Reviewed by Foluso Falaye for Readers' Favorite

Christmas bells are ringing, and love is in the air in the lovely town of Dickens. As young mayor Elizabeth McKenzie takes up the role of officiating at a wedding for two of her favorite residents, she finds herself drawn to a charming wedding guest—an Army officer who threatens to distract her from her official duties. Daniel Murray, who is a soldier and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine for the US Army, considers leaving the military but wonders if he is ready to accept a new, less challenging life. However, the vibrant and beautiful mayor of Dickens that he keeps bumping into makes settling down a more appealing option. Will love find a way into the hearts of two attractive and single strangers brought together by a wedding in Dickens? Find out in Kathryn Hills' exciting, sparkling, and highly engaging romance: Gavel and Garland.

Gavel and Garland is the type of book that keeps you up at night and prompts you to leave every other thing until you're done reading. Once I got a taste of the ultra-cute and appealing narrative from the first few pages, I had to get to the end of the story and see if the two protagonists would finally end up together. The book's characters are described with such peculiar traits that they are quite hard to forget—like Daniel, who has a weird habit of giving nicknames to everyone he knows. Kathryn Hills' picturesque descriptions immersed me fully in the glittering and cheerful atmosphere of the story. Gavel and Garland would appeal to all romance fans—especially romantic stories that are set in a cozy, friendly town filled with the magic of Christmas.

Reviewed by Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite

The daughter of a baron and the son of a confectioner fight their attraction and work together to care for a veteran in the sensational novel, His Lady of Mistletoe: Ladies of the Lamp Book 3 by Charlotte Jardine. After a humiliating experience, Beth Maybury left London. Having trained in nursing under Florence Nightingale, Beth cared for soldiers on the frontline of the Crimean War. Nate Hillier left school to work in his parents' confectionery store and built it into a prosperous business. The Hillier family moved from their modest home into a large one in a wealthy neighborhood. In the meantime, Mrs. Hillier's brother Teddy disappeared, and she dispatches Nate to find him and bring him home for Christmas. Teddy has a severe injury and is Beth's patient. When Teddy does not return for his dressing change, Beth becomes concerned, and she goes looking for him. During their search for Teddy, Beth and Nate bump into each other, and sparks fly. With annoyance and attraction warring between them, can Beth and Nate find common ground? Can they set aside their prejudices long enough to help Teddy?

His Lady of Mistletoe by Charlotte Jardine is a delightful historical novel set in Victorian England. It is a charming tale filled with the warmth and beauty of a budding romance. The main characters are endearing, and I enjoyed watching Beth and Nate work through their differences. The Hilliers are the epitome of a wholesome loving family, and they add a heartwarming essence to the story. Superbly written, the story has a poignant plot, realistic conflicts, and authentic settings. The author, Ms. Jardine, has done a spectacular job in portraying the era and backdrop. It is a spellbinding story that kindles positive emotions and leaves the reader covered in warm fuzzies. This lovely novel will charm and enchant everyone who loves clean holiday romances with captivating backdrops and disarming characters.

Reviewed by Jennifer Ibiam for Readers' Favorite

Two Hearts’ Christmas Rescue: Two Hearts Wounded Warrior Romance Book 17 by Tamara Ferguson follows the story of Jake Ryder and Kinley Mathis from Quantico, Virginia, to Crystal Rock, Wisconsin. An erring former military official named Brian Darnell escaped from custody and Jake from the US AFOSI was assigned to hunt him down. He also had a vendetta against Brian, so the mission was personal. Jake’s destination was Crystal Rock, where he met Kinley, a veterinarian who worked at the animal shelter for wounded veterans. Sparks flew between the duo at first sight, but Jake had a secret that could make or mar their relationship. The couple also faced potential danger from the criminal and his network, even in a home filled with rescued pets. Will their pets rise to the occasion? Is there hope for Jake and Kinley? Enjoy the drama!

Two Hearts’ Christmas Rescue by Tamara Ferguson continues the Wounded Warrior Romance series. This novel was beautiful, laced with humor, romance, action, suspense, and love. I loved the unique plot and development of this book. The storyline was so captivating that I couldn’t put it down. Can Kinley adopt me, please? She was a heroine blessed with a big heart. Becca would never forget her. I also fell in love with Buster, as he was such an angel, brilliant, honorable, and who didn’t forget his family. This book also showcases the breakthrough in animal-assisted therapy, especially involving canine companions for people with disabilities. Tamara is a talented storyteller and a happy, hopeless romantic that poured her heart into this beautiful book. Thank you and please write more.

Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

People dream of winning the lottery big time. What they don’t realize is the grief it can cause for those who do win. Josie won the big one: the $458 million jackpot, to be exact. Everyone suddenly wants to be her friend; extended family drop hints of financial requests; boyfriends are unreliable, especially after they manage to get their hands on a few mil. What’s a girl supposed to do? Josie takes up residence in Autumnboro, invests in a friend’s dream of a cozy inn, and buys a specialty gift store, Pumpkin Everything. That and a big house and a posh car and Josie is ready to settle in for the long haul. Alone. She donates and volunteers her time for noble local causes and, when she reads an article about the vast number of people who spend Thanksgiving all alone, she decides to host a huge Thanksgiving feast for anyone who wants to come. Now, if she can just get her mother to stop trying to fix her up. She’s quite content on her own, except when the cute funeral planner, Riley, starts unsettling her emotions. Just when things start to totally unravel, Thanksgiving arrives with a blizzard, but that doesn’t keep the lonely away from Josie’s Thanksgiving feast.

Beth Labonte’s novel, Maple Sugar Crush (An Autumnboro Sweet Romance Book 2), is a cozy romance, one that makes you want to curl up in front of a warm fire with the book in one hand and a sweet maple sugar drink in the other. The characters and situations are totally believable and the plot develops at a relaxing pace, with a few unexpected twists and turns along the way to spark renewed interest. The descriptive narrative is well-constructed and dialogue is used effectively. The reader is instantly immersed in the world of Josie’s life in a quaint little town called Autumnboro. A charming romance that will warm the reader's heart.

Reviewed by Joanie Chevalier for Readers' Favorite

C.A. King's talent in High Heels and Mistletoe is her endearing three-dimensional characters. Julietta is a woman who knows what she likes: her work and ignoring anything Christmas. In fact, lying on the beach, alone, with a drink in her hand, is her dream winter vacation. But Julietta’s world changed dramatically when she bumped into Luke Winslow, the ultimate playboy, a tabloid sensation with beautiful women eager to be by his side. From first sight, Luke was smitten with Julietta and tried everything under the sun to woo her, even delaying signing the contract Julietta’s boss had assigned to her. But because Luke is delaying, Julietta is getting more and more annoyed, and when she realizes her beach vacation is cruelly canceled, she is determined to be all business and resist Luke’s unwavering charm.

High Heels and Mistletoe by C.A. King is a delightful seasonal story, complete with the wonder of the Christmas spirit, love, and a family curse that must be solved. I found myself rooting for Julietta and Luke as their story progressed, shouting at Julietta to pull off her protective shield to accept love, and smiling as I read Luke’s enthusiasm for the Christmas season. These two had a few misunderstandings that made my heart melt and I couldn’t put the book down until I got to the end. High Heels and Mistletoe is short enough to finish within an evening or two in front of a cozy fire with a cup of hot cocoa, but not short on good storytelling. Recommended for all who love a happy ending.

Reviewed by Lesley Jones for Readers' Favorite

Sitting in her bedroom in Manhatten, Victoria writes another letter to Santa asking for some excitement in her mundane life. Victoria still likes to believe he exists even though she is 26 years old. Her parents cannot understand why she still likes to wear her Christmas jumper and play festive songs in October. Victoria's wishes come true almost immediately when she bumps into a mysterious man on the ice rink at the Rockefeller Center, who seems to know her. Shortly afterward, Victoria meets her first love Brian at the airport just as she is about to board a flight to Italy for her cousin's wedding. With her mind still spinning from seeing Brian after so long, Victoria takes the wrong flight and eventually arrives in a mysterious place called The Winter Lands. Victoria meets some extraordinary characters who need her help to urgently rescue someone who has become lost. Victoria must complete her mission, repair her relationship with Brian, and teach her cynical father that people are essentially kind-hearted without revealing the existence of The Winter Lands.

Tale of The Winter Lands by JD Bass is such a delightful tale that will transport you back to your childhood, where you were allowed to imagine and dream anything was possible. The descriptive narrative was exceptional and brought New York, Finland, and the magical Winter Lands to life. I loved the characters especially Rudolph and Grandpa A; they were so kind and intuitive to Victoria's emotions. The relationship between Victoria and Brian was perfect, you could feel the strong chemistry between them. There is never a dull moment in the story and it moves forward consistently with magical situations and a startling revelation about Brian later in the plot. I thought there were so many great life lessons cleverly scattered throughout the story which would inspire children to become caring individuals.

The story teaches us not to be afraid to be yourself and live an authentic life. Don't live in fear of what others may think if you feel in your heart something is the right decision for you. Be considerate and charitable with no expectation of receiving anything in return. The story also highlights that you can feel lost, not just physically like Sean, but also mentally and emotionally if you are not living your dreams. I loved the thought that in the Winter Lands there is a light where 'Every light is for one kid that’s been helped and taken down the right path in the world.” Tale of The Winter Lands by JD Bass is truly an enchanting tale that could be enjoyed at any time of the year.

Reviewed by Roberta S Hardy for Readers' Favorite

Whisper by C.K. Brooke is a pleasant, gothic fantasy-romance, easily consumed in a few hours. The main character, Kestrel, is a young woman whose family owns a large English manor house. Unfortunately, the family is facing financial difficulties and may lose the estate. Kestrel’s older sister is away at a finishing school but comes home for the Christmas holidays. She advises Kestrel to marry for money to save the family’s fortunes, as she herself seems intent upon doing. But Kestrel is a free spirit and unwilling to consign herself to a mundane life. She feels misunderstood and unappreciated. Then she meets a prince in a mysterious otherworld, who wants to make her his queen. Initially, the prince seems to be the romantic ideal many girls dream of. He claims to offer a kingdom, his devotion, and even immortality. But he requires that she relinquish the world she finds wanting and the family who doesn’t appreciate her. It begins to dawn on Kestrel that she is in danger of falling prey to deception.

The time frame of Whisper seems to be the late Victorian period. People travel in horse-drawn carriages and the women wear long gowns and must be chaperoned, but there are telephones. The manor house, the time frame, and the plot involving financial difficulties reminded me of Downton Abbey. Anyone who enjoyed the world of that series will probably enjoy Kestrel’s world, vividly detailed by C.K. Brooke. This book is also reminiscent of Little Women, with Kestrel being most like Jo—creative and impetuous. The supernatural element is an interesting addition to this romantic tale. The otherworld, where it is always spring despite snow just outside the forest, is like Narnia in reverse. In fact, the author mentions Narnia in an interview at the end of the book. Readers who like the combination of romance and magical worlds will find a pleasant escape in Whisper.

Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

Is Rani really just an astrophysicist? Socially awkward, but brilliant and beautiful, is there more to her than meets the eye? On the verge of taking a much-needed vacation to Greece, Rani starts hearing voices. It’s not the first time, but this is the most intense these voices have been. They are insistent that she helps them, but she doesn’t know who ‘them’ refers to. That’s not the only thing that’s quirky – somehow she’s managed to cause havoc in the skies; she’s released the constellations which re-take their very real, very Greek-like godly forms. And, if that’s not strange enough, she discovers who her parents really are and that she has some unexplained powers of her own.

Quirky? Amusing? Entertaining? Well, all of the above and hence the title of Glenda N. Rogers’ novel, A-Mused: My Big Fat Greek Mythology. There’s so much to like about this cozy little story: the quirky plot and irresistible characters, the unexpected changes to the skies above Earth which may cause its imminent destruction and so much more adventure. There’s also romance in the air: the Greek god type of romance, and it has its consequences, too. The author has woven a compelling plot that will both entertain and educate the reader (note the author’s sound knowledge of Greek mythology which she shares with ease). Greek mythology will never be the same after you read this story, and it’ll have you chuckling along with the characters, exotic settings, and unseemly scenarios. A fun read.

Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

Charles Dickens’s classic story, A Christmas Carol, is as popular today as it has been for almost two centuries. There have been movie adaptations and numerous retellings of this story about greed and the true meaning of Christmas. Scrooge, visited by the three ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future, must have a complete change of heart to make this story complete, to repeat within our hearts what we should already know about love and kindness and all the good things we love about Christmas.

Norman Whaler’s children’s book, A Christmas Carol (With Audio Christmas Carols and Print Music), is a classic in itself. A wonderful, clever retelling of Dicken’s tale, the author weaves his own spell around this touching story. Told in rhyming verse and beautifully illustrated, the lyricism of the author/poet’s words will sing as movingly as the classic Christmas carols included in this book and accompanying audio recording. Christmas carol sheet music fills the final pages so young readers can learn to play the Christmas music and/or sing along with the audio recording. “Don’t you understand?” the ghost now enquired,/ “To those who’ve been blessed, much is required!/ Each day we can choose to remember the needs of others/ and know that in God’s eyes, we’re all sisters and brothers.” And the heartfelt words of Tiny Tim, whose love reached out to each and everyone in spite of his own handicaps and pain:
“God bless us, everyone!” A fascinating way to introduce Dickens’s classic to young readers.

Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

The Naughty List by Thomas Conway is a delightful winter treat for any time of the year. Christmas is at risk when Santa fails to attend Macy's Thanksgiving Parade and is soon discovered to have been kidnapped. Mrs. Claus and the elves don't know how to rescue Santa and save Christmas so they turn to the only people that can help them: the children on the Naughty List. Each of the children is on the Naughty List for various reasons which include lying and cheating. They must work as a team to save Santa and learn about the true value of Christmas: kindness and love. The Naughty List is at the center of the plot, exploring their bad actions and seeing them as children that made mistakes. The Naughty List is a classic part of the Santa tale, giving bad children coal and good children presents, but Conway delivers an adventure that leaves you questioning if any of these children truly deserve to be called bad.

Thomas Conway delivers the perfect treat that brings the holiday spirit to all ages and is a great story that families can share together. This feel-good story will get you into the Christmas spirit with valuable lessons about the true meaning of Christmas, hope, magic, family, redemption, forgiveness, and goodness. Conway places a unique twist on Santa Claus and creates a story as you've never seen it before with the new North Pole. The world is whimsical and cheery, bringing the North Pole to life through the vivid presence of the elves, reindeer, and snowmen. The story revolves around Christmas, which shines a light on the various themes of goodness, redemption, and faith while posing the question about what the true spirit of Christmas really is. Conway uses various children to explore the other side of Christmas through the relationships between family and friends. Each of the characters is used to delve into the true meaning of Christmas with each of them gaining a new outlook. The Naughty List is a must-have for the holidays, a perfect treat for families to read together, and an endearing message to renew your Christmas spirit.