Monday, November 24, 2014

Aloha to MK McClintock and A HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

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MK McClintock joins us for a cozy chat to celebrate A HOME FOR CHRISTMAS:

MK McClintock spins tales of romance and adventure inspired by the heather-covered hills of Scotland and the majestic mountains of home. With her heart deeply rooted in the past and her mind always on adventure, she lives and writes in Montana.

Kim:  I am envious of your extensive travels! Can you share a funny story? I know, I know, it's hard to pick just one.

MK:  I haven’t been to nearly as many places as I would like, but I can definitely say that Scotland is my favorite thus far. There were a few interesting experiences, one of which took place as soon as I left the airport. Many Americans have stories about driving on the opposite side of the road, but boy was it an experience. Luckily I knew how to drive a manual transmission. I was very careful to stick with the speed limits, but I kept noticing that everyone else seemed to be passing me on the road. Each person who passed looked directly at me with the strangest expressions. To this day, I feel like they somehow knew I was a tourist who didn’t know what I was doing. Almost everywhere I went, I opened the door on the wrong side of the car, which isn’t embarrassing unless someone else sees. Then there was the haggis . . . it was an awesome holiday.

Kim:  Culinary school - how fun! What is your best dish to make?

MK:  O was always more into the pastry side of the business. Asking me to pick a best is a tough one, but I’d have to say chocolate croissants for pastry. For a regular dish, I’d have to go with a cast iron deep dish pizza. It’s not fancy or French, but it’s mind-blowing delicious.

Kim:  Montana - what is your favorite sight, sound, and smell?

MK:  Watching a bald eagle soar over the lake with the mountains in the background. The sound of waves crashing against the lake shore on a stormy day. The fresh scent of pine after a rain or on a snowy day.

Kim:  Tell us about A HOME FOR CHRISTMAS - what inspired it?

MK:  It’s a collection of three historical western short stories that all have a bit of sweet romance, but really focus on family and the special moments that can happen around the holiday. I really wanted to put out a Christmas book, and I had all of these stories rolling around in my mind that I could easily have put into full-length novels. I then considered a short story collection because I understand how insanely busy the holidays can get. Story lines and settings just seem to pop into my head, but those are usually inspired by places I’ve been or something I read during research. I named four of the characters after nieces, and their personalities definitely inspired their character counterparts!

Kim:  What's next for MK McClintock?

MK:  The audiobook version of A Home for Christmas is in production, and I’m hard at work on my third British Agent novel, which will be out in early 2015. I also have two more installments to my Gallagher series planned for 2015. Needless to day, I’m going to be pretty busy this winter. Lucky for me, Montana winters can be long and cold which makes for great writing weather.

Thank you so much for allowing me to visit with you and your readers today! I can’t express enough how much fun I had writing these Christmas stories, and how honored I am to be sharing them with everyone.


Mahalo, MK, for sharing your holiday cheer with us!  I am giving away holiday swag to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about your home ... how do you decorate for the holiday?

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, November 29, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, November 30.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about MK and her books at mkmcclintock.com.

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23 comments:

  1. We cannot have a tree, as our cat Charlotte likes to climb it, which results in it tipping over and all the glass ornaments broken... So we decorate our nature table with a nativity set, super small fir tree & candles. Though lighting those candles can also be tricky, Charlotte likes to put out the flames with her paw & can get nasty burns. Christmas isn't all about the decorations & being together is what counts the most :)

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    1. I agree! Being with family and making memories count the most, and it sounds like Charlotte gives you lots of wonderful memories. :)

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  2. Thank you so much for hosting and welcoming me today at SOS Aloha! I have such fond memories of the beautiful islands. :)

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  3. I go all out for Christmas. I put up as many decorations and lights inside and out. This year though, I'm waiting for my granddaughter to finish University for the holidays, as she wants to help me decorate.

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    1. I go all out on the inside, but would like to do more on the outside. It's so nice that you're waiting for your granddaughter so she can help. Reminds me of a scene from "Teton Christmas" . . . :)

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  4. We do traditional stuff inside--tree, wreath, stockings on the mantle. Outside, we go a little crazy. We have painted wooden scenes (a nativity on one side of the yard, a tree and large bears on the other,) a blow up Santa and elves archway leading to our doorway, and lots of lights on the trees and bushes.

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    1. Wow! You must be the hit of the block during the holidays. :)

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  5. We have little decorations around the house.

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    1. Sometimes that's not a bad thing, Jane. There was one year when I was so exhausted, I did not decorate at all. It was wonderful! :)

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  6. I'm not going to decorate this year for I'm not going to be home, and with work I just don't feel like it! I have a few candles and greenery around my mantel with white lights, that all I'll be spending Christmas with my dady and his girlfriend and daughter and her family at the beach! carolefiore1954@yahoo.com

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    1. Christmas at the beach . . . I haven't tried it, but with as cold as it gets where I live, I wouldn't mind it once in a while. :)

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  7. We have a Christmas tree each year that I decorate and I also have a snowman collection that I put out around the house too.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by today! A snowman collection sounds fun! I have a set of snowman dishes that are a big hit my niece and nephew.

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  8. I buy a live tree and have collected many ornaments over the years. We have lights for all the windows and a wreath on the door and then all my various collections of candles and ceramics, etc.

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    1. I like live trees, too. I don't even mind all the pine needles! :) Sounds like your home is quite festive.

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  9. We do a tree and I put out some outside decorations.

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  10. Lights, garland,thanks
    Kimh

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  11. Our house is smaller, so there are about 10 boxes of Christmas that rotate in use!!

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  12. We have a 4 foot tree every year and we use crochet snowflakes and Angels on it or we have mini hand made cross stitch decorating the tree. the girls and I put up decorations all over the living room too and we have nutcrackers every where too.
    Penney

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  13. I used to go all out with the tree and decorations inside and out. Last year I put out a few things but left out a metal tree stand for hanging ornaments. I left some of my favorite ornaments on it and have enjoyed looking at it all year. That will be it for decorations this year.

    BTW - A Home for Christmas is a truly lovely read, with each of the stories touching your heart!

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  14. We use every single decoration in the house for Christmas. It's colourful that's for sure.

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  15. I'd consider my Christmas decor to be "farmhouse country."

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