But…
I have a new Christmas book about to be released, and my author copies arrived and well…it must be true! Christmas is almost here. :-) This of course means I can look forward to my five favourite things about the festive season:
- The First Noel. This is my all-time favourite Christmas carol. It gives me goosebumps whenever I hear it.
- Christmas cake. Yum! I love fruitcake and I only make it and eat it during the festive season, which, in my opinion, only makes it all the more special.
- Presents. I love shopping. Therefore it follows that I love shopping for presents. Oh, the sense of triumph when you find the *perfect* gift! I love giving presents too. See? Win-win.
- Bailey’s Irish Cream on ice. I don’t know when or why this became the Christmas drink of choice, but the very scent of it makes me feel all Christmassy.
- Parties—family parties, friends’ parties, work parties. This is the time of year to spread some Christmas cheer and to make sure your loved ones know how much you love and appreciate them. Is there anything better than getting together with family and friends over a meal, talking ten-to-the-dozen, laughing, and simply being together?
This year, with Snowbound Surprise for the Billionaire slotted for release on Dec 2, I have even more cause for cheer and celebration. Pretty cover, huh?
What's more, in the UK I have a By Request rerelease of Christmas at Candlebark Farm (in an anthology with Cara Colter and Janice Lynn).
And believe it or not, in Australia I have THREE (!!!) Christmas stories coming out in two separate digital anthologies. There’s The Nanny Who Saved Christmas and Christmas at Candlebark Farm in: A Sweet Aussie Christmas (with Nikki Logan). And His Christmas Angel in: Home For an Aussie Christmas (with Marion Lennox and Kandy Shepherd). The covers are beautiful.
So it feels as if all my Christmases are coming at once. :-) To celebrate—and to help get everyone in the Christmas spirit—I’m giving away a copy of Snowbound Surprise for the Billionaire along with this twinkly Christmas brooch. Just leave a comment telling me what you love about the festive season.
Edited to add: Entries close midnight on Friday (Australian EST), and I'll post the winner's name in the comments here. :-)
Being with more friends and family. Hands down (and I don't mean like when you are playing Twister, LOL)!
ReplyDeleteLOL, Laney. I now have visions of families, full from Christmas dinner, playing Twister. Given that I've taken up yoga this year, I suspect I might've become a dab hand at Twister. ;-)
DeleteWoohoo Michelle
ReplyDeleteI too love Christmas seeing the looks on my grandkids faces on Christmas morning and spending time with the family and of course Christmas cake which I need to start getting things ready to make :)
Congrats on all of those releases I can't wait to read your new one
Have Fun
Helen
Oh, Helen, that's so true about the looks on kids faces. Children bring a particular joy to Christmas, don't they? Such fun!
DeleteWow, you've got the festive season covered with all those Christmas stories! I LOVE the cover on Snowbound Surprise for the Billionaire - very romantic.
ReplyDeleteI love everything about the holiday season - spending time with loved ones, Christmas-themed food, buying presents for people, decorating my tree...the list goes on!
The cover fairy has been extraordinarily kind to me this year, Stef. :-)
DeleteI suspect that Christmas this year is even more exciting for you with it (probably) being a white Christmas! I hope you have a ball. :-)
Well snap there twin on the Chrstmas cake/pudding - its my favourite gastronomic part of the season :-)
ReplyDeleteBut I think you can be forgiven about the tree.....I'd have thougt you were serioulsy anal if you had that sucker up already!
Christmas cake and pudding, Amy, are so yum that they're off the yum-charts. ;-)
DeleteYeah, I'm forgiving myself about the tree too. It rarely goes up before Dec 1…and as it's only about 2 feet high it takes all of 10 mins to put together. That said, I'm amazed at how many Christmas trees and lights I'm seeing around.
I've added a note into the above post confirming that entries for the book and brooch close on Friday at midnight (Aust EST) and that I'll announce the winner in the comments here. Good luck everyone! :-)
ReplyDeleteUh oh, lots of Christmas stories from the LoveCats this year.
ReplyDeleteI love the time off and time with family that comes with the Christmas season. However, I must qualify that with disliking the build up to Christmas/holiday season due to my birthday being Dec 17.
If it puts your mind at rest any, Lyn, all of mine bar Snowbound Surprise are reprints of my older stories (somewhere along the line I've managed to write 4! Christmas stories). :-)
DeleteActually, I'm totally with you. One of the best things about the holiday season is the holiday -- not having to go to work. Very nice!
I hear you on the birthday so close to Christmas too. My mum's birthday is Christmas Eve and my little brother's is Christmas Day. We try to celebrate those a month early. :-) Wishing you a happy birthday for next month!
I love EVERYTHING about Christmas. I know what you mean about finding the right gifts. I shop all year round. Spread the fun & it's relaxing.
ReplyDeleteOoh, I used to do that too, Mary -- buy gifts early -- but I haven't these last couple of years. Must try to remember to do that again as it's lots of fun (and does make things more relaxing). :-)
DeleteI love the Christmas light and all the animated Christmas decorations, but the best thing is the midnight services celebrating the birth of Christ!
ReplyDeleteOoh, the Christmas lights are a definite highlight, Cindy! And, yes, I have many fond memories of midnight mass. :-)
DeleteThe time spent together with family which is a treasure and memorable. Enjoyable fun and unforgettable time. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing quite like getting together with far-flung family is there, traveler?
DeleteThe meals which are prepared with care and love which we all appreciate, savor and enjoy. Friends who are able to visit and all our family who love this celebration. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeletePetite, everyone does seem to go the extra mile at Christmas-time--both in the preparations and the travelling. It's a great time of year. :-)
DeleteMichelle, I just love getting together with family and enjoying sumptuous food. It's even better now we have a grandson who will be two this Christmas.
ReplyDeleteOh, you'll have so much fun this Christmas, Sue, with a 2 year old to fuss over and watch as he opens his presents! Enjoy him (and all that sumptuous food). ;-)
DeleteMichelle, huge congratulations on the snowball of Christmas releases - wow! You're the Christmas Queen! I've had the excitement of reading an early copy of your latest Christmas release and had such a ball - especially with those scenes set in Munich at the Christmas markets and beyond. Great festive reading.
ReplyDeleteMy fave thing about Christmas is getting together with family, but especially in the day or so after Christmas when there's stacks of food and books and games and good company to enjoy and everyone is feeling relaxed. Sigh. Definitely holiday time.
LOL, Annie. I think I'll have to go and find me a tiara. ;-) So pleased you enjoyed Snowbound Surprise. I had a lot of fun writing those scenes in the Munich Christmas markets.
DeleteI totally agree that the long, lazy days after Christmas can be some of the best of the year -- perfect for lazing around with a good book, perhaps a quick dip in the ocean (or a pool), and eating leftovers. Happy sighs.
I love having a Christmas tree up & turning on the lights at night. It is something to look forward to after a long day.
ReplyDeleteOh, and, Sharlene, it's such a pretty sight too -- so warm and inviting. It makes a room magical, I think. :-)
DeleteI love Christmas time shopping with my girls and baking with them too. Can';t wait to read your new book Snowbound Surprise for the Billionaire.
ReplyDeletePenney
Oh, baking and shopping with your girls sounds like fabulous fun, Penney. I bet you're making wonderful memories for them. :-) It's what Christmas should be about.
DeleteAnd the WINNER is… Drumroll please. :-)
ReplyDeleteIn keeping with the season, I popped all of the names into my trusty trifle bowl (trifle is a Christmas staple in the Douglas household) and the name my DH pulled out was…
Penney!!!
Congratulations, Penney, and Merry Christmas. Email me at michelle (at) michelle - douglas (dot) com with your postal addy and I pop the prize in the mail for you.
And to everyone who dropped by--thanks so much for getting into the Christmas spirit with me. :-)
Thank you Michelle I'm doing the happy dance! I'm sending you my info.
ReplyDeletePenney