Twelve Days of Christmas/Debbie Macomber/253 pgs.

This year's Christmas offering from Debbie Macomber is a step up from last year's Dashing Through the Snow. Julia Padden works at Macy's but is in the running for her dream job in a marketing firm--she and her competition have to come up with a blog. The blog with the most hits will determine who gets the job. Julia is at odds with her across the hall neighbor, Cain Maddox. Julia tries to make friendly overtures to Cain, but he remains indifferent, and at times, rude. Her best friend suggests that Julia should kill Cain with kindness, and blog about the results. So, Julia's blog, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is created, and the story takes off from there! It's a fast, feel good read--just right for the upcoming holidays! Recommended.

The Great Christmas Knit-off/ Alexandra Brown/ 378 pages

The Great Christmas Knit-off by Alexandra Brown is the first book in a new series featuring the small town of Tindledale.  Sybil had been left at the alter when her fiance takes off with her twin sister.  Months later she is still trying to get out of her funk.  When a mistake occurs at work that could lead back to her, Sybil opts for a long weekend with a friend in the small town of Tindledale.  Once in town Sybil meets the locals, including Hetty.  With Sybil's help, Hetty turns her business around and good things begin to happen.  This series would appeal to the reader who likes stories about small towns with interesting characters.  For more information and a list of read a likes see the SCCCLD website.

Winter Street/Elin Hilderbrand/246 pages/December Challenge

Winter Street chronicles December 23, 24 and 25 for the blended Quinn family on Nantucket Island. Kelley Quinn bought the Winter Street Inn as a wedding gift for his second wife Mitzi. He quit his high-profile job, renovated the inn and became a very happy innkeeper with Mitzi or so he thought. Two of his children from his first marriage live with them, while the oldest lives in Boston. His son with Mitzi has just been deployed to Afghanistan. His first wife is one of the most recognized women in America since she anchors the evening national news. An unwelcome surprise and a discovery of illegal transactions threatens to ruin the holiday for everyone.

Told from each family member's points of view, this is a quick holiday read that doesn't wrap everything up in a neat little package.

Upon a Midnight Clear / Jude Deveraux, Linda Howard, Margaret Allison, Stef Ann Holm, Mariah Stewart 489 p.

Upon a Midnight Clear / Jude Deveraux, Linda Howard, Margaret Allison, Stef Ann Holm, Mariah Stewart 489 p.

Christmas is coming.  Each author weaves her magic around Christmas and romance.

The teacher / Jude Deveraux -- Christmas magic / Margaret Allison -- Jolly holly / Stef Ann Holm -- If only in my dreams / Mariah Stewart -- White out / Linda Howard.

Christmas List / Richard Paul Evans 353 p. 20th Century Challenge

Christmas List / Richard Paul Evans 353 p.

It's three weeks to Christmas.  James Kier died in an automobile crash.  His death is reported in the newspaper.  It is big news when a real estate mogul dies.  The twist is that he didn't die.  James is unwillingly pitched into learning just what people really thought of him.  He is a fierce competitor, and frequently ruthless.  Blogs are filled with personal comments about him.  When his mistress fails to show up at their 'destination', he is disappointed.  When he appears at her home and finds her surrounded by all the expensive items quickly charged to his account before the news of his death can close it, he learns some very harsh home truths.  And he continues to learn more about himself at every turn.  And his ex- doesn't seem to be ready to welcome him home with open arms.  At the other James Kier's wake, he finds a man who is truly mourned, and who's life made a positive impact on others.  This gives him a wake-up call.  He has prepared a list of people he has most actively hurt over the years.  And does his executive secretary hand over quite a Christmas list for him to work through as he prepares to change his ways.

Holly and Homicide: A Domestic Bliss Mystery/ Leslie Caine/ 352 pages/ December Challenge

Steven Sullivan and Erin Gilbert are in the small town of Snowdrop, CO in Holly and Homicide, book 7 in   Leslie Caine's series Domestic Bliss.  They have taken on the task of redecorating a Snowdrop mansion as it becomes a Bed and Breakfast.  Part of their job includes bringing the Twelve Days of Christmas to life in the various rooms to coincide with the Christmas's opening of the B and B.  Will building inspectors and murder delay the Inn's opening?

This book would appeal to anyone who likes Christmas mysteries with some crafting thrown in for fun.  See more information and read a likes at the SCCCLD catalog listing.

Here are a few recommendations for children's books for the holiday season:



Arthur's Perfect Christmas written by Marc Brown  For more info click here. 






Christmas Barn written by C. L. Davis  For more info click here.

Hope For Christmas (Noel, Montana Book 1)/ Jennifer Hayden/ 252 pages/ December Challenge

When Hope Tavener arrives in Noel Montana she can't believe her eyes.  Everything is Christmas!  Even the names of the towns people.  Hope For Christmas, written by Jennifer Hayden, tells the story of how Hope's quick trip to Noel, to sell her grandmother's bakery, turns her life upside down.  This book would appeal to a reader who likes Christmas, small towns, romance, and even a ghost.

If you like Hope For Christmas you might also enjoy the second book in the Noel, Montana series, Head Over Heels for Christmas.


Here are some recommendations for Children's Christmas Books.

Christmastime written by Alison Jay

For more information Click Here



The Gingerbread Doll written by Susan Tews
For more information Click Here

Remembering Christmas: A Novel/ Dan Walsh/ 272 pages/ December Challenge

Rick Denton had made it up the corporate ladder.  Once he left home, he never looked back.  All that changes the day after Thanksgiving when he receives a phone call from his Mom.  In Remembering Christmas, Dan Walsh invites the reader to follow Rick's journey home and what happens after.   I would recommend this book to someone looking for a 'feel good' Christmas story that is not too sappy.

You can find more information about this book at the SCCCLD website including some recommended read a likes.

For younger family members, I would recommend these Holiday Books:

Little Robin's Vest by Jan Fearnley

Click here for more information.

What Am I? Christmas by Ann Margaret Louis

Click here for more information.




A Little Women Christmas by Louisa May Alcott

Click here for more information.

Forever Christmas/ Christine Lynxwiler/ 288 pages/ December Challenge

Forever Christmas, written by Christine Lynxwiler would appeal to anyone who likes small towns, romance or Christmas.  Kristianna has returned to the small town of her youth to run her Grandmother's store.  Jingle Bells is a town where Christmas rules, but the declining economy could mean a name change for Jingle Bells.  Kristianna faces an uphill battle in preserving the heritage of Jingle Bells.  Will a little romance help or hurt her battle?
See the full SCCCLD record for more details and read-a-likes.

Here are some Children's Christmas books that make for fun reading.

Christmas Cookies: Bite size holiday lessons, Amy Krouse Rosenthal
More info about this book

Melrose and Croc: A Christmas to Remember, Emma Chichester Clark
More info about this book

Christmas Wombat, Jackie French
More info about this book

The Dogs of Christmas/W. Bruce Cameron/238 pgs

This is a very cute and short book.  It is written by the author of A Dog's Purpose and A Dog's Journey (both of which are on my to be read list).  Josh is a young man who has lives in the mountains and is pretty much a loner.  He has a broken heart and has issues with his family.  One day, a neighbor he hardly knows stops by and asks him to watch his dog for him.  He finally agrees but he finds out afterwards that the dog is pregnant - very pregnant.  He has no idea what to do with this dog and ends up calling the local shelter for help where he ends up talking to Kerri.  It doesn't all go as you might think but it is a very enjoyable read.

Angels at the Table/Debbie Macomber/228 pgs.

This is one of Macomber's Christmas tales featuring the angels Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy--plus their new apprentice angel, Will. At midnight on New Year's Eve, in Times Square, Will brings two strangers together, Lucie Farrara and Aren Fairchild. Since they weren't supposed to meet until further into the future, this meeting triggers events that shouldn't have happened. It's a romantic comedy with misunderstandings, discoveries, and a happy ending. A nice, light, read for the holiday season!

A Fool's Gold Christmas/Susan Mallery/315 pgs.

Mallery brings a Christmas setting to her imaginary town of Fool's Gold, California. Evie Stryker, somewhat the "estranged" half sister to the Stryker brothers, was forcibly brought (by her family) to Fool's Gold to recuperate from a broken leg. While recuperating, Evie has become a dance teacher at Dominique's School of Dance. The head dance teacher, Miss Monica, has run off with her male suitor, leaving Evie in charge of "The Dance of the Winter King." This production is a big deal in Fool's Gold, and Evie is feeling the pressure of making it outstanding. In addition, the dance studio is above her brother, Rafe's, temporary office. Rafe's lawyer, Dante Jefferson, also works out of this office--and has also moved next door to Evie. Sparks fly between Evie and Dante, and each proclaims to only want  some "fun" during the holiday season. Of course, their feelings for each other develop into something deeper, leading the reader to the foregone conclusion. As I've said in other posts, Mallery is similar to Debbie Macomber--there is more of a depth and personality to their characters than to other romance writers' characters. This was a fun read, and a great de-stresser during this holiday season!

Twelve Days/Teresa Hill/254 pages

Sam and Rachel McRae got married over a decade ago. Their dreams for a family have never materialized. One child born too early, a couple of failed adoption attempts and finally one foster child taken from them when his mother became legally able to take him back have broken their spirit. Rachel has fallen into a deep depression, rarely leaving their home. Sam has begun to make plans to leave her right after Christmas. Then Miriam, Rachel's aunt and a placement worker, brings them three children who were left by their mother in a motel room twelve days before Christmas.

This was a "Free Friday" selection on my Nook. It's a sappy romance novel with lessons in forgiveness. In other words, perfect reading for the holiday season.

RITA Finalist