Anne Faye

  From December 8-12, my new Christmas story, The Christmas Quilt , is free on Kindle.  After her husband suddenly died on Christmas nearly three years ago, Laura Fontaine lost her holiday spirit. She lives alone with her rescue dog, Scout, and her only goal is to reach January, when life can return to normal. But when her teenage granddaughter, Gabby, comes for a two-week visit, Laura’s plan for a quiet December falls apart. In an attempt to bond with the young woman she barely knows, Laura teaches Gabby how to quilt, helping to stitch her own heart back together in the process. While several of my books include Christmas scenes, I’ve long wanted to write a Christmas story. In the middle of October, I decided this was the year. It probably would have been better to decide that earlier in the year! But the characters moved into my brain (as characters are prone to do) and I started writing feverishly whenever I had a free moment to tell their story. My preferred way...

Looking for a perfect last-minute gift? How about writing a letter telling somebody special just what they mean to you. I read a wonderful article by Jon Maksik in Living magazine (unfortunately the article isn't on-line) about how every Christmas and birthday since the year his son was born, he wrote a letter to him, chronicling what was going on in his life and reiterating his love. In this era of modern technology, letters are largely disappearing. Email and texts are great. They allow us to communicate with ease and across great distances. I wouldn't want to go back to life without it. But, most of these simply fade into the great virtual void. Sure, they can be printed and kept, but how many actually are? A handwritten letter is tangible and lasting. It can be tucked into the pages of a journal or kept in a special box. It can be opened and read many years later and the reader is transported back in time. It is special. And today, it is even more precious. Write s...