It’s the MOST wonderful time of the year – for reading Christmas novels, that is!
With that in mind, I’m devoting this month’s column to two authors who have recently released absolutely delightful Christmas books that straddle the line between romance and women’s fiction, Susan Wiggs and Sheila Roberts.
In a nod to the titles of their books, I’ve posed twelve questions that will help you know more about Susan and Sheila’s Christmas likes, traditions, disasters, and special memories. (There might even be a recipe in there!)
But before we get to the Q&A, let me give you a little peek into these two charming, heartwarming holiday novels!
THE TWELVE MONTHS OF CHRISTMAS by Sheila Roberts
When three friends have horrible holiday fails, they decide to try again. And again. And again. And again, all through the year, trying to keep the holiday spirit alive. Through laughter and tears, they’re bound to find hope, love, and a happy ending after 12 months of Christmas.
THE TWELVE DOGS OF CHRISTMAS by Susan Wiggs
Hoping to escape Christmas–which has never gone well for her–newly-single Brenda volunteers to transport a vanload of rescued dogs of all shapes and sizes from Texas to a wintry town deep in the heart of the Catskills. Mayhem ensues.
Question 1: Where did you get the idea for your book?
Sheila Roberts: I’d love to be able to point to a specific inspiration but, honestly, the idea just popped into my mind.
Susan Wiggs: From my dog rescue experience! I named the main character “Brenda” in honor of a real-life dog rescue volunteer. She was fostering a litter of pups rescued from a backyard breeder in Texas, and I met her on a zoom call. During the call, Jerry and I fell in love with one of the pups and adopted him on the spot. Our beloved Dug came to his forever home with us in a transit van filled with dogs. What an exciting moment to meet Dug for the first time!
Question 2: Hot chocolate or hot cider?
Sheila Roberts: Hot chocolate! A woman needs her vitamin “C”.
Susan Wiggs: Nooo! Don’t make me choose. I love them both. I love winter beverages.
Question 3: Do you open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?
Sheila Roberts: Christmas Eve is for gathering with loved ones.
Susan Wiggs: Christmas EVE? That is straight up sacrilege. Christmas eve is for drinking and singing. Christmas morning is the only civilized time for presents.
Question 4: Christmas tree. Real or artificial?
Sheila Roberts: Fake. I can leave that baby up as long as I want.
Susan Wiggs: After years of having a Christmas tree farm, I am a total convert to a tiny, perfect, pre-lit tree that looks amazing on a table in the window.
Question 5: Favorite Christmas cookie?
Sheila Roberts: Seriously? ONE favorite? Gotta be the frosted sugar cookies then.
Susan Wiggs: I don’t know what they’re called. Just “Christmas cookie.” The cut-out kind with icing and sprinkles. My friend Sheila Roberts makes the best ones you’ve ever tasted. Here’s a link to my favorite recipe: https://www.susanwiggs.com/cookie-season/
Question 6: Christmas lights. White or colored?
Sheila Roberts: Yes.
Susan Wiggs: No preference, really. I like those little copper string lights because they’re easy, so mine are all white.
Question 7: Did Black Friday find you rubbing shoulders with humanity, happily searching for bargains in person? Sitting at your computer in your jammies, also searching for bargains but far from the madding crowd? Not shopping at all, either because you’re already finished or prefer to wait until the last minute?
Sheila Roberts: I will be done by then. Yay, me!
Susan Wiggs: This year, I’ll be somewhere between Forest City, Iowa and Bainbridge Island, Washington, in a new camper van Jerry bought. We’re picking it up at the dealer in Iowa and driving it home. Pray for me.
Question 8: What does your family have for Christmas dinner? Turkey? Ham? Roast Beef? Something else?
Sheila Roberts: Turkey and stuffing and all the trimmings. And, of course, red velvet
cake for dessert. (Got to have the birthday cake for Jesus!)
Susan Wiggs: A potluck. We always have a crowd. Camp Gundersen has, at last count, sleeping accommodations for up to 19 souls (assuming we know each other and get along). Favorites include cranberry-walnut dressing, honey baked ham, sticky date pudding, buche de noel, and chilled French champagne.
Question 9: Share a Christmas disaster you’ll never forget and/or a Christmas memory you’ll always cherish.
Sheila Roberts: Ha! The year our car got stuck in second gear on Christmas Eve. It took a
looong time to get home from the family celebration that night and I was not saying,
“Ho, ho, ho.”
Susan Wiggs: Christmas day 2013. The night before, at 8pm, I got a call that my granddaughter Clara had been born in Chicago, a couple of weeks ahead of schedule. I immediately changed my flight to a first thing Christmas morning departure. There were only a few people on the early ferry (usually 200+ cars) but the regular newspaper guy, who is indigent and neurodivergent, was on his usual route, pedaling papers to the ferry riders. I gave him a $100 bill and told him to keep the change. A few hours later, I was holding my first grandchild in my arms.
Question 10: What’s your favorite Christmas book (not by you).
Sheila Roberts: Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. One of the most brilliant stories ever!
Susan Wiggs: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. It’s a children’s book. but it’s charming, funny, and heartwarming.
Question 11: Favorite Christmas movie?
Sheila Roberts: Always It’s a Wonderful Life. “No man is a failure who has friends.” In light of that, I consider myself a huge success!
Susan Wiggs: Die Hard or Bad Santa. Don’t judge.
Question 12: Anything else you’d like people to know?
Sheila Roberts: Yes! I’m so excited about my spring release, The Best Life Book Club! If your book club would like to read it be sure to let me know ([email protected])
Susan Wiggs: A portion of my royalties will go to support my local dog rescue shelter—the Kitsap Humane Society. If you order the book from LibertyBayBooks.com in Poulsbo, WA, you can get a signed copy, AND they’re donating 20% of the price to the Kitsap Humane Society. And finally, a funny story. As my editor was working on the book, she spotted this post on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/reel/CoqSJaXpHMg/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== We thought it was uncanny, because that’s pretty much how the first scene of the novel plays out, sending Brenda off on her Christmas adventure!
About Marie Bostwick
When not curled up with a good book, Marie Bostwick can usually be found in her office, trying to write one.
A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of eighteen uplifting works of historical and contemporary fiction, Marie’s books are beloved by readers across the globe.
Drawing on her lifelong love of quilting and her unshakable belief in the power of sisterhood, Marie’s popular Cobbled Court Quilt series has been embraced by quilters and non-sewers alike. Her standalone books have also found a passionate following among lovers of women’s fiction. Marie’s novel, The Second Sister” was adapted into the 2018 Hallmark Hall of Fame feature film “Christmas Everlasting”, starring Patti LaBelle. Marie’s most recent novel, Hope on the Inside, was published in March 2019 and was chosen as a Reader’s Digest “Select Editions” book.
Marie’s latest endeavor is Fiercely Marie, a lifestyle blog that encourages women to live every minute and love every moment. She is currently working on her next novel, “The Restoration of Celia Fairchild”, which will be published by William Morrow in the spring of 2021.
Marie lives in Washington state with her husband and a beautiful but moderately spoiled Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
No Comments
Comments are closed.