Spotlight

1. If you’ve read any of my previous books—specifically The Rent Collector or The Orphan Keeper, both serious works—and are expecting the same tone in Christmas by Accident, you will be disappointed. Christmas by Accident is a tongue-in-cheek tale that makes light-hearted fun of the many sentimental Christmas stories published every year. In essence, I make fun of sappy Christmas stories by telling a slightly sappy Christmas story.

2. The original working title was The Christmas Carol Angel Box Wish, because all the best nouns are taken. The publisher deemed it too long and changed the name to Christmas by Accident—which makes it sound like a bad Hallmark movie, but I think that’s the point. Know that it’s a fun Christmas read and yes, like all Hallmark movies, there is romance in the story. 🙂

3. My path to becoming a published author is closely reflected in the main character, Carter Cross. With no experience, but a thought stuck in my head that wouldn’t go away, I decided I could write a book. I’m saying that if someone wants to understand what I’m like as a person, the thoughts that roll through my head, my writing journey, read Christmas by Accident.

4. In the story I pay subtle homage to many Christmas classics, perhaps borrowing a line of dialogue from one or including an obscure quotation from another. While some references are obvious, others are subtle. A fun game as you read is to see how many you can find.

5. I have funny children (funny ha-ha, not funny peculiar), who married witty spouses. When I needed a clever line, I often turned to family. I’d send off a group email spelling out the scene and then let them each take their best shot to fill in what was needed—and I was never disappointed.

6. As a marketer at heart, I enrolled the help of my two-year-old granddaughter to make an egglessnog video (explained below), because who doesn’t love watching a chatty two-year old cook in the kitchen? Check out this link. It’s worth watching.

7. Now to egglessnog. As a kid I loved eggnog, until I realized it’s made with raw eggs—Ew, gross!—and I haven’t been able to drink it since. That changed when I discovered egglessnog (eggnog made without eggs). I spent days perfecting the recipe (which I included at the back of the book, since it plays a part in the story) and you won’t want to miss it. It’s even more delicious than real eggnog!

8. André the chef is based on a real person I met serendipitously in Denmark. He creates some of the most amazing desserts on the planet—seriously.

9. The self-written obituary at the end of the story is heartfelt and close to what I’d like to have as my own.

10. There are no accidents—especially at Christmas.

ENTER HERE

A modern retelling of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

Camille Kelly is in real danger of becoming an old maid—at least by Cherish, Montana, standards. She has all but given up on finding Mr. Right—until her broken laptop leads her to Aiden Peterson, a tall, dark, and handsome computer genius. Camille would never have believed her magic moment was right around the corner, but after two whirlwind weeks, she has a ring on her finger and has happily ever after in sight. However, she soon discovers Aiden is part of a daunting package deal . . .

As the eldest of seven brothers, Aiden has never had a problem living under the same roof as his rambunctious siblings. When he falls for Camille, he is confident she’ll fit right into his family’s already bursting home. He thought wrong. Aiden and Camille’s storybook romance comes to a screeching halt when she discovers her new living situation. Not willing to submit to a life mothering a bunch of grown men, Camille has only one option: she embarks on a campaign to improve her new brothers-in-law and marry them off. And what better candidates for wives than her own best friends?

About the Author

Anneka Walker is an award-winning author raised by a librarian and an English teacher turned judge. After being fed a steady diet of books, she decided to learn about writing. The result was a bachelor’s degree in English and history. When she isn’t dreaming up a happy ending for a story, she is busy living her own with her husband and adorable children.

From Suffering the Scot, Brotherhood of the Black Tartan, book 1

Andrew spread his hands wide. “It’s a problem for all us Scottish men, tae be honest. Our cross tae bear.”

Lady Jane opened her mouth. Shut it. And then shook her head. “I am sure you are both quite delusional.”

“Nae, the lasses cannae help themselves,” Andrew said.

“Aye. A man strolls by in a kilt, and the lasses go all shoogly in the legs.” Kieran sagged in his chair, mimicking the motion of a lady swooning.

“That is simply ridiculous.” Lady Jane shook her head.

“’Tis the Lord’s own truth, Lady Jane.” Andrew pressed a hand over his heart.

“Aye,” Kieran chimed in. “They dinnae call a kilt the passion pleats for nothing.”

“Passion pleats?!” Peter hooted, slapping his knee.

“Dinnae mock a fine kilt, Peter. The kilt swish is no’ tae be underestimated.”

“The kilt swish?” Lady Jane’s tone dripped with scorn.

“It’s a well-known fact that the lasses appreciate watching a man’s passion pleats swish as he walks.”

“Particularly from the backside,” Kieran helpfully clarified.

“Aye, allow me to show ye.” Andrew stepped away from the table, walked to the door with extra swagger in his step, turned, and strode back to the table. His kilt swinging like a bell back and forth with every step.

He spread his hands wide. See what I mean.

She shook her head. I’m not convinced.

Andrew motioned to Kieran. He stood with a grin.

“Watch carefully,” Andrew said.

Side-by-side, he and Kieran walked to the door, shoulders back, head high. Andrew’s kilt bumped his knees as it swung. He could practically feel the intensity of Lady Jane’s eyes drilling him between the shoulder blades.

Turning around, Andrew held Lady Jane’s gaze as he walked back. She tried to maintain a demur posture, but Andrew knew she had been looking.

Rare was the woman who could resist a braw Scot in a kilt.

Lady Jane pressed her lips together, clearly not wishing to give him the satisfaction of a reaction.

Andrew was having none of it.

He wanted Fiery Jane.

Folding his arms across his chest, he angled forward. “Now, I dinnae want to argue with ye, Lady Jane, but I have noticed ye eyeing the kilt swish a time or two. Not just tonight.”

“I have done no such thing, Lord Hadley.” Lady Jane’s brows drew down, while a hot flush crept up her neck, challenging her denial. “Precisely how much whisky have you imbibed this evening?”

“I willnae allow you tae change the subject, Lady Jane.”

“I am hardly changing the subject.” Lady Jane surged to her feet. “I am merely pointing out that you are wrong, my lord—”

“I’m no’ wrong.”

“—and furthermore, calling a kilt the passion pleats is the most absurd phrase—”

“Accurate. Ye mean the most accurate phrase.”

“I most certainly do not!” Lady Jane hurled the words at him.

As they spoke, Andrew found himself leaning toward her, fists pressed against the tabletop, his entire body angled. For her part, Lady Jane motioned widely, all pretense of decorum forgotten—gray eyes flashing, chest heaving, auburn curls framing her fine-boned face.

Fiery Jane, at last! Utterly freed and snapping with life.

She was magnificent.

It had taken nearly ten days of constant harassment, but Andrew had finally broken through her reserve.

He felt like crowing from the rooftops.

Right after he throttled her.

Excerpted from Suffering the Scot by Nichole Van, Copyright © 2021 by Nichole Van. Published by Fiorenza Publishing.

About the Author