Killer Characters: Christmas in Colorado #giveaway, #newrelease

Saturday, December 2, 2017

Christmas in Colorado #giveaway, #newrelease

By Cat Latimer - OF MURDER AND MEN - by Lynn Cahoon

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas here at the Warm Springs Writers Retreat. We have to be decorated by Thanksgiving because our December retreat is always the first week. And January's retreat isn't until mid month. That way we can decompress over the holidays. Besides, what's the benefit of running your own business if you don't make it work for you.

We have a ton of Christmas trees. Live of course. Each guest gets a baby tree in their room and the lobby has a ten foot spruce that Seth went to the woods to chop himself. The Forest Service loves seeing him come in for our permits because we drop a lot of money there. But it's once a year, right?

Shauna's been buying Christmas ornaments all year at yard sales to make sure we can make each room unique.

And me? I've been supervising. Okay, maybe I've been sneaking upstairs to my room to write, but I've been tasting all the cookies Shauna's been making.

What's your favorite Christmas tradition? One commenter will win a copy of OF MURDER AND MEN (just released - November 28th) US mailings only. (Lynn Cahoon will send you a digital copy of different book if you're out of the US.) Contest closes December 4th.

Visit Lynn at the following...

· Goodreads -http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5857424.Lynn_Cahoon

· Twitter - https://twitter.com/LynnCahoon

· Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/LynnCahoonAuthor

· website - http://lynncahoon.com/

· Amazon author page - http://www.amazon.com/Lynn-Cahoon/e/B0082PWOAO/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

45 comments:

DebbyDecember 2, 2017 at 6:15 AM

I love having a tree decorated. We are doing one today.
debby236 at gmail dot com
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1. Lynn CahoonDecember 2, 2017 at 8:13 AM
  
  I think we're doing a tree this year.
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2. Janet SwindellDecember 2, 2017 at 12:19 PM
  
  I love decorating for Christmas The tree is so special and the Nativity scene Family coming together
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Dianne B.December 2, 2017 at 7:57 AM

Decorating the tree and driving around town to see all the Christmas lights and displays. dbahn(at)iw(dot)net
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1. Lynn CahoonDecember 2, 2017 at 8:16 AM
  
  There are a lot of Christmas lights up around here this year. They make me happy.
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tarafarah7December 2, 2017 at 8:52 AM

🎄❤ The 10ft tree is GORGEOUS! ❤🎄 What a nice touch, too, to have mini trees in each room! Love it!

I love putting up my tree; My mom started an ornament collection for me when I was young. Every Christmas growing up (sometimes birthdays, etc.), I received an ornament that she would box up, label it with the year, and record who it was from. However, when I was young, I didn't care at all about the ornaments. I never saw them because they were placed in storage right away, never to be seen again until the following year when I got another one...and watched her box it up. I was constantly thinking to myself how ridiculous it was that I was 7...8...9yrs old, getting an ornament! What...huh?!? UNTIL...I bought my 1st home and got my 1st tree! I then realized how AMAZING my mom was to have planned all these years for this moment! So wonderful! I like to put my tree up all by myself because I love looking at all of them one by one, and it takes time to carefully unbox each one and place it just right so that it won't fall and break (some of them are so delicate!). Truthfully, though, I'm scared my "helpers" won't be as careful as they should! Hehee! I'm so crazy about all of it that I would probably put a little fence around my tree if I could.😂 After that 1st Christmas I became a true collector of ornaments, making sure to buy one each time I went on vacation, as well as special, memorable places I visited. I also have reveived ornaments as gifts from my students and other family members. Still to this day, I continue to carefully label and box each one up, just like my mom did. I carried on the tradition and also started a collection for both of my nephews, who probably think it is just as ridiculous as I once did, but one day they, too, will see the value in this special gift! My tree is a representation of my life, those I love, places I've been, and beautiful memories that have been collected over the years. :-) Thank you so much for sharing...you made me smile! 😊
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1. tarafarah7December 2, 2017 at 8:54 AM
  
  Oh yeah...I forgot to say that I'm already following everywhere (Lynn, you know I think you're 💯 awesome!). Thank you so much for the chance!
  tarafarah7 (at) gmail (dot) com
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jnalpathDecember 2, 2017 at 9:43 AM

I decorate my mom's tabletop tree that she bought when she first moved to the U.S. back in early 70s. I have my childhood ornaments on it and it takes me back every time to my Christmas memories growing up. Thanks for the chance! Maceoindo(at)yahoo(dot)com
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1. Lynn CahoonDecember 6, 2017 at 6:56 AM
  
  The random gods have chosen you... Look for an email from me.
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MelissaDecember 2, 2017 at 9:46 AM

I enjoy our Christmas morning tradition of just me, my parents, and my brother opening stockings and presents and then having the special Christmas breakfast rolls my grandma always used to make. mcastor07(at)gmail(dot)com.
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Celia FowlerDecember 2, 2017 at 10:03 AM

My favorite Christmas tradition is putting ornaments on our tree -- each one tells a story and has such wonderful memories! Happy Holidays! [email protected]
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Kay GarrettDecember 2, 2017 at 10:13 AM

My favorite Christmas tradition was my Dad always arriving very early so he could go down the hall saying “Hohoho Santa’s been here!” and waking up my daughter to go see what was under the tree. It was a tradition that we all loved – including his granddaughter. When she had just turned a teenager, she actually woke up very early to get dressed and fixed up (you know teenagers when it comes to having their photos taken) and then crawled back into bed just so Pappaw could “wake her up” Christmas morning like he always did. I cherish these memories since both Dad and our daughter are together now having Christmas in heaven. <3

Although our Christmas has changed over the years, it’s good to cherish old memories and create new ones. We just downsized and moved in our new home this year at the opposite end of the state. Been a lot of adjustments including this Christmas decorating since there’s not the room to put up the seven Christmas trees of the past. However, we will have new experiences and joys this year as we celebrate Christmas making new traditions and memories.

Thank you for the chance to win a copy of OF MURDER AND MEN!
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travelerDecember 2, 2017 at 10:20 AM

We always would drive around our neighborhood when I was young during the 1950's and gaze at the beautiful decorations and lights. The snow was on the ground and the night was still and beautiful. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
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Kristi LewisDecember 2, 2017 at 10:46 AM

Spending Christmas Eve with my family is my favorite tradition! kristilewis dot lrc at gmail dot com
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petiteDecember 2, 2017 at 10:47 AM

Preparing wonderful meals for the family and baking the delectable goodies. The little ones now get involved. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
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Daniele KDecember 2, 2017 at 10:54 AM

Decorating the tree. Dmskrug3 at hotmail dot com
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AnonymousDecember 2, 2017 at 11:05 AM

My favorite tradition at Christmas is on Christmas morning after opening gifts is we have Cinnamon Buns for breakfast, it started about 35 or 40 years ago. One year I made a breakfast casserole and was told that is not what we do for breakfast so it was back to the rolls the next year.

NancyB
nlb1050 (at) yahoo (dot) com
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Libby DoddDecember 2, 2017 at 12:41 PM

Family time is the best.
[email protected]
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Grandma CootieDecember 2, 2017 at 12:47 PM

Reading The Night Before Christmas just before bedtime on Christmas Eve.
[email protected]
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AnonymousDecember 2, 2017 at 1:07 PM

I'm almost 83 and never saw my Christmas tree until Christmas morning.I was an only and sickly so when I went to bed I went right to sleep. When I married and had kids of my own my tree went up December 10 and with the ornaments of my childhood and new additions every year.My youngest family lives next door and use 83 years of ornaments and my grandson love to hear the stories of the ornaments.Ruth Nixon [email protected]
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SueDecember 2, 2017 at 1:22 PM

I love buying the tree and starting the decorating of it on the day after Thanksgiving. So many of the ornaments have been in the family for years and have special meaning that unpacking them, admiring them, and telling stories about them really slows down the decorating process so that it takes 2 or 3 days.
[email protected]
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Mary Lynette MillerDecember 2, 2017 at 1:44 PM

Many years ago when we decided to have a Miller Christmas eve. This has been going on for over 40 years. My mother-in-law is the only grandma left. She is 96 so these later years are special. We do a pot luck and a male gift female gift exchange and just have a great time. nettiem(at)toledotel(dot)com
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Maryanne BirchDecember 2, 2017 at 1:47 PM

My mom and I used to go to a fancy Buffet for Christmas dinner that way no dishes and lots of food we would not get the rest of the year. Most fancy hotels have them at least in Canada. I miss that but I’m on my own so not as fun. I usually get something I would not make. Last year was Buffalo and the year before that was duck breast.
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Dianne CaseyDecember 2, 2017 at 2:32 PM

My favorite Christmas tradition is baking Christmas cookies with my Sister and also decorating the tree. After the tree is decorated, I like to shut off the lights and look at the tree in the dark.
diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
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AnonymousDecember 2, 2017 at 4:09 PM

My favorite is driving around in the historical district looking at the decorations and lights and the downtown Park etc. My Dad did that for my Sister and I so we still do it. We get a cup of hot cocoa and then spend a happy hour or two doing that.
Marilyn [email protected]
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Sue LDecember 2, 2017 at 4:29 PM

I love baking cookies with my sister and nieces. suemngirl(at)yahoo(dot)com
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Paula AdamsDecember 2, 2017 at 6:03 PM

Decorating the tree and watching the movie Christmas Vacation. pgenest57(at)aol(dot)com
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Jana Leah BDecember 2, 2017 at 6:20 PM

We spend Christmas Eve day making treats for Santa (& ourselves).
turtle6422(at)gmail(dot)com
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Sharon GuagliardoDecember 2, 2017 at 7:05 PM

We start baking cookies for weeks ahead of time, lots of kinds, to give away.
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Connie LeeDecember 2, 2017 at 9:41 PM

My husband has a very large family. We all get together once a year a few weeks before Christmas and have dinner together. Everyone brings something, it's a great feast with a lot of fun! lclee59(at)centurylink(dot)net
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GaelicarkDecember 2, 2017 at 9:51 PM

We love celebrating Saint Nicholas Day and putting the tree up and letting the kids decorate!
Happy Holidays ~
Kelly Braun
Gaelicark(at)yahoo(dot)com
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taurusDecember 2, 2017 at 10:50 PM

Baking cookies with my niece

jtcgc at yahoo dot com
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Brooke BumgardnerDecember 2, 2017 at 11:11 PM

One of my favorites is letting my girls open a Christmas Eve gift...new PJs and something fun to do. :)

brookeb811 at gmail.com
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Helen KotowskeDecember 2, 2017 at 11:14 PM

I like Christmas lightsand going to the Advent Organ Concerts.
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AnonymousDecember 2, 2017 at 11:14 PM

family tradition is to visit nursing home and bring an ornament for each person that is in the activity room when we are there, all handmade ornaments. Even though the residents may not have tree of their own they have bulletin boards. I have visited other times of the year an will see the ornament hanging there in June. thank you for the giveaway, Georgia
queenvictoria50 (at) aol (dot) com
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Jennifer HansenDecember 2, 2017 at 11:32 PM

Krusty Klaus bring gag gifts on Xmas Eve for all - parkeremma2003 at yahoo dot com
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Eileen A-WDecember 2, 2017 at 11:40 PM

Baking holiday treats with my kids, to share with friends and neighbors. ematov (at) comcast (dot) net
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Carol SchmokerDecember 3, 2017 at 4:28 AM

Checking out the decorations at the Gaylord Texan & shopping for ornaments in old downtown Grapevine.
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Carol SchmokerDecember 3, 2017 at 4:29 AM

Forgot my email address: schmokercarol at yahoo dot com
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AnonymousDecember 3, 2017 at 7:13 AM

Favorite tradition at Christmas: Christmas Eve service at Church. The church always looks so beautiful and we feel blessed to be there and celebrate our Lord's birth.

LibraryLady80 (at) gmail (dot) com
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Kathleen KendlerDecember 3, 2017 at 9:45 AM

Watching Holiday Inn & White Christmas. Love your books!
kckendler at gmail dot com
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Kelly BlackwellDecember 3, 2017 at 1:06 PM

This will be our first Christmas in Michigan. We are in a rental this year and are doing things a little smaller than usual because so much of our stuff is still in boxes, but we are going to stick with one tradition of popping some popcorn and make strands with cranberries and popcorn to string on the tree. Looking forward to a white Christmas!

kellyblackwellwrites(at)gmail(dot)com
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lynneandcoDecember 3, 2017 at 1:48 PM

Decorating the house, baking and making fudge. And giving presents. Getting is good, but giving is the best! [email protected]
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Donamae KutskaDecember 3, 2017 at 2:45 PM

Decorating the tree listening to Christmas music [email protected]
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Johnna SmithDecember 4, 2017 at 3:19 PM

my favorite tradition is new Christmas jammies and movies for Christmas Eve

johnnabooks(at)hotmail(dot)com
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