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Christmas Reading Reward

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Every year I set aside the time from Thanksgiving week through New Year’s Day to read Christmas-themed novels. It’s one of the ways I enjoy the season. However, this year my Christmas reading can’t start until Dec. 1, the day I turn in my book. And so Christmas reading will be my reward for finishing. Only I had no idea how motivating this would turn out to be!

Three of my (many) favorite authors have Christmas books releasing this year! Although I confess I already have—and have read!—one of them.

Karen Witemeyer’s Under the Texas Mistletoe showed up in my mailbox in September and I couldn’t resist! I devoured the first of the three novellas, “A Texas Christmas Carol.” In truth, I read the other two in their previously published versions, but I may dip into them again in December because I still remember how much I loved them both.

Then I discovered that both Becky Wade and Susan May Warren have Christmas-themed books coming—and both are releasing at the end of November!

Be. Still. My. Heart.

Becky’s book, You and Me, is set in the town of her current series, Misty River. I can’t wait revisit it during the holidays.

Susan May Warren’s Have Yourself a Christiansen Christmas returns to the place and people I have come to adore–the Christiansen family of Deep Haven. They truly feel like real people to me. Reading this book will feel like catching up with old friends.

You can bet I pre-ordered them both!

There will be plenty more Christmas books that find their way to my list in December, but knowing these will be waiting for me at the finish line will get me through those last few days of revisions. The hardest part will be deciding which one of them to read first!

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D'Ann Mateer

Inspired by novelist Eugenia Price, D’Ann’s dream of writing historical fiction with an element of faith began in middle school, though her serious drive toward publication took a bit longer. D’Ann is the author of four historical novels and one novella, as well as a contemporary short stories in a compilation volume. D’Ann and her husband of 30 years can be found in Austin, TX when they aren’t touring historic sites or visiting their grown children.

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Comments

  1. I love reading Christmas-themed books in December, D’Ann! I look forward to it every year. I have a couple books waiting for my attention already, but I’m always on the lookout for more recommendations. Of course, I end up reading through January most years. I’m so glad you enjoyed dipping into my collection and whetting your appetite for the rest of the season. 🙂 And how exciting to have your WIP nearly complete. Hooray!

  2. Thanks so much for mentioning my story! 🙂 I had a ball writing it and I really hope it blesses readers.

    I think saving some gifts to yourself (like stories) as a reward for finishing a project is brilliant. We writers need to celebrate milestone moments like that!

  3. I read “Under the Texas Mistletoe” from the library and enjoyed reading. The cover art for “Have Yourself…” is beautiful–it has the look of a painting.

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