How Christmas Slips Into Lynn Raye Harris' Books

Hi everyone - I have the gorgeous Lynn Raye Harris on board today, but before she talks all about her love of writing and reading Christmas books, I need to announce the winner for Annie Claydon's giveaway of All She Wants For Christmas. Drum roll please...

And the winner is JULIET MADISON! Congrats Juliet, if you could email Annie at Annie@AnnieClaydon.com with your address, she'll send you the book :)

Now for the lovely Lynn:

I love the idea of doing a blog about Christmas books! It’s such a special time of year, and it’s always great that there are so many fabulous offerings from your favorite romance authors. I love curling up with a good Christmas romance and enjoying the mistletoe and twinkling lights with the characters.

It seems as if I always end up writing something about Christmas into my books when I’m writing them around Christmas time. My book that’s out this month in Australia (it was out last month in the UK, and will be out in July 2012 in North America), Captive But Forbidden, is set close to Christmas time.

Last year at this time, I was working on the book – and I couldn’t help but want to include a bit of holiday cheer. There’s just something about the season that infuses your spirit, isn’t there? I think there’s something for everyone in the holidays because the season is about giving and love.

There isn’t as much Christmas as I’d like in Captive But Forbidden, as it’s not strictly a Christmas book, but the story opens in late November with a snowstorm in London. Veronica St. Germaine is a former bad girl turned president of her nation, and she’s determined to do a good job for the island and the people who reside there.

But when the threats against her life escalate, she needs more than just a bodyguard. She needs the best bodyguard there is. Raj Vala is your typical Presents hero in that he’s handsome, rich, and completely in control. He’s not a second banana to Veronica. Not at all.

Naturally, the sparks fly as Raj does everything in his power to protect Veronica – including whisking her away to his home in Goa, India, against her wishes. To say their relationship is explosive is an understatement.

Unsurprisingly, the subject of Christmas does come up as it draws near. Veronica has fond memories of her childhood Christmases, but Raj does not. While her life was privileged, his was anything but.

I can’t tell you everything, of course, but I will tell you that the story ends with a glamorous holiday party, a Christmas tree, and presents that will last a lifetime. Raj and Veronica find their happy ever after in the glow of holiday lights. Christmas is about love, and Raj and Veronica truly discover that in the end.

I hope you enjoy the story!

From the back cover of Captive but Forbidden:

The news that wild socialite Veronica St. Germaine has cleaned up her act and stepped into her father's shoes as ruler of a Mediterranean principality creates a tabloid frenzy! But it's not just the paparazzi that are out for blood…

Duty demands that bodyguard Rajesh Vala must protect — Veronica whatever the cost. But Veronica has always rebelled against commands, and she isn't making Raj's job easy!

He calls it ‘safeguarding', but she calls it being held captive at his beach house. Both realise that the attraction between them is inconvenient — because Veronica is nothing if not forbidden!

To read an excerpt or find out more about my books, visit my website at www.lynnrayeharris.com. Drop me a line, sign up for my newsletter, or leave a comment on my blog! I love hearing from readers.

Thanks for having me, Rachael, and congratulations on your debut release!

Lynn Raye Harris is a USA Today bestselling author who writes glamorous, sexy romance for Harlequin Presents. You can learn more about Lynn and her books at http://www.lynnrayeharris.com/. You can also follow Lynn on Twitter @LynnRayeHarris or visit her author page on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/AuthorLynnRayeHarris