Happy Holidays, everyone!

With my equestrian romantic mystery novel, A Dangerous Dream, being released in January this holiday season is extra busy. Still, I have three small children who love the holidays so I’m making time for all the fun.

Actually, unless I want coal in my own stocking I shouldn’t tell a lie. Much as I love my kids, I’m the one who gets totally carried away. I decorate the house from top to bottom, and we have so many lights outside if I use my blow drier when they’re lit I plunge the master suite into darkness. After feeling my way out of the bedroom to go find the circuit breaker, I did admit to my husband we may have overdone it.

Every year we go to a Breakfast with Santa at the zoo, where they have great costumed characters dressed as the zoo’s top animal attractions. This morning was the big event. The animal characters walk around along with Santa and his elves while the kiddos have breakfast and then the children take turns on Santa’s lap.

I didn’t realize how hazardous this duty was for Santa and his helpers until our first year attending. My then two year old daughter tackled a reindeer from behind with such enthusiasm she almost toppled the poor man over! Fortunately, a nearby volunteer grabbed Mr. Reindeer while my husband detached our child from his leg.

This year, with my now five year old joined by her two year old twin brothers we figured costumed animals would be crashing to the floor all around us. In kindness to the brave performers (it is the holiday season, after all) we made sure to invite two valiant friends to help us run interference. At the end of the event, the kids were jumping for joy and everyone was still standing, which we considered a success all around!

I’m off now to help put three exhausted, delighted children to bed and put some finishing touches on A Dangerous Dream.

My best wishes to everyone for a wonderful holiday season!

Sincerely,

Mary Paine