
M-Since you write books around the holidays, what’s your favorite family holiday?
A-I am not a hot weather person, so the cooler holidays are nicer for me. I think Thanksgiving is my favourite family holiday. We have it in October here in Canada, so the weather is still sometimes quite warm, but the fall colours and harvest foods make it perfect. I like that there are no gifts involved, usually; just food and togetherness, which makes it ideal.
M-What’s your favorite naughty holiday?
A-Halloween, definitely. It’s different now that I have a small child, of course, but I always found it to be such a sensual holiday. The colour schemes are wonderful, and it’s such a defiant thing to have an outrageous nighttime holiday right before the onset of winter darkness. And I love pumpkin grinners.
M-Bubbly looks at the socialite life. Is Beth a columniation of the public socialites?
A-Actually, yes. It’s great that you ask this, actually, because it’s so accurate. Obviously, she’s from my imagination, but she’s inspired by all sorts of snippets of movies and gossip. Too rich too young, and too hounded, like any number of daughters from rich families these days – though I did make her more likeable than your average socialite brat, I admit. I won’t name them, but I suspect people can guess. Totally fictionalized, of course.
However, her situation was inspired by what I consider “real-fake life” – that is, real as in it’s happening, but it’s all illusion underneath. The media shouts her down for going wild as a youth, but now she knows they are constantly praying for her to backslide into her addictions and being lost, because they despise both the wild child and the person trying to rise above the ashes. It’s incredible what we do to our celebrities – we put them up on pedestals they don’t really deserve, and then we cackle as we knock them off. Quite absurd!
M-What’s the best backdrop for a kiss? Christmas snow? Spring rain? Fireworks?
A-Well, the basic answer to that is “whichever, as long as it’s the right person,” but I have to go with light snow or dramatic rain – romance, for me, is simply not a “fair weather” scene.
M-What is your favorite holiday dish?
A-I eat pumpkin pie only once a year, for Thanksgiving, so that is truly a “holiday-only food.” Grapes and shortbread always say “holidays” to me, as well, from when I was a child. Now, though, I am a big fan of soy chicken breasts and cranberry sauce for my holiday sit-down meals. And my internationally famous mashed potatoes, of course – well, maybe not famous, but they have fans in more than one country, so we’ll go with that!
M-There is a superstition that if you aren’t with your “love” at Midnight on New Year’s Eve you won’t last through the year. Do you believe that?
A-Love is what you make of it. No superstition can make or break it, only respect/work/will and optimism, or lack thereof. But, since I always spend New Year’s Eve with the love of my life, my 3 year old son, let’s hope that it’s true for now.
Thanks for having me! This was fun. And happy New Year!
M-Thanks for stopping by and good luck with your book, Bubbly available through all the major book sellers.
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To learn more about Bubbly, an erotic romance for New Years by Anne Holly, please visit http://annehollyholiday.webs.com/newyearstales.htm
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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.