Spotlight: A Kringle Family Christmas by Miriam Thor & a Giveaway
It’s the perfect time for a Christmas book! And Miriam Thor’s novella, A Kringle Family Christmas, is the perfect choice. I hope you enjoy her spotlight post and that you’ll leave a comment below by December 17 for a chance to win a digital copy of her novella.
Welcome to the Hope-filled Fiction blog, Miriam!
A Kringle Family Christmas is special to me because I included themes that have been important in my own life. Bethany, the female main character, wrestles with grief and perfectionism, while Jay, the male lead, struggles with self-doubt and finding God’s will for his future. Though my exact situation is quite different from theirs, I have dealt with all of these issues over the course of my Christian walk. I enjoyed writing characters with similar struggles.
While writing A Kringle Family Christmas, I also decided to include some details from my own life. After the family gets the Christmas tree, Bethany’s brother, Matt, tells Jay that their tree tells the story of their life. He goes on to explain that every ornament on their tree has sentimental value. Some represent specific events, while others were made by the family members themselves. This is exactly like the tree we had at my house growing up and the one I put up every year in my house to this day. My mom, like Bethany’s, even has a box of wooden ornaments that my brother and I colored when we were young.
I also included an event very similar to one that happened to my family years ago. In the novel, teenagers across the street almost set the Kringles’ house on fire while shooting fireworks their father bought for New Year’s Eve. One firework accidentally flies toward the Kringles’ roof and sets some pine straw on fire. The boys rush over. One boosts the other up, and he manages to get the pine straw off the house before the roof catches fire. When I was a kid, my family and I were shooting fireworks with other families in our neighborhood, and this exact situation happened. Thankfully, my dad and one of the other men managed to do just like the teens in the story to prevent a serious fire.
Near the end of A Kringle Family Christmas, Jay makes oatmeal muffins for Bethany and her family. Oatmeal muffins are a family favorite that my parents still make when I visit. I included the recipe at the end of the book, so others can enjoy it as well.
I believe these personal tidbits add a lot to the story. I hope readers will enjoy A Kringle Family Christmas as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Thanks so much for sharing some insider info about A Kringle Family Christmas, Miriam. The ornaments on my Christmas tree sound very similar to yours. I love the sentimental value they hold. And thank the Lord the fireworks didn’t cause a fire! Have a Merry Christmas!
Visit the Hope-filled Fiction blog and leave a comment on @Miriam_Thor17‘s spotlight post by 12/17 for a chance to win an ebook of A Kringle Family Christmas! #giveaway
TweetJoin the conversation. Do you display sentimental ornaments on your Christmas tree? What Christmas traditions do you carry on? Does Miriam’s book sound like a Christmas story you’d like to read? What questions or comments do you have for Miriam?
Comment below by December 17 for a chance to win an ebook of A Kringle Family Christmas!
A Kringle Family Christmas by Miriam Thor
Click the book cover for purchase link
Bethany Kringle is planning to skip Christmas, like she has both years since her mom died. She thinks it’s the perfect plan… until her brother, Matt, tells her he’s taking leave from the Navy to come home for Christmas. And he’s bringing his friend, Jay, with him. Now, Bethany must fight through her grief to give them the best Christmas possible.
Jay MacDonald is afraid that God wants him to leave the Navy, the only place he has ever belonged. He’s also nervous about spending Christmas with his friend’ s family, until he meets Matt’s sister who helps put him at ease. Jay immediately notices the grief Bethany is trying to hide and resolves to help her in any way he can.
As Jay supports Bethany, the two can’t help being drawn to each other. Could God use this Christmas to bring them both peace and possibly bring them together as well?
Miriam Thor started writing in second grade and never stopped. Her first (unpublished) book was an illustrated children’s book about seals that is probably still on her mom’s shelf.
Currently, she lives in Alabama with her husband and six adorable cats and has a day job as a sign language interpreter. Her published works include Listening to the Rain, A Kringle Family Christmas, and Her First Noel.
Connect with Miriam: Website / Facebook / X / Instagram / TikTok
Please share Miriam’s spotlight on social media to help spread the word about her Christmas novella!
If you missed Linda Dindzans’ Zoom interview last week, find it here.
Deena Adams
As a Jesus girl for more than thirty years, Deena Adams understands how important hope is to daily life, which fuels her passion to inspire others through hope-filled fiction based on true to life stories. She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency and is a multi-award-winning writer, an active ACFW member, and ACFW Virginia president. Connect with Deena through her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
30 Comments
Deena Adams
Congratulations to Jasmine, the giveaway winner! Thanks to all who commented, and Merry Christmas!
Beverly Smith
This sounds like a wonderful Christmas story. And I’d love the recope for oatmeal muffins!
Miriam Thor
Thank you! And they really are delicious!
Deena Adams
Thanks for joining the conversation, Beverly!
Lynn Moore
Miriam….Thank you so much for sharing some of the details of your writing. I especially loved how your “tree tells the story of your life!” My Christmas trees does the same for my family.
Christmas blessings to you & your family! 🎄
Miriam Thor
Thank you! Christmas blessings to you too!
Deena Adams
Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Lynn. merry Christmas!
Carol James
Miriam, I really enjoyed this story. As I read it, I could tell some of the traditions were based on your family’s. Such a sweet story. Congratulations.
Miriam Thor
Thank you, Carol! I enjoyed your novella, too!
Deena Adams
Thanks so much for adding to the conversation, Carol!
KIRSTEN CLARK
I too love my tree full of meaningful ornaments. A few years ago we cut down a rotting apple tree in our front yard. For Christmas, our neighbours surprised us with an ornament made from a carefully polished slice from one of the branches.
Thanks for sharing, Miriam 🙂
Deena Adams
What a cool gift from your neighbors, Kristen!
Miriam Thor
What a great idea! I never would have thought of that.
M. Jean Pike
I enjoyed your book so much, Miriam and it was fun to read a little of the story behind the story! My Christmas tree is a tree of stories, a tree of memories with each ornament holding a special place in my heart 🙂 I don’t need to enter the giveaway as I already have a copy of the book. Merry Christmas!
Deena Adams
Thanks so much for your comment, Jean. I’m sure your words encourage Miriam.
Miriam Thor
Thank you, Jean! Merry Christmas to you too!
Barbara M. Britton
I thoroughly enjoyed the Kringle family. Merry Christmas Miriam and Deena. I have a copy of the story already, so don’t place me in the giveaway.
Miriam Thor
Thank you! Merry Christmas to you too!
Deena Adams
Merry Christmas, Barb!
Penny McGinnis
Thanks so much for the opportunity to win your delightful book. It sounds like one I’d like to read. The ornaments on my tree have lots of stories and sentiment.
Miriam Thor
I’m so glad you think you would enjoy my book! And I bet your tree is beautiful.
Deena Adams
Thanks for reading and commenting, Penny. Enjoy reminiscing as you look at your Christmas tree!
Lori
I have ornaments on my tree that belonged to my grandmother. They hold fond memories of going to her house for Christmas.
Jasmine b
I’d like to enter to win a copy.
Deena Adams
You’re entered, Jasmine.
Miriam Thor
Thank you for your interest in my book!
Miriam Thor
I have an ornament from my grandmother as well!
Deena Adams
That’s so special, Lori.
Miriam Thor
Thank you for the chance to be in your blog, Deena! I really appreciate it!
Deena Adams
You’re so welcome. Glad to have you!