CHRISTMAS MUSINGS WITH MIRANDA

Dear readers, it's never too early to start your Christmas reading, IMHO. And is it just me, or is there an absolute plethora of Christmas books flooding the market this year? When I first started doing the Christmas blog there were a few Christmassy books every December. Now, whoa, stand aside before the ho-ho-ho-ing sleighs you into oblivion! (See what I did there?) I made an enormous list of all the titles I wanted to tell you about, but you'd be in Yawnsville instead of the North Pole if I went down that path.

So now - and forgive me, I haven't read all of these books, but definitely will - I've narrowed my ridiculously long list down to my Top Picks. By the time you read this I've hopefully read over half, if not more. Okay, deep breath, hang on and here we ho-ho-go!

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I'll start with the Aussies, yes? Four beloved Aussie authors deliver festive fare in A Country Practice Christmas: a physio (and a cake war, yum), a vet, a psychologist and a nurse. Just, ooh. Take a bow, Stella Quinn, Penelope Janu, Pamela Cook and Renae Black. I love love love this!

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More Aussies! Fan favourites Fiona McArthur, Barbara Hannay and Kelly Hunter have teamed up in a terrific Outback Christmas trilogy. Pictured is Fiona's book The Midwife's Christmas Miracle. Barbara's is called One Starry Christmas Night, and Kelly has The Outback Cowboy's Christmas Baby. This powerhouse trio just keep delivering the best series ever - they are so swoonworthy and so, so tender. With babies. We do need babies at Christmas, don't we? 

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I can't wait to read We Three Kings by Kristen Bailey, a new to me author. It sounds like a festive, feel-good, fun romance, with three geeky work buddies brightening up their IT department head's Christmas (which may or may not involve chasing a donkey on Christmas day). I'm told it's perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella and Beth O'Leary, two other fave authors of mine.

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I've loved Julia London for years (and years and years). While It Was Snowing looks rather special. Single mum Amy's trying to find time to paint for her new exhibition, but time demands on her by everyone (kids, her ex, parents) mean - wow, is she ever going to get everything done? She books into a holiday cottage to 'just' paint but a snafu occurs: professional golfer Harrison is also there recovering from an injury. And they get snowed in. Hmm. And there's a dog, always a plus.

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All Together For Christmas by Sarah Morgan is the Christmas romance you didn't know you needed, with a big dose of family festiveness, chaos and big ol' love. For those headed to US sites, the book retails as A Merry Little Lie. I do enjoy the way Sarah writes relationships. And there's another dog. It wouldn't be Christmas without a new Sarah Morgan! 

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Ditto for a new Trisha Ashley! I cannot tell you how many happy hours I've spent with Trisha at Christmas, and I'm planning on setting aside plenty of time - 'retreating' - for The Christmas Retreat, whisked away to a writer and artist's retreat on a tiny English coastal village for Christmas. Sounds like heaven. If I know Trisha Ashley, there will also be amazing treats to eat, gorgeous people around, and  definitely romance in the (freezing) air. Can't wait.

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Those of you who know me also know it wouldn't be Christmas without another Melody Carlson, who's so written so many books it's dizzying. Bravo! She writes books with a clear faith message that always touches the heart, and I'm expecting Once Upon A Christmas Carol to be full of this same inspiration. This book - excitingly - has Dickens' A Christmas Carol themes. Dear reader, I'm in.

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And speaking of A Christmas Carol themes, I've been sideswiped by Good Spirits by BK Borison. Look at that stunning cover! You all - you all - will fall in love with Nolan, the Ghost of Christmas Past. Including Harriet, an antique shop owner who, well, isn't exactly grumpy old Scrooge. This is a small-town warm fuzzy read that will totally get you into the Christmas spirit. Go on, indulge.

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Another bit of holiday magic happens in our dear friend Debbie Macomber's book A Ferry Merry Christmas. Quick enough to read in an afternoon, this is a story of two siblings unexpectedly counting their blessings when a ferry break-down almost halts their festivities. There is a Christmas miracle, and there is romance. Sigh. 

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I read Love Story by Lindsey Kelk earlier this year, and was highly entertained by the snappy repartee and situations that were poignant but rom-com funny. When I saw Christmas Fling by her I could not resist. It's all about Laura being mistaken for a mystery girlfriend and swept off to the Scottish Highlands with Callum and his whole family (instead of a solo Christmas at home). What could possibly go wrong? Loads, actually. This was merry mayhem!

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Aussie Kandy Shepherd's new Christmas book Second Chance Under the Mistletoe is a stunning second chance at love story, and is absolutely drenched in the romance of London at Christmas. I loved walking the markets with Natalie and Jon (and got a few good tips about gifts, actually). Achingly tender, you'll definitely have high hopes these two find their way back together. And there is a Christmas baby! 

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Another deliciously kissable baby. The Rancher's Mistletoe Baby by Jill Kemerer is perfect for those who enjoy an unexpected baby surprise (me) and a lovely message of faith (also me). Aww, look at that sweet little face. The book's the beginning of a new series set in Wyoming, so lots more specialness to come if (when) you get hooked!

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But wait, where's the Historicals, you say? Ta-da! Winter Rogue by Emma V Leech, a new to me author, looks such fun. Our intrepid heroine proposes a marriage of convenience to an infamous earl. One of my favourite tropes, a marriage of convenience! We all know Christmas will (probably?) work its romantic magic, but still. Sigh.

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The Christmas Book Flood by Roseanna M White (another new to me author) is set in Iceland, December 1944, towards the end of WWII. A publishing house extends itself in the Christmas rush for more books - anything to brighten up the bleakness and rationing of that year. In the middle of it all author Tatiana falls in love with kind editor Anders. This is the origin of Jolobokaflod, Iceland's Christmas book flood - which I totally wish happened here. I could cope with curling up with hot chocolate while I read (and gift) new books every Christmas Eve. I might have to sit under the air con in Oz, but - new books!

Well done, you made it to the end. I hope you find some fab festive reading in the above. 

We at Breathless in the Bush wish all our readers a very merry Christmas and a wonderful new year! Be kind to each other, and may you be blessed, safe and happy.

Signing off until next year with oodles of love (and good reading) from my house to yours, 

Miranda xxx

LOVE TO LOVE: Christmas. Such a wonderful time of year. And Christmas romance is the best.

LOVE TO LAUGH: Well, that's easy. I laugh at all the crazy videos where cats climb the Christmas tree and wreak havoc with baubles batted all over the house. I might have had a cat (cough, looking at you, Tess, miss you heaps) who did exactly that. 

LOVE TO LEARN: Always, always love to learn what you're reading. Let me know in the comments!

Never give up on your dream to write.

By Cassandra Samuels 

As I write this I am only two months away from a dream of mine coming true. I am having a whole series published by Dragonblade Publishing. A publishing house that is dedicated to all things Historical Romance.

To understand how this came about I have to go back - way back. I had my first novel was published in 2014 and my second in 2017. It was an amazing time but the publisher was starting to go another way and in the end I asked for my rights back. Though it was a hard decision at the time because they were amazing to work with, I know now it was the right thing to do.

I continued to write even though I wasn't really sure what I would do with these manuscripts once I had them back, but I had options and that was the main thing. 

 Then heartache struck.

The death of my granddaughter not yet two at the time cracked my world and that of my family, wide open. I stopped writing although with the encouragement of my crit partners I continued to support them and they me through this time. Eventually, after a long hiatus I announced that I thought I was ready to write again. Yay!

 But something was different. It was me. I was different. It took me a while to find my voice again but even that was not quite the same. I felt I had lost that carefree side of me. I was more serious, more focused.

On a whim and perhaps an overly optimistic sense of needing to get back on the h orse, I submitted to Dragonblade Publishing. They were willing to take me on, but one book was not going to cut it. They wanted a series. So I sent them a series book proposal for four books and they accepted.

Released 16th January 2026 - Cover by Dar Albert.

Party time, until....it was time to write. I only had one book in the series already done so I would have to work really hard to write three more books to various deadlines. I had never written to a deadline before and it was a test of my dedication, organization skills and my focus on making this dream into a career. 

A deadline tests you: 

• You have to commit to writing when you really want to watch Netflix. 

• You have to write even when you have done a full day at the paid job and you are just dog tired. 

• You have to try and write even when you are not feeling the best. 

• You have a contract and a date that you have to meet. 

When you are a pantser who is used writing a book and then selling it, as was the way with my previous publisher, it was a wake up call. 

I am now nearing the end of book three and already thinking about book four and I have learned a few things: 

• I can write more than 500 words in a sitting. 

• I can keep myself on track - most of the time. 

• I can schedule my writing time and stick to it. 

So, if you want to write, then do it. Test yourself. Explore different ways of writing until you find the one that fits. Most of all - never give up on your dream to write. 

Love to Love: That book One in the Spies Like Us series - Once Upon a Wicked Wager will be released on the 16th of January. Just before the new Bridgerton Series comes back on Netflix. 

Love to Laugh: At my dogs Buddy and Jett playing together.

Love to Learn: New ways to stretch my imagination muscles. 

 

 

Writers Residency - a Fabulously Productive Opportunity

By Alyssa J. Montgomery

 

I knew my week as an Artist in Residence at Bundanon was going to be wonderful and I'd been looking forward to it ever since I'd been notified I’d been accepted in January. But, I had no idea just how fabulous it would be. 

A week with no other intrusions - just living with my characters and their stories was surreal. There was none of the usual write a bit, have to leave it for a few days (or longer) then try to get back into the story and the characters' heads and hearts again as I sat back down to pick up the threads. So I powered!

I arrived at Bundanon to check in at 2pm on the Monday afternoon and I had 54000 words. By Friday lunch time I had 87000 words. I didn't need to do my normal thing of reading the last chapter again before I sat down to write the next chapter because I was already there, in the scene, in their heads, feeling their emotions. I can't begin to tell you how unbelievable it was!

I had my plot on sticky notes on my plot chart when I arrived, so I thought it was just a sit down and write task, but it was so much more rewarding because I found the characters took me in a couple of entirely different directions when I put fingers to keyboard. It was a voyage of discovery which I loved, and I got to know my characters so much better in those few days than I had when I drove to Bundanon.

I was also able to write until I was too tired to write anymore because, of course, I didn't have to get up the following day to be at my day job. I found I didn't sleep in, because I am used to starting work at 7am, so I was up and ready to go again early. (Another writer who shared a kitchen with me said I was like the "Everyready Bunny"!!)

Now, of course, that 87000 words is a first draft and now I have to polish, polish, polish. But, it's so much easier to polish in fits and starts than it is to write like that. So, I am eternally grateful to the South Coast Writers' Centre for the opportunity to do the residency and for the Bundanon Trust who manage the Artists in Residency facilities.

It was also the ideal place to write the third book in my Return to Hope Creek rural romance series as I was able to look out from the studio windows and see my writing companions - the wallabies and wombats!

What is Bundanon? It's a property in the heart of Dharawal country and the name means Deep Valley. Arthur Boyd, the famous Australian painter, owned the property which is situated on the Shoalhaven River and he and his wife donated the property to the Australian Government for the Australian people. It houses not only the Artists in Residency studios but also an Art Gallery, The website is : https://www.bundanon.com.au/homestead-site/?

I have decided that I will find somewhere to go and spend a week at least one week (until I retire) annually so I can have a similar retreat and be productive.

Love to love: When writing flows - especially in the middle of the Australian bush paradise that is Bundanon

Love to laugh: At being described as the "Eveready Bunny"

Love to live: The writer's life. What a dream come true!!

What’s your best writing experience/best surrounding to have written in? Would love to hear from you.