Book picks similar to
The Santa Trial by Tess Thompson


christmas
romance
holiday
contemporary-romance

Bah, Humbug!


Heather Horrocks - 2011
    He digs into the snowman to discover two things: the weapon fits into the body just under the head, and the snowman was supposed to be the back drop for Lexi's next show.From this improbable beginning comes friendship. Can there be more for a woman who is afraid to get close again and a man who has shadows from his childhood?Families join together and hearts are healed as this couple goes walking in a winter wonderland.

Miss Kane's Christmas


Caroline Mickelson - 2012
    Joining single father Ben Hanson and his children for the holidays seems an easy enough task until Santa informs her that Ben is the man behind the disturbing new book 'Beyond Bah Humbug: Why Lying to Your Children about Santa Claus is a Bad Idea'.Posing as Miss Kane, the children's new nanny, Carol pulls out all the stops to show Ben how fun Christmas can be, all the while struggling to understand how one man could hate the holidays so much. How could she, Santa's only daughter, be so attracted to a man who refuses to believe her father exists?**Please note - this book was originally titled Carol's Christmas**

Unexpected Gifts


Elena Aitken - 2011
    But he’s determined to show her everything the season has to offer…including love. For Andi Williams, Christmas represents everything she’s supposed to have—and doesn’t. Running away to a remote mountain lodge seems like the perfect way to escape the season. And it would have been if it weren’t for the snow storm and a booking mix-up that finds her stranded. That is, until a rough around the edges, green eyed stranger offers a solution.  There was no way in good conscious that Colin Hartford could leave the woman with nowhere to stay. Especially on Christmas. He knows all too well what it’s like to be alone for the holidays. It isn’t long before Colin’s determination to enjoy the festivities he’s missed for so long sweeps Andi into the season of joy that she’s not so sure she’s ready for.  If Andi can allow herself to open up—just a little—she might finally have the chance to experience everything the holidays can really offer…including love.

Silver Bells


C.J. Hunt - 2014
    Over the years he’s had to learn how to keep their little family together on his own, but this Christmas Isaac is going to have some unexpected help. Christmas blogger Jenna Murphy has one goal for the holidays this year: to get far away from anything to do with Christmas. Her website sale is done, and after 1,825 posts about the big C, it’s one “season” she never wants to celebrate again. She’s ready to start a new life, and the Big River Lodge seems like the perfect place for her to figure out the details. The lodge is isolated, she has her own private cabin, and no one in her family will know where she is. But she didn’t plan on the highly distracting presence of Isaac MacAllister. Is Jenna going to let one sexy dad and his sweet kindergartener derail her plans for her holiday … and her life? Silver Bells is a Rivers End romance.

A Brand of Christmas


Maggie Shayne - 2015
    Most Big Falls, Oklahomans think it must be a case of immaculate conception. But the drifter returns and trouble follows. So do an early labor, a freak storm, and a Christmas you will never forget.The Texas Brands, Book 1: THE LITTLEST COWBOYUpright and Honest Sheriff Garrett Brand is furious with the younger brothers he’s raised when he finds a baby on the doorstep one hot Texas morning…until he sees the note with his own name on it. A motherless baby boy, a soft hearted rancher, an overprotective family, and a woman in deadly trouble spell heartwarming emotion, spine tingling passion, and breathless romance.The Brand Family…A Miracle in Every Story!

One Enchanted Christmas


Melissa Tagg - 2015
    On a glimmering winter evening, she got to watch the photo shoot for her very first book and ended up on a magical date with the cover model himself—Colin Renwycke. Fast forward one year. This December, with a looming deadline, restless spirit and her creative spark long since gone, Maren is desperate to get unstuck. And she can’t get Colin out of her head…or his year-old open invitation to spend a couple weeks writing at his family’s farm. Drew Renwycke never planned to come home and take over the Renwycke family farm. But he’s spent too many years watching his siblings unravel, including his brother, Colin, after one terrible family mistake. If moving to Maple Valley, Iowa, renovating an old farmhouse and switching careers is what it takes to put the Renwycke family back together, he’ll do it. But his simple plan upends when a scrappy author lands on his doorstep. And she just might be the key to coaxing his brother home. But what if he wants her all to himself? Drew will have to choose between his Christmas wish and the enchantment of a holiday romance that just might be the happy ending they all long for.

Home for Christmas


Stephanie Wilson - 2013
    She finds herself at a crossroads with Christmas just around the corner. Austin Douglass, a self-made technology mogul, is getting ready to offer an IPO for his company that is gaining worldwide attention. He needs to attract investors, and the old-monied Seattle families are interested. Growing up on a wheat farm in Eastern Washington has little prepared him for the rigors of entertaining the Seattle elite. Through his P.R. person, he meets someone who is. Savannah is a traditionalist, Austin is a minimalist. They are polar opposites. She is losing her family estate, he is gaining one. As the holidays brighten up the city and snow falls in the mountains around them; as the time-honored Christmas traditions are celebrated; can these two find a path that will lead them ... Home for Christmas?

Christmas with the Alexanders


M. Malone - 2013
    Unfortunately he doesn't seem to like her much so she's spending the holidays with her disapproving parents, both of whom think she's screwing up her life. Elliott Alexander's security business is booming and he's finally in the position to come home for good. But home brings bittersweet memories and puts him in the path of a woman who makes him feel things he isn't ready for.When Kay's car skids out of control on Christmas Eve, she's forced to reach out to the only man she trusts to save her.THE ALEXANDERS SERIESReading OrderBook 0.5 - Teasing Trent ~ The PrequelBook 1 - One More Day ~ Jackson & RidleyBook 2 - The Things I Do for You ~ Nick & RainaBook 3 - He's the Man ~ Matt & PennyBook 3.5 - Christmas with The Alexanders Book 4 - All I Need is You ~ Elliott & KayleeBook 5 - Say You Will ~ Trent & Mara*Book 6 - Just One Thing ~ Bennett & Katie**coming soon

Santa Baby, I Want A Bad Boy For Christmas


JE - 2015
     Morgan is having a miserable week. She broke up with her boyfriend, can't afford to go home to spend the holidays with her family, and has to work every day leading up to Christmas. Enter mall Santa. When Morgan is forced to tell Santa what she wants for Christmas, she doesn't hold back. She wants a bad boy for Christmas. He must have chiseled arms, smoldering eyes, and a panty-melting smile. Will Santa send Morgan her perfect bad boy? *This book contains sexual content and language. Recommended for mature readers ages 18 and up.

A Grosvenor Square Christmas


Anna Campbell - 2013
    The legend of Lady Winterson’s Christmas ball promises true love and happiness to one lucky couple. Four short tales. 1 1803 - The Seduction of a Duchess by Shana Galen Rowena Harcourt, Duchess of Valère, never forgot the handsome footman who helped her escape the French Revolution. For fourteen years, Gabriel Lamarque has loved Rowena. Now at Lady Winterson’s Christmas ball, has fate finally given him a chance to win her hand?2 1818 - One Kiss for Christmas by Vanessa Kelly Nigel Dash is London’s most reliable gentleman, a reputation he never minded until he fell in love with beautiful Amelia Easton. Amelia sees Nigel as a dependable friend, not a dashing suitor. At Lady Winterson’s Christmas ball, Nigel vows to change Amelia’s mind by sweeping her off her feet.3 1825 - His Christmas Cinderella by Anna Campbell At the season’s most glittering ball, a girl who has never dared to dream of forever after discovers a Christmas miracle.4 1830 - The Last First Kiss by Kate Noble Susannah Westforth always loved Sebastian Beckett, but he only sees her as a friend. When Sebastian takes his Grand Tour, Susannah transforms herself into a woman he must notice. Now Sebastian is back, just in time for Lady Winterson's Christmas ball and to see his little Susie, all grown up.

Winter in Sweetwater County


Ciara Knight - 2014
    With no job or social support, she flees to a small town in hopes of finding a good family for her unborn baby, but instead finds a man who is as broken as she is. Eric Gaylord returns to his home town for a respite after a tragic loss, but when his spitfire mother takes on an unknown woman as a business partner, he is forced to face the nightmare he’d left behind or risk losing the one woman who could heal his heart.

What Once Was Perfect


Zoe York - 2013
     Heading home always stirs up mixed emotions for Laney Calhoun. Twelve years ago she left for graduate school, broken-hearted. She's found professional success, but positive personal relationships have proved elusive. Running into her ex-boyfriend fans flames she thought long extinguished, and causes a renewed interest in love. Not with Kyle, of course. Never again. But as sparks fly and items of clothing disappear, she scrambles to keep her emotions in check. ...Now he has a second chance to get it right. Kyle Nixon let Laney slip away once. Their chemistry together is undeniable, but steamy sex is not enough to convince her to let him back into her heart. Even if she did trust him again, her career as a paediatric surgeon is five hundred kilometers away from the hometown that he loves, and the life he once chose over her. Come home to Wardham. Come home to love.

Wrapped in You


Kate Perry - 2014
    She doesn't take vacations, and she especially doesn't go anywhere during the holidays. But her boss insists it's the price she needs to pay to become a full partner in his new private investigation firm. She'll do anything to become partner--even subject herself to love, peace, and Christmas music.Trudy figures it's no big deal: she'll hole up in a hotel in Laurel Heights, drink gin, and watch action movies until she can return to London. Only her tyrant boss gives her a holiday list of to-do items, for which she must email picture proof of completion.It's impossible... Until she meets Mason, who proposes a deal: he'll help her with the list if she's his date to his office holiday events, to show his edgy tech employees that he's more than a nerd from Iowa. From the moment she agrees, Trudy gets more than she bargained for, but she refuses to be corrupted by the magic of the season--or love.Be sure to check out the rest of Kate's Laurel Heights Novels: Book 1: PERFECT FOR YOU Book 2: CLOSE TO YOU
Book 3: RETURN TO YOU Book 4: LOOKING FOR YOU Book 5: DREAM OF YOU
Book 6: SWEET ON YOU
Book 7: TAMED BY YOU Book 8: HERE WITH YOU Novelette: ALL FOR YOU Book 9: MAD ABOUT YOU Book 10: LOVED BY YOU And get to know the Summerhills...Book 1: SAY YOU WILLBook 2: LOST IN LOVEBook 3: LET'S MISBEHAVEBook 4: STAY THE NIGHTBook 5: ONCE UPON A DREAMBook 6: HOW SWEET IT ISBook 7: GIVE A LITTLELike strong independent women and the sexy alpha heroes who love them? Are you a fan of the greats like Bella Andre, Kristan Higgins, and Marie Force? Then try Kate's quirky romances. We think you'll love them, too.REVIEWS:"Kate Perry is on my auto buy list." –Night Owl Romance"Hot! Recommended!" –Bookpleasures"Kate's brilliant, as evidenced by the fact that she married me." - the Magic Man, Kate's husband"I can't help the ear-to-ear smile I have plastered to my face when reading any of Kate's books… She makes me laugh out loud, even on a crowded bus!"–Donna, Public Transit Romance Reviewer"Perry's storytelling skills just keep getting better and better!" –Romantic Times Book Reviews"Kate's writing is fluid, with a touch of sexiness and loads of romance, just what you need to relax after a long, hard-working day."–Gabby, Romance Reader Extraordinaire"Kate writes books?" –Kia, Kate's brother"Kate Perry's Laurel Heights series is of my most guilty pleasures. ;) Keep on keepin' on and kickin' ass!" –R, Closet Romance Fan"Reading Kate Perry's books is my favorite way to spend an afternoon (well..okay, my second favorite way, the husband insists I clarify...)" –M.W., Bedroom Enthusiast"A winning and entertaining combination of humor and pathos." –Booklist

Take Me Home


J.H. Croix - 2015
    Croix, a new contemporary romance series! A sexy Christmas romance set against the wilderness and beauty of small-town Alaska. Gage Hamilton is a smoldering Navy SEAL and a man on a mission. He’s returning to Diamond Creek, Alaska to resurrect his dream of reopening Last Frontier Lodge. Marley Adams moves back home hoping to find a sense of security and safety after it was stolen from her.Gage has spent many years successfully avoiding emotional entanglements. He is looking for nothing more than peace and sanctuary at his family’s old ski lodge. His new neighbor, Marley, was definitely not part of his plans. Marley is a brainy computer whiz and way too sexy for Gage’s own good. A man who prides himself on always being in control, Gage finds that he has little when it comes to Marley.Marley only wants to get her feet back under her after her world was turned upside down in Seattle. She’s been focused on little else beyond her work and is seriously out of practice with anything resembling romance…including the scorching hot attraction that sizzles anytime Gage crosses her path.Gage and Marley are powerless against the magnetic pull between them. Steamy and snowy nights weave a spell around them. While Marley thought she escaped whoever set out to hurt her in Seattle, she finds the threat of danger has followed her to Diamond Creek. Gage must face the depth of his feelings for Marley when he realizes he will do anything to protect her. Can Marley and Gage discover love in time for Christmas? The magic of a white Christmas is right around the corner.*All novels in this series are full-length standalone novels with an HEA.**Take Me Home is an updated title for Chrismas on the Last Frontier

Catch That Santa


Karen Docter - 2012
    Keep her Grams from becoming Mrs. Claus. Of course, Francisco's grandfather is not really Santa Claus, but Grams did run off to Vegas to marry him and she's obviously not in her right mind. Sara leaves her seven-month-old baby, Lanie, with a friend and she and Cisco head west in the worst snowstorm in decades, chasing his grandfather's '57 Ford Fairlane over the river and through the woods.Will they catch Santa and his crazy Mrs. Claus before it's too late? Or will love stop them in their tracks?(Novelette, approximately 17,000 words/50 pages)