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 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 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 Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

Easter Hair Hunt by Nancy J. Cohen is the sixteenth book in the Bad Hair Day Mystery series. It’s Easter time and Marla is only a few months away from the arrival of her baby boy. During what should have been a routine visit during an egg hunt at the Tremayne Manor to see her client Blinky, things take a turn for the sinister when she stumbles upon a dead body in a bunny costume. For a moment she fears that her client is dead, only to discover that the body belongs to the gardener while her client has mysteriously disappeared. Adding to the mystery, the owner of the manor reveals that artifacts have been slowly disappearing and Marla herself stumbles upon the theft of a Faberge egg. She has her plate full as her due date is fast approaching, her mother announces her engagement, and she’s planning her friend’s bridal shower, all while trying to solve a disappearance, a theft, and a murder.

Marla is back with a new mystery while adjusting to upcoming changes in her life. She’s seven months pregnant which is constant excitement and concern for her as she worries about tempting fate by decorating the nursery too soon and helping her mother plan her baby shower. Throughout the previous couple of mysteries, Marla has explored her changing identity and what she wants in life. With this latest mystery, she continues to explore herself and how to balance the different facets of who she is, which sets the stage for her finding a balance between work, friends, and sleuthing after she has the baby.

Easter Hair Hunt by Nancy J. Cohen also has several aspects to it with various threads that pull Marla in various directions until coming back together for a shocking turn of events. Her client goes missing, a murder shocks the historic manor, and theft could be the center of it all with each part of the mystery taking Marla deeper into the lives of all those who live at the manor. Easter Hair Hunt is another delightful mystery for Marla as she embarks on new changes in her life while she works to solve the triple threat of a mystery that delivers an exciting and fun read.

Reviewed by Sarah Scheele for Readers' Favorite

Miracle on Aisle Two is a light-hearted, feel-good Christmas novella. Author Beth Carter writes about a surprise romance between a struggling single mom and a wealthy architect with a spirit of generosity. Adam Donovan grew up poor before he became successful and when he spots a desperate single mother failing to recover layaway toys in Target because she’s just lost her job, he offers to pay for everything. Madison is suspicious of him, but one date leads to another date, a tour of the amazing hotel he’s renovated, and an introduction to her whip-smart, cute little daughter Betsy. Adam is finding his way into Madison’s life and he seems too good to be true. But does he have a connection to the bitter divorce that put Madison’s dentist employer out of business and ruined her life?

What a perfect story for Christmas! Much like Madison who falls for earnest, slightly goofy Adam, I found myself delighted by Miracle on Aisle Two’s encouraging tone that sometimes good things really do happen to people. There are miracles, surprises, and a touch of Santa-for-grownups in the world, giving the mature gifts of friendliness, caring, and making things right. Madison is a practical person who struggles to accept a sudden turn for the better, with an endearing klutziness in the face of so many changes crowding into her life. I saw a lot of myself in her and I think most women would find Beth Carter’s book a pleasant, surprisingly vivid story about the strength and hopefulness that the holiday season brings out in people. A nice supporting cast of a loyal friend, a distraught dentist, and a much-loved but hard to manage child round out this cozy little novella that has a warm and fuzzy twist at the end.

Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

There is good magic and bad magic all around us and when witches and warlocks plot their battles, good against evil, anything can happen, especially on Halloween. Elliott is a boy growing up in a non-magical world. But he has the potential to do magic. Both his parents and his teacher, Mr. Moonbeam, have magical powers. But Elliott’s magic seems to be out of control. He never knows when something he thinks will happen, like throwing a book at the mean girl at school, Allison. He only thought about it; he hadn’t actually intended for a book to go flying into the back of Allison’s head. With magical powers out of control, how is Elliott ever going to learn? With the king and the gentle guidance of his wise teacher, Mr. Moonbeam, Elliott learns a valuable lesson, that “Each mistake is a learning opportunity and life is full of mistakes, or learning opportunities.”

As a retired teacher myself, I have to admit I can see the markings of a teacher-written masterpiece in this work. Perhaps that’s what makes this story so genuine and complete and a powerful tale for young readers to enjoy. Author and teacher, Ryan Cowan’s novel, Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal, has all the ingredients of a great adventure: magic, witches and warlocks, dragons and mermaids, and so much more. The plot develops at a rapid pace, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat, waiting for the next unexpected twist. The characters are both believable and lovable, except for the evil characters, which are believable, but certainly not lovable. With great dialogue, narrative and character description, the reader is thoroughly immersed in this story from beginning to end.

As an author, I know that sometimes the most difficult thing to do is choose the right name for each character. Ryan has chosen wisely. In particular, his choice of Mr. Moonbeam for the teacher whose light and magic shines its greatest underneath the light of the moon which breaks the darkness of night. Noir is French for the color black but is also associated with crime fiction and all things evil and is the perfect name for the evil warlock who threatens the stability of many worlds on Halloween with his evil magic. The other names were also well-chosen, but these two specifically stood out as being symbolic of the good versus evil plot of the story. A great read.

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.

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 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.