I’m always a sucker for a good holiday story. Of course, I love all kinds of stories but around the holidays my expectations are even higher for a story that gives me hope for the future and that shows hard-working, good people find reward for that work. Life is not always fair but deep down I believe that if you live by your values consistently, you will get what you need. I’ve certainly found that to be true in my own life.
There have been times of great sadness, and times of economic hardship. But those were eventually balanced by times of great joy and inspiration and times of more income than I needed. Life is that push and pull of circumstance, decisions, and how you react to those hard times. I feel I’m moving toward equilibrium at this stage of life. I no longer want everything, but I have what I need. It’s a great peaceful place to be.
To kick of this season of holiday books I want to mention that Windtree Press, my publisher, has kindly made it easy to find seven holiday books by the authors. You are bound to love one or more of these books. And they are all very reasonably priced.
I’ve personally read all of these, so let me give you just a peek into each one.
Yuletide Slaying by Paty Jager is Book 7 in her popular Shandra Higheagle Mystery series. These books do not have to be read in order, though I suspect once you’ve read one you’ll want all of them. 🙂 In this one, when Shandra Higheagle’s dog brings her a dead body in a sleigh full of presents, her world is turned upside down. The man is a John Doe and within twenty-four hours another body is found.
Mermaid’s Treasure by Anna Brentwood is a very interesting historical fiction novel that takes place in the first part of the twentieth century. A young woman learns of a sunken Russian battleship, a failed mission, and a mysterious treasure that ties to her family where the unexplainable can teach us to believe in miracles and the magic of love.
The Gift of Christmas is an anthology of shorter works by twelve authors across genres and includes a nonfiction story. A former Marine, desperate for employment, takes a temp job that leads to a life-changing decision on Christmas Eve. A family locket with magical powers saves the life of its wearer during the holidays. A doctor’s nonfiction reflection of her father’s cancer diagnosis personalizes the spirit of Christmas. Add in a little dog’s snowy adventure, magical realism, and a touch of mistletoe, and readers will delight in these 12 diverse and heartfelt stories exploring the love, messiness and miracles of Christmas.
Mr. Chef & Ms. Librarian by Melissa Yi. This title may not immediately make you think of the holiday season, but I can guarantee it is in the season and Melissa Yi has just the right amount of snark and humor to carry this story off. Tariq and Ivy aren’t just from opposite sides of the tracks, they’re from opposite worlds. He lives for food. She tolerates it. He’s got his Muslim-Canadian family on speed dial; she doesn’t speak to her mother in England. Her ex just dumped her. His business is on its last loan. And yet, when Ivy strolls into Tariq’s cooking class, just before Christmas and Eid, love is too delicious to resist.
A New Honey In Town by Cathryn Cade. If you love sexy motorcycle romances, you’ll love this holiday take on the genre. Della Bonyer is a woman on a mission—to make a life for herself on her own terms. Until she’s forced to flee across five states with a near stranger to stay safe, and her plans crash and burn. Passion explodes between them, but will it keep her warm when she’s left holding the result of their tryst?
A Husband for Christmas by Paty Jager. This is a book in Paty’s Western Historical Romance series, The Halsey Brothers. I always love Paty’s characters and good country values as strong women and men make their way in the harshness of the new west. Mace Walker has his life in order and doesn’t want it disrupted again. Yet, when he discovers a woman stranded in the snow, he has to help her—despite her overbearing and reckless fiancé. In a matter of days, Shayla turns his life upside down and forces him to decide if he should leave town or face the consequences.
A Sweetwater Canyon Holiday Trio by Maggie Lynch. For those who haven’t yet read my three holiday stories: Thanks for Love (Thanksgiving); Christmas Courage; and The Hogmanay Stranger (New Year) here is a way to get all three of them together at a great price. As with each of my books in this series, you don’t have to read them in order. Of course, if you do you get a better sense of the timeline with these five women in the Sweetwater Canyon band and their interwoven lives.
Happy Holiday Reading! If you’ve already read any one of these, I’d love to hear if you liked it. Just post in the comments.
