Maggie Blackbird

December is I :::Heart::: the Holidays month at my blog. During these next twenty-two days, besides the usual blog posts, I’m featuring authors who write holiday romance. Today, I have Linda O’Connor in the interview chair. We’re discussing Perfectly Christmas, book five in the Perfectly series. Be sure to check out the excerpt.

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1. What draws you to writing holiday romance?

Linda:  I love the spirit of Christmas! The music, decorations, and Christmas traditions all evoke warm memories – and yet there is also a sense of playfulness and mischief which can make for a fun story.

2. How many holiday romances have you written so far? And which one would you recommend for readers to try, besides the one you are featuring? Feel free to leave a link.

Linda:  I’ve written 2 holiday romances: Perfectly Christmas in the Perfectly Series and Don’t Mess with Christmas, which is book 4 in the Dr. Brogan Matchmaking Doctor Series. It’s a fun, sweet, holiday romantic comedy! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L1DHDMS

3. What do you like most about writing holiday romance?

Linda:  I love capturing the ambience of Christmas and setting the story in the winter, so I can include activities that I love like outdoor ice skating and sleigh rides.

4. What do you like least about writing holiday romance?

Linda:  The hardest part is writing about traditions like colored lights and decorations in a fresh way. I want to be able to evoke a feeling in the reader, to make them feel like they can smell the pine and hear the music and have fun right along with the characters.

5. What inspired you to write your featured holiday story?

Linda:  I wanted to put a twist on the usual small town story where the townsfolk are trying to convince the doctor to stay. In Perfectly Christmas, the small town is worried that the new surgeon, who is only planning on staying for 2 years, will fall in love with their beloved family doctor and will lure him away when she leaves. They set up a plan to keep the two doctors apart!

6. If a reader asked you why they should read your holiday romance, what would you tell them?

Linda:  My story is a fun escape. It will make you laugh and transport you to an idyllic small town where you can experience the joy of Christmas – and all its shenanigans!

7. Lastly, how are you going to spend the holidays?

Linda:  I’m going to spend the holidays with my children. I’m lucky that everyone lives close enough that we can get together even with COVID restrictions. We decorate a real tree with LOTS of colored lights, listen to upbeat lively Christmas songs, watch the old cartoon version of The Grinch, and indulge in Christmas cookies – that my son bakes! I can’t wait!

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Title: Perfectly Christmas
Series: Perfectly Series, Book 5
Genre: Contemporary Medical Romance
Length: 191 pages, 54,234 words
Heat Rating: 3 Flames
Publication Date: December 16, 2016
Publisher: Interlock Publishing

In the countdown to Christmas, he needs to convince his old flame that he’s in it for the long haul this time. She’s the new surgeon in town and married to her career. Seems a better bet.

Blurb:  On the first day of Christmas, his true love said to him, “Sorry, I have to work.”

That’s the life of a surgeon, and Dr. Madison Hayes wouldn’t have it any other way.

Dr. Quinn Malone has another priority. In the countdown to Christmas, he needs to convince his old flame that there’s more to life – and love – than the job itself.

This time, his heart is in it for the long haul. Really.

Romantic and . . . complicated – it’s Perfectly Christmas!

Goodreads | Amazon

Peggy stopped at the door. “Oh, one more thing. Did you want to be a part of the office Secret Santa? We pick names out of a hat, and each day during the twelve days of Christmas someone opens a gift.” She grinned. “Technically, we know, the twelve days of Christmas starts on December twenty-fifth, but we use it as a countdown to Christmas. We have a lot of fun with it.”

Madison hesitated. She wasn’t really big into exchanging presents. Stuff you didn’t need and wanted less. But Peggy and Nina were looking at her like it was the best thing ever.

Small town. Two years. Try to fit in. She sighed. She could always ask her sister for suggestions. “Okay, yeah. Sounds fun.” Translation: stressful.

Peggy’s grin widened. “I’ll be right back.”

After a moment, Peggy returned carrying a Christmas bag. She shook it and paper rustled inside. “Here you go. Pick one, but don’t tell us.”

Madison held back a sigh, reached in the bag, and picked out a piece of paper.

She unfolded it and her heart sank.

Quinn Malone. Dec. 24.

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Award-winning author Linda O’Connor started writing romantic comedies when she needed a creative outlet other than subtly rearranging the displays at a local home décor store. Her books have enjoyed bestseller status. When not writing, she’s a physician at an Urgent Care Clinic. She shares her medical knowledge in fast-paced, well-written, sexy romances – with an unexpected twist. Her favourite prescription to write? Laugh every day. Love every minute.

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