Coffee and Conversation With the Romance Gems by Nancy Fraser

Welcome back to Coffee and Conversation with the Romance Gems! So, grab a cup of your favorite beverage and join us for some fun. This month's topic is: Things We Collect.

Most people have a collection of some sort ... even if it’s only dust bunnies! The Romance Gems are no different and are here to share some insight into their personalities when they reveal their favorite treasures.

“My favorite collection is that of Christian religious symbols. These consist of crosses, nativity sets, hand-carved Santo of St. Francis de Sales (the patron saint of writers), a kitchen Madonna, angels, cross necklaces, and a black Madonna.  Christmas is my favorite time of year and Christian symbols go with the celebration. Once you begin a collection, friends gift you with additions. I used to collect teapots, bells, Delft figurines, cobalt blue glass, Miss America pattern Depression glass, and more. Downsizing several years ago forced me to prioritize and pare my treasures but the process was painful.” ~ Author Caroline Clemmons

“Since the late 1980s I've collected very fine porcelain cups and saucers. I'm very selective about what I buy. Most of mine are English, high quality, and rare. I seldom buy now, and when I do, it's usually an upgrade.

I limit my numbers so my house doesn't become cluttered. A new one comes in, an old one goes out. Fortunately, I am in the antique business (in a small way) so I just put my "rejects" in my booth to sell.” ~ Author Cheryl Bolen

“I’m an avid baker of gingerbread, cakes, gingerbread boy & girl cookies. My kitchen and dining room are filled with collectibles. My dear friend made a custom table cloth and fabric gingerbread boys and girls to accent my gingham curtains. I also treasure my Disney Mickey Gingerbread Ears and gingerbread castle. We dine on stoneware plates decorated with gingerbread boys, my husband’s (reluctant) gift to me. My kitchen is filled with the aroma of spices and, Love—the hand lettering on my dining room wall promises a HEA.” ~ Author Connie Vines

“I collect small shoes and boots to put on wooden shelves in my office. I started collecting them when I was working for the State of Michigan, and would go downtown on my lunch break to a card shop. Every month they would add a different shoe, and it would be January's shoe, February' shoe, etc. When my sister-in-law got wind of it, she brought me six shoes for Christmas. A few years ago, my husband got a storage unit and inside a buffet was a large selection of boots and shoes. I now have three walls of wooden shelves with shoes and boots.” ~ Author Constance Bretes 

“I collect Breyer Christmas tree ornaments. My newest one is Justify, 2018 Triple Crown winner. I have American Pharoah, Secretariat, Sea Biscuit, War Admiral, and Zenyata. Breyer’s first model was the #57 Western Horse, made in 1950 as special order for the F.W. Woolworth Company.

I collected Breyer horses as a child. My dolls rode them. So it is natural that as an adult, I still enjoy collecting the smaller models.” ~ Author Jan Scarbrough

“One of my collections is a group of crystals I keep on the windowsill by my desk. I’ve collected them gradually over the years—like any good collection!—kind of like a magpie attracted to anything bright and shiny.” ~ Author Judith Hudson

“Most people would think I collect Texas flags -- I have 18, including one that flew over the state capitol the day I graduated from high school. But every single one has been given to me. The truth is I collect crosses, castles, and the number seven. Pictured is my favorite cross, made by my husband's aunt. The seven comes from my church that flooded during Harvey, and the castle is from my sister. Castles remind me of romance, seven is my lucky number and crosses put me in the presence of Jesus.” ~ Author Kara O'Neal

“I don't collect many things but one thing I do love is wind chimes.  I have a few larger ones I hang outside during the nicer months. I love listening to their music as the wind gently blows.

I also have five smaller ones that are birdhouse wind chimes that I used to hang in my large picture window over the sink in my kitchen. Unfortunately they are packed away in storage until we find a more permanent residence.” ~ Author Kari Lemor

“One day my mother and I were sitting at the table and I was trying to draw a rooster. She took my pencil and quickly sketched one. I told her she had to autograph it, so she did. After she passed, I found the now aged and wrinkled picture, along with the memories of us laughing and talking that day. I framed the rooster, but also started collecting them, along with chickens.” ~ Author Karen Kelley

“I collect stuffed dogs.  Every time I go on vacation, I try to get one from a gift shop.  I have a nice collection, all different breeds, and they line the tops of my bookshelves in my office.” ~ Author Karen Whiddon

“I’m not much of a collector, due to the fact that I live in an 800 sq ft cottage with no storage and no (well, one sort-of) closet. But I do like to bring back a decoration for the Christmas tree whenever I travel.  I’ve got surfing a Santa from Maui.  A lobster from Maine.  A streetcar from San Francisco. A Mexican Santa from Cancun.  A humming bird from Barbados.  A beaded Xmas tree from South Africa.  A high-heel pump from NYC.  One of the fairy godmothers from Disneyland.  (always intended to go back for the other 2, never happened)  I’m sure there are others up in the attic, to be unearthed in December and rekindle some of those happy vacation memories.” ~ Author Kathleen Lawless

“Have you ever felt a connection to something discovered in an antique store or thrift shop? I have, and it became the first in my growing collection of old photographs. I found the large framed picture, molding in the cellar of an antique store. I walked away without it, only to be haunted, and return for it one week later. I’m looking at it now as I type. The experience inspired scenes in my books and a blog post on my website. A pleasant haunting, indeed!” ~ Author Kathryn Hills

“I have collected things in the past—lighthouses, trivets, bells, and books (lots of books) but gave it up because I have too much stuff. I cluster things on a few shelves, not very neatly, that mean a lot to me because of the rememberings they have in my heart.

However, it’s the Magnificent Seven, the grandkids I started gathering 29 years ago, that are my favorite collection.” ~ Author Liz Flaherty

“When I was about ten I devoured Nancy Drew books by Carolyn Keene. I owned copies of every title and read them over and over. When I became a teen, I told my mom to sell the lot of them at her tag sale. Flash forward ten years and I regretted that impulsive statement. I had two daughters, one who was the age to read Nancy Drew. I began my quest to obtain every single title released of the original series. In my search I even unearthed a Nancy Drew Cookbook. I’m proud to say the entire collection is waiting for my granddaughter to fall under that same spell.” ~ Author Lucinda Race

“My love for antique wooden boxes began in the early 1990s. I was visiting family in Nashville where my aunt owned an antique store. I stopped in for a visit and fell in love with a Victorian-era (circa 1845) stationery box. Since then, I’ve collected over 40 boxes including an inlaid, hand-carved one created by an inmate in the Maine state prison, and a replica of a pirate’s chest made by an artisan in the early 1900s. They’re all beautiful to look but a lot of work to dust! And, if you ask my sons, a pain in the butt to pack and move. ~ Author Nancy Fraser

That’s it for our authors. As always, we love to hear from our readers. Is there something special you collect? If so, let us know in the comments.

Nancy

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The prizes are listed on our GIVEAWAY TAB above, along with the entry form. You can also click HERE to go straight to the entry form!