I am delighted to have Susan on the blog today ~ thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources for organizing.
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Genre: Christmas romance/women’s fiction
Publication Date: September 23, 2025
Estimated Page Count: 205
Standalone Fourth book in the Christmas Spirit series
- What inspired you to write a Christmas-themed romance?
Well, this is now the fourth in the Christmas Spirit series, and I’m a sucker for a Christmas book as I love Christmas, and I love romance books. It was a no-brainer really as I think there’s something magical about Christmas and the idea of putting together two characters who are either single or who have been hurt in the past and are more reserved when it comes to love really appealed – I wanted Christmas to work its magic on them.
- Can you tell us about the main characters in your book?
Lara is the main character. She’s the Christmas spirit and ten years old. She’s imbued with certain abilities that enable her to improve life for four people she feels need her help to have a good Christmas. She’s sweet, funny, a fabulous singer, with the voice of an angel, and is a great friend to her bestie, Ivy.
Her uncle, Jacob, runs the Sugar and Spice bakery/café and Lara’s choices this year are Rose, who works in the café, but is in her final year at uni doing Drama and English; Frenchman Sacha who has moved from England to Scotland after the failure of his business; newly retired Diana whose husband passed away earlier this year, just as they were about to embark on the golden years together, travelling the world; and Oscar, who due to a previous relationship mistake, risks losing everything with his new love.
- What setting did you choose for your book, and why?
The Sugar and Spice café is the main arena for this particular book, as it was with the first Christmas Spirit book. Apart from the fact everyone goes there on a regular basis, it’s also where the Christmas specials featuring a famous celebrity chef and Jacob are filmed. It’s in the fictional village of Winstanton, which is about 20 minutes from Glasgow, not too far from Loch Lomond.
- Are there any specific Christmas traditions featured in your book?
Oh yes, of course! Obviously, there are the usual international Christmas cakes! Then there’s a lovely tradition, which I’d only found out about this year, relating to an advent calendar. It’s now on my bucket list in real life. Then there’s the Christmas-lights switch-on. I’ve just realised, I don’t think I’ve ever been to one! And the Icelandic tradition of exchanging books on Christmas Eve features again, and loads more.
- How do you balance romance with the magical elements?
Well, the magical elements are brought about by the introduction of Lara in the equation in many cases, but sometimes the romance itself brings the magic, that special something…or someone! Not all of the characters in A Taste of Christmas Spirit have romance at the heart of their story. It’s probably a fifty/fifty split. The magic, however, is weaved throughout the whole story, from page one!
- Did you do any special research for this story?
Yes, and that’s why it took so long to get from plotting stage to pounding the keys stage! I always research a lot for my books, but in the case of this one, there was research to be done for Sacha’s hometown, in Noirmoutier, Vendée, France; the specialist advent calendar, the escape room (and how they put together all the clues – that gave me a headache – it turns out, I’m not as clever as I thought I was!); the food the celebrity chef and Jacob cook, as well as all of Jacob’s amazing international cakes. Lots more too, but that’s off the top of my head.
- What was the inspiration behind the title?
I think I had this title in my head last year, as clearly this is book 4 of the series, and I wanted to keep it approximately the same style, whilst featuring the words Christmas Spirit in the title. And actually, coming up with ‘taste’ led to me deciding there should be a celebrity chef. Ah, I love how authors’ minds work!
- Do you include personal experiences in your writing?
Yes, but in a roundabout sort of way. So, for example, the escape room scenes. I went to three escape rooms this year, two with my family and one with my friends. They were all so different and fun, so I figured why not include them in the book – with my own festive take on it, of course. Apart from that, and my huge love of Christmas, there isn’t, to my knowledge, anything else of my personal experiences in this particular book. But, for example, in my previous book, You Can’t Hurry Love, set in a Costa Rican sloth sanctuary, that idea came about because I’d been to a Costa Rican sloth sanctuary!
Book blurb:
AN ALL-NEW CHRISTMAS SPIRIT BOOK FOR 2025
CAN LARA ADD A DASH OF MAGIC THIS CHRISTMAS?
The Sugar and Spice bakery sparkles with holiday spirit as Jacob serves up more mouthwatering festive treats, and Christmas spirit Lara tries to sprinkle her magic over those finding the time of year difficult.
Ollie is at his wits’ end. A debt from years ago comes back to haunt him just as he and his girlfriend are buying their dream home.
Rose is dejected as her college sweetheart has dumped her now they’re in their final year. She’s not looking forward to Christmas alone, nor her twenty-first birthday on Christmas Eve.
Sacha has recently moved to Winstanton following the failure of his business. He’s too embarrassed to confide in his family, but can he find the friendship he so desperately needs and begin to trust again?
Diana tries to find her new normal after the unexpected death of her husband earlier this year. All her plans for retirement have been thrown out the window and she feels lost. She needs a renewed sense of purpose and to find her place in the world.
Can Lara provide the answer to a joy-filled Christmas?
A story of hope, love, friendship, community, and of course, Christmas spirit.
For fans of Sarah Morgan, Philippa Ashley, Jenny Colgan and Cathy Bramley.
Praise for the Christmas Spirit series:
‘Christmas all wrapped up!’
‘Right from page one you are drawn into all the joys of Christmas!’
‘A lovely story about love, friendship and hope all wrapped up in a lovely Christmas jumper!’
‘You can taste the hot chocolate, see all the Christmas lights and feel the warmth of a Christmas hug.’
Purchase Link – https://books2read.com/u/4997jw
Susan Buchanan writes contemporary romance, women’s fiction and romantic comedies, usually featuring travel, food, family, friendship, community – also Christmas!
Her books are Sign of the Times, The Dating Game, The Christmas Spirit, Return of the Christmas Spirit, A Little Christmas Spirit and Just One Day – Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn, The Leap Year Proposal and You Can’t Hurry Love
As a freelance developmental editor, copyeditor and proofreader, if she’s not reading, editing or writing, she’s thinking about it.
She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, the Society of Authors and the Alliance of Independent Authors.
She lives near Glasgow with her husband, two children and a crazy Labrador.
When she’s not editing, writing, reading or caring for her two delightful cherubs, she likes going to the theatre, playing board games, watching quiz shows and eating out, and she has recently discovered a love of writing retreats.
Social Media Links –
https://www.facebook.com/susancbuchananauthor
X @susan_buchanan and Instagram @AuthorSusanBuchanan and Threads @authorsusanbuchanan and BlueSky @susanbuchanan.bsky.social
And on her website www.susanbuchananauthor.com
Giveaway to Win a signed and dedicated paperback of A Taste of Christmas Spirit (Open to UK Only)
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