Hello everyone and welcome to the seventh day of the Twelve Days of Christmas Virtual Book Tour and Books Giveaway.  Come join us as we spend time getting to know author, Michelle Larks.  And continuing with the Twelve Days of Christmas Theme, today APOOO will giveaway SEVEN BOOKS:

The Legacies by Michelle Larks

Second Chance, Baby by A.C. Arthur

Release Me by Farrah Rochon

Nothing But Trouble by Bettye Griffin

Schae’s Story by Angelia Menchan

One Taste by Allison Hobbs

When a Man Loves a Women by LaConnie Taylor Jones

For information on how to win this book package, CLICK HERE.

After you read Michelle’s feature, don’t forget to answer today’s DISCUSSION QUESTION which can be found at the end of Michelle’s interview.

In 140 words or less, describe what Christmas decoration you would be and why?
When I think ornaments on the tree I think I might be the angel on top, trying to make sure everyone in my family has received a good gift and are overall enjoying the Christmas season, especially the children.

In 140 words or less, describe why your latest release would make a wonderful Christmas present. My latest release, The Legacies would make a great Christmas gift because it is all about the family, and when I think of the winter holidays, especially Christmas, I think of families gathering together enjoying each others company. In the long run, nothing comes before family.

If you were one of the 12 days of Christmas items, what would you be and why.
I would be a lady dancing if I were one of the twelve days of Christmas. I love music, and I usually buy a Christmas CD as one of my Christmas traditions. Shoot, even though I can’t carry a tune, I’ll belt out a song that’s playing on the radio like I’m a musical diva.

Share your most memorable childhood Christmas experience. One Christmas, I had to be about 10 years old, and all of my family was together that Christmas Eve, my biological and adopted relatives. I was adopted by my aunt and uncle. There were nine children trying to wait for the night to pass, so we could see what Santa had brought us. We were all too excited to sleep. One of the adults rang the doorbell, and told us it was Santa at the door and if we didn’t go to sleep, we wouldn’t get any toys. We believed them, and though it took me a long time to fall asleep finally I did. We really believed Santa was at the door. I think I questioned why he was at the door, and one of the adults told me he was checking his list.  What a cute story!

What was the best present you received as a child? My favorite childhood gift was a typewriter. I played at being a secretary for at least a month.  LOL…I feel ya back in the day when we got that ONE favorite gift we would play with it forever.  You couldn’t tell us nothing…lol.

What has been the best present you’ve received as an adult? My best adult gift was an engagement ring from my husband.  How romantic!

What’s your favorite Christmas dish? My favorite Christmas dish is turkey and dressing with cranberry sauce.

What’s your favorite Christmas song? My favorite Christmas song is This Christmas by Donny Hathaway.

What’s your favorite Christmas movie? My favorite Christmas move is Ms. Scrooge, a variation of A Christmas Carol starring Cecily Tyson.  I remember that movie but for the life of me I can’t remember what it was about…I need to rent it.

What’s your favorite Christmas book? My favorite Christmas book is The Midnight Clear, edited by Kendra Norman-Bellamy.

What’s your favorite Christmas drink? My favorite Christmas drink is eggnog.  Spiked or not…hehe.

It’s Christmas Eve and we saw you kissing Santa Claus…describe what your ‘Santa Baby’ looks like. Santa Claus looks a lot like my husband (smile). He’s light-skinned with dark curly hair, a slight built, and he was wearing a red hat titled to the side.

Think about the five most important people in your life.  Assuming you can only give intangible gifts, what would you give each of them and why?
When I think of the five most important people in my life that would be my two daughters, husband, and my biological and adopted mothers. To all of them, I’d give my undying, unconditional love. Individually, I’d continue to love my husband, he says our love will last til the 12th of never. To my oldest daughter, I’m the oldest sibling too, I’d pass along life lessons that would help enable her to love her sister and cousins unconditionally and to always be there for them emotionally when she can. To my youngest daughter, I’d pass along a greater sense of self, she’s phenomenal and just doesn’t know it yet. And to my mothers my undying love, admiration, and gratitude for instilling in me their life lessons and being an integral past of my life.  I think it’s wonderful that you have a relationship with your biological and adopted mother.

What’s the best thing about Christmas? The best thing about Christmas to me is watching my young nieces and nephews as they tear open the wrapping on present to see what’s on the inside, and watching them ooh and aah when they receive a gift they really wanted.  I heard that…before I had kids I went home every Christmas to visit my immediate and extended family…just so I could see kids open Christmas presents.  There is nothing like watching kids light up on Christmas day as they unwrap their presents.

Complete the phrases…
It doesn’t feel like Christmas until the fireplace crackles on Christmas Eve.
A new Christmas CD is always on my Christmas list.  Mine 2!
My Christmas traditions include reading The Night Before Christmas to my nieces and nephews.  Great story to read to kids.
The Salvation kettle is one charity that I recommend others donate to during the holidays
My church, Friendship United Methodist Church has the best Christmas services (and New Year’s ain’t bad either.)

And because APOOO is a book club…and we need to talk about books before we leave…please answer the following questions:

Excluding books written by you, what five books are you recommending to others as Christmas gifts this year. Carl Weber, Something On the Side; Pearl Cleage, Baby Brother’s Blue;, Nathan McCall, Them; Mary Monroe, The Upper Room; and Tia McCollors, The Truth About Love.

What was the last book you read that:
made you scream? The Upper Room, Mary Monroe  Oh yes Mama Ruby made you wanna holler!
made you cry? The Darkest Child, Delores Phillips…yes there were some sad and pitiful scenes in that book.
made you laugh? Something On The Side, Carl Weber
made you use all five senses? Sweeter Than Honey, Mary Morrison
was in a genre you don’t normally read?Blood Colony, Tananarive Due
wish you had written? The Darkest Child, Delores Phillips
you couldn’t wait to tell someone else about? Them, Nathan McCall…that was a great book!

Thanks Michelle for spending time with APOOO…it was a pleasure and looking forward to spending time with you in the New Year.

DISCUSSION TOPIC

Day Seven, Old Version–Seven Swans a Swimming

TODAY’S DISCUSSION QUESTION:  Day Seven, Modern Version–Headed to the Beach. I don’t know what the weather is like in your neck of the woods, but here in PA it is cold as heck.  Snow and freezing rain are in the forecast.  Bah-humbug.  I’m ready for sunny days, blue clouds, luscious beaches with a few Sex on the Beaches too boot…hehe.  That said, name seven sunny, warm weather islands you’ve visited or would like to visit.

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