THE WISH BOOK CHRISTMAS LIST AND A NEW CHRISTMAS NOVEL! by Cheryl Pierson

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Hi everyone! Well, believe it or not, there is not much time until the holidays are here, and this year, with Thanksgiving being later in November, Christmas will be not even a full month later! So today, I wanted to write about holiday surprises, and for some of us, those wonderful “Wish Books” from Penney’s and Sears, and even those Christmas lists we were so excited to make and have ready for Santa.

Of course, this was looooonnnng before the computerized age came along, and long after my parents were children. My parents were raised in the Dustbowl/Depression days of Oklahoma, both of them born not even a quarter century (both born in 1922) after Oklahoma became the 46th state (1907). Both of them were the eldest in their large families, and very little money, there was no need for them to make a Christmas list of any kind. Mom told me that she and her little sisters got a new doll at Christmas, and that was QUITE a luxury. Dad never talked about his Christmases, and I wish I had asked more questions, because he loved our Christmas time celebrations when I was growing up. He was always handy with the Super 8 camera and the blinding light bar on Christmas morning when we all stumbled out of bed, but it didn’t dampen our spirits at all as we hurried for the tree!  (I can still hear my mom saying, “Wait, Fred, I have to put on some lipstick!”) 

Remember those yellow legal tablets? THAT was what I made my Christmas list on! Pages and pages and pages of what I wanted, after those Saturday morning cartoon ads started, and of course, when the Christmas catalogs from Sears and Penney’s arrived. By that time, my sisters were older and I pretty much got the “Wish Books” to myself, since they were off at college and soon married. I wore those pages out, and wrote down detailed instructions on my lists of what page the item was on, what color I wanted, and so on. I remember Mom saying cautiously, “Well, Cheryl, now you know old Santa can’t bring ALL of this. So mark which ones you really like best so he’ll know…” 

Were you ever extremely surprised over a gift, either pleasantly or NOT so pleasantly? One year, I asked for a Suzy Smart. She was a BIG doll–and she had her very own desk she sat in, AND a chalkboard easel, since she was SMART and in school! When I saw her sitting in her desk with the easel close beside the Chistmas tree on Christmas morning, I was so surprised. I think because my mom always like to buy me baby dolls and so on, and that was a departure for her, but I really did love that doll. 

When I got older, (this was in the 70’s) I wanted a leather “fringe” jacket. I knew which one I wanted. I took my mom into the store when we were shopping at the mall in Oklahoma City, and I showed her. BUT…on Christmas morning, she had found one that she thought was a better value for the money, more “dressy” (which was not the way I wanted to wear it!) and a finer grade of suede rather than split cowhide. It was hard to hide my disappointment, and I don’t think I did a very good job, being my 13-year-old self. But I did wear it, and it did last. It just taught me a valuable lesson that I used with my own kids. The heart wants what the heart wants! 

 

 

This is one of my favorite Christmas paintings of all time! It’s by Jack Sorenson, and it’s called The Homecoming. According to him, the father had to be gone the week before Christmas but he promised his daughter he’d be home for Christmas, and here he is! Complete with a new doll for his little girl’s Christmas surprise!  I’m sure his homecoming was what brought that joyful smile to her face, but the new doll will be the “icing on the cake” for her. 

I have a new novel coming on November 30! NOELLE’S CHRISTMAS WISH is Book #5 in our Petticoats & Pistols series, CHRISTMAS STOCKING SWEETHEARTS!

This was a VERY fun story to work on, and I know you are all going to love this entire series! My story is about Noelle Cutler, a woman who has to start her life all over with an aunt she barely knows, and Kellan Montgomery, a Texas Ranger who isn’t sure what life holds for him, either. But we all know MAGIC happens at Christmas, right?

You can pre-order it NOW at this link: https://tinyurl.com/3et8d29p

OR, you can do me a huge favor and jump over to BOOKFUNNEL (here’s the link!)  https://bookhip.com/PRVJANM  and grab one of 25 FREE COPIES I’m giving away in exchange for a review! This offer will end on Sunday, November 24, and is limited to the first 25 readers, first come, first served, so jump over NOW and snap one up. A pretty darn good deal for the price of a review, right? Ho ho ho! 

The launch date is Dec. 3rd,  and I’ll be back that day to post here with more information!

For now, here’s a blurb! (Noelle has a good chance at getting HER Christmas wish–something she’s wanted a long time!)

When her life is turned upside down by her aunt’s death, beautiful Noelle Cutler must leave Texas for Indian Territory, to live in her family-owned cattle ranch dynasty with a relative she barely knows. Noelle’s Christmas wish as she boards the stagecoach is something she’s yearned for the past several years. Now, with an uncertain world unfolding for her, would it be so much to wish for her very own true love this Christmas?

Texas Ranger Kellan Montgomery has a few wishes of his own. Traveling home to Indian Territory, he dreads what awaits him. An unplanned dinner with Noelle the night before they become fellow passengers aboard the northbound train leaves him imagining a different kind of future—one that’s completely opposite from the solitary life of a lawman.

But their newfound romance may come to a deadly end as two ruthless outlaws board the train—men Kellan put in prison. As Kellan and Noelle masquerade as a newlywed couple, their plan goes awry as the train is taken over by a gang of renegades. Danger explodes in a life-or-death situation, and their perilous deception becomes the catalyst for the flames of love to ignite in their desperate bid for survival.

But love is the only thing on Noelle’s Christmas wish list—and she is determined to make this dream come true for the future she envisions. Now that love has finally come, it’s up to her to make her own longing a reality. Can the magic of Christmas bring a miracle to two lonely people in these most unlikely circumstances?

What was your best Christmas surprise? Someone coming home unexpectedly? A newborn on Christmas? A special gift you’d longed for and didn’t think you’d get? Or giving a gift to someone who didn’t expect it? 

Did you have a memorable “worst” Christmas gift or experience? 

For a complete list of all my work, click here:  CHERYL’S AMAZON PAGE

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A native Oklahoman, I've been influenced by the west all my life. I love to write short stories and novels in the historical western and western romance genres, as well as contemporary romantic suspense! Check my Amazon author page to see my work: http://www.amazon.com/author/cherylpierson
I live in Oklahoma City with my husband of 40 years. I love to hear from readers and other authors--you can contact me here: fabkat_edit@yahoo.com
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https://petticoatsandpistols.com/sweepstakesrules

34 thoughts on “THE WISH BOOK CHRISTMAS LIST AND A NEW CHRISTMAS NOVEL! by Cheryl Pierson”

    • Oh, how nice! That is the best gift ever! I have two brothers-in-law who were actually born on Christmas Day! I am working on a story where the baby is born on Christmas.

  2. No matter where I’ve been in the world in December, I’ve always been able to make it home for Christmas to be with family.

  3. Good morning Cheryl! Christmas was always a wonderland without the snow! Florida doesn’t have snow. I remember a snow Christmas morning with my kids. The ground was covered in snow! What a treat for them! That was more exciting than Santa Clause gifts! As far as growing up with Christmas, I don’t ever remember being disappointed. The excitement was always there.

    Talking about your parents made me remember that mine were born in 1938. Dad’s side had 8 children and Mom’s side had 9. Dad said they grew up with little. However, my mother always reminded him that he had more than they did! It was too funny. Mama said they had peanut butter and even ketchup! And were the first to have a tv in the area! Dad never could win when it came to a tough childhood!

    Best wishes on your book! I plan to read this series!

    • Hi Tracy,

      I would love to have some “Florida-type” Christmases! We don’t get a “white” Christmas here in Oklahoma very often, but once in a while — so those are memorable. One year for Christmas all the kids in my neighborhood got sleds and it was about 70 degrees. LOL Here, you never can tell what you’re going to get for Christmas. LOL

      My mom was the oldest of 11 kids and my dad the oldest of 3, but gosh, times were so hard then–I remember my mom telling me about getting an orange in her stocking and how she practically dissected it into the tiniest pieces possible to make it last. That is really funny about your parents! I am sure my dad had it a lot better than my mom, because there were fewer of them in his family, but his dad was gone a most of the time following the work–went to Texas, went to Louisiana, and I don’t know where else. So Dad was the “man of the house” about as long as he could remember.

      Thanks for the kind words Tracy–I KNOW you will enjoy this series!

      Thanks so much for stopping by today.

  4. I have many fond memories of Christmas gifts. One of my favorite from childhood was a long purple coat, I felt so grown up wearing it to church. One particular present from my husband when we were still newlyweds was a beautiful jewelry set- only I was disappointed that the emeralds were lab grown. My face must have shown my disappointment and I felt horrible for hurting him. 30 years later we still talk about that gift, and I still wear some of the pieces from it. It has become one of our favorite memories to tease each other about.

    • Oh, Danielle, your memories of that purple coat made me think of a story my mom used to read me about a little girl who went to the big city with her mother to go shopping and they found a beautiful red velvet coat that she wanted so much–the mom did buy it for her and she felt so beautiful in it, and it was so warm. I have to say, I remember those pictures like it was yesterday. I wanted a red velvet coat, too!

      Awwww, that is so sweet about those emeralds! You know, when my mom and dad were first married, they were so broke. My mom bought him a box of chocolate covered cherries and wrapped them up and put them under the tree. That was a fond memory all through the years–every year, she’d do that for him, even though we kept them (by that time in their lives, they were able to afford them, of course) at Christmas. I still think of that and how he’d always give her a big kiss when he opened that present up.

  5. Thank you for the opportunity to ARC read your forthcoming book. I look forward to reading it and reviewing for you. Tis the season for Christmas books, I declare. Have a blessed week.

    • Judy, I’m thrilled you are going to read and review NOELLE’S CHRISTMAS WISH. Thank you so much. That means the world to an author! You have a wonderful week, too!

  6. The best Christmas gift was when I gave my dad an orange and a pint of cream in a real glass jar for Christmas. He was telling his family that it was the best gift he had received because his family was dirt poor. I loved that. Years later, when I knew my dad was dying, I gave him his best Christmas gift ever. There were no words, only tears, as he died a month later. I will always treasure that memory. He has been gone 42 years now and there isn’t a Christmas that goes by that I don’t recall that memory.

    • Awww, Kathy. That brought tears to my eyes. What a wonderful, sweet memory–and you created it. You know, it doesn’t matter how many years pass, we never forget our dear parents, do we? So many memories pop up at the most unexpected moments. I miss my dad and mom too.

  7. And, I love this new series coming out. Thank you Petticoats and Pistols authors for doing this again. I look forward to reading the books.

    • Kathy, I’m so glad you are looking forward to our Christmas Stocking Sweethearts series. We sure have had a great time working on it! I know you will enjoy every one of these stories,

    • Oh, wow, Debra! I bet that WAS a surprise, and not a good one. And I know that had to be stressful, at that time of the year!

  9. Since my birthday was 8 days before Christmas, I got short-changed a lot, usually on my birthday LOL! But Christmas holds two very powerful memories for me – when I was 10 my Dad got stationed in Lima, Peru. That first Christmas there was a shock to me because it was summer time there, so my gifts were summer related, rather than the cold weather related ones I was used to! After that, back in the States, I had just turned 19. My Mom was in the hospital and passed away on the 22nd. I tried very hard that year to keep it “Christmas as usual” for my three younger siblings.

    • Karin, I’ve always felt sorry for people with birthdays that are close to Christmas for that very reason. I mentioned in an earlier comment, I have two brothers-in-law with birthdays ON Christmas Day. I’m sure that happened a lot to them.

      Wow, Lima, Peru! That had to be a real experience! I always envied my cousin, Julie who was a few months older than I. Her dad was in the Air Force, and they lived in all kinds of different places. When Bobby Sherman was such a heartthrob in the late 60’s-early 70’s, he had two hits that she “claimed” for her own: “Julie, Do You Love Me?” and “Seattle”–they actually lived in Seattle when that song was such a hit, and of course, her name was Julie. LOL So I felt she had a “lock” on Bobby Sherman. LOL (never mind that he was about 15 years too old for us. )

      Oh, that is a very heavy load for a 19-year-old to bear, Karin, having to try to keep things on an even keel when such a tragedy has just happened, especially at Christmas. My dad passed away on December 23, and my mom died 3 weeks later. But I was an adult. That had to be so very hard for you, at the age you were when your mom passed.

  10. I have a lot of memories of going through those Christmas Wish Books! One of my best Christmas’s will be this year’s, as I’ll be going to TX to visit friends!! This Florida native may even get to see snow for the first time!! Of course, we said that the first time I went to visit at Christmas, and they didn’t get snow until January! So, who knows! I’ll still have a great time with my friends!

    • Trudy, those Wish Books…OH MY LORD. Weren’t those things wonderful? LOL

      Nothing better than going to visit friends/family at Christmas. You might get to see some snow there! I’m in Oklahoma and we usually get the same weather patterns. It’s not unheard of to have a white Christmas here. A few years ago, we had a BLIZZARD on Christmas Eve day–people were actually killed from it. We had ordered our Christmas Eve dinner from a local Mexican restaurant. Supposed to pick it up by 5:00. By 1:00 the roads were getting bad. My kids drove down to get the food early, and the workers were so relieved. They put it all together early and by the time they loaded it all up, they had to push the kids’ car out of the parking lot to get them started.LOL I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with you friends!

  11. I have so many memories of going through the pages of those catalogs. I went right to the baby dolls and collectible dolls.

    • Oh, me too, Barbara! And after Christmas, I would cut out the people and use them for paper dolls. I loved to play paper dolls.

  12. Good morning, I have beautiful memories of my Christmas’s growing up. Every year my mom would tell us to draw our foot on a cardboard because she was going to go talk to Santa, she would go talk to Santa while we were all in school, we were 6 kids total and yep every year Santa would bring us an outfit and boots or shoes and toys and of course a stocking. We all loved this, we would always wake up early on Christmas morning it was still dark outside but our mom left the Christmas tree lights all night and all day long starting on Christmas Eve to Christmas Day. I have been doing that also since I have had my own family, we would get up and knock on our parents bedroom door and told them that Santa had already come and they would tell us to go ahead and see what Santa had left us. You know one year my sister who is a year younger than me and youngest sister who is 7 yrs older than me we all got Fringe jackets which was so very nice and that is exactly what I had asked for that year. So so many Awesome Christmas spent growing up and still with my own little family. My youngest sister was born on December 23 and my mom and her were able to come home on Christmas Eve. My son was born on Dec. 28th which is Very Special also. Have a great day and a great week.

    • Alicia, those sure are some wonderful memories. I always had to go to Oklahoma City to a special shoe store and get my shoes–I had to wear corrective shoes, so they had to be fitted exactly right. I got those just before school started every year. I think my mom mentioned they all got new shoes every year, too, for Christmas. That had to be a huge expenditure every year for so many kids.

      I always left out lights on all night on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, too And how neat about your sister being born on the 23rd–I bet you were so thrilled to have a new baby sister for Christmas! And your son on the 28th, another Christmas blessing!

      My parents always made us wait until they got up (after we knocked on their door) but we had to wait for Dad to get the movie camera on and Mom to put on her lipstick. LOL I have a lot of wonderful memories of those day, too.

  13. My best Christmas surprise was when my youngest daughter was born December 15th, when I wasn’t expecting her until after Christmas! Thankfully, she got to go home two days later, and “Santa” aka my family made sure we had everything we needed.

    • Well, they come when they want to, don’t they? LOL My daughter was born about 3 weeks early, and since she was my first, it really scared me more than it should have. But she was tiny and only weighed just over 5 pounds. How nice that your family got everything together for you so you didn’t have to worry! That really was probably the best Christmas gift ever.

  14. The best Christmas surprise i received was when my husband and children got us tickets to the PBR Global Cup in 2020. My oldest son also added the meet and greet with the riders and I got my picture taken with Jess Lockwood. It was so much fun.

    • What a nice surprise, Elaine! I love getting “event” gifts like that–because I never would buy it for myself, but it would be something I’d enjoy.

    • HA! You were one in a million, Teresa! My daughter was a lot like you. My son always was like me, and had a list a mile long! LOL I’m so glad you stopped by today. Made me remember that about my kids and how different they were when it came to that.

  16. I remember as a child that on Christmas Eve, there was a knock on the door. It was Santa who came to tuck me into bed. I did not know that it was my uncle until I was in my 20’s. It is a memory that I cherish. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.

    • Oh, my gosh, Debra! What a THRILL that must have been. I remember my dad telling me that he’d seen reindeer tracks outside one Christmas when we actually had snow. He told me to “come look” and when I went out with him he’d made some little reindeer pawprints somehow in the snow. BUT, he said, “Well, look there! That looks like Santa’s boots!” (Of course they were HIS boots.) LOL Followed by, “You’d better hurry and get in bed. He’s probably waiting for you to get to sleep to leave your presents!” LOLLOL OH MY GOSH. I ran and got in bed, but it was a VERY long time before I went to sleep! LOL Such great childhood memories–I know having SANTA come tuck you in was a memory you cherished forever, and I bet they had a devil of a time convincing you there was not a Santa Claus.

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