Here’s the buy link
Thirteen years ago, Eli went on a summer trip with his mother and never came back. Now, existing in a new life as Jacob Somerville, he’s again running from fear and memories, only to end up where he started. As Jacob struggles to reconnect with his father and brothers, he realizes that his lover, Craig Zhao, was the only thing filling his empty heart and standing between him and ghosts of the past. It will take the power of love—from his family, from Craig, and from himself—for Jacob to see that his life truly is filled with the promise of what can be.
Mary has also graciously agreed to give a copy away. List your favorite Christmas family tradition or one you created and post it here to enter!
Although my family doesn’t celebrate Christmas, we do have a couple holiday traditions that are a lot of fun.
When I was younger, my Mom and I would pick a weekend, then we would make chocolates the entire weekend–anything from chocolate-covered pretzels to peanut butter cups. Then we would put them in little bags and boxes and give them away to family and friends.
We also collect Menorim. We would choose one night during Hanukkah and light all of them to see how pretty all of the lights would be. We only did this one night because we had to be careful about setting off the fire alarm.
Hi Mary
Finished this book yesterday. Wonderful story and characters, as usual. Love all your books. Have a wonderful holiday season.
Thanks so much Mary
Linda
Thank you Linda, and thank you to Amber for having me.
Oh, forgot the holiday tradition. Well….. I work for the post office. I celebrate Halloween instead. When I lived in Phx, I’d go to my Dad’s or step brother’s and fall asleep…LOL
My greatest family tradition is spending Christmas eve with my husband and children at our good friends house. New play games, dance, exchange gifts and just have an all around good time.
My family always has a sit down dinner on christmas eve, after we sit around the tree with either coffee or hot chocolate, each person gets to open one gift under the tree.
My family’s tradition is for my sister’s children to spend Christmas eve and Christmas day at my mother’s and my place since my brother-in-law is muslim and doesn’t officially celebrate the holiday. Its a wonderful compromise so that the kids experience both parts of their parents traditions and memories and my mother and I can continue to experience the joy the holiday brings to children.
Hi Mary,
Love your stories, especially The Warder series. Haven’t read this one yet, will have to add it to my ever growing wishlist, LOL.
We don’t have any traditions as such, but every year my husband, myself and the kids have Christmas lunch at my parents place. If I’m lucky I get to see my sisters as well, sometimes I don’t though. Then it’s Christmas dinner at my place for my hubby’s family. Makes for a very busy and tiring day
Hi Paula~
Glad you’ve enjoyed my warders, Malic and Dylan’s Christmas story is out at the end of the month. Your tradition sounds exactly like mine.
Hi Mary,
I love all your books! Honored Vow was a sucker punch, IMO. I can’t wait for Domin’s book!! Please write faster! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Mary!!
Thank you Anna! Thrilled to hear that you liked Honored Vow. Happy Holidays to you too. I am workign on Domin’s books as we speak.
Sorry Mary, I was so excited that I forgot to mention our family tradition. We take the kids to Canada to spend the Holidays with my husband’s family. Santa would come at midnight Christmas Eve to pass out gifts and party until the last guest leave. We started out with just immediate family members 15 years ago Last Christmas we had around 100 guests.
On Christmas Eve, my family opens one present…which is ALWAYS Christmas pajamas. Then we have like a “snacky” dinner in the living room with all the Christmas lights on and watch whichever Christmas movie is on TV. It’s cheesy, I know, but I love it. It’s been tradition since I was a little girl and I’m 31 now.
LOL I thought I was the only one with Christmas pjs on Christmas eve!!!! My kids love that tradition too
LOL my family does it too!! We always got them as kids and when my sister and I hit our teens, they stopped. We threw such a fit, that they’ve honored the tradition ever since. Now everyone gets them not just the kids.
Well as traditions go since I was little we open our gifts at 12 and also we have traditional foods from our birthplace cuba made
My favorite Christmas tradition is the food my mom and I bake together on Christmas eve so we have hot fresh cinnamon rolls for Christmas breakfast… Well and giving and unwrapping the presents.
Don’t enter me in the contest. I just wanted to say that I LOVED the book. I bought it over the weekend and didn’t wait to put it down. (I had to of course, but I went back to it as soon as possible.)
Thank you Tiffany, I was worried about Eli and Craig, glad you loved them.
Hi Mary! As you know I love each and every one of your books (Sam & Jory <3) !
My Favorite Christmas tradition…well it's Christmas Eve with the seven different fish and my and friends sitting around the table talking about past Christmas memories.
Thank you for all the wonderful reviews.
My favorite christmas tradition is on christmas eve we get to open one present & then during rhe day finish decorating our stockings.
As I say Christmas should be the time for being with family and not over shopping. My oldest son asks me what i wanted for Christmas, I told him nothing.I actually do not want anything. I just want to make sure my boys get what they wanted. My honest Christmas memories was when i was little my mom and i would bake cookies and cakes that was the best time cause it was just a special quality time.
Mary-
As far as Christmas traditions go, mine is going over to my grandparents house to decorate their Christmas tree. Its just good fun quality family time and I’ve always found Christmas trees to be sort of magical.
I adore this book. I’ve read it three times since the night it released. I’ve also just reread the Warder series and I had only one complaint about that series- you’ve said its finished. I’m hoping you’re planning some type of branch off series cause I wanna know what happens with Jael and his sentinel lady. I want to know if Julian ever tells Ryan that he loves him. I want to know if Ryan becomes the next sentinel. And I’d really like to know what happens to the doppelganger and his wolf-I’m hoping they get a happy ending. Sorry this is so long, I just love your work. If I started talking about your other books, especially Sam and Jory’s, Id prob never stop.
-Avatarminx
Avatarminx~
Well I have Malic and Dylan’s Christmas story coming at the end of December but I am planning a novel length revisit to my warders at some point. There are just four sequels in front of it. Lol. So glad you enjoyed What Can Be, I was worried about that one. It means so much that you liked it.
my favourite xmas tradition is taking my hubby’s family xmas photo. Xmas is the only time of year my hubby, his two kids and two grandkids are all together and i always get a photo of them all together. I’ve done this for the whole 8 years we’ve been together and you can see the kids getting older in every picture.
Opening one present on Christmas Eve!!! I just loved that as a child and can’t wait til my kids are excited about it too:)
WE always went camping for christmas (I’m from the southern hemisphere), I loved it no stress or worries just lots of quality family time for over 2 weeks, my sister and her family along my my parents have restarted this tradition. Unfortunately now I live in the Northern Hemi and its too cold!
My favorite Christmas tradition is decorating the tree because my family has so many memories tied to all the ornaments we have collected over the years. The ceremony of picking out the tree, placing it in the perfect spot, and having each member of the family put their ornaments on is a yearly tradition, and each year we had a few more special memories along with the ornaments.
We don’t really have a Christmas tradition once my brothers and I became adults. The biggest thing we try to do is just spend some time together either on Christmas eve or Christmas day. We have all said it, we are determined to keep in touch even though life sometimes tries to tear you apart.
By the way Mary, I really love your books, keep up the good work.
My favorite tradition is our family get together a week before chirstmas. My mom is one of 16 children and almost every sibling comes to the party with their families. we have extend it to friends also which makes for a hugh group of people.
Hi Mary,
Of all of my favorite authors, I think you are the very best at taking my heart, tying it in knots, and lodging it in my throat with your story lines…in all the best ways!
My second favorite thing about your writings?…..SEQUELS!!! I love your characters and the fact that you, not only revisit, but build onto their lives is just so awesome! I can’t get enough of Jory or Jin or Steph!
Thank you for your art!
P.S. Loved What Can Be too!
Thank you Tina! I am working on three new things, one out in March, one novella I’m presently finishing up on, one novel that’s about done and then right to sequels. I have four to do this year, Rand and Stef, which is looking like it might be Glenn’s book and you see them, Jory and his kids, a sequel to Romanus and Domin’s book which I started already. So hopefully everything falls into place.
*Squeeeee* Sequals!
I absolutely adore you writing and am looking forward to more!
I agree with Eli Cn….. *Squeeee* Sequals!
My favorite Christmas traditional is the morning of Christmas, waking up and opening our stockings and seeing our Santa’s gifts. Then the big waiting period of my parents waking up and eating breakfast, so that we open our presents together, as a family. Another favorite, is going to our church’s Christmas Eve service. Its always a wonderful and beautiful scene
I think my favorite tradition is a small one, but my kids love it. They always want to open a present on christmas eve, but my husband is very traditional and he always said no, so 5 years ago, I started a tradition of getting both girls new pajamas every christmas. They get to open them on christmas eve and sleep in them so they always have brand new pretty pjs in the christmas morning pics. They look forward to their new pjs every year and love them.
My favorite Xmas tradition was a picnic with extended family. We would all meet at an orchard and everyone bought food to share.
ok well its not exactly christmas but my husbands birthday and his grandparents anniversary are on new years eve and every year we all get together as a family and go to dinner at our favorite restaurant Benihana’s its always a good time filled with people we love.
Honestly I don’t have any traditions. But we do like to drive around seeing all the Christmas lights. But this will be our first Christmas in AZ and I live in a small town. It will be nice to see how everyone decorates.
Hey Mary, I’m one of many ardent fans…the Warder Series was awesome, as well as your others…proud to say that I’ve read them all!
Our Christmas tradition started the same every year…day after Thanksgiving, we’d go get the tree…arguing about which one was the “perect” one. Taking it home, turning on the Christmas music (especially Nat King Cole and Bing Crosby)…making hot chocolate from scratch…decorating the tree while singing (mainly off key, of course)…and last but not least, turning all the lights off to watch the blinking Christmas lights…AWESOME!!!
My mom has been gone now for over 34 years, but every year I follow the same tradition with my family…truly blessed am I!!
Thank you Susan.
Christmas traditions for us is making buck-eyes and upside down pineapple sundae cake. I always buy christmas socks for everyone and that is our eve present.
It’s not exactly an uncommon tradition, but I like the Christmas tree. We always have one in the corner of our living room and it smells good and looks nice, especially when the tree lights and candles are the only illumination.
Hi Mary! I happen to love your books.
A family tradition that I continued with my kids: every Christmas Eve they got to open one present, new pj’s but occasionally it would be different if their Dad was in charge of what got handed out. Since the kids are now in college and don’t always get home I’ve continued this tradition by marking the Christmas Eve present….boy did my son have a time convincing his girlfriend that this was proper, lol.
The other thing I do, still do even if they don’t make it home, is make homemade cinnamon rolls Christmas morning. For me the very best part of the holiday is just getting to spend time with family and friends.
Thank you Teresa, so wonderful to hear.
when I was a kid, my mom and I would leave the afternoon that school let out for winter break. we would drive to San Francisco and spend the night at the Westin at Union Square. We would dress up, go out to dinner, then go see the Nutcracker. the next day we would shop all over SF until it was time to go home.
Now that I have my own daughter, we are starting a similar tradition with the dressing up and going to the Nutcracker. It is such a wonderful start to the Holiday celebrations for me and my family.
My favorite holiday tradition was sleeping under the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. Me and my sister would spread out blankets and snuggle under the lights of the trees. While my parents tiptoed around us laying out Presents and I pretended to be asleep. Its a tradition I miss and have been recently thinking of introducing it to my daughter but we will see about that,
My family celebrates Hannukah and I’ve always loved that even though my sister and I have left home and have our own menorahs, at least once during the holidays we all get together over the phone and light candles and sing together with our parents, just like when we were little kids.
My favorite Christmas tradition is a family Christmas Eve dinner. It is a meal of swedish meatballs, fresh pork shoulder, swedish meat sausage, vegetables and pickled herring. Because of various in-laws the family spends Christmas eve together, because aunts, uncles, cousins, and siblings travel from house to house to visit so the children can get presents from everyone. Doreen
We gather on Christmas Eve, so everyone can spend Christmas Day with their in-laws. Everyone brings an appetizer and the host provides drinks and champagne (for luck). We always open stockings last. They have funny little toys and trinkets, each one wrapped, and everyone gets some candy coal! There are no good boys and girls in our family-we are way too opinionated for that!
My favorite Christmas tradition is gathering at my mom’s home with as many family members as can join us.
We exchange presents and then play a game or two and then eat a HUGE dinner.
I’m a big fan, Mary Calmes.
I love all your books and I’m so happy to see that you’re doing a Romanus sequel, one for Jory and his kids, Glenn, and then Domin. Yay! So many to look forward to.
Knew you were coming and most likely to give away your new book but I COULD NOT WAIT! So I bought it right when it came out and I’m glad I did cause it was AWESOME!!!
The only tradition I can think of is I always let my kids open at least one present on Christmas Eve. But, I love Christmastime!!
My Chirstmas story is a little different. My Mother is my best friend, but she is one of those people that waits until Chirstmas Eve to shop. So our thing is I go with her every Chirstmas Eve to find all the things she wants. It’s fun, because I do all my shopping year around and don’t really have that one big shopping trip.
I do love your Warder series, Mary. Have a Merry Chirstmas and Happy New Year!
Can’t beat the family meal. Turkey and ham with all the trimmings. Desserts, oh my!
I loved this book.
Hi Mary love your books. I am very excited to see that some of my favourite characters are being re-visited, can not wait.
Well our family tradition, it that we have a traditional christmas dinner on christmas eve. Then the kids get to open a gift each, which is always a new DVD (Christmas movie) then we all sit around and watch the movie. On Christmas day we have a more casual day as it’s summer in our part of the world. We have a barbecue with all of the family everyone brings something whether its salads, desserts etc. Then we all just spend the day together relaxing or playing with the kids whether it be frisbee, rugby, cricket or whatever one of the kids have got for christmas. Last year it was croquet. This is usually good because it helps work off the desserts. Yum!
I don’t really have any Christmas family traditions, but one thing I can think of is that I always try to see my sister, because that is usually the only time I can see her. We were best friends growing up and now that we live in separate states we try to talk or see each other whenever we can:-)
My family tradition is that my whole family gets together on christmas eve (all the aunts, uncles, cousins too). We have dinner and we used to exchange gifts but now we do white elephant. Also christmas morning is at my parents and we have coffee and hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls and then open presents.
First of all, Honored Vow is on deck to be read next. This book sounds good and I have room in my nook for it.
Here I thought I was the one to start the Eve PJ present, either everyone copied me or I’m not so unique after all. I started this about 40 years ago when my oldest daughter was a toddler. My kids have continued the tradition with their families. Their twist has been to make it goofiest pj present. The best was the year when everyone, adults kids and all, got footie pjs.
Also on Christmas Eve we have a smorgasbord all day long. The table looks like a deli exploded all over it. One rule though, NO LUTEFISK!
My immediate family and extended family get together on Chiristmas Eve and enjoy a Mexican buffet that everyone helps with, much to my mom dismay. She hates people in her kitchen but appreciates not having to cook all the food. After eating the family gathers around and plays different board games to pass the time till midnight.. In the background we always watch A Christmas Story (you’ll shoot your eye out). Around 11:30 we play dirty santa which is always fun. Finally at midnight we ALL gather round the tree and open gifts. We usually stay up pretty late and sleep in the next morning where we get together again and eat leftovers. Its a great tradition.
Christmas is my favorite time of year we always decorate right after thanksgiving put up all the lights, the tree, and the nativity we make our own eggnog xmas eve sing chorals and go to church at midnight its a time to celebrate and rejoice!!
Amber don’t get me wrong youurr greeatt!! But I LOVE MARY CALMES!! I have all of her books and Jin and Logan are just awesome I still want to know what Nekehne cat is I think there is so much more there to explore maybe about the origins of their species or maybe they need him to have more rheas maybe he wasn’t the only male or something but anything you write I will buy
Hi Mary,
love all your books, am reading Bulletproof as we speak and enjoying it immensely!
As we celebrate Christmas on Christmas eve where I come from I enjoy all the traditions around it but my all time favourite is the lead up to Christmas, all of December is spent scoping out presents, baking cookies, making chocolates, visiting friends and family, eating buffet food with our work colleagues and drinking mulled wine… gotta love everything about Christmas.
OOPPSS!!!! On Thanksgiving because there were 8 kids we would draw names for xmas gifts and on Christmas Eve we would exchange these gifts. We still do this even though we’ve all moved away. It might not be xmas eve but it’s still a great time,
Turning up the air con and eating roast dinner with my family
Eeek. First off…….. I LOVE YOU MARY!!
Your books are amazing. I can’t get enough!!! LOVE, Love, love!!!! \o/
*cough*
anyways… Hm, I don’t think we have a routine Christmas family tradition. But one that has and I think will always Stick out during this time of year is the music my mom used to play when I was a child. They were always the same type of music, every year, year after year until just recently, that with all the moves have gotten lost along the way. But I remember them like it was yesterday. I don’t remember the names of the songs or the bands I just know It was the same spanish songs and the few english that she loved when she came to California.
One song for sure, always brings tears to my eyes at the memories. > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGuCvFdrWPg
I don’t know what it is about that song… But… I remember all the times when I was a kid, through all the houses we went through and spent christmas in, I remember gathering along the Christmas tree surrounded, sometimes, with tons of presents and other times with just a few, with my mom, dad, sisters, cousin to this song…. It’s the greatest christmas memory I have and I think, always will have.
Hi Mary, I love your books. I think my favorite right at the moment is The Servant.. Your version of Puss in Boots. Just love it.
Oh Christmas tradition (shakes head) My mom, is the biggest kid when it comes to Christmas. She peeks under the tree, lightly shakes boxes, fondles her Christmas stocking to attempt to guess what’s in it.
So, Christmas morning, you have until 730 am to get up out of bed, after that, the Christmas music starts, and it starts LOUD. Then, everyone gets their stocking, and we open those presents. Then breakfast, slight clean up, and the presents from under the tree. So far the: fish, dogs, cats, birds, deer in the yard, Santa and the neighbors new car have been Christmas shopping for our family. It says so, right n the present, to Erika S. from Snoopy (dog)
It always makes it loads of fun, it’s just too funny. And now that everyone is adult, the sparkling sake mimosas come out during unwrapping. YUM
My favorite tradition is going to pick out our christmas tree and then later going to cute it down, and having a whole day to decorate the tree and house!
I’m really sorry but I just have to ask, how cute do you have to be to “cute down” a tree?
We all would get into the car and drive around town looking at the Christmas lights and listening to Christmas musice. When we get home we’d have hot apple cider with cinnamon or hot chocolate.
*music
One of my fav traditions is that we all pick names out of a hat on Thanksgiving and we then buy the pajama’s for that person. We exchange gifts on Christmas Eve. It’s really funny to see what the kids pick.
On Christmas Eve we make homemade cinnamon rolls but don’t bake them. On Christmas morning we bake them and make hot apple cider. We have the cinnamon rolls and cider as we open presents. I love the smell of the rolls and apple cider. That always says Christmas to me.
We are just starting our blended family and have decided that we are starting the tradition of getting out tree the saturday after thanksgiving and spending that weekend decorating as a family. It was amazing this year!
We’re always at my mom’s, eat a fabulous Christmas Eve meal, get brand new “Christmas pajamas” and then wake up in the morning to presents and a Christmas breakfast. The food it the best part and it’s the same food but we only ever eat it on Christmas so it’s special.
We all go to different Churches but on Christmas we always get together and go to Church with my parents.
I always make Christmas Tree shaped pancakes for breakfast on Christmas morning. Even though my kids are all grown up and moved out they still turn up bright and early on Christmas morning for their special pancakes. I suggested making something different one year and nearly had a riot on my hands LOL.
When we first moved to Connecticut from Michigan, we found that New England winters weren’t as white as the ones we had back home, so, throughout the month of November, everyone in the house would make snowflakes (30-50) in all shapes and sizes. After Thanksgiving, when we decorated for Christmas, we’d hang them up in all the windows, so we’d always have a white Christmas, regardless of the weather.