Welcome Anne Holly

I first met Anne Holly when her story, Unwrapping Scrooge was released. I thought, great name for the
author of a Christmas story…but then there were more, a Valentine’s Day book,
Thanksgiving, New Years, Halloween.
Yeah, I think maybe
the name inspired me, a bit. Unwrapping
Scrooge started it off, and it’s still one of my favourites:
Bestselling author Kale McKinnon is a modern Scrooge – eccentric,
misanthropic and reclusive, made bitter by the coldness of his wealthy family.
But when optimistic Canadian graduate student Molly Gillis visits Oxford and invades his
space, he realizes Christmas is about to change for him forever. But can he
make her stay, and force himself to un-Scrooge enough to be the right man for
her?
I love those
redemption themes!

I have a few holiday stories myself, they’re tempting, but
Anne, you seem to have a thing for the special days on the calendar.
It seems to have
turned out that way. I have seven titles directly relating to various holidays,
one novel that includes a holiday (Strings
Attached), and one on the way that takes place during two holidays and is
tied in with another. I also have a holiday collection coming out in 2012.

Do you have a favorite holiday?
I think, Halloween.
No major meals to prepare, and pure fun. The Thanksgiving and Christmas/New
Years holidays are good, too, because most of us get a little break from work.
I love all the fall/winter holidays, for the most part. The summer ones are too
hot for me to enjoy. But, yes, Halloween is my favourite.

What makes it extra special for you?
It’s for the kids,
and the inner child. The decorations are better than any other holiday, in my
opinion, and so are the movies and cartoon specials. The atmosphere is
wonderful, all Sleepy Hollow and spooky. A wonderful metaphor for the coming
winter gloom. Plus, what’s not to love about a holiday focused on candy?

Do any of your stories reflect your own memories?
Somewhat. In Unwrapping Scrooge, the heroine talks
about watching White Christmas and
eating shortbread as a family tradition, and that’s one of my little holiday
enjoyments. She also grew up without much money, which was a running theme in
my childhood holidays.

Tell us a little about it.
We never got very
much as kids in terms of gifts, but I never felt deprived. We enjoyed what we
had, and the food was great. And the beautiful, silent snow-covered trees… They
were lovely times, those winters in the woods as a child.
I’ve been perusing your sites, that guy on the cover of Good for the Goose is a real hottie!
We’d love to hear more about that story.
Yes! Isn’t he
gorgeous? I even adapted the story a little so the model could fit the
character, he’s so pretty. Rebel Ink makes some nice covers.
Good for the Goose is a sexy story, as well as a romance. It’s
about a woman who’s shattered by a divorce, and thinks, “Well, that’s it for me
and men!” But then she gets snowed in with that hot Spanish guy on the cover,
who also happens to be about ten years younger than her, and, well… Let’s say,
they melt some ice.
That’s what Christmas
is all about, isn’t it? Opening up your heart and taking the chance on renewed
life.

Do you have any more holiday stories planned?
Always! I’m not sure
exactly why they attract me, other than the fact that I always loved Christmas
romance novels as a teen, and they are such pretty, evocative seasons.
I think I will lay
off Christmas for a little while, since one can only promote so many books in
one season, but I have others up my sleeve. My next release will happen around
Father’s Day, since it’s a book about a single father (and a single mother)
struggling to find a love that can work. And, I’ll have a short story for
Labour Day next fall to promote the release of my Rebel Ink Press holiday
stories in a single paperback volume. I figure if I can make Labour Day sexy, I
can do anything.

What other news would you like to share with the readers?
I celebrated my first
paperback release ever a few weeks ago, for a paperback anthology, Yule be Mine vol 2, from Decadent
Publishing. That was pretty exciting! I also just this week signed a new
contract with Pink Petal Books for my second full length novel, in ebook and in
print editions – that news hasn’t even come out much yet, so you may be hearing
it here first.

Where will this Christmas Eve likely find you?
At home. Not
shopping. Not fighting through crowds of travelers to get some place. At home,
hopefully in my PJs, with my little three year old son, watching the snow fall
outside or enjoying a movie, and eating oranges and grapes and chocolate, and
drinking cider – my favourite things about the season.

Awww, that will be the best, my nephew is three and
completely into the Christmas experience! I hope all of your son's and your dreams
come true.
And where can our readers find you and your books?

You can check out my blog, or see my holiday
website. I’m pretty much all
over the net!
Thanks for having me!
This was fun. Happy holidays, everyone!
*
Bio:
Anne Holly is
a Canadian writer of romance and erotic-romance, as well as a mother and
teacher. She is the author of the novel Strings Attached, which was
described by The
Romance Reviews as “a classic contemporary romance.” She has been
published by Wild Horse Press, Decadent Publishing and Rebel Ink Press, and in
2012 by Pink Petal Books. Anne’s work is characterized by its unusual heroes,
sweet/spicy balance, witty dialogue, responsible citizenship, and its positive,
optimistic nature. She has found a particular niche in holiday romance. You may visit
Anne at her blog or website, or find her on GoodReads, Facebook and
Twitter (@anneholly2010).
Sign up for her newsletter here.
Email her at anneholly2010@gmail.com.