Merry Merry..Free

A Christmas Gift Novella

There is nothing like celebrating the holiday season in a small town, especially one that has turn of the century roots. It’s like living in a Hallmark movie. I get excited when the town brings out all the fun themed murals and lighted nutcrackers that are stationed on main street creating picture perfect moments. The lighted murals are one of the highlights when strolling down main street.

I love to top the day off with a horse drawn carriage ride and the movie image is complete. Having lived for a long time in the big city of Los Angeles it’s been nice to experience the holidays on a much quainter scale. I like to bring nostalgia to my Christmas tree as well. I grew up enjoying my grandmother’s home full of Victorian antiques. It’s what began my fascination with the history of the Victorian era and made me want to write about it in my stories. When I spied this Victorian chair ornament in a boutique, I just had to have it.

I always place the ornament front and center in the tree so I can enjoy it. I’ve collected lots of ornaments over the years so I am one of those people who switched from a real tree to a faux one just so I could keep my Christmas tree up for all of January. One of my not so guilty pleasures. : )

It’s time for Baking with Books! When I first saw this recipe for peppermint red velvet cookies I thought they are either going to be amazing or yucky. I’m happy to say they are amazing! They also are quite festive for the holidays and easy to make. So a win win for whipping up a batch for a Christmas treat. My character Brooklyn, from The Book of Brooklyn Series, would happily whip up a dozen or two for her werewolf boyfriend! As usual the recipe is from scratch. If you would like a copy, email me at karindehavin@gmail.com

The month of December brings good news and bad. I always like the bad news first so here it is, I will not be publishing The Challenge of Magic book four in the Genie and the Magical Apprentice Series this year. Unfortunately a production problem made getting the book out this year impossible. On the plus side you will get both books four and five next year! So you won’t have to wait as long to finish off the series.

The good news is I have a fun Christmas present for you, a free copy of, An Alien Christmas! It’s a fun spin off of Nine Lives.

Here’s the blurb:

Will she live long enough to celebrate Christmas?

Taylor, who is half alien, is living a normal life on Earth as a waitress in Bayou Oaks, Florida. She’s looking forward to a quiet month before Christmas, when she gets a call from her parents informing her they are getting married. She can’t believe at the age of twenty, her alien father, and her human mother, are finally tying the knot. The wedding is taking place on the beach where her father first landed on Earth. Her parents then break the news they are going to honeymoon on the distant planet, Veratious. Her dream of a lovely family Christmas together is shattered.

Taylor gets an invitation to join her parents for Christmas on the planet, but her gut tells her a long-ago nemesis will track her down if she goes back into space.

If she flies off to Veratious will Taylor even get the chance to celebrate Christmas?

Here is the link to the free novella.

I hope you enjoy the story! Have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I Can’t believe it’s going to be 2026! See you in the New Year!