The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

by Sharon Lathan

Indeed, this is the most wonderful time of the year! I adore Christmas. It is my absolute favorite holiday for a host of reasons. The entire period from Thanksgiving through New Years is always a treasured time for me and I relish every crazed moment of it. This year the excitement of the season is increased by the upcoming release of my third novel – My Dearest Mr. Darcy. Of course that also adds to the workload, and both my well-laid plans and delight were dimmed slightly by the killer mutant flu from Hades that knocked me flat for 2 solid weeks. Nevertheless I managed to get most everything done before Christmas and I stayed in the holiday spirit!

Our highlight and big family gift was a trip to Disneyland! I wrote about this on my Dec.16 blog, extolling our enthusiasm to see the Magic Kingdom all decked out for the holidays, and talking about our planned adventures. Every last moment was as magical and special as we anticipated. Dinner at the Blue Bayou was phenomenal. The Holiday Tour was excellent. Riverside seating for Fantasmic was amazing. The atmosphere and decor throughout the park was utterly divine. I have rarely felt so immersed in the spirit of Christmas as I did after 4 days in Disneyland. It was perfect. I’ll let these photos speak for themselves…..


On top of all that fun, I was blessed to meet up with 2 longtime fans of my Saga who live in the area and took time out of their busy lives and family fun to connect with me AND have me sign their copies of my novels! Kerry and Sheila, it was amazing, an honor, and far too short. Thanks, again, a million times over.

Back home the advent of Christmas itself came upon us fast. We were ready for it! All presents were wrapped and under the tree. Lazy days of eating, watching TV with the fire blazing, and enjoying our new gifts. No one was wanting and Santa took very good care of us! I was thrilled, I think, to receive a Kindle from my hubby. Still not too sure I can part with my bound books, but I am willing to accept the many positives to a downloadable e-reader. Don’t tell my DH, but my best gift was the throw blanket my daughter gave me. A gorgeous cover with images of our family woven into the fabric, and the message, “The love of family is a blessing” intertwined. Wow! Too lovely to use, but I will anyway with a warm, fuzzy feeling in my heart each time.

Now I can turn my attention to January 1. Not due to the calendar turning to 2010, but because My Dearest Mr. Darcy will be officially released!! Whoo Hoo! I am gearing up for the excitement of another launch, having learned that it never gets old. Maybe it does get slightly easier and not so frantic, but the delight is overflowing as much with my third novel in the Darcy Saga series as it was for the first. I am very proud of this installment as Darcy and Lizzy continue their adventures, grow in their love, welcome their first child, and happily complete one year of marriage. My virtual blog tour officially begins on January 3, my day to share another successful Sourcebooks novel with my Casablanca sisters and our readers. I do hope you will mark your calendars and return for my launch on the 3rd - as well as Robin Kaye’s and Cheryl Brook’s on the 2nd and 4th - for the high jinks and giveaways. We gals know how to party!

Amazon links to all our great novels are attached to our covers shown on the right, including mine. More information about my romantic sequel series to “Pride & Prejudice,” the My Dearest Mr. Darcy Launch Fete that I am hosting over at my website, along with links to where I will be for my blog tour, can be found at: The Darcy Saga

For now, share with us your wonderful holiday memories and gifts from Santa. And on behalf of all the Casablanca Authors – have a very Happy New Year!!!