Have you ever had an idea but then you second guessed yourself? Guilty as charged for me.
For the last year or two I’ve wanted to be in one of those themed book bundles. You know, the ones where a group of authors band together and offer four or more stories that are linked by a similar concept and then it’s usually released at a bargain price.
All last year I brainstormed ideas for book bundles and kept mulling over spearheading one. But I second-guessed myself time and time again. I’d never been in a bundle before so I didn’t know the first thing about how to lead or organize one. However, each time I pushed the thought aside I wound up regretting it. Funny how that happens.
Finally, after some wonderful cheerleading from our own beloved Carol Moncado, myself and author Kristen Ethridge banded together to gather author friends and launch a Christmas themed book bundle. And that’s how the bestselling Mistletoe Memories: Six New Inspirational Holiday Romances was born!
We’ve had a whirlwind month with the release of this bundle. Last Saturday we hit the 236 spot on paid kindle books on Amazon. That means out of every single ebook available, our little bundle was selling at 236 best. To say we were beyond excited is putting it lightly.
The really special thing about this bundle is that all the stories included in Mistletoe Memories have never been published before. These stories were written exclusively for Mistletoe Memories! So for 99 cents you get 6 brand new stories. Also, my story (It Was You) launches a brand new series (King’s Cove) that will have two more novellas releasing before the end of the year.
I’ve included a quick description of each of the stories in the bundle below.
Wrapped in Love, by Leah Atwood: Cara Scott doesn’t know why she stays in Weatheron. No career opportunities, no family, and no husband prospects. The only man who interests her, Jase McCade, doesn’t date, and hasn’t since a nasty breakup several years prior. Stuck in a rut, she contemplates leaving the only home she’s ever known. Jase McCade loves Cara, but a previous relationship leaves him hesitant to giveaway his heart. When he notices Cara has been down in the dumps lately, he knows he has to act soon or risk losing her. The annual Weatherton Christmas Extravaganza presents him with the perfect opportunity to show his love for her. Can a single weekend filled with Christmas charm change everything?
The Heart of Christmas, by Belle Calhoune: Christmas hasn’t been the same for Eden Lassiter since the death of her beloved grandmother four years ago. Gran was the heart of Christmas and Eden hasn’t embraced the spirit of the season ever since losing her. In fact, she’s lived a fairly reclusive life other than her job as a vet’s assistant at The Country Vet practice. When a stranger shows up at on Eden’s doorstep one stormy evening, she is shocked to discover the handsome man is none other than her childhood friend, Brady Shepard. He’s all grown up now and gorgeous. Now a veterinarian, Brady is taking over the practice for his ailing grandmother, Vicky Shepard, who happens to be Eden’s boss. As Eden and Brady begin to work together, Eden’s heart begins to open up to the spirit of the season…and to Brady.
Moonlight and Mistletoe, by Kristen Ethridge: Whitt Peoples knew this Christmas would be the worst holiday he could ever face, as he returned to Port Provident to say goodbye to his dying grandmother. He hopes to slip into town and back out without running into the family who turned their back on him when he was a kid. Samantha Spaeth isn’t afraid of anything, except the fact that she is running out of time to save one of Port Provident’s most historic landmarks. When Whitt asks her to navigate Port Provident’s history in order to help him discover the secrets from his own past, she accepts the challenge because she needs all the allies she can find to preserve the island’s heritage. Can a woman who lives for a love of the past make Christmas meaningful for a man who’s spent his whole life running away?
Mistletoe Wedding Reunion, by Danica Favorite: When Nate Higgins arrives for his best friend’s wedding weekend at a Colorado mountain lodge, the last person he expects to see is his old flame, Cordelia Blake. He’d always thought they’d be walking down the aisle as man and wife, not members of the same wedding party. When their unresolved past creates discord between the bride and groom, can Nate and Cordelia made amends long enough to save the wedding…and maybe find a way to have a wedding of their own?
It Was You, by Jessica Keller: Natalie Rhodes vowed she’d never return to King’s Cove. But after her business failed, she’s forced to go home. At Christmastime, no less. When Tanner Avery offers her a temporary job as a fill-in chef at the resort he runs, Natalie believes it could be her ticket out of town. However, growing feelings for Tanner along with a Christmas mystery end up making it more difficult to leave than Natalie ever imagined
Forever Christmas Kiss, by Jolene Navarro: Isabella Cortez is a small town librarian with a large family and has been in one too many weddings. This Christmas might be the worst. Not only is she still single, but she is standing in her twin brother’s second wedding. His best man is the opposite of everything she wants in a husband–an artist, and the biggest Peter Pan she has ever met. Xavier Sanchez grew up in foster care, and has no family or traditions. He lives in the moment, which gets him in trouble. Can the rock steady librarian help give him roots? Can he teach her to take a risk and fly?
I’m giving away a digital copy of Mistletoe Memories today to someone who comments! I’d love to hear about one of your cherished Christmas memories or a time when one of your friends encouraged you to do something outside of your comfort zone like Carol did for me.
A coffee drinker, avid reader, and chocolate aficionado, Jessica is multi-published and writes sweet romance for Love Inspired. She holds degrees in both Communications and Biblical Studies and has worked as a zookeeper, a librarian, camp counselor, horse wrangler, housekeeper, and finance clerk, but now loves her full-time work in municipal government. Jessica and her family live in the Midwest.
Ooh, more books to read! Love the cover:) Favourite Christmas memory would have to be hiking in Tasmania on the beautiful Freycinet Peninsula. We carried our Christmas lunch in and ate in the shade of a lighthouse and exchanged miniature smurfs as gifts (I got a hiking smurf:) It was just a fun Christmas doing something totally different. Christmas with family at the beach is another great tradition that makes loads of memories!
Congratulations, Jessica! I’ve got my copy, now I just need to schedule in some reading time. I love the holiday bundles!
Hi Jessica! Just finished writing my review on Amazon for Mistletoe Memories. I am glad you moved outside your comfort zone. Your inspirational novella touched my heart with its many great themes: cut yourself some grace, we travel many roads with different choices, and I never thought I was good enough.I also enjoyed your descriptive writing: “Snowflakes fell like slow-motion confetti.” Living in Michigan I can relate. Or “Living some perfect scene from a snow globe.” Wow! I am looking forward to reading two novellas in your new series King’s Cove. Still trying to figure out which SW Michigan city was your inspiration.
In my 43 years of marriage, my husband has encouraged me to do something outside of your comfort zone. Helping me care for our three sons and my aging parents, so I could take pursue my dreams as teacher and travel the world – three trips to Europe and one to Japan.
Happy Writing!
Congrats on reaching the 236th spot, I second guess myself and doubt myself all the time. Thanks for the chance to win. This time of year even if money wasn’t tight I never have book money because with Christmas coming plus my daughter’s birthday is December 17th so yeah no money for things I want. Wishing you the best.
I just started reading my copy yesterday or the day before. I’m enjoying it and enjoying being introduced to new authors. Thanks for writing!
Thanks! I really enjoy Christmas as the backdrop for stories. I am looking forward to reading this bundle. Favorite Chrismas memory? Probably the year I visited my brother and his family in Germany and then spending New Year’s with my other brother and his family in Italy. It was over 15 years ago, but Christmas in Germany was amazing!
congratulations! Looks like another collection to add to my TBR :)
Jessica,
This looks like a Christmas collection. It will be one on my Christmas books to read.
As for a memory I’d say it has to be when I was 8 months pregnant with our first child. That year there was a big snow storm and we couldn’t travel so my husband and I had a real quiet time together. It actually was very special.
This sounds like a great group of stories! A cherished Christmas memory is spending Christmas Eve with my family, my aunt’s family, and my grandparents. I miss those times.
We hide a Candy shaped Christmas ornament on the tree. The first kid to find it on Christmas Morning gets $10 worth of candy. (we have kids).
Sounds like a fun collection to read. I’ve got lots of fun Christmas memories. What first came to mind was the time my church youth group would go Christmas caroling to various church families’ homes. Singing carols in the frosty air!
Welcome to the crazy world of multi-author box sets! I enjoy participating and I enjoy reading.
I always enjoy going carolling each year and a friend take me into doing a secret santa for some children who’s parent had gotten laid off just before christmas(single mom with 3 children)
We have a tradition where baby Jesus appears in our nativity on Christmas morning. My son always enjoyed that.
Thanks for the giveaway.
Such an exciting collection of stories. I’m looking forward to reading it. I love Christmas and big family reunions during Christmastime. Although my family is fairly small, it is pretty loud and loves a good get together. One of my favorite Christmas memories though is the first year my parents decided we’ll stay at home (just them, my sister, and me) and we all worked together to create a more introspective celebration of the Jesus’s birth. I still like the loud, messy family meetings, but I feel like a quiet one was a good reminder that Jesus’s birthday party is more than music, gifts, and food.
Your collection sounds wonderful, and I love finding new-to-me authors! It’s that time of year when I get excited to read new Christmas stories. I just love being with my family during the Christmas holidays. It’s exhausting but so much fun!
Hiking in Tasmania sounds wonderful!! What a great memory. I can see why you cherish it.
I need to schedule more time for reading too! There have been so many good books releasing lately.
Thank you Renate, it’s encouraging to hear you connected with the story. I really loved writing Natalie and Tanner. King’s Cove isn’t based on any specific SW Michigan city (unlike Goose Harbor which is squarely based on Saugatuck/Douglas). I made it up and figure it sits somewhere in between Saugatuck and Grand Haven. That area/that feel.
And thank you HUGH for leaving a review! They are so needed and very appreciated.
Oh, I hear you Cassandra! In our house my husband’s birthday is December 21st (and then my daughter follows very quickly in January) along with Christmas – it’s always a tight time of year. Second guessing can be good sometimes, but I admit I do it way more often that I should.
That’s so great to hear Diana. I’m glad you’re enjoying it.
That *would* be amazing. Isn’t Germany where the Christmas tree originated? And how cool that you got to spend time with family in Germany and Italy.
I hope you do!
I can see how that would have been a very special Christmas. I sometimes miss those quiet moments we got to share together before kids, and as much as I love big family gatherings, there’s something to be said about spending quality time with your spouse.
When me and my cousins were much younger the whole extended family used to do Christmas day together (35-45 people). Now that we’re all grown up with our own families we all do our own things, but I miss those big get togethers too.
What a fun tradition!
When we first moved in to our house we were delighted when a huge group of carolers rang our doorbell and sang to us. They’ve come back every year. I thought it was only in the old movies – but caroling is alive and well :)
It’s definitely a lot of fun!
How wonderful that you do secret santa for them!
You’re welcome!
You explained how I feel perfectly! There are two sides to Christmas – the big parties and catching up with loved ones, and the introspective side – both are equally important. I love this.
I’ve already started watching Christmas movies! I’m ready for all things Christmas :) I hope you enjoy the collection!
My favorite Christmas memory is from the Christmas I was 8. That’s when I found out I was getting a little brother or sister! Haly is 19 now. =)
There are so many cherished favorite Christmas memories over the years, but I can honestly say that the best one yet is when we celebrated our first one with my grand-girl 3 years ago. Even though she was under a year old at the time, the wonder in her little eyes with all the Christmas lights on the tree and the pretty wrapped presents was so precious! She had no idea how to help unwrap those gifts, but once she found out what was in them was for her, boy she lit up!! Not that the new grandpa or grandma spoiled her at all…wink, wink! What memories I hope she can look back on one day.
That novella set looks wonderful and would make a great addition to the Christmas reads I have lined up for the next two months. Can you believe it’s almost that time again?? Glad you got a bit out of your comfort zone Jessica and helped collaborate them!
Congrats Jessica! Your box set is in my Kindle with a few other Christmas collections, and I’m looking forward to having a big Christmas romance reading binge next month :)