By Mary Jo
There have been novella anthologies on many themes and for many holidays, but Christmas novella anthologies blow all the rest out of the water.
A novella is usually defined as between 20K and 40K words, so it's more than a short story–it's long enough to have character development, a proper romance, and a plot. Christmas, with warm fuzzies and over the top sentimentality, is perfect for novellas. <G>
Those of us who started out as Regency writers at NAL tend to have written more than our share of Christmas novellas–I certainly have! I've collected mine into two different collections: CHRISTMAS REVELS, with five novellas, and CHRISTMAS CANDLES, which has two novellas.
But today's riff is because I've produced two of the stories from Christmas Revels as standalone e-books: The Christmas Cuckoo has been available as an e-book for several years, and I quite recently produced an audiobook version which is available for a very modest sum.
I decided to also do an audiobook version of The Black Beast of Belleterre, and because I 
needed to do a cover for that, I decided what the heck, let's release it as an ebook just in time for the holiday! (The audio version won't be available for a couple of months–my wonderful narrator, Siobhan Waring, needs to fit it into her schedule.)
The reasons I chose these two for standalone and audio releases is because I believe they're my two most popular holiday novellas, and they are TOTALLY different! I've written about The Cuckoo before. It's a light hearted mistaken identity story, in which the heroine goes down to the local coaching in to collect her brother's friend Jack Howard, and she comes home with the wrong Jack Howard. <G>
I love my Jack Howard–he's like a big shaggy golden retriever who follows the heroine, Meg, home and when he sobers up, he doesn't want to leave. Meg, warm hearted and practical, is his perfect mate.
In contrast, The Black Beast of Belleterre has a Victorian setting (trains!), a Gothic vibe, and as a classic Beauty and the Beast story, it's much more emotional. The hero, James Markland is "ugly, very ugly," and had a rather tragic childhood. He's also Lord Falconer, a wealthy and conscientious baron. (A reader pointed out to me that I used the same name for the hero of my Guardian novel, Stolen Magic. Oops! If I really like a name, it tends to reappear at some later date. <G>)
When traveling abroad, Falconer sees monks wearing cowled mantles that obscure faces and he adopts that for his own constant garb. He is a mystery to almost everyone.
The heroine, Ariel, is a sweet introverted artist who is cursed with stunning beauty–so much so that her horrid, dissipated father is about to sell her to a disgusting old lecher. Falconer has seen and admired her and can't bear to see her suffer such a fate. So he makes her father a better offer and explains to Ariel that it will be only a marriage of convenience.
She accepts him as the best option available, but seeing his kindness to all those around him, she would like to know him better–if he would allow it. Here's an excerpt from when he first sees her:
Falconer was about to descend to his horse when he caught a flash of blue on the opposite side of the hill. Thinking it might be a kingfisher, he raised his field glasses again and scanned the lower slope until he found the color he was seeking.
He caught his breath when he saw that it was not a kingfisher but a girl. She sat cross-legged beneath a flowering apple tree and sketched with charcoal on a tablet laid across her lap. As he watched, she made a face and ripped away her current drawing. Then she crumpled the paper and dropped it on a pile of similarly rejected work.
His first impression was that she was a child, for she was small and her silver-gilt tresses spilled loosely over her shoulders rather than being pinned up. But when he adjusted the focus of the field glasses, the increased clarity showed that her figure and face were those of a woman, albeit a young one. She was eighteen, perhaps twenty at the outside, and graceful even when seated on the ground.
In spite of the simplicity of her blue dress, she must be Hawthorne's daughter, for she was no farm girl. But she did not resemble her florid father. Instead, she had a quality of bright, sweetness that riveted Falconer's attention. His view was from the side and her pure profile reminded him of the image of a goddess on a Greek coin. If his old tutor, Mr. Grice, could have seen this girl under the apple tree, even that old curmudgeon might have wondered if all humans were inherently sinful.
She was so lovely that Falconer's heart hurt. He did not know if his pain was derived from sadness that he would never know her, or joy that such beauty could exist in the world. Both emotions, perhaps.
Unconsciously he raised one hand and pulled the dark hood over his head, so that if by chance she looked his way, she would be unable to see him. He would rather die than cause that sweet face to show fear or disgust.
It takes Ariel some time for her to break down his reserve! But of course she does, and in a way that makes this one of my sweetest holiday stories. If you haven't read it, you might want to give it a try.
The Black Beast cover has a story all its own. A long time ago, I bought the image of a young woman gazing on a hooded man and had Kim Killion use it for a cover of my one medieval, Uncommon Vows. There weren't a lot of images available at that time, and this one sort of worked, but I was never entirely satisfied, and I ended up finding a 
image that 
suited Uncommon Vows better.
BUT when I decided to give the Black Beast a cover of its own, I thought of my hooded man and asked Kim what she could do with it. It took a fair amount of tweaking, but as you see, she produced a winner! Take a look at the differences.
(This contrasts with the much simpler story of the cover for The Christmas Cuckoo. I went to a stock photo site, typed in Christmas Cuckoo, got about five images, immediately pounced on this one, sent it to Kim, and about half an hour later I had a wonderful finished cover. <g>)
So those are some tales about my Christmas tales. Are you a lover of Christmas novellas? If so, this is the season for indulging in them!
Happy Reading and Happy Holidays–
Mary Jo
I am happy that both these books are stand alones! And I love the covers. But I won’t be buying as I already own the collections in both paperback and ebook format and I’m too deaf to enjoy audio books!
But It’s good to know that these are now available in all formats for other readers to meet and enjoy.
I am happy that both these books are stand alones! And I love the covers. But I won’t be buying as I already own the collections in both paperback and ebook format and I’m too deaf to enjoy audio books!
But It’s good to know that these are now available in all formats for other readers to meet and enjoy.
I am happy that both these books are stand alones! And I love the covers. But I won’t be buying as I already own the collections in both paperback and ebook format and I’m too deaf to enjoy audio books!
But It’s good to know that these are now available in all formats for other readers to meet and enjoy.
I am happy that both these books are stand alones! And I love the covers. But I won’t be buying as I already own the collections in both paperback and ebook format and I’m too deaf to enjoy audio books!
But It’s good to know that these are now available in all formats for other readers to meet and enjoy.
I am happy that both these books are stand alones! And I love the covers. But I won’t be buying as I already own the collections in both paperback and ebook format and I’m too deaf to enjoy audio books!
But It’s good to know that these are now available in all formats for other readers to meet and enjoy.
I enjoy reading Christmas anthologies. The novellas are perfect to read between full-length novels. It’s like taking a break to eat Christmas cookies with a cold glass of milk before returning to resume reading the longer version novel. I am intrigued with characters wearing hoods. It is wonderful to see books like Christmas Revels making a comeback for new readers to find.
I enjoy reading Christmas anthologies. The novellas are perfect to read between full-length novels. It’s like taking a break to eat Christmas cookies with a cold glass of milk before returning to resume reading the longer version novel. I am intrigued with characters wearing hoods. It is wonderful to see books like Christmas Revels making a comeback for new readers to find.
I enjoy reading Christmas anthologies. The novellas are perfect to read between full-length novels. It’s like taking a break to eat Christmas cookies with a cold glass of milk before returning to resume reading the longer version novel. I am intrigued with characters wearing hoods. It is wonderful to see books like Christmas Revels making a comeback for new readers to find.
I enjoy reading Christmas anthologies. The novellas are perfect to read between full-length novels. It’s like taking a break to eat Christmas cookies with a cold glass of milk before returning to resume reading the longer version novel. I am intrigued with characters wearing hoods. It is wonderful to see books like Christmas Revels making a comeback for new readers to find.
I enjoy reading Christmas anthologies. The novellas are perfect to read between full-length novels. It’s like taking a break to eat Christmas cookies with a cold glass of milk before returning to resume reading the longer version novel. I am intrigued with characters wearing hoods. It is wonderful to see books like Christmas Revels making a comeback for new readers to find.
I’m glomming all the Christmas collections I can find! Right now, I’m reading Barbara Metzger’s Greetings of the Season (love it) and last week it was Edith Layton’s turn. Of course, the Wenches’ collective works are always included. Novellas are perfect at this time of year, with all its busy-ness, because I don’t (usually) have to keep a full-size roster of characters straight in my head as I grab 10 minutes here, 30 minutes there. The stories tend to be light-hearted and uplifting, too, my favorite type of read in the holiday season.
I’m glomming all the Christmas collections I can find! Right now, I’m reading Barbara Metzger’s Greetings of the Season (love it) and last week it was Edith Layton’s turn. Of course, the Wenches’ collective works are always included. Novellas are perfect at this time of year, with all its busy-ness, because I don’t (usually) have to keep a full-size roster of characters straight in my head as I grab 10 minutes here, 30 minutes there. The stories tend to be light-hearted and uplifting, too, my favorite type of read in the holiday season.
I’m glomming all the Christmas collections I can find! Right now, I’m reading Barbara Metzger’s Greetings of the Season (love it) and last week it was Edith Layton’s turn. Of course, the Wenches’ collective works are always included. Novellas are perfect at this time of year, with all its busy-ness, because I don’t (usually) have to keep a full-size roster of characters straight in my head as I grab 10 minutes here, 30 minutes there. The stories tend to be light-hearted and uplifting, too, my favorite type of read in the holiday season.
I’m glomming all the Christmas collections I can find! Right now, I’m reading Barbara Metzger’s Greetings of the Season (love it) and last week it was Edith Layton’s turn. Of course, the Wenches’ collective works are always included. Novellas are perfect at this time of year, with all its busy-ness, because I don’t (usually) have to keep a full-size roster of characters straight in my head as I grab 10 minutes here, 30 minutes there. The stories tend to be light-hearted and uplifting, too, my favorite type of read in the holiday season.
I’m glomming all the Christmas collections I can find! Right now, I’m reading Barbara Metzger’s Greetings of the Season (love it) and last week it was Edith Layton’s turn. Of course, the Wenches’ collective works are always included. Novellas are perfect at this time of year, with all its busy-ness, because I don’t (usually) have to keep a full-size roster of characters straight in my head as I grab 10 minutes here, 30 minutes there. The stories tend to be light-hearted and uplifting, too, my favorite type of read in the holiday season.
Sue, I know that long term readers like you are probably familiar with these stories, but it’s nice to get the word out to newer readers.
Sue, I know that long term readers like you are probably familiar with these stories, but it’s nice to get the word out to newer readers.
Sue, I know that long term readers like you are probably familiar with these stories, but it’s nice to get the word out to newer readers.
Sue, I know that long term readers like you are probably familiar with these stories, but it’s nice to get the word out to newer readers.
Sue, I know that long term readers like you are probably familiar with these stories, but it’s nice to get the word out to newer readers.
Karen: Christmas cookies and milk with Christmas novellas. You know how to celebrate the season!
Karen: Christmas cookies and milk with Christmas novellas. You know how to celebrate the season!
Karen: Christmas cookies and milk with Christmas novellas. You know how to celebrate the season!
Karen: Christmas cookies and milk with Christmas novellas. You know how to celebrate the season!
Karen: Christmas cookies and milk with Christmas novellas. You know how to celebrate the season!
Mary M., you’ve fingered a big part of the appeal of Christmas stories: they’re short and fun at a busy time of year. Ho, ho, ho!
Mary M., you’ve fingered a big part of the appeal of Christmas stories: they’re short and fun at a busy time of year. Ho, ho, ho!
Mary M., you’ve fingered a big part of the appeal of Christmas stories: they’re short and fun at a busy time of year. Ho, ho, ho!
Mary M., you’ve fingered a big part of the appeal of Christmas stories: they’re short and fun at a busy time of year. Ho, ho, ho!
Mary M., you’ve fingered a big part of the appeal of Christmas stories: they’re short and fun at a busy time of year. Ho, ho, ho!
I don’t have the time during December to read as many novels as I would in a “normal” month. Novellas are just right. They can be read in one evening, or over two, and help me relax before I go to sleep. Novellas also give me a chance to test drive authors who are new to me. If I like them, they are added to my ever-expanding TBR list/pile.
I don’t have the time during December to read as many novels as I would in a “normal” month. Novellas are just right. They can be read in one evening, or over two, and help me relax before I go to sleep. Novellas also give me a chance to test drive authors who are new to me. If I like them, they are added to my ever-expanding TBR list/pile.
I don’t have the time during December to read as many novels as I would in a “normal” month. Novellas are just right. They can be read in one evening, or over two, and help me relax before I go to sleep. Novellas also give me a chance to test drive authors who are new to me. If I like them, they are added to my ever-expanding TBR list/pile.
I don’t have the time during December to read as many novels as I would in a “normal” month. Novellas are just right. They can be read in one evening, or over two, and help me relax before I go to sleep. Novellas also give me a chance to test drive authors who are new to me. If I like them, they are added to my ever-expanding TBR list/pile.
I don’t have the time during December to read as many novels as I would in a “normal” month. Novellas are just right. They can be read in one evening, or over two, and help me relax before I go to sleep. Novellas also give me a chance to test drive authors who are new to me. If I like them, they are added to my ever-expanding TBR list/pile.
Pamela DG, you have discovered our cunning plan! I’ve discovered some great new authors through anthologies–short fun stories, and a taste of new authors.
Pamela DG, you have discovered our cunning plan! I’ve discovered some great new authors through anthologies–short fun stories, and a taste of new authors.
Pamela DG, you have discovered our cunning plan! I’ve discovered some great new authors through anthologies–short fun stories, and a taste of new authors.
Pamela DG, you have discovered our cunning plan! I’ve discovered some great new authors through anthologies–short fun stories, and a taste of new authors.
Pamela DG, you have discovered our cunning plan! I’ve discovered some great new authors through anthologies–short fun stories, and a taste of new authors.
Mary Jo, I have both your collections already, but I love the new cover for The Beast. I hope it sells well and introduces many new readers to your work. And like so many of the commenters, I’m so happy to have novellas and anthologies at hand during the holidays when there is just no time for anything loner. Merry Christmas to all!
Mary Jo, I have both your collections already, but I love the new cover for The Beast. I hope it sells well and introduces many new readers to your work. And like so many of the commenters, I’m so happy to have novellas and anthologies at hand during the holidays when there is just no time for anything loner. Merry Christmas to all!
Mary Jo, I have both your collections already, but I love the new cover for The Beast. I hope it sells well and introduces many new readers to your work. And like so many of the commenters, I’m so happy to have novellas and anthologies at hand during the holidays when there is just no time for anything loner. Merry Christmas to all!
Mary Jo, I have both your collections already, but I love the new cover for The Beast. I hope it sells well and introduces many new readers to your work. And like so many of the commenters, I’m so happy to have novellas and anthologies at hand during the holidays when there is just no time for anything loner. Merry Christmas to all!
Mary Jo, I have both your collections already, but I love the new cover for The Beast. I hope it sells well and introduces many new readers to your work. And like so many of the commenters, I’m so happy to have novellas and anthologies at hand during the holidays when there is just no time for anything loner. Merry Christmas to all!
I loved Jack Howard as much as you did. He was such a sweet and funny man.
Thanks for this post. I will need to look into acquiring The Beast. It does sound like a story I would enjoy.
Merry Christmas….enjoy your holidays. May 2020 be filled with joy and peace and love for you and yours.
I loved Jack Howard as much as you did. He was such a sweet and funny man.
Thanks for this post. I will need to look into acquiring The Beast. It does sound like a story I would enjoy.
Merry Christmas….enjoy your holidays. May 2020 be filled with joy and peace and love for you and yours.
I loved Jack Howard as much as you did. He was such a sweet and funny man.
Thanks for this post. I will need to look into acquiring The Beast. It does sound like a story I would enjoy.
Merry Christmas….enjoy your holidays. May 2020 be filled with joy and peace and love for you and yours.
I loved Jack Howard as much as you did. He was such a sweet and funny man.
Thanks for this post. I will need to look into acquiring The Beast. It does sound like a story I would enjoy.
Merry Christmas….enjoy your holidays. May 2020 be filled with joy and peace and love for you and yours.
I loved Jack Howard as much as you did. He was such a sweet and funny man.
Thanks for this post. I will need to look into acquiring The Beast. It does sound like a story I would enjoy.
Merry Christmas….enjoy your holidays. May 2020 be filled with joy and peace and love for you and yours.
I love your books and I love Christmas stories. I also love audiobooks. Where are the audiobooks available?
I love your books and I love Christmas stories. I also love audiobooks. Where are the audiobooks available?
I love your books and I love Christmas stories. I also love audiobooks. Where are the audiobooks available?
I love your books and I love Christmas stories. I also love audiobooks. Where are the audiobooks available?
I love your books and I love Christmas stories. I also love audiobooks. Where are the audiobooks available?
I do enjoy novellas from time to time and do like a good Christmas one. It’s my birthday today so I treated myself to The Beast when I saw it here. I already own the Cuckoo.
A very happy Christmas to you Mary Jo and indeed to all the Wenches. Have loved reading the blog all year.
I do enjoy novellas from time to time and do like a good Christmas one. It’s my birthday today so I treated myself to The Beast when I saw it here. I already own the Cuckoo.
A very happy Christmas to you Mary Jo and indeed to all the Wenches. Have loved reading the blog all year.
I do enjoy novellas from time to time and do like a good Christmas one. It’s my birthday today so I treated myself to The Beast when I saw it here. I already own the Cuckoo.
A very happy Christmas to you Mary Jo and indeed to all the Wenches. Have loved reading the blog all year.
I do enjoy novellas from time to time and do like a good Christmas one. It’s my birthday today so I treated myself to The Beast when I saw it here. I already own the Cuckoo.
A very happy Christmas to you Mary Jo and indeed to all the Wenches. Have loved reading the blog all year.
I do enjoy novellas from time to time and do like a good Christmas one. It’s my birthday today so I treated myself to The Beast when I saw it here. I already own the Cuckoo.
A very happy Christmas to you Mary Jo and indeed to all the Wenches. Have loved reading the blog all year.
Thanks for the good wishes and the same to you, Margaret! Luckily, there are lots and lots of great Christmas novellas available, and a lot are worthy of rereading.
Thanks for the good wishes and the same to you, Margaret! Luckily, there are lots and lots of great Christmas novellas available, and a lot are worthy of rereading.
Thanks for the good wishes and the same to you, Margaret! Luckily, there are lots and lots of great Christmas novellas available, and a lot are worthy of rereading.
Thanks for the good wishes and the same to you, Margaret! Luckily, there are lots and lots of great Christmas novellas available, and a lot are worthy of rereading.
Thanks for the good wishes and the same to you, Margaret! Luckily, there are lots and lots of great Christmas novellas available, and a lot are worthy of rereading.
Thank you so much, Annette! May your holidays also be lovely.
Thank you so much, Annette! May your holidays also be lovely.
Thank you so much, Annette! May your holidays also be lovely.
Thank you so much, Annette! May your holidays also be lovely.
Thank you so much, Annette! May your holidays also be lovely.
Roseanna, my audio books are available in the usual places: audible.com, amazon.com, etc. You can start at audible and just type in my name and see what comes up. (A fair number of titles.) One of my plans for the next couple of months is to have my web guru build a page on my website that lists all of my audio editions, with link. That will make it easier for audio fans to find the audio version. I figure it will be around March or so before the audio version of the Black Beast will be finished and for sale.
Roseanna, my audio books are available in the usual places: audible.com, amazon.com, etc. You can start at audible and just type in my name and see what comes up. (A fair number of titles.) One of my plans for the next couple of months is to have my web guru build a page on my website that lists all of my audio editions, with link. That will make it easier for audio fans to find the audio version. I figure it will be around March or so before the audio version of the Black Beast will be finished and for sale.
Roseanna, my audio books are available in the usual places: audible.com, amazon.com, etc. You can start at audible and just type in my name and see what comes up. (A fair number of titles.) One of my plans for the next couple of months is to have my web guru build a page on my website that lists all of my audio editions, with link. That will make it easier for audio fans to find the audio version. I figure it will be around March or so before the audio version of the Black Beast will be finished and for sale.
Roseanna, my audio books are available in the usual places: audible.com, amazon.com, etc. You can start at audible and just type in my name and see what comes up. (A fair number of titles.) One of my plans for the next couple of months is to have my web guru build a page on my website that lists all of my audio editions, with link. That will make it easier for audio fans to find the audio version. I figure it will be around March or so before the audio version of the Black Beast will be finished and for sale.
Roseanna, my audio books are available in the usual places: audible.com, amazon.com, etc. You can start at audible and just type in my name and see what comes up. (A fair number of titles.) One of my plans for the next couple of months is to have my web guru build a page on my website that lists all of my audio editions, with link. That will make it easier for audio fans to find the audio version. I figure it will be around March or so before the audio version of the Black Beast will be finished and for sale.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TERESA! I hope you had a grand day. You’re always a welcome guest in Wenchlandia. *G*
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TERESA! I hope you had a grand day. You’re always a welcome guest in Wenchlandia. *G*
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TERESA! I hope you had a grand day. You’re always a welcome guest in Wenchlandia. *G*
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TERESA! I hope you had a grand day. You’re always a welcome guest in Wenchlandia. *G*
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TERESA! I hope you had a grand day. You’re always a welcome guest in Wenchlandia. *G*
The Christmas Cuckoo audio is on offer for £3.30 for audible UK members. It is really good!
The Christmas Cuckoo audio is on offer for £3.30 for audible UK members. It is really good!
The Christmas Cuckoo audio is on offer for £3.30 for audible UK members. It is really good!
The Christmas Cuckoo audio is on offer for £3.30 for audible UK members. It is really good!
The Christmas Cuckoo audio is on offer for £3.30 for audible UK members. It is really good!
Thanks, Quantum! Didn’t Siobhan Waring do a lovely job? And because it’s short, it’s at that great low price.
Thanks, Quantum! Didn’t Siobhan Waring do a lovely job? And because it’s short, it’s at that great low price.
Thanks, Quantum! Didn’t Siobhan Waring do a lovely job? And because it’s short, it’s at that great low price.
Thanks, Quantum! Didn’t Siobhan Waring do a lovely job? And because it’s short, it’s at that great low price.
Thanks, Quantum! Didn’t Siobhan Waring do a lovely job? And because it’s short, it’s at that great low price.