Monday, October 28, 2019

A Texas Kind of Christmas

With less than two months until Christmas (I know hard to believe), I’m delighted to tell you about author Jodi Thomas’ latest historical short story ONE NIGHT AT THE ST. NICHOLAS will be released tomorrow (Oct. 29th) in A TEXAS KIND OF CHRISTMAS.

In addition, Jodi’s eBook version of ONE WISH: A CHRISTMAS STORY, will also be released tomorrow.

* A TEXAS KIND OF CHRISTMAS
* By Jodi Thomas, Celia Bonaduce & Rachael Miles
* Kensington Books
* Trade Paperback/Fiction
* 978-1-4967-2130-3
* Setting: Dallas, TX - 1859

A TEXAS KIND OF CHRISTMAS is a holiday-themed collection of three connected stories set in 1859 Dallas and based on the true history of the St. Nicholas Hotel. Built and managed by Sarah Horton Cockrell, a Texan businesswoman known for her contributions to the development of the state, the famed St. Nicholas was one of the most fashionable, grand hotels of its time. The book celebrates the rich history, indomitable pioneer spirit and Dallas holiday traditions.

It’s Christmas Eve, 1859, and everyone who is anyone is headed to the glorious St. Nicholas Hotel for the most talked about ball of the season…

In the hands of Jodi Thomas, Celia Bonaduce, and the historian and novelist Rachael Miles, this real-life setting comes to life in three romantic tales infused with vivid imagery and witty prose. A TEXAS KIND OF CHRISTMAS evokes the grandeur of a bygone era and the indomitable pioneer spirit of the region and is sure to be the fan favorite romance collection of the Christmas season.

The History Behind A TEXAS KIND OF CHIRSTMAS

Sarah Horton Cockrell opened the St. Nicholas Hotel in 1859 under her own management, on year after her husband, Alex Cockrell, died at the hands of a Dallas sheriff. It was known as one of the most fashionable, grand hotels of its time until it burned down in the Dallas Fire of 1860. It was the first building constructed taller than two stories and the crowning social event Dallas society was the grand ball with which it made its debut. Sarah Horton Cockrell named the hotel after the man she chose as its manager – Nicholas H. Darnell, a captain in the Indian Wars of 1839, Speaker of the House of Representatives in the Texas Congress of 1842, and Lieutenant Governor elected in the first state election of 1846. Sarah Horton Cockrell (1819-1892)

An astute businesswoman, real estate maven and transportation pioneer whose wealth and power defied gender conventions of the time, Sarah Horton Cockrell went on to own nearly ¼ of Downtown Dallas, opening the Dallas Hotel (later known as the St. Charles), a number of flour mills and other businesses. She constructed the first iron bridge across the Trinity, leading to enormous economic development for the state.

After Sarah Horton Cockrell’s death in 1892, The Dallas Morning News’s obituary stated that her funeral procession and floral tributes were among the largest ever seen in Dallas.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Author Jodi Thomas
JODI THOMAS is a New York Times bestselling author and fifth-generation Texas who sets many of her award-winning stories in her home state, where her grandmother was born in a covered wagon. A multi-RITA Award winner and member of the prestigious Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame, she’s written more than 50 novels with millions of copies in print. Her most recent releases are The Little Tea Shop on Main and her historical anthology, A Texas Kind of Christmas. The first book in her new series with Kensington, Breakfast at the Honey Creek CafĂ©, comes out May 2020. You can connect Jodi by visiting her website at www.JodiThomas.com

Author Celia Bonaduce
CELIA BONADUCE, also the author of The Venice Beach Romances and the Welcome to Fat Chance, Texas series, has always had a love affair with houses. Her credits as a television field producer include such house-heavy hits as Extreme Makeover: Home Edition; HGTV’s House Hunters and Tiny House Hunters. She lives in Santa Monica, CA, with her husband and dreams of one day traveling with him in their own tiny house. She can be found online at www.CeliaBonaduce.com

Author Rachael Miles
RACHAEL MILES is an acclaimed romance novelist and historian specializing in the 19th century, as well as a professor of literary history. A fifth-generation Texas and native of Dallas, she now lives and teaches in New York. Visit her online at www.RachaelMiles.com

You can meet the three authors at several upcoming events.

Wednesday, Nov. 20, @ 6 p.m. DALLAS WOMAN’S FORUM at the Alexander Mansion of Dallas Cocktails and Hors d’oeuvres with Jodi, Rachel and Celia (author talk, followed by Q&A and book signing) 4607 Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas.

Thursday, Nov. 21, @ 11 a.m. DALLAS WOMAN’S FORUM at the Alexander Mansion of Dallas Luncheon with Jodi, Rachael and Celia (author talk, followed by Q&A and book signing) 4607 Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas.

Thursday, Nov. 21, @ 6 p.m. INTERABANG BOOKS, 10720 Preston Road, #1009B, Dallas, Texas

Saturday, Nov. 23, @ 11 a.m. DALLAS ARBORETUM – Rosine Hall, 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, Texas.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Doesn’t Sarah Horton Cockrell sound like a fascinating lady that was ahead of her time?


7 comments:

  1. Two months to Christmas? Wash your mouth out.
    And yes, Sarah Horton Corckrell sounds like a complete dynamo.

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  2. What a shame the hotel burned down after only a year. Was it rebuilt?

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  3. That's a really interesting idea to have three inter-connected stories, Mason. It's a different format to a novel, or even a novella, but it still tells a larger story. And this one sounds quite appropriate for the upcoming time of year. Thanks for sharing.

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  4. Love the concept of this book. Now I need to go look up the hotel.

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  5. First building in Dallas over 2 stories - I'm sure it was a big attraction when it opened.

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  6. This was a fun book to write with good friends. The hotel was very interesting to research and it was not rebuilt. Glad you all are enjoying the story!

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  7. Sounds like the hotel is a character in and of itself! Very cool!

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I'd love to hear your thoughts on today's post. Thanks for dropping by.