Today bestselling author Jenny Hale. It’s officially the season for Christmas romance, and few authors capture the magic of the holidays quite like Jenny. So grab a cozy cup of cocoa, settle in, and get to know the author behind your next holiday favorite!
LIGHTNING ROUND
What’s your go-to fall drink, snack, or sweet treat while writing?
I’m a PSL (Pumpkin Spice Latte) girl all the way. I adore them. I make mine at home with homemade cashew milk, pumpkin puree, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
If your main character could plan the perfect early autumn getaway, where would they go?
She’d probably have a blackberry dessert wine, wrapped in a thick-knit cardigan at a winery with a view of the mountains, so she could glimpse the fall foliage.
What simple ritual helps you settle into a productive writing day?
One word: Coffee. Always hot (never iced for the purpose of writing), latte.
THE FALL INSPIRATION
What was the very first spark that inspired this story?
The title came first for me. I went back and forth with Postmarked Christmas and POSTMARKED DECEMBER. From there, I created a story that warranted that title.
Tell us about a scene that changed dramatically between your first draft and the final manuscript. What led to the revision?
I didn’t have any that changed dramatically, but in my second draft, I did include a chapter of something at the end that I can’t disclose or it would give away part of the story. You’ll have to read the book to find out, but once you get to it, you’ll know.
Did any character unexpectedly take the story in a direction you hadn’t planned?
Sometimes my characters do this, but this one was pretty straightforward and all my characters behaved themselves.
Your setting feels like a character in its own right. What inspired you to choose it, and how does it shape the story?
Her husband was a singer songwriter/musician, so Nashville is the perfect backdrop for this.
As the seasons change, many of us reflect on the past. Did any personal memories, traditions, or meaningful places influence this book?
I actually frequent downtown Franklin, Tennessee, and my husband and I took a trip to Greenville, South Carolina at Christmas—both are front and center in the book.
THE PERSONAL TOUCH
Every novel has its challenges. Was there a moment while writing this one that reminded you why you love storytelling?
The challenge for this one was having the character Toby be a main character even though he’s no longer with us. I wanted his love and compassion to shine, but he wasn’t able to talk except through notes to Heather.
If readers could step into one scene from your book for a day, which would you choose and why?
I’d have them visit the Grand Bohemian Lodge in Greenville. My hubby and I stayed there at Christmas and I highly recommend it. It’s the inspiration for the scene where Heather and Nick meet back up after their flight.
LOOKING AHEAD
Can you give readers a sneak peek at what you’re working on next—without giving away any spoilers?
Oh my goodness. I’m bouncing between four books right now, trying to decide what will come next. I think I’ll be re-releasing next a summer novel that I’m completely rewriting. I also might have a surprise Christmas release separate from POSTMARKED DECEMBER. Lots coming!
Where can readers connect with you and stay up to date on your latest books? Please share your website, newsletter, and social media links.
My website, and social media sites like Facebook and Instagram
From the USA Today bestselling author of the book‑to‑TV stories Coming Home for Christmas and Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses, with over one million copies of her books sold, comes a moving holiday read perfect for fans of Sheila Roberts, Debbie Macomber, and Jill Shalvis.
A year after losing her husband, Toby, Heather Hart’s favorite season feels like a ghost town—until a mysterious red and white envelope arrives, asking her to visit a nearby location, with a message seemingly from Toby himself, as it contains details that only he could know.
There, she receives another envelope with a new destination. The messages continue through the holiday. Each new note is filled with clues that send her down Memory Lane and a new place to visit to find out what comes next.
Determined to uncover the origin of the anonymous cards, Heather embarks on a magical excursion, discovering a trail of love, loss, and hope. Along the way, she meets the incredibly charismatic and friendly Nicholas Monroe, who inexplicably appears during her journey like some sort of Christmas miracle. Could he help her unravel the mystery, or will he upend her world with deep secrets of his own?
A captivating, heartwarming journey filled with Christmas magic and the promise of healing love. If you enjoyed the TV movies based on Jenny’s books and are searching for more feel‑good romance, look no further!
Romance Contemporary | Romance Holiday [ Harpeth Road Press, On Sale: October 6, 2026, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9781963483604 / ]
When I graduated college, one of my friends said, “Look out for this one; she’s going to be an author one day.” Despite being an avid reader and a natural storyteller, it wasn’t until that very moment that the idea of writing novels occurred to me. Sometimes our friends can see the things that we can’t. While I didn’t start straight away, that comment sowed a seed and several years, two children, and hundreds of thousands of words later, I completed a novel that I felt was worthy of publication. The result is Coming Home for Christmas, a heart-warming story about friends, family, and the magic of love at Christmas. The rest is history. When I’m not writing, I’m a mother of two boys and a wife to a very supportive husband.
Jennifer Vido is the author of The Gull Island Series, sweet Lowcountry romances inspired by her love of coastal living and small-town charm. Serendipity by the Sea won Best First Book from the New Jersey Romance Writers Golden Leaf Contest, and Baltimore Magazine readers named her Best Local Author in 2024 and 2025.
A Vanderbilt graduate, Jennifer traded in teaching French to follow her dream of becoming an author. She loves discovering and sharing literary gems through her Jen's Jewels column, celebrating the books that make her heart happy.
Jennifer lives in Maryland with her husband and is mom to two grown sons. Her rescue dog, Fripp, is her constant companion, though he's better at napping than editing. When she's not writing, you'll find her at the beach with her toes in the sand, dreaming about her next romance.
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