Interview with the authors of
Something Borrowed: Christmas Weddings Collection
Alexis: Why did each of you write your story to be part of this Christmas Weddings collection? Share your holiday story’s title and plot in two or three sentences.
Jaycee Weaver: We had so much fun last year with Once Upon A Christmas, there was no way I wanted to pass up working with these ladies again! We brainstormed this collection together and explored ways to weave our stories together so that it wouldn’t be like other collections, but something new and different.
My story is called Always Been Yours, and Hanady lays the collection’s foundation with a girls’ weekend in Denver to shop for her wedding with her best girlfriends. It’s really too bad she’s marrying the wrong guy, though, but her best guy friend, Keenan, has hopes she’ll see the truth before it’s too late.
Toni Shiloh: Working with these ladies again was a no brainer. I knew I wanted to bring a different heroine than you normally read. So I created Leilah Anderson, my heroine in All the Moore. She has an opportunity to meet her gamer friend Reggie Moore in person, but she’s never told him she’s in a wheelchair and doesn’t want him to pity her. But when he closes the distance between them, she has to decide if love is truly a possibility for her.
Mikal Dawn: I absolutely love these ladies, and love working with them, so any chance I get to write with them, I’m taking! A Holly, Bolly Christmas is about the daughter of Bollywood actors who’s dating a Scottish police officer. She’s booked her dream venue…without his knowledge...and without a ring! Add in her dramatic parents, and there just might be a few things that go a little off the rails.
Teresa Tysinger: I decided to write Somehow, This Christmas for a few reasons. First, I’ve been wanting to write with these ladies for a long time! I also have been wanting to write a story set during Christmas in Laurel Cove, the setting of my current series. This worked out perfectly! In Somehow, This Christmas, wedding planner Cate and firefighter Noah run into several not-so-merry mishaps as they approach their Christmas wedding. What’s worse, the wedding is being covered by a popular blogger and Cate’s reputation is on the line.
Andrea Boyd: When the suggestion came up about us doing this project, I prayed about it like I do for any idea, and Bruce and Lydia’s story started coming together in my head, giving me my answer. A Promise So Sweet is about a couple who splits as they enter college—his idea, not hers. Ten years later when Bruce is trying for a senior pastor position, it is suggested that he’d have a better chance if he was married and he immediately thinks of Lydia. He realizes she’s the one he’s meant to be with and sets out to win her back. Alexis: What was your inspiration for your main characters? Describe the hero and heroine’s looks, personality and heart.
Jaycee: I immediately knew Hanady would be a plus-size bride-to-be, but confident with a great big personality and sweet heart. I used a young Delta Burke (those dimples!) as my example, but Han has auburn hair. For Keenan, I imagined Michael Pena—handsome (the regular-guy kind, not necessarily the model kind), Hispanic, and with a charming smile.
Toni: I pictured Mekia Cox (from The Rookie) as Leilah and Marlon Wayans as Reggie. I liked that Reggie’s humor and lightheartedness was a perfect foil for Leilah’s moody self. She also has a vulnerability she doesn’t share with everyone and her tough-girl persona.
Mikal: I grew up in a diverse community and had several friends of Punjab (a region in India) descent. When I saw the photo of an actress on Pinterest, I knew she was my next heroine. As for Maguire, well…who can resist a ginger-slightly bearded Scot? Not me, I tell ya. Chahna (Ana) is creative, strong, and perhaps a little spontaneous with long black hair, dark eyes, and gorgeous looks (I mean, her parents are famous actors, so of course!). Maguire (Mag) is tall, ginger hair and usually clean-shaven (due to being an officer) but has a bit of scruff on his off-days. He’s stable, supportive, and absolutely in love with Chahna.
Teresa: Cate is sweet and kind but also your typical type-A personality, which helps make her a fantastic wedding planner. It also means that when things start going wrong, she struggles to readjust her expectations and handle things out of her control. Noah is tall and handsome and the nicest, most patient guy you’ll ever meet. Which is good, since Cate really needs him to help maneuver the many mishaps and keep her grounded. I didn’t have a whole lot of outside influence for these characters, they just came to me. However, I do picture John Krasinski as Noah!
Andrea: Both of my characters are Italian descendants. I immediately pictured Lydia as waiflike with dark hair and eyes. She works in a chocolate shop, plays the piano, and is a tea drinker. Her parents died when she was a teenager, so her sister and her family are all she has left. Bruce has the classic boy-next-door looks. He’s a little clueless but has a heart of gold. He grew up with two brothers and a meddling mom who doesn’t particularly care for Lydia.
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Alexis: Paint a picture with words of your story’s setting. What makes it special to your hero and heroine?
Jaycee: I love my quirky hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico, so I set most of my stories there—including this one. The Rio Grande Valley is nestled between a large mesa and the Sandia Mountains and is home to a variety of cultures and lifestyles. From the weather to the food, I want to inspire people to remember New Mexico (an oft overlooked state!). Keenan and Hanady are native NM lifers like my husband and his family.
Toni: New Orleans! I have family (my dad’s side and in-laws) there and so I wanted to paint a picture of a place I’ve been countless times. I gave a nod to the food, football, and then threw in Reggie’s location of Denver. But not as much because I’ve never been.
Mikal: Oh, good question. My story has two settings: breezy, hilly, busy, charming, diverse, and cold, white, slightly remote, destination, and cold. Did I mention cold? While Mag doesn’t necessarily have a strong appreciation for the second setting, it’s so different and unique, which is what draws Ana to it. As for the first setting, it’s one of a few interior design capitals in the US, and makes for a fun setting (and a good workout!).
Teresa: Laurel Cove, North Carolina is a fictional town set in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is quaint, charming, and full of small-town character. I often tell people to picture one of those cute towns in Hallmark movies with a picturesque Main Street, friendly neighbors, and seasonal decorations. As I said above, Laurel Cove is the setting of my current novel series. The town is directly inspired by Burnsville and Spruce Pine, North Carolina—the area my best friend from college grew up in and still lives. When I lived up there to attend college, the area and people stole my heart!
Andrea: Bruce and Lydia both grew up in a tiny valley near Aspen, Colorado with plenty of snow and skiing. Bruce has since made his home in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Lydia is in for a bit of a culture shock with the Southern ways and warmer weather than she’s used to in December.
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Alexis: What is the main conflict in your story?
Jaycee: Hanady’s engaged to a man who stereotypes would say is out of her league, but Keenan knows the opposite to be true. After he’s injured at work, Hanady spends time taking care of him, playing games, etc. Will her eyes begin to open to the truth about both men in her life?
Toni: Willing to hope when life says you shouldn’t. It affects Reggie and Leilah in personal and spiritual ways not to mention in the romantic realm.
Mikal: I would have to say definitely the unknown. And the parents. Oh, her parents! Lol! They may want to make you slap them upside the head, but their hearts are in the right place (most of the time), and they really do love Ana.
Teresa: The main conflict in my novella are the string of mishaps that threaten Cate and Noah’s Christmas wedding. Naturally, this leads to some tension between the happy couple, too. With a few twists and turns, they have to work to remember what’s at the heart of a marriage and get to their wedding day even if it means it’s not what they pictured.
Andrea: Colorado. Lydia still doesn’t understand why he broke up with her in the first place. An ex-girlfriend throws a wrench in the works. And Bruce’s mom … that woman does everything in her power to discourage Bruce away from this crazy scheme of his.
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Alexis: What was the most fun part of writing your story? Why?
Jaycee: Hands down, the most fun was writing together with these other ladies. I’m an extrovert, and we spent so much time early in the year during stay-home orders on the computer with each other writing, laughing, praying together, and more.
Toni: Definitely writing and collaborating with the other ladies. We drew so close in the process and I value my friendship with them. But as for the actual story, the epilogue, hands down.
Mikal: I’m a wedding fiend! So I always have fun writing wedding scenes (like, too much fun…you should see my Pinterest boards). But more than anything, writing this story to fit in with the other ladies’ stories was challenging, but so fun! It drew us even closer together in our friendships where we did writing sprints together, laughed a lot, and prayed together.
Teresa: I love everything Christmas, so writing this story in the springtime was a fun escape for me. I listened to Christmas music to get in the mood. My favorite part of this project, however, was working with Jaycee, Toni, Mikal, and Andrea! They’ve become cherished friends.
Andrea: The collaboration worried some of the ladies in the group, but not me! I loved bouncing ideas off each other and fleshing out our characters’ relationships to one another. I love that it built relationships between the writers too!
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Alexis: Did you play Christmas music while writing this story? If so, which song was your favorite and how did it inspire your storytelling?
Jaycee: Nope. I can’t listen to Christmas music in the spring or summer.
Toni: I did! I always build a playlist to listen to while I type and this was no different. I’m not sure that I had a favorite though. I listened to a lot of songs from Leslie Odom Jr.’s Christmas album.
Mikal: No! I’m an anomaly in the writing world, it seems, and need total quiet in order to write. I actually have a pair of earplugs I keep on my desk to wear when my family is home and I need to write. But I LOVE Christmas music (started playing it a while ago!). My favorite is “O Holy Night.”
Teresa: Yes, as I mentioned above, this was a fun part of the project. I don’t have one song that stood out, but I mostly listened to Christmas classics. Cate is such a traditionalist who loves the nostalgia of Christmases growing up. I can totally picture her and Noah listening to it in her little, cozy house in front of the tree.
Andrea: Even though my story is last, I wrote it first. I wrote it last Christmas, so it was easier to get into the spirit. There was definitely music playing at times, but I don’t know that any one song influenced my story. My favorites? I love “Mary Did You Know,” especially the original version. And despite the controversy, I still love “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.”
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Alexis: What is your favorite Christmas holiday treat? Did it help you while writing this story? If so, explain.
Jaycee: I love all the treats! And no, because I wrote this book in the off-season, they were all long gone from this house.
Toni: I love sweet potatoes but I didn’t eat any while writing this story since I finished in the summer.
Mikal: Shortbread! Oh my goodness, I love shortbread! It didn’t help with writing this story, but it’s sure making my mouth water during this interview!
Teresa: There’s a scene in my story that involves baking Christmas treats. One of the things mentioned is a family “Christmas cake.” This cake is inspired by my own family’s Christmas cake that is flavored with almond, chocolate chips, and walnuts. We bake it in a Bundt pan and have it on Christmas morning. One of my favorite traditions and it was so fun to include it in this story.
Andrea: I don’t know if it helped my story (or my hips) but I love making Christmas cookies with my girls every year.
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Alexis: If you could give one of your characters a Christmas gift, what would it be? Why?
Jaycee: Actually, in the epilogue (spoilers!), Keenan gives Hanady a game table that he made. I loved this idea because board games played a big part in their relationship’s development.
Toni: The new Xbox series X or PS5.
Mikal: Yeesh, another great question. I honestly don’t know. Maybe some patience for Ana?
Teresa: I’d give Cate and Noah an “Our First Christmas” ornament since their wedding is planned for Christmas Day!
Andrea: I would give Bruce’s Mom a hug. I’m a pantser, so even I didn’t know what her problem with Lydia was until it was revealed to me. My heart really felt for her and if anyone needs a hug, it’s her.
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Alexis: What do you want readers to remember most about your story?
Jaycee: That God made His children in all shapes and sizes, and beauty is determined by who you are. No one should make another feel inferior for something as foolish as an exterior wrapping.
Toni: It’s okay to hope for the impossible. God is the miracle worker of the things we want to write off.
Mikal: I want readers to walk away with a light heart, having spent some time with (I hope) loveable characters who made them smile and laugh. I hope they remember those characters, but more importantly, the forgiveness and love that was part of their journey.
Teresa: I hope readers are remined that life isn’t perfect and rarely goes to plan, but that doesn’t mean the most important things—love and God’s love for us—always prevail!
Andrea: Hopefully my story warms their hearts and makes them smile. I also wanted to show that God’s will for their lives is better than anything they could ever come up with for themselves.
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Alexis: Thanks for the interview, ladies. Merry Christmas!
All the authors: Merry Christmas, Alexis! Hope it’s a great one!
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Author Bio for Jaycee Weaver:
Lover of Jesus, family, books, coffee, music, and crafting (in that order), Jaycee Weaver is perpetually pursuing at least one of her passions.
She writes contemporary Christian romance with realistic characters in everyday situations where they always find a happy ending. Visit her at www.jayceeweaver.com.
Author Bio for Toni Shiloh:
Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and Christian fiction writer. Once she understood the powerful saving grace thanks to the love of Christ, she was moved to honor her Savior. She writes to bring Him glory and to learn more about His goodness.
Author Bio for Mikal Dawn:
Mikal Dawn is an inspirational romance author, wedding enthusiast, and military (retired) wife.
When she isn’t writing about faith, fun, and forever, she is obsessively scouring Pinterest (with coffee in hand!) for wedding ideas for her characters.
Mikal lives in Oklahoma with her husband and two of their three children. Visit her at www.mikaldawn.com.
Author Bio for Teresa Tysinger:
Teresa Tysinger is a wife, mother, and communications director for a national non-profit.
She writes charming Christian romance, inspired by grace. Teresa now resides in Texas, though part of her heart remains in North Carolina. She loves Jesus, coffee, and happy endings.
Visit Teresa at www.teresatysinger.com.
Author Bio for Andrea Boyd:
Each of Andrea Boyd’s series represents a different genre but all fall into the category of romance. All offer an element of her own brand of humor. And all are a tribute to God. Besides writing, she loves spending time with her family, quilting, going to car shows, and driving around in her 1968 Barracuda convertible.
Andrea lives with her husband, Tommy, and at least a couple of cats in York County, SC.
Old friends, new loves, and a borrowed tiara.
Always Been Yours — Hanady's planning her dream wedding, but her injured best friend Keenan isn't the groom. If she can't see she's marrying the wrong guy soon, his leg won't be the only thing broken.
All the Moore — Leilah Anderson has been living behind the screen to hide her disability, then she meets Reggie Moore face-to-face. Can their relationship survive the truth and distance between them?
A Holly, Bolly Christmas — A dream wedding venue at Christmas? Sign Chahna Kapoor up. Even if her fiancé doesn’t know it…
Somehow, This Christmas — When not-so-merry mishaps threaten wedding planner Cate Forsyth's holiday wedding and reputation, will her own happily ever after with sweetheart Noah Bennett melt away?
A Promise So Sweet — Lydia Osborn hasn't heard from her ex in ten years, so imagine her surprise when he shows up proposing marriage. Tis the season for love?
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