Friday, December 21, 2007
Holiday Romance
In a few days, the ship will pull into port and the pirate wenches will go inland to enjoy holiday festivities with family and friends. The rum, food, loot and good cheer will be shared like no other time of the year.
At holidays, emotions and glad tidings are shared, and memories are made and preserved. For those of us who have significant others we may spend a little alone time under the mistletoe, making some romantic memories to carry us through until Valentine’s Day.
With the magic feel of the holidays in the air, it makes perfect sense that so many romance authors pen holiday novels or novellas.
I just finished Eloisa James new release An Affair Before Christmas. What a lovely Christmas read. The dialog and descriptions were breath taking and the heroine and hero were strong charismatic characters that were endearing from the start. The storyline was fresh and real with just the right amount of holiday sparkle to keep me spellbound. Eloisa was masterful at weaving a story within a story. The subplot of the supporting characters was as enthralling as the main storyline. I highly recommend the book, and congratulate Eloisa on a wonderfully written piece of work
Over the years, I’ve read several holiday romance novels. There’s just something special about reading romance in a Christmas setting. The love seems more poignant, the black moments more angst filled, and the ending more happy when holiday spirit is woven throughout the storyline. Readers can relate to characters that experience the joy they want at Christmas. Holiday romances make perfect gifts, and function as excellent stress busters.
So many scenarios are appropriate for love at Christmas. It’s no wonder that the entire display shelf in the front of your local bookstore is home to the newly released holiday romances. Pick one up today, maybe it will entice you to do some future holiday romance writing of your own or at least leave you with a case of the warm and fuzzies.
If I could imagine the perfect afternoon it would include a cup of hot mulled cider, a holiday romance novel, a warm throw over my lap, and me, myself and I.
Have you ever written a holiday story? Do you have any holiday reading recommendations?
At holidays, emotions and glad tidings are shared, and memories are made and preserved. For those of us who have significant others we may spend a little alone time under the mistletoe, making some romantic memories to carry us through until Valentine’s Day.
With the magic feel of the holidays in the air, it makes perfect sense that so many romance authors pen holiday novels or novellas.
I just finished Eloisa James new release An Affair Before Christmas. What a lovely Christmas read. The dialog and descriptions were breath taking and the heroine and hero were strong charismatic characters that were endearing from the start. The storyline was fresh and real with just the right amount of holiday sparkle to keep me spellbound. Eloisa was masterful at weaving a story within a story. The subplot of the supporting characters was as enthralling as the main storyline. I highly recommend the book, and congratulate Eloisa on a wonderfully written piece of work
Over the years, I’ve read several holiday romance novels. There’s just something special about reading romance in a Christmas setting. The love seems more poignant, the black moments more angst filled, and the ending more happy when holiday spirit is woven throughout the storyline. Readers can relate to characters that experience the joy they want at Christmas. Holiday romances make perfect gifts, and function as excellent stress busters.
So many scenarios are appropriate for love at Christmas. It’s no wonder that the entire display shelf in the front of your local bookstore is home to the newly released holiday romances. Pick one up today, maybe it will entice you to do some future holiday romance writing of your own or at least leave you with a case of the warm and fuzzies.
If I could imagine the perfect afternoon it would include a cup of hot mulled cider, a holiday romance novel, a warm throw over my lap, and me, myself and I.
Have you ever written a holiday story? Do you have any holiday reading recommendations?
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32 comments:
I just bought An Affair Before Christmas and was hoping to get to it before the holiday homewreckers, er, housewarmers come to stay for Christmas. (just kidding, my mom and sister are coming and I'm really excited.)
I have not penned a holiday romance as yet, though I am with you. I think holiday stories have something very poignant. I think it's that I add my nostalgia to them. :) I mean, I can't relate to a lot of romance settings/plot lines, but I can relate to Christmas.
I love holiday romances, especially historical ones. Holiday romances may be the only romances where I forgive a lot of exposition. I love the way the authors I've read can really transport you back in time.
My favorites:
Under The Mistletoe - Mary Balogh
Christmas Angel - Jo Beverley
Winter Fire - Jo Beverley
Brides of Christmas Anthology
And... I'm in the middle of A Stockingful of Joy, another anthology and I'm loving it.
I'm sure there are more I'm forgetting and I'd really like to find a good contemporary Christmas romance. Robyn Carr's next book due out November 2008 is a Christmas book set in Virgin River. I can't wait!!!
Your perfect afternoon sounds really good right now, Lissa! I hope you all get a chance to indulge over the next week or two!
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Season's Greetings everyone!
You too Irish! Wishing you and yours the best over Christmas and all next year!
Marnee I hope you get a chance to read An Affair Bafore Chrsitmas. It's awesome. I loved the storyline.
I love holiday romances. I think romance gives that warm, good all over feeling anyway so at Christmas time that feeling is heightened ten fold when you throw in a little romance and mistletoe:)
I've always wanted to write a holiday romace, maybe I should go for it and not just think about it. LOL
Irish! Thank you so much for the suggestions. I was hoping to get a list of promised reads for the holidays!
I read an awesome contemporary romance a couple of years ago by Catherine Anderson entitled My Sunshine. It wasn't a holiday book but I remember a Christmas scene in that book that was so poignant it has stayed with me since I read it. I recommend anything by Carherine Anderson. She's a gifted writer.
Happy Holidays Irish! The best to you and yours!
What a perfect blog topic for today. I don't make it a point to seek out Christmas stories but I have read some. I finished AABC just last weekend and loved it as usual. Eloisa never disappoints.
I've read those Beverly books mentioned above and love them too but Jo is another of my autobuys so that's no surprise.
I have not written a Christmas story but I'm sure there's one in my future. I love this time of year. I haven't had any holiday romance of my own for some time but you never know, maybe next year will be the one. *g*
That perfect afternoon sounds lovely. That's the good thing about visiting my family for the holidays, I don't have to cook or clean and they are so excited to see the Wee One, I can disappear and no one cares.
I forgot, I do have a recommendation. Jo Beverly threw in a lovely little book for Christmas to her Malory series called The Gift. It helps if you've read the series but I think you could probably read it without having the collection.
And Nora Roberts wrote a short Christmas story that goes along with her Gallagher series. I'm just not sure where you can find it because my sister sent it to me years ago and it was printed on regular paper. Huh, I need to ask her if she remembers where we found that.
I can't think of any Christmas romances (book-wise); I don't read a whole lot of them. (I did love Eloisa's--but that book sweeps about 8 months in 350 pages, ending at Christmas time.)
I read Sherrilyn Kenyon's Upon a Midnight Clear (which would IMPLY Christmas, but I don't think it really was.)
A lot of Christmas book are the Harlequin shorties...and unless they're the Blaze ones, I don't usually get into them alot.
I do love Christmas movies, love stories. Love Actually, It's a Wonderful Life, Holiday Inn, Meet Me in St. Louis, et al.
Oh, I love Meet Me in St. Louis. What a good one. That song'll stay in your head all day, ya know?
I hope I get to AABC but, I'm affair I might not. In typical Marnee fashion, I have guests and I'm having my fam and the in-laws for dinner on Monday night. Shouldn't be as elaborate as Thanksgiving, but it'll still keep me busy.
And while I don't usually read the Harlequin shorties, I do usually like the Christmas ones. Hmmm... Weird.
I like holiday movies too. My fav is A Miracle on 34th Street. I like the newer version. I watch it every year and sigh at the lead guy whose name escapes me right now...
I used to read Harlequins, but haven't in years. They are nice though because they are short and sweet and if you need a quick reading fix they fit the bill.
I have three boxes of Christmas books that I reread every year, and every year I add new ones. I'll post faves later. I'm on my way out the door in five minutes. I just wanted to say that the Nora Roberts story Terri mentioned is "Christmas at Ardmore." It, along with "A Quinn Christmas" can be found on her web site under "Free Stuff." I love both stories.
Ah! I knew Janga would know. You know, if we could find a way to package Janga and carry her around, the world would be a better place. Or at least more literate.
I LOVE Love Actually and I put it on my Christmas wish list so keep your fingers crossed someone in the fam comes through and I'll be watching it Christmas day. With Wee One in another room, of course. Made that mistake once. Won't do that again. LOL!
I was going to ask why the wee one needed to be in the other room, but I keep forgetting about the porn couple.
You know I haven't see Love Actually yet, but I have a feeling I should.
Thanks Janga!! I'll have to check that out....
Oh, and I love Miracle on 34th St. And It's a Wonderful Life of course. (How can I not, what with the lead being a family name and all)
Yes, the porn couple are the ones I forgot before as well. Until she started yelling, "Eww, gross!"
LOL!
Marnee - get thee to a video store!!!
Marnee, you can't marry George Bailey and NOT be a fan of that movie. *LOL* And you really should see the Love Actually. It is good; and it's got Colin Firth! Come on! Mr. Darcy!--run, hasten thee to a Movie Gallery...
I haven't seen Love Actually either. Goody! A Christmas flick I haven't seen. And if Mr. Darcy and Hugh Grant star how can it lose?
Is anyone excited about PS I Love You being released today?!!!!! I read the book by Cecelia Ahern and it was wonderful.
You have to watch it, Lissa, it's a win win win win win.
My plan is to drag my sister out to see PS: I Love you tomorrow night. I can't wait to see it! I watched the making of it on HBO and just knew I had to go. It looks sad but funny and heartwarming at the same time. And in addition to Gerard Butler, we get Harry Connick, Jr. being his usual charming self. What a treat!
Yes, the porn couple is so...so...normal acting. Talking about the weather and the traffic...and the whole bit. God, that couple was funny in that film. *LOL* Not that I spend any time thinking about the actors in porn films and what they're actually thinking or talking about WHEN they're making them, but it certainly did make you think...maybe they do think: "Beige, I'd like to paint the ceiling beige."
If you haven't read the book you must!
I probably won't get to see it this weekend but I'm off next week so I hope to get a chance then.
I'm going to try to rent Love Actually tonight:)I may check pay per view sometimes at Christmas they have older movies to rent.
You Angsters and your PS I Love You. Have fun; obviously I should send you stock in Kleenex for your Christmas gifts or something...
NOT WATCHING IT.
You'll love it, Lissa. Hope you find it.
I do need to read that book but there are so many others already filling my house!
Captain - I'll say it again - chicken.
I don't usually seek out xmas/holiday books. I'm sure I've read some and just never thought about it. Didn't Sabrina Jefferies have one?
I wish I could see PS I love you... but from what I've read about the movie, they've butchered the book. Dang-it... I'll just have to watch it for the Gerry factor :D
If Jack Sparrow can lay an egg, so can I. Call me Chicken all you like.
That's another movie I MUST see... Love Actually... is it a Christmas movie?
Tiff, Love Actually takes place around Christmas time, yes. It's a month until Christmas I think, when the story comes out. I think you'd really like it. Go rent it! It has like every British actor known to the world in it.
The guy who comes to America to pick up hot American chicks is hysterical!
Cap'n you must, you must, you must! Awedsome read, and Tiff I hope you're wrong...the book was perfect I don't want to hear they butchered it at the movies...but it figures...
I tried to get Tiff to watch it last year and she wouldn't do it. But I did get her to watch It's a Wonderful Life so I wasn't a complete failure.
Speaking of that English guy, I've recently had it from an Englishman friend of mine that the men over there would love me. I say we all catch the next boat out. LOL!
I'm ready to sail the next boat to England. *grins*
You know I didn't put An Affair Before Christmas down because it didn't feel like a Christmas book to me. I loved it, but it wasn't really centered around Christmas like some of the others I mentioned are.
I'll have to look for the Jo Beverley Christmas story you mentioned, Terri. I haven't seen that one. It's connected to the Mallorens?
I thought I put in my post that you should check with Janga about the Christmas books. I knew she had tons. I guess I wasn't typing as fast as I was thinking (my brain is on FF). LOL I think I'm officially in Xmas panic mode. The DH has been on the cell twice already today instructing me to just breathe!
Those who haven't seen Love Actually - go to it!!!! Awesome movie!
My brain isn't working either, Irish. I meant the book is by Johanna Lindsey and is called The Present. It's part of the Malory series.
Man, I need another one of these rum chocolate truffles. LOL!
I just bought it too Marnee. I won't have time to read it until after mid-January but I always look forward to Eloisa's books.
And I've not penned a holiday adventure but I sure do love holiday novels. Thanksgiving/Christmas is my favorite time of the year.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!!
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