Celebrating Christmas in July By Kathy Coatney

 

A fun fact about me is—I'm a big fan of winter. I love snow. I love cuddling up by the fire. I love to cross country skiing. I don’t even mind shoveling snow, so winter is my jam. When I first started writing the Falling in Love series I set the story in winter. Christmas stories were really popular, but for some reason I resisted writing them. Finally, I thought this is silly. I love Christmas. I love winter. Why wasn’t I writing some Christmas themed stories?

I finally started the Crooked Halo Christmas Chronicles. They are short Christmas stories with matchmaking angels. I had a lot of fun with the angels, and I still write that series, but I’ve moved on to writing the Vermont Christmas Romance series. These are full-length books, and the inspiration for these books was bittersweet.

Several years ago I attended the Emerald City Romance conference in Seattle. My roommate invited me to join her for dinner with a group of authors and readers, and I was thrilled. We went to dinner that evening, and I met a woman named Jody Sherin—a tiny whirlwind of energy and an avid reader.

Jody introduced herself to me, then proceeded to tell me when she found out I was coming she bought my book and read it overnight. For the next ten minutes she raved about my book and my writing. Needless to say we became fast friends, and as our friendship evolved over the years, she was not only my avid reader, but she critiqued my books for me.

Jody adored Christmas and started decorating early in November. She had numerous trees and her holiday decorations that were a sight to behold. In April 2021, Jody died unexpectedly. For anyone who knew her, Jody made friends everywhere she went. I always envied her that as I am much more reserved.

I missed her so much, and in June of 2021 I came up with Santa Comes to Snowside, the first book in the Vermont Christmas series with a matchmaking Jody and Nick Claws, actually Santa and Mrs. Claus. As I wrote that first book, I felt Jody’s presence as I typed every word. It gave me comfort and joy to feel her with me. And if I headed in a wrong direction, you can bet she was at my shoulder guiding me back on track!

In the book, Jody and Nick Claws arrive in Snowside, Vermont to bring together Annie Murphy, a transit bus driver raising her teenage nephew on her own, and Jack Davidson, a man on the road to enlightenment and owner of a local charity that helps people get back into the working world. I had so much fun writing this book. At the same time, it constantly brought me to tears because it reminded me of Jody, and what a wonderful person she was, and how the world was a little less bright without her presence.

Santa Comes to Snowside is dedicated to Jody. As I finished the book and shared it with her husband, I took on another project. In collaboration with two other authors that are friends of mine and Jody's, Wendy Delaney and Dana Delmar, we put together a memoir of Jody with contributions from her family and friends. We took on the project with great joy, but it was hard. Every time we read the heartfelt comments about our friend it tore at our hearts, but it was worth it because now we have a beautiful memory of her with Jody Burchinal Sherin: A Celebration. 

There are two books in The Vermont Christmas series, and I have plans for book three, but I haven't started it yet. I think I'm waiting for Jody to give me inspiration, but knowing Jody she’s busy decorating heaven and will get back to me when she has time to show me the next couple in need of her assistance.

What do you like most about Christmas stories?

Santa Comes to Snowside
What music do Santa’s elves like the best? Wrap music!

Annie Murphy, a transit bus driver in Snowside, Vermont, loves scavenger hunts and the corny jokes her riders share. She has a heart as big as the city and gave up college to raise her orphaned nephew without a second thought. But so far true love has eluded her.

A downturn in the economy five years ago sent Jack Davidson down a path to enlightenment. Giving up a lucrative career in finance and his swanky high-rise apartment, he invested all his savings to start Job Hunters 4 You, a nonprofit that helps the unemployed find work. The only thing missing is that special someone in his life.

Jody and Nick Claws arrive on Jack’s doorstep in matching red and green plaid flannel shirts, the spitting image of Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus. The pair are on a mission to work their Christmas magic on two lonely hearts—Annie and Jack.

Grab your copy today because nothing kicks off the holidays like a match made in heaven. 

https://www.kathycoatney.com/coming-in-november/

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