe shopping so by the time I come home, I’m drained and just a bit weepy. That’s went the notes started—pinned to the shower curtain, taped to the sink, even on my whiteboard. Notes from Danny reminding me how much he loves me and how he’s there for me no matter what. I have a drawer full of his notes. I’m really married to the most wonderful guy!
- What’s the most romantic present your spouse ever bought for you?
For years, I’d wanted to update my wedding rings. The truth was I saw all these women who were my age wearing these blinged-out rings and I wanted one too. The only problem was we really couldn’t afford it. Then on Christmas morning a few years ago, Danny gave me a new wedding set. The man had saved his monthly allowance so I could have a nice ring! It’s one of my treasured possessions.
- How soon after meeting your spouse did you know he was the one?
The morning after our first date, I sat down next to my mother and told her I was going to marry him. I was that certain we were meant to be together.
- How soon after meeting you did your spouse know you were the one?
Danny asked me to marry him three days after our first date so I think he was pretty sure I was the one too!
- What is the most caring thing your spouse has ever done for you?
Refused to leave me after I became permanently disabled. We’d just been married for a few months and the doctors weren’t very optimistic about my future—no work, possibly no children, a realistic chance of my being in a wheelchair. So I asked Danny to divorce me—I hate the thought of him losing the chance to be a dad because of me. But Danny wouldn’t leave. He’s never left my side through four back surgeries and numerous procedures. That’s what real love looks like.
Character Interview:
- What’s the most romantic thing your hero ever did for your heroine?
Max sees who Essie is beyond her physical disability. In a time with physical shortcomings were looked at with disdain or as a punishment of sin, he saw Essie’s loving and gentle spirit.
- What’s the most romantic thing your heroine ever did for your hero?
She accepted him for who he was and accepted the boys as if they were her own. Max and Essie come from very different backgrounds—hers was one of affluence while he grew up on the streets. Yet, Essie never looked at him as anything but a good man trying to help those less fortunate.
- What simple gesture does your hero do that melts your heroine every time?
Watching Max with the boys, seeing how much he loves them and how he’s determined to help every child on the street opens Essie’s eyes in a way she’s never known.
- What is the most caring thing your heroine has ever done for your hero?
Despite the damage that could have been done to her reputation, Essie stays the night to nurse Max and the boys during a flu outbreak. Max was already falling in love with her but that simple caring gesture pulled him over the edge.
FAMILY TRADITIONS
Before I get started, you need to know that Christmas is my husband, Danny’s absolute favorite time of year! I mean he’s a carol-singing, Christmas tree decorating, cookies and cocoa elf the minute the last Trick-or-Treater has left our front porch. On top of that, he’s a true traditionist so once we adopt a new tradition, it’s a part of our Christmas forever!
And our Christmas always starts with Danny’s letter to our family. Every New Years Day, Danny goes to his upstairs office and mulls over the holiday season. Then he writes a letter to himself, detailing what worked during the season as well as what didn’t. Then he writes a brief synopsis of where each of us are at in lives at that moment along with a prediction of where we’ll be next Christmas. Then he seals the letter and hangs it on his corkboard until the Saturday before Halloween.
On that Saturday, the family gathers to hear the letter read. It’s not easy at times. Throughout their college years, our daughters would call in to hear the reading, and I’ve driven ten hours in a gale to get back in time, but what can I say? It’s tradtion! I think we love it so much because it’s our family history as we’re living it. As our family has grown, the letter has become longer, but for us, there’s not a better way to kick off the Christmas season.
About Patty: Multi-published author Patty Smith Hall lives near the North Georgia Mountains with her husband, Danny, her two daughters, her son-in-law and her grandboys. When she’s not writing on her back porch, she’s spending time with her family or playing with her grandsons. Learn more & connect:
Patty’s Website Patty’s Facebook Patty’s Pinterest
About the novella collection – Five and Dime Christmas:
Christmas Is a Time for Romance at a 1880s Department Store
Visit Scranton, Pennsylvania, in 1881 where the Woodworth’s Five and Dime has become the center of Christmas commerce—and a great place to fall in love.
A Merry Little Christmas by Susanne Dietze
Woolworth’s store clerk Hattie Scott’s heart is touched by a handsome customer, but when she takes on additional secretarial work to earn money for Christmas, she learns her new boss is Englishman Timothy Branson—her favorite customer. . .and a threat to her brother’s job! Can two proud hearts overcome their differences to help her brother. . .and find love?
A Home for Christmas by Patty Smith Hall
Essie Banfield doesn’t need money but welcomes the challenges of working a job where she meets a minister and six little boys who inspire Christmas wishes. But will Pastor Max Warner trust that she is more than just a socialite with charitable intentions?
The Light of Christmas by Christina Lorenzen
A job is the only thing independent orphan Lizzie Miller needs, and Henry Kimball is singularly focused on proving his success outside the family business. But could the lure of an old-fashioned family Christmas bring them together?
Lunch with Maggie by Cynthia Hickey
Maggie Larson works the lunch counter where she befriends a girl who’s lonely father delivers milk each Friday. Friday’s noon hour becomes the highlight of Maggie’s week, but after being left at the altar, she closed her heart to love and to God. Will Seth Jamison be able to unlock her heart?
Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win? Get your copy now!
Question for Readers: Does your family have a tradition and what time of year does it happen?
Come back Oct 18th for Linda Shenton Matchett!
On Christmas Eve our family has a tradition of driving around to look at Christmas lights while listening to Christmas music and then returning home to drink eggnog or hot chocolate and eat Christmas cookies.
Making homemade apple sauce, apple cider and maple bars in the fall . Then for Christmas my mom gets her grandchildren matching pajamas that’s what my grandma would do for all the grandchildren but they weren’t all matching but my grandma passed away suddenly on March 24 2020 so lots of people in my family get matching pajamas for the children and grandchildren to keep it in the family.
I have a winner! Mikki Reagan won the drawing. I appreciate Patty for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.