I'm happy-dancing! (And aren't you all glad this isn't a vlog today! You could never un-see that!) Today, I'm celebrating my 34th release, and my 15th novella for Barbour Publishing, The Perfect Christmas, part of The Victorian Christmas Brides Collection. The official release is 9/1/18, but we're partying today.
Isn't this a stunning cover? I love it! So Dickensian.
My story, The Perfect Christmas, is set in 1887 in London, and it takes place mostly in a big department store, Garamond's.
Melisande Verity, works at Garamond's, and she's won the commission to create the perfect Christmas window displays for the season, and hopefully to win the store the prestigious Victoria's Prize for the best holiday displays of the city. If she can accomplish this, perhaps she can earn enough money to keep her promise to her late mother and send Vonnetta, her younger sister, to music school....and just perhaps, she might catch the notice of her boss, Gray Garamond.
Gray is not convinced that Melisande is the one for the job, but he's resigned to his grandfather's choice. When the elder Mr. Garamond suffers a stroke, Gray takes charge of the store, and the old man asks Melisande to show Gray the true meaning of Christmas, that it isn't profits and sales, but rather the people that matter.
I had such a great time writing this story, set in London, brimming with Christmas. Melisande is a fan of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, and she uses that story as her inspiration for the window decor.
 |
| The First Edition Cover of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens |
Did you know that there was once a window-dresser's guild? And that L. Frank Baum, creator of the Wizard of Oz, was once a distinguished member, and wrote a book about the intricacies of window design?
Fun stuff you encounter when researching a novel.
I love a good Christmas story. There's so much heart, and family, and love in the Christmas season, that it tunes nicely with romance fiction. (Just ask Hallmark!) America has an insatiable appetite for Christmas Fiction!
Also in the collection are EIGHT other Christmas stories by some fabulous authors. The collection would make some fine, fall/winter reading, a great gift, or even a lovely Christmas decoration for your coffee table during the holidays!
If you're longing to put a little Christmas in your Back-To-School, you can order The Victorian Christmas Brides Collection at one of these links:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/1683227190/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-victorian-christmas-brides-collection-cj-chase/1127905858?ean=9781683227199#/
https://www.christianbook.com/the-victorian-christmas-brides-collection/9781683227199/pd/227199?event=AAI
Or, you can find it at Wal-Mart, your local Christian bookstore, or ask for your bookstore to order it in for you.
But Wait! There's More!
I've been holding this in for a couple of months, but I can't keep it a secret any longer!
I've signed a new contract!
And it's for a REGENCY SERIES!
The first book, The Accidental Earl, releases next spring/summer from Kregel Publishing.
Here's a bit about the book:
Evan Eldridge never meant to be a war hero, and he certainly didn’t think that saving the life of a fellow soldier would mean being made Earl of Whitelock. But here he is with a new title, a manor house in shambles, and a brand new bride, all foisted on him by the Prince Regent. Diana Seaton has no choice but to marry the newly-invested earl if she wants to protect her sister’s memory and her infant nephew, but she doesn’t trust anyone, especially an oddly-behaved soldier-turned-nobleman who was forced to make her his wife. Suffering from partial amnesia as a result of his bravery on the battlefield, Evan knows there’s something he can’t quite remember, something important, something dangerous, and something that, if he doesn’t recall it in time, will jeopardize not just his marriage, but someone’s life.
Duchess for a Day releases later in 2019, and A Convenient Countess comes out in 2020!
I am thrilled to have this opportunity, and I'm excited to be delving into a new are of historical research. Regency history books have been arriving at my house in staggering numbers, and I'm reading and making notes and writing like crazy.
To celebrate the release of The Victorian Christmas Brides Collection, I'm giving away one print copy (US Only, please) to a commenter who shares his/her MUST HAVE in order to consider their Christmas "Perfect."
To celebrate the new contract for The Accidental Earl, I'm giving away a copy of Regency Brides Collection (My first foray into Regency writing) to one commentor who tells me his/her favorite Regency Read and why it's their favorite.
Two winners will be chosen and announced in tomorrow's WEEKEND EDITION, so get those entries in quickly!
And thanks for celebrating with me!
