Christmas Spotlight on Cynthia Hickey

To help us celebrate the Christmas season I am posting interviews with some wonderfully talented authors about their Christmas traditions and memories.

Today I am excited to introduce Cynthia Hickey. Cynthia lives with her husband in Arizona surrounded by her seven children. Along with those seven children she is the grandmother of five. Cynthia Hickey has been telling stories since she was a child and we are certainly glad she hasn't stopped.

Cynthia has graciously offered a copy of her book Fudged-Laced Felonies so be sure to answer the question at the end of the post and leave your addy so I can contact you if you win!

Christmas carols are one of my favorite things about Christmas. What is your favorite carol?
O Holy Night sang by Michael Crawford is my all-time favorite. Second would be Mary’s Song by Amy Grant. Both depict the meaning of Christmas, sending the words straight to a person’s soul.

I remember sneaking with my sister into the living room one day where the tree stood and together we untapped all of the packages to see what we were getting. Thinking that we would get away with our little caper we rewrapped all of the presents. As my children would say we were ‘busted’ when our parents came home to presents that were not shall we say wrapped to perfection. Are you a person who loves the secrets and surprises or do you want to know what is hidden in the packages under the tree? As a child did you do any sneaking around to discover hidden presents?
I do love the surprises, but can’t help doing a little snooping, even now as an adult. I did the same as you as a child. Back then, wrapping paper was of better quality. Nowadays, the paper tears so that’s one trick my kids can’t do! Every year there is at least one thing I’ll see and want, then tell my husband, “Go ahead and get that for me. I can use it now. Then just wrap the box.” He hates when I do that.

My husband and I do the same thing. Christmas is a time that many memories are made. What is the best Christmas memory you have?
When my husband and I married, we could only afford bands. On our tenth Christmas, he bought an old book at a thrift store, cut a hole on the inside, and inserted a new diamond wedding ring. I cried.

I love all of the holiday movies but White Christmas is my favorite. I make my family sit down every year to watch this classic. Do you have a favorite holiday movie?
We have two we watch every year. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, because it makes us laugh and takes us away from the hustle and bustle. The other is It’s A Wonderful Life. It’s important to know what a difference each person makes in the lives of those around them.

What does your family do to remember what the real reason for Christmas is?
Along with our stockings, we hang one for Jesus. On Christmas morning, before we can dig into our own things, we must write on a slip of paper something that only we can give Jesus during the new Year.

Oh, that is a wonderful tradition I might have to start that in the Moore house this year. Could you please briefly describe your novel?
While transplanting the rosebush her church’s handsome greeter, Ethan Banning, inadvertently killed, Summer and Ethan discover a hidden stash of diamonds, a rusty can full of cash, and a bloody gardening glove. This discovery sets Summer and her candy-making aunt on a search for a killer.

As Summer gets closer to the truth—not only of the theft but of her true feelings
for Ethan—the diamond thief hatches a plan to hush the feisty sleuth.

Cynthia thanks you for visiting with us and sharing about how you and your family celebrate Christmas. If you want to contact Cynthia besure to visti her at her website or her blog.
http://www.cynthiahickey.com/ http://www.cynthiahickey.blogspot.com/ http://www.mainlymystery.blogspot.com/

If you would like to win a copy of Cynthia's new novel Fudged-Laced Felonies please leave a comment and be sure to answer the question: What is your favorite Christmas time treat? I really love a chocolate candy called Martha Whites. My great Aunt used to make them and I have never been able to get them since.

Don't forget to leave your addy so I can contact you if you win!!!