I’ll be honest, Christmas is something I’m perfectly happy to have happen once a year. I love the Christmas season. I love decorating the house and playing the music. But when the New Year has come and gone, I’m ready to take everything down and get back to normal. So the Christmas in July thing has never really been a must-do for me.
But I have some friends who are gaga over Christmas. They’d leave their tree up year round if they could get away with it. They listen to Christmas music in their bluetooth earpiece at work. If they get to choose a movie to watch, it’s even odds that it’ll be something Christmasy.
I think my husband falls somewhere in-between those two extremes. He enjoys Christmas–and he usually lobbies to start decorating just a little bit earlier each year (I’m firm though, nothing goes up until after Thanksgiving. We can start the day after, that’s fine, but Thanksgiving has to have its day. This past year, we did actually dig things up in the afternoon of Thanksgiving. But that is absolutely the earliest I’m going to go.) And he’s the one dragging his feet when it’s time to pack everything away once more, usually angling for just one more day of lights and cheer.
What’s good, however, is that I recognize that not everyone is as cut and dry on the Christmas thing as me, and so I thought hey, why not, I have a Christmas novella, why not let the people get a deal if it’s what they want. And thus it came to pass (see, good Christmas language there), that I have set my novella, Operation Mistletoe, free for this week (ends July 22.)
Operation Mistletoe is the first in my Operation Romance series. I just released book three (Operation Fireworks) a couple of weeks ago, and book four, the last book, will be out mid-September as part of a box set. So if you’re in the mood for a Christmas book to break the July heat and get you in a cooler frame of mind, or if you’re on the part of the globe where it currently is snowy and cold and you’re looking for something that might make winter a little more fun if you’re used to summer Christmases, then I hope you’ll hop on over to Amazon and grab a copy.
What is Operation Mistletoe about? Well, I’m so glad you asked. Here’s the back cover:
Victoria Spencer hates Christmas.
For the last ten years, disaster has struck on Christmas Eve, leaving Tori dreading the holidays. When she’s assigned to cover the light displays for her newspaper, she’s determined to spend as little time on the article as possible. Especially once she realizes she’s to feature frat boy Gabe “The Babe” Robertson, her former college crush.
Gabe Robertson is a different man than he was in college. Every December, he transforms his acreage into a winter wonderland designed to celebrate the birth of Christ and share God’s love with the community. He also uses the lights to raise money for Operation Mistletoe, an organization that sends Christmas to troops stationed overseas.
Unable to set aside her prejudice, Tori looks for ulterior motives in Gabe’s actions and determines to dig deeper. Will her investigations destroy any chance of a Merry Christmas?
Caught your interest? How about a little excerpt, just for fun.
Tori let her gaze roam. Anything to avoid focusing on the fact that Gabe had only gotten better looking as he’d aged. He’d worked out in college like the rest of the frat boys. But now? He was chiseled. Not even the flannel shirt he wore unbuttoned over his thermal Henley could hide that. He wore his black hair close-cropped now, almost a military style. It suited him, just like the floppier, devil-may-care haircut of college had. Was it possible for him to look bad? She followed him through the casual-yet-elegant living room into the state-of-the-art kitchen. Did he cook? He must, or why would he have this kind of setup? The house was old enough that a kitchen like this had been put in recently. Maybe the previous owners? The party-boy she’d crushed on in college had never indicated any sort of prowess with pots and pans.
Gabe pulled a chair out from the octagonal pine table nestled in a bay window. “Cream and sugar?”
“Just black is fine.” She shrugged out of her coat, sat, and pulled a small voice recorder out of her purse. “You don’t mind if I record this? It makes doing the story easier.”
He shrugged, glancing over as he poured coffee from a French press. “Sure, that’s fine.”
Tori watched him, his casual, easy manner sending a familiar frisson through her. Did he recognize her? He didn’t give any indication that he did. They hadn’t been friends, though they’d shared a few general education classes and had pleasant conversations when he hadn’t been surrounded by his frat buddies. Not the time for those sorts of thoughts. She sipped the coffee he set in front of her and smiled. “That’s good.”
“You sound surprised.” He leaned back in his chair and lifted his own mug to his lips.
“I guess I am. The military isn’t known for their coffee. From the background info my editor gave me, you spend a lot of time overseas, working with the troops. I guess I assumed their brewing techniques would rub off.”
He chuckled. “I can probably scare up a dirty sock for you to dip in your cup if you need that experience to round out the interview.”
“No. No, that won’t be necessary.” He’d always had a clever tongue. Though it didn’t seem as sharp now. Was that a change in him or in her? “Why don’t we get started? Why a Christmas light show? Why not just make a donation from your company to Operation Mistletoe?”
Gabe blinked. “Wow. We do, actually, make a donation from the company. But Operation Mistletoe is a fantastic cause, and it’s not one most people know about. So this gives folks a way to participate while enjoying a family outing that they’d probably be taking anyway.”
“And how do you split the proceeds?”
“What do you mean?” Gabe frowned as he leaned forward, bracing his arms on the table.
Tori gestured broadly with one hand. “All those lights, employees, choirs? It has to cost something. Surely you don’t expect people to believe that you aren’t reimbursed for that? And why shouldn’t you be? So how much goes to cover expenses? Is it a percentage? A flat amount?”
“Not a cent.” Gabe pushed back from the table. “But since I can see you don’t believe me, we’re done here. Let me show you out. Don’t forget your coat.”
“There’s no reason to get huffy, Mr. Robertson. If you have nothing to hide, then simply answering the questions…”
The muscles in his jaw bunched, but his lips remained pressed firmly together. His chest rose as he took a deep breath, nostrils flaring as he exhaled. “Have a nice day, Ms. Spencer.”
Fine. She didn’t want to do this story anyway. Tori punched the stop button on her recorder, tucked it back in her purse as she stood, and grabbed her jacket from the back of the chair. “I still don’t…”
Gabe raised one hand and gave one sharp shake of his head. “This way.”
You can download your very own copy of Operation Mistletoe at Amazon (it’s only on Amazon, so if you have another e-reader, you’ll need to grab the Kindle app if you don’t already have it.)
I hope you’ll leave a comment and let me know your feelings on Christmas in July, when decorations and music should start during the actual Christmas season, and how long you leave up the lights when Christmas is over. I always find it fun to see what others like to do.
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.
We have Christmas in July here although its normally just a meal maybe decorating for the meal (normally a group etc). It gives us a chance to see what its like to have Christmas in the cold weather. I myself don’t think I could handle it as we get rain not snow.
Sounds like a fun story, I will go and download it. Christmas…hmm, my boys would start putting everything up as soon as December arrives. I make them wait until school finishes- the tree goes up the first day of holidays (for us that is about the 15th), so there is plenty of time to enjoy it. As for packing up- I say straight after New Years! Hubby and kids- longer if they could:) Some of our neighbours start setting lights etc. up mid-November- I find that amusing because it does not get dark until nearly 9pm!
I really enjoyed your excerpt, Elizabeth! It sounds like a wonderful story. As for Christmas in July, it sounds good to me with our temperatures hitting 100 degrees this upcoming weekend. What I don’t like is Christmas in October…when the stores put up decorations right after Halloween.
During the dark winter days, I enjoy the lights of Christmas. Our Christmas tree is up from First Advent to Three Kings Day – Four Sundays before Christmas to January 6. We also have an Advent wreath. I enjoy watching the Hallmark movies in July. I enjoy watching Christmas movies or reading holiday books any time, only listen to Christmas music in December. Enjoyed your story Operation Mistletoe!
No Christmas in July for me! I normally put my tree up within a week after Thanksgiving, and in the past couple of years I have taken it down the day after Christmas. I used to leave it up until New Years when the kids were at home, but since it’s just me and hubby I take it down and get back to normal.
I have read Operation Mistletoe, and for anyone who hasn’t I recommend you get it now! I definitely am not opposed to reading a great Christmas Novella in July! :)
At my house, Christmas doesn’t officially start until Thanksgiving ends. And it ends exactly at New Year’s.
Hubby, on the other hand, sings Jingle Bells all year round just to mess with me.
Neve Christmas in July, and usually just like you we put the decorations after Thanksgiving ( 4 Sundays before Christmas) and take them down after New Years (usually first weekend).
I don’t mind reading out of season but the year is so busy with many other holidays and birthdays and, of course, work, that I can’t imagine holding on to one holiday. I don’t really know anyone who does this personally so I guess it’s harder to picture. I’ve read Operation Mistletoe and it’s a cute story.
Oh! See, that’s a lovely reason to have Christmas in July. I hadn’t thought of it that way. Although, I dislike the hot so much I think I’d struggle with the idea of using the oven so much.
Thanks for commenting!
Too fun, Wemble. I clearly don’t think about life in the Southern Hemisphere. Around here in December, it’s full dark by 5pm. So the Christmas lights help chase off the gloom. In the summer (like now), it’s just getting dark at 9pm, so…yeah the lights would look silly.
Hope you enjoy the book!
Ha! Yes, I’m not onboard with Christmas in October (it’s going to be earlier yet this year as one store I went into last week already had thanksgiving stuff out. In July.)
Glad you enjoyed the excerpt!
So glad you enjoyed it, Renate! Advent to Epiphany is a good length of time.
Thanks, Rachelle!
We are starting to take ours down earlier now that we have an early January Birthday in the family. He’s not too keen on all the Christmas stuff being up when it’s time for his party. :)
Your hubby is funny. :)
But that’s a great timeframe. Thanks for stopping by!
Glad you enjoyed it, Priscilla!
I don’t mind reading out of season either. Or movie watching. :). Thanks for commenting!
Fun post, Elizabeth! I’m pretty happy to just have Christmas once a year, too. Although Christmas in July is fun to think about and I certainly enjoy taking advantage of the promotions that happen this time of year and I’ll read a Christmas-themed story anytime. I’m with Jill: starting the season in October feels so wrong to me. I wish fall didn’t have to share with Christmas. :-)
I love Christmas, whether in December or July. I’d leave decorations and lights up year round if I could. My snowmen do stay up year round lol. Our local radio station plays only Christmas music from Thanksgiving to Christmas. I wish they played it year round, especially I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas. I love that song! I love books about Christmas, movies about Christmas. I’m not sure where my family came from however. My husband and kids aren’t so crazy about Christmas and snow.
It feels like it gets earlier every year, doesn’t it? :)
Haha! I hoped we’d have someone from the other side of things! :) I’m glad you stopped by.
I’m probably the only one from the other side of things lol. Thank you!!
Elizabeth, it sounds like a great story, I look forward to reading it. I don’t put up a lot of decorations and we try to have the tree up before Christmas and down after, but we don’t have any set scheduled. We usually work it between our cruises.
Hope you enjoy it, Michele!
I think I’d be up to the challenge of working it between cruises :)
We usually put our tree up the day after Thanksgiving and take it down the week of New Year’s. Last year we decorated our buffet a week before Thanksgiving because we got snow and were in the Christmas mood. I was in a store the end of June and they were already putting out Fall decorations. It gets earlier and earlier every year/ I ususally will read or watch a Christmas book/movie when it gets closer to Christmas. Have a great week!
You’re on roughly the same schedule as us.
Thanks for swinging by!
My birthday is Jan 12, and when I was growing up, we didn’t put up our tree until mid-December, so we usually kept it until my birthday, which I loved. More recently, we’ve usually started decorating right after Thanksgiving. However, one year our schedule kept us from getting a tree until mid-December. Usually we cut a tree from our 3/4 acre lot, but that year nothing was appropriate, so we were going to have to buy one. Since we waited so long, we got a gorgeous 7 foot Noble fir from K-mart for $10!!!
For those of you who like longer Christmas decorations, just become an honorary Filipina! They consider any month ending in -ber as the Christmas season, so decorations in the Philippines go up in September!
I love all things Christmas! I love the decorations, the music and yes, the Hallmark movies. But most of all, I love the feeling of Christmas, the good will for all men, the fun of hiding the special presents for my kids and other loved ones. Although, I am ready in January to take down the tree and decorations, I have to admit that i am a little bit sad to see them go! Christmas in July is fun, and gets me thinking and planning ahead, which makes for a more origanised and happy Christmas in our home!
What a deal! And I had no idea about the Philippines – good to know!
Thanks for stopping by!
Planning ahead is always good! I hadn’t thought of using July for that. :)
At our farm, Christmas goes up about December 15th and down on Christmas afternoon. We try to focus more on Christ and less on the decor or gifts. But I do love a warm and snugly holiday story.
We definitely make sure our focus is on the Christ child. I believe you can celebrate elaborately or in a very pared down manner and keep that focus front and center.
Thanks for coming by!
After Thanksgiving is good for me. I do love to go all out when i do decorate.
Thanks, Merrilee!
I put up the tree the weekend of Thanksgiving and take it down somewhere around New Year. My cousins have Christmas every July because it is easier for all of the family to get together then instead of December.
As for stores putting out fall and Christmas decorations, my daughter works at Hobby Lobby and they always put out stuff early because it is a craft store. I know from experience that if you wait until July to start making handmade Christmas gifts then you are behind.
I started quilts for my boys in January. They still won’t be ready for Christmas. :) but yes handmade takes a lot longer.
Getting together in July definitely keeps down some of the hectic that can happen in December.
We usually decorate after thanksgiving and put it away a week or so into January. Or last child just married and moved away, so I’m wondering what we’ll do this year. If our kids come here for Christmas, I’m sure we’ll decorate. If we drive to where they all are , I’m not sure we’ll bother.
I’ve never been a Christmas in July person, but it doesn’t bother me either
My parents went through a phase after my sister and I were married where they didn’t decorate. Now that we’re all in the same area again, they do a little decorating, but not a ton still. Mom says she likes not having the clean up hanging over her head.
At our house decorations go up the day after Thanksgiving and come down somewhere between the first and middle of January. Getting the tree is a sacred family event The planning for Christmas is year round, I have already worked out with my grown daughter the gifts we are collaborating on and am always on the look out for a new recipe to include in with our traditional Christmas favorites. Here in Vermont lights go up early for a lot of us so as to avoid trying to put them up in the bitter cold or a snow storm.
It makes so much sense to get the lights up before weather gets really bad!
I do collect recipes year-round. But that might be because I really enjoy cooking for big family meals. :)
A lot of Aussies have cold meat or a bbq etc. Many will go to the beach. We normally have cold meat and salads etc. So no cooking over the hot oven.
I’ve never celebrated Christmas in July…I don’t even think I’ve ever read a Christmas story in July but I have this book and I know you are a great author so I will be reading this book very soon. Now that I think about it as much as I love Christmas I’m surprised I limit it to December. I might even put on some Christmas music tonight!! Thanks for a fun post!!
Loved this excerpt, Dr. Maddrey, and bought this book and will read it soon. We don’t start Christmas things until after Thanksgiving. We take down our tree on New Years Day, but sometimes leave up my It’s a Wonderful Life village for another month. It lights up and has all the people, cars, and accessories. My wooden Christmas calendar that has the Christmas story printed on each door (using both Matthew & Luke) stays up year round. The kids read it every day for the month of December, starting with the first door & ending with the door for that day. We don’t watch Christmas movies after December, but I do still read Christmas novels. And we celebrate the Christmas message year round!
My family is very much like yours for Christmas. Decorations are up after Thanksgiving and down by New Years. The one thing I do miss is going to my mothers for Christmas. She created a winter wonderland in her home and her meals were the best. Christmas in July? Well that is my reminder that I need to start my Christmas shopping (or gift making) now so I don’t get so bogged down by the holiday rush. One thing I do enjoy is reading Christmastime stories. I buy them all year round and then starting in November, I start reading my Christmas TBR shelf. It helps get me in the Christmas spirit and with so many good Christian authors writing stories, it also is a powerful reminder of God’s love and special Christmas “Gift”.
Aw, thanks Shannon. I hope you enjoy it. And I’m glad to put a little Christmas cheer into your July!
Oh absolutely – the Christmas message is the most important thing to remember year round.
I don’t like to rush for shopping either. And I did buy a few Christmas gifts this month. I just have to remember where I stashed them in December :)
December is a hard time of year for me. My daddy got sick just before Thanksgiving & we lost him on Jan 6, so the whole season has a blue cast for me. He spent years as Santa & bringing Christmas to everyone, so it’s especially difficult because everywhere I look, there he is. I’m trying to channel his joy & make it a little less about the grief every year, but it’s a hard task. That being said, I love the spirit of the season & being with my family & friends to celebrate the true heart of the season!
Oh I’m so sorry. That definitely makes it a hard time of year. Hugs.
What a great post! I love Christmas at any time of the year. I have been known to randomly belt out a Christmas lyric or two during all different months. Watch a Christmas movie in August? Yep I’ve done it :)
I agree with you about Christmas celebrations starting too early since my birthday in November kinda gets lost in all of it!