It’s Spring Break and while the rest of America seems to be on vacation, I seem to be working. I snuck out for one beach day with my kiddos, but the day job has been calling loud and clear this week. But that hasn’t stopped me from daydreaming about holidays recently. And with good reason—all year long, I’m releasing books about finding love on some of the most special days of the year. I call it the “Holiday Hearts” series and I hope you’ll come check it out—the first two novellas, New Year’s Eve and The Cupid Caper, are already out, and a full-length book, Lucky in Love, will be out later this month.

10—Halloween: I haven’t been a big Halloween person for years. I’m just not into all the spooky, scary stuff. But then I had kids. And I love seeing my kids just be kids and enjoy themselves. So Halloween is back on the list because seeing my kids smile makes me smile.

9—New Year’s: I’m not a big resolution maker. But in recent years, I’ve been trying to be more intentional with how I’m living my life and I’ve found that identifying a word or theme for my year has been very useful for me. I do like the idea of drawing a line in the sand and trying to do things different or better. We all need a new start from time to time.

8—Texas Independence Day: I’m a sixth-generation Texan. My great-to-the-something grandfather was the original judge in Anderson County, Texas, and his commission was signed by the one and only Sam Houston. I have a copy of it. Forty-nine other states couldn’t care less about the adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836, but in the Ethridge house, we remember the Alamo. Ha ha!

7—St. Patrick’s Day: I have two redheaded children.  Enough said. They look adorable in leprechaun shirts. Besides, who couldn’t use a little of the Luck of the Irish?

6—Valentine’s Day: A day to be in love with love. I think a lot of it is over-the-top and super-cheesy. But there’s nothing wrong with doing something out-of-the-ordinary to show someone that they are special to you. If we all took the time to tell those we love what they mean to us, I think the world would be a better place.

5—Easter: I love Easter for what it represents as a religious holiday, but I also love it because hands down, it has the best candy. From bunnies to marshmallow eggs, Easter candy is worth stocking up on. Just not Peeps. I don’t do Peeps.

4—Birthdays: Everyone loves the chance to have their own special day. I’ve celebrated my birthday at my favorite restaurant every year since I was 15. (Which is to say…10 years. Ha.) I eat the same thing and get the same dessert—chocolate mousse. But it’s my special day, so it’s ok that I make it my own personal version of Groundhog Day.

3—Independence Day: There’s something about fireworks. I’m lucky to live near one of the best fireworks displays in the nation, so my family goes to see it every year. (And then we wait in the car for two hours to get home, but that’s beside the point!) Our little community also puts on a great local show with games and carnival-style food for the family, plus a concert.

2—Thanksgiving: I’m something of a foodie. In fact, I love to post my favorite real food recipes on my website (www.kristenethridge.com) and share others from my blogger friends on my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/kristenethridgebooks) so this holiday is right up my alley. My favorite thing to eat at Thanksgiving—cajun fried turkey. I haven’t had an oven-baked turkey in years!

1—Christmas: Christmas brings out the kid in me. I love driving around to look at lights. I love getting new ornaments for the tree. Parties, families, special meals and desserts, and peppermint hot chocolate. It’s a time to celebrate with long-standing traditions like church services on Christmas Eve, to create new traditions with your kids, and to brighten someone else’s day with a donation to those less fortunate.

What’s your favorite holiday? Do you live somewhere other than the United States and get to celebrate a fun holiday unique to your own country? I’d love to hear about it!

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| [amazon_link id=”B00IK1G58W” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Amazon[/amazon_link] |

Blurb

Sometimes you’ve got to take Cupid’s bow and arrow into your own hands.

Amanda Marsh is in love with love. As a high school English teacher, she is surrounded by poetry and classic literature, including the love stories written by her favorite author, Shakespeare. She knows she’ll never find anything as romantic as the stories that have stood the test of time, so she’s settled on having a crush on chemistry teacher Luke Baker from a far.

Luke Baker left his career as a research chemist behind to share a love of science with students. And he’s about to make his pet project a reality as the curriculum lead for the district’s new specialized science and technology academy. When a poem shows up on his desk drawing him into The Cupid Caper, the Valentine’s Day-themed dance and fundraiser for Skyview High School’s Student Council, Luke dismisses the whole thing as a silly game. But when he realizes that winning the grand prize in The Cupid Caper is the one way he can help a star student attend the new STEM Academy, he decides to play along.

Paired together, the English teacher and the chemistry teacher both realize The Cupid Caper is more than a game, but neither can tell the other their feelings are no joke. When an education in happily ever after is on the line, will a man whose life has been ruled by the scientific method and a woman who quotes sonnets miss the mark, or will Cupid’s arrow finally ring true?

The Holiday Hearts Series: Heartwarming Stories of Finding Love on the Most Special Days of the Year

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About Kristen Ethridge:

The writing bug bit Kristen Ethridge around the time she first held a pencil. A 2012 Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award Finalist, Kristen was discovered by Harlequin through their 2012 So You Think You Can Write contest.

She writes contemporary inspirational romance for Harlequin’s Love Inspired line, as well as sweet contemporary romance. Her favorite stories are filled with love, laughter, and happily ever after–and her favorite happily ever after is the story of God’s love. Although she has fun creating characters, Kristen’s favorite people are her family. She lives in Texas with her husband, children and a self-important poodle. Visit her online at www.kristenethridge.com.