IndieReader asks romance authors what they want during holidays
IndieReader, the essential guide to self-pubbed books and the people who read them, recently reached out to some of the most popular romance authors and asked what they want for the holidays (with the instruction that it could be a gift, a book or world peace). We wanted to share their responses with you.
Donna Fasano, author of over 30 romance and women's fiction titles whose latest release is An Almost Perfect Christmas, says, "If I could have anything for Christmas … anything … even what logic tells me is impossible, then I would wish for an end to world hunger. Across the globe, a billion people go hungry every single day. That is a staggering number. I wish every family had a pantry full of food. That would be my Christmas wish. You want a more realistic wish? Then I'd ask to be surrounded by loving family and friends this holiday season."
Alessandra Torre, author of eight erotic romance and erotic suspense novels and producer of a thrice-weekly erotic serial for Cosmopolitan.com, says, "My holiday wishes are a grab bag of selfishness. I wish for peace in my household, so that I may get a few precious moments to center my thoughts and write. I wish for more ideas to flow and my brain to function, for my work-in-progress to stop misbehaving and show me some respect. I wouldn't mind a stocking full of chocolate and fuzzy socks, as those two things are crucial to my sanity and productivity. I would love for Gillian Flynn to bless my Christmas with a surprise new novel, or for Chris Hemsworth to graciously beg to be my next cover model. But most of all, I wish my family would understand how much I love and appreciate them, and that my snarls are a sign of affection, and that every time I throw up my hands, it's only because I wish I was spending time with them instead of working. And I wish that I could create a special heaven for bloggers and readers, where I would, in some way, repay them for all of the ways, year-round, that they make me smile."
Eve Langlais, who enjoys injecting humor in her paranormal and science-fiction romances and has several popular series, her most recent one being Kodiak Point, featuring a bevy of shapeshifters, says, "As an author, there's one thing I'd really like readers everywhere to find — the perfect book. The one book that tugs at your emotional strings whether it's to make you cry, laugh out loud or sigh in pleasure at a happily ever after. I hope you find the story that helps you escape into a new world where anything is possible and you can lose yourself for a few hours. Wishing you the best Christmas (with lots of books) and the happiest New Year (where you'll get to read them)."
Kristen Ashley, author of the series Rock Chick, Dream Man, Chaos, Colorado Mountain, 'Burg and Unfinished Heroes, says, "I wish for Christmas this year that I don't screw up the prime rib. I have everything else I need: a loving family, fantastic friends, a great hair stylist and a job that rocks! So delicious prime rib on the big day would be icing on the cake."
Melissa Foster, author of Seaside Sunsets and founder of the World Literary Café, said, "I love the holidays! They're a time of reflection and a time of hopes and dreams, but mostly, they're a time to snuggle under a blanket and hang out with family ... without a laptop on my knees. My holiday wishes have always been pretty simple. I want to spend time with my kids and hunky husband, send hopes for world peace into the universe and enjoy yummy chocolate. I'd love to say that I have incredibly unique hopes and dreams for the holidays this year, but I'm not that exciting. My holiday wishes haven't changed. Hand me a Hershey bar, toss some pillows on the floor so we can snuggle up and watch a holiday movie, and hope the world will finally figure out a way to love more than hate, and I'm a happy girl."
Meredith Wild, author of Hard Limit and who lives in New Hampshire with her husband and three children, says, "I can't remember the last time I made a Christmas list, but this year I am selfishly wishing for an opportunity to unplug and spend some much-needed quality time with my family this holiday season. Ideally on a beach ... in Grand Cayman ... with a rum runner."
Penelope Ward, whose Jake Undone is included in the Foreplay boxed set, says, "What I want this Christmas is to find a balance between my family life and writing. Writing is a passion and has now become a career, but sometimes getting caught up in the excitement of the indie author world, particularly on social media, takes away from moments that could be spent with children or family. So, this Christmas, I will try to focus and slow down in the hopes of not missing the little moments, which are really the big moments in life. I also wish I were turning 39 again instead of 40 this year! But there is no way around that."
Rachel Van Dyken, who writes in every genre but whose passion is New Adult and historical romance, says, "I always draw a blank when I try to think of what I want for Christmas ... But this year, now that I'm pregnant and expecting my first little one, I just want a healthy baby! Ten fingers, 10 toes, amen. ; ) My husband and I are really excited for this Christmas wish to come true — and I think on top of having a healthy baby if God is answering prayers and Santa is listening, I would like a really, really nice epidural."
Wishing all the readers a merry, merry and a happy New Year!