THE CHRISTMAS INN: A Novel
By Pamela M. Kelley
St. Martin’s Publishing Group
A feel-good novel as delightful and comforting as a cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter’s night, The Christmas Inn is bestselling author Pamela Kelley’s most heartwarming and magical book yet.
Riley Sanders didn’t plan to lose her content marketing manager job right before Christmas. When she calls her sister Amy to vent, she learns that their mother has broken her leg and could use help at the inn. Riley decides to head home to the inn, nestled along the shores of Cape Cod, in time for the Christmas rush. She is happy to help but needs something to distract her as mistletoe hangs and snowflakes begin to fall.
When she gets there, she not only finds delicious cookies and a crackling fire to lift her spirits but also the sense of family she’s been missing all along. There’s Franny, a woman who has just lost her sister and has four unopened letters from her that she plans to use to open her up to new experiences on the Cape. And there’s Aidan, her high school sweetheart, now a widower, who stays at the inn with his nine-year-old son, Luke. What begins as a quick stay over the holidays to help her mom means much more-a second chance at romance, a more profound sense of found family, and all the joy and wonder that comes with Christmastime on Cape C.
THE MORE THE TERRIER: An Andy Carpenter Mystery
By Elizabeth Strout
Minotaur
The next installment in David Rosenfelt’s best-selling Andy Carpenter series brings a lone pup to his doorstep, but when it comes to dogs, The More the Terrier.
Reluctant lawyer Andy Carpenter is relieved to be headed back to Paterson, New Jersey, after a week-long family vacation in the Adirondacks. He’s ready to put the holly jolly season behind him and settle in with his three dogs at home. But when they finally arrive, an extra dog eagerly awaits them, as does one anxious dog sitter.
When the dog appeared, the sitter thought Andy would know what to do. Indeed, Andy recognizes Murphy, who the Carpenters fostered before the dog went home with BJ Bremer and his mother. BJ wanted to learn all he could about caring for Murphy, which made Andy like him immediately.
When Andy goes to take Murphy back to the Bremers, though, instead of the happy reunion, he finds BJ’s mother in tears. It turns out Murphy ran off…after BJ was arrested for murder. Andy had hoped for a quiet Christmas vacation, but he likes Murphy’s family, and his golden retriever, Tara, likes Murphy, so he can’t resist getting involved. The case isn’t as simple as Andy thought it would be, though, with BJ suspected of murdering one of his professors. With nothing to go on but Andy’s conviction in BJ’s dog-loving character, proving his innocence would be a Christmas miracle.
CHARCOAL THE ELF: Book One-Up Top
By R.A. Belson
Single Helix Press
When an elf child is born, unlike any other ever seen in Claustown, trouble ensues immediately. The topper is the shocking jungle of black and gray hair atop his head. Hence his name: Charcoal.
Reviled, bullied, and excluded for being different, he sinks into behavioral and emotional issues, acting out and making things even worse. His parents and his cousin Trixie, as adored by the Claustown community as he is despised, try to be loving and supportive, but nothing seems to help, and things go from bad to worse. That is, until Santa and a daring plan, which may help save not only himself but those troublesome human beings “Down Below” who appear determined to destroy themselves and the planet they live on. But unexpected dangers await.
Charcoal the Elf, Book One: Up Top is the first in a series of novels loaded with adventure, mystery, excitement, and essential life messages intended for all ages. It is told with irony and is intermingled with humor. Children, young adults, and grown-ups who know only too well the challenges life has in store will all appreciate this delightful and engrossing tale.
ENTERTAINING WITH CHARM:
A Modern Guide To Relaxed Gatherings
By Eden Passante
Weldon Owen
Food and lifestyle blogger Eden Passante shares her signature style and party ethos with a vibrant array of fresh recipes, menu ideas, tabletop designs, holiday flair, and more for adding delicious charm to spark every occasion.
Entertaining with Charm will guide you in hosting beautiful gatherings with delicious dishes and simple style. Organized by category, the book is filled with appealing recipes, refreshing signature cocktails, and mouthwatering desserts. It’s about bringing people together for unfussy food and drink. It’s about enjoying the simple things in life: celebrations made easy with fresh food that’s straightforward to prepare, charming details, and memorable gatherings around the table.
The cookbook includes expert advice on party planning and simply natural ways to add style and charm, from fresh flowers and table decor to candles and cozy ambiance. Whether it’s an intimate movie night, an alfresco dinner party, or a festive gathering, this book has all the recipes, tips, and ideas to make your event one that everyone will remember—and will teach you that the only reason to host a party is to have fun.
THE MATZAH BALL: A Novel
By Jean Meltzer
MIRA
Oy! to the world. Rachel Rubenstein-Goldblatt is a nice Jewish girl with a shameful secret: She loves Christmas. For a decade she’s hidden her career as a Christmas romance novelist from her family. Her talent has made her a best seller even as her chronic illness has always kept the kind of love she writes about out of reach.
But when her diversity-conscious publisher insists she write a Hanukkah romance, her well of inspiration suddenly runs dry. Hanukkah’s not magical. It’s not merry. It’s not Christmas. Desperate not to lose her contract, Rachel’s determined to find her muse at the Matzah Ball, a Jewish music celebration on the last night of Hanukkah, even if it means working with her summer camp archenemy—Jacob Greenberg.
Though Rachel and Jacob haven’t seen each other since they were kids, their grudge still glows brighter than a menorah. But as they spend more time together, Rachel finds herself drawn to Hanukkah—and Jacob—in a way she never expected. Maybe this holiday of lights will be the spark she needed to set her heart ablaze.