The Tradition of the Annual Debbie Macomber Christmas Book

Photo by erin walker on Unsplash

My tradition of reading the annual Debbie Macomber Christmas romance novel started like any tradition does -- by my doing something one time, enjoying, and repeating the experience each year. Before you know it, the repeated action becomes a tradition, and you can't imagine life without it. I don't read any other Macomber novels, but I do read her Christmas books. I normally finish them on the 90 minute flight home.

If you aren't familiar with Macomber's line of Christmas books, let's just say they are similar to a Hallmark movie experience. There is always a smart, savvy female who is stubborn and a rugged curmudgeonly man, often the type that would reside in isolation, in Alaska, for instance. He is normally wealthy, and she normally has a career and feels torn by her feelings. The two fight their attraction but, by the end, they just can't help themselves and fall in love. 

I believe my first Debbie Macomber Christmas book was her 2003 The Snow Bride. Just read the Amazon description: While journeying to Alaska to marry a man she met on the Internet, Jenna Walsh is kidnapped by Reed Kenner, a fellow passenger, who will do anything to prove that she is making the biggest mistake of her life. 

This book was great by the way. Yes, I know it's unrealistic and fairy tale-ish, but I can't help myself. The books give me a brief respite of happiness.  It had me wanting to move to Alaska. Macomber's writing brings the wooded settings to life and writes breathtaking scenes that make me believe in romance.

This year the novel was called Alaskan Holiday. This time we have Josie and Palmer. Josie is a talented sous chef who took a temporary job in Ponder, Alaska just before she is scheduled to start her apprenticeship under the famous Chef Anton. While in Ponder, she falls for Palmer, a rugged, handsome man who is a master craftsman of swords (really?) Now Palmer wants to ask Josie to marry him, but how can Josie give up her career aspirations.

Yes, it was silly and preposterous. But I read and enjoyed every single page. It's my Christmas reading tradition, and I don't intend to stop.

As I think back to this tradition, I remember the year I brought home The Snow Bride. For me, it is wrapped up in feelings of being home, safe and cozy for Christmas. Sometimes, my mother even reads the books. Do you have any reading traditions you follow each other, holiday-related or not?