Are you WRAPPED UP IN CHRISTMAS yet? by Janice Lynn

Christmas is just a few days away. Is your shopping done? Have you already eaten too much? I sure have. :)

With our family, we only have one more Christmas event to go to as we did with my Grandmother on December 1st, our kids/GRANDS on December 8th, and with my parents, siblings, and their families yesterday. So, essentially we've been doing Christmas all month. :)

What about you? Are all your Christmas celebrations on the day of or are they spread out over several days or weeks?

 Christmas is definitely an all month long celebration in my Wrapped Up in Christmas series. My fictional town of Pine Hill, Kentucky is all about Christmas and making merry. My publisher, Tule, is making your Christmas brighter, too, as they are currently giving away the ebook version of WRAPPED UP IN CHRISTMAS. How cool is that?  

Wrapped Up in Christmas https://amzn.to/4gvI1wP

Wrapped Up in Christmas Hope https://amzn.to/3Twuyec
Wrapped Up in Christmas Joy https://amzn.to/47wB8qW
Wrapped Up in Christmas https://amzn.to/4gvI1wP

And the newest, WRAPPED UP IN CHRISTMAS LOVE. Order your copy today. Amazon Barnes & Noble

USA Today, Wall Street Journal, & Publishers Weekly Bestselling author JANICE LYNN lives in Tennessee with her Prince Charming and their princes and princesses, her vivid imagination, an adorable Maltese named Halo who's the true royalty of the house, and bunches of unnamed dust bunnies that moved in after Janice started her writing career. In addition to writing romance, Janice is a nurse practitioner, a quilter, a military mama, and an avid supporter of the Quilts of Valor Foundation. www.janicelynn.com  

The Magic of Holiday Second Chances By Merri Maywether

The holiday season is a special time of the year. Homes are illuminated with lovely lights.

Baking and the wonderful fragrances are more prevalent. 

People share an appreciation for the carols I like to listen to all year round.

Events that foster a sense of togetherness compensate for the days that darken sooner.

My family endures my quirky love of matching pajamas.

These moments wrap around us like a warm blanket, building an atmosphere ripe with possibility.

It’s a time when hearts soften, old wounds begin to heal, and the idea of a fresh start feels not just appealing but almost within reach.

My favorite thing about this season is the magic. This magic extends to love, too. The holidays have a way of reminding us what truly matters: connection, shared moments, and the warmth of human companionship. 

It’s a time when forgiveness shines a little brighter, softening the sharp edges of past hurts. This season whispers promises of second chances, of rekindled flames, and of new beginnings born from understanding and grace.

I love writing about the theme of second chances, especially during the holiday season. It’s a comfortable, forced proximity, and the lights and togetherness guide characters to find love during this time of year.

 In Winter Wonderland Inn, childhood friends, separated by outside forces, get a second chance to view their relationship with renewed eyes. 

Christmas Wishes tells the story of Hunter and Susan, college friends who reconnect and find love after a past misunderstanding is cleared up.

And in Frosted Mistletoe Kisses, Lucas and Amelia discover that the spark of friendship can ignite into something more when they reconnect.

Perhaps it’s the spirit of giving, or the nostalgia that fills the air, but the holidays offer a unique opportunity for love to blossom anew. 

So, this season, embrace the second chances. It could be a hug, a phone call, inviting a friend or family member for a cup of cocoa so you have a chance to reconnect....or enjoying a story.

Bargain Books

 

Everyone likes a bargain no matter what time of year, but Christmastime is always a good time to grab a bargain book, and it is always an extra bonus if the book is a Christmas story. Grab these bargains today. On sale for 99 cents!

Amazon

Apple 

B&N 

Google Play

Kobo

Download the covers with the white stars for only .99 for a limited time.

https://www.patsimmons.net/holiday-titles

You can also listen to me read excerpts during the #TwelvedaysofChristmas on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@patsimmons9502

Finding Magic in December Moments (Plus a Cookie Recipe!) by Josie Riviera

There's something about December that makes me want to wrap my hands around a warm mug of cocoa and pause. Just pause. In our rush to create the perfect holiday experience, we sometimes forget that the most precious moments are unplanned.

Recently, I discovered this truth during an impromptu cookie exchange with friends. What started as a simple afternoon of baking turned into hours of sharing family stories and cherished recipes. My kitchen filled not just with the aroma of butter and vanilla, but with laughter and the kind of connection that happens when women talk openly with each other.

December isn't about perfection—it's about connection. It's about taking those quiet moments between the holiday chaos to really see each other, to share our stories, and to create new memories.

Speaking of memories, here's my favorite quick-and-easy sugar cookie recipe that never fails to bring smiles:

Classic Holiday Sugar Cookies

Prep time: 15 minutes | Bake time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup softened butter
• 1½ cups white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons milk

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Mix flour, baking soda, and baking powder in a bowl.
3. Cream butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in egg, vanilla, and milk.
4. Stir in dry ingredients until blended.
5. Roll into balls and place on ungreased cookie sheets.
6. Bake 10 minutes or until golden.

Tip: Sprinkle with colored sugar before baking for extra sparkle!

And if you're craving more holiday sweetness, don't forget to check out my newest sweet romance holiday release: Whispers of Holiday Magic in Sweetwater Springs for an amazing snickerdoodle cookie recipe and a heartwarming romance that's sure to brighten your December days.

Grab your copy today at the special introductory price!

What special moments will you create this holiday season?

Josie Riviera is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary, historical, and inspirational romances that read like Hallmark movies. She lives in the Charlotte, NC, area with her wonderfully support husband. They share their home with an adorable Shih Tzu, who constantly needs grooming, and live in an old house forever needing renovation.

Sign up for her newsletter and get a FREE ebook on her website: josieriviera.com

Lyn Cote Reminds You the 12 Days Promo!

 

Lyn Cote here~Remember the great holiday giveaway—The “12 Days of Christmas 12 Author Promo!” 

Each author has offered an ebook free on their assigned day as a gift to readers. Now that’s a Christmas Extravaganza! Most of the books will be “Christmasy!” Mine—Mistletoe and Sage, Season of Malice—will be Free on Dec 9^th! (Mine will continue free till Dec 13^th, but most others will be free just on that day.) 

SO HOW CAN YOU ACCESS THIS 12 DAYS OF FREE ROMANTIC SUSPENSE BOOKS BY 12 AUTHORS, such as Robin Patchen, Lisa Phillips, etc? Just click here to see them all. And if you’re like me, a reminder would be good. Click this link and sign up for a daily reminder, starting the 4^th so you don’t forget! We may be too busy with the holiday to read them all right away, but tuck them onto your ereader for those after-holidays cozy reading times!

Wishing You Joy and Serenity for This Holiday Season

2024 has been a tough one for me. We've had to make some tough and a little heart-rendering family decisions. As a result, joy and serenity have been somewhat elusive for me. My granddaughter and her husband's announcement that they are expecting in February did a lot to boost my joy. New life for the new year. But I couldn't seem to escape that "waiting for the next shoe to drop" feeling.

Finding Serenity

Then, in October, I noticed how calm my daughter looked knitting, and I saw a request from an organization looking for premie and newborn hats. I pulled out my long-dormant crocheting stuff and found the serenity I needed, starting with a few hats.

Next up was a hat and booties to give our first great-grandchild this Christmas and a blanket as a gift for an upcoming baby shower. (The expectant parents have chosen not to know the baby's sex before birth.)

I also made our son a hat for Christmas.

Coming Up

Along with more baby hats, I plan to make this stuffed toy. The grandfather-to-be raises pastured pigs. 

This supposedly easy-to-make sweater also caught my eye.

Do you have an activity (in addition to prayer) that helps take the edge off life?

Just for Fun

I love these.

SEE ALL MY HOLIDAY BOOKS HERE

Merry Christmas...and a wonderful recipe! Roxanne Rustand

         

Happy holidays!

Though it seems like Halloween was just last week, here we are on December 5th.

I'm not nearly close enough to being ready for Christmas!   How about you?

Here is a link for CHRISTMAS DANGER in case you'd like a Clean Romantic Suspense novel to enjoy during the holidays.  💕  It's free on Kindle Unlimited, or just $3.99 to buy.

December brings the celebration of Christmas and FOUR family birthdays. With the days of preparation for Thanksgiving in the rearview mirror, I'm starting to reconsider my Christmas Eve and Christmas Day meals.

There are so many things I love to make in the Scandinavian tradition of my Swedish mom. It doesn't seem like Christmas without all of them. 

But do I want to be exhausted, or do I want more time to simply enjoy this most special holiday this year? 

Do you have a Christmas family gathering at your own home, or do you enjoy the day elsewhere with family or friends? 

What are your most favorite foods to make for the holiday? I would love to hear about what you make and enjoy! 

Leave a comment and you can be in a drawing for a free copy of Dangerous Holiday!
It's usually $3.99 to buy, or free on Kindle Unlimited.

Here's a recipe  I want to share because it is so easy and sooo good!   😍😍  If you don't have a bread machine, you can make them per usual.

BUTTER  ROLLS

Add to your bread machine in order listed:

1 cup milk (I use whole, but you can use any type)

1/2 cup butter 

1/3 cup sugar

2 lightly beaten eggs

1 1/2 tsp salt

3 cups bread flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

2 Tbsp vital wheat gluten

2 1/4 tsp  yeast

Extra butter for buttering a 9x13 pan and for brushing on the tops of the rolls before rising.

💗💗💗💗

Prepare dough with the dough setting on your machine. 
Then turn out the dough (no extra kneading) and divide into 12 dough balls for large, fluffy rolls  or 24 dough balls for smaller rolls. It's also good for bread sticks or haburger buns.

Brush the tops with melted butter, cover, and let it rise for around 40 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for until lightly golden on top. Brush tops with butter. I know, lots of butter overall--but they are just so good! And it's a holiday or for a special meal, right?  😉

They freeze beautifully--just pop them in a 425 degree oven for six or seven minutes. Watch closely so they don't get too dark and dry.

You can use all bread flour instead, and then skip the vital wheat gluten.

Enjoy!

Merry Christmas to you all,
Roxanne Rustand 

www.roxannerustand.com