I love holiday stories. It’s a wonderful way to get in the mood for whichever season is upon us: Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day, Halloween…I always load up my Kindle with bunches of stories for each holiday and/or season, and then read to my heart’s content. To me it always adds just a little something extra to the season.

Writing holiday stories is quite different. The writing tends to get done outside of the season. A couple of years ago I got it into my head that I wanted to write a story based on Kenny and Dolly’s “A Christmas to Remember”. Every Christmas when we broke out the decs and holiday CDs it was on my mind. But Christmas is a busy time, and I never got around to writing it. Come January one year, I decided I was just going to buckle down and do it, even though it was past the season. I figured if it got accepted, at least I could read my own story the following season. And that’s pretty much how it happened. A Christmas to Remember was published with The Wild Rose Press in November of 2011.

With a Christmas story being released in November, I had to break my personal rule of not thinking about anything Christmas until after Thanksgiving. After all, I had a book to promote. So I decided I would write a Thanksgiving story for the following year, so I could think about the proper holiday at the proper time. I wound up writing that one in January and February and submitting it. This one was a bit of a longer road, going through a series of rewrites before being offered a contract, but ultimately An Unexpected Blessing was released in November of 2012.

So now I had this whole kind of holiday theme going. I figured…why not a Halloween story? I started outlining one in December (I have no idea what made me think of Halloween in the middle of Christmas, but as a writer, you just go with it, right?), but with the busyness of the season, I didn’t get around to doing any writing until well after Christmas. I looked at the deadline at TWRP for Halloween stories: January 28. Whew. That would be quite the feat if I could pull it off. I wasn’t planning a long story…just a short novella about 10,000 words (approximately 50 pages). But still, writing, editing, and submitting in less than a month? On top of any ‘real life’ responsibilities…was I crazy? Probably.

But…I figured I’d go for it. What the heck? If it didn’t get done for this year, I’d have plenty of time to get something in shape for 2014.

Much to my pride and sense of accomplishment, I finished the story and submitted it a week ahead of time. Last Monday afternoon, I sent a query and synopsis to my editor. By the time I got back an hour later from running some errands, she had requested to see the full mss. Thursday I got an e-mail from her saying she loved the story and was putting in a request for a contract with the senior editor! Happy Dancing ensued. And my oh my the wheels turned fast on that one!

So if the senior editor approves the contract and there are no hiccups along the way, come fall, I’ll have added another holiday title to my published works, and the world (I can dream right?) will be reading The Vampire and the Vixen. (A tongue-in-cheek is-he-or-isn’t-he contemporary Halloween romance.)

Then I’ll have to see what holiday to do next…Valentine’s Day?! Fourth of July?! I’m sure something will pop into my head.

Until next time,

Happy Reading!

Debra
www.debrastjohnromance.com

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and it’s hard to believe it’s already over. Growing up we always hosted Thanksgiving at our house, and even though those days are long gone, the memories live on. This year we hosted for the first time. My husband has a big family, and we just don’t have the room if all seventeen are coming to dinner, but this year was a small affair, with just us, his parents, and our sisters, so we volunteered to host.

Getting ready is half the fun. On Wednesday I cleaned the house, set the table, and baked the pumpkin pie. Thursday morning I did the potatoes, and then put the turkey in around 12:45. By the time everyone arrived around 2:30, the delicious smell of roasting turkey filled the house. When we sat down to eat, the table was laden with food: turkey, stuffing, two kinds of potatoes, corn, green been casserole, cranberries, and rolls. For dessert we had my pumpkin pie and my sister’s apple. Not to toot my own horn, but everything was delicious! We’ve had a couple rounds of leftovers, and there’s probably enough left for one full meal and a few odds and ends, too.

But now we’ve moved past Thanksgiving to Christmas, which is less than a month away. Our house is already decorated. We do that the day after Thanksgiving…no braving those Black Friday crowds for us. I do have some of my shopping done already, but there’s still a lot to do. What I really want to do is sit back and enjoy the season. Every part of it. The decorations. The shopping. The music. Just take time each and everyday to soak everything in. Because I know that Christmas, too, will be here and gone before we know it.

Until next time,

Happy Reading!

Debra
www.debrastjohnromance.com

Holdiay Stories from Debra St. John and The Wild Rose Press
An Unexpected Blessing - a Thanksgiving novella
A Christmas to Remember - A Christmas novella
Mistletoe and Folly - A FREE read

Fall is my favorite season. Last year when I guested here at Authors By Moonlight, I told all about the wonderful things I love about Fall, and then I lamented about those who start thinking about Christmas before we even get to Thanksgiving. I fell into that category last year as well. I had a Christmas novella which came out even before Thanksgiving, and I had to set my mind to promo. In the interest of promotion, I had to break my hard and fast rule of nothing Christmas until Thanksgiving was over. I vowed that come next year (2012 that is) I’d have a Thanksgiving novella to promote and Christmas would have to wait it’s turn.

I’m so thrilled to announce my ‘dream’ came true. On November 21 (now that’s cutting it close!) my Thanksgiving novella An Unexpected Blessing will be released! Now I can dive into all the things I love best about fall (leaves, football, chilly weather, apple cider, pumpkins, and Thanksgiving dinner) and promote my book at the same time. Because it all goes together. *sigh* I love it when all is right with the world.

So far I’ve ordered postcards, updated my web-site, and started putting together a blog tour. All with a delightful chilly breeze coming through the window, apple cider scented candles in the living room, and leaves beginning to fall outside. And I don’t have to think about Christmas for another two months. At which time I will gladly bring out the mistletoe and holly.

To tempt your reading tastebuds, here’s the cover and blurb for An Unexpected Blessing. Check out my web-site for an excerpt.

Single Mom Katy Roth thinks life can’t get any worse. In the past six months she’s been let go at work, had to move back home with her parents, and found out her ex is cutting his child support payment. As Thanksgiving approaches, she finds little to be thankful for in a life that is quickly spinning out of control.

Joe Mason is the town’s bad boy. Literally. He’s just returned from a four year stint in prison. He wants nothing more than to put the past behind him and get on with his life. He’s had a secret crush on Katy since grade school, but when Katy’s parents hire him to be their handyman, she’s less than thrilled to have him around.

But soon, through her young son’s eyes, Katy discovers the good in Joe. As their feelings for one another deepen, small town gossip and prejudice threaten to ruin everything. Will Joe’s past come between them, or will they be able to get beyond it and hold onto a love neither expected?

Until next time,

Happy Reading!

Debra

SHERRY JAMES recommends–

Okay, I’m taking the plunge an recommending my own book here. Forgive me! I really enjoy reading Christmas romances so, a while back I decided to write one of my own. I found out I really enjoy writing them, too, and I can’t wait to write another one. I hope you’ll give Adam and Ellie’s story a chance. It’s novella length, so you won’t have a ton of hours wrapped up in reading it. But some of the emotions Adam and Ellie face are ones that I, too, faced not all that long ago. This is also the first book in my new series The Cowboys of the Four Aces.

THE COWBOY AND THE HELLCAT

Tomboy Ellie Merrick is determined to one day run her family’s spread and be a respected rancher. When her father announces he’s arranged for Ellie to marry Adam, she’s determined to show the handsome and rugged cowboy her hellcat ways, hoping he’ll bug off the marriage. But when her father reveals a tragic truth, she sets aside her dreams and agrees to the marriage of convenience.

Can the magic of Christmas help the Cowboy and the Hellcat admit the love growing for each other inside their hearts?

ANNE STEPHENS recommends–

HIS MISTRESS BY CHRISTMAS
by Victoria Alexander

For three years, Lady Veronica Smithson has been perfectly happy as a widow — and thoroughly independent. Still, the right gentleman could provide the benefits of marriage without the tedious restrictions. And in Sir Sebastian Hadley-Attwater, renowned explorer and rogue, Veronica is sure she has found him.

Sebastian will come into his inheritance in a matter of weeks — if his family deems him responsible enough. There’s no better way to prove his maturity than with a home and a wife. But though the lovely Veronica will share his bed, she steadfastly refuses to marry. However, Sebastian has a plan.

An intimate sojourn at his new country house will surely change Veronica’s mind. For Sebastian never takes no for an answer. And even in the midst of mischief-making relatives and unexpected complications, he intends to persuade hisChristmas mistress that they belong together — in this, and every season to come…

Sherry James recommends–

Okay, I have to admit Julie Miller is a good buddy of mine, and my critique partner, but she is also one of my favorite writers. If you love action, suspense, and heroes to die for, be sure and check out Julie’s books. She is definitely at the top of my “authors who never disappoint” list. And I’m not just saying this because she’s a friend. I’m saying it because she’s an awesome writer. Find out for yourself by trying one of her books

KANSAS CITY CHRISTMAS

A detective with no badge, Edward Kincaid’s brooding nature scared medical examiner Holly Masterson, but couldn’t dim her holiday spirit. It was when she attracted a stalker that the most wonderful time of the year turned into the most frightening. Working together to reveal a conspiracy too many people had died covering up, Holly found Edward’s protection–and powerful embrace–hard to resist. Now, as new clues surfaced, could she bust the case wide open and give her silent knight the Christmas miracle he deserved?

Cindy Spencer Pape recommends–

This is an old favorite; Upon a Midnight Clear. In particular, White Out, by Linda Howard is one of my all-time favorite romance novellas.

UPON a MIDNIGHT CLEAR

A spirited Irishwoman comes to a rugged Colorado town to govern a young ruffian and learns a love lesson from the boy’s father….In the midst of a blizzard, a snowbound woman offers shelter to a mysterious stranger….Home for the holidays, an artist proves opposites can attract when she falls for an unconventional doctor….A holly berry-picking contest in the California hills brings two determined hearts together for the greatest prize of all….A lively family reunion on a Montana ranch brings on a flurry of memories for a beautiful young writer — and a winter storm that rekindles an old flame…. 

SHERRY JAMES recommends–

Linda Lael Miller is one of my favorite authors. I love the way she writes cowboys! And I love romance novels set around the Holidays so, I was anxious to get a copy of HOLIDAY IN STONE CREEK. One great thing about this Miller volume is you get two full length stories in one. I’m not done with the book yet, but so far am loving it!

A Stone Creek Christmas

Stone Creek veterinarian Olivia O’Ballivan communicates easily with animals, but men are another story. Especially rugged architect-turned-rancher Tanner Quinn. Olivia’s uncanny bond with his daughter Sophie’s pony has him questioning her sanity, while she wonders if he’s not just a drugstore cowboy. Then twelve-year-old Sophie conspires with Olivia to get Tanner into the spirit of Christmas. But will a holiday miracle transform the globe-trotting Tanner into a rancher—and family man—for all seasons?

At Home In Stone Creek

Everyone in Ashley O’Ballivan’s life is marrying and starting families—except her. But why bother dating when no one can compare to Jack McCall, the man who left her heartbroken years ago? Now he’s back in town —and maybe he isn’t who she thinks he is.

While recovering from a dangerous mission for the DEA, security expert Jack rents a room in Ashley’s bed-and-breakfast. For both their sakes, he tries to keep his distance, though neither can deny the growing spark between them. But when his past catches up with him, he’ll have to leave again…just as he realizes where he’s always belonged —in Stone Creek.

TIFFANY GREEN recommends–

One of my favorite holiday books is called “A Gift of Love” and is a collection of short stories by Jude Deveraux, Judith McNaught, Kimberly Cates, Andrea Kane, and Judith O’Brien.  “A Gift of Love” captures holiday magic as it transports us to… New York City, where a schoolteacher slips an antique gold ring on her finger and travels back in time to a man who desperately needs her love… a village in Victorian England, where an embittered earl seeks a governess for a lovely, defiant little girl named Noelle… a starry London night, on which a Christmas pony heralds a gift greater than any king’s ransom… the snow-covered hills of Virginia, where a young widow learns during an unexpected holiday trip that miracles really do come in the least expected packages… and a reclusive tycoon’s Vermont estate, where a determined young woman sets out to unlock the secrets of a man’s heart.

These are wonderful holiday stories that remind us the gift of love is the greatest gift of all.