The Magic and Romance of the Christmas Season by Karen Erickson

November 28, 2011 by lillie80

I’ve written quite a few Christmas-themed stories through the years but Her Christmas Pleasure is my first historical one. I must confess, not having to worry about presents and decorations and the holiday hustle and bustle was a huge relief.

These days, we’re so caught up in the rush, rush, buy, buy holiday mentality that advertisers, etc. shove down our throats it’s hard to see the simple, joyful meaning of Christmas. Spending time with loved ones, gathering them close and celebrating the year that’s nearly passed—that is what I tried to convey with Her Christmas Pleasure. Hopefully, I succeeded. It’s far easier to do so when the gift buying hustle isn’t expected, that’s for sure.

Of course, the story is, first and foremost, a romance. So I had to make sure there was plenty of sexual tension between my hero and heroine. They’ve tiptoed around each other since the death of her husband, Damien secretly pining for her and Celia not quite sure what to think of her confusing emotions regarding her friend.

Using mistletoe as a romantic prop doesn’t hurt either, bringing together both the season and romance in one, combustible kiss. It’s what Damien’s wished for for far too long. And it’s the realization that Celia needs to kick start herself into action. Once she’s set her sights on Damien, she’s not about to let him go…

I hope you enjoy Damien and Celia’s story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Damien Morton is madly in love. Unfortunately, it’s with his best friend’s widow, Lady Danver. Damien is not worthy of Celia. Or so he thinks. Desperate to escape his feelings for her, he plans to leave the country at the first of the year. Celia treats him as a family friend and nothing more—until they share a heated kiss beneath the mistletoe…

Celia is shocked by the passions that surge within her at her dear friend’s kiss. One touch and one taste aren’t enough to satisfy her cravings, and she is startled into action. Damien has stirred something inside her that she never expected to experience again, and she must have more. Full of shameless desire and emotions newly discovered, she decides to pursue Damien and won’t be deterred. Will she be able to convince him to stay—both in her heart and life—forever?

Contest! One lucky commenter will win a $20 gift card from Amazon or B&N (winner’s choice). Just answer this question: Name your favorite holiday romance story. (And it’s okay if you don’t have one—you can still enter)

Her Christmas Pleasure buy links:

Carina Press: http://ebooks.carinapress.com/9EE061BC-B23B-4BCA-AC68-64229282A333/10/134/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=FFCDF50E-47DB-45E8-8450-5C507F32611D

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Pleasure-Merry-Widows-ebook/dp/B005UPRRV0/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1321305161&sr=1-1

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/her-christmas-pleasure-karen-erickson/1105486506?ean=9781426892707&itm=1&usri=her%2bchristmas%2bpleasure%2bkaren%2berickson

Her Christmas Pleasure excerpt: http://karenwritesromance.com/books/her-christmas-pleasure/#excerpt

Where you can find Karen on the Web:

Website: http://karenerickson.com

Blog: http://karenerickson.blogspot.com

Group Blog (The Smutketeers): http://smutketeers.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/karenericksonwritesromance

Twitter: http://twitter.com/karenerickson

Posted in Carina Press, E - F Authors, Guest Blogger, Historical Romance, November 2011 | 58 Comments

58 Responses

on November 28, 2011 at 7:19 am | Reply Quilt Lady

Well I think I will go with A Highlander for Christmas by Sandy Blair. I think I liked this one because it was a time travel.
on November 28, 2011 at 7:49 am | Reply Aurian

Lovely post, and I agree, it is worrysome how much you are expected to spend for the holidays, the food, new decorations, presents. I all amounts to a big sum.

My favourite holiday romance read is an oldie, written by Johanna Lindsey: the Gift. Love it.

and I am looking forward to reading your latest novel, as I like the second chance at love for a widow themes.
on November 28, 2011 at 8:01 am | Reply debbie

I don’t have one, but this one sounds really good.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
on November 28, 2011 at 8:14 am | Reply Mary Preston

I don’t have a favorite. HER CHRISTMAS PLEASURE looks wonderful.

marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
on November 28, 2011 at 8:24 am | Reply Victoria Zumbrum

I loved 3 Days that use to come on every Christmas. Now it doesnt come on anymore. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. It sounds very good. Tore923@aol.com
on November 28, 2011 at 8:33 am | Reply Danny

One of my favorite Christmas stories is All I want for Christmas is a Vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks
on November 28, 2011 at 9:15 am | Reply Amy Kathryn

I love the little Regency shorts in the Christmas anthologies for the same reason…no hustle and bustle. I also love the Gift of the Magi and stories with that theme.
on November 28, 2011 at 9:17 am | Reply Rainie72

Well, I have a lot of favorites, but I most recently read “Highlander for The Holiday” by Janet Chapman. I love all her books. But there so many others out there also, its hard to pick.
on November 28, 2011 at 9:33 am | Reply seawitchreviews

I can’t think of any particular story but I just started reading Janet Chapman’s Highlander for Christmas, gotta love thos MacKeage’s and boy do you want to move to Maine to find one of your own.
Zina
on November 28, 2011 at 9:35 am | Reply seawitchreviews

Opps that was Highlander for the Holidays not Christmas…Sorry I was watching Jake and the Neverland Pirates on Disney….I know, I know…but with 9+ kids in the house what do you expect????
Zina
- on November 28, 2011 at 6:59 pm | Reply julie
  
  Zina, 9 kids? God bless you! Are you crazy yet?
on November 28, 2011 at 9:59 am | Reply Linda B

I love the old classic by O. Henry, The Gift of the Magi. Read it back in high school. Thanks for the giveaway.

lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com
on November 28, 2011 at 10:37 am | Reply Maureen (@MaureenCE)

I don’t know if I have a favorite holiday romance story although one of my favorites Mrs. Drew Plays Her Hand has the holiday during the story.
on November 28, 2011 at 10:57 am | Reply JenM

I don’t really have any favorites, but my most recent reads were a couple of novellas by Penny Watson that were adorable – Sweet Inspiration and Sweet Magik – it’s a series that focuses on the five sons of Nicholas Klaus. It’s got elves, the North Pole, flying sleighs, and some lovely romance – perfect lighthearted reads for Xmas.
on November 28, 2011 at 11:11 am | Reply Janice Jampole

Please DO NOT enter me in the drawing. I just wanted to say, the story sounded so good, I went ahead and purchased it…will start reading it today…thank you!!
on November 28, 2011 at 11:24 am | Reply Michelle Bledsoe

I love Nora Roberts’s THE GIFT. It’s three holiday stories that are sweet and heart warming. I had to think hard about this question because I couldn’t remember a holiday story…lol So I went to my bookshelves and found this one. I put it on my reading table so that I can enjoy it again this season.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!
on November 28, 2011 at 11:28 am | Reply Pat L.

There are so many out there – Derek from Linda Howard’s Bluebird Winter. I loved him as a teenager in Sarah’s Child and he grew up to be a wonderful adult.
on November 28, 2011 at 12:28 pm | Reply Ellie

This book sounds wonderful. My favorite is The Christmas Note by Donna VanLiere.
on November 28, 2011 at 1:00 pm | Reply jkcoi

This story sounds wonderful,and I can’t wait to read it! I don’t know that I have a favourite holiday story, but I do love them. Every year I pick up as many as I can. They always help me get in the spirit!
on November 28, 2011 at 1:12 pm | Reply Lynn Q.

I can’t pick a favorite, lol…but this book looks wonderful ;o)
on November 28, 2011 at 1:33 pm | Reply Chris Bails

I love Christmas stories, I have a few to share. I loved The Present-book 6 by Johanna Lindsey. I love the Malory family and love all their stories. I also loved The Wallflower Christmas by Lisa Kleypas and A Season for Seduction by Jennifer Haymore. There have also been some great anthologies by Mary Balogh, Debbie Macomber, and Donna Kaufman. Too many to list. I love Christmas stories and would love to win and read this one. Thanks for the chance to win.
on November 28, 2011 at 1:37 pm | Reply Colleen

I have enjoyed quite a few holiday reads… as for a fav, I can not think of one off the top of my head… love them… have to write down the ones from above…
on November 28, 2011 at 1:55 pm | Reply runner10

I don’t have a favorite. I love all the Christmas books.
on November 28, 2011 at 2:11 pm | Reply LSUReader

Your book sounds very good. I do enjoy reading Christmas stories, but I don’t have one favorite. Thanks for visiting.
on November 28, 2011 at 2:47 pm | Reply Cathy M

One of my favorites is from Christine Feehan’s Drake Sister’s series called, The Twilight Before Christmas. Definitely a feel good story, and one of my favorite Christmas traditions.

caity_mack at yahoo dot com
on November 28, 2011 at 2:55 pm | Reply Dawn

I honestly can think of a holiday book other than the Night before Christmas- which I do love reading to the kids every year. Now I’m going to have to go through my books and see if I have any Xmas books. Love the cover of this one btw. Thanks for the giveaway xoxo
on November 28, 2011 at 3:03 pm | Reply Little Lamb Lost

This favorite of mine has a Christmas setting, Until He Met Rachel by Debra Salonen.
on November 28, 2011 at 3:07 pm | Reply Leni

I enjoyed A Creed Country Christmas by Linda Lael Miller.
on November 28, 2011 at 3:22 pm | Reply jennifer mathis

i dont think i have a favorite yet Im still lokking for it

meandi09@yahoo.com
on November 28, 2011 at 3:43 pm | Reply Fedora

Happy release, Karen! I do love Christmas love stories! One of my favorites is Maybe This Christmas by Jane Blackwood in the Jingle All the Way anthology. It’s a sweet second-chance story, which I also love 🙂
on November 28, 2011 at 4:07 pm | Reply Regina Ross

i dont have a favorite one. CONGRATS ON YOUR NEW RELEASE !!!
on November 28, 2011 at 4:33 pm | Reply June M.

Congrats on the new release Karen!

I don’t really know that I have a favorite holiday story. One that I really love though is Kerrelyn Spark’s ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS A VAMPIRE. I have read this story many times and love it.
manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com
on November 28, 2011 at 4:37 pm | Reply blodeuedd

I sadly have none 😦 I haven’t read many to be hones, but I would like to start
on November 28, 2011 at 4:38 pm | Reply Estella

I don’t have a favorite.
on November 28, 2011 at 5:05 pm | Reply cyclops8

My favorite holiday romance is Nancy Warren’s “Nutcracker Sweet.”
on November 28, 2011 at 5:21 pm | Reply Ashley Applebee

What a great post 🙂 I look forward to reading your book! For me Christmas has never been about getting presents, but being with those I love. I also really enjoy giving gifts and cards because I love to make friends and family happy 🙂
I don’t really have a favorite holiday romance, but I very much enjoyed Nora Robert’s “The Gift” and Christine Feehan’s “The Twilight Before Christmas” (Oh heck, to be honest I love ALL Christmas stories! lol)
Ashley A
ash_app@hotmail.com
on November 28, 2011 at 6:04 pm | Reply Na

I have so many I enjoy and one of them is The Christmas Countess by Adrienne Basso.
on November 28, 2011 at 6:08 pm | Reply Yadira A.

Unfortunately, I haven’t read one that I can remember enough to post about.
on November 28, 2011 at 6:41 pm | Reply julie

I had to go into my ofice and look for christmas books to answer this question and I was surprised to find it was by Karen Tabke who I thought I had never read before, “Have yourself a naughty little Santa” why thank you, I believe I will.
Julie
Iread2xs at yahoo dot com
on November 28, 2011 at 7:24 pm | Reply winnie

My favourite holiday romance story right now would be Home for the Holidays by Jeaniene Frost because I’m a huge fan of the Night Huntress series and I love Cat and Bones!
on November 28, 2011 at 7:47 pm | Reply Barbara Elness

I’ve always enjoyed romances set during the holidays, especially historical romances. I don’t really have a favorite, but I really enjoyed Lady Sophie’s Christmas Wish, by Grace Burrowes.
on November 28, 2011 at 8:15 pm | Reply Courtney S

I don’t have a favorite Christmas romance, but one that sticks out in my mind is Arrested Holiday by Lissa Matthews.
on November 28, 2011 at 8:17 pm | Reply Faye Reyes-Putich

I like it hot, which is why I really enjoyed Kidnapped for Christmas by Evangeline Anderson.
on November 28, 2011 at 9:20 pm | Reply Chelsea B.

Is it okay if my favorite holiday romance is a movie? 🙂 My favorite is ABC Family’s Snow and Snow 2. Oh, how I love those movies!
on November 28, 2011 at 9:29 pm | Reply Jen B.

I don’t think I have a favorite holiday romance. I’ll have to go check my bookcase for one!
on November 28, 2011 at 9:36 pm | Reply Katherine

My favourite holiday romance is “Naughty and Nice”, a holiday romance anthology with stories by Jaci Burton, Megan Hart, Shannon Stacey and Lauren Dane. All four stories are excellent. I had that “happy sigh” reading them.
on November 28, 2011 at 10:36 pm | Reply elaing8

I haven’t read a lot of holiday books. I really liked the Naughty and Nice Anthology.Especially Jaci Burton’s All She Wants for Christmas.
on November 28, 2011 at 11:27 pm | Reply Robin D

I loved The Gift by Johanna Lindsey. Your book looks great!
on November 28, 2011 at 11:45 pm | Reply pambook

Christmas Bride bhy Mary Balogh is a favorite, along with several of her novellas in those older Christmas anthologies, and several of Carla Kelly’s in various anthologies. Gift of the Magi has always been a favorite since I was a kid,
on November 29, 2011 at 8:02 am | Reply Laurie G

Miracle On I-40 by Curtiss Matlock and Bluebird Winter by Linda Howard

It’s a tie between the two above mentioned books!
on November 29, 2011 at 8:41 am | Reply Theresa N

My favorite is Cole for Christmas by Darlene Gardner.
on November 29, 2011 at 10:26 am | Reply Margay

I don’t really have a favorite Christmas story. Now if you were talking about movies, I could name a few!
on November 29, 2011 at 10:34 am | Reply claudiagc

I surely have read some Christmas stories but I can’t remember them right now. I would love to read this one!
on November 30, 2011 at 8:09 pm | Reply StacieD

I really enjoyed Believe by Lauren Dane. It is the sequel to one of my favorite books. It is a great Christmas story.
on December 2, 2011 at 12:55 am | Reply Scorpio M.

My favorite is Lauren Willig’s, The Mischief of the Mistletoe. Love it to pieces!!!
on December 2, 2011 at 2:28 am | Reply JessS

Ugh, I need to read more holiday/Christmas books. I can’t think of anything I’ve read that could count as holiday, let alone holiday romance, but thanks for the giveaway, and Her Christmas Pleasure sounds (and looks) awesome!

jessicamariesutton(at)msn(dot)com
on December 4, 2011 at 12:37 am | Reply AllisonH

Hmm, I can’t think of one specific title, but I always enjoy re-reads of holiday titles by Nora Roberts!
on December 4, 2011 at 6:38 am | Reply Lindsey E

I recently read Grace Burrowes Lady Sophie’s Christmas Wish which had an abandoned baby, a house party and meddling brothers.

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