Reviewed By Sarah Scheele for Readers' Favorite

A Holiday by Gaslight: A Victorian Christmas Novella by Mimi Matthews is a short historical romance set in England during the 1860s. For Sophie Appersett, the daughter of an established, but almost bankrupt baronet, life isn’t easy in this time of tremendous change. After her father spends her dowry on an expensive installation of gas works in their lovely country estate, Appersett House, her family plans to marry off responsible, selfless Sophie to some rich, but despised tradesman like Ned Sharpe. Her spoiled sister, Emily, still has a dowry and hopes to compete socially, but Sophie must think of the family first. She doesn’t know the serious, distant Mr. Sharpe at all and is afraid they can’t love each other. But when she invites him to a Christmas party at Appersett House, the days hold plenty of surprises for everyone—and not least for Sophie herself.

A Holiday by Gaslight is a real delight. Completely satisfying as a graceful love story, it also doubles as a family drama and an authentic presentation of the 1860s that reads with the simplicity and visual gusto of a period movie. Even though the short length of the book will leave avid period fans wanting much more, Mimi Matthews puts a lot of story line into it. It’s a sweet tale filled with believable characters and fleshed out far beyond the two central leads—likable as they are. Stern, proud Ned Sharpe did indeed remind me of Mr. Thornton from North and South, but he’s a wholly distinct character as well, and Sophie was attractive and genuine as his opposite. Sophie’s hysterical father, in denial about how his actions impact his family; her cunning, dignified mother and immature sister; the guests at the Christmas ball; the settings of London and the countryside—everything was developed really well and the dialogue deserves praise all on its own. Fun to read and fun to read again, this book is one of my favorites now.

Reviewed By Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Claustrophobic is a holiday-themed romantic comedy written by Bernadette Franklin. Braving the mall on Black Friday was not something Chloe Mitchell would ever consider, even if she didn’t dislike Christmas as much as she did. Spending hours there dressed as one of Santa’s elves in a dress that was at least one size too small and threatened a wardrobe malfunction if she sneezed had somehow become her nightmare of a reality, thanks to her best friend, Kristine, who called in a favor at the last minute. Kristine was smaller than she was, especially in the bust department, and the red elf dress Kristine had loaned her seemed more a slutty-elf leftover from Halloween than was suitable for wholesome family fare -- not that the dads waiting for hours with their kids minded. The moms in line had better things to keep their eyes on and imaginations distracted, as Julian Carter was playing Santa Claus. There were few things better than watching Julian doing anything, and besides being heart-stopping eye candy, Julian was a nice guy.

Claustrophobic is a fast-paced and absolutely marvelous novel that will get even the most claustrophobic closet Scrooge feeling just a bit more in the Christmas mood. Franklin’s characters perfectly fitted her New York City environment -- I loved watching as the two main characters find common ground over a Scrabble game and couldn’t help but feel good about the quirky and loving relationship Julian has with his parents. The author’s writing style is assured and breezy, and her plot rocks on so many levels. Anyone seeking a change from the sometimes over-sentimental holiday fare out there will probably be as pleased with this nifty and sweet tale as I was. Claustrophobic is most highly recommended -- even for Grinches.

Reviewed By A. L. Peevey for Readers' Favorite

A story about the magical possibilities of the holidays, Coming Home by Jane Suen brings together five people connected by the common thread of living in a closely knit town. But, Connor Norton is the catalyst for the events in the story. Despite his successful career, Connor Norton is struggling. Four months earlier, his mother passed away in the little town he grew up in, and all he has had for consolation is her cat, Tom, and Mary Ann, the local florist. After her funeral, he returns to the city where he works with Tom and the intention of staying in touch with Mary Ann, who awaits his call, hoping for some romance. But, can Connor come to grips with his grief, and is he too late to tell Mary Ann about his feelings for her?

Coming Home by Jane Suen reads almost like the script of a beloved holiday movie. With a natural talent for storytelling, the author has penned a tale that makes readers believe in the whimsical power of Christmas to bring about miracles in people’s lives. We crave a happy ending, even though we know that life is not perfect and, quite often, is messy. Written in everyday natural prose, Coming Home is a fairly quick read about characters who are certainly not very different from us, and that realization leaves us wanting to know more about them; in fact, this book is a sequel to Flowers in December. So, if you did not read it before Coming Home, you will want to.

Reviewed By Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

Pumpkin Everything by Beth Labonte tells the story of Amy Fox. Successful horror writer Amy has called off her wedding, a fall-themed wedding that has left her cold at the thought of anything pumpkin or fall. An accident changes everything; her grandfather needs someone to look after him or he will have to go into assisted living so Amy takes off back to her hometown of Autumnboro. It’s more than just the thought of fall and pumpkins that puts Amy off though; it’s the green-eyed boy she left behind. Kit Parker was one of the reasons she left Autumnboro behind and he could be the reason she comes back, until his secret is revealed and everything changes. Plus there’s the fact that Amy might just have based some of her book characters on real townsfolk...

Pumpkin Everything by Beth Labonte is a cute story set in the New Hampshire White Mountains. The descriptions of the scenery, of the town, all drew me in and had me picturing the place in my mind, bringing the story well and truly to life. This was an easy read, a story that bobbed along at a nice rate. There was always something going on and a couple of different stories being woven through the main plot. The characters are likable and they are identifiable; I’m sure we all know a Kit or an Amy, and especially an Amy’s mother! I enjoyed this; it’s a quick read with plenty of go, well written and very descriptive. Great book for someone who wants a couple of hours curled up on the sofa with an easy read.

Reviewed By Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite

Prince Nicolas of San Cecilio is set to marry the girl of his dreams, a commoner named Brittany, even though Princess Rosalind of Mondovia had for many years been the girl he was to wed. Princess Rosalind is obviously upset and even more so when she finds out that she is to spend some time at San Cecilio, helping Britt learn to become a princess. Surprisingly, the two girls do become friends of a sort. When Princess Rosalind, aka Rose, escapes the castle for a few hours and pretends to be a normal girl visiting a bookshop, she meets the most handsome man she has ever set eyes on and is immediately drawn to him. Zachary is also taken with Rose and the two spend an enchanted afternoon together, knowing they will probably never see each other again. Rosalind has no choice but to hurry back and fulfill her princess duties. The surprises and events that follow make Once Upon A Midnight Clear the wonderful story it is and you must read it to learn of the Christmas magic and the royal wedding.

Once Upon A Midnight Clear by Jacqueline E. Smith is a sweet and loving 'happily ever after' princess story and the fact that it takes place during the Christmas season makes it even more fun. I was caught up from the first word right until the very last. I found Once Upon A Midnight Clear to be a real life fairy tale story that was perfect in every way. Jacqueline E. Smith is a brilliant romance author and I can only hope that there will be a followup book. There is all the magic of Christmas, the excitement of a royal wedding and characters that are impossible not to like. Please, please do not pass this up if you can’t resist a love story taking place in a charming setting. It doesn’t have to be the Christmas season for you to enjoy this lovely romance.

Reviewed By Patricia Bell for Readers' Favorite

London Walsh, a young adult, is living and working in San Francisco when she gets a letter to come back to her hometown of Christmas Falls to sing in the Christmas pageant. The only thing is, her parents have moved to Phoenix and her mother wants her there for Christmas. She has no trouble making her decision once she finds out that her parents are getting a divorce. Oh, and did I mention that she quit her job when she found out that her ex-boyfriend would soon be her boss? London decides to go to Christmas Falls, the place where she grew up, even though when she left it was not on the greatest of terms. Not sure she has made the right decision, London finds herself Once Again in Christmas Falls (Return to Christmas Falls Book 3) by Becky Monson.

Super cute story! Who wouldn’t want to live in a town called Christmas Falls? How absolutely fun! In all seriousness, Becky Monson won my heart with this third book in the Christmas Falls series. I have not read the first two in the series, but I had no problem following along. Easily a stand-alone book. London Walsh won my heart with her wittiness and charm. She learned a valuable lesson about running away from her problems, and gained back some excellent friendships along the way. I completely enjoyed this lovely romance and would recommend it to anyone wanting the perfect “feel good” Christmas story! I look forward to reading more from Becky Monson.

Reviewed By Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Love Notes in Christmas Falls by Beth Labonte is a continuation of the Return To Christmas Falls series, built around the small Tennessee town of Christmas Falls. When Caitlin Cook graduated high school and headed off to Harvard with a full scholarship, her future seemed to be laid out in front of her. Only one thing tinged her excitement at leaving town for the big city of Boston. On her last night, Shane Mitchell, the enigma of her teenage years, had professed his love for her. After college, Caitlin worked for a textbook company for four years, but, laid off from her job and recently broken up with her boyfriend, she feels she has achieved nothing after eight years away from Christmas Falls. Called back to visit by the illness of her teenage music teacher, Caitlin herself must face the music and address the relationship between herself and Shane Mitchell, who has returned to Christmas Falls and is now the music teacher at the school.

Although Love Notes in Christmas Falls is part of a series, it is a full story in its own right and one that you don’t have to have read any others to fully enjoy. This is a simple, unpretentious romance that fulfills its purposes well. Author Labonte posed many of the same questions for the two main characters that her readers will no doubt face in their own lives; how does one judge life’s success? Is love more important than anything else? What is it that draws two people together with such a strong connection? And what is our goal in life? Happiness or success – or are they the same thing? I really enjoyed the characters and the story. Although not an avid reader of cozy romance, I am still able to gauge Labonte’s success at reaching her target audience. The story is well written, the characters well developed and, in its genre, a total success. I did enjoy this easy read.

Reviewed By Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Honeymoon for One in Christmas Falls: Return to Christmas Falls, Book 2 is a holiday-themed contemporary romance written by Jennifer Peel. Piper Wyatt had been the girl most likely to succeed at just about anything she put her mind to -- until she fell for the wrong boy and ended up a single mom working as the assistant manager at the Blackstock Hotel and Resort. While she loved her five-year-old son, Finn, with a passion, she couldn’t help but wonder how different her life could have been. After the disappointment of Finn’s father, Piper was determined to stay clear of love interests, both for her sake and her son’s. Jace Peterson was roaring drunk when he demanded a different hotel room from the wedding suite he had booked. His fiancee had broken off their engagement. Piper knew she had to handle the situation with some care and diplomacy. She was in line for a promotion, and she knew that any deviation from the norm could jeopardize her chances. What made the situation even stranger was the fact that, despite his drunken state and open hostility, she found herself strangely attracted to him.

Jennifer Peel’s holiday-themed contemporary romance novel, Honeymoon for One in Christmas Falls: Return to Christmas Falls, Book 2, is a sweet and enthralling story about second chances at romance. Peel’s characters are well-defined and personable, and you can’t help but hope that Piper and Jace will find a way to get past their issues and fall in love with each other. Honeymoon for One is beautifully written, and the plot is an engaging one that’s perfect for the holiday season. This romance is suitable for older young adults as well as the targeted adult audience. Honeymoon for One in Christmas Falls: Return to Christmas Falls, Book 2 is most highly recommended.

Reviewed By Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

The Christmas Redemption: A Courtroom Adventure by Landis Wade acquaints the reader with an unusual attorney, one with intimate connections with Santa Claus and Christmas — and there is no joking about this! For how could Thad Raker even defend people working for Santa Claus? And how on earth could he win a case for people working for a myth? It has been eleven years since he was the Christmas hero. Now, he is defending a toy company that has offered the world the best Christmas toys for five decades. But this case poses the greatest threat to Christmas and the protagonist finds himself not only fighting to protect Santa’s village in the North Pole, but also a huge challenge from the skeptical FBI, the unbelieving judge, and a host of plaintiffs. Where can he find the help he needs to protect what is dear to his heart and that of many others? You’ll be surprised at how things turn out in this mesmerizing read.

Tantalizing, gripping, and permeated by a rare sense of humor, The Christmas Redemption: A Courtroom Adventure is a great story that will warm the hearts of readers as they follow Landis Wade’s compelling characters. This kind of work could only come from a hugely imaginative mind. And the birth of characters like the attorney, the strange Hank Snow, Judge Augustus, Henry Edmunds, and others could only be the work of genius. The writing is excellent with pacing that is fast and measured to a heartbeat. It won’t take any reader long to find a character to care for in this spellbinding meld of Christmas thriller and humor. The style is suspenseful and the plot pulls readers deeper and deeper into the mystery until the satisfying denouement.

Reviewed By Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

The Daughter Claus by D. Thrush is the first book in the Santina series. Tina has never been her father's favorite. Her brother is the one always fawned over, meant to follow her father's big plans for him to take over the family business. Only one catch: Nick doesn't want anything to do with it, instead being consumed by his dreams of becoming a rock star. At least her life is looking up. She makes a new friend and develops a crush on her brother's band mate, but her life is quickly put on hold when her dad suffers a heart attack and she has to go up to the North Pole to run things after her brother refuses to go. Now she's swept up into making changes her father won't approve of, navigating her best friend's elf crushes, dealing with her fun loving ex pulling her back into the life she left behind, and the upcoming delivery she has no one around to make.

A unique spin on Santa Claus that follows the life of his daughter, The Daughter Claus is a delightful read with charming characters and full of heart. Most Santa stories center on the delivering of toys to the good children of the world, but D. Thrush takes a unique approach by exploring the idea of what it's like to be the child of Santa by playing with two perspectives. Tina is the one who always gives up her time and puts everything on hold to go run things when her parents need her to, yet she's the one her father often ignored because she wasn't the one who was meant to take over one day. She has a lot of issues with him, resenting his attention to her brother and often resenting how her brother always seems to get what he wants while she's the one expected to give up her dreams to do what he's supposed to be doing. Her brother, on the other hand, is rebelling against everything expected of him and against Christmas itself, yet the fact he can't quite let go of any of it is shown through most of his songs, which are winter and Christmas themed. He's rather selfish in a lot of ways, not caring about anything other than his dreams, and often leaves everything up to his sister to fix. Tina has a touch of romance in her life as she navigates her feelings for George, while also dealing with her friend's various crushes which provide the story with some romantic comedy-like humor. Romance is kept largely in the background as the larger story focuses on the family unit.

The Santa myth has a modern tinge to it as Santa has to deal with health issues and a constant fight to meet demand with outdated machinery. He refuses to update the way the North Pole is run and is very traditional in his views. His personality is cutely balanced by his wife, who's gotten into a healthier lifestyle and has subtly been trying to get him to do the same. The North Pole has a modern take on it with a union, and business meetings with it being treated like a real life company, but with a fun twists including talking reindeer who are always complaining, and a local pub that gives the North Pole a real community feel to it. The Daughter Claus is a delightful read that is captivating and stunning, a fun coming of age story about the Claus family and the fight to follow your dreams.