A-parent-ly Christmas (by Amy R Anguish)—Noel and Joy Davidson didn’t mean to separate, but a job promotion and educational opportunities were too much for their marriage to withstand. Now, it’s Christmas and their son Andy wants them together. Between his mischief, an unexpected snowstorm, and the holiday spirit, they’re remembering why they first wanted to be together. But which one will give up their dream for the other?
A Match of her Own (by Sarah Anne Crouch)—Victoria Wood is torn between elation and devastation now that her sister is married and gone. When she realizes her sister’s best friend is alone and best-friend-less on Christmas, she knows just what to do. Set her up with a boyfriend! But pesky Jared Knight keeps getting in the way. Jared can’t date Victoria—she’s too immature—but he can’t convince his heart to move on. How will he keep Victoria from ruining everyone’s love lives? When will she realize her perfect match is closer than she thinks?
Jingle Bell Matchmakers (by Lori DeJong)—When country music star Aubrey Mayfield is lured home after years away, she’s bewildered when she and ex-fiance-now-widowed-dad Cody Lansdale keep finding themselves in the same place at the same time. As they become reacquainted, however, old feelings stir. Aubrey’s at a crossroads in her career and is contemplating a change. But when a chance at headlining her own tour takes her back to Nashville, Cody realizes her dreams may once again come between them. Unless God, with a little help from the Jingle Bell Committee, has a better plan.
The Santa Setup (by Heather Greer)—Turning friendship into love takes magic. Good thing Nicholas Eckert and Julie Clarke work at Christmas Wonderland. The attraction brims with holiday magic, not to mention four teenage elves determined that Mr. and Mrs. Claus stop playing a couple and become one. The teens will need more than mistletoe to pair up these two. Julie is seeing someone, and Nick won’t risk their friendship for possible love. Only the elven employees’ outrageous antics stand a chance of setting up Santa in time for Christmas.
Welcome, Amy!
Tell us three things we’d find if we looked under your heroine’s bed? How about the hero’s?
Heroine’s: a book or two, boxes of memory items like photos or drawings, a chocolate wrapper
Hero’s: his slippers if they’re not on his feet, a sock or two that he slipped off during the night, the earbud he lost three months ago
What is the theme of this book? If it’s part of a series, how does this book fit into the series?
This novella collection is all about matchmaking at Christmas. Each story has a character set on matchmatching. Mine is the estranged couple’s child. There is also a group of church ladies, a collection of elves, and one styled after Jane Austen’s Emma.
Why do you write this genre? What inspired this story? Do you write any other genres?
I love happily ever afters. Contemporary romance gives me that outlet to explore how a couple can get to forever (or back to it), all while weaving in bits of faith and God’s love. This story was inspired by my son’s asthma inhaler and a Christmas trip where it was hard to get a refill on it because we were out of town.
Any tips to share with fellow authors/aspiring authors? What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard.
My tip is to give yourself grace. Your story isn’t going to look like anyone else’s and if things don’t happen when you wanted them to, it doesn’t mean they won’t ever happen. Life is really good at interrupting and changing plans. Just keep going. Dreams are always worth pursuing.
Rachelle Paige Campbell 