Today I am so pleased to welcome Joanna Chambers to Joyfully Jay. Joanna has come to talk to us about her new release, Humbug. She has also brought along a copy to give away. Please join me in giving Joanna a big welcome!
Why Christmas stories are the ultimate romance stories
I am into Christmas in a big way. I am also – you won’t be surprised to hear – into romance in a big way. So, I have a BIG love for Christmas romances, and the other day I was thinking about why.
However you might define the happy ending, one thing is for sure: romance stories end with one…and so do Christmas stories. Think about it: A Christmas Carol, It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street – hell, Bad Santa! A Christmas story with an unhappy ending is as unthinkable as a romance without one. Why should that be?
Well, we’re working with fertile feel-good ground here. Christmas stories are all about peace and joy and goodwill. It’s a time when people can come home after a long absence, reconnect with old friends and lovers, examine their lives and see what’s missing. It’s a great setting for characters to think about what home is, what family is, what love means. It’s also a great setting for characters to re-examine old wounds, reflect on what might have been, and also what a new future could look like. And no matter how dark things get, we know that Christmas is our farewell to the past year. A new year is coming, fresh with promise. Things could be different. Things could change.
I think it’s that – more than anything else – that draws me to Christmas stories, over and over. That feeling of an ending and a beginning in one. The bittersweet promise of that. Because look at those happy ending stories again: A Christmas Carol, It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, Bad Santa. Yes, every one of them has a happy ending, but every one of them contains darkness too: regret, shame, anger, unkindness. And that’s what I love about Christmas stories. That you get both sides, and then, at the end: off-the-scale happiness.
Blurb
Quin Flint is unimpressed when his gorgeous colleague, Rob Paget, asks for extra time off at Christmas. As far as Quin is concerned, Christmas is a giant waste of time. Quin’s on the fast track to partnership, and the season of goodwill is just getting in the way of his next big project. But when Quin’s boss, Marley, confiscates his phone and makes him take an unscheduled day off, Quin finds himself being forced to confront his regrets, past and present, and think about the sort of future he really wants…and who he wants it with.
Bio
Joanna Chambers always wanted to write. In between studying, finding a proper grown up job, getting married and having kids, she spent many hours staring at blank sheets of paper and chewing pens. That changed when she rediscovered her love of romance and found her muse. Joanna’s muse likes red wine, coffee and won’t let Joanna clean the house or watch television.
Giveaway
Joanna has brought a copy of Humbug to give away to one lucky reader. Just leave a comment at the end of the post to enter. The contest ends on Wednesday, December 2nd at 11:59 pm EST.
- By entering the giveaway, you’re confirming that you are at least 18 years old.
- Winners will be selected by random number. No purchase necessary to win. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning.
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- Winners may be announced on the blog following the contest. By entering the contest you are agreeing to allow your name to be posted and promoted as the contest winner by Joyfully Jay.
- Prizes will be distributed following the giveaway either by Joyfully Jay or the person/organization donating the prize.
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- Void where prohibited by law.
I’m not really that into Christmas myself. I think it’s been twisted into something thought just to make us spend lost of money, and somehow the Christmas spirit is lost…. That’s why I love Christmas stories so much, because they help me get in the mood of the real Christmas spirit, what Christmas is supposed to be. I know it is a bit contradictory the fact that I do not like Christmas but I do love Christmas stories but… Who said people is supposed to be simple?
Thank you for your post, Joanna, and for the giveaway. I love your books, so Humbug has been in my TBR list since I first found out about it
This sounds like a great Christmas read. I just finished Unnatural yesterday and really enjoyed it.
I love Christmas stories especially ones with fluffy happy endings. I hope this is one of them!
Yes, I love Christmas stories – all that hope, happiness – least fattening way to get my sugar overdose!!
I love Christmas and Christmas stories. Nothing better than relaxing and reading 🙂 Thanks for this post and the giveaway chance.
I adore the Scrooge theme, and am excited to read this version. Would love to win. Thanks!!
I love Christmas. There can be something magical. Humbug looks great for the season.
Thanks for the great post – you expressed why holiday stories are my favorite – much better than I could have done. Humbug sounds wonderful; it is on my TBR list.
I’m feeling a bit humbugish myself this year. Realized I had no reason to go to ToysRUs, the grandkids are all “too old” for toys. *heavy sigh* What does that make me too old for? This story may be just what I need to shake off the doldrums.
Christmas definitely doesn’t seem as much fun now that I’m an adult and a few key family members have passed away (notably my dad), but I hope that if I have kids of my own, I’ll see it through their eyes!
I’m not sure I’m into Christmas (at least movies). Though I usually love the songs and the food. 😉
I’m not so much into Christmas, you know, Santa Claus and going broke trying to buy the perfect presents…but I love the Christmas carols, lights, decorations. I like Christmas movies and stories too. I just wish there wasn’t so much pressure involved.
I love the magic of Christmas…and the stories help bring that to life.
I love seeing Christmas decorations and listening to the holiday music. I don’t really celebrate it though.
I must admit, I favour a story that touches on the deeper meaning of Christmas rather than just being set at Christmas. Which chimes with all these great comments.
I hate the commercialization of Christmas, but I love to see people get into the spirit of making others happy for the sake of it. The most important thing to me is spending time with my loved ones.
Christmas is my favorite holiday, love decorating, baking cookies, salted caramel lattes, 24 hours of A Christmas Story, and spending time with family & friends 🙂 I don’t like Christmas music though, except for the few days before Christmas. Reading Christmas stories just gets me more in the spirit.
I love Christmas stories! I think the fluffier the better. You always know there will be a very happy ending!
I enjoy a good romance and a good holiday story. Humbug certainly sounds intriguing! Thanks for your post and the opportunity to win.
I love Christmas stories and can’t wait to read this one. I have been quite the humbug the last few years due to a death in the family and illness, but this year I am getting in the spirit. We already have the tree up.
I love holiday movies, on the big screen and the little one, and even those cheesy tv show episodes. So, you know that I have to love them in books, too. They are all about hope and goodwill, and I love them, especially when they’re about love! Thanks for sharing with us!
I’m with you. There is just something joyous about Christmas. It’s the festive trees and ornaments, but also a feeling in the air. I think we tend to be more about others this time of the year than any other. Another reason my Hubby and I love all the TV specials, parades and, of course, the books!!! Merry Christmas to you and yours!!! XOXO