Jessica Subject: I’d like to welcome Frey Berger here to talk about how he celebrates the holidays. He is originally from the planet Ginnun and has had to make quite the adjustment learning Earth cultures.
Frey: Actually, it wasn’t that hard. I was trained by the Space Service to adapt to different cultures. It was my job to learn as much as I could about a planet before leaving for the next. Except, this time I never left the planet I was sent to observe. I left the Space Service instead.
Jessica [flummoxed by the gorgeous man in front of her]: Yes, you were a field informant for the Space Service. So, tell us what your first December was like on Earth.
Frey: Cold. I was dropped off in an open field just outside of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on the first day of winter. Snow blew everywhere, and my contacts were late picking me up due to the weather. When they finally arrived, I could barely move. Every part of me was frozen. They took me to my lodging, warmed me up and gave me a money card so that I could buy appropriate clothing. Of course, I had to perfect this human holographic image I wear on Earth first.
Getting said clothing was an adventure. I rushed to the nearest clothing store, part of what is called a mall, and searched for the items on the list I’d been given. What I didn’t expect was the chaos all around me. People shoved me out of the way with their bags and I even had a personal transport cart run over my foot. Somehow I escaped that store and ended out in the hallway, another crowded avenue. But through all of the pandemonium, I heard a loud, belly laugh and had to know where it came from. In the middle of a gathering of people, including many small children, a man in a red suit with a long, white beard sat smiling. And his joy seemed to rub off on those around him. So many others in the mall were wearing parts of the suit as well; hats and pants... When I came across a store selling the same suit, I bought one. After all, a coat, snowpants, hat, gloves and boots were on my list…
I walked around for five days in that outfit, kids coming up to me to tell me what they wanted the man named Santa Claus to bring them for Christmas. They seemed to know I was not the real Santa Claus but thought somehow I could relay their message to him. My Earth contacts arrived seven days later to see how I was adapting and laughed at my outfit. They told me Christmas was over and I had to find something else to wear. During my second shopping trip, they came with me and helped me to pick more “appropriate” clothing.
Jessica: Wow! Most people who live here avoid the malls during that time of year due to the bedlam. I couldn’t imagine what you must have gone through. So, how did you celebrate the holidays the following year?
Frey: Alone. I had just told my Mission Commander from the Space Service that I didn’t plan on returning to Ginnun, my home planet. Why would I return to a planet where people have no emotional connection to each other? Those I thought to be my friends stabbed me in the back. Sorry, that is still a bitter topic.
Jessica [wanting to give Frey a hug]: No worries. Although emotions can be bothersome sometimes, I can’t imagine living on a planet without them. So how do you plan on spending your holidays this year?
Frey: Well, hopefully in the company of a lovely lady named Carrie.
Jessica [groaning inside]: Can you tell us about Carrie?
Frey: She’s a paediatric nurse, has the most amazing blue eyes, and is my date for tomorrow night.
Jessica [trying to stop starring at Frey’s own amazing eyes]: And how long have you known this Carrie?
Frey: I’ve never met her. Tomorrow will be our first date, but I plan on it being the first of many. She needs what I can give her, and I hope she’ll want me just the same.
Jessica [still groaning inside, but wishing Frey the best]: Okay, one last question. What is the one thing you cannot do without on the holidays?
Frey: That’s easy. It’s two things really. The first is the red suit I bought that first year here. I always wear it at the Christmas party for the construction company I started when I first arrived here. I love seeing the joy on the children’s faces when they sit on my knee telling me their holiday wishes. And second is the Marshmallow Squares one of my crew makes. She brings them in for everyone to try, but only during the holidays. They’re a mixture of peanut butter and mini marshmallows.
Jessica [stomach rumbling]: Sounds delicious. Do you think you can get me the recipe?
Frey: Sure, I’ll send it to you. Now, is this over, because I need to get to work?
Jessica [standing]: Yes, thank you so much Frey for allowing this interview. I hope your date with Carrie goes well.
Frey: Thank you as well. It’s nice to find someone not afraid to talk to an alien. I hope Carrie will feel the same way.
Jessica: Will you let me know how it goes?
Frey: Sure, I’ll let you know when I sent you the recipe. I’ve really got to go. Bye.
1 pkg butterscotch chipits
¼ cup margarine
½ cup peanut butter
2 cups mini marshmallows
Melt first three ingredients over boiling water (double boiler). Once melted, mix in marshmallows. Put in square cake pan and let set in refrigerator.
Celestial Seduction Book Trailer
Also available from many other ebook retailers.
Bio:
Jessica Subject started writing to encourage her daughter to read. Now she writes to keep herself grounded. Although she reads many genres, she enjoys writing Science Fiction Romance the most and believes everyone in the universe deserves a happily ever after. She lives Southwestern Ontario, Canada with her husband and two kids and loves to hear from anyone who has enjoyed her stories.
Website/Blog: http://www.markofthestars.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/jsubject
Giveaway:
I will be giving away a $10 gift certificate to AllRomanceEbooks.com and Celestial Seduction swag. For your chance to win, tell me the one thing you can’t do without over the holidays. Contest is international. Winner will be randomly chosen January 2nd, 2012 and posted on the blog on January 5th. Please leave your email address in the body of your message. All the best!
Hilarious!!!! I love the premise of that - alien in a santa suit.
ReplyDeleteWhat I can't do without over the holidays?
Chocolate coins - if I fail to produce a line of those leading to the Christmas tree - I've ruined everyone's festivities. yes, I know my family are idiots and in addition we have to stop the dog eating his way to the presents...sigh
Fun interview! No need to enter me in the contest, but I will say that I can't go without peppermint bark over the holidays. It's so delicioso!
ReplyDeleteOoh, I love this interview, and love Frey. :D
ReplyDeleteWooo, great interview:)
ReplyDeletethe one thing i cant do with out would be having the family dinners. I love to have them it is just really fun to cook and have everyone over and have a good time:)
Thank you for the great giveaway!
elliott2668 at yahoo dot com
Nice interview, Jess. I like sci fi romance myself!
ReplyDeleteI loved the interview. Frey is really something.LOL
ReplyDeleteI have to have my family with me and all the fun and chaos they bring with them. It's not Christmas without the chaos.
Merry Christmas
koonie2888 at yahoo dot com
Christmas music since we listen to it for such a short time and all the goodies I don't eat the rest of the year.
ReplyDeleteIt's also the time of the year I allow myself to buy the most books since many epublishers/stores have discounts so my limited book dollars can go farther. All Romance recently had a 50% back in All Romance bucks promo and I'm thinking they'll offer it again the week of Christmas.
Anne
acm05atjuno.com
LOL great interview and now I want to try those squares!
ReplyDeleteOne thing I couldn't live without for the holidays is my little family here. I love my extended family, but these days for me it's all about the hubs and the kiddos. <3
I love character interviews; they can be such fun reads and I enjoyed this one.
ReplyDeleteI must have M and M cookies; they are so yummy. My mother makes a couple of batches every year.
Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com
@ Barbara - Thanks!I remember our dog dug into chocolates I had bought for my dad for Christmas one year. She and the cat were so sick over the holidays.
ReplyDelete@ Heather - Thanks! Yumm, peppermint bark. Agreed. :)
@ Diane - Thanks so much! :)
@ LorettaLynn - Thanks! Family dinners are great! I'm excited to host ours this Christmas.
@ Kate - I'm certainly glad you do. ;) Thanks!
@ Michelle - He certainly is. :) The holidays are all about family. Merry Christmas to you as well.
@ Anne - Music, goodies, and book sales. Sounds like my kind of holiday. :D
@ Seleste - Thanks! Yes, try the squares and let me know what you think. :)
@Tracey D - Thanks! Oh, those sound so good. Enjoy! :)
Hi Jess-- I loved your interview with Frey. It gets us deeper into his character. Loved the Alien Santa Suit deal too! It was oh so cool. And that recipe, yum!
ReplyDeleteWhat I can't go without? Hot peppermint mocha.
The one thing I can't do without over the holidays is my kids. They are the reason I can buy all these cool Star Wars toys. Can't wait for them to open "their" presents. Christmas day is gonna be a lot of fun for me! Oh, and them too, of course. *grin*
ReplyDeleteI can't live without my mom's Christmas cookies. They are melt in your mouth yummy.
ReplyDeleteGeishasmom73 AT yahoo DOT com
HI JESS! I'D KILL MY SCROOGE DH TO READ YOUR BOOK! LOL
ReplyDeletelindarb49@hotmail.com
Hey..Ottawa,that's where I'm from.Great character interview.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I can't live without over the holidays...Eggnog :)
elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net
Loved the interview with Frey and getting to know more about him. Hilarious visual of him in the Santa suit! I can't do without the Christmas music. We only get it once a year and reminds me of my childhood. It's permanently on my raido right now.:)
ReplyDeleteGreat interview! One of the things I can't live without over the holidays is the sugar cookie scented candle from Yankee Candles.
ReplyDeletejoderjo402 AT gmail DOT com
@ Kaye - Thanks so much! Sounds delicious. :)
ReplyDelete@ Diane - Yes, there are so many cool toys out now that make me wish I were a kid again. :)
@ Stacie - Yummy goodies are the best part of this time of year. :)
@ Linda - Thanks! Don't think that's necessary though. :)
@ Elain - Go Sens Go! :) My favorite hockey team.
@ Jenna - Thanks! I like the music, too, traditional and non-traditional. :)
@ Joder - Thanks! Oh, I love delicious smelling candles. They dip bears and other stuffed animals in the scented candle wax here and they make great gifts. :)
What a fun interview!
ReplyDeleteI can't do without my family for the holidays either. Being so far from the extended family, the four of us are pretty much it. Which is great, because then I don't have to get out of my pjs for the entire day :)
I love the family time, the dinner's and just hanging out together. Plus I am a wee bit addicted to egg nog, lol.
ReplyDeletecaity_mack at yahoo dot com
How perfect is that? Frey buys a Santa suit because wearing one brings about warm feelings in others. This from the man who leaves his home planet because he wants more emotional connection.
ReplyDeleteOh, Carrie, you don't know what you're in for. Especially when you two hit the sheets! *giggles* Great interview, Jessica.
My family can't do without the widest Christmas tree. We look for the biggest on the lot and cut it down. Each year we try to get one bigger than the last.
ReplyDeleteelena(at)elenagray.com
@ Cathy in AK - All day in pjs sounds awesome! Merry Christmas! :)
ReplyDelete@ Cathy M - I never drank much egg nog, but my dad and brother love it. :)
@ Jennifer - LOL No, she doesn't know what she's in for. Thanks! :)
@ Elena - LOL We'll be lucky if the Christmas tree stays up this year as my son is determined to climb it. :)
I can't do without family for the holidays. Since my hubby's sister, aunt and dad passed away, the holidays are quieter since we can't get home to see my family due to my hubby's work schedule (his employer is open 365 days). At least I have an incredible husband and an amazing, although sometimes moody, teenager!
ReplyDeletebooks4me67 at ymail dot com
My family time is cooking Christmas dinner. I don't cook much now, but my family always wants me to cook at Christmas.
ReplyDeleteainfinger(at)comcast(dot)net
@ books4me - I can understand the importance of spending time with family with your hubby's work schedule. Happy Holidays!
ReplyDelete@ Andrea - If any time is a good time to cook, it's Christmas. :) All the best!
Lovely Interview!
ReplyDeleteAunt Rose chocolate cookies they are to die for. I don't eat Christmas cake so every year she makes them extra special just for me. They are melt in your mouth delicious.
rshereifa at yahoo dot com
What a great interview! Frey sound VERY cool, and I have to try the Marshmallow Squares :)
ReplyDeleteThe only thing I can't live without at Christmas is my husband...ok other than the mushy stuff, I can't live without my Kindle and holiday books.
tigerblossoms at hotmail dot com
@Criss - Sounds like Aunt Rose is a wonderful lady! :)
ReplyDelete@Teresa - Hubby and books! An awesome holiday! :)
@Angela - Yay! I'm glad you stopped by! Yes, the joy in children is truly magical. :)
I like to go around and look at the lights and I want Christmas music playing. Do not have any other real requirements of teh holiday.
ReplyDeletelinze_e at hotmail.com
About the only thing I can't do without over the holidays is my family. Anything else is nice, but without them, it would just be any other day.
ReplyDeleteHave a happy holiday season.
manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com
Eggnog and the Carol of the Bells
ReplyDeleteelwoodl@umkc.edu
The one thing I can't do without over the holidays is family. There is only one year that we didn't spend Christmas with one of my aunts or uncles. The year we went to Florida, we opened our Christmas presents in the motorhome at a campground near Jacksonville, FL. It just didn't seem the same, to not be going to an aunt or uncles house for a get together. I will never travel again at Christmas unless I'm going to a relatives house.
ReplyDeletedrainbamaged.gyzmo at gmail.com
COOKIES!!
ReplyDeletebarbbattaglia at yahoo dot com
I like this blog site.
ReplyDeleteLoved the character "interview". Can't make it through the holidays without a "couple" bottles of good wine. Promise I am different Nancy from the one above.
ReplyDeleteThe contest is now closed. Thank you all for stopping by, and I wish you all the very best for 2012!
ReplyDeleteThe winner of the ARE gift certificate & book swag is Criss! Congratulations! I will be in contact with you soon. :)