It seems a little strange to talk about Christmas books when it is August in Texas with triple digit heat. However, it’s the perfect time to stock your winter book pantry to ensure you are well-supplied for the holiday season. Especially, when the bargains are bounding!
I have a new Christmas novella collection releasing September 2. Tracie Peterson and Misty Beller partnered with me on this project, and I couldn’t be happier to share this with them. This collection is particularly special to me because the three stories were inspired by three elements of the nativity – the overcrowded inn, the shepherds receiving good news, and three wise men journeying from the east.
If you preorder the book from Baker Book House, not only will you receive 40% off the retail price, but you will also received a postcard signed by all three authors, and two digital advent calendars. One is a fun paper chain full of activities to complete with your loved ones inspired by activites Tracie, Misty, and I enjoy. The other is a more spiritual devotional advent calendar featuring a Bible verse and personal reflection for each day focused on the nativity.
My story – A Star in the West – plays on the three wise men by bringing a trio of Harvard mathematics professors from the East to visit Baylor University in Texas. I love giving my characters names that reflect the theme of the story, and this one was no exception. Our heroine is named Stella Barrington, Stella, of course, meaning “star.” The three wise men from the east traveling from Harvard have names giving a nod to the gifts of the magi. Professors Goldstein (gold) and Muir (myrrh) accompany our hero, Frank Napier Stentz (Frank N. Stentz).
Baylor University in the 1890s.
I embraced my inner nerd with my hero and heroine. He is a genius-level mathematician and she is the daughter of a professor who runs his home and sponsors a literary society on campus.
Frank and Stella.
Two of my children were mathematics majors in college and my daughter is nearly finished with her PhD from Texas A&M, so having a college setting made it extra special. It doesn’t hurt that my day job is working in the Registrar’s Office at Abilene Christian University. My husband works on campus too. Academia runs through our family’s veins.
There is also a Goodreads Giveaway going on right now. Click here to enter.
How many Christmas books do you typically read between Thanksgiving and Christmas?
What other Christmas reads are you looking forward to this year?
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Have already ordered this from Baker. I can usually read about ten books in the Christmas season, which I extend until the middle of January. I’m also looking forward to two other novella collections: Christmas Mail Order Brides and A Very English Christmas, both headed by Carrie Turansky.
I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed To Love a Beast! Absolutely fantastic, from the very powerful prologue to the ending.
Thanks you so much for those sweet words, Betty. Thanks, too, for the Christmas recommendations. I love reading shorter stories during the holidays and am always on the lookout for novella collections.
I have no idea how many I read during the actual season! I start reading them before then!!
Why not have the Christmas spirit year-round, right? 🙂
I don’t keep count other than my Goodreads list. I just keep reading! I usually have 2-3 books going at once, plus the picture books I read. This new Christmas collection sounds great! Congratulations!! I look forward to reading it. On my way to order…
Yay! Thanks, Angie. Hope you love it!
I love to read Christmas stories leading up to Christmas. I think I usually run between 6 and 8 most years.
I love starting CHristmas stories right after Thanksgiving. I usually only finish a couple, though, since I have so little reading time. Even so, I enjoy them thoroughly!
I love to read autumn themed and then Christmas themed books towards the last quarter of the year or so.
I know I will try All’s Fair in Love and Christmas by Sarah Monzon because I got it on a Kindle special. I haven’t decided everything else yet, but your post reminded me I need to start those autumn and Christmas TBR lists ASAP! The one you’ve featured here looks lovely!
You are putting me in the mood for fall reads, Amy! I love that tradition. 🙂
Yay! I can’t wait for this to come out! I love stories set at Christmas time. I particularly enjoy reading them as we approach Christmas. I probably read 6-8 books most years during the Christmas season.
Christmas stories are just so warm and cozy, aren’t they? They make me happy.
I tend to read them when I’m on in the mood regardless of the weather I know on the 10 minute Book Talk (YouTube channel) Kristy Cambron is reading them now because they bring her joy.
That’s awesome! I’m all for keeping the Christmas spirit alive all year!
I love Christmas books … the number of them I read in December has been 1 to 3 …. last year I realized audio books opens up new possibilities, to ‘read’ a few more. The featured book, ‘On a Midnight Clear’ is the type of book that I enjoy this time of year, because I tend to judge the book by its cover when it comes to Christmas books. I’m looking forward to reading this book!