I admit it. I’m one of those grumbly types who complains about Christmas merchandise showing up in stores before Halloween. No carol singing allowed until after Thanksgiving. No decorations put up until the first weekend of December. Bah, humbug!
The one area where I make an exception is shopping. Christmas shopping can be stressful, so if I can pick up a few items throughout the year and store them up to reduce the pressure in December, I am happy to do so. I also like to stock up on Christmas reads ahead of time so that I’ll be ready to start reading the day after Thanksgiving. I prefer novellas during the Christmas season, since they are fast and easy to squeeze in amongst all the other responsibilities.
And here I am in the first week of September talking about Christmas stories. I suppose some rules are made to be broken. Or at least bent. Since I have a Christmas collection that released on August 31, I guess this is one of those times where significant bending is allowed.
Despite my Scroogish attitude when it comes to early Christmas decorations, I adore this holiday. In fact, these Christmas novellas have been some of my favorite projects to date, despite the fact that I was writing them in autumn. This is my first solo collection, and it’s full of Christmas spirit.
For those of you who have been waiting for a print edition of An Archer Family Christmas, here it is! When the Archer clan gathers for a Christmas reunion, they encounter an unexpected request for help that will require all their effort and a Christmas miracle to see them through.
In addition, this collection features a brand new story called A Texas Christmas Carol. Ever wondered what Charles Dickens’s story might have looked like if it took place in the Old West instead Victorian England? I did, and I had so much fun giving this classic tale a romantic, western twist. A town’s wealthy, Scrooge-like bachelor finds his world invaded by a woman set on earning his donation for helping the local poor, and the penetrating questions of three mysterious visitors.
The final story is Gift of the Heart, which was previously published in The Christmas Heirloom collection. A widow uses the family brooch as collateral for a loan from the local resort owner. But the more she comes to know the heart behind the stern businessman, the more she hopes for a second chance at love this Christmas.
The collection also contains Christmas recipes, a seasonal devotional, and interesting historical tidbits centered around Victorian Christmas traditions.
Christian Book Special Edition
You have several buying options for this collection, as with any book, but I’d like to recommend that you consider purchasing from Christian Book. The reason? They have exclusive rights to an original novelette I wrote this spring. The only way to get this bonus story is to purchase the special edition through Christian Book. It will not be included in copies purchased elsewhere. The short story is titled My True Love Gave to Me and plays with a Texas version of the twelve days of Christmas. When a new suitor arrives in Bethlehem, TX, Simeon has twelve days before Christmas to prove to Anna’s father that he is her true love.
Christian Book Special Edition – Includes Bonus Short Story
Amazon | Baker Book House | Barnes & Noble – Does not include bonus story
Do you save Christmas reads for December only, or do you read them year-round?
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I have this book sitting on my nightstand and it’s been there for a few weeks. I’m just not quite ready to jump into a Christmas story yet. Maybe in a month or so…
But that doesn’t take away from my excitement to read it!!
I don’t blame you, Kathy. I prefer saving my Christmas reads for Nov/Dec. I hope you enjoy it when the time is right! 🙂
Well, that cover just gets me in the mood for Christmas and it’s only September 2!! 🙂
Thanks, Deb! I was so pleased with the bright red dress and gorgeous updo on the model. 🙂 And the sprig of mistletoe was the perfect hint of romance. Well, that and the cowboy coming home. 🙂
I am recommending this book as a great Christmas gift for reader friends!!
These stories were all delightful!
Thanks so much, Melissa! I’m so glad you enjoyed them. And I love that you are recommending the collection to reader friends. Thank you!
You and I are FAR apart on the Christmas spirit, but thank goodness the Lord creates all kinds of us, huh?! I’m the one that puts up her Christmas trees (yes, PLURAL) on Halloween night followed soon after by all of my other decorations. I never stop listening to Christmas music all year long and I read Christmas novels straight through November and December, though I prefer full length ones because I read too fast. But, since I have this new book of yours already I’m pretty sure it won’t wait until November to be read. 🙂 Merry Christmas! 😉
I love your spirit, Vickie! Christmas is wonderful and I love that you spread the enjoyment of it out over more time. 🙂
I watched my first Hallmark Christmas movie last night. Yikes! But this Texas heat demanded cooling off some. Your novella collection looks wonderful.
I agree with you about the Texas heat, Shelli. A little snowy Christmas movie would be a nice way to compensate. 🙂
Yes, I love buying ahead for the Christmas season.
Your book is on the way here. Thank you!
Hope you love it, Jen!
I like to read Christmas stories – novellas and full length – all of November and December.
I’m the same way, Ann. I try to save them up for the holiday season, and then read only Christmas stories during that time. 🙂
I borrowed a copy of your new book from the library. It looks lovely! It doesn’t include the bonus story. I’ll enjoy reading it just same. 🙂
So glad your library has a copy, Elisa! I’m hoping that I’ll be able to use the bonus story on my own at some future time, so it’s possible you will still get to read it at some future date. 🙂
I can read them anytime but I prefer to save them till November and December.
Me, too, Lucy. 🙂
Here in Germany the summer has been so cold I already started reading christmas books, watching christmas movies and drinking Glühwein. And I started to prepare the Adventskalender for friends already. 🙂
It sounds like the Christmas spirit has come early, Eli. 🙂 I’m glad you are taking full advantage.
I mostly read Christmas novellas between Thanksgiving and Christmas but do read some earlier. Look forward to visiting the Archer family!
Karen,
I want your new Christmas book, and would be happy to purchase from Christian Book. However, I need it in either a Large Print or ebook version that I can see. When I went to the Christian Book site, neither of these were available. Do you know if they WILL be, or is there any other way I can get the bonus story?