Written by Susan Buchanan
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I'm taking part in the blog tour organised by Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources
for independant author Susan Buchanan's recently published novel, A Little Christmas Spirit.
Susan Buchanan writes contemporary romance and women’s fiction and is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association.
A Little Christmas Spirit is Book Three in The Christmas Spirit series.
Today I am delighted to have Susan join me on my blog to answer a few questions about her inspiration for writing The Christmas Spirit series.
And not only that! At the bottom of this post you'll find a raffle to win a signed copy of
The Christmas Spirit and bookmark (Open to UK Only).
for independant author Susan Buchanan's recently published novel, A Little Christmas Spirit.
Susan Buchanan writes contemporary romance and women’s fiction and is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association.
A Little Christmas Spirit is Book Three in The Christmas Spirit series.
Today I am delighted to have Susan join me on my blog to answer a few questions about her inspiration for writing The Christmas Spirit series.
And not only that! At the bottom of this post you'll find a raffle to win a signed copy of
The Christmas Spirit and bookmark (Open to UK Only).
The blurb:
A Little Christmas SpiritCan a sprinkle of magic heal broken hearts this Christmas?
With Jacob now at the helm at the cosy Sugar and Spice café, it’s the perfect opportunity for Christmas Spirit Lara to weave her magic.
Fraser is floundering in his new role as headteacher as he grapples with guilt over having to place his beloved mother in a care home, leaving him feeling lost and alone during what should be a joyful time.
Meanwhile, school janitor Paul is torn between his desire to feel needed and the pressure from his wife to retire, dimming the season’s sparkle.
Valerie, overwhelmed by the demands of newborn twins, feels she’s not giving her other daughter enough attention. She needs a bit of me time and for her husband to realise the responsibility for the kids falls to both of them.
And Bella, heartbroken after her husband’s shocking request for a separation just a year into their marriage, longs to escape the memories of last year’s perfect Christmas.
Can Lara help them rediscover joy, connection, and the true spirit of the season?
A heartwarming journey filled with friendship, community, and a dash of holiday magic that promises to transform the lives of those in need of hope this Christmas.
Christmas Holiday Romance
Fiction
Q1. Your Christmas books deal with real-life issues but still maintain that uplifting Christmas spirit? How do you strike the balance between the ‘tough stuff’ and the ‘feel-good’?
Well, with the Christmas Spirit stories, the Christmas Spirit has usually 4 people identified as needing their help that year. It could be unemployment, grief, overwhelm, guilt, despair, perhaps at a relationship ending or a career not going where it was meant to, but the Christmas Spirit is there to save the day! By inserting themselves into the person’s life, the Christmas Spirit is in a position to work her magic and improve their situation. I wouldn’t leave a Christmas book on a negative note, now, would I?Q2. The Christmas Spirit books often feature couples and family being brought together through tradition. Is this something that is inspired by your own family’s traditions?
I would have probably have said no, until A Little Christmas Spirit. Since a great deal of it is based around a school – the other part being mainly at Sugar and Spice café – it’s a lot closer to my current family experience since my children are still at primary school, and of course, schools are great at putting on lots of events at Christmas! I don’t personally spend much time in cafes at Christmas, but I’m thinking I need to right that wrong! If the Sugar and Spice café truly existed, I’d be there every day!Q3. Your characters’ professional lives, whether it’s owning a bakery/café or running an Etsy shop, or being a teacher always play an important role in your books. How do you research the occupations to make them feel realistic?
I may not spend a lot of time in cafes at Christmas, per se, but I have spent a lot of time in cafes, and I used to live above one. In fact, the windows of that café inspired those of Sugar and Spice’s windows. I also like cake!! I’ve never run an Etsy shop, but I do know some people who have and who are good with crafts and handmade products, so I ask questions and I do research. And as for the teachers, well, I did used to teach, in Spain, but I also have a few friends who are teachers, plus, again, my kids are at school still, so I talk to teachers a lot. In fact, parents’ night’s just around the corner!Q4. There’s always a moment where holiday magic gives the romance a little shove in the right direction. How do you balance the magical elements in the book whilst keeping the story believable?
There are some purely magical (and unbelievable, and hopefully heartwarming) moments in all three Christmas Spirit books, but for the most part, the Christmas Spirit just has to be involved in the relevant character’s life in some way. I’ve been told before, some of my books are like mini soap operas, and I suppose in a way the Christmas Spirit books are like Christmas-themed magical mini soap operas – we could all easily feature in any of the books!Q5. Each of the Christmas Spirit books has a significant craft or Christmas theme that becomes relevant to the overall story and the romance. How do you weave these elements in?
It’s different for every book, but it’s generally after a fair bit of research, deciding what to keep and make everything Christmassy enough without having a full-blown tinsel-fest all at once. It’s pretty organic and I just imagine the characters and their own Christmas activities individually (since I know their personalities and schedules!) and then think how they could meet up and what they could bond over. I had particular fun with Tabitha and Fraser in that respect in A Little Christmas Spirit.| Author Bio – Susan Buchanan |
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 Susan Buchanan writes contemporary romance and women’s fiction, usually featuring travel, food, family, friendship and community. Her books are Sign of the Times, The Dating Game, The Christmas Spirit, Return of the Christmas Spirit and Just One Day – Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn. As a freelance developmental editor, copyeditor and proofreader, if she’s not reading, editing or writing, she’s thinking about it. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, the Society of Authors and the Alliance of Independent Authors. She lives near Glasgow with her husband, two children and a crazy Labrador. When she’s not editing, writing, reading or caring for her two delightful cherubs, she likes going to the theatre, playing board games, watching quiz shows and eating out, and she has recently discovered a love of writing retreats. |
| Social Media Links – | |
| Web site | www.susanbuchananauthor.com |
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| Facebook Author Page | https://www.facebook.com/susan.buchanan.author |
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Giveaway to Win a Signed copy of The Christmas Spirit and bookmark (Open to UK Only)
*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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thanks for taking part in the tour. I really appreciate it xx
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