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Pamela S. Meyers: The Reason for Any Season & Giveaway

11/27/2011

 

This week we welcome Pamela S. Meyers to Author Memories.

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A native of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, Pamela S. Meyers currently lives in Arlington Heights, Ill. She served on the Operating Board for ACFW 2005-2009, and is president of her local ACFW chapter.

Her debut novel Thyme for Love releases November 14, 2011, and her historical that is set in her hometown, Love Finds You in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, will release in June 2012.

She has published articles in Today’s Christian Woman, Christian Computing, Victory in Grace, and Ancestry. She is also a contributor in the compilation book, His Forever.

The Reason for Any Season
by Pamela S. Meyers

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4 yr old Pam on Santa's knee
Growing up in the small town of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, we had no large department stores. Therefore, at least twice a year we occasionally traveled to Milwaukee to shop. I loved going at Christmas time and wandering through Gimbel’s toy department, wishing I could have one of everything.

Not too far from that magical Toyland, Santa held court on his special chair while a line of small children and their moms snaked around the store. When I was three after waiting a very long time to meet Santa, I had a huge meltdown, and never got to talk to him. The next year, I assured my mother I’d put my childish fears away. With my hair in sausage curls, and wearing a sweater and plaid skirt, I patiently waited my turn then eagerly climbed onto Santa’s knee, all smiles and no tears, while his pretty assistant snapped our picture.

A few years later on a hot summer day, I was devastated when an older child informed me that there was no Santa Claus. Stunned, I ran home, certain Mom would tell me my playmate was mistaken. I sat on her lap, sniffling while she gently explained the neighbor boy was right. Then realization dawned on me. If Santa was make believe, then . . . “Does that mean that the Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy aren’t real either?” My six-year-old world has suddenly become a very unhappy place.

Looking back now, I wish I’d been told that unlike Santa, there is One who isn’t make believe. The One who is the Reason for the Season. The babe in the manger, who came to die as a man on our behalf. And if we place our faith in Him, He’ll be with us throughout our earthly life and into eternity. I didn’t learn this truth until I was in my 30s. I also learned that God has a plan for each of us. A plan not to harm us, but to give us hope and a future. And He had a future for me beyond my wildest dreams.

When I first began to pursue a fiction contract, Bill Clinton was in office and gas cost $1.15 a gallon, but God faithfully encouraged me until this year when He blessed me with a contract for my debut novel, Thyme for Love (releasing this month) set near the Lake Geneva area, and another novel, Love Finds You in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, to release in June 2012.

As we move from celebrating Thanksgiving into Christmas and New Year’s Eve, you can be sure I am looking forward to 2012 with the same anticipation I had as a little girl at Christmas time, but knowing the provider of all that is good is the One who is real.

May I be one of the first to wish you a very Merry Christmas!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Leave a comment with a valid email address by midnight, Dec 4th
to be entered to win a copy of Pamela's debut release, 
Thyme for Love.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thyme for Love, Oak Tara Publishers, Nov 2011

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April Love has always dreamed of being a chef. But she didn’t expect her former fiancé or murder to be part of the recipe for her new job.

When April Love signs on to be an in-house chef at an old lakeshore mansion in Canoga Lake, Wisconsin, she comes face to face with her long-lost love, the drop-dead gorgeous Marc Thorne. It doesn’t take long for their old magnetism to recharge, but how can she trust the guy who left her nearly at the altar eight years earlier? Her gut tells her something happened to Marc in between—something he’s reluctant to reveal.

When April’s boss is murdered, Marc is accused of the crime. Unless April can find out who really killed Ramón Galvez, her chances for love will end up at the county jail. But someone else is just as determined she not solve the mystery…and will go to any length to stop her.

Read more about Pamela and her upcoming books at
http://www.pammeyerswrites.com/pamelameyers/Welcome.html
Donn Taylor link
11/27/2011 08:36:26 am

Good memory, Pam, and one with a good ending. Our #2 daughter at age three also balked on her first chance to talk to Santa. (She's now a CPA and a terror on the racketball court.) I hope all turns out well on your two books. Best always, Donn.

Ane Mulligan link
11/27/2011 08:42:04 am

A lot of 3 year-olds have meltdowns when they see Santa. Funny thing is, even though I have photos, I don't remember sitting on Santa's knee. I wonder why? Fun memories, Pam.

Connie Cortright
11/27/2011 08:48:37 am

I, too, live in Wisconsin - Milwaukee. When my children were little, they grew up knowing that Jesus was the reason for Christmas and Santa Claus wasn't real. When a clerk asked my five-year-old what he wanted from Santa for Christmas, he replied, "Santa is a fake!" Needless to say, the clerk was speechless. That son is now a pastor in Alberta, Canada. Congratulations on getting published! Connie

Bonnie Engstrom link
11/27/2011 09:28:55 am

Pam ~ This is a wonderful interview, especially your childhood memories. I'm excited about your novel. I remember how hard you worked at each ACFW conference and what a blessing your were to others.

Rose McCauley link
11/27/2011 01:10:46 pm

Hi Pam and Anita, loved the pic and story about Santa. My 10 year old granddaughter just found out this weekend that there was no Santa Claus and I told her how betrayed I felt when I found out years ago which is why I never taught my kids about Santa. I would love to win a copy of Pam's book. We have travelled this long journey together much of the way, and I am sooo happy for her!

susan Karsten link
11/28/2011 02:04:24 am

I feel like i've seen that photo in Reminisce! Thanks for the nice memories and the chance to win your book!
Susan

Anita Mae
11/28/2011 04:27:44 am

Love the photo, Pam. Thanks for sharing your Christmas memory with us.

I thought Santa was real until my 6th Christmas morning. Back then, we received 3 gifts each year - a set of new pajamas, one thing from our parents, and something special from Santa. But that Christmas morning, all the gifts were opened and not only didn't I get the Etch-a-Sketch I'd dreamed of for months, I didn't get anything from Santa at all. Of course my 3 siblings said I'd been bad, but I didn't believe that for a minute. Then Mom disappeared into her room and came out several minutes later with a wrapped gift. She said something about Santa giving it to her to wrap, but the little wheels in my head were turning.

When I was finally told the truth, it was more like a confirmation of what I knew than a surprise of what I didn't. :)

DebH
11/28/2011 04:39:02 am

Love the old photo. Thanks for posting about your memories. I don't remember when I was told Santa wasn't real, but my mom always wanted us to know that Jesus was the center of Christmas - I guess that's why the revelation wasn't traumatic enough for me to remember.

I do remember when I was little, my father, grandfather and uncle would take us kids for a walk in the forest around my Grandparents house on Christmas Eve while mom, Grandma and Aunt brought out the Christmas gifts from "Santa". When all was ready, the ladies would signal the menfolk by lighting the back porch light (which they fitted with a red bulb). Then my dad or Grandpa would say, "Look, there's Rudolph's red nose! Let's go see what Santa brought!"
I cried one year because I couldn't see the red light and missed "seeing" Rudolph. I was very little.

I hope to teach my son about Jesus first but also let him know about the real St. Nick that Santa is based upon as well. This year appears to be the first year he'll start to comprehend the meaning of Christmas (just over two years of age). He's loving the Christmas lights we put up outside the house.

Thanks again for sharing! Love reading about author's memories.

Lyndee link
11/30/2011 11:56:22 am

Hi Pam,
I also love the photo of you and Santa. You look quite charmed with that broad smile. Very cute.

Congratulations again on the new title. I enjoyed attending your launch party.

Anita Mae, I already own Pam's new book. Omit my name from the drawing to the advantage of other commenters, please. Another great blog. I'm glad I found this place.

Merry Christmas all!

Merry
12/1/2011 08:42:27 pm

Pam, your photograph is so sweet. I also have many fun memories of Christmas, Santa and a bag of 24 little gifts to be opened each day until Christmas. I also wish I had known the Lord earlier, He gave me the gift of life and hope that far surpasses the joy of this world. Merry Christmas and congratulations on your writing contracts! Please include me in the drawing, I'd love to win Thyme for Love.
worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

Jo
12/1/2011 10:34:40 pm

Thanks for the memories, Pam. It is kind of shocking when we find out that everything that we thought true (Santa, Tooth Fairy ,etc) is not true at all.Please include me in the drawing. "Thyme for Love" sounds like such a good book.

Blessings,
Jo

Anita Mae
12/4/2011 12:28:19 am

Thank you, Lyndee. I'm very glad you found this place, too. :)

On the topic of telling kids about Santa... although we were raising our kids to have a personal relationship with Jesus, we wanted them to enjoy the special 'magic' of the Christmas season. It was like the tooth fairy where we'd keep the fun going until they were old enough to start thinking for themselves and questioning what was real or not-real.

When Jessie was 6, we were on our way to the city for Christmas shopping and she asked if Santa was real. I gave her the usual speil about the spirit of Santa Claus, etc. A minute later, she piped up with, "Yes, but what about the rest of him?" LOL smart kid.

Although she knew the truth then, she kept up the pretense with her younger brothers albeit with a wink or two in my direction. :)

Anita Mae.

Martha Artyomenko link
12/4/2011 03:19:37 am

I don't think I ever sat on Santa's knee....cute picture!!!
Sounds like a good book, thanks for sharing your journey with us! martha(at)lclink(dot)com

Debbie Clark
12/4/2011 07:32:28 am

Awww. What a cute picture. I grew up in a conservative Christian home and Santa Clause was not a household word. I was about 4 when I first heard about Santa Clause and asked my mother about him. She sat me down and told me the traditions and let me know that there was not a Santa Clause. Was I deprived? Probably not. My parents did not have much money, so we usually got clothes and 1 toy for Christmas. I don't remember feeling bad about it. It was still a fun time.

Thanks letting us know some of your childhood snd the picture. :)
Debbie Clark
debbiemcla(at)msn(dot)com

misskallie2000
12/4/2011 08:37:57 am

I love romance with mystery and suspense mixed in and can't wait to read your book Pamela. Thanks for stopping by to chat and share with us.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Julie Lessman link
12/4/2011 02:19:56 pm

LOVE the photo with Santa, Pam!!! And Christmas came early for sure for you with your debut release, WHICH I am dying to read, so toss my name in the hat, please! SUPER CONGRATS, girl, on the Love Finds You book -- you go, girl!!

Thanks for the opportunity, Anita Mae!

Hugs,
Julie

Anita Mae
12/6/2011 12:58:32 am

I appreciate everyone who stopped in to visit Pam and I this week. It's always nice to see friends. :)

Sorry for the delay in picking a winner. I'm afraid I was in my cave yesterday and didn't even get to Facebook or my email. But I've just given random.org the assignment of picking a name and the one it picked was...

MERRY!

Congratulations, Merry. I'll email Pam right away and she'll be in touch with you about your postal info.

Thank you everyone who took time to leave a comment. And for the nice words about the blog.

This week at Author Memories Cara Lynn James is recalling A New England Christmas and giving away a copy of her gilded age novel, LOVE BY THE BOOK. :)

Anita Mae.


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