There is a small, festive house near mine in Oregon that I drive by most days. The people who live there leave their Christmas decorations up until summer. I’m not just talking about a few lights. No. They are all in. Large ornaments dangle long, bright and colorful from an oak tree, lights are strung through several maples and large blowup Christmas art dominates their lawn—a teddy bear the size of a tractor, a smiling snowman and of course, Rudolph. Everyone knows this house, and though I have never met the couple who lives there, I think they must be perennially cheerful and rockin’ a huge electric bill.
I am thinking about the celebratory couple and their house today as I have my first Christmas novella being reissued this month as part of the kick-off to my Southern Love Spells series. A Taste of Christmas Magic first appeared in November as part of the A Southern Christmas anthology with the fabulous Susan Sands and Laurie Beach. We were excited to appear together in a multi-author collection, but each of us knew our anthology would split apart, and we’d take our story to be a part of (or in my case, launch) a new series. My new cover is so gorgeous I’m not even sorry to be heading out on my own now.
I’m excited about my upcoming series, Southern Love Spells for a lot of reasons. First, most of my books are set in the west—Montana, Texas, Oregon. The South just has a different vibe—the weather, history, architecture, manners, food and horticulture all create a tangible mood I can embrace and sink into. Second, most of my series feature brothers. Southern Love Spells features four sisters. Not a broody cowboy and sexily appealing tipped cowboy hat in sight. I always wanted a sister, and so this was an opportunity to indulge in a life long wish. The series explores sister dynamics, personal transformation, self-discovery and a dark family secret that winds through all four books.
I LOOSELY based my youngest heroine in this story, Chloe, on my daughter. She is a free spirit, a little fey, notes the unexpected and loves to sing. The rest is pure imagination. The touch of magic in each book—a mysterious heirloom recipe book continues to pop in and out of each sister’s life and while Chloe—like much in her life—embraces the discovery, I really enjoy plotting out how each sister responds to the book and what it reveals about each of them.
I have had a few weird discoveries or questionable events, which is one of the inspirations for this book of a loving, but slightly drifting family that finds their way back to each other even as they discover a secret about themselves and their past, and yes, of course they find love. I’ve just returned from Hawaii from a Tule author and team retreat—and yes, it was a lot of work (and fun), so I have a little bit of island swag, a $10 Starbucks card along with a print copy of A Touch of Christmas Magic (when they arrive) for two lucky responders who answer the question. You can DM me or email [email protected].
Have you ever discovered an unexpected family heirloom or picture or letter that created more questions than it answered? What was it and how did it impact you or your family?
About the Author.
Sinclair Sawhney is a former journalist and middle school teacher who holds a BA in Political Science and K-8 teaching certificate from the University of California, Irvine and a MS in Education with an emphasis in teaching writing from the University of Washington. She has worked as Senior Editor with Tule Publishing for over seven years. Writing as Sinclair Jayne she’s published fifteen short contemporary romances with Tule Publishing with another four books being released in 2021. Married for over twenty-four years, she has two children, and when she isn’t writing or editing, she and her husband, Deepak, are hosting wine tastings of their pinot noir and pinot noir rose at their vineyard Roshni, which is a Hindi word for light-filled, located in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Shaandaar!
no, haven’t
I found a beautiful lacquered jewelry box and a necklace in my grandmother’s attic. It was from her second husband’s family, but it wasn’t something they would have had for religious reasons.
Found art nouveau and victorian pieces in my MIL’s jewelry. We know some of the history, but not enough.
There was a picture of a woman among my grandfather’s stuff from when he was in the army. My mom had no idea who she was. I just kept it anyway.