It's Beginning to Read Like Christmas 2023: Wishing You a Merry Christmas

It's been a busy Christmas blog posting for me this year. I started my first post about Christmas books back at the end of October. Since then I've done two postings a week introducing you to various authors and providing many opportunities to easily get free books in the process.

I've also been active with the Facebook group, Clean Christmas Romance Readers. I participated in their 25 Days of Christmas online party where games were played, favorite traditions about Christmas shared, and eBooks were given away. I also was a part of their Christmas in July promotion.

And of course my biggest writing project of the year was working with 11 other romance authors to create a box set of Christmas themed novellas. I’ve enjoyed getting to know them through online chats and getting additional tips on writing as

well. I'll be working with a few of them again with a new Christmas box set for 2024. I just started the book for that one but only have 3000 words of a rough draft so far. My early stages of writing usually have me playing in my head with several different plot lines. I know how I want my book to finish, but I've got to decide which of those plot line routes I'll be taking.

I also have another Christmas book in the final edit. It’s a time travel Christmas romance. I'm not sure if I want to do that as a standalone book or try to place that in another box set with other authors. I had a lot of fun doing the research for that book which starts in the present day and goes back to 1955. That book tells the tale of a young woman who's too much of a workaholic.

She’s transported back to 1955 by Santa and gets to spend time with her beloved grandfather who died when she was young and learns through her time in that era of the importance of valuing friends and family.

During this year, I’ve published a number of books. I hope you'll check them out on Amazon. I've written fun books for kids, sweet romances, devotionals for families, and even a cookbook.  Here's the link so you can find them all and see what's coming next as well. 

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Christine-L.-Henderson/author/B09L2Y7XNP

I'm personally not participating in any eBook giveaways at this time, but I’m still going to point to some others as a special Christmas gift. Here's an assortment of free eBook reads from romance, to mystery, to thrillers. Some are Christmas themed and some are not.   https://books.bookfunnel.com/christmas_stories_for_leads

         Merry Christmas and all the best for the coming New Year!

It's Beginning to Read Like a Sweet Chritmas Romance 2023: Author Interview with Jess Hansen

What made you decide to write Christmas themed books? Could you give a short synopsis on the books for my readers?
I honestly love the feeling of the Christmas season.  The music, the lights, the gathering of family and friends… it is a magical time of year when anything is possible. As a small-town girl myself, I love small-town romances. Pairing my love of Christmas with small-town romances seemed like the perfect combination!

All of my books are categorized as clean and wholesome romance, so they are appropriate for any age to read. That is important to me because I have a teenage daughter who is a voracious reader.  Finding positive stories without adult content hasn’t always been easy for us.  When I started writing fiction three years ago, it was my goal to create lighthearted happy-ever-afters for everyone.  

My Christmas series, Heartwarming Holidays, has warm holiday feels all wrapped in a cozy small-town romance. An interconnected series of novellas, this list is short and sweet and filled with holiday joy!  My newest release is Mistletoe Wishes, A Sweet Christmas Collection that includes all of the beloved stories of my readers’ favorite couple: Melanie and Tom. For these best friends to more, it all started on Christmas Eve. The collection includes an exclusive bonus short story that everyone has been waiting for: a wedding!

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?
In our small-town, Santa rides up and down every single street just after dinner on Christmas Eve.  Pulled by a wagon, our local fire trucks honk and blow their sirens to announce his arrival in their mini street parade.  When my daughter was small, they used to stop and say her name in front of our house.  Now that she is older we still stand outside anxiously awaiting his arrival and wave.  Inside we always have a fire burning in our fireplace, holiday music playing and a few last minute cookies in the oven. 

What’s next in writing for you? 
So much!  I have a brand new Christmas series debuting soon.  Clayton Avenue Christmas is a series trilogy of three generations of women living on Clayton Avenue in the sweet small-town of Holly Oak.  The Hope of Christmas is up first!  

Here is a little glimpse:
The small-town of Holly Oak is brimming with holiday spirit.  The cobblestone streets of the downtown are bathed in twinkly lights with  music streaming from each decorated storefront from Thanksgiving through the New Year.  Sounds of the season feel like a warm hug in the chill of winter air.  While historic town bells hang from every lamp post on Main and Commerce Streets. 

Perhaps the most jolly street of all is Clayton Avenue.  One of oldest streets in the town, the homes are decked out with colored light displays that glisten in the darkness of early evening.  
The Fairchilds have called Clayton Avenue home since the fifties.  Rose Fairchild grew up there in the thirties and purchased a home next door to her parents after she got married.  She raised her daughter, Lily Anna, there and then her grandchildren, Sadie Lynn and Frankie.  The house now belongs to Sadie and with it all of the traditions of the holiday season.  

Clayton Avenue Christmas is a sweet trilogy of three generations of Fairchild women.  Filled with hope, memories and the light of the holiday season, this series is worth cuddling up with!

What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been given you’d like to share?
Write every single day.  It isn’t always easy juggling all the hats of motherhood, marriage, and the things life throws at us; but putting down a few words every day is so important to keep the creative juices flowing.  

What do you know now about writing and publishing you wish you had learned sooner?
It is okay to make mistakes.  As an Indie Author, especially starting out I thought everything had to be perfect.  Ha! Few things in life ever are.  Mistakes are opportunities to learn and grow!  

Any last words or tips?
Thank you so much for having me! I am so excited to share my love of books, sweet romance and Chritsmas with everyone! 

Are there any other books that you’d like to tell my readers about?
My Sweet Summer Landings series is a collection of summer love stories. Each novel features a different couple ranging in age from YA to Later in Life. 

The Landings is a charming small town where each season is more beautiful than the last. Lapping tides, landing waterfowl, and the call of tree frogs in the distance provide an ongoing romantic soundtrack. Relax into this little coastal village in the Mid-Atlantic. Enjoy perfect seasons, swoony first kisses and heartwarming happily ever afters in this sweet romance series.

That's all for today's interview. Jess has many more books than just the Christmas ones and here's how you can get all their details.

Facebook Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cleanromance
Bookstore: https://books2read.com/JHansen
Website: https://jesshansenauthor.com/

And here's a freebie for my readers... Moonlight and Mistletoe: A Short & Sweet Christmas Romance is free to read for a limited time: https://books2read.com/u/4jNz6o

Kick-off to the Christmas Blog Posts Season and Giveaways!

Drum roll, please…🥁🥁Get ready for a joyful journey through the world of Christmas-themed books! Starting today through Christmas, my blog posts will be filled with chats from various authors, who will share their unique writing approach for holiday books. You’ll hear about heartwarming children's tales to gripping suspense stories, cozy mysteries, romantic comedies, and nostalgic historical romances. 

In these posts, each author will share their favorite Christmas traditions, the inspiration behind their festive books, and valuable writing tips. Plus, you'll get an exclusive sneak peek into their upcoming projects. And since we’re celebrating the season of giving, there will be an assortment of giveaways sprinkled generously throughout the season!

To kick it off, I’m highlighting my own Christmas themed books. The first book is ‘Twas the Day Before Christmas. When you feel like a "Bah Humbug to Christmas" coming on, grab a mug of hot cocoa and let your spirit be lifted as you rediscover the true meaning of Christmas in this delightful picture book for adults and children to share. It's written in the poetic style of Clement Moore's poem. But rather than focus on Santa, this story is told from a Christian perspective, with Christ’s birth as the reason for the season.

The second book, Please Let Santa fly, tells about the push to put Santa on the naughty list, even though he is the essence of good. Who is behind this push to make Santa the number one offender of being naughty? Maybe it's payback from someone who doesn't like being on the naughty list. You'll giggle and laugh at the funny antics around the North Pole and beyond to resolve this issue. Then decide for yourself if you're on Team Santa Nice list or Team Santa Naughty list.

Both of these books are currently only available in eBook format. I'm waiting for my final proof and edit for the print version. Hopefully, both will be available as paperback editions next week.

So, snuggle up with a cup of hot cocoa and join me in celebrating the magic of Christmas in the most delightful way—through the joy of reading.

If you'd like to learn more about these books and others I've written, here's the link to my Amazon author page. https://www.amazon.com/stores/Christine-L.-Henderson/author/B09L2Y7XNP

Now for my giveaway… one lucky reader all receive an eBook of my newest cookbook filled with easy to do recipes ranging from tantalizing appetizers to yummy desserts. See the cover to the left.

Leave a short post below telling me about one of your favorite recipes and you'll be entered into the drawing for next week.