My sister commented that she enjoyed seeing elements of my real experiences in Bidding on a Second Chance. She, of course, has all the inside information. Can you guess which of these elements from the story were made up, and which stem from real life experiences or people I know well?
- A rascally, energetic puppy
- A text from a loved one about an accident that included the words “no alarm”
- Grandparents who dressed to match
- A police officer
- A second-hand shop owner
- A special Christmas cookie recipe
- An obedient black lab
Do you have your guesses?
Here are where those elements of Bidding on a Second Chance came from:
The rascally, energetic puppy was inspired by my real-life dog, Luther. When we couldn’t get him to stop chewing on our hands that first day at the shelter, we should’ve known what we were in for. But he was SO CUTE. And for years, we’ve joked that he gets by on his looks.
The text from a loved one about an accident that included the words “no alarm” is based on real life. In 2018, my mom had a similar experience to what happens to Piper (the heroine) in the opening pages. In fact, it was Mom’s text that inspired the story!
My grandparents didn’t dress to match, but an older couple who sat ahead of me at church did. I based Piper’s grandparents on their wardrobe choices.
I don’t know any police officers personally. I had to rely on research and one police officer’s wife, who read an early draft for me.
I also don’t know any second-hand shop owners, but I did strike up a conversation with one when I visited her shop while writing this story.
My family does have a special Christmas cookie recipe. If you’re in the market for delicious cut-out sugar cookies, here you go!
As for the last one, if you ever read a story from me with a dog who is obedient enough to not clobber guests at the door, know it’s pure fiction. My first dog was a black lab, and I loved her, but she was not calm. Probably because she didn’t have Graham (the hero) to train her so well.
I hope you enjoyed the glimpse at the stories behind the story! Bidding on a Second Chance includes some other elements as well, such as a Thanksgiving celebration, a Christmastime auction to benefit a local family, a cast of fun, small-town characters, and the healing of some old wounds.
I’d be so thrilled for you to pre-order! Both the ebook and the paperback are listed on Amazon.
How did you do on your guesses? Were there any surprises?
If you were going to write a Christmas story, is there a special food item you’d be sure to include?
Hmm, Christmas special food. It would have to be a variation on my mom’s Mississippi Mud cake. It comes out more like brownies on steroids than cake, but decadent nonetheless. It’s a sturdy, chewy cake brownie on the bottom. Mom’s version included walnuts and a bit of shredded coconut. While still warm out of the oven, spread on chocolate frosting then swirl in a layer of marshmallow creme (like Fluff). Cut into squares and top each square with a walnut half.
I prefer pecans to walnuts and am not the biggest fan of shredded coconut, so variations are certainly allowed.
Warning: will ruin your A1C for your next doctor visit and will travel directly to wherever you collect your holiday pounds!
Haha, I can see why the recipe is a favorite!! Sounds gooey and delicious 🙂
I really enjoyed being able to read this book as an ARC! It was fun and yet it dealt with reality. It also started an unintentional trend of seven books that dealt with the same topic. Was God trying to tell me something??
Christmas food has to include English fruit mince pies and a rich fruity Christmas cake with marzipan and royal icing ( made from egg white and powdered sugar).
No prizes for guessing I don’t live in America.
I’m so glad you enjoyed Bidding on a Second Chance, Jeannette! Seven books all touching on the same thing is a pretty noticeable trend. If the Lord was trying to tell you something (and I’m not saying I know one way or the other), I hope the message has left you uplifted 🙂
I can tell you don’t live in America by your food selection! I’m not sure I’ve had either of those things the way you’ve described them, but I’m sure they’re delicious. Thanks for joining the discussion!
I’d include my Grandmother’s Butterscotch pie.
Oh, I bet that’s wonderful. Recipes passed down from grandmothers are the best 🙂
Mom and I used to make chocolate covered peanut butter balls around Christmas every year. So, those would be a must! Some call them buckeyes and leave a place unchocolated. However, we chocolate the whole ball!! I knew a couple that didn’t totally dress alike, but he would have a tie that matched her dress or skirt or something. It was cute!!
My mom makes chocolate covered peanut butter balls too. I’d never heard of leaving a part without chocolate. Interesting!
It really is cute when couples coordinate. That said, my husband and I almost never do. Ha!
Hi, I would definitely include the Thumbprint cookies, I love these cookies. Have a Blessed Thanksgiving. I enjoyed reading this post.
Oh, thumbprint cookies are good too! Happy Thanksgiving!
I love hearing about everyone’s Christmas food choices, they sound lovely and very different from what I’m used to here in the UK.
Like Jeanette’s comment above, we always have mince pies and Christmas fruit cake, and also Christmas puddings – it’s a boiled pudding made with dried fruit, we make them next weekend and they are perfect by Christmas day. When you make the pudding everyone in the house has to stir it and make a wish and my kids love doing this part. The pudding comes to the table covered in lighted brandy, and it’s eaten hot with brandy butter, custard or cream.
My dad prefers his frosted Christmas cookies aged about a month, but I’m pretty sure everyone else likes them fresh. Ha! I watch some British baking shows, so I’ve seen them make various puddings (though to be honest, I’m still not 100% sure what makes something a pudding…it’s different in the US). I didn’t realize Christmas puddings were made a month in advance! Thanks for sharing about your traditions!
I guesses you did have a rascally, energetic puppy and figured the obedient black lab was wrong. Partly cos most puppies are energetic and rascally just likens and cats (well mine are) and while they can be obedient its often when they choose.
We had a police sergeant in our church who was also the treasurer for many years and I use to baby sit for another Police officer. (being in a small town you tend to get to know them) We also had people in the church who owned a second hand store.
I love the family recipe. While I guess we didn’t have a family one as such we always made certain cookies every christmas and I am sure mum mother use to make them too. I still make them most years.
I would include cookies the ones I make are a shortbread recipe so can be used for a few different ideas.
Haha, sounds like you know a thing or two about owning dogs 🙂 I get it about the cookie types as opposed to specific recipes. There are some from my childhood that would be fun to revisit too, where the specific recipe isn’t the important part – there are some candy cane twist cookies that might be fun to make again, and I think they’re pretty common so I could probably look up a recipe online. Maybe I will! Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
Not dogs but cats. I haven’t heard of the candy cane twist cookies. sounds interesting.
As long as the dough tastes nice I like making them.
I did guess the obedient Lab. I have never thought about writing a Christmas novel. I would have to say if I did write one it would include my grandmother’s pumpkin bread recipe as well as seven layer cookies. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
I’ve heard of seven layer salad, but not cookies. I’m guessing the cookies taste a lot yummier. ha! Thanks for stopping by today!