I’m amazed that this is my last blog post for 2023. My next InspyRomance blog post will be in…2024! Can you believe a whole year has pretty much zipped by?
How many books did you read in 2023? Thanks to everything that went on in my life this year, I only wrote two new novels. I do have four unfinished novels at various stages of completion.
Christmas can be a very busy time of the year for many. Still, I’m curious whether you have time to read books amidst the hustle and bustle of the season, whether now or during Christmas week leading up to New Year’s Eve.
Do you like to read Christian Christmas romance? When? During the Christmas season only or all year round?
What about during Christmas in July (CIJ) promotions? Can you imagine a snowy Christmas right in the middle of summer in the northern hemisphere? I think that CIJ works for the southern hemisphere because it’s winter in July there.
What about the type of Christmas romance? Long book or short book for you? After Christmas, I don’t mind reading long novels, but in December, I’m so busy that novellas make more sense for my reading schedule.
Speaking of novels, here’s a last hurrah. Readers who subscribe to my newsletter would have known that the Once Upon a Starry Night anthology that I’m in will end on December 31, 2023. This project began in October of last year, so it has gone one for fourteen wonderful months of planning and promoting. This box set has ten novellas and two novels. So if you’re looking for something short and sweet to read this Christmas, you have only seven days to buy or borrow this box set. On December 31, the publisher will unpublish it and return all rights to the twelve authors.
You might be familiar with the ultra popular Hallmark Christmas romance movies. While they’re not Christian per se, they’re sweet and sentimental, clean and cute, and you can also say they’re inspiriting. Put a smile on your face, don’t they? I think so!
Well, as a Christian novelist called to write Christian stories, I felt that my contribution to the Christmas book scene has got to point people to Jesus Christ in this “most wonderful time of the year.”
My novel in the Once Upon a Starry Night box set is Let Me Hold You (Midtown Christmas Book 1). It’s a city romance set in Atlanta, in a ministry village called Midtown Village that renames itself to Christmas Village for four months out of every year. Journey with the two main characters as they seek God’s will for their love life and career decisions.
In Let Me Hold You, Christmas Eve came at a time when Maggie Jacobs was making a difficult career decision that could change the trajectory of her personal life. In the church service, Pastor Kim preached an entire sermon on Matthew 1:19-23.
“And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).
Pastor Kim ended his Christmas Eve service with this excerpt from Chapter 16 of my novel:
“Matthew 1:21 is an oft-quoted Christmas verse that reminds us that we can start over with Christ.” Pastor Kim put his hand on his Bible. “Christmas reminds us why Jesus came. We have a sin problem, and God has a Savior solution. His name is Jesus, and ‘He will save His people from their sins.’ He has saved me from my sins. What about you?”
Since this is the last month for this box set, I want to point out that some of us InspyRomance authors are in Once Upon a Starry Night. Here are the short descriptions of our books, including mine. Have you read them in the box?
One Sweet Christmas by USA Today bestselling and Faith, Hope & Love Christian Writer Reader’s Choice Award winning author Laura Ashwood
Sam Barlow, weary of loss and heartache, plans to skip Christmas this year. But when his mother lands in the hospital, Sam finds unexpected comfort in Allyson, a compassionate nurse who’s given up on love. Amid the twinkling lights and red and silver decorations, they discover shared pain and unexpected joy. One Sweet Christmas is a heartwarming tale of love, hope, and the power of Christmas to bring healing and new beginnings.
Opposites attract. Insta love. Star-crossed lovers. Social class. Matchmakers. Mistletoe kiss.
The Cowboy’s Forever Crush (A Saddle Springs Romance Prequel) by USA Today bestselling author and two-time Word Award winner Valerie Comer
Eli’s family fled after a devastating accident years ago. Now he’s back to make amends and accept a job, believing the girl he’d once crushed on had left the ranch.
Meg’s rebellion ended with a fresh appreciation for Jesus’ prodigal son parable. Now her brother’s friend has returned, every inch a man who might treasure her and her baby forever. If she can let him.
How can a teenage crush turn into a forever love?
Cowboy. Single mom. Unrequited love. Teen crush. Prodigal daughter. Brother’s best friend.
Let Me Hold You (Midtown Christmas Book 1) by USA Today bestselling author Jan Thompson
After breaking up with his girlfriend, Levi meets the woman of his dreams, but she rejects him in his tale of unrequited love. His friend, Maggie, tries to help him to pursue his dream date without revealing that she’s been secretly in love with him. Will these two best buddies find a breakthrough and their own happily ever after at the Christmas Village and Midtown Chapel where they work?
Unrequited love. Secret love. Best friends. Friend zone. Friends to more. Slow burn. Midtown Atlanta. Big city romance. Church life. Women in Ministry.
Christmas is in two days, and I wish you a very Merry Christmas! May the Lord bless you with His best and may your family have a lovely Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Bonnie says
I love to read Christian Christmas romances anytime of the year.
Christmas in July promotions gives me a chance to get some books that I don’t already have.
I like long and short books, but I agree with you. I prefer the novellas during this time of year.
I have read 214 books so far this year and hope to read two more by the end of the year.
Have a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed holiday.
RuthieH says
A very Merry Christmas to you and your family Jan!
I love reading CCR Christmas stories, any time of year really but I usually start around November time. Sometimes a series I’m reading will have a Christmas book and I’ll read it whatever time of year it is. I think Christmas in July can be fun too.
I haven’t kept count of the books I’ve read this year but I think it must be two or three each month.
Linda Herold says
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Trudy says
Merry Christmas! I read Christmas books year round! I’m currently on my 229th book of the year! Last year I read 232, so I’m hoping to at least tie that this year. The book I’m currently reading has over 450 pages. Some of the books I’ve read had less than 30k words, so of course they go quicker and you can read more! lol!! I like longer ones, too, though, and Robert Whitlow is a favorite author, so I checked this book and the sequel out from my church library, as I knew the authors I edit/proof for wouldn’t have books these last two weeks of the year, except one author, and I finished her book already, so I “think” that’s all for 2023! lol!
Jan Thompson says
Hi Bonnie – Merry Christmas to you too!
That’s a good idea about new Christmas in July reading lists.
Wow. Congratulations on the number of books you’ve read this year!
Thank you for your comment and have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!
Jan Thompson says
Hello Ruthie – Thank you for your comment!
November sounds like a great time to read winter stories. I think it feels like Christmas in November already with the weather cooling down.
Congratulations on the number of books you’ve read this year!
Merry Christmas to you and yours, and a Happy New Year too!
Jan Thompson says
Linda – Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too!
Jan Thompson says
Hi Trudy! Thank you for your comment and Merry Christmas to you too!
Wow. That’s an astounding number of books you’ve read this year. Yes, I’ve written my fair share of 500-page books, so I get it. It literally takes a long time to read long books LOL.
I’ve read Whitlow’s books in the long ago past when he only had a few books published, and I’m glad that he’s still writing today. Oh so many books to add to my TBR but so little time.
Anyway I hope you have a wonderful Christmas week and then a glorious New Year!
Debra Pruss says
Merry Christmas. I have not read as much as I would like this month. My husband and I were involved in a hit and run accident. My husband was not hurt, but I have a whiplash. It has made it challenging to do much of anything. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
Beth N says
I save Christmas stories for December.
I’ve read 148 books this year, and will reach 150 by the 31st because there are several (like year-long devotionals) that I’ll finish by then.
Dianne K says
Merry Christmas!
I prefer shorter stories especially at this time of year. How many books I’ve read, a lot less than previous years, though I never thought to keep track of how many.
Looking forward to more anthologies and books from you.