A Persistent Christmas Fantasy

It seems that for all of my adult life I’ve cherished a beautiful Christmas fantasy. In my mind I’ve pictured myself lounging on the sofa in mid-December by a fully decorated Christmas tree. Under the tree are exquisitely wrapped gifts for all my family and friends. Traditional Christmas carols waft through the air, mingling with the scents of my completed Christmas baking.

And I am reading a Christmas novel.

Well, I said it was a fantasy. Actually, over the years I have managed to include reading a few Christmas novels. Not in the idyllic relaxed mode of my daydream, of course, but rather by snatching a few moments for myself in the midst of the rush. And those few moments have provided scenes of delight, opening windows to Christmases in other times and other places—as good novels always do.

Titles I especially recall are Two from Galilee by Marjorie Holmes, Anne Perry’s Christmas novellas such as A Christmas Secret and Liz Curtis Higgs’ A Wreath of Snow.

This year I had hoped— am still hoping— to add to the list of Christmas novels offered to readers with my own entry: An All-Consuming Fire, the culmination of my Monastery Murders series:

A Christmas wedding in a monastery— what could be more idyllic? And Felicity has never been happier, in spite of her over-bearing mother who wants to turn the whole event into a royal affair and Antony’s worries over the television series he is narrating on the English Mystics. Then Felicity takes on responsibility for directing an Epiphany pageant for Kirkthorpe’s wayward youth. At least, most of the vexing disruptions occurring on the filming locations are miles away from the Community of the Transfiguration. Until the threats move closer. Close enough to threaten Felicity’s life.

The strapline is: Will the murderer stalking the Yorkshire Moors shatter the joy of Felicity and Antony’s Christmas wedding?

But at the moment it seems that the more pertinent question is: Will Donna’s Christmas novel be published in time for an idyllic read by the Christmas tree?

Well, much of the message of Christmas is about believing and holding on to our dreams, so I’m still hopeful. And, after all, the wedding isn’t scheduled until the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas, so that gives Felicity and Antony more time to solve the mystery and An All-Consuming Fire more time to make its debut.

Please share with us titles of some of your favorite Christmas reads.

Posted by Donna Fletcher Crow www.DonnaFletcherCrow.com