Christmas romances. They typically begin to show up in September and October, about the same time as the Halloween, Fall, and Christmas decorations, which at some point in October, overflow in an eclectic holiday mix on store shelves.
Being a huge Christmas fan, I enjoy reading Christmas romances. I do, however, limit my holiday reading to the season. A wintry story just doesn’t evoke the same warm, fuzzy feelings for me when spring flowers are blooming or while reclining in a poolside lounge chair in the hot summer sun. I prefer that it be late in the fall or even better, chilly with a few snow flakes flying when I snuggle down to read a toasty tale. And yes, I do keep my favorite Christmas romances and reread them (or my favorite scenes) every couple of years or so.
What is your opinion on “noel novels� Do you love them? Hate them? Or are you somewhere in between? Just as with other romances, I suppose some readers only select full length novels as opposed to the very popular anthologies. Do you have a preference? I personally prefer anthologies, mainly because my reading time is seriously limited during the holiday season; those shorter stories are a nice fit in my busy schedule. I know that I can’t be the only one whose “snuggle down and read†time is at a minimum during the holidays.
What about storylines? Have you grown tired of the seemingly limited storylines? The couples who, whether they’re unacquainted, or old friends, or former lovers, find themselves stranded in a secluded mountain cabin, a hotel, or in an office building, during a blinding snowstorm? Maybe you prefer the hugely successful executive who finds himself back in his hometown, bumping into the girl next door that he has surprisingly never noticed before, the high school sweetheart that he lost track of after graduation, or maybe the college lover who has never completely left his thoughts?
I suppose there is only so much you can do with a holiday story, which is why the storylines are so often repeated. Often, the characters don’t have any family or are estranged from their family so no one will miss or worry about them while they’re stranded. Do you find this realistic? I understand the premise, eliminating the need for additional characters whose inclusion would require a longer story, but sometimes this severely solitary lifestyle seems just a tad too convenient.
Share your opinion about holiday romances. What you like, don’t like, or even hate. Do you have time to read during the holidays? Do you have a favorite Christmas tale? Are you like me and prefer to holiday reads close to or during the season, or are you happy to read them any time of year?
Happy Holiday reading to everyone!!
No related posts.
Frankly, I run from them.
Screaming.
So far, I haven’t encountered any that worked for me. I’ve seen some romantic holiday-focused erotica that I liked (say, an established couple who share a very special moment, or more like two hours, under the mistletoe–although of course the actual examples are escaping me) but let’s face it…
We barely have time to curl up with a good book during the holidays. Who the heck has time to fall in love?
I’ll buy a Christmas romance if it’s in the clearance section of a UBS.
I love Christmas short stories. I buy several anthologies every Nov/Dec, mostly Regency or other historicals.
My collection came in handy last summer when I wanted to write a Christmas fantasy short. I reread several favorites to get into the holiday mood and wrote two shorts which have sold.
Tis the season for holiday anthologies and this time of year is the only time when I read them. That way they become a tradition. *g*
I love them and buy a stack every year.
I love the Brava Christmas anthologies a lot. They are sexy yet also a bit magical, which I love. I definitely make the time to read them, and I might pick up 2 or 3 books a year. Sometimes I save the holiday ones until closer to Christmas – I don’t always want to read them in October.
I think the only successful ones I’ve ever encountered were by Mary Balogh, but then I’m not a big fan of the Christmas-themed novella.
I love them but I think they are really hard to write. By dealing with a specific holiday your story is time-constrained for the h/h to fall in love. I love the anthologies because they are usually one or two established authors and a few new ones. If I like the established authors I’ll buy it and maybe discover a new author to be in my to-buy list.
I adore Christmas themed stories. I have a small stack of favourites and I’m always looking out for new ones. Guess that’s why the first book I had published, The Cinderella Substitute has a Christmas theme. I love novella’s and full length novels. I just added the latest Debbie Macomber Christmas book to my TBR pile.
Ditto here.
For me, the season is simply the backdrop to the romance. Let’s face it, people fall in love every day…and the weather, the season, the day of the week…really doesn’t seem to matter.
As for plotlines? There are just as many Christmas plots as there are romance plots. While there do seem to be a surfiet of certain ones, I’ve read others that aren’t dependent on the weather/location/season.
Good topic!
Diana
(PS. In the interest of full disclosure, I did write a Christmas story that will be released 10 days before Christmas this year. That probably colors my view!
I like the shorter stories over the holidays because they fit into the schedule of things going on. I have picked up a few of the Christmas ones, but mainly because they contain an auto buy author. So usually at this time of year, I am buying more of the shorter Christmas ones.
I love Christmas stories! I particularly like those written by Betty Neels. They always put me in the mood for Christmas!
I love them-particularly the Regency Christmas anthologies and Debbie Macomber’s Christmas books. In fact, I just had a holiday short story published. I love writing about Christmas too. My story is in Holiday in the Heart from Highland Press. Of course, I didn’t take the traditional route – it’s a paranormal!
I avoid them like the plague.
The only Christmas story that I’ve ever read that was memorable was Joan Hohl’s ‘A Christmas Stranger’, but I’m thinking that this was because it had a paranormal slant at a time when such books were very few and far between.
I’ve always enjoyed Christmas themed stories. It’s an emotional time of year that seems to go hand in hand with romance. Some of the storylines might get a little old but during the holiday season we tend to repeat classics or maybe put a new spin on an old theme but that’s okay with me because it seems to fit the mood of the holidays which are built on tradition.
I tend to pick up a few holiday romances during the season. I am like you I hold them till its closer to the holiday to read gets me more in the mood for christmas. I like the brava christmas stories, just the right length. Debbie Macombers christmas story I buy every year, granted they aren’t the hot and steamy ones but they just hit the spot for me.
I’ve read a few when a Christmas anth had a fav author in it. For the most part I’m not a fan. The only memorable one for me was A SEASON FOR MIRACLES by Marilyn Pappano which I read years ago.
Don’t like them.
Sometimes read them but never buy them.
Christmas means cold
and there’s nothing romantic about freezing buttocks off.
“I’ve read a few when a Christmas anth had a fav author in it. For the most part I’m not a fan. The only memorable one for me was A SEASON FOR MIRACLES by Marilyn Pappano which I read years ago.”
I loved that whole series, Rosie! And last night I found Season had been made into a movie. Caught the last 20 minutes or so! Wish I had known earlier.:mrgreen:
Lots of great responses! It looks like most like or love them, some have a strong dislike, and a few are somewhere in between. Thanks for sounding off – your responses are very interesting!
being Jewish, i tend to avoid them unless they are written by one of my favorite authors, such as Nora Roberts. i’ve read a bunch though, but generally they are too sickly-sweet for me and make me want to puke.
my own comment just raised a question in my mind–why are there so few jewish writers or if there are some, why dont they write Chanukah stories, huh? hmmm…
You know, Shaina, I thought the same thing as I was writing this article; I have no recollection of ever seeing a Chanuka story. I thought that I probably just hadn’t noticed any b/c, not being Jewish, I wasn’t really looking. Interesting.
Hmm, I don’t think I’ve ever read a holiday romance. I don’t think it would matter to me so long as the story is strong
Harlequin pubbed an anthology last year called Burning Bright–one Christmas story, one Chanuka, and one Wiccan yule story. I loved it. I also thought it was pretty cutting edge for HQ.
I enjoy the holiday anthologies. I’ve already read two anthologies this year, both published by Kimani Press. However, I recently read a single title holiday chick-lit that I thought was pretty good because it was so off the beaten path as holiday stories go. It’s “The Danger of Mistletoe” by Theresa Alan. (My review will be published on Fresh Fiction shortly.