Hello readers! My latest work, One Sweet Christmas, is now available, and guess what? It made its grand entrance in February. If you’re wondering why a Christmas story now, the answer is simple: the magic of the season isn’t confined to December.
This isn’t just any holiday tale. One Sweet Christmas originally sparkled within the Once Upon A Starry Night box set. But I felt the story deserved more. So, I spent considerable time revising and expanding it, pouring additional love, depth, and detail into every page to make it better and a little longer. The result? A standalone novella that captures the essence of Christmas and the power of love and faith, no matter the season.
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n this story, you’ll meet Sam and Allyson, two souls intertwined by fate (or maybe it’s divine intervention) and a shared sense of loss and longing. Through their shared experiences during the holiday season, surrounded by the warmth of Christmas traditions, they each find unexpected comfort and the hint of a new start. Set against a backdrop of festive lights and family traditions, their story is a testament to the idea that sometimes, life’s greatest gifts come wrapped in the most unexpected packages.
In One Sweet Christmas, we see Sam’s journey towards rediscovering faith and hope unfold. One such moment occurs during 
the midnight church service, the choir’s rendition of O Holy Night and the pastor’s message of renewal stir something within him. Reflecting on the many Christmas’s he’s spent in hospital rooms, Sam finds unexpected comfort in this night spent with Ally. The act of sharing the candlelight, the music, and the message he heard from the pastor mark a turning point for Sam. It’s here, that Sam experiences the realization about the power of faith to light the darkest corners of life and heart
I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of holiday stories outside their traditional season. Watching Hallmark and GAC Christmas movies is a pastime I enjoy all year long. Working on this book reminded me that the themes of love, hope, and new beginnings are evergreen, transcending the boundaries of time and season.
And here’s something special for you – a giveaway! I’m offering a free ebook copy of One Sweet Christmas to one lucky reader. Just leave a comment below answering this: Do you enjoy holiday stories even when it’s not the holiday season? I’m eager to hear your thoughts!
One Sweet Christmas is also available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited.
* Giveaway open to US and International readers. Winner will be chosen on or after March3, 2024.
Laura Ashwood is an award-winning, USA Today Bestselling author of sweet contemporary and historical western romance, and women's fiction. Laura and her husband live in northeast Minnesota. She works a full time day job, and in her spare time, she likes to read, cook and spend time with her husband. She is a devoted grandmother and chihuahua lover.
Yess, I read holiday novellas/stories outside of the seasons too, I really don’t mind :)
I enjoy holiday books and movies throughout the year. The Christmas books always fill me with hope.
Yes. I enjoy Christmas and holiday stories all year round. I particularly read them if I’m going through a difficult time, I always find they comfort and uplift me.
I tend to like to read books that go with the time of year. In the summer I love beach and warm weather stories. I really never enjoy reading about snow, cold weather, or anything pertaining to winter.
I enjoy reading holiday stories all year!
All year round they are wonderful! Your latest sounds great and I look forward to reading it. Thanks :)
I read Christmas stories any time of the year!! I used to “confine” them to November through December, but now I’ll read them throughout the year.
I love holiday stories all year round :) I would keep my Christmas tree year round too (don’t tell it to my husband lol).
I do enjoy Christmas stories all year long. There’s something so wonderful about that time of year. Besides, I’d never have a chance to read all the great Christmas books if I only read them during December!
Sure I love a good story all year round. There’s never a bad time to celebrate Christmas!
I enjoy reading Christmas books year-round. They are uplifting.
Hi Laura , yes , I love reading and watching Christmas stories the whole year , I love, love Christmas, it is my most favorite Holiday. Your book sounds like a great read! (not entering this awesome giveaway as I am not tech savvy and I dont read ebooks but Thank you.) Have a great evening and a great weekend.
I absolutely 100% love reading holiday stories all year long!
I used to, though I haven’t had the chance to do so recently. Or, it’s more like, I tend to read Christmas stories within its season or before (as ARC reads) but not so much after it.
That cover looks so cute!
I do enjoy holiday stories, no matter the holiday or the time of year. A good story is a good story, right? I especially like stories of second chances and redemption.
I love reading holiday books all year round!
I love holiday stories and will read them outside of the time of the holiday. The holiday themes are so fun that they are worthy of being read other times of the year.
Enjoy year round not entering giveaway as I already have book on kindle.
I read holiday stories all year around. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
yes
I read holiday stories all year round, no matter the holiday theme of the story.
I have read Christmas stories at other times of the year but I prefer to read them between October-December. (No need to include me in the giveaway.)
Losing a loved one during the holidays is hard.