How Kim Gruenenfelder celebrates the winter holidays...plus a book giveaway!

**Giveaway is now closed**

Kim Gruenenfelder lives in Los Angeles with her husband and son, and continues to avoid anything even remotely resembling a real job. Her acclaimed debut novel, "A Total Waste of Makeup," has been published in six languages and eight international editions to date. Her two other novels are "Misery Loves Cabernet" and "There’s Cake In My Future" (which is in bookstores today). She has also written feature films, episodic teleplays and two stage plays. She has made homes for herself on Facebook and Twitter.

Kim stopped by Chick Lit Central this week to tell us about how she celebrates the holidays. We also have four copies of "There's Cake in My Future" to give away to some lucky winners in the US or Canada.

Favorite winter holiday tradition: Going to my father’s and stepmother’s house on Christmas Eve. My parents are divorced, but they have always spent Christmas Eve together, and always gotten along well on that night (as has my mom and stepmom). I would find out later that there were Christmas Eves when no one was really getting along, but I never knew it. Mom and Dad made a rule when they got divorced: we will always love our daughters more than we hate each other.

Favorite winter holiday food: Champagne. That counts as a food.

Favorite winter holiday song: "Jingle Bells" as sung by dogs.

Favorite winter holiday movie: "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas." The scenes with Max the dog still make me laugh out loud. I love watching it with my son now.


Favorite winter holiday memory: Too many to count. This year's favorite so far involves my husband - when I was decorating the house, I asked him at one point: "Okay, look around the house. Now there are two ways we could go: simple elegant, or completely over the top. Which do you think we should do?" He looked around our living room and said, "Depends. Which one am I looking at now?" (BTW, I would say he was looking at "simple elegant". He would probably beg to differ.)


Favorite winter holiday gift you've ever received: Is there candy under the tree right now? I could use some candy.


Favorite winter holiday gift you've ever given: A duck. Well, a picture of a duck - it's a long story.


Thing you're most looking forward to during the winter holidays this year: Watching my son open his presents Christmas morning.


Thing you wish there would be more of during winter holidays: Love. And cake. There should always be more cake.


Thing you wish there would be less of during winter holidays: Fruitcake. Seriously - has anyone ever munched on a good one?


Thanks to Kim for answering our questions and for the books to give away!


How to win "There's Cake in my Future":
Please comment below with your e-mail address.
(Please note: Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted. You can use AT and DOT to avoid spam. Or provide a link to your facebook page if you can receive messages there.)

1. Please tell us: What do you wish there were more or less of during the winter holiday season?
2. Please tell us: Has a wish of yours ever come true? If so, what was it?
3. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
4. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
5. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)

US/Canada only. Giveaway ends Sunday, December 26th at midnight EST.

Check out Kim's bucket list at Chick Lit is Not Dead.