Are you all set for Christmas?
As of the time of this writing (which is obviously a little earlier than the posting date), I have wrapped exactly zero presents.
Generally speaking, hubby and I manage to do this on Christmas Adam (which is, of course, the 23rd. Because Adam was before Eve.) At this point it’s something of a tradition.
I’m also loving the fact that this year, it’s a much less gift-y Christmas. There will be presents, certainly, but our focus has been (and is continuing to be) much more on Jesus’ birth and being with family.
Right now we’re still planning on in-person Church on Christmas Eve, and then family dinner with my dad and sister on Christmas day. Low key. But still perfect.
What are your plans?
Winners this Week
If you’re a winner, you should have received an email from the author in charge of the giveaway. If not, please email us at: prizes at inspyromance dot com.
Jan Thompson’s winner was Lelia Reynolds!
Marion Ueckermann’s winner was Rebecca Booth!
Valerie Bodden’s winner is JCP!
Congratulations!
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Specials this Week
The Cowboy’s Christmas Reunion by Valerie Comer is FREE through tomorrow.
The Cowboy’s Mixed-Up Matchmaker by Valerie Comer is 99c through the 21st.
Pathway to Peace by Elizabeth Maddrey is FREE through the 21st.
Courage to Change by Elizabeth Maddrey is 99c through the 21st.
Love, Laughter, and Luminarias by Jaycee Weaver is 99c this week.
StoryChats @ InspyRomance
Episode 3 is live!
StoryChats this week was all things Christmas romance! If you’re hankering for some Christmas romance suggestions (or movies) or just enjoy listening to Narelle’s accent, you’ll definitely want to tune in for this latest episode!
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Reader Gathering
Did you know Inspy Romance hosts a Christian Romance Reader Gathering group on Facebook? Jaycee Weaver will be taking over this week. Join us… but don’t forget to answer the questions for admittance!
Last Week on Inspy Romance
On Monday, Andrea Boyd talked about Christmas romances of years past.
On Tuesday, Valerie Comer talked about love after fifty.
On Wednesday, Angela Ruth Strong took us through the twelve edits of Christmas.
On Thursday, Julie Arduini talked about opposites attracting.
On Friday, Lindi Peterson celebrated the fact that it’s almost Christmas.
On Saturday, Mandi Blake talked about a season for writing.
Next Week on Inspy Romance
Monday: Sally Bayless
Tuesday: Deb Kastner
Wednesday: Merrillee Whren
Thursday: Closed for Christmas Eve
Friday: Closed for Christmas Day
Saturday: Laurie Larsen
December 2020
Cadence of Cranberries (Urban Farm Fresh Romance 10) by Valerie Comer
Forgiven by the Hero (Heroes of Freedom Ridge 6) by Tara Grace Ericson
Becoming Us by Jaycee Weaver and one other
Ride with Me (Chapel Cove Romance 10) by Marion Ueckermann
January 2021
Hope for Family (Hope Ranch 5) by Elizabeth Maddrey
For the Love of Joy (A Coastal Hearts Novel) by Janet W Ferguson
An Unlikely Proposal by Toni Shiloh
Daisy’s Decision (Dixon Brothers 4) by Hallee Bridgeman
Opening Her Heart by Deb Kastner
Pray for Me (Vacation Sweethearts 5) by Jan Thompson
Longing for Lily (Bloom Sisters 5) by Tara Grace Ericson
A complete list of Inspy Romance books by our authors is always available on our BOOKS tab. Find our audiobooks, our permanently free e-books, and our thank-you gifts for newsletter subscribers there as well!
Elizabeth Maddrey is a semi-reformed computer geek and homeschooling mother of two who lives in the suburbs of Washington D.C. When she isn’t writing, Elizabeth is a voracious consumer of books. She loves to write about Christians who struggle through their lives, dealing with sin and receiving God’s grace on their way to their own romantic happily ever after.
Congratulations, winners!
We’re going to church via zoom–it’s the only way to attend, here.
That’s mostly what things are relegated to here as well, but they’ve worked out a plan that abides by restrictions for safety for Christmas Eve and I’m glad.
Our church will be hosting a community-oriented Christmas Eve service “as usual” except that it will be online instead of in-person! We’re offering it at 4pm, 6pm, and 8pm so hopefully everyone who wants to can attend. It won’t be the same as previous years when we’ve met in the high school auditorium (the most seating in town), but I am sure looking forward to it, all the same.
Family events will all be via Zoom this Christmas. Just hubby’n’me at home. Very different!
I prefer simple and small. This Christmas will be down-sized from 30-something on my husband’s side to just our family and his mom – who usually hosts the huge group in her home each Christmas Eve. It’s a well deserved break for her (she’s 88) but I’m pretty sure she will be missing being surrounded by all her children, grands, and great-grandchildren. She’s an extrovert and embraces her tradition in her home. I’m hoping maybe we can catch my husband’s siblings on FaceTime or Zoom so she can still visit with them. Happy Sunday!
Our church is doing an outside “under the lights” Christmas Eve service. However, it’s supposed to be raining and turning colder that night, so I’m staying home, as I don’t like being cold and wet. This year is going to be much different, anyway, and I’d rather be where I’m comfortable. I still do online church services, too, though there are quite a few going to in person services.
Our church has gone back to all virtual, so we will watch the recorded Christmas Eve service sometime. Then Christmas will be the same as usual: open stockings as soon as we wake up, then a special breakfast of cinnamon rolls, then reading the Christmas story, then opening presents here from each other and my family from out-of-state. Then we’ll pack up and go to my in-laws for the big Christmas dinner and opening the presents from and to them.
Definitely different! But I’m glad there’s an attempt to make it work.
Aw. It’s definitely hard right now for the folks who are used to (and love) hosting the large gatherings.
Oh boo for wet and cold. :( I’m sorry. And yes, I’m continuing to pray for you and your family. The first Christmas after loss is so hard – and it’s still so fresh. Hugs.
I’m glad you still get to go to the in-laws! A little bit that’s close to normal is nice.
This year is low key for us as well. We stay home for Christmas anyway so our plans are a big Turkey meal, unwrapping what little presents we have and just having a quiet day as a family. Presents are few this year, since really, we have everything we could ever need. Gift cards work well for us :-) Some say that’s cheap, but I say it lets the person choose what they want to buy for themselves. I’m always excited to get either a Starbucks card to buy my favorite bags of coffee beans to grind at home or an Amazon card for (you guessed it) books I wouldn’t normally buy for myself. The gift of family time is much more precious anyway & reflecting on all the things God has done for us this year (especially 2020!).
I look forward to the next two weeks being a quiet time at home. Seems the week of Christmas and the week before the New Year is more peaceful for some reason. I don’t know if anyone else feels that way but I do. I look forward to it!
God bless everyone here at IR! May peace & God’s love ever dwell in your hearts.
I love gift cards :) and time with family is the best.
Shopping pretty much done here, wrapping still to be done!
No plans as I take care of my mom, so just a quiet dinner at home. Merry Christmas 🎁🎄
Most of mine have been wrapped as I had to either send or have them delivered away from here. I still have some to cook.
christmas will be Church on Friday and then will be me and the cats celebrating (depending on if they grace me with their presence). Just don’t want to wake to the cat bringing me a mouse.
I don’t expect many presents. (Actually I think there will only be the one thats under the tree). I plan to watch some christmas movies.
Hubby and I actually did a little wrapping this afternoon. Feels good to be started.
That sounds lovely too! Have a lovely Christmas!
Christmas movies are the best! We are a tad behind in our watching – definitely need to remedy that :)
Church Service on Christmas Day!
Christmas day, we will be going for dinner at our daughters house, they live 3 blocks away from us, so that will be very nice.
Yay!
That’s awesome! It’s so nice that they’re so close in general.
Family dinner on Christmas day at our brother’s; otherwise not much. Mele Kalikimaka, ohana! (Google translate from Hawaiian: Merry Christmas, family!) :)
Sounds delightful! Merry Christmas to you and yours as well.
Winners, Congratulations!! Enjoy. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.
Happy Christmas to you!
Well, I think this one will finally ‘catch me up’ as over the holidays, my email file got rather full and no time to read and follow these. The disadvantage of reading this blog late is one misses out on the ebook specials. Congratulations to the winners.
Valerie Comer, I just purchase ‘Secretly Yours’ because $ 0.99 is a great deal. It helps to make up for the free one that I missed. Happy New Year Everyone.