Holiday Reading: Part One .... Delsora Lowe

As you can probably tell, I love both reading and writing holiday romances. Here's the list of books that I started reading in October. I still have more on my list and will post those holiday reads in December. Feel free to recommend any holiday reads you love or wrote in the comments section, since I am sure I'll be adding to my list of reads. Because obviously, I'll still be reading holiday romances into the new year. And if you care to read any of my holiday books, you can find them on both Amazon and Books2Read.

Happy Holidays Reads!

 BOOKS READ:

The Matzah Ball – Jean Meltzer – September 2021 

            A Jewish author of Christmas romance books, hides her love of Christmas from her family. A second-chance book filled with secrets, family antics, and hilarity, plus some tender, romantic moments as the two get to know each other again.

Sweet Holiday Surprise – Cindy Kirk – Nov 1, 2023

            A sweet, Secret Santa, unrequited love story set in St. Louis, MO, a stand-alone book 8 of a series.

Merry & Bright Christmas – Megan Ryder – October 2023

            A second-chance holiday romance.

Kringle All the Way: A Dicken’s Holiday Romance – Judy Kentrus – November 2023

            A second-chance love and time for forgiveness after so many years, with kids enjoying the magic of a Dicken’s Christmas.

Once Upon a Christmas Kiss – Collection: Ciara Knight, Brenda Lowder, Susan Carlisle, Terra Weiss, Susan Sands, Christy Hayes – October 2023

Six romantic novellas about women who receive the gift of love over the holidays.

Heating Up the Cowboy’s Christmas (Rowdy Ranch Book 8) – Vicki Lewis Thompson – November 2023

            The matriarch of the Rowdy Ranch and anonymous western fiction writer finds her forever love.

Christmas Moon Over Holly Pointe – Cindy Kirk – November 2023

          Strangers meet after a flight to Mexico gets cancelled. Ride along as they wend their way north to New England and end up in Holly Pointe, VT for a Christmas to be all.

 A Christmas Reunion: A Tale From Blythe Cove Manor – Shirley Hailstock – November 20     

        Second chances in a delightful winter setting on Martha’s Vineyard – after all these years, can his attention be for real or does he want something she has? A quick read.  

                                                                                                            

The Christmas Gift – Raine English – October 2016

            A second chance, lost love, matchmaker story with puppies who are sure to show the way to love.

The Mistletoe Trap – Eve Pendle – December 2018 

            A second chance Regency, with some “naughty” embroidery and a misunderstanding in the bedroom leading to a forced marriage to spice things up and bring about a happily-ever-after.

The Cowboy’s Christmas Gift – Donna Alward – Nov 2023

            A former soldier now must take over his grandfather’s ranch, the last thing he wants to do. Meeting the ranch foreman, a woman from his past, might or might not make his new “job” easier.

Don’t Mess With Mistletoe: A Dicken’s Holiday Romance – Peggy Jaeger – November 2023

            Dorrit’s Diner in the tiny town of Dickens, Maine, never fails to entertain. This time the owner’s wayward son, the pilot, returns home for the holidays and takes over running the diner, so his mom can take time off. With a lot of surprises thrown in, one of Michael’s goals is to figure out the story around his mom’s new hire who lives in the apartment above the diner.

Carrigan Christmas Reunion – CJ Carmichael – April 2019

            A Christmas reunion with an old childhood crush as Wren struggles to help her family prepare for the holidays during a medical crisis.

CURRENTLY READING:

A Song for Christmas: A Dicken’s Holiday Romance – Lori DiAnni – November 2023

            A second-chance romance, with both heroine and hero have dreams and ambitions in music. Can they help each other realize their professional dreams and rekindle a lost love?

Chasing Holiday Tail: A Holiday Rom-Com Charity Anthology – Kameron Claire, Melonie Johnson, Tracery Pedersen, Amy Award, Dylann Crush, Christina Hovland, Hope Ellis, MK Meredith, Brenda St. John Brown, Sylvie Stewart, Arell Rivers, Stina Lindenblatt, Tawdra Kandle, Kilby Blades, Serena Bell – October 2023.

            If you love dogs and the shenanigans of their owners as they find true love, this is the book of short stories for you.

What are your favorite holiday books?

Or favorite topics or tropes for holiday reads?

My Latest Holiday Read

Amazon (also in print)

                  Barnes & Noble (also in print)

                    Apple Books (also in print)

                                      

~ cottages to cabins ~ keep the home fires burning ~

Delsora Lowe writes small town sweet and spicy romances and contemporary westerns, from the mountains of Colorado to the shores of Maine.

Author of the Starlight Grille series, Serenity Harbor Maine novellas, and the Cowboys of Mineral Springs series, Lowe has also authored short romances for Woman’s World magazine. The Love Left Behind is a Hartford Estates, R.I. wedding novella. A Christmas novel (The Inn at Gooseneck Lane) and novella (Holiday Hitchhiker) were released in late fall 2022. Look for book 3 of the cowboy’s series, as well as book 2 of the Hartford Estates series, in 2024. 

Social Media Links:
Author website: www.delsoralowe.com
Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/delsoraloweauthor/community/
Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/Delsora-Lowe/e/B01M61OM39/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Books2Read Author page: https://www.books2read.com/ap/8GWm98/Delsora-Lowe
BookBub Author Page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/delsora-lowe-93c6987f-129d-483d-9f5a-abe603876518
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16045986.Delsora_Lowe
Instagram: #delsoralowe / https://www.instagram.com/delsoralowe/

Hanukkah Gelt - A Holiday Story

 

In the spirit of the holiday season, I present Romancing The Genres visitors with this holiday about a teen boy and his family celebration I simply call: 

GELT

When I was little, the Chanukah-Christmas thing confused me. I mean Catholic mother, Jewish father— neither all that heavy into religion— what did they expect after lighting both a tree and Chanukiyah candles? Then I wised up, realizing the season gave me more of everything, including a mountain of Chanukah gelt, chocolate coins wrapped in gold paper.

I also get more relatives.

Today, our house is the spot marked “X” on the last day of Chanukah. I’m surrounded by Jewish and Catholic relatives, all after their own version of gelt: free food like the latkes with jalapeño’s Mom made because Dad likes them. That means he and I have one thing in common.

“Hey there, rocket man.” Dad’s older brother arrives with another young, skinny-as-a-string-bean girlfriend. She giggles. I nearly barf.

Uncle Leon proves my biology teacher was wrong in claiming successful predators had to be masters of deception. He never pretends to be anything except a major player who won’t be caught.

Dad’s father approaches me, rubbing his nose before crouching into a fighting stance. “There’s my favorite grandson.”

“God no,” I mutter to both my family’s deities. I’m 16, too old to play Granddad’s version of fight club. He goes for my shoulder. I surrender, telling him he’s a great fighter. He’s disappointed he won so easily. I love my grandfather. Just…not all the time.

The door opens; a blast of winter air signals Dad’s arrival. I catch a whiff of motor oil as he passes. He plants a kiss on Mom’s cheek, saying, “Sorry I’m late, I had a last minute customer issue I had to handle myself.”

“Hurry up,” Uncle Leon yells. “We’re starving.”

“I’ll shower and be right back.” Dad turns toward the stairs as he speaks. “I’m sorry.”

“Never tell anyone you’re sorry,” Granddad sneers. “It’s a sign of weakness.”

Dad stares at his father, hands clenched at his side.

Tell him to stuff it, Dad.

But he never does. My father lets everyone disrespect him.

I look around, realizing my uncles have disappeared. The door to the den, Dad’s private room, is closed. When I turn the knob, it slides opens, silently. Two walls are filled with floor-to-ceiling bookcases. The only furniture is a lamp and a wingback chair, so much like the one in Dad’s office that I wonder if he found a two-for-one sale years ago.

Mom’s oldest brother, William I-was-gonna-be-a-priest-but, sits in his chair, clasping a crucifix like he wants to beg God’s forgiveness for being here. Tyrese, her younger brother, stands next to Uncle Leon. The three are best friends. Not one ever forgave Dad for not marrying Mom until she was seven months pregnant. Dad makes the most money, but they still tell ugly jokes about the “auto guy,” as if handling engines makes him dirty. Yet every year they come running when he invites them to his house.

“She abandoned her religion for a jerk who ignores her over some ‘customer issue.’” Uncle Tyrese makes air quotes, like a middle-school kid.

Uncle Leon sighs. “Don’t you Catholics ever forgive mistakes?”

“Mistakes?” I yell and rush forward. “Don’t you disrespect my dad!”

“He disrespected my sister first,” Tyrese snarls.

“Not in front of his kid,” William says. “No one blames the boy.”

“Take your blame and shove it.” Dad steps to my side. His hair, moist from a quick shower, is now covered by a red yarmulke; his eyes spit fire. The familiar scent of motor oil still clings to his wet skin. “Neither my son nor my marriage was a mistake.” 

Uncle William fingers his crucifix. “Maybe we should go.” Uncle Tyrese nods. Dad’s brother turns away, like he’s hiding from the truth.

“No. My wife wants you here. You’ll stay to make her happy.”
All are silent as we return to the others and gather around the nine-candle menorah symbolizing light and wisdom. Dad steps beside Mom. She takes his hand. No matter what the family thinks, they love each other.

“Son, would you say the mitzvah berakhah?” he asks me.

I know the Chanukah blessing so well I don’t have to think as I chant:

“Baruch atah Adonai Elo-heinu Melech ha’olam
Asher kid’shanu b’mitzvosav v’tzivanu
l’hadlik ner shel Chanukah.”

As I light the candles, I silently request another miracle to help me survive this evening. Dad isn’t my real father; that was “uncle” Leon. Dad stepped in and took the heat after his brother abandoned Mom. Her brothers never knew.

But I know. I’ve always known.

That was Gelt, presented to you in celebraton of the season. If the spirit moves you, drop a comment to tell me what you think.

Celebrating the Seasons Reading Holiday Romances … Delsora Lowe

We celebrate many sacred holidays in December…among them Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. Thanksgiving is over. And New Year’s Eve is ahead of us. I am sure I have missed many sacred celebrations. But since this is not what my blog is about this month, I’ll not give you a rundown.

Instead, I have given you another list of holiday books I have read this season, or plan to continue to read in December and into the new year. And this list doesn't include the holiday books on my WISH LIST! Yes, I do love holiday-themed books

As stated in last month’s list, the books mentioned below are not listed as recommendations, but as books I read, that are written by authors I know, new authors whom I wished to try, as well as covers and titles that caught my eye. Exploring holidays that I know little about has been a fun, learning experience, especially when seen through the lens of romance.

I hope everyone has a lovely holiday, no matter what or how you celebrate.

Feel free to leave your own suggestions, in the comments,
about holiday romance books
you enjoy at this time of the year!

THE LIST of BOOKS I READ

Thanksgiving (Oct 2009) – Janet Evanovich

A fun family romp over Thanksgiving, after two meet in a most unconventional way. Throw in a wool-eating rabbit, an “abandoned” baby, two cars destined for the junk yard, a self-absorbed fiancé who jilted the heroine, insecurities, lust, love, a pregnant horse, interfering moms, and the charm of Williamsburg and you have a recipe for a holiday Rom Com.

No Ordinary Christmas (Sept 2021) – Belle Calhoune

An unexpected, and not necessarily welcome, Christmas reunion. Old love, new sparks fanning the embers remaining from lost love, and a little help from the small-town busybodies. Will the spirit of the season bring the two back together?

Eight Nights of Apricot Cookies (Nov 2021) – Roni Denholtz

As Erica cleans out her grandmother's home, she searches for her favorite holiday apricot cookie recipe. With a little help from the neighbor, who also adored her grandmother and loved the same cookies, they start on a quest to find the recipe before the end of 8 days of Hanukkah. And a recipe at the end of the book!

From This Moment (Nov 2021) – Melody Grace

Friends to lovers on the rebound. Can a self-proclaimed bachelor and man-about-town allow himself to find true love? And will his best friend trust him enough to let him get close?

Red Velvet Crinkles and Christmas Sprinkles (Nov 2021) – Maria Imblazano

Fired and at a loss, Bella returns home only to find her parents need help in their shop over the holiday season. She's thrown together with her high school crush—the one who both betrayed her and motivated her as a teen—to help save the business, as she works to save her career. A fun journey through the world of retail during the holidays. And a recipe at the end of the book!

A Sailor’s Perfect Christmas (Nov 2021) – Dari Laroche

As Alex takes over his father's marine salvage business, he is tasked to plan a holiday company party. When he meets the perfect woman, whose job in education allows her time off during the holidays, she pitches in. Spending quality time together leads to a holiday romance.

If Snowflakes Were Forever: A MacLeod's Cove Novella (Dec 2021) – Luanna Stewart

A delightful and fun romp of a story about two characters, each in isolation, on a journey of discovery about their own lives. Until their worlds collide and they find the journey may be more interesting together.

Let It Snow (Oct 2019) – Nancy Thayer

A story of friendships, work buddies, and finding love, new friends, and forgiveness at Christmas, amidst the lovely scenery of island life on Nantucket.

Kwanzaa Angel (July 2012) – Shirley Hailstock

The nightmare from her high school years is back in town, and he keeps showing up at every town Kwanzaa celebration. The chemistry is hot. She’s a successful business woman looking to expand, but he betrays her a second time – this time through his own business dealings. Can they find a way to make their growing love work this time before he heads home after the week of Kwanzaa celebrations?

Christmas in the Duke’s Arms (Dec 2021) – Julie Johnstone

An unrequited love and a marriage of convenience merge into a lovely romance between two who are so different and wary of the other. But each brings out the best in the other and love wins out!

Yours ‘Til Midnight: A Kwanzaa Kisses Holiday (Book ONE of 9 books by different authors released individually during December 2021) – Jailaa West

A very spicey, Cinderella quick read, where the hero is left with no clues to follow in order to find the woman he falls in love with, at first sight.

Caught Up in Candy Cane Kisses (Dec 2021) – Shannon Robinson

A second chance at love with the help of a few matchmakers and a cookie baking / fundraiser contest. And a recipe at the end of the book!

Scoring Over the Holidays: A Holiday Sports Anthology (Dec 2021) – Sierra Hall, Alexia Chase, Alexis
Anne, Cathryn Fox, Daniela Romero, Kimberly Readnour, Lisa Lang Blakeney, Megan Ryder, Melissa Ivers, Mira Lyn Kelly

Holiday stories featuring sports stars. The stories run from hot to sweet.

One Christmas Wish (Oct 2021) – Brenda Jackson

Two people, both heartbroken for different reasons, find someone who listens and shares. But both are off-limits for different reasons. Heartwarming tale of loss and finding second chances through trust and love.

It’s Christmas Cowboy (The Sons of Chance) (Nov 2021) – Vicki Lewis Thompson

A quick read of second chances and unrequited love that brings two together to celebrate Christmas Eve after being stranded in a cozy cabin during a blizzard.

Kisses and Lemon Snowflake Cookies (Christmas Cookies) (Dec 2021) - N. Jade Gray

A self-conscious out-of-towner, helps her aunt in her bakery and meets the Mr. July fireman of the fundraiser calendar fame, who also doesn’t have much confidence when it comes to women, in the cute holiday match-maker story. It helps that said fireman loves lemon snowflake cookies. And a recipe at the end of the book!

Sleigh Bells Ring (Oct 2021) – RaeAnne Thayne

Childhood friends reconnect to find true love, as one family is ready to move on from the ranch owned by
their recently deceased grandfather, while the other is invested in a property she has no hold on. Against all odds, can they make true love work?

Kwanzaa ‘Pon a Time (Nov 2021) – Marcia King-Gamble

Meeting her brother’s best friend, from their service in Afghanistan, pushes every button the heroine thought true. But stuck together over the Christmas holiday, as maid of honor and best man for her brother’s Kwanzaa wedding, she soon finds the truth and true love.

The Christmas Escape (Oct 2021) – Sarah Morgan

A multi-layered journey about relationships: childhood best friends, marriage, career choices, all in the spectacular settings of London, the British countryside, and the remote Lapland in Scandinavia.

TOO MANY BOOKS, TOO LITTLE TIME: BOOKS I PLAN to READ

A Cowboy’s Christmas (The McGavin Brothers, Book 6) (Nov 2017) – Vicki Lewis Thompson

Duke the Halls (Nov 2021) – anthology with Christi Caldwell, Jennifer Ashley, Anna Bradley, Grace Burrowes, Kerrigan Byrne. Tanya Anne Crosby. (Six historical stories about love during the holidays.)

A Sweetwater Canyon Holiday Trio (Dec 2017) – Maggie Lynch

Christmas Holiday House (Oct 2020) – RaeAnne Thayne

Candleglow and Mistletoe (Oct 2016) – Josie Riviera

Tis The Season for Romance (Nov 2021) - Diana Dawn, Susan Horsnell, Josie Johnston, Mary Morano, J. F. Lowe, A. M. Olenick, Andra Dill, Jakki Frances

The Christmas Boutique (Oct 2019) – Jennifer Chiaverini

One More Christmas (Dec 2020) – Sarah Morgan 

Mischief Under the Mistletoe (Oct 2021) – Stephanie Rowe

Christmas on Peachtree Lane (Nov 2020) – Jules Bennett

New Year’s Miracle: A Sweet Stonewater Novella - Book 4 (Nov 2021) – Ginny Frost

There’s Only One Holiday at Christmas (Collection 2018, 2019, 2020) – Jackie Lau

Dear Santa, I Really Tried: A Holiday Anthology from Naughty to Nice (Nov 2021) – Kathryn Shay, Lisa Mondello, Patricia McLinn, Barbara McMahon, Chantel Rondeau, KT Pec, Day LeClaire

A Cowboy’s Christmas (The McGavin Brothers, Book 6) (Nov 2017) – Vicki Lewis Thompson

The Doctor's Instant Family (Oct 2018) – Mindy Neff

Gifts of Love (two stories) (Oct 2009) – Lisa Kleypas and Kay Hooper 

 Come Dance With Me

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Come-Dance-Me-Serenity-Starlight-ebook/dp/B074N95RGK/

Books2Read

books2read.com/u/bMrQva

ALSO – check out Woman’s World 5-minute Romance Holiday – a digest of 40 holiday shorts – I have a Thanksgiving story and a Valentine’s Day story (on stands until Feb 7, 2022)

~ cottages to cabins ~ keep the home fires burning ~

Delsora Lowe writes small town sweet and spicy romances and contemporary westerns from the mountains of Colorado to the shores of Maine.

Author of the Starlight Grille series, Serenity Harbor Maine novellas, and the Cowboys of Mineral Springs series, Lowe has also authored short romances for Woman’s World magazine. Her novella, The Love Left Behind, released in October, 2020. She is currently editing her own holiday book, The Inn on Gooseneck Lane.

Social Media Links:
Author website: www.delsoralowe.com
Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/delsoraloweauthor/community/
Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/Delsora-Lowe/e/B01M61OM39/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Books2Read Author page: https://www.books2read.com/ap/8GWm98/Delsora-Lowe
BookBub Author Page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/delsora-lowe-93c6987f-129d-483d-9f5a-abe603876518
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16045986.Delsora_Lowe
Instagram: #delsoralowe / https://www.instagram.com/delsoralowe/

Photo Credits:
Book covers from Amazon

Holiday Giving by Roni Denholtz

I’ve always felt it’s important to give to those less fortunate, and to be charitable during the holidays. My husband agreed. So when our kids were several years old, we started a tradition. Before Hanukkah, we would go to a toy store and I let them pick out a toy for a child their age (Amy would pick for a girl; Josh would pick for a boy). They knew these were for children from families who couldn’t afford to get them gifts.

They were delighted to pick out gifts that they themselves would like such as a Barbie or a Batman toy. We would then donate them to a toy drive or a women’s shelter. We would also pick out some non-perishable foods for the local food pantry; and we always picked up some treats for the local animal shelter.

I think this helped instill in them an appreciation for the satisfaction and happiness you get when you give to others. When both were in college, they were active in their university charities which raised money for children with cancer.

To this day, we all give to various charities around the holidays.

No matter what holiday you celebrate, it’s important to remember that some people are struggling, or alone, and the holidays are especially difficult for them.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!

More about Roni!

My first published romance, Lights of Love, was a Hanukkah reunion story. I decided to do another holiday book since I love to read all kinds of holiday stories during the holidays! A Christmas Carol has always been a favorite, and I enjoyed the movie about how Charles Dickens wrote it (The Man Who Invented Christmas) which I saw with a writer friend.

While searching for characters to celebrate Hanukkah, I wondered what would happen if a hero had the 8 nights of Hanukkah to convince the heroine he loved her. And so...Eight Nights to Win Her Heart was born!

Here's the back cover blurb:

Roslyn Stein is convinced that her boyfriend Ben Jaffe will never marry. Ben’s parents’ contentious divorce left him with emotional scars.

But Ben doesn’t want to lose Roslyn. So he asks her to give him the eight nights of Hanukkah, to prove he really does love her and deserves another chance.

As they light the candles on the menorah each night, Roslyn struggles with the decision of whether to let him back into her life. And Ben realizes how much she really does mean to him.

Will Ben be able to win Roslyn’s heart again?

Roni Denholtz is an award winning author of 16 romance novels and novellas--contemporaries, holiday stories, cowboys and historicals.

She is also the author of 9 children's books and hundreds of articles and short stories, published in magazines such as Baby Talk and Lady's Circle.

Roni's social media:

I'm on Instagram as Denholtzroni (for some reason I got locked out of roni denholtz which where I first was).  

Please friend me on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/RoniDenholtzAuthor/

Check out my website http://ronidenholtz.com
And here's a direct link to the book!
https://www.amazon.com/Eight-Nights-Win-Her-Heart-ebook/dp/B07Y2FCW97/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=Roni+Denholtz&qid=1575138986&s=books&sr=1-6