A Very Bavarian Christmas (2024)

About A Very Bavarian Christmas

Holly Noel Brigham is making a list and checking it twice—counting all the reasons she is fed up with her not-so-jolly reality:

Single
Broke
Sleeping in her childhood bedroom at the age of thirty

After her dreams of opening a community art space in the city are shattered, Holly returns to her hometown of Bavarian Falls—the Christmas capital of the Midwest. She finds seasonal employment personalizing ornaments at Neumann’s, the mile-long Christmas store, instead of decking gallery walls with her art.

As December draws near, a melancholy mood—instead of mistletoe—hangs over Holly’s head. 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 faces fractured relationships and embarrassing misunderstandings, will she unwrap more disappointment or say yes to love, with no strings attached?

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Pre-order A Very Bavarian Christmastoday for you and a friend and get ready to enjoy the endearing characters from Bavarian Falls. The novel is availablethrough my favorite local bookstore, Sleepy Dog Books, and also on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Thriftbooks.

There is also a musical album based on the novel, featuring songs from: Olivia Newton-John, Cliff Richard, Jillian Blair and others, including a song written by the author. Download “A Very Bavarian Christmas” album on Amazon, Spotify, iTunes.

About the Author

KATIE M REID is the author of Made Like Martha and a singer/songwriter. She has a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education and coaches creatives—helping them bring life to their projects—under the name, Inspiration Doula. She is the co-host of The Martha + Mary Show podcast and A Remarkable Thought fiction podcast and contributor to The Ministry to Business Guide. She 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.

What People Are Saying About A Very Bavarian Christmas

“If you’re looking for a holiday-themed read that will warm your heart but also make you think, A Very Bavarian Christmas is the perfect pick! The storyline and characters draw you in from the get-go and you’ll find yourself relating to their struggles, cheering for their victories, and being reminded that everyone needs grace and kindness, because we never know what it’s been like to walk in their shoes.”

—Crystal Paine, New York Times bestselling author, podcaster, and founder of MoneySavingMom.com

“Bavarian Falls is the capital city of Christmas, and Holly Noel is its most reluctant citizen. Sparkling with humor and radiating with warmth, A Very Bavarian Christmas is a heartwarming tale in which Christmas spirit is abundant, but not without strings attached. Fans of Hallmark’s ‘Countdown to Christmas’ will be swept away by this powerful journey of healing, reconciliation, and the second chances we must allow ourselves to take.”

—Bethany Turner, award-winning author of The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck

“Just in time to remind us all of the hope still waiting at the end of a hard year, comes Katie Reid’s A Very Bavarian Christmas. Let her reluctant ornament decorator, Holly, remind you why home is a beacon, healing a gift, and how love, like hot chocolate and the meaning of Christmas, can warm you from the inside.”

—Lisa-Jo Baker, bestselling author ofNever Unfriended

“This is my favorite type of story, a holiday story. I am not exaggerating when I tell you I literally could not put this book down. I read it in one sitting. The plot took me right into the holiday-loving town. I could picture the scenes as if they were my favorite Hallmark Movie. Happy holiday feels filled my heart as the plot and excellent character development drew me right in.”

—Jennifer Hand, Executive Director of Coming Alive Ministries, author of My Yes is on the Table.

“A Very Bavarian Christmas is the perfect cozy read for anyone who loves the holidays—and for those who don’t live and breathe candy canes and Christmas carols. As a perfectionist who fears failure and the dreaded ‘not living up to my potential’ more than anything, I identified so much with the main character of this book. And as a self-proclaimed holiday movie superfan, I adored the setting of a Christmas store in a Christmas town during the Christmas season! For anyone who struggles with a life that doesn’t meet her hopes and expectations or anyone who loves sweet romantic comedies with a holiday twist, this book is a gift for every season!”

—Mary Carver, host ofThe Couch podcastand co-author ofFake Snow & Real Faith

“Will Holly Noel ever find true happiness? Author Katie Reid shares an honest, true-to-life story of love and loss, acceptance and forgiveness. As heartwarming as a cup of hot cocoa and filled with authentic, memorable characters,A Very Bavarian Christmaswill transport you to a world where romance and real life, heartache and promise converge, all generously sprinkled with Christmas magic.”

—Kate Battistelli, author of The God Dare

“A Very Bavarian Christmas is everything you want in a story to delight you over the holidays! I hope this is the first of many novels from Katie Reid!”

—Amber Lia, bestselling co-author of TriggersandMarriage Triggers

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Holly wanted to crawl into her own skin, like a cocoon, never becoming a butterfly. Maybe a moth though, so she didn’t have to stay in the dark forever. #AVeryBavarianChristmas Share on XFascinating, how the days on a calendar can alert grief in the soul, long past tally marks and vigil keeping. #AVeryBavarianChristmas Share on XThe key to peace is turning to face that which holds you down. #AVeryBavarianChristmas #EverythingSong Share on XShe tried to mute her biological clock that tick-tocked louder than her singleness could shush. - Holly Noel #AVeryBavarianChristmas Share on XThe way to freedom is not out of reach, turn the knob, let yourself be found. #AVeryBavarianChristmas #EverythingSong Share on X

Interview Katie on Your Show

Katie has hosted a live show for over five years. She is a frequent guest on podcasts and, as a podcast host herself, she knows what makes for a great interview.

Download Media Kit

If you are interested in booking Katie for a live show or podcast interview, please submit your query to her assistant, Christine, through the contact tab.

Here are some of the topics that Katie is happy to speak on, surrounding the creation and message of A Very Bavarian Christmas:

The importance of pivoting your passion while remaining obedient to God’s call, even when it looks different than expected.
The surprising things that Katie discovered as she wrote a fiction book instead of non-fiction, like: you learn to follow the characters instead of trying to lead them in a certain direction. Writing fiction can be like a treasure hunt, with twists and turns and a destination that doesn’t look like you thought it would.
Christmas can be a hard time for many. It is important to be compassionate and patient with one another as we navigate heartache and lofty expectations around the holidays.
A line from an original song in the book is, “A key 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.” Addressing issues from your past can help you move forward in freedom, as the main character, Holly Noel, discovers.
While relationships with your loved ones are important, God is the only one who can be your everything, not your husband, kids, job, or hobby.