It's Beginning to Read a Lot Like Christmas 2025: Author Interview with Anna Jensen

What made you decide to write a Christmas themed book? Could you give a short synopsis on the book for my readers?
A few years ago, wanted to add a Christmas book into my collection for readers. I decided to write a short novella set in the fictional London parish of St Saviours, where the vicar — Reverend Richard — loves all things Christmas.  I released A Candle for Christmas in 2021, thinking that would be my one and only Christmas story.

However, I so enjoyed creating the St Saviours community that I returned the following year. And then at Easter. And again for another Christmas! Each story follows Reverend Richard, wife Marj, their daughter, Ellen and congregants homeless Joelle and glamourous Tamara as they experience the various seasons and traditions of the church calendar.

Their most recent adventure, A Big Five Safari Christmas brings the St Saviours church family all the way to South Africa, where Christmas comes with sunshine, wildlife, and a few unexpected challenges. As five stories unfold — The Buffalo, The Leopard, The Elephant, The Rhinoceros, and The Lion — each character discovers more of the true meaning of Christmas.
 

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?
I’ve had to switch up quite a few of my favourites after leaving the UK and moving to South Africa almost thirty years ago. It’s taken me a while to get used to Christmas being in the middle of summer, rather than the cosiness of winter (I’m not sure I’m entirely used to it, even now!).

Where I grew up with candles and fairylights, and wonderful Christmas meals and treats, I now enjoy summery days, watermelon and salads for Christmas dinner, and a dip in the pool before opening any pressies. In the UK, I attended a traditional church, whereas now our services are more informal. I think I missed some of the traditional elements, and so created the St Saviours stories from a bit of nostalgia!

Do you have any other new releases?
I just released a fifth book in the St Saviours series. It's called A Harvest of Thanksgiving and combines the British church harvest festival with the American celebration of Thanksgiving — thanks to the arrival of American curate, Lloyd.
 
I’m also putting the finishing touches to an appointments and inspirational diary for 2026, which I’m excited about. Each month features a piece of my doodle artwork, a series of Bible verses and prompts for reflection. I’ve also linked its publication to a brand new Patreon subscription offer, for readers to receive more in-depth devotional content, free downloads, sneak peeks of upcoming releases — and much more!

What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been given you’d like to share?
Stephen King’s ‘write with the door closed; edit with the door open’. Writing without the pressure of wondering what others think is vital for my enjoyment of the storytelling process. Working through how others may interpret the story (editing with the door open) is a different experience, with its own joys and challenges.
 
What do you know now about writing and publishing you wish you had learned sooner?
That it’s hard work! But a glorious roller-coaster of a ride, when Jesus is in the driving seat.

Any last words or tips?
God created us to be like Him — which means we all have the capacity to create. As we discover more about Him, leaning into His presence and His creative imagination, so we find His spark igniting within us. Being Captivated by the Creator is what my writing (and beyond!) life is all about.

 What books would you like to tell my readers about?
A Harvest of Thanksgiving, the St Saviours book I mentioned earlier is available from Amazon: books2read.com/harvestofthanksgiving The 2026 diary just released. This will only be available in hardback print. I’ll provide updates in my upcoming newsletters. Subscribe at annajensen.co.uk/news

That's all for today's interview. If you'd like to learn more about Anna's writing, she'sI’ve put together a special collection of Thanksgiving and Christmas gifts for you. Head over to her exclusive, hidden webpage at www.annajensen.co.uk/christmasgiveaway and download your goodies! 

There’s a free Christmas colouring page of one of her designs, plus free printable Christmas cards – both DIY for you to colour, and a ready-to-go printed version. You’ll also find a digital version of her upcoming diary for January 2026. And as an extra bonus, She's included the first chapter of A Big Five Safari Christmas and A Harvest of Thanksgiving for you to read. You can find all her writing places through  linktr.ee/annaloujensen

Paperback and eBook available from Amazon via books2read.com/abig5safarichristmas. Always FREE in Kindle Unlimited

It's Beginning to Read a Lot Like an International Christmas: Author Interview with Anna Jensen

What made you decide to write Christmas themed books? Could you give a short synopsis on the books for my readers?
I wanted to offer readers something from me at Christmas. I wondered about an advent or Christmas devotional, similar to others I have written, but then I got an idea for a fictional story.

I’d published an historical fiction novel earlier in 2021, and I fancied trying my hand at something more contemporary. Growing up in the UK, I was a member of an Anglican church. It was lively and fun but also centred on tradition, especially at times of the year like Christmas.

I decided to create a fictional church parish somewhere in London with a Christmas-loving vicar. In A Candle for Christmas, the first in the St. Saviours Seasonal Stories series, I wove four inter-related stories together around the four candles of advent – one for each of the Sundays in advent.

It was such fun to write, and enjoyed by readers, so I followed it in 2022 with The Nine Readings of Christmas, based on the service of Nine Lessons and Carols. I released a third novella, One Passing Easter, in the series this April. 

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?
I find Christmas a tough time of year, to be honest! I moved from the UK to South Africa twenty-six years ago, and still struggle to get my head around the concept of a summer Christmas. So many of the traditions I loved growing up – dark evenings with candles and fairy lights; singing carols around our village; a long slow lunch, with mince pies and Christmas pudding; an afternoon winter walk on the beach – just don’t apply here. I think I wrote A Candle for Christmas out of my nostalgia for the familiar!

What’s next for you? 
I am currently writing my third historical fiction novel. Remembered Lives is a dual timeline story about the Anglo-Boer War and Liverpool Football Club (you’ll have to read it to understand the connection!).

Next year, I plan to continue the St Saviours series with a summer story – hopefully in collaboration with a friend to make it even more exciting!

What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been given you’d like to share?
Allen Arnold talks a lot about writing with God, rather than for him. It has revolutionised my writing, encouraging me to find the stories Jesus wants to tell rather than just conjuring up my own. It’s also a whole lot more fun! When I get stuck, I can just ask for help. I always come unstuck with great ideas or phrases which I know didn’t come from me.

What do you know now about writing and publishing you wish you had learned sooner?
I wish I’d realised that when we do it all with Jesus – the writing, the marketing, the hard work – it is so much more enjoyable and effective than when I thought of most things as something I had to hustle. His burden is light and his yoke is easy!

 Any last words or tips?
Connect with other authors and readers as much as possible! The upside of the global pandemic was that we all learnt new ways of connecting and building relationships. Journeying together makes the writing life so special.

Are there any other books that you’d like to tell my readers about?
I mentioned the historical fiction novels I write. I love exploring how ordinary people can do extraordinary things which impact into the future when our Creator God is involved – like when a stone is thrown into water, and the ripples seem endless. My series, The Ripples Through Time explores this concept.

Given Lives tells of a small village in the north of England impacted by the plague in 1665-6, and the decisions the community took to protect their neighbours. 300 years later, we are still talking about them. 

Secret Lives is a WW2/present day story of young women volunteers working for the British Special Operations Executive as cryptanalysts and code breakers. Sworn to secrecy about their war work, many lived their entire lives without even family knowing of their contribution.

That's all for today's interview. If you'd like to learn more about Anna's books, here are some links to get you started.

Website : https://www.annajensen.co.uk/

Amazon: https://www.annajensen.co.uk/shop This gives you options for UK, USA, and South Africa

And here's tip for my readers... Sign up for her newsletter and a receive a free ebook, Seeking Light – a novella set in Poldark’s Cornwall. https://www.annajensen.co.uk/news-social