The collective Awwwwwwww was heard ’round Twitter. I know I awwwwwwwww’ed and I’m about as close as you can get to a cynic. I mean really, other than the gooey mushy closet romantic center that is my heart. But please, don’t tell anyone. I’ll just deny it.

But it got me back to thinking about something I’ve been thinking about for a while and that’s themes writers address in their books. And I’m talking as a reader AND a writer. For the most part I try not to think too hard when I wear my reader hat or get too scholarly about what I read–I read purely for enjoyment (unless it’s self-help LOL)….

In Hater by David Moody (not a romance), the main protag was an ass for like 1/2 the book, the stuff going on around them was horrifying (people appear to be infected with “something” that makes them attack the people around them) and the Protag is very judgmental/hateful of the attackers….until the end when the big reveal comes. Granted Hater is very much a horror novel in the tradition of classic twisty horror and not for the faint of heart but what did I realized when I was done? I think the author deliberately didn’t want me to like the Protag. and in the process took me on an exploration of the different facets of Hate.

And in Ann Aguirre’s Blue Diablo…well, where do I begin? First off, if you haven’t read it, why not? Yes, I’m a total fan girl and while BD isn’t “technically” a romance, I think it’s worth looking at because Blue Diablo tackles a theme I see a lot in my own work (believe it nor LOL)…and that’s Redemption and not just with Corine who I think seeks/wants/needs some form of redemption regarding her mother’s death, but with Chance, who redeems himself in Corine’s eyes by showing her (and the reader) a more vulnerable side, and even the alleged baddy who joins them at the end (whose name I can’t remember); I don’t want to say too much for fear of spoilers regarding him but I thought it was a really cool twist.

I picked both of these books because they left a strong impression on me. Like I said, I see a lot of redemption though mostly in my non-erotic/less hot work. And of course, as a closet romantic, I think “Love” is the ultimate redeemer.

So what are some of your favorite themes? Is it also redemption? And do you have any favorite redemption books/redeemed heroes or heroines?

So what about you? Do you do power tools? Do you install? Or do you have a good plumber in your iPhone? And if so, can I get his number? I have a toilet that needs it’s guts replaced.

Then its face started to crumple and its lower lip rolled out. It opened it’s mouth and a little squawk came out. I guess I shouldn’t call it an it, but a baby. Give me a foal, give me a calf and I was fine. But this…this was an all new realm of hell. The closest I’d ever gotten to a baby was my godson’s christening. I’d held Trevor for five minutes, then handed him back to his mother. By the time I’d gotten around to seeing him again, he’d been walking. Much as I loved Trevor, and his brother Trey, babies weren’t for me. But here I was staring down at this small creature someone had had the nerve to leave on my front porch.

I let the screen door slip from my fingertips and slam shut. The baby jumped in her little chair and started to cry. Even though I knew whatever vehicle had brought her here was long gone, I took a quick look around, then knelt down in front of her. The more she fussed, the more the seat rocked until I had no choice but to pick her up. She settled the minute she was in my arms, cuddling against my breasts. The little pink blanket that had been wrapped around her fell open, revealing a stained yellow onesie. With my free hand, I searched her seat and then her diaper bag for a note. All I found was some powder formula and a warm bottle. I popped the lid off it and sniffed.

Gross. It smelled worse than the stuff we sometimes fed the foals.

Easing to my feet, I carried her into the house, poured myself a cup of coffee and headed for my new rocker on the back porch. I should have just called the police then and there, but sometime held me back. And even though I knew there was no way I could keep her, I spent an hour deciding what to call her. I settled on Sally, though honestly, I had no idea why.

She took her bottle and settled in against my chest for a nap while the sun came up and eased its way west. I wasn’t one to just sit and do nothing, but that’s what I did. I just sat and held her while something deep in my chest turned to mush. She had all her finger and all her toes and under her tiny pink cap, she had a head full of chocolate brown hair that curled up at the ends.

We spent the day together, Sally and I and every once in a while it crossed my mind that maybe I could keep her. Maybe that’s why someone had left her on my porch. Maybe God wanted me to have her. Maybe that’s why every time I reached for the phone, I hesitated.

At the same time it’s the Hap-Hap-Happiest time of the year, right? Of course it is, because happiness is isn’t a place or a goal you’re supposed to struggle toward, it’s a state of mind. And I’m bound and determined to enjoy this Christmas…and I’m going to tell you why! I splurged and bought a new Christmas tree this year. That’s right, a new tree. Right now, it has no ornaments, but it’s still lovely and our puppy hasn’t figured out how to knock it over. I’m doing Christmas Eve at my house this year with my family. We’re having BBQ, because I’m just too smart to cook. And while there will be fewer presents under the tree this year, we have a house to hold our tree, the bills are paid, we’re warm and fed and most importantly of all, we (me, the kids, the cats, the dogs) have our health.

We have a lot to be thankful for and that’s really what this time of year is all about.

This is the first time in three years…okay five or six years I’ve done any real baking. One of my fondest memories is making Snickerdoodles and fudge with my mom, and Chex Mix (BEFORE you could buy it in a bag!!! Hmmm Maybe I should make some this year).

I even tried out this lovely recipe last night.

PEPPERMINT FUDGE BROWNIES

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
2/3 cup unsalted butter
4 eggs, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking pan; set aside. Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

Melt chocolate chips and butter in top of a double boiler set over simmering water, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat. Beat together eggs and granulated sugar in a medium mixing bowl on medium speed. Add vanilla extract. Blend in melted chocolate mixture. Lower speed, and add sifted flour and baking powder; blend well. Fold in nuts and remaining 1 cup chocolate chips. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 25 minutes. Cool completely.

Frosting:
3 cups confectioners sugar
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
6 to 8 tablespoons milk
1/2 cup crushed hard peppermint candy
Whole peppermint candies (optional)

Beat together confectioners sugar, cream cheese, butter and 4 tablespoons of the milk in a large mixing bowl on medium speed of electric mixer until smooth. Add additional milk, one tablespoon at a time, to achieve desired spreading consistency. Stir in crushed peppermint candy. Spread topping over cooled brownies. Cut into bars. Top each brownie with additional whole peppermint candy, if desired.

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So what are you thankful for? What are some of your fondest Christmas memories (i’m a closet sucker for getting my heartstrings pulled)? And what’s some of your favorite holiday food?

Since this IS the season of giving, I have cover flats for anyone who wants them. Just email me at spamless at amiestuart dot com (I even have them for HITTIN’ IT my March 09 release) with COVER FLAT in the subject line. I’ll try to get them out before Christmas–and please, let me known what cover you’d like (I have Hands On, Nailed, Make U Sweat and Hittin’ It).