My husband was a travel nurse for a year and a half. During that time, our little family packed and moved and lived all over the country with him. One of our stays was three months in Montpelier, Vermont. We were tucked away in a tiny, run-down apartment during the spectacular fall and winter season and loved every second of our time there. I always knew I would write a story set in one of the most unique and breathtaking states in the country and when the opportunity came up to take part in this Christmas series, this little story was born. Though most of this book takes place in a fictional Christmas lodge on the outskirts of Montpelier, I couldn’t help but give the reader a tiny taste of what the town is like. I used to go for walks down Main Street, talking to my mom or sister on the phone and telling them all about how amazing it smelled, the charming old buildings, all the local businesses, and how friendly the people were on the street. We shopped at Shaws grocery store, and my sons and I had weekly visits to the town library. But our favorite place was Morse Farm, where we would stop to sample the different grades of maple syrup, say hi to Rex and James (the resident goats), walk the beautiful grounds, and grab a maple creme.
I used to love the covered bridges all throughout the Northeastern states, but especially the bridges we’d find in our explorations around Vermont. I added a few extra bridges for the purpose of this story but thought they’d make a great decoration piece for a good kissing scene.
I grew up on a small dairy farm in Idaho. Once my cousin-in-law, Dave, came to visit so he could try milking a cow for the first time. The idea to bring a cup with chocolate syrup out to the barn to drink “fresh” chocolate milk was inspired by Dave–who did just that while the rest of us stared at him in a confused kind of horror. For the record, I, like Olive, hate milk.
The gingerbread house idea came from my other cousin, Lindsey. She is a talented designer and DIYer and makes the most beautiful gingerbread houses every winter.
Thank you so much for reading this book! It was so fun to write and I hope it provided you with a little Christmas cheer.
Acknowledgments
It’s an absolute miracle that books go from inside my head to something a person can hold in their hands. It’s a process every step of the way. From the first sprout of an idea, to hashing out plot points and characters, to writing the first chapter ten different times wondering if I’m telling too much, to calling my mom and sister and friends about every little bump and win along the way. That’s the secret to how books get made. It’s all about the people you surround yourself with. And I happen to have the very best in my circle.
The Christmas Escape authors - Martha Keyes, Kasey Stockton, Kortney Keisel, Gracie Ruth Mitchell, Jess Heileman, and Deborah Hathaway. Thanks so much for letting me be a part of this series. I had the best time and now you’re stuck with me forever because I love you all to pieces.
My sister, Lisa - Without you there would be no books. Thank you for being interested in my characters and for telling me when something stinks. But mostly, thank you for pretending you want to talk about my books even when you probably don’t. You’re the best.
Mom - Thanks for reading all of my books several times during the drafting stage and for telling me you love it every single time. You’re the best mom ever!
Karen Thornell - You are one of my favorite people on the planet. Thanks for your friendship, feedback, encouragement and talking me down from all those author ledges.
Holli Jo, Whitney, and Karen - I love our critique group so much. Thanks for helping me hash out plot ideas.
All of my Beta readers - Jess, Kasey, Karen, Martha, Lisa, and my mom. Your feedback was invaluable!
All of my ARC readers - Thank you for taking another chance on a book of mine and for your excitement and encouragement. Also, thank you for your help in catching those last minute typos!
The Bookstagram community - This is the happiest place on the internet. From my first book two years earlier, you have been so welcoming and encouraging. I’ve made so many good friends in this community and it’s been such a blessing in my life. Thank you!
Amy, Claire, and Autumn - You’ll be able to tell what portion of this story you inspired. I don’t necessarily thank you for always pushing me EXTREMELY out of my comfort zone, but I do appreciate the stories afterward.
Jana Miller - Thanks for helping me to find the balance in this story.
Jenn Lockwood-I still don’t have a clue where commas are supposed to go, but thanks for fixing them all. You’re the best!
Amy Romney - You have an uncanny ability to help me say in one sentence what I was trying to say in three. Thanks for your time and talents in making this manuscript shine!
Melody Jeffries Design - Thank you for the beautiful cover.
James, Stetson, and Dawson - Thanks for eating cereal for dinner, putting up with my glazed-over expressions when I’m working out a plot, and for making me feel loved every day. I hope to make you all proud.
And finally, thanks to the literary greats who have paved the way before us - Charlotte Bronte, Jane Austen, L.M. Montgomery, and William Shakespeare, to name only a few. It was a delight being inspired by your words.
About Cindy
Cindy Steel was raised on a dairy farm in Idaho. She grew up singing country songs at the top of her lungs and learning to solve all of life’s problems while milking cows and driving tractors—rewriting happy endings every time. She married a cute Idaho boy and is the proud mother of two wild and sweet twin boys. Which means she is also now a collector of bugs, sticks, rocks, and slobbery kisses. She loves making breakfast, baking, photography, reading a good book, and staying up way past her bedtime to craft stories that will hopefully make you smile.
She loves to connect with her readers! She is the most active on Instagram at @authorcindysteel and her newsletter, but she occasionally makes her way to Facebook at Author Cindy Steel, and her website at www.cindysteel.com.