today’s book: Under the Texas Mistletoe
Winter is drawing ever closer (hooray!!), and it’s time for our annual blog series spotlighting (over 60 this year) new and recently-released Christmas reads! This is our largest year yet, with the most authors & books, and we’re back with an all-new look, too.
Christmas is still 34 days away, though, so… snuggle in, grab your fave hot beverage and comfiest blanket, turn on some Christmas tunes and start your bookish Christmas list! Oh… and did I mention there are GIVEAWAYS with EACH POST in this series??!! (Because authors are awesome!)
Today’s first featured book is a trio of Christmas western romance novellas with delightful bonuses inside, and author Karen Witemeyer gives us a peek behind the mistletoe!
UNDER THE TEXAS MISTLETOE by Karen Witemeyer
GENRE: Inspirational Historical/Western Romance collection
PUBLISHER: Bethany House
RELEASE DATE: August 31, 2021
PAGES: 299
affiliate links used
(Christian Book version contains exclusive bonus short story!)
Peeking Behind the Mistletoe
by Karen Witemeyer, author of Under the Christmas Mistletoe
The two most powerful words in a writer’s vocabulary are: What if? When it came time for me to brainstorm a new Christmas novella idea, my mind turned to the classics and those powerful two words – what if . . .
What if . . . the Dickens classic A Christmas Carol took place in 1890’s Texas instead of early 1800’s London?
What if . . . Scrooge’s transformation story was a romance?
What if . . . there was a London, TX? Oh, wait. There is!
What happened next was a whirlwind of fun that is now available as A Texas Christmas Carol the first story in the new collection – Under the Texas Mistletoe.
I had so much fun with names of all my characters, paying homage to the classic tale. There’s even a dog named Humbug.
Meet Evan Beazer and Felicity Wiggins (named in honor of the cheerful Fezziwig).
Our Scrooge never stood a chance when the tenderhearted, cheerful Felicity set her sights on him.
“Don’t worry,” Felicity said with a soft chuckle, “I won’t let Mr. Beazer trample over me. My backbone is strong enough to withstand a few snaps and growls.”
Margaret led the way to the stairs leading out of the church basement, tossing a frown over her shoulder. “It’s your time, I suppose. If you choose to waste it, that’s your prerogative. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you. Evan Beazer might be the wealthiest man in town, but he’s a Scrooge of the worst order. Not only does he refuse to donate to any of our causes, but he insults anyone with the temerity to approach him.”
She paused at the top of the stairway and braced a hand against the wall as she turned to face Felicity. “He called me a blood-sucking leech and threatened to have me brought up on trespassing charges should I ever darken his door again.” Margaret, her face usually placid and lovely, scrunched her nose as if the memory were so rancid she could smell it. “The gall of him. He might dutifully leave his tithe in the collection plate every Sunday to keep his conscience clean, but he refuses to donate so much as a penny to any cause beyond that obligation, no matter how worthy. He’s a tight-fisted, coldhearted man. Completely void of compassion. Why, you could wring him like a dishrag, and not a single drop of Christian charity would fall out. His soul is as dry as a bone.”
Mrs. Talley was a dynamo when it came to getting things done, a blessing to any committee she served upon, but she had definite opinions about how things should go and didn’t react well when thwarted.
Felicity patted her arm. “There is nothing the least bit leech-like about you, Margaret. You probably just caught him on a bad day.”
The deacon’s wife arched a brow. “Every day is a bad day for Evan Beazer.”
Not every day. Felicity ducked her head, recalling one day in particular where Mr. Beazer had been in rare, heroic form.
Pushing the distracting thought aside, Felicity winked at her friend as she marched past. “I recognize the challenge he presents, but I’m determined to try anyway. With the passing of dear Mrs. Humbolt this year, our donation total is down by a third. I can suffer through a few insults if it means more shoes and winter coats for the children. Besides, forewarned is forearmed. Thanks to you, I know what kind of reception to expect, so I can plan accordingly. And believe it or not, I can be rather devious when I put my mind to it.”
“You? Devious?” Margaret shook her head, a huff of a laugh escaping. “Felicity, you don’t have a dishonest bone in your body.”
“Oh, I don’t plan any trickery,” Felicity said, turning to face Margaret while continuing to walk backward down the hall leading to the main sanctuary. “In fact, my strategy comes straight from scripture itself.”
“Really?”
Felicity nodded, a grin spreading across her face. “Remember the parable Jesus told about the man who kept knocking on his neighbor’s door in the middle of the night asking for bread in Luke 11? The neighbor kept trying to turn him away, but the man persisted, and eventually he got his bread. I plan to employ the same technique.” Mischief swirled in her belly, stirring up an excitement she couldn’t quite contain. “I’m going to pester him into cooperation.”
Margaret let out a full laugh. “If anyone can do it, it’s you.”
Felicity prayed she was right. Not just for the children’s sake, but for Mr. Beazer himself. The man never smiled. How awful it must be to be so miserable! She couldn’t imagine a world void of happiness. But then, she’d been blessed with a cheerful family who laughed and teased and actively looked for reasons to celebrate. Mr. Beazer had no one meaningful in his life beyond a handful of local staff and a conglomeration of distant employees. The man needed a strong dose of joy in his life, and she was prepared to hold his nose and force a spoonful of medicinal Christmas cheer down his throat, if necessary.
Under the Texas Mistletoe also contains a holiday reunion story with the Archer brothers and their families in “An Archer Family Christmas.” When the Archer men are off chopping down a Christmas tree, an unexpected request for help leaves Cassandra Archer in the path of a deadly outlaw. Jim Archer races to the rescue only to find Cassie’s life is not the only one in danger. The final novella in the collection is “Gift of the Heart” where a widow uses the family brooch as collateral for a loan from the local resort owner. The more she comes to know the man behind the stern businessman, the more she hopes for a second chance at love this Christmas. The collection also contains recipes, 19th century Christmas traditions, and a devotional.
There is also a bonus novelette “My True Love Gave to Me” that is available only when the book is purchased through Christianbook.com. When a new suitor arrives in Bethlehem, TX, Simeon has twelve days before Christmas to prove to Anna’s father that Simeon is her true love.
What are your favorite classic Christmas stories?
If you could change the setting or characters in one of them, how would you change it?
For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warm-hearted historical romances with a flair of humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. A transplant from California, Karen came to Texas for college, met a cowboy disguised as a computer nerd, married him, and never left the state that had become home.
Winner of the HOLT Medallion, ACFW Carol Award, Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award, National Reader’s Choice Award, and a finalist for both the RITA and Christy Awards, Karen is a firm believer in the power of happy endings. . . and ice cream. She also loves to reward her readers. Every month she gives away two inspirational historical novels to someone from her newsletter list and offers substantial bonus content on her website. To learn more about Karen and her books, or to join her subscriber list, please visit www.karenwitemeyer.com.
Karen Witemeyer is offering an autographed copy of Under the Texas Mistletoe to one of my readers! (US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.) This giveaway is subject to Reading Is My SuperPower’s giveaway policies which can be found here. Enter via the Rafflecopter form below.
What about you? What makes you want to read Under the Texas Mistletoe by Karen Witemeyer? What are your favorite classic Christmas stories? If you could change the setting or characters in one of them, how would you change it?
The cover is beautiful and I loved reading the synopsis and excerpt, this sounds like a wonderful story. Thank you for sharing your guest post and book details, I have enjoyed reading about you and your work and I am looking forward to reading your book
I was so pleased with how the cover turned out, Bea. The Bethany House design team is so talented!
I love Christmas stories. I really like small town feel.
Under Texas Mistletoe sounds delightful, and I can’t wait to read it!
oh what a wonderful post. Thanks Karen for writing and sharing your love of history. What if? yes a powerful question. My son and husband have used this phrase for as long as I have known my husband and our son has been alive. 36 years now. I cant wait to read this wonderful book. Yup just looking at her, he didnt have a chance for sure.
What if is such a jumping-off point for imagination, isn’t it? No limits. Love that your family uses that technique in your own sphere, Lori!
I love reading Christmas stories especially if there is a cowboy in it. Thanks for your great generosity.
Linda – Cowboys just make Christmas better, don’t they? Ha! We must be kindred spirits.
Karen’s books are always a good read and I expect this will be a good story as well.
Thank you, Margaret! I hope you get a change to enjoy the collection.
Christmas is everything!! I love the cover..her dress is stunning!!
I agree about that dress, Mya! Makes me want to travel back in time just to try one on in my size. Ha!
I loved the excerpt from A Texas Christmas Carol, so now I want to read it in its entirety. The other two stories sound wonderful as well. What a charming collection of stories to read this Christmas season!
So glad you enjoyed the excerpt, Roxanne!
Nice cover. It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
I love Karen’s books. I have been wanting to read this one.
Thanks, Jocelyn! Hope this collection makes it into your Christmas TBR pile. 🙂
Sounds great!
As a single Texas mom and teacher, I love to read and I often read to my family nightly. I’d love to read a lovely, fun story about my home state “Under the Texas Mistletoe” by Karen Witemeyer.
Nicole – Texas has been my home for all of my adult life, and I love setting my stories in this great state.
My favorite Christmas stories involve a Scrooge-like character that is transformed.
Cheryl – I ADORE a curmudgeon that is transformed by love! That’s why I had so much fun with A Texas Christmas Carol. I hope you get to read it!
Christmas stories set in small towns are charming, Karen is one if my favorite authors.
Thanks, Caryl. I agree about the charm of small towns. You just can’t beat it.
I’d love to read how Evan reacts to Felicity’s persistence! My favorite Christmas story is found in Luke 1-2, and I’d leave it just as it is.
Amen, Lisa. We read the nativity stories from Luke and Matthew every Christmas Eve as part of our Witemeyer family Christmas tradition. Best story ever told!
Karen’s books are always a must read.
Thanks, Lucy!
I would love to read this book, thank you for the giveaway.
I always enjoy Karen’s books and the small town Texas settings!
I love Texas Christmas stories! Thanks for the opportunity to win this book!
Beautiful <3
I want to read everything Karen writes!!
You just made my day, Connie!
I like Karen’s books and this sounds like a good one.
This book has a beautiful cover. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
Sounds like my kind of book.
Marilyn
Another read to add to my TBR!! Gorgeous cover and I love the premise and excerpt!
I love historical Christmas books. These sound like great ones.
Enjoy Karen’s books.Llce Christmas stories.