Miss Kane's Christmas by Caroline Mickelson
Kindle Edition, 154 pages
Published October 18th 2012 by Bon Accord Press
With Christmas only three days away, Carol Claus agrees to her father’s request that she leave the North Pole on a mission to help save Christmas. Joining single father Ben Hanson and his children for the holidays seems an easy enough task until Santa informs her that Ben is the man behind the disturbing new book ‘Beyond Bah Humbug: Why Lying to Your Children about Santa Claus is a Bad Idea’.
Posing as Miss Kane, the children’s new nanny, Carol pulls out all the stops to show Ben how fun Christmas can be, all the while struggling to understand how one man could hate the holidays so much. How could she, Santa’s only daughter, be so attracted to a man who refuses to believe her father exists?
My thoughts about Miss Kane's Christmas ~~
I love Christmas stories! Especially those stories that take what we think we know about a holiday; the traditions, the magic, the people involved, and put a different, interesting spin on the 'facts'.
Carol, the daughter of Santa Claus, has to leave the North Pole to try to convince Ben how wonderful Christmas really is. He is getting ready to publish a bah humbug book all about the negative aspects of Christmas.
'Christmas ambassadors were adults who believed in the story and the magic of Christmas. According to her father, these ambassadors were essential to keeping the tradition of Santa Claus alive.'Carol has her hands full but she is immediately accepted and loved by Ben's children. Ahh, the innocence and willingness of acceptance of little children.
'Joy is the greatest gift we can give any child.'Miss Kane's Christmas is a wonderful, fun story that was such a pleasure to read; a perfect holiday story to get you in the mood for Christmas.
'The Claus family creed was burned into her heart. Christmas was about children, first, foremost, and last.'
Voices
Welcome to The Book Bag, Caroline! I have a favorite question I like to ask authors. Thanks so much for sharing your insight to your 'voices'.
I have heard other authors say that they 'hear voices in their head' and that is how they write their books: the characters are telling their stories. Not being a writer myself, that concept has always intrigued me.
When some people hear voices, we get them medical attention, others end up becoming writers. Does this happen to you? How do you come up with your stories?
One of the very best part of having friends who write fiction is that they knew exactly what I mean when I talk about the voices in my head. Their eyes don’t grow wide, they don’t take a step back from me, or give me any indication that it’s odd that I hear strangers carrying on in my head. And I do think ‘carrying on’ is the right term for it because the voices aren’t really talking to me. They’re speaking to each other and I, as the writer, am only meant to listen. Until it’s time to write and then the voices often disappear.
So for me, I suppose, the voices I hear are really a pre-writing tool that help me move from the first glint of an idea to enough of an understanding about the characters and plot that I can sit down and write. Sometimes I see scenes unfold but, more often than not, I hear snippets of conversations that make me curious enough to start asking questions. The questions lead to ideas and the ideas lead to a plot…and off I go.
Susan - Thank you for hosting Miss Kane’s Christmas on your blog site. A very happy holiday to you and your blog readers ~ Caroline
Excerpt
Carol grabbed ahold of Tinsel’s shoulder and pulled him back into the kitchen by the scruff of his green felt collar. “Get in here,” she hissed. “Quick, before anyone sees you.”
“What?” Tinsel objected. “Why are you acting like this? We’re here to help you.”
“Well it won’t help me if you’re seen,” Carol shot back. She threw up her hands. “Look, Tinsel, please go back out to the garage and wait with Jolly until everyone has gone to bed.”
“Rapz is here with us too,” Tinsel said, his voice suddenly a stage whisper.
“What?” Carol sounded frantic and she knew it, but she couldn’t help it. The day had been long. She’d never lived in such a Christmas hostile environment. Acting casual about the holidays was proving to be exhausting. She closed her eyes for a second. Focus, Carol, she instructed herself. Breathe deeply. She was a seasoned professional who managed over twelve hundred elves, often under very hectic circumstances. She could handle this. “Rapz is a loose cannon. Why couldn’t he have just stayed in the wrapping department?”
“Nicholas said-”
“Nicholas?” Carol shook her head. So this was her brother’s doing, his idea of a joke. She should have known her father wouldn’t send a wrapper elf. Like all of Santa’s helpers, Rapz’s heart was in the right place. But he paid more attention to wearing just the right sun glasses and gold chains than he did to all the little details that were necessary to make Christmas magical.
“Never mind what my brother said. I just need you three to stay out of sight until I can get everyone to sleep and the house is quiet.”
Tinsel winked, clearly finding the situation amusing. “Can do.”
“Miss Kane?” Ben’s voice called from the living room. “What’s going on in there?”
She cringed. Oh, holy holiday, had he heard Tinsel?
“I’ll be right there, Mr. Hanson,” she answered. She shooed Tinsel in the direction of the garage. “Just stay out of sight.” She turned back to the elf. “Go on. I’ll get them all upstairs and then I’ll come get you.”
As soon as Tinsel slipped into the garage, Carol headed toward the living room but she took only a few steps before she bumped straight into Ben Hanson.
“Owww.” Ben staggered backward and held up his good hand to keep Carol from coming any closer. “Who’s in the kitchen with you?”
“No one.” Carol reached out but he backed away.
“I heard voices.” Ben’s voice held an accusatory tone.
“Voices?” Carol shook her head. “The medicine must be playing tricks on you.” She tried to maneuver him back into the living room but he wouldn't budge. “Do you want me to call the doctor?”
“No, I don’t want you to call the doctor.” He drew his brows together in an expression that was equal parts confusion and annoyance.
Ben’s frown, Carol decided, was rather attractive. She smiled. She couldn't help herself.
“And just what is so funny?” Ben demanded.
“I always smile during the holidays,” Carol said. “Now, we really need to get you up to bed.” She gently turned him toward the staircase. “Let’s say goodnight to the children and then get you between the sheets.”
About the author
Caroline Mickelson loves her family and loves to write. She also loves a good adventure, among her favorites thus far were attending graduate school in a Scottish castle, riding a camel around the Pyramids in Giza, and taking a best-in-a-lifetime road trip to Graceland. Caroline lives in the American southwest with her husband and their four children, affectionately known as The Miracles.
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