We’re thrilled to have Joanne Rock here with us today celebrating her brand new release from Holiday Books! Leave Joanne a comment below and you’ll be entered to win a prize pack of books! Happy Holiday reading, Book Girls!
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Writing a Christmas romance is almost as much fun as reading one. And that’s really saying something as writing a book can be very challenging. But no matter what writerly obstacles a story presents, a Christmas tale is special because it contains that extra measure of holiday magic.
Of course, I’m a romantic in every sense of the word, so it’s easy for me to find a holiday romance magical. Especially one set in a fictional town like Cloud Spin, Vermont, where the weather is like walking into a snow globe.
Last Chance Christmas gave me an excuse to turn on the holiday tunes early this year. I created a Pandora station of all my favorites and the inspiration was immediate. Is there any music that can set a mood faster than Rocking Around the Christmas Tree? Or Nat King Cole singing The Christmas Song? Not for me! In minutes, I was reliving past holiday trips to Vermont where quaint towns celebrate the season with Old World charm, complete with Wassailing Weekends and Father Christmas.
But my new story isn’t all window dressing! The best part of this one is sexy hockey hero J.C. Royce, who wooed and won me early on in this story. He’s strong, driven and athletically gifted. Most importantly though, he recognizes the importance of family, Christmas, and a sense of home and community that Shea Walker has forgotten. I hope you’ll join me to see how J.C. goes about convincing Shea to stick around for the holidays… and more!
***Leave a comment for Joanne Rock – your favorite Christmas tune or movie!—and you’ll be entered to win a holiday prize pack of books.
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Joanne Rock writes romance of all shapes and sizes from sexy contemporary to medieval historical and an occasional Young Adult story. She’s penned over seventy books, appearing most often in the Harlequin Blaze series. Joanne taught English at the college level before becoming a full-time writer, and she returns to the classroom as often as possible to share her love of stories. A quiet and unassuming Virgo, Joanne married a fiery and boisterous Aries man in true opposites-attract fashion.
Thanks for the chance to win! Love your books!
Thank you so much, Chris! So glad you could stop by the blog!
For fun my favorite song is the Hippo song! And I also love Mary Did you know. I love most any Christmas music Amy Grant is a favorite. My mom used to put on the records and play old time country music stars’ Christmas albums, loved it we have quite a collection. I also have several CD’s of Christmas music. I also love Christmas romances, I was actually looking through my books on my kindle Sunday night after I had finished a book, and thought about starting some of the Christmas ones I had purchased last year, but didn’t get around to reading, it’s finally feeling a little like fall here in central Alabama, so I am in the mood. Yours looks like a great one!
Thanks, Pam! I’m partial to Elvis and Johnny Mathis at Christmas time, but I like lots of kinds of music.
My favorite Christmas movie is The Grinch! Both the old school one and the Jim Carrey one, I could watch them over and over – and I do! Because my 3yr old loves them too :) Unfortunately, toddler pronunciation is a terrible thing and he is always asking me to watch “the bitch”! ;)
Oh dear, Heather, bet that raises some eyebrows in the grocery store line . We always watch The Grinch too. All the more fun now that I have a son named Max!
I have read some of her books. I would love to win.
Thank you for reading, Jane!! xo
My favorite holiday movie is a toss up between Elf and Four Christmases!
I’m watching Four Christmases this year for sure. I missed it when it first came out and I don’t know how I haven’t caught up with it yet!! I like both those actors.
Favorite Christmas movie is Christmas Vacation. It’s so funny.
Always,
Melinda
My brother in law usually puts this on for at least a little while during a holiday gathering, if only for some familiar background jokes. Clark has such good intentions…
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A Christmas Story.. and old school is A Wonderful Life is a close second..
Daddy’s gonna kill Ralphie! So fun…
My favorite holiday movie is I’ll be home for Christmas.
Marissa, that’s another one I’ll have to add to my list. Looks like a good one!
The abitily to think like that shows you’re an expert
Thanks for the chance. My favorite Christmas movie of all time to watch is Sound of Music. Classic.
Any time of year is the right time for Sound of Music!
My favorite Christmas movie is White Christmas. Thanks for this amazing giveaway, I do appreciate it.
For the last few years we’ve watched that one while we are wrapping presents. Every time I watch, I wonder how on earth Vera Ellen’s waist could be so tiny!!
Favorite Christmas movie is White Christmas, thanks for this wonderful giveaway, I do appreciate it.
Awesome giveaway! I love White Christmas :)
I read recently that Crosby and Kaye’s version of the Sisters act wasn’t in the original script but added later after the actors were joking around.
i love the song “Mary, Did You Know?” done by Kenny Rogers. i love the movie “Miracle on 34th Street”; older & newer versions.
Make sure you pick up Jane Porter’s A Christmas Miracle for Daisy that uses Miracle on 34th street as inspiration!
My favorite Christmas song is Last Christmas by WHAM! and my favorite Christmas movie is Love Actually. Not to mention I love books that have hockey players in them… Thanks for the chance!
I’ll love George Michael forever. I could hear him sing anything.
I’ve become a big fan of hockey player heroes, so I’m looking forward to reading this book, Joanne. ;-)
My favorite classic Christmas movie is White Christmas. My favorite newer Christmas movie is The Family Stone. Both are filled with humor and heart and I have to watch them every year.
Yay! Glad to hear you are enjoy the hockey player guys, Marcy. I really liked the two hockey heroes I wrote for Blaze and was anxious to pen another!
white christmas…. Love Bing…. and its the answer for both though white christmas was originally the song from Holiday Inn and I own that too
I also saw that the inn used for Holiday Inn was the same one they used for white Christmas, which I thought was fun.
Wow, the colors you used are glorious!! I tend to get stuck in a rut, that is why I was happy to discover color scheme challenges recnotly.Weuld LOVE the book! Thanks for the chance!Anne
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A Christmas Story
Hi Gretchen! One of the stations has played it all day on Christmas for the last few years so it’s always easy to catch on that day. And who can pass by when he walks down the stairs in his bunny suit?!
Your book sounds like a fabulous read, I do love a good holiday romance especially with hockey players! So many wonderful Christmas songs to choose from but my all-time favorite is Silent Night. There’s just something about it that’s so peaceful and beautiful.
You’re right, Anita! Its a beautiful song. So glad you stopped by!
Of the panoply of website I’ve pored over this has the most veayictr.
Great article but it didn’t have eveinthryg-I didn’t find the kitchen sink!
I haven’t read any of your books yet, I’m looking forward to though. My favorite Christmas song is Little Drummer Boy and my favorite Christmas movie is Christmas Story, I look forward to it every year. Thank you for this opportunity.
Hi Christy! Nice to meet a new-to-me reader and thank you for taking a peek at LAST CHANCE CHRISTMAS! I saw a poll online where readers ranked their fav versions of Little Drummer Boy and the one I saw rated David Bowie and Bing Crosby’s duet the highest. You can’t go wrong with Bing….
O Holy Night would have to be my fav Christmas Carol and for a movie I pick Mircle on 34th Street
Kathleen, I mentioned this earlier, but be sure to look for Jane Porter’s Miracle in 34th ode in Christmas Miracle for Daisy coming at the end of November. I can’t wait!
I love Christmas music and I guess my very favorite songs are Mary Did You Know & I’ll Be Home For Christmas. I love Hallmark movies and a very special favorite of mine is November Christmas with Sam Elliott.
Hi Rita! I’ve heard from a lot of readers who dig in with Hallmark movies all season long. They have a real niche going there! I will have to check some out.
I love so many Christmas movies, but White Christmas is my old favorite and Elf is my new favorite:)
Hi Brenda! My youngest hasn’t seen Elf yet. Have to fix that this year :-)
Ooooohhhhhhh, a hockey hero AND a Christmas story? Joy to the World!
<3 <3 <3 Thank you, Kathy!!
I love, love, love Christmas music, I could listen to it all year long! I have tons of favorites on my playlist including My Grown Up Christmas List by both Kelly Clarkson or Michael Buble, All I Want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey, 12 Days of Christmas from Straight No Chaser and O Holy Night the N’Sync version.
Hi Ada! Those are some fun ones!! Mariah’s love for Christmas sure comes through in all her seasonal songs.
I love xmas movies. My favorites are Home Alone 1&2. I also love Xmas cartoons like Rudolph and Charlie Brown Xmas. Thanks for the chance.
Hi Chris! So glad you stopped by the blog. I like Home Alone for using The Platters White Christmas. I love the Platters!! Their Christmas music is great.
Some of my favorites – White Christmas, A Christmas Carol, How the Grinch Stole Christmas… oldies but goodies.
A Christmas Carol
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today in class we listen to Fanfare for the Common Man. it was about the soilders and sailers that were going to a war. Copland llived between the 1900 – 1990. He wrote this durning ww2. the instruments that were playing were the brass and it was the loud insturment. and then the percussioon was the even louder ine . it was like this because of the hsrd tyime of the war.
I have so many favorites, it’s hard to choose. I will go with Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and White Christmas.
Love Christmas in Connecticut and Shop Around the Corner!
I really enjoyed your new book. My favorite Christmas movie is The Holiday.
My favorite Christmas movie isn’t only a Christmas movie, but I love it anyway. . . “Meet me in St. Louis” I love it and “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” would have to be my favorite song (that and “Silent Night”). My sister and I make it a point to watch the movie in our PJ’s with hot cocoa every year.
Love Joanne’s stories. Favorite Christmas movie…EEK!
Four Christmases starring Reese Witherspoon.
And “This Christmas” by Donny Hathaway is my favorite Christmas song.
I am a fan of Kate Winslet starrer Holiday, hoping this an Intl comp.
Congratulations to Chris Bails, winner of the thread prize!! Chris, I’m messaging you privately, but all you need to do is email me at jrock008@gmail.com with a mailing addy and i’ll ship the prize out asap. Thank you so much to everyone for visiting and sharing my new release day with me!
Thanks. Sent PM
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