Sunshine for Christmas!

Sunshine for Christmas

By Mary Jo

It's Christmas novella season and I'm celebrating by releasing a freestanding e-edition of this story plus an audio version.  Not that Sunshine for Christmas is a new story.  It's one of five novellas included in my Christmas Revels collection, so if you have a copy of Christmas Revels, there's no need to buy a separate e-edition of Sunshine for Christmas.

But it was the very first novella I ever wrote and I started it with some wariness because I'd never written at this length before. (Most novellas are in the 20K-25K range, though they can be somewhat shorter or longer.) 

The trick is to get a whole, satisfying story within a novella length, and it can be particularly challenging for a romance, where it takes time (and words!) to build a convincing relationship.  This is one of the reasons that reunion/second chance at love stories are popular for novellas.  The main characters already have a relationship, for better and worse, so a lot of the emotional groundwork has already been laid. 

 

In the years since, I've written a lot of novellas and have come to the conclusion that in writing them, there is no middle, only a beginning and an ending.  The beginning sets up the place, plot, characters, and their conflict.  The ending deals with whatever is keeping them apart, then should create a convincing happy ending.  So not much middle! 

One reason authors enjoy writing novellas is because it's a chance to give a minor character from a novel a happy ending.  They're people we've become fond of, but they aren't complicated enough to support a novel. 

Sunshine for Christmas is in that category, and it gives a happy ending to Lord Randolph Lennox, a minor character in my book The Rake. He made a foolish youthful mistake which caused him to lose the young woman he loved.  Long and lonely years have passed, including a brief and not very happy marriage.

The story starts when my hero, Lord Randolph Lennox, younger son of a marquess, looks out his London window on a thirty-fourth day with rain, and impulsively decides to sail to the sunny Mediterranean to spend Christmas.  He sends his valet off to buy a ticket on the first ship heading there, and ends up in Naples.  When he arrives, it's raining. <G>

But the weather improves, and while Randolph is exploring the city, he finds himself in a threatening situation created by a flirtatious young girl and her over-protective men folk.  He's rescued by Elizabeth Walker, a calm English governess who is fluent in Italian, and they strike up a friendship. 

Here is a brief excerpt when Randolph and Elizabeth have just met and are getting acquainted:

She glanced at him. “Now I am shocking you. I have lived too long in Italy and quite forgotten proper English restraint. I could give you a lengthy dissertation on Italian behav­ior, but it's a rather warm lecture and, as I said, quite lengthy.”

Randolph laughed out loud. It occurred to him that he had not laughed like this since . . . since September. Preferring to think of this refreshing female rather than the past, he said, “I should like to hear your dissertation some time. I know we've not been properly introduced, but if you are willing to overlook that, perhaps you will let me take you to lunch as a sign of appreciation for your most timely rescue? You can explain Italian behavior to me.”

A wise woman would not casually accept a stranger’s invitation, so she hesitated, studying his face as if looking for traces of dangerous derangement under his respectable appearance.

“I’m a very harmless fellow,” he said reassuringly. “Besides, knowl­edge of local customs might save my life. Look at what almost happened.”

“How can I refuse such a request? A luncheon would be very pleasant. Did you have a particular place in mind? If not, there is a trattoria near here that has good food.” Her gaze flickered over Randolph’s very expen­sive coat. “That is, if you are willing to eat as Neapolitans do.”

It was easy to guess her thoughts. During his first days in Naples, Ran­dolph’s guide had insisted on taking him to boring establishments that specialized in English-style cooking. “Do I appear to be such a paltry fel­low that I cannot survive on native fare?” He took her canvas bag. “I would be delighted to broaden my culinary horizons.”

The trattoria was about ten minutes’ walk away, on a market square. Unlike the residential square on top of the hill, this piazza bustled with activity. The trattoria’s proprietor greeted Miss Walker with enthusiastic recognition and hand-kissing, then seated them at an outdoor table.

After the proprietor had bustled off, Miss Walker said, “I trust you don’t mind alfresco dining? Raffaello wants everyone to see that his establishment is frequented by discriminating foreigners. Also, while the day is rather cool by local standards, he assumes that it will seem warm to English folk.”

“A correct assumption,” Randolph agreed. “It feels like a fine summer day in Scotland.”

Miss Walker chuckled. Then the proprietor returned with two goblets and a carafe of red table wine. After pouring wine for both of them, he rattled off a spate of suggestions. Miss Walker responded in kind, with vivid hand gestures, before turning to her companion. “How adventurous are you feeling, Mr. Lennox?”

Randolph hesitated. He'd never been the least adventurous, partic­ularly where his stomach was concerned, but when in Naples ... “I throw myself on your mercy. I'll attempt anything that won't try to eat me first.”

Eyes twinkling, she gave an order to the proprietor, who bowed and left. “Nothing so fearsome. What I ordered is a simple Neapolitan dish. Peasant food, but tasty.”

For a few minutes they sipped their wine in silence. As he swallowed a mouthful, Randolph gazed over the piazza, enjoying the shifting throngs of people. Housewives, cassock-clad priests, costermongers, and work­men, all moved to a background of joyously conflicting street musicians. This was what he had come to Naples for: sunshine, exotic sights, enjoy­able company.

His gaze drifted to Miss Walker, who was looking pensively across the square. Her appearance was unremarkable but pleasant, with nut-brown hair, a faint gold dusting of freckles, and spectacles that did not manage to conceal fine hazel eyes. She looked like the sort of woman who should be raising children and running a vicarage. She would counsel the villagers, help her husband with his sermons, and all would agree that the vicar was fortunate to have such a capable helpmeet.

What had brought her so far from the English countryside? “I gather that you have lived in Italy for some time, Miss Walker.”

She glanced at him. Very fine hazel eyes. “Over six years now. At first I lived in this area, but for the last two years I was entirely in Rome, teach­ing—or rather, standing guard over—the young lady whom I mentioned earlier.”

“How did you come to Italy in the first place?” he asked. “That is, if you don’t mind my asking.”

“After my parents died, there was no reason to stay in England, so I jumped at the chance to become governess to a British diplomatic family that was coming to Italy. When they returned home, I decided to stay on. I am quite valuable here, you see. Aristocratic Italian families like having English governesses, both as a mark of consequence and in the hopes that cold English temperaments will act favorably on hot-blooded daughters.”

“Do you never miss England?”

Her gaze slid away from his. “A little,” she admitted softly, taking off her spectacles and polishing them, a convenient excuse for looking down. “A sad consequence of travel is that the more one sees of the world, the more impossible it is to be satisfied with any one location. Sometimes— especially in the spring and summer—I long for England. Yet, if I were there, I should pine for Italy. Here at least I command a better salary than at home, and there is more sunshine.” Then, almost inaudibly, she added, “And fewer memories.”

Privately Elizabeth believes that she'll fall in love with Randolph and he won't even notice, but she'll have some sweet memories to enjoy in old age.  Needless to say, there's a happy ending! 

The audio version of Sunshine is narrated by Siobhan Waring and it's so new that it isn't yet available on all audio platforms.   However, it is available on author-direct.com, the platform for Findaway Voices, my audiobook distributor, and I'll be giving away free audio codes to five people who comment on this blog between now and midnight Saturday.

PS: As I should have said in the paragraph above, the free audio requires downloading the Authors-Direct app, which is easy, but can only be done on Android or IOS (Apple) devices--basically cell phones and tablets, not desktops.  These downloads are available in the US, Canada, Australia, the UK, and the EU. So much of the world, but not all of it!  Sorry.  

Happy early holidays!

Mary Jo

 

Comments

[Robin Rustad]

I confess I have never listened to an audio version of any literature, but now I am curious. Just today, well at this hour I guess it was yesterday, I was writing an email to a young friend who will be studying and traveling in Europe in the Spring. I told her about my favorite sights in Venice and Florence, so Italy has very much been in my mind. I look forward to reading, or perhaps listening to Randolph and Elizabeth's story. I just got a copy of Once a Laird, so that is my treat for the weekend.

[Anne Hardy]

I enjoyed both 'The Rake' and also this novella in 'Christmas Revels'. As 'The RaKe' is one of my favourite of your stories would, I have it in hardcopy, ebook and audiobook form. I would enjoy the novella in audiobook form as well as ebook.

[Quantum]

Crumbs, Xmas crackers are now appearing in supermarkets .... clearly a sign for readers to enter the spirit and look for Xmas stories!

Last year I listened to 'The Christmas Cuckoo' and 'The Black Beast', both with Siobhan Waring narrating .... really enjoyable! I hope the audio for 'Sunshine for Christmas' will be available in time this year. 'The Rake' is not available on Audible UK so does the novella include enough background to really appreciate it?

The magic of Christmas to come had me looking for more 'magic audios' and I noticed 'The Marriage Spell' released in the UK in 2007 .... how could I have missed it! Romance and fantasy at Christmas is a perfect listen.. its now on top of the wish list. 😊

[Meg]

I, too, enjoyed both The Rake and Christmas Revels, but it was a while ago, and I'd love to listen to the audio version this season. I've been caught up trying to get through due-all-too-soon library books (I should know better!) and haven't dipped into Christmas romance yet this year. It's getting colder, though, so I think it's time!

[Nancy Mayer]

I have had this story for sometime. I felt sorry for Randolph when the explanations were made about the initial scene in the RAke. That was a well done scene. I could feel his anguish.
I do not listen to books. Will have to reread the Christmas Revels.

[Annette N]

I am a fan of Christmas novellas. I have quite a few of the old Signet Christmas anthologies.

This story sounds charming. Thanks for the post.

Hope everyone is well and safe and happy.

[Faith Freewoman]

This is such a sweet, poignant, bone-deep satisfying story. And I have to say that Lennox's appearance in The Rake also touched me deeply.

A definite keeper that I re-read at least once a year, and I often don't even wait for the Christmas season!

Cheers, Faith

[Kareni]

Don't enter me in the drawing as I only rarely listen to stories.

I'm another who enjoyed this story in the Christmas Revels. You are correct that it is indeed the season for Christmas novellas; I just finished re-reading a Carla Kelly collection last night.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Robin, book travels aren't as vivid as going in person, but they are easier! A note about the giveaway that I forgot to put in the blog and added later:

The free audio requires downloading the Authors-Direct app, which is easy, but can only be done on Android or IOS (Apple) devices--basically cell phones and tablets, not desktops. These downloads are available in the US, Canada, Australia, the UK, and the EU. So much of the world, but not all of it! Sorry.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Anne, I think the novella is a sweet little footnote to THE RAKE,, and my narrator, Siobhan Waring, does a wonderful job with the audios.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Quantum, the novella is largely freestanding, with enough background to explain Randolph, I think. The audio should be available by Christmas--I think it's on some platforms already. Just not the BIG ones!

I'm glad that the audio of THE MARRIAGE SPELL is available in the UK. I've tried to make everything available everywhere, but audio distribution can be rather fraught.

[Sue McCormick]

I may NOT have this; I will need to check my library more thoroughly!

[Quantum]

"The free audio requires downloading the Authors-Direct app"

It may be worth noting that there is also an online player, so streaming to a windows laptop works ... and may not be location dependent?

[Mary Jo Putney]

Quantum, I hadn't heard that! But it might be convenient for people who don't have the right kinds of handheld devices.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Meg, it's only mid-November, so there is a fair amount of time for you to get into your Christmas reading!

[Mary Jo Putney]

Nancy, that scene in The Rake was necessary, to heal and old wound for Alys, and it also showed that Randolph was a decent guy. He earned his happy ending with that.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Annette--we're certainly in better places than a year ago!

[Mary Jo Putney]

Faith, thank you. Personally I think Christmas stories are good all year round.

[Mary Jo Putney]

Kareni--Ooow, Carla Kelly has a collection? I must investigate!

[Mary Jo Putney]

Sue, I'd be surprised if you don't have this because the story has been around for quite some time. But it's theoretically possible. *G*

[Kareni]

Quite a few, @Mary Jo ~

- Carla Kelly's Christmas Collection
- Regency Royal Navy Christmas
- A Season of Love: A Christmas Anthology
- Coming Home for Christmas: An Anthology
- Regency Christmas Gifts: Three Stories
- In Love and War: A Collection of Love Stories

All are reissues of previously published stories; some of the reviews on Amazon are negative because that isn't stated in the descriptions.

[MrsSW]

Hello, Mary Jo,
We began listening to audio books when my husband had eye surgery and wasn't allowed to read for awhile. (To Kill a Mockingbird read by Sissy Spacek is outstanding BTW.) Once we could get our noses back into books we stopped listening so the opportunity to listen to Sunshine for Christmas would be nice. I intend to enjoy the story one way or the other.
Sheila