Shannon here: Amy R. Anguish shares her inspiration for her Contemporary Romance Novella, The Bright Side of Christmas included in the Novella Collection, Lighting Up Christmas with three other authors. Comment or answer the question in any post dated Oct 5th – 31st to enter the drawing for a print copy of the collection, along with three other titles. Deadline: Nov 7th, 11:59 pm central. Here’s Amy:
Have you ever had to live with a neighbor you couldn’t stand? Had to share a wall, even?
I was the weird one in college. I hated the noise of having girls on the other side of my bedroom wall—especially when I wanted to go to sleep and they obviously didn’t. When my husband and I were first married, we could sometimes hear fighting on the other side of the wall. Not pleasant. But I’ve never really had a problem with neighbors—even though a few liked to smoke and made it where I couldn’t keep my windows open.
So, imagine my surprise when the idea for my new novella popped in my head. What if a girl who loved to decorate for Christmas (and yes, I have a few neighbors who start early and take it down late) lived on the opposite side of a duplex from a guy who doesn’t decorate at all? And what if he doesn’t want her decorations near his side?
It’s a bit grumpy/sunshine, a bit forced proximity, and a whole lot of Christmas shenanigans.
Neighbors are people you only see in passing, most of the time. If you’re in a duplex or apartment, you might hear some of their music or a muffled conversation.
My male character, Robert, works from home. He can’t have all those jolly tunes thrumming through his counseling meetings. So, he goes over to finally meet his neighbor Holly. And makes sure she understands her lights need to stay on her side.
Of course, Holly views him as a Scrooge in need of a good holiday wake-up call. Can she help his heart grow to love Christmas as much as she does?
Reader Question: If you were living next door to someone who was the opposite of you in terms of
how to decorate and/or celebrate the holidays, would it make you curious or make you stay away? Have you ever had an argument with neighbors over how they decorated for Christmas?
October 2026 Book Bundle
Lighting Up Christmas by Amy R. Anguish, Contemporary Romance Novella Collection, print
Northern Redemption by Laurie Wood, Romantic Suspense, e-book
Hilltop Wedding by Kathleen D. Bailey, Contemporary Fiction, print
To Chase the Stars by Tara Johnson, Historical Romance, print
About Amy: Amy R Anguish grew up a preacher’s kid, and in spite of having lived in seven different states that are all south of the Mason Dixon line, she is not a football fan. Currently, she resides in Tennessee with her husband, daughter, and son, and usually a bossy cat or two. Amy has an English degree from Freed-Hardeman University that she intends to use to glorify God, and she wants her stories to show that while Christians face real struggles, it can still work out for good. Learn more and connect:
About the collection: Lighting Up Christmas:
Four Christmas lights. Four love stories. One season filled with faith, hope, and happily-ever-afters.
In Lighting Up Christmas, four heartwarming holiday romance novellas shine with cozy charm, clean romance, small-town warmth, and the gentle reminder that God can bring light to even the dimmest season.
In The Bright Side of Christmas by Amy R. Anguish, Holly Belle loves Christmas, holiday décor, and twinkling lights. Her new neighbor, Robert Bradshaw, prefers peace, quiet, and keeping her Christmas cheer firmly on her side of the duplex. But when Holly decides his grinchy heart needs a little holiday help, their battle over lights may lead to something brighter than either one expected.
In The Light of a Christmas Star by Heather Greer, Elena Bell is determined to make Tannenbaum’s Festival of Lights a success for the families depending on it. When rising Hollywood star Trenton Wills arrives at her B&B, he may be the answer to the town’s needs—and the beginning of Elena’s own Christmas romance. But Trenton has secrets that could dim more than the festival lights.
In ’Twas the Light Before Christmas by Mary Pat Johns, Cooper Blackmon enters the region’s biggest Christmas lights competition determined to win. Mandy Alvarez needs the prize money to save her family’s beloved Christmas Village. As rivalry turns to friendship and friendship glows into something more, only one can claim the prize. But both may have far more to lose than money.
In Pitch Perfect Lights by Regina Rudd Merrick, Holly Shepherd is facing her family’s first Christmas after loss while trying to create joy for her young siblings. When author Paxton Hollis returns home and quietly helps revive her father’s beloved light display, Holly discovers that hope can still shine, even through grief.
A charming choice for readers who enjoy clean, faith-friendly romance wrapped in Christmas lights, small-town warmth, and happily-ever-after hope.
Read Lighting Up Christmas and discover four faith-filled holiday love stories that glow with joy, hope, and the true light of Christmas.
Lighting Up Christmas Amy’s Books
Come back Oct 9th for Shannon’s Book Bargains Roundup!
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