Bestselling author and educator Michelle Stimpson has made the nice list with her latest release. I recently spoke with her about Christmas Ever After
Tell me about your latest book.
Christmas Ever After is the story of Stella, a small-town mayor who takes her role to heart, and Daniel, a Hollywood actor who ends up filming in her hometown. Stella loves her community and carries a lot of responsibility. Daniel is trying to figure out what he really wants out of life beyond fame. Their paths cross through a town project, and what starts as helping each other soon becomes something deeper. It’s a clean, cozy Christmas romance with family, community, and a reminder that love can show up when you least expect it.
How long did it take you to write it?
I had the very detailed outline in February. It took me a while to let the characters and plot sink in. I started writing in mid-March, and I finished by the end of May.
Which character could you relate to the most and why?
Stella, definitely. She is committed to serving her community and doing right by people, sometimes to the point of carrying more weight than she needs to. She has to learn to let someone else support her and to make room for joy. That spoke to me because I’m always torn between the fact that I love what I do as a writer and an educator, but then there’s this idea floating around that I need to slow down. But then I also think when you do work that you enjoy, it energizes you! It’s something I’ve been sitting with lately, actually. Stella is right there, too!
How are you celebrating the book’s release?
Probably quietly. A good meal, a moment to reflect, and a deep breath of gratitude. It’ll be close to Thanksgiving time, so I may be practicing my next dish while listening to it, and giving thanks for the gift of writing!
Who is your author best friend (either in your head or in real life)?
I have wonderful writer besties in real life—and we don’t actually talk about our books that much! We pray together, connect over stories about our families, share recipes, send photos to ask for fashion advice. The fun thing about having creative friends is that we are always up to something!
What is the most valuable piece of writing advice you’ve received?
Just write the book. You don’t have to love it. Just write it down; you can fix it later.
What books have you read lately and loved?
First Born Girls by Bernice McFadden, A Sky Full of Love by Lorna Lewis
What books are you excited to read?
The Seven Daughters of Dupree by Nikesha Elise Williams
What’s next for you?
I’ve got another novel coming out in May 2026—You Can’t Hurry Second Chances.
Here is the description:
A heartwarming small-town tale of rediscovering joy in unexpected places. Starting over isn’t easy, but sometimes it’s exactly what we need.
Newly divorced and determined to prove she can stand on her own, Joyce Hicks moves back to small-town Texas, leaving behind the life she has known for decades for a fresh start in her late father’s home. Unfinished renovations force her to share her kitchen with her tenant, Gabriella Santos, an aspiring chef with dreams of opening a restaurant inspired by her Black and Mexican roots. What begins as an inconvenience blossoms into an unlikely friendship between the two women as they learn to navigate their shared space.
Just as her life begins to settle, Joyce’s summer plans upend when her grandson, Elijah, is dropped off for an unexpected seven-week stay, dredging up all kinds of buried things from her past—including visits from her ex-husband, judgment from her daughter, and insecurities that she never quite healed from. Meanwhile, Gabriella’s passion for cooking and her vibrant personality infuse the household with energy, even as she faces her own struggles with self-doubt and heartbreak.
Together, Joyce, Gabriella, and Elijah form a patchwork family that supports each other through life’s highs and lows. When an old flame, Richard, reappears in Joyce’s life, she must decide whether to embrace love head-on or to slow down and wait just a little longer for her happy ending.
Do you have anything you would like to add?
Thank you for spotlighting Black fiction—I truly appreciate you!
To learn more about bestselling author and educator Michelle Stimpson, visit her website or connect with her on social media.
Website: www.MichelleStimpson.com
Instagram: @MichelleStimpson
Facebook: MichelleStimpsonWrites