Romancing the Genres: school band

I love reading holiday books. And…I admit, I also love writing holiday books. The season is magical, especially when we have young children. Their eyes widen as they unwrap a present from Santa. They love decorating the tree and leaving out the milk and cookies on Christmas Eve. Sadly, my kids are grown, and not so sadly, they now have their own. But all three grandsons are beyond the age of pressing their noses against the window, scanning the sky for Santa.

This year, during my last-minute shopping for Thanksgiving, I came across the candy Advent calendar: a punch-out cardboard, holiday-scene, poster-sized box, where behind each door is a small piece of chocolate for each day in December. Every year I bought them for my young grandsons, one living in my state, and two living half-way across the country. Until a few years ago, now that all three are in high school. This year, as I perused holiday candy at the grocery store, I spotted, the box sporting Santa. I ended up buying one for my fourteen-year-old grandson, despite knowing he was too old. But it made me feel good as a gramma. So, at Thanksgiving dinner, I prefaced that I had brought him a surprise—that I knew this present was for little kids, but still I couldn’t help buying it, since he loved them when he was little. I handed it to him, and the huge smile that came across his face was priceless. I got a big hug. So, moral, are any of us too old to still believe in the magic of Santa? I think not!

And for those who celebrate other holidays at this time of year, I love reading about the traditions in those holiday books, too. I would love book recommendations in the comments section!

All of the above are reasons why I love writing romantic holiday stories. I have memories of enchanted Christmas Eves as both a child and an adult. One such snowy scene I used in Snowbound Holiday, a book that I hope to release in 2024-25. I was visiting my daughter and her family in the Aspen area of Colorado. As we drove home, we found ourselves in the middle of a herd of Elk crossing the street, from one snow-covered field to another. We stopped so as not to hurt any elk or our car, as they soon wandered all around us. Under a full moon that glowed a soft light through tiny flakes of snow, and the shadowy outlines of elk, that to this easterner looked like reindeer, it was a real-life, magical scene I will never forget.

So, here’s to enjoying a good holiday romance.

Below I’ve featured the three holiday books I have written and released so far.

The Holiday Hitchhiker

Two strangers, one snow-worthy vehicle, and a cozy cabin in a blizzard

Cole Peters is ready to escape the bustle of the wildlife management symposium and the overpopulated conference complex in Reno, and get back to his solitary, mountain cabin in the state park.

What he didn’t plan was a road trip with a stranger, clad in the most unnatural, fluorescent colors, who hops into his truck. With a blizzard approaching, how can he say no to a “hijacker” in tears?

Addy Adams had a rough night. Fired, no place to escape to, and a missing car service, how can she get to her parents for Christmas before the blizzard shuts down the roads? Now stranded on a highway, in a white out, with an accident up ahead, did she trust the right man?

Can two strangers find friendship and more, while stuck in a log cabin with a sweet and welcoming couple and their two kids who are super excited about the arrival of Santa? And will Cole and Addy make their way to their respective homes in time for Christmas? Or will they realize they were meant to celebrate together during the magical season?

Amazon (also in print)

Books2Read

The Inn on Gooseneck Lane

Nat and Brad were in love once: the young starry-eyed kind of love. Then life got in the way.

Nat Thomas calls Mistletoe Falls, Vermont home where summers were magical, her aunt became the parent she needed, and high school love bloomed. Sixteen years later, that love lost, Nat returns home for a much-needed break. She's recruited to revitalize her aunt's picturesque inn. Will the boy who broke her heart be the man who rallies to save her home and capture her heart…for good?

Brad Matthews returns home to buy Green Mountain Sports, after years as an outdoor adventure guide. He's thrown into partnering an event to revive the town's inn and boost his business. Can he work with the woman who demolished his heart and ran with no explanation?

In a small town where everyone knows your business and interfering relatives revive snicker-doodling, the lost art of matchmaking, Nat and Brad may not stand a chance. Can the two find enough heart to forgive and accept love again?

Amazon (also in print)

Barnes & Noble (also in print)

Apple Books (also in print)

Come Dance With Me

Improvisational jazz musician meets buttoned up English teacher—will the Christmas lights sparkle or shatter before the dance ends?

Sam Johnson, a burned out, New York City iconic jazz pianist transplanted to small town Maine, finds himself and his muse again through a disparate group of committed teen musicians and their buttoned up, efficient, high school English teacher who is roped into advising the after-school jazz club.

Ashley Sullivan, an expert in classical music and teaching the bard, is out of her element when it comes to jazz or anything impromptu and desperately needs Sam’s help. What she doesn’t know is Sam has made it his mission before this gig ends to get Ashley to lighten up and enjoy the things in life she denies herself; music, friends, spontaneity, creativity, and yes, love.

When Sam works to rescue her from her childhood fears, Ashley runs the other direction. Can what is done out of love tear apart a relationship before it’s in full swing, or forever cement a love that is true?

Amazon

Books2Read