Do you feel the spirit? I do. The spirit of holiday romance! This year feels like it's lasted about 48 months already and we still have two more months to go. I'm more than ready for hot chocolate, holiday music, twinkling lights, and the humor, heart, and charm of a holiday happily-ever-after. Fortunately, the folks at Forever (part of Grand Central Publishing) have a bundle of new books ready to bring you all of that and more. Let's take a look!
The Buchanan sisters all share special childhood memories of their Aunt Sassy's beloved Juniper Inn. There, they frolicked in the snow, baked sugar cookies, and celebrated the town's annual Christmas extravaganza. They haven't been back to Colorado in nearly fifteen years, but when their aunt invites them for one last Christmas, they can't say no... With her ex-husband whisking her children away for the holiday, Dahlia decides it's time to do something for herself. Juniper Springs is just as beautiful as she remembers, but it's also full of surprises -- including the town's handsome doctor, who makes her feel like herself again for the first time in years.
To the outside world, baker Magnolia has the ideal marriage. Only the pain and sorrow of infertility have strained her relationship with her husband, perhaps beyond repair. But a holiday miracle is about to change her life.
After a whirlwind romance, youngest sister Rose is about to be married, but as the wedding draws near, she's unsettled by her fiancé's expectations that she become a society wife. Spending Christmas with her family could be a necessary reality check -- or the beginning of a brand-new happily ever after.
Thanks to the strength of their sisterhood, some mistletoe, and the love of their Aunt Sassy, the Buchanan sisters will discover what it is they truly want this Christmas.
PJ says... This women's fiction novel about three sisters, each at an emotional crossroads in her life, is garnering rave reviews from readers. I bought it the other day and am looking forward to meeting the Buchanan family. I enjoy stories that explore the bonds among sisters and Richardson can always be counted on the deliver an emotional read.
Can the magic of mistletoe bring together two busy single parents?
Mallory Maitland knows all too well what it's like to feel abandoned, which is why she's sworn never to give up on her two stepsons -- her late husband's children. But when the teens land in hot water, she's got a whole new problem: how to resist the caring and incredibly hot Chief of Police Gabriel Buchanan. All Mallory wants is to give the boys a magical holiday. She doesn't need the distraction of wondering what it would be like to kiss Gabriel under the mistletoe.
After his wife died, Gabriel left his job as an adrenaline-chasing New York City homicide detective to focus on raising his three sons. But back in Highland Falls, he doesn't have to go looking for trouble. It finds him -- in the form of a beautiful neighbor and her troublemaking stepchildren. With Gabriel's mother-in-law looking for any excuse to gain custody of his sons, Gabriel can't risk getting involved with Mallory, even though she's the only woman capable of making this Christmas -- and all the rest to come -- his best ever.
PJ says...As I said in my review (click here to read), I adored this book. There's so much emotional depth. I wanted to wrap my arms around the characters and hug them tight, especially six-year-old Teddy. Along with the emotion that accompanies some serious issues, Mason also laces this story with a heartwarming, lighthearted touch. She's an author who transitions seamlessly from heart-wrenching to hilarious while immersing readers in the lives of her vividly and realistically depicted characters. I cried, sighed, and laughed out loud as I accompanied these characters on their journey to a holiday happily-ever-after. Christmas on Reindeer Road is one of my favorite books of 2020.
The holidays are served up with some spice in this small-town romance featuring a woman who must maintain a secret identity and the man who begins falling for her.
This Christmas, all Mayor Kevin Hadley wants is to give his five-year-old son whatever his heart desires. Only Tad has fallen head over holly for his pretty, sweet-as-sugarplum teacher. When attraction sparks between Kevin and Mary Margaret, the single dad thinks she may be the answer to his and his son's dreams. But after Mary Margaret reluctantly turns him down, Kevin decides it's time to embark on a new campaign -- one for Mary Margaret's heart.
Mary Margaret Sneed usually spends her holiday baking and caroling with her students. Yet this year, she's swapped shortbread and sleigh bells for a second job to pay off her late husband's debts. Mary Margaret would love to go tree trimming with Kevin and his son, but she won't risk his political future with her controversial side gig. Only the town's meddling matchmakers have determined there's nothing a little mistletoe can't fix . . . and if the Widows Club has their way, Mary Margaret and Kevin may just get the best Christmas gift of all this year.
*Includes a bonus novella by Hope Ramsay.
PJ says...I'm really enjoying this new series from Melinda Curtis. It seems like everyone in town has an opinion about the newest couple in the sights of the matchmaking Widows Club. Kevin and Mary Margaret are both stepping outside their comfort zones this holiday season due to events not of their making and there are more than a few unexpected obstacles on their journey to love. Filled with humor, wit, meddling matchmakers, and an unlikely pair who not only discover love but also themselves, A Very Merry Match is another entertaining installment in Curtis' Sunshine Valley series.
The Perfect Christmas by Carolyn Brown Rugged cowboy Landon Griffin can't help being smitten by single mom Dixie Boudreaux and her baby girl. To help win their hearts, he wants to give them both the perfect holiday at Longhorn Ranch -- baking cookies, trimming the tree, building snowmen, and the whole works. But when nothing seems to go right, he might need a Christmas miracle to help him out of the mess.
Joy to the World by Hope Ramsay Retired music teacher Brenda McMillan has lost her holiday spirit, but reluctantly agrees to fill in for the director of the Magnolia Harbor Christmas Chorale -- even though Dr. James Killough, the town's biggest Christmas enthusiast, is the group's accompanist. Will he have enough Christmas magic to mend her broken heart?
Home for the Holidays by Rochelle Alers Pastry chef Iris Nelson is looking forward to spending Christmas on Cavanaugh Island with her best friend's family. But she wasn't expecting to celebrate with their very handsome visitor on leave from Afghanistan. Is their attraction just the glow of the season or a gift to enjoy forever?
A Christmas Cowboy at Heart by A.J. Pine For Deputy Sheriff Daniela Garcia, no hometown tradition makes her happier than the Meadow Valley Holiday Light Parade. This year she's planning for the sheriff's office to have the most dazzling lights. But when the new mayor -- and certified grinch -- threatens to cancel the event, Dani will have to show him the true meaning of Christmas.
PJ says...I enjoy anthologies all year but especially during the winter holiday season. As busy I get, I love that I can grab an anthology and have a selection of quick novellas to fill the time while waiting in line, between baking batches of cookies, or curled up in bed when I can't quite fall asleep yet. I haven't read A Little Country Christmas yet but with stories by four authors who I always enjoy, it will be hitting my Kindle soon.
A delightful holiday romance about a small-town single dad and an animal rescue owner as they try to find forever homes for a dozen lovable pups before Christmas.
Pine Hollow has everything Ally Gilmore could wish for in a holiday break: gently falling snow in a charming small town and time with her family. Then she learns some Grinch has pulled the funding for her family's rescue shelter, and now she has only four weeks to find new homes for a dozen dogs! But when she confronts her Scroogey councilman nemesis, Ally finds he's far more reasonable -- and handsome -- than she ever expected.
As the guardian of his dog-obsessed ten-year-old niece, Ben West doesn't have time to build a cuddly reputation. But he does feel guilty about the shelter closing. So he proposes a truce with Ally, agreeing to help her adopt out the pups. As the two spend more time together, the town's gossip is spreading faster than Santa's sleigh on Christmas Eve. And soon Ben is hoping he can convince Ally that Pine Hollow is her home for the holidays. . . and the whole year through.
PJ says...Anybody who knows me half a minute knows I can't resist a dog of any type, real or fictional. Twelve adorable pups looking for homes by Christmas? Count me in! This one is waiting for me on my Kindle.
A beautiful story about the magic of childhood Christmas memories, the strength of family and falling in love when you least expect it.
Carrie Blake loves her job as a nanny but, while her friends are settling down, all of Carrie’s spare time is spent with other people’s families. Though it breaks her heart, her New Year’s resolution is to embark on a new career and fix her love life.
As Carrie starts her last job, she’s sure she’ll be going out on a high – the house is amazing, the kids are adorable, and she’s in charge of decorating the tree!
The only problem could be her boss… Single dad Adam Fletcher might be both handsome and successful, but he’s always working. Doesn’t he realise he’s missing out on precious moments with his son and daughter?
As Adam’s family arrive for Christmas, including his sensitive sister, Sharon, and his fun-loving, elderly Grandpa, Walter, Carrie realises that she might just have found the perfect allies in her quest to persuade Adam to loosen up. There’s still time for Carrie to make this the best Christmas ever… After all, Christmas is the time for miracles, isn’t it? Let the festivities begin!
PJ says...Doesn't this one sound lovely? I haven't read Jenny Hale yet but A Christmas to Remember seems like the perfect place to begin.
Tis the season for love
For single father Granger Fields, Christmas is his busiest and most profitable time of the year. But when a fire devastates the Merry Mountain Tree Farm, he fears the season won't be holly or jolly unless he can convince free spirit Joy Benson to care for his two rambunctious daughters. Yet while Granger wants to focus on saving his business, Joy seems determined to shake up his family's Christmas with her festive ideas and merry making.
Joy is counting down the days until she can open her own art gallery. Babysitting Abby and Willow will help her reach her goal, and when inspiration strikes, Joy convinces Granger that her craft classes can bring even more holiday cheer to the farm. As crowds return and Joy's creative side flourishes, life with Granger and his girls begins to feel like home. But with Christmas coming nearer, can Joy convince Granger to open his heart again? Or will their newfound happiness be as fleeting as the newly fallen snow?
PJ says...I love Annie Rains' Sweetwater Springs. When I pick up a new book in this series I'm confident I'll be treated to a well-written story, set within a vibrant and supportive community, with likable characters, realistic challenges, emotional depth, and plenty of humor and heart. As with the earlier books, I was thoroughly charmed by Season of Joy. Don't let the fact that this is the 6th book in a series scare you off. It stands perfectly fine on its own.
Past relationships and close quarters stir up old emotions, making Christmas the perfect time for a magical connection in this heartwarming second chance Amish romance.
Elsie Miller has witnessed -- and experienced -- Levi Wyse's forgetfulness too many times to count. But even after they broke things off, Elsie never forgot the handsome Amish toymaker or her love for him. So when Levi's sister asks her to help keep him organized for the busy Christmas season, Elsie agrees. But she didn't expect working alongside Levi to reignite those old feelings.
Secretly, Levi's heart will always belong to Elsie. But she deserves a better man, one who isn't so absentminded . . . or responsible for a terrible tragedy. Now, she's at his workshop every day and as Christmas draws near, his reasons for staying away become harder and harder to remember. Will the spirit of Christmas heal past hurts and give Elsie and Levi the greatest gift of all: a future together?
PJ says...I haven't read this book but it's receiving lovely reviews on Goodreads (it releases 10/27). If you enjoy emotional Christian romance set within an Amish community, you might want to give this one a try.
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Didn't I tell you this was a bundle to get excited about?
Have you read any of the above books (or authors) yet?
Do you begin your holiday romance reading when the books are released or do you save them for December?
What are your favorite types of holiday romances? Contemporary? Historical? Suspense? Christian? Women's Fiction? Anthology? All of the above? 😉
Where do you most enjoy reading holiday romances? I love to curl up with a holiday romance, cozy blanket, a mug of hot chocolate (laced with Kahlua), and twinkling Christmas tree lights. There's not much better after a long day of cookie baking, gift wrapping, and Christmas card writing.
In the spirit of the season, Forever has generously offered today's incredible giveaway. Thank you, Forever! Follow them on social media @ReadForeverPub and @GrandCentralPub.
Two randomly chosen people who post a comment before 11:00 PM (Eastern), October 19 will each receive a bundle of all eight titles featured in today's post.
*Must be 18
*Open to U.S. and Canadian addresses
