Hello and Welcome!

Today I’m very lucky to be interviewing Susan Buchanan author of A Taste of Christmas Spirt.

Hi Susan, thank you for agreeing to this interview.

Thanks for having me!

Who inspired you to become a writer?

I’ve always written since I was very young. I was involved in the primary school newspaper and creative writing was always my favorite part of English at school. I was a voracious reader, so it felt natural to write my own stories. As an adult, I initially wrote as I saw a gap in the market – books that I wanted to read but weren’t getting written. Romcoms seemed back then to all be about girls in Publishing, drinking cocktails, wearing Jimmy Choos and fighting over the latest handbags. I found that so vacuous and it wasn’t representative of my experience, so I wrote something that was more of interest to me.

Who are your favorite authors? Why?

Milly Johnson, Jenny Colgan, Leonie Mack, John Grisham, Rosanna Ley, Julie Caplin – actually, I have loads. I love John’s legal thrillers, love Milly’s down-to-earth humor and take on everyday life; Jenny’s descriptions of Edinburgh in particular as well as her fabulous casts, Rosanna, Leonie and Julie’s descriptions of European and far-flung places. I love to travel and I also love to write about travel, so I guess it’s only natural.

What types of scenes are your most favorite to write?

I’m not sure I necessarily have a favorite type of scene, but I suppose those that make me cry. It can be with happiness or sadness, but if it evokes such a strong emotion in me as I write it, I feel confident it will do the same for my readers, and at the end of the day, as a writer, I want my readers to feel!

Do you work with an outline, or just write?

I work with an outline, but it’s very basic and I do deviate from it. I use a software tool called Plottr now. I like how I can have the basic ideas for the plot points and where my characters are going to start and end up, and then I basically write down how many chapters there are going to be and then I input the main things or scenes in that chapter. It changes a lot as I write, but at least this gives me a starting point.

Tell us a few Fun Facts about A Taste of Christmas Spirit

Well, as you can probably guess from the title, there’s food in it! A lot of food. As usual there will be Jacob’s mouthwatering cakes in the Sugar and Spice bakery/café, but this time Jacob pairs up with an old friend, a celebrity chef for a few fun-filled scenes. There’s also a very special advent calendar and an extremely unusual date, inspired by a fun activity my family and I got into this year.

Give us an insight into your main character. What does he/she do that is so special?

Hmm, how to do so without giving too much away for those who are new to the series? Well, Lara is the main character. She’s in the final year of primary school and Lara has the ability to improve the lot of four individuals each year. She has some unique abilities, which due to a gift that has been passed on by a family friend, make it possible for her to influence events, and to make people’s Christmases, and lives, considerably better.

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

Hmm. Well, it was probably the unusual date one, or actually, the advent calendar one. Readers will see why when they read them. For the date chapter, it was probably the fact it’s tied to something my family and I have enjoyed this year, plus it is super Christmassy and involved lots of figuring stuff out. And for the advent calendar chapter, it brings everyone together, old and young, and helps celebrate all of December, as a community.

Readers should read this book…if they fancy getting into the Christmas Spirit!

Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to take part in this interview.

A Taste of Christmas Spirit

Christmas Spirit #4
Susan Buchanan
Publication Date: September 23, 2025

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.

Purchase Link
Amazon

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
Facebook * Website * Amazon * Goodreads * Instagram * BlueSky

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