New Release! Hot Hawaiian Christmas

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆  My Novella is Here!  ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆  

 

Why I had to write this book:  
Hot Hawaiian Christmas combines my love for Hawaii, specifically the Big Island, and my favorite holiday.  I had these characters in my mind who are busy with their lives and I wanted to see what happened when I threw them into a time of year when things get crazier and watch how their lives entangle.  As they get caught up in the spirit of the season, their nights sizzle, and the heroine has more than one problem to resolve.  Hot Hawaiian Christmas lets the reader experience the holiday in a unique setting with characters who are enjoyable to get to know—and root for.  It's also a short novella length ebook, which is perfect for when readers are especially busy themselves. 

Blurb: 
It's Christmas in Hawaii, but Lindsay Clark's vacation turns out to be anything but relaxing. With her uncle absent, she finds herself managing the hotel—a task at which she's normally very successful. However, Lindsay's life is turned upside down by the unfamiliar environment, Christmas festivities, and a very tempting guest—Chandler Lewis. He's the honorary Santa for the Kona Christmas parade and has a great life back home in California. Romance is the last thing on his mind. But when he meets Lindsay, he begins to wonder if life could be sweeter in Hawaii.  

Now Available at Amazon:  http://amzn.com/B00QNR29NK

Read a sample on Amazon:  http://amzn.com/B00QNR29NK or Here: Victoria's website

Victoria M. Johnson knew by the time she was ten that she wanted to be a writer.  She loves telling stories and she's happiest when creating new characters and new plots.  Avalon Books and Montlake Romance published Victoria's fiction debut, The Doctor’s Dilemma, (A 2012 Bookseller’s Best double finalist).  Her other fiction book is a collection of romance short stories titled, The Substitute Bride. She is also the writer and director of four short films. Visit Victoria's website at http://VictoriaMJohnson.com for inspiration and tips and connect with her on Pinterest  Twitter and Facebook.

The Gift of the Novella

We all know what it's like when some weeks are busier than others. Hard as I try, with little time for leisure activities, the one thing I miss is time to read. Recently I rediscovered novellas.  I love reading series and longer books, but put off reading them because my time is limited. For some reason I can't seem to read a long book on my kindle.

Short Stories vs Novellas

Short stories are just that - a short story. They have less complicated plots than novellas. The word count can be as little as 1,000 words. However, opinions differ on word count for what makes a short story.
A novella is a short book over 20,000 words. The story has fewer conflicts than a novel and can be read in a day or two.
Short stories and novellas have a long history that goes way back.

Charles Dickens

I've always been a big Charles Dickens fan. His novel, Martin Chuzzlewit was originally released in monthly installments. If I had been around then, I'm sure I would have waited impatiently for the next installment. Sarah Gamp, the somewhat kind alcoholic nurse/caregiver is one of my favorite Dickens characters. Her iconic battered black umbrella was so popular with the Victorian public, Gamp became a slang word for umbrella.

O'Henry

The Gift of the Magi by O'Henry - written in 1906 is my all time favorite short story.

Contemporary Novellas

Solstice Island is the latest contemporary novella I read on a busy Sunday.  I started reading in the afternoon, put it down to run some errands, and finished that evening. There is always a certain satisfaction when you've completed a book you enjoy.

When I completed my first novella, Chocolate & Sensibility I realized it was just the length it needed to be. Adding more conflict or plot would have made it a different story.







Reading is a personal preference.  As more readers rediscover these shorter stories, I hope they'll be able to find the time in their busy schedules to read.