Yes–I know it’s June, but it’s almost July and hey, it’s 2020–anything can happen. Besides, I had to post this in June to prepare us for July, right? Although Hallmark is still playing Christmas movies in June. In fact, my favorite one from last year, The Mistletoe Secret, starring Kelly Pickler was on a couple of weeks ago. I love that movie! Hallmark has 17 days of original holiday movies beginning Friday July 10th. Mark you calendars! (These are last years originals)
I think Hallmark is in tight with authors. When an author is planning on releasing a Christmas novel or novella, they come out from the end of September through Christmas. But beginning of October is a great time to find awesome Christmas stories. I realize some authors may already have their stories written, but if they don’t they are writing them in the spring into the summer, July even. The Hallmark channel gives us great inspiration to get into the Christmas mindset. Some authors living across the world from the USA do have the cold weather in these months, but for us in America, it’s hot in most places.
Extremely hot.
The last thing we are thinking about are heavy coats, snow, and gingerbread cookies.
Of course our media allows us to play Christmas music to get us in the mood to write that amazing holiday story. Christmas stories are special. They have a mood, theme, certain vibe that people love to read. They are fun to read and holiday cheer is something we all need all through the year.
My novella, Beautiful Heart of His, was released 2 years ago in a boxed set. I’m now releasing it by itself. It will be available July 1st-it’s a Christmas story!
Scarlett Davis, still reeling from her twin sister’s betrayal, is laid off from her marketing job days before Christmas. Stunned, she has no idea what God is doing.
Mason Langford runs a homeless shelter, but unless he finds the promise of funding, he will have to close the doors soon.
Even though they are only acquaintances, Scarlett offers to help Mason with his funding proposal. But when she learns the reason behind his strained relationship with his twin brother, she can’t wait for the project to be over. Scarlett can’t believe that Mason, who everyone describes as a man with a huge, beautiful heart, could cause such hurt.
When Mason tries to guide Scarlett regarding her relationship with her twin, she won’t listen. Scarlett knows healing comes from forgiveness. Will Scarlett’s heart remain closed, or will past hurts change the course of current betrayal leading Scarlett to love?
My question to you—are you a fan of Christmas in July? Do you read novels or watch the Christmas movies? I’ll choose on commenter to receive an E-copy of Beautiful Heart of His when it releases in July.
USA Today featured author Lindi Peterson lives in north Georgia, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with her husband and a lively array of cats, dogs and birds. She loves sharing life with her family and friends. Her passion for reading led her to writing, and then God spoke words of love into her heart and changed her life forever.
I am a fan of Christmas in July! I love reading Christmas stories anytime but especially at Christmas time!
I enjoy Christmas stories any time. They are even better when the story resolution includes the real story of Christ’s purpose in coming to bring forgiveness and reconciliation with God.
Your story of dueling twins sounds fun. Best wishes on your upcoming release!
I’ve just finished a Christmas Romance and was thinking I’d release it this fall but maybe July is a better idea?
I’m a fan of Christmas in July, but I don’t watch Hallmark movies, as I don’t get that channel. I do get ION, which Hallmark-like movies on at Christmas, but not in July. I also watch (sometimes) QVC which has specials for Christmas in July, and have been known to buy Christmas presents then! I’ll read Christmas stories any time of year!
I love Christmas at any time! Christmas movies, that is. I just watched a pre-recorded Hallmark Christmas movie at my in-laws’ house on Father’s Day. :)
Reading Christmas books, however, is another story. For some reason, I have a much harder time getting into the Christmas spirit while reading, maybe because I don’t have the Christmas music and the scenes of snow right there like in a Hallmark movie. It takes more imagination when you’re sweltering. I have a new appreciation for the imagination of Aussies who have to celebrate Christmas every year in the sweltering heat.
But that doesn’t keep me from stocking up on Christmas stories all year long and saving them for the Fall. Just after Halloween, I’m ready to begin getting into that holiday spirit.
Yay—a fan! Christmas stories are great all year round. For sure!
Lincoln—nice ‘seeing’ you again! Yes, the theme of Christmas is amazing—and to find it in a Christmas story is special. :)
Dalyn—Congratulations on finishing a story! I’ve never released a brand new novel/novella in July, but I think a lot of people do. :) Let us know!
Trudy—Yes—shopping in July for Christmas—what a great idea–I guess the Christmas in July is going into all avenues—thank you for bringing that up. :)
Lila–good point—the weather! I always wonder in those Hallmark movies–cause I’m pretty sure they film in warm weather if they are sweltering in those coats and scarves and such. I notice they don’t seem to get too cold and it’s rare, even in the ones set in Alaska, to see their breath while talking outside. But, all that said, I’m a huge fan–and I’ll watch every time!!
I am a fan of Christmas in July. I can’t wait to read some of the new Christmas books coming out this summer!
Yes, I am! Even in the heat and humidity, or perhaps because of it, I love to think of what is coming. The hope and anticipation still lives in me!
I enjoy Christmas in July too! Hallmark movies are fun and help you get you in the mood of the holiday spirit. I enjoy Christmas novellas too. They are the perfect length to read during a busy time.
It’s hard to get in the Christmas mood in the middle of summer for me, lol! But as far as books, it doesn’t matter when they take place. I know a lot of Christmas books come out in September, that’s probably for marketing purposes I’m guessing.
As for Hallmark Christmas movies, I honestly have to be in the mood for them, even in December. I’m not a huge fan of cheesy romance movies, or really any romance movie! But there are at least a couple of them based on an authors books, Denise Hunter being one of them that I do like (A December Bride & The Convenient Groom). Though the last one isn’t a Christmas one.
Guess I’m the odd-man out so to speak from the rest of the commenters :-)
Me, either, Lori!
Connie–great point! Hope and anticipation all year. ;)
Megan–Yay–another movie fan. I love it. And yes, with novellas you can read a lot of great stories.
Trixi—no worries–we all have our things and we’re all different. Not everyone can be a cheesy romance fan—I honestly call them that, too. But I still love them. Denise Hunter is a great author.
I love Christmas in July with Hallmark Channel. I read Christmas books all year.
Lindi, it’s funny because the books I read HAVE to have romance in them, lol! I don’t know why I don’t really care for cheesy romances that much in movies. Maybe because they’re overly done, or too dramatic, or I don’t like or can’t connect with the characters. The only two romantic comedy movies I do like though, is Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail, I just love Meg Ryan & Tom Hanks. I think they are great in films together :-)
They say the book is usually better than the movie anyway, right? LOL!
Denise—Fun, isn’t it?
Trixi, you must be a Meg Ryan fan or a Tom Hanks? They are both great actors.
The Hallmark movies are basically alike, but they’re fun to watch.
I have loved every Tom Hanks movie I’ watched, so I’m a huge fan of his. Put Meg Ryan with him, and it’s pure magic in my opinion :-) I like them both really.
I have loved every Tom Hanks movie I’ watched, so I’m a huge fan of his. Put Meg Ryan with him, and it’s pure magic in my opinion :-) I like them both really.
This comment went in the wrong place & no way to delete it….sorry!
The cheesy romances may be an acquired taste, kind of like peanut butter fudge. It may all taste the same and you can always find more but if you love it, you love it. If you’re expecting chocolate, you’re not going to be happy, LOL.
you know whats funny. Christmas is at the start of Winner for the Northern Hemisphere. You would think it would be Christmas in June (end of June as its the 25th) Which is the start of your Summer.
Ironically we do have Christmas in Summer so you get to see what its like. And yes we do Christmas in July and I noticed last year one channel that does midday movies did have christmas movies in July albeit repeats. I am not sure I read more Christmas stories this time of the year partly cos I love reading them towards christmas because I like being in a cooler climate in the books. We do have a few Aussie Christmas novella. Narelle Atkins was involved in a bookset of Aussie Christmas novella’s and I think it is also a stand alone story too.
I have to say I am already over winter. over the wet weather.
Unseasonably freezing here at the moment. Christmas in July is usually for Northern Hemisphere expats and now becoming increasing commercialised for hospitality and retail industries in winter down under.
Christmas represents love to me, love is appropriate all year long, whichever hemisphere or season you are in :)
Hi. I’m not a fan of Christmas in July because our winters here are soooo long we are still dying for summer to arrive in May. Summer finally shows up in June or a July – just! And memories of snow melting still aren’t that long ago.
I was reading and watching Christmas movies in Feb, March and April, however, when COVID first hit, because we still had snow on the ground & the Christmas/happy themes were calming. :D
Jenny—I know how you feel about being over the wet/cold weather. :) And yes, you do get to experience what we here call Christmas in July!! Warm Christmas.
Diane–I love that—-Christmas represents love–all year long. How true.
Penelope–where are you located? I must admit that cold weather lasting that long isn’t my cup of tea, either.
I love Christmas stories any time of the year. I just finished one a couple of days ago: A Family Under The Christmas Tree by Terri Reed. It was a good book.
We do have it here in Australia too. Our church had a Christmas in July several years ago but I was too sick to go. Lots of hotels, dining places will have Christmas in July. Its not about the gifts or the real meaning of Christmas its more about experiencing a Northern Hemisphere Christmas.