I opened this blog to tell the world about my latest book, THE FERRY TO AMERICA. Because it's so close to Christmas, I thought you might like to have a preview that concerns Christmas on Pawquillet Island where the story takes place. It's in the middle of Nantucket Sound.

"The island was decked out for the holiday in elegant fashion. A boat anchored in the harbor held aloft a fully decorated Christmas tree. The stores were hung with wreaths and garlands of brightly colored balls and pine boughs. Everywhere people shopped a tody or an egg nog might be served. Horse-drawn sleighs carried shoppers up and down the town with sleigh bells ringing.

"The Bernhart home was always a pleasant place, but that was especially so at Christmas. Fires were burning in the front parlor and the adjacent sitting room, and the mantels were decorated with lighted candles and fir boughs. Large vases of flowers were set about the rooms, and the pocket doors, once kept closed to conserve heat in older times were kept open between the large rooms. The Christmas tree stood in the front room, and to complete the picture, Molly's old hobby horse of faded blue stood beside it bedecked with sleigh bells on a bright red strap.