It's Continuing to Read Like a Christmas Romance 2023: Author Interview with Cindy Flores Martinez

How did you come up with the idea for your Christmas book? Could you give a short synopsis on the book for my readers?

Mia’s Gift is part of the Inspirational Romance series, Small-Town Christmas Wishes, which I created a few years ago. The idea came to me all of a sudden. Sometimes I pray for ideas when I need them, and they just come to me. Sometimes they happen when I’m not even looking for them. The series and my story came about that way.

My story, Mia’s Gift, has been republished as a second edition. I wanted to rewrite it for years because it wasn’t fully finished by the publishing deadline. The first edition was more like a draft. Earlier this year, I suddenly felt inspired and began writing. I spent the summer removing scenes, rewriting scenes, and adding new scenes. I hope it’s a better story now.

Mia’s Gift is about a cupcake shop owner named Mia who unexpectedly receives a letter from an old high school friend, who has passed away. In the letter, Mia’s friend asks her to become a secret angel in her place. Mia decides to try and grant a wish for the man she has feelings for and his fifteen-year-old niece, who are in desperate need of a miracle. Mia discovers that making the wish come true is a lot harder than she ever imagined.

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?
My dad grew up in Mexico and my mom’s parents were from Mexico, so when I think of Christmas traditions, I think of Mexican traditions. When I was growing up, we followed the popular tradition of enjoying a Mexican Christmas family dinner together on Christmas Eve, which included homemade tamales, champurrado (Mexican hot chocolate) and polvorones (Mexican wedding cookies). We would then open gifts at midnight. My dad is no longer alive, so I treasure those memories.

What’s next in writing for you? 
I’ve been writing my next book on a very part-time basis. This time, the lead character is a teenager, and like all my previous lead characters, she’s Mexican-American. I’m not sure when the story will be published but I’m trying!

What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been given you’d like to share?
The best writing tip I can share is not to create publishing deadlines or pre-orders for your stories. Give yourself enough time to write and rewrite. Otherwise, you might publish something because you have to and not because it’s the best story it can be.

What do you know now about writing and publishing you wish you had learned sooner?
There’s so much I’ve learned. The thing that stands out above the rest is how important it is to study and practice writing before publishing a story.

Any last words or tips?
My advice for anyone who wants to write a book is to keep reading and writing. It’s the only way to become better at it.

Are there any other books that you’d like to tell my readers about?
Yes, there are several books in the Small-Town Christmas Wishes series that were written by different authors. I think your readers would enjoy them!

Like Cindy, I'm looking forward to having tamales on Christmas Eve, but mine will be bought from our favorite Mexican family restaurent. However, I will be baking a few dozen Mexican wedding cookies for our church's  sweet treats after the Christmas Eve service. 

That's all for today's interview. If you'd like to learn more about Cindy's writing, here are two links to get you started. 

Website: https://www.cindyfloresmartinez.com/
Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Mias-Gift-Small-Town-Christmas-Wishes-ebook/dp/B07X9GFHL7

And now for a Christmas treat for my readers... Here is a link to an assortment of Sweet Christmas romance stories that cover a whole range of sub-genres from contemporary to historical romances. These free eBooks are only available through 12/31, so make your choices now! https://books.bookfunnel.com/stuffyourstocking/5pbr3uc8pi

It's Beginning to Read Like Sweet Christmas Romances 2023: Author Interview with Karen Liszewski

What made you decide to write a Christmas themed book? 

Christmas is my favorite time of the year and I love sitting down, by the tree, and reading Christmas books or watching Christmas movies. This led me to writing my own Christmas book!

Could you give a short synopsis on the books for my readers?
My debut novel, Meet Me In Winterberry, is a clean, Christmas romance. Here's the tagline and  blurb... What would you do if you thought you had it all figured out, but life had different plans?

Penelope Maxwell has it all. She lives in a penthouse in Manhattan, has a successful acting career, a closet that most women would die for, and is newly engaged to the man of her dreams. Until the day after Thanksgiving, when it all came crashing down. 

Now she finds herself stranded in a Christmas obsessed, small town in Vermont where no one knows her identity. With no phone and a car that doesn’t run, she is forced to reevaluate the life she thought she loved.

For Brent Harrison, not long after losing his wife, he moves back to his hometown of Winterberry, Vermont with his daughter Nora, to help his parents run their Inn. He hates all things Christmas and isn’t looking forward to the craziness of the season in the small town.

When he comes across a broken down car in the middle of Main Street with the most beautiful woman inside, he decides to do the right thing and invite her to stay in a room at the Inn.

As the two spend time together, an attraction grows that they both can’t seem to ignore. Will this be a Christmas that will change both of their lives forever? Or will Penelope go back to her old life, leaving Brent to pick up the pieces of his heart once again?

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?
I love getting hot cocoa and driving around to see Christmas lights. Also, my husband, daughter and I always watch Elf the night we decorate the tree and my husband gets Chick Fil A for dinner!

What’s next in writing for you? 
I have a few books planned for the future and the next Winterberry book will be coming out next Christmas!

What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been given you’d like to share?
There have been two things I have learned from writing my first book. First, write every single day. Even if it is a jumbled mess, sit down in the chair every single day and write. Second, write from your heart. Don’t try to write a book just so that it sells. Stay true to you and what feels right.

What do you know now about writing and publishing you wish you had learned sooner?
I wish I knew everything that went into publishing a book! From the marketing and the editing to all of the decisions you have to make, I have been learning as I go.

Any last words or tips?
If you are like me, and you have wanted to write a book but have been too scared to do it, just go for it. I promise, it is worth it!

Are there any other books that you’d like to tell my readers about?
I’m excited for Mary Kay Andrews’ new Christmas book, Bright Lights, Big Christmas, as well as a a novella that comes out every year, part of a series, called The Moonglow Christmas by Deborah Garner that I look forward to every year!

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

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Karen-Liszewski/author/B0CLT5KMWW

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karenliszewskiauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorkarenliszewski/

And here's a bonus for my readers...Here's a chance to get some free Clean romance eBooks, but these books are only available through 12/15 so use this link today!

https://books.bookfunnel.com/cleanromancefreebies_endsdec15th

It' Beginning to Read a Lot Like Christmas 2023: Author Interview with Heather Schneider

How did you come up with the idea for your Christmas book? Could you give a short synopsis on the book for my readers?
I woke up one morning with the idea that the Claus family has to gather Cheer throughout the year to sustain Christmas operations. The idea evolved from there into a love story of Holly Claus, who visits a small town in Oregon that has way too much Cheer. Her world turns upside down as she begins questioning everything she knew about Cheer. The story has a contemporary feel but with a light touch of magic that feels like you're inside a Hallmark Christmas movie.

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?
I love cookie swaps; the kind where each person makes a huge batch of one type of cookie, and then everyone goes home with a plate full of all different kinds of cookies. Such an easy way to sample so many delicious treats!

What’s next? 
I'm working on a sequel to Chasing Cheer set in the springtime. It will have new magical mysteries to solve and will demonstrate how holiday magic manifests all year round.

What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been given you’d like to share?
The quote "you can't edit a blank page" always resonates with me. The first time you write something, it's not going to be perfect. You have plenty of opportunities to fix it later. Just get the story out. Things magically come together during editing.

What do you know now about writing and publishing you wish you had learned sooner?
Characters are the most important part of the story. It doesn't matter how exciting or complex the plot is--if readers aren't invested in your characters, the story is going to fall flat. Create a character and put them into scenarios that force them to make decisions and, ultimately, change.

Are there any other books that you’d like to tell my readers about?
I have a sweet/clean young adult novella called Meet Me in St. Louis that's perfect for young adults who are starting to think about college or the next steps in life. The plot centers around a scavenger hunt, but there are themes of new beginnings and transitioning to adult life.

 
That's all for today's interview.  You can check out Heather's books at the link below.

https://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Cheer-Heather-Schneider-ebook/dp/B0C57HJ5B2