The first thing you need to know about me is that I LOVE Christmas. I love. . . well, I guess I should save that for my Top 5 list, huh? Lol.
The other thing you should know about me is that I love romances. So when you combine the two, well, what could be better than a Christmas romance? And that’s why I have not one, but two new Christmas romances out this year, CHRISTMAS IN BAYBERRY and FAIRYTALE CHRISTMAS WITH THE MILLIONAIRE. The first is a small town romance and the second is a big city romance because Christmas happens everywhere.
So not only do I get to enjoy the holiday traditions with my family, but I also get to research what other people do for Christmas. Doing research for a book can be so much fun. I’m always learning something new.
Now for my favorite things about Christmas. . .
My family. . . without them, well, Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas. I’ve been known to switch our Christmas celebration to Black Friday just so the whole family would be together. And you know what, it was just as fun because it’s the people who make it special, not all of the other stuff…but between you and me, the other stuff is nice.
The food. . . where do I even begin with this? I have a lifetime of favorite foods such as thumbprint cookies, sugar cookies, nut rolls, whole cranberry salad, seasoned nuts, pecan pies…shall I keep going because I’m really starting to get hungry?
The twinkle lights. . . I just love watching television by the soft glow of the Christmas tree covered with ornaments that each have special meanings and memories.
The bayberry candle. . . yes, I always have a bayberry candle that I burn all season long. I just love the aroma. In fact, I have one burning as I write this list. And yes, the Christmas tree is lit. And I have the television or with… well, this leads me to my final thing I love about Christmas. . .
Hallmark Christmas movies. . . I watch them every year. They’re so uplifting and festive. When you watch them, you are guaranteed a holiday romance with a happy ending. And perhaps that’s why I endeavored to write a Hallmark romance. . . CHRISTMAS IN BAYBERRY. No, it’s not a movie, but when I wrote it, it played like a movie in my mind. And I’ve been told by numerous readers that it reads like a Hallmark movie too.
Wes cleared his throat. “So you came to Bayberry the same year I did.”
“Really?” Kate looked at him as though trying to picture him as a kid.
He nodded. “I remember you. Ninth grade, right?”
She stared at him. Her fine brows drew together as she pursed her lips. “You look familiar, but I can’t place you. I’m sorry. I wish I could.”
“It’s no big deal.” So then why did it feel important to him? “We were just kids.”
She gave him a funny look. “I can’t believe I would forget you.”
“I didn’t forget you.” Now why had he gone and said that?
Color filled her cheeks. “I don’t even want to know what you thought of me back then. I was shy and scared of life without my parents.”
“I thought you were wonderful.” He smiled shyly. “In fact, to be totally honest, I had a crush on you.”
Her mouth gaped. “You did?”
The room grew uncomfortably warm. Why did he keep admitting these things to her? She didn’t even remember him, and yet he remembered everything about her, including the small, unsteady smile she’d given him when they bumped into each other, quite literally, after math class. Her pen had fallen to the floor and he’d picked it up for her. It had happened right before his father uprooted them once again and moved them to Atlanta.
His gaze met and held hers. His heart was pounding. “I did.”
“I feel really bad I can’t remember you. There was just so much going on back then.”
“I understand.” He really did, now that he knew her past. “It’s no big deal.”
Can a struggling candle companykindle a Christmas romance?
Kate Taylor knows what she wants in life: to one day run her family’s candle business, which is at the heart of the close-knit community of Bayberry, Vermont. But the company isn’t doing well.
Wesley Adams is on the fast track to be an assistant vice president at his financial firm in Manhattan. Before the promotion is announced, he’s sent to this small town from his past to do a analysis of the candle company.
He doesn’t expect to bump into his childhood crush, Kate, and when he does, sparks fly. As he spends time in Bayberry, he falls for the town’s Christmas traditions—and for her. But he has a responsibility to submit an honest report. Will it extinguish Kate’s dreams…along with any chance they have for a future together?
Romance Holiday [Hallmark Publishing, On Sale: July 7, 2020, Trade Size, ISBN: 9781947892811 / ]
Under threat of eviction, Alina Martin finds herself making a deal with infamous CEO Graham Toliver. He may be used to getting what he wants, but Alina’s not going to back down. Yet as Alina gets to know Graham, she realizes that there is more to the charming CEO than she initially thought--could their arrangement lead to her happily-ever-after in time for Christmas?
From Harlequin Romance: Be swept away by glamorous and heartfelt love stories.
Award-winning author Jennifer Faye pens fun, heartwarming romances. Jennifer has won the RT Book Reviews Reviewers' Choice Award, named a TOP PICK author, and been nominated for numerous awards. Now living her dream, she resides with her patient husband, amazing daughter (the other remarkable daughter is off chasing her own dreams) and two spoiled cats.
My favorite thing about Christmas is seeing all the lights and decorations. (Tina Rucci 1:05am December 7, 2020)
My favorite thing about Christmas is visiting family but this year it's definitely the lights (since I can't see family.) I go on nightly walks so I can see all the decorations. (Meredith Winn 2:25am December 9, 2020)
I love the family time and sharing. (Debra Guyette 6:41am December 9, 2020)
Remembering what is really important and reflecting on all of our blessings. (Jessica Whitacre 9:34am December 9, 2020)
having all my grandchildren with me,,that what means the most (Vickie Couturier 11:51am December 9, 2020)
Having my family with me is the most important part of Christmas. I especially enjoy watching the little ones in my family as they play together and having time to be with the older family mem bers. (Anna Speed 12:54pm December 9, 2020)
My favorite thing about Christmas is about spending time with my family. (Cynthia St. Germain 5:53pm December 9, 2020)
My favorite thing about christmas is having a day off to relax with family. (Lisa L. 6:01pm December 9, 2020)
. ..another day off from work, to spend with family. (Martin Bodnar 6:42pm December 9, 2020)
My favorite thing about Christmas is celebrating such a giving holiday and spending time with family. (Tracy Urschler 11:23pm December 9, 2020)
My favorite thing about Christmas is spending time with my family. We decorate, bake and wrap gifts together. Every day together is wonderful. (Nancy Krueger 11:30pm December 9, 2020)
I love bayberry candles, singing carols, holiday music in general and, of course, the desserts like butterball cookies. (Alyson Widen 11:54pm December 9, 2020)
My favorite is getting together with friends and family. Since my husband was in the military, we learned early on holidays and birthdays, etc. are just dates on the calendar. You celebrate the event when you can with those who are important to you. We haven't moved Christmas back as far as Black Friday, but have certainly celebrated it a few days or even a couple of weeks late. (Patricia Barraclough 3:21am December 10, 2020)
Helping my mom with her baking. I don't like to cook but I enjoy spending time together. Thanks for the chance. (Lynn Brown 4:57pm December 10, 2020)
My favorite thing about Christmas is going to the local Christmas tree farm in Wild Rose, Wisconsin. We bring the tree home and decorate with Christmas music playing, a fire in the fireplace and a drink of hot chocolate with lots of marshmallows! (Laurie Gommermann 1:01pm December 11, 2020)
I love all the Christmas decorations & baking. (Jana B 10:42pm December 11, 2020)
Seeing family & reminiscing of past Christmases together. (Irene Henderson 4:40pm December 12, 2020)
My favorite things about Christmas are the traditions. Baking cookies with family (in the past we included extended family like my daughter-in-laws little brother. He now asked at Halloween when cookie day is!). The kids opening their annual ornament and hanging it on the tree. Watching our favorite Christmas movies and reading together. (Patti Paonessa 9:12pm December 12, 2020)