12 Days of Christmas Joy: A Very Bavarian Christmas by Katie M. Reid

Interview with Katie M. Reid about her book, 

A Very Bavarian Christmas:

Congrats on the release of your Christmas story, A Very Bavarian Christmas! 

Let’s talk about it …

Alexis: Tell us about your story’s heroine Holly Noel Brigham. What’s her motivation? Describe her personality, heart and dreams!

Katie: Holly Noel is trapped back in her hometown of Bavarian Falls personalizing ornaments at Neumann’s, the famous mile-long Christmas store—and she doesn’t even like Christmas.

Problems, not presents, are stacking up for Holly. She’s in her thirties, sports a brunette messy bun, is still single, and sleeping in her childhood bedroom due to a failed start-up in the city. Holly needs a turn of heart in order to unlock what’s next. As Holly works through fractured relationships and embarrassing misunderstandings, she stumbles upon love in the Bavarian-themed town from which she tried to distance herself.

Alexis: Tell us about your story’s hero. What is his name? How does act? Explain his motivation then describe his strengths and weaknesses.

Katie: Since I don’t want to give too much away, I’ll tell you about two of the main guys in the book.

One of them is Frank, he’s a twenty-something charismatic guy who has a higher-up position at the Christmas store where Holly works. He is flirty and fun, and slightly—or a lot—obnoxious. He keeps Holly laughing and rolling her eyes with his antics. Because of his family connections Frank is committed to staying in Bavarian Falls, but Holly wants to leave town as soon as she’s saved enough to do so.

The other main guy in A Very Bavarian Christmas is Nik. He has steely blue eyes, dark hair, and is around Holly’s age. Nik is somewhat of a mystery, with a shady past. He keeps showing up wherever Holly is, volunteering to help the citizens of Bavarian Falls with their various projects. Nik is so busy helping others that he needs to take some time to figure out what he really wants. He is generous with his time, and more serious than Frank. Nik also takes Holly’s artistic ambitions seriously.

Alexis: Tell us more about the town of Bavarian Falls, where the story of A Very Bavarian Christmas takes place.

Katie: Bavarian Falls is the quintessential midwestern Christmas town. With holiday decorations up all year and droves of tourists that flock to it, this charming town and its quirky townspeople embody the holiday spirit.

Bavarian Falls has a small-town vibe where everyone knows your name and your business! Because Christmas reminds Holly of one of the hardest times in her life, it’s hard for her to embrace the jovial atmosphere of her hometown.

Alexis: Why is Holly still single in her 30s and living at home with her parents? How does this make her feel?

Katie: Holly is definitely not a fan of living at home with her parents! She is frustrated that her mom was right in saying that her idea for a community art space in the city wouldn’t work out—because that’s exactly what happened.

She and her mom have somewhat of a tense relationship and living at home, even temporarily, adds to that strain. Holly can’t wait until she can move out…again!

Holly longs to be respected and successful with her art, but working as a seasonal holiday employee, personalizing ornaments in order to replenish her bank account, does not make her feel jolly.

Alexis: Who is the special man who steals Holly’s heart this Christmas? Give us the scoop on what brings this man into Holly’s life and share what might threaten to tear them apart.

Katie: I like to keep the readers guessing throughout the book about who Holly ends up with. But I can say that misunderstandings, communication misfires, and the need for healing play a big part in the things that might threaten to keep this couple apart.

There is an original song in the book called, “Everything.” And one of the lines from it says:

The keep to peace is turning to face that which holds you down. 

The way to freedom is not out of reach, turn the knob, let yourself be found.

Through Holly living out these lyrics, she moves from resentment to more openness when it comes to her future, even though she’s not sure how it will all turn out.

Alexis: What was your inspiration for this story? Share details!

Katie: I actually started writing the book in the summer of 2019 after my family and I visited a Christmas store. As we were walking around it, I thought, “Surely someone needs to write a Hallmark-style story about a place like this.” So I did.

As a non-fiction writer, I didn’t think I’d write fiction, but after reading Bethany Turner’s books, I was inspired and freed…realizing that I could write a contemporary rom com novel.

I have a friend who is the Christmas Queen, her name is Holly Noel and she gave me permission to use her name in my novel. But unlike the real Holly Noel, my main character does NOT like Christmas because it reminds her of one of the greatest losses in her life.

Alexis: What do you want readers to remember most about A Very Bavarian Christmas?

Katie: It was important to me to include real life scenarios in this book. Although it is definitely an uplifting and cozy read, I wanted it to be relatable too.

Holly Noel deals with some hard things, like: strained relationships, things not turning out how she expected, rejection, loneliness, and more. I want the readers to feel known, seen, and understood in both their disappointments and their dreams. 

I think this book review sums it up best:

“I generally group these types of books together as "cookie-cutter" books, but this one broke the mold. Tackling topics like singleness, big city/small town, trauma, mental health, and more, reading this book was a refreshing take on a Christmas novel! I even laughed out loud a couple of times—and that takes some doing. Thanks, Katie!” –Danica R via Amazon.

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Katie! Would you like to share closing thoughts?

Katie: We’re so excited to offering this uplifting novel at the end of a hard year. If you purchase two or more copies (in e-book or paperback form) you can access a free book club kit at averybavarianchristmas.com.

Inside the kit you’ll find:

• Ice breakers

• Chapter discussion questions

• A deleted scene

• The book’s Spotify playlist

• Activity ideas 

The book club kit is sure to bring some fun and connection this holiday season. Go to averybavarianchristmas.com to purchase two or more copies and then fill out the form there to access the kit!

Happy HOLLY Day! 

Thanks for having interviewing me, Alexis!

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Author Bio:

Katie M. Reid is the author of Made Like Martha, podcast host of The Martha + Mary Show, a singer, and a songwriter. She has published articles on: TODAY’s Parenting Blog, HuffPost, Focus on the Family, Crosswalk, (in)courage, LightWorkers and many more. 

Katie has an award-winning essay published through Women’s Memoirs. She has a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education and is a fan of hot cocoa and Christmas lights. 

Katie, her husband, and five children live in Michigan, where the wonder of the holiday season is never far away. Katie encourages women to walk in freedom as they live out their God-given purpose at katiemreid.com.

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Blurb about A Very Bavarian Christmas:

Holly Noel Brigham is trapped back in her hometown of Bavarian Falls personalizing ornaments at Neumann’s, the famous mile-long Christmas store—and she doesn’t even like Christmas.  

Problems, not presents, are stacking up for Holly. She’s in her thirties, still single, and sleeping in her childhood bedroom due to a failed start-up in the city. Holly needs a turn of heart in order to unlock what’s next. 

The only guy showing any interest in her is quirky Frank, who keeps her laughing but makes her feel boxed in. Then there’s handsome Nik, who has a shady past but takes her ambitions seriously. 

As Holly works through fractured relationships and embarrassing misunderstandings, she stumbles upon love in the Bavarian-themed town from which she tried to distance herself.

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Buy Katie's book on Amazon or Barnes and Noble

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Connect with Katie:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KatieMReidWriter
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katie_m_reid/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Katie_M_Reid
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/Katie_M_Reid/

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