A few years ago, when I wrote my holiday novella, Christmas in Abundance, I had two goals—to write a story that reminded people of the real meaning of Christmas and to put happiness on the page.
For several years, when my kids were little, the holidays were a bit of struggle for me. I wanted to give them the perfect, happy Christmas, and yet, amid all the fun of being around most of the extended family, interaction with a certain family member was difficult. That person has since passed away, but at the time we spent a good long while with them each holiday season. Sometimes, as you may have experienced, it’s hard to be merry when you’re around someone who goes through life angry.
So, every Thanksgiving, I allowed myself to buy three or four contemporary Christian romance holiday novellas. Those sweet stories were my refuge, the happiness on a page that I sometimes needed to be able to let go of the unpleasant interactions, find delight in the holidays with my children, and remember Jesus.
That’s why, when I wrote Christmas in Abundance, I was working for happiness on the page. That’s why it’s got heartwarming romance, why the divorced hero has an adorable young daughter, and why the book includes puppies.
I hope that’s not too much of a spoiler. You probably already know, though, that when you read a romance, if there’s a lovable pregnant dog in chapter one, the author is making an unspoken promise to you that there will be puppies by the time you reach the epilogue.
Recently, I made Christmas in Abundance free to anyone who signs up for my newsletter. This year, especially, I think no matter what season it is, it’s a good time for happiness, for sweet romance and puppies.
I hope you’ll sign up and download your free copy. If you enjoy the novella, my newsletter will keep you updated of other books I’m writing, all of which, I hope, end in a way that will make you smile. If you don’t like my writing, you can unsubscribe. But if my stories bring you a bit of happiness and reminds you that God loves you, I hope you’ll stick around.
Here’s a little about the novella:
Christmas in Abundance
An art teacher avoiding Christmas. A single dad planning a holiday light show extravaganza. A yuletide clash between neighbors that might spark a dazzling romance.
Lanie Phillips has a quiet holiday planned. So quiet, in fact, that the only sounds in the house where she’s staying should be the clicks of her computer keyboard and the occasional bark from a chocolate Labrador retriever. No joyous choirs of angels, no jolly laughs from Santa, and no jingle bells—nothing to distract her from her master’s thesis or bring up painful Christmas memories.
But for the single dad who’s her closest neighbor, simple holiday decorations just won’t do. Kyle Mattox is determined to give his five-year-old daughter the best Christmas ever—one that includes an outdoor display lit with fifty thousand lights, activated in time to music shared through four giant loudspeakers.
When Lanie comes to complain that she can’t write with the lights flashing and carols blasting, Kyle realizes that—unknown to her—their circuits have crossed in the past. If he wants his daughter happy, he needs to keep that information to himself, keep the show running, and keep his distance from Lanie.
“Christmas in Abundance” is a contemporary Christian romance novella and is a companion story to the Abundance Series. It’s a stand-alone book and is written to fit well at any point in the series.
If it sounds like a story you might enjoy, just click here to sign up for my newsletter so you can get your copy for free.
Sally Bayless writes contemporary Christian romance that features compelling characters, real-world problems, and uplifting endings filled with the power of love. She lives in the beautiful hills of Appalachian Ohio and has two grown children. When not working on her next book, she enjoys reading, watching BBC television with her husband, doing Bible studies, kayaking, and shopping for cute shoes. For updates on her writing and a free insider’s guide to her books, subscribe to her newsletter by clicking the newsletter icon below or visiting http://bit.ly/NewsfromSally.
I subscribed ! Thank you! :D
Christmas reads and puppies. Love it.
Wow I really like it.
That’s great story of this blog post.
Christmas stories are the best.
Puppies and Christmas are a sure happiness combo. Right now we are searching for a puppy for our granddaughters. Hopefully, we will find what we’re looking for before Christmas.
I loved this story!
Yay! I look forward to keeping in touch! I hope you enjoy the story!
Me too!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
They are!
Now that sounds like the recipe for a wonderful Christmas!
Thanks, Paula Marie!
I already subscribe!! The novella sounds great!
I just signed up for your newsletter. I am starting to get into contemporary. I love animals and books that make me laugh and smile. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing. I love happy stories, especially when they have puppies in them!
I’m so glad!
Hi Trudy,
You should have gotten an email about a month ago with a link to get your free copy. If you didn’t, shoot me an email.
Hi Lori,
Welcome aboard! I’m glad we can stay in touch. Hope you enjoy the novella!
Hi Megan! Puppies do improve a book I believe! In fact, I think just about any book can be improved with a pet. As a reader, you can tell so much about a character by how they interact with a pet.
Hi, I love the sound of your book, I love it when stories have pets in them. I think how a person acts with an animal , especially it being a dog, it says alot about that person. Thank you so very much. Have a Great rest of the week and stay safe.
I already subscribe & have the novella waiting for me on my Kindle, I just haven’t gotten to it yet. I’ll be starting my Christmas stories soon, and it’s on my list to read :-)
Puppies, Christmas, and kids just go together to make a feel-good story around the stressful holiday season. It’s why I wait until November to January to read Christmas books :-) I need a quick escape and I can always find them in novellas!
I agree completely, Alicia. How we interact with animals tells so much! I hope you enjoy the novella!
Hi Trixi! Thanks for being a subscriber! I hope you enjoy my novella! I, too, love novellas for a quick escape!
Sounds like a lovely book.
Thanks, Denise! It’s one of my favorites!
It’s already on my TBR list! The idea of happy endings is what drew me to IR in the first place. And, since I’m allergic to both cats and dogs (but love them both), the book pets and their love for their humans is a treat.
Do you find yourself surprised sometimes, like with reader feedback, to discover just how much impact that “happiness on the page” can have? I think using your skills as an author is definitely a way of showing God’s love to the world around you. It’s like a bandage on the unavoidable wounds of life in a fallen world. God has wired us for stories (consider Jesus’ use of parables) and so they reach the heart via a direct line, it would seem.
So add my voice of thanks to all those who have found happiness in Abundance!
Thank you, Lincoln! You are so kind!
I agree wholeheartedly that God has wired us for story. In fact, there’s a great book about that you might enjoy if you have not already read it. It’s not a Christian book, more of a psychology book, but it’s fascinating. “Wired for Story” by Lisa Cron.
And yes, I am surprised and delighted that readers find value in my books. When I started writing, my goal was to have the journey help one person grow closer to God, even that person was me!
Thank you so much! These puppies are adorable :) you make me smile!
I have “Wired for Story” in my library, but have not read all the way through it yet. Her premise that the wiring shows itself in a profound sense of curiosity certainly resonated with me and fit my own experience.
Ted Dekker, author of supernatural thrillers, says that his “secret weapon” as a writer is that he always writes about themes that he is struggling with in his own life. The arc of the main character is, in some deep sense, his own. I just completed my first novel (which is with my beta readers even now) and, while not autobiographical, I did draw on my own experiences with depression and sense of lostness. In truth, my main character learned his lessons relatively easily. I’m still working on “which way from here?” :)
I am very late its been a nightmare of a week with a builder here and me exhausted.
I wonder if puppies are better with a Christmas tree than cats? (I have 2 cats one leaves it alone one thinks its a toy)
While I am scared of dogs I don’t mind books with them or even watching tv with them in. (Littles Hobo was a favourite as a child and then Inspector Rex an Austrian show featuring Rex a German Shepherd.)
Your story sounds interesting as I love Christmas novels and novellas
“Happiness on the page”, how brilliant is that, just the thought brings a smile to my face. Thanks Sally.
You are not alone! If only I could learn my life lessons as quickly as my characters!
Best of luck with the beta readers! I hope they provide lots of helpful comments!
Thank you so much for your comment, Natalya! I’m so glad you enjoyed the post!
Thank you so much for stopping by in spite of your hectic week! I understand your cat and Christmas tree comment all too well! One Christmas I frequently came home from work (at a newspaper, so I was getting home at one a.m.) to find my two kittens hanging from the tree like ornaments and mewing! Have a great October!!
Yay! You are very welcome, Dianne!