Lists and Suggestions
List: Holiday Fiction
Snowed in for Christmas
Morgan, Sarah (Romance fiction writer), author.
A FAMILY GATHERING. This Christmas, the Miller siblings have one goal--to avoid their well-meaning ... More
A FAMILY GATHERING. This Christmas, the Miller siblings have one goal--to avoid their well-meaning family's prying questions. Ross, Alice and Clemmie have secrets that they don't intend to share, and they are relying on each other to deflect attention. AN UNIVITED GUEST. Lucy Clarke is facing a Christmas alone and the prospect of losing her job. Unless she can win a major piece of business from Ross Miller, the season promises to be anything but festive. She'll just deliver her proposal to his family home and then leave. After all, she wouldn't want to intrude on the Miller family's perfect Christmas. A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER. When Lucy appears on the Miller family's snow-covered Highland doorstep, she's mistaken for Ross's girlfriend. By the time the confusion is cleared up, they're snowed in--she can't leave, even if she want to! But does she want to? As secrets spill out like presents from an overstuffed stocking and the chemistry between her and Ross ignites, this is going to be either Lucy's worst Christmas ever or the best mistake of her life. Less
A Wish for Winter
Shipman, Viola, author.
After being stood-up by a man she connected with at the starting line of an annual 5K "Santa R... More
After being stood-up by a man she connected with at the starting line of an annual 5K "Santa Run," Susan Norcross, a successful bookstore owner in a Michigan lakeside community, is shocked when her grandparents try to help find him by authoring a social media post that goes viral. Less
The Matzah Ball
Meltzer, Jean, author.
When her publisher insists that she write a Hanukkah romance, Rachel Rubenstein-Goldblatt, a Jewish... More
When her publisher insists that she write a Hanukkah romance, Rachel Rubenstein-Goldblatt, a Jewish woman with a secret career as a Christmas romance novelist, unexpectedly finds inspiration when she encounters a childhood acquaintance at the Matzah Ball, a Jewish music celebration on the last night of Hanukkah. Less
Kiss Her Once for Me
Cochrun, Alison, author.
The author of the "swoon-worthy debut" (Harper's Bazaar) The Charm Offensive returns... More
The author of the "swoon-worthy debut" (Harper's Bazaar) The Charm Offensive returns with a festive romantic comedy about a woman who fakes an engagement with her landlord...only to fall for his sister. One year ago, recent Portland transplant Ellie Oliver had her dream job in animation and a Christmas Eve meet-cute with a woman at a bookstore that led her to fall in love over the course of a single night. But after a betrayal the next morning and the loss of her job soon after, she finds herself adrift, alone, and desperate for money. Finding work at a local coffee shop, she's just getting through the days--until Andrew, the shop's landlord, proposes a shocking, drunken plan: a marriage of convenience that will give him his recent inheritance and alleviate Ellie's financial woes and isolation. They make a plan to spend the holidays together at his family cabin to keep up the ruse. But when Andrew introduces his new fiancée to his sister, Ellie is shocked to discover it's Jack--the mysterious woman she fell for over the course of one magical Christmas Eve the year before. Now, Ellie must choose between the safety of a fake relationship and the risk of something real. Perfect for fans of Written in the Stars and One Day in December, Kiss Her Once for Me is the queer holiday rom-com that you'll want to cozy up with next to the fire. Less
Just Like Magic
Hogle, Sarah, author.
From the author of Twice Shy comes a sprightly Christmas novel, a rollicking romp through the absur... More
From the author of Twice Shy comes a sprightly Christmas novel, a rollicking romp through the absurdity of family holidays and the hope of new love. Less
You're a Mean One, Matthew Prince
Janovsky, Timothy, author.
Young, rich, and thoroughly spoiled, Matthew has no intention of being shipped off to some small to... More
Young, rich, and thoroughly spoiled, Matthew has no intention of being shipped off to some small town in New England to stay with his grandmother for Christmas...or to play nice with the attractive young man he meets there. Find a little "Joy to the World"? Not today, Santa. But when the two are forced to work together to make a charity gala go off without a hitch, Matthew may find the home he's been missing all along. Less
Season of Love
Greer, Helena, author.
A witty, glittering rom-com about finding the courage to face your past and learning what it truly ... More
A witty, glittering rom-com about finding the courage to face your past and learning what it truly means to return home, perfect for fans of Jenny Bayliss and Alexandra Bellefleur. Artist Miriam Blum has her decoupaged glitter ducks perfectly lined up. Only for one phone call to bring her whole life all crashing down. Her beloved and eccentric great-aunt has just died-leaving her part-owner of the only Jewish-owned Christmas tree farm in the country. Facing the family Miriam abandoned terrifies her. But facing the farm's unbelievably sexy zaftig manager is another complication entirely... Noelle Northwood is horrified that the first woman she's been attracted to in years is the same careless virago whose absence devastated the people Noelle considers family. She hates, even more, the thought of working alongside Miriam to save Carrigan's Christmas Tree Farmland. Only Miriam decides to give working at the farm a trial run, and Noelle must find a way to keep the peace--and their undeniable chemistry at bay. At least until the end of the holiday season. But when the ghosts of the past endanger the farmland, both Miriam and Noelle will need to put aside their misconceptions... and discover if what they've been looking for has been right in front of them all along. Less
Meet Me Under the Mistletoe
Bayliss, Jenny, author.
A romantic small-town holiday read about a bookshop owner and her unexpected reunion with a childho... More
A romantic small-town holiday read about a bookshop owner and her unexpected reunion with a childhood enemy, told with Bayliss's trademark humor, warmth, and Christmas spirit. Less
Once Upon a December
Reichert, Amy E., 1974- author.
A one-of-a-kind Christmas market offers holiday magic in this new romance from the author of The Ki... More
A one-of-a-kind Christmas market offers holiday magic in this new romance from the author of The Kindred Spirits Supper Club. With a name like Astra Noel Snow, holiday spirit isn't just a seasonal specialty--it's a way of life. But after a stinging divorce, Astra's yearly trip to the Milwaukee Christmas market takes on a whole new meaning. She's ready to eat, drink, and be merry, especially with the handsome stranger who saves the best kringle for her at his family bakery. For Jack Clausen, the Julemarked with its snowy lights and charming shops stays the same, while the world outside the joyful street changes--magically leaping from one December to the next every four weeks. He's never minded living this charmed existence until Astra shows him the life he's been missing outside of the festive redbrick alley. After a swoon-worthy series of dates, some Yuletide magic, and the unexpected glow of new love, Astra and Jack must decide whether this relationship can weather all seasons, or if what they're feeling is as ephemeral as marshmallows in a mug of hot cocoa. Less
Winter Nights
Ray, Francis.
Warm your soul with festive holiday tales from three of the most beloved Arabesque authors. Includes... More
Warm your soul with festive holiday tales from three of the most beloved Arabesque authors. Includes Until Christmas by Francis Ray, Kwanzaa Angel by Shirley Hailstock and Round Midnight by Donna Mill. Less
A Mistletoe Affair
Rochon, Farrah.
The Silk Sisters--longtime friends Janelle, Sandra and Vicki--have turned their business savvy into... More
The Silk Sisters--longtime friends Janelle, Sandra and Vicki--have turned their business savvy into a top-tier event agency. And in the wealthy enclave of Wintersage, Massachusetts, there's an abundance of lavish parties, society drama and longing hearts to keep them busy. Floral designer Vicki Ahlfors is a shy, hopeless romantic. The dutiful daughter of a banking dynasty, she has always done what was expected of her--until she falls for her best friend's divorced brother. Attorney turned political strategist Jordan Woolcott has always defined himself by his work. Now at a crossroads, Jordan's not sure who he is, other than a dad to his young son, Mason. It is a rewarding job, but being a single father is so much harder than he had ever imagined. Vicki has a magical touch when it comes to Mason, and her heart goes out to the overwhelmed Jordan. As feelings grow tender, will an explosive political scandal end their dream of forever before it even begins? Less
Blackmail and Bibingka
Manansala, Mia P., author.
When her long lost cousin comes back to town just in time for the holidays, Lila Macapagal knows th... More
When her long lost cousin comes back to town just in time for the holidays, Lila Macapagal knows that big trouble can't be far behind in this new mystery by Mia P. Manansala, author of Arsenic and Adobo. It's Christmastime in Shady Palms, but things are far from jolly for Lila Macapagal. Sure, her new business, The Brew-ha Cafe, is looking to turn a profit in its first year. And yes, she's taken the first step in a new romance with her good friend, Jae Park. But her cousin Ronnie is back in town after ghosting the family fifteen years ago, claiming that his recent purchase of a local winery shows that he's back on his feet and ready to give back to the Shady Palms community. Tita Rosie is thrilled with the return of her prodigal son, but Lila knows that wherever Ronnie goes, trouble follows. She's soon proven right when Ronnie is accused of murder, and secrets and rumors surrounding her shady cousin and those involved with the winery start piling up. Now Lila has to put away years of resentment and distrust to prove her cousin's innocence. He may be a jerk, but he's still family. And there's no way her flesh and blood could actually be a murderer...right? Less
Lighting the Flames: A Hanukkah story
Wendell, Sarah, 1975- author.
Genevieve and Jeremy have known each other since they were seven, and have been summertime best frie... More
Genevieve and Jeremy have known each other since they were seven, and have been summertime best friends at Camp Meira, a Jewish overnight camp in the mountains. As campers, and then as staff, their friendship was a constant, something neither wanted to change, no matter how tempting those changes might be. Then, last year, with little warning, Jeremy left camp early. After that summer, Gen left the country on a graduate fellowship. Now, a little over a year since they were last at Meira, Gen and Jeremy are back together to help run a special Winter Camp during Hanukkah. Any water under the bridge is frozen this time of year, and with so much left unspoken and unexplained, this week may be their chance to rekindle their friendship, or turn it into something new. Less
Holiday Miracles: A Christmas/Hanukkah Story
Bache, Ellyn.
This heartwarming novel is the first illustrated holiday gift book for adults that deals with an int... More
This heartwarming novel is the first illustrated holiday gift book for adults that deals with an interfaith family celebrating both Christmas & Hanukkah. Claire is Jewish; her husband, Paul, is a fallen-away Catholic. Claire takes their two children to a reform Jewish temple, but they observe the Christian holidays, too - partly for Paul & partly for Paul's mother, Teresa, a devout catholic who is Claire's dearest friend. Then, just as the holidays approach, Claire's five year-old-son gets sick. As the weeks pass & he doesn't recover, Claire is reminded of the uncertain diagnosis of her own mother's final illness. She wants to lean on Teresa--but how can she, when their religious differences are so deep? Have her own religious decisions been a mistake? This moving book, illustrated with eleven black- & -white drawings, will touch anyone who has ever known an interfaith family--their own or a friend's-- & anyone who has ever worried about the fate of a child. Award-winning author Ellyn Bache (Willa Cater Fiction Prize recipient for short fiction; best known for her novel, Safe Passage, that became a Susan Sarandon feature film) is Jewish, married to a man from a large Catholic family. They have four children. Less
Royal Holiday
Guillory, Jasmine, author.
Vivian Forest has been out of the country a grand total of one time, so when she gets the chance to... More
Vivian Forest has been out of the country a grand total of one time, so when she gets the chance to tag along on her daughter Maddie's work trip to England to style a royal family member, she can't refuse. She's excited to spend the holidays taking in the magnificent British sights, but what she doesn't expect is to become instantly attracted to a certain Private Secretary and his charming accent and unyielding formality. Malcolm Hudson has been the Queen's Private Secretary for years and has never given a personal, private tour...until now. He is intrigued by Vivian the moment he meets her and finds himself making excuses just to spend time with her. When flirtatious banter turns into a kiss under the mistletoe, things snowball into a full-on fling. Despite a ticking timer on their holiday romance, they are completely fine with ending their short, steamy fling come New Year's Day...or are they? Less
So This is Christmas
Holiday, Jenny (Romance author), author.
Matteo Benz has spent his life serving at the pleasure of the Eldovian crown. His work is his life ... More
Matteo Benz has spent his life serving at the pleasure of the Eldovian crown. His work is his life and his life, well...he doesn't have much of one. When he is tasked to aid a management consultant who has been flown in to help straighten out the king's affairs, he is instantly disturbed by her brash American manner--as well by an inconvenient attraction to the brainy beauty. Cara Delaney is in Eldovia to help clean up the king's financial affairs, but soon finds herself at odds with the very proper Mr. Benz. As intrigued by his good looks as she is annoyed by his dedication to tradition for its own sake, she slowly begins to see the real man behind the royal throne. As they work together to return Eldovia to its former glory during the country's magical Christmas season, Matteo discovers he is falling hopelessly in love with the unconventional American. But a man who has devoted his life to tradition doesn't change easily. Can he become the man Cara needs, or will their love be another sacrifice to the crown? Less
The Holiday Trap
Parrish, Roan, author.
Greta Russakoff needs some space from her overbearing family. Truman Belvedere needs a place to hea... More
Greta Russakoff needs some space from her overbearing family. Truman Belvedere needs a place to heal after a devastating heartbreak. The solution is obvious: Truman and Greta decide to swap houses for the month of December. Can a change of scenery be the start of something new? Less
The Road to Christmas
Roberts, Sheila, 1951- author.
Michelle and Max are not planning on a happy holiday. Their marriage is in shambles and the D word ... More
Michelle and Max are not planning on a happy holiday. Their marriage is in shambles and the D word has entered their vocabulary. But now their youngest daughter, Julia, wants everyone to come to her new house in Idaho for Christmas, and she's got the guest room all ready for Mom and Dad. Oh, joy. Their other daughters, Audrey and Shyla, are driving up from California and hoping to meet a sexy rancher for Audrey along the way. What they don't plan on is getting stranded on a ranch when the car breaks down. The ones with the shortest drive are Grandma and Grandpa, also known as Hazel and Warren. It's still a bit of a trek, and Hazel doesn't like the idea of driving all that way in snow, but Warren knows they'll have no problem. They have a reliable car, and snow tires and chains if they need them. They'll be fine. Surprises lie in store for all three sets of intrepid travelers as they set out on three very different adventures, all leading to one memorable family Christmas. Less
Santa's Little Yelpers
Rosenfelt, David, author.
Lawyer Andy Carpenter and his humorous investigating team return in Santa's Little Yelpers, th... More
Lawyer Andy Carpenter and his humorous investigating team return in Santa's Little Yelpers, the next Yuletide mystery in David Rosenfelt's bestselling series. 'Tis the season in Paterson, New Jersey: Lawyer Andy Carpenter and his golden retriever, Tara, are surrounded by holiday cheer. It's even spread to the Tara Foundation. The dog rescue organization, not used to having puppies, has their hands full with a recent litter. Eight puppies are a lot to handle, and Andy is relieved when his co-worker Chris Myers agrees to foster them. Myers, a newer employee at the Tara Foundation, did time for a crime he swears he didn't commit. When Myers discovers a key witness against him lied on the stand, he goes to Andy to ask for representation in getting the conviction overturned. Myers thinks they can have this wrapped up by Christmas, no problem. But when the witness is murdered, and Myers is arrested for the crime, things go from bad to worse. Suddenly, it's all elves on deck to make a list and check it twice, so they can prove Myers is innocent. Less
Once in a Lifetime
Monroe, Mary, author.
Free-spirited, living on the fly, Vanessa Hayes is still always down for traditional family holiday... More
Free-spirited, living on the fly, Vanessa Hayes is still always down for traditional family holiday fun--until now. She's making her oft-delayed wish finally come true: Christmas in Paris, the glittering City of Lights. But when her passport gets delayed, it's too late for Vanessa to rebook. Now it looks like the Yuletide she longs for won't happen. Until a stranger suddenly enters her life, and changes it forever ... Overwhelmed by responsibility, Judith Guthrie is too busy worrying about her seriously ill brother to have time to celebrate. She's taken a leave from her teaching job to care for him as he's on the waiting list for a life-giving transplant. A trip to France is a kind of happiness she can't imagine. But when she accidentally receives Vanessa's passport, Judith can't resist delivering it in person so Vanessa will at least have her holiday dream. She can't anticipate that her small gesture will result in a series of big choices, big miracles, and lifelong rewards that all will be thankful for over many Christmases to come. Less