Book picks similar to
The Little Cottage by the Sea by A.L. Jambor


a-pending-placement
christmas
christmas-stories
cozy-mystery

The Christmas Tea Shop & Bakery


De-ann Black - 2013
    She moves to a lovely Scottish seaside town and opens up a vintage tea shop and bakery selling cakes, bread, scones and tea.It's Christmas time, and although Erith wants a quiet life, baking during the day and sewing her quilts in the evenings in her house above the shop, the local shopkeepers soon involve her in their festive plans.Stuart, who owns the shop that sells everything, flirts with her. Handsome interior designer, Muir, takes an interest in her, but is she interested in him? And what about Zack, the gorgeous bad boy?In this Christmassy romance, Erith bakes everything from chocolate bread to traditional Victoria sponge cakes. She blends her special selection of teas. She becomes friends with the local sewing bee women, Doreen, Millie and Belle. She also realises that when it comes to love, she has to trust her instincts rather than listen to local gossip.Set in a Scottish seaside town in a snowy December, there's baking, sewing, snogging and sexy men in this light-hearted romance novella. It's 22,000 words of Christmas cheer.Amid the chaos of Christmas, will Erith find time for love? Will there be a festive proposal? Who will be Santa and switch on the town's Christmas tree lights? In the busy little town there's only one thing for sure - no one wants to dress up as the reindeer's bum.

Mail Order Bride: Christmas Miracles (Christmas Brides Book 1)


Emma Ashwood - 2017
    Raised in high Boston society by nannies and tutors, she has been somewhat of an embarrassment and disappointment to her socialite parents. While her older sister has secured a husband, Millicent faces banishment to her cruel grandparents in Paris. Her life will not be worth living, and she accepts the help of the family's loving cook to escape this prospect. Jessie lives in the simple wooden cabin he built in the Utah countryside, with his precious son, Joseph, while his beloved Stacey lies buried out back beneath a simple white cross. Joseph needs a mama and Jessie and the house need a woman's touch. The Cranhurst's cook, Patricia smuggles young Millie out of the city and she is soon journeying alone to her new life in Breakmill, Utah, to be a wife and mother. She had lied to Jessie Swanter during their brief correspondence by letter, and it was quite plausible that he would reject her once he found out that she was deaf. She would cross that bridge when she got to it. From then on in Millie's life is filled with bridges to cross, sometimes perilous, often pleasant and always character-building. Join this young lady and her brave husband, as their intrepid little family weather all that life throws at them and celebrate the blessings scattered upon them. Can the hearts of selfish parents be changed? Can one family have more than just that ONE Christmas miracle in their lifetime? Millie learns that you don't need lavish parties and an exquisitely decorated house to experience the true meaning of Christmas; all you need is love and family.

Savannah Martin Mystery: Books 7-9


Jenna Bennett - 2015
    But when her perfect husband turns out to be a lying, cheating slimeball—and bad in bed to boot—Savannah kicks the jerk to the curb and embarks on life on her own terms. With a new apartment, a new career, and a brand new outlook on life, she’s all set to take the world by storm. If only the world would stop throwing her curveballs... KICKOUT CLAUSE - #7 When Shelby Ferguson, Savannah’s ex-husband’s new wife, begs Savannah’s help in figuring out what’s going on with Bradley, Savannah can’t in good conscience say no. Shelby has no one else to turn to, no one to whom she can admit that her marriage is on the rocks and that Bradley may be straying. But helping Shelby turns out to be just the tip of the iceberg. With two different sets of buyers vying to purchase Mrs. Jenkins’s house, and an escaped prisoner targeting Savannah, she has more than enough to deal with. And that’s before TBI rookie Manny Ortega is shot down in cold blood. With Savannah’s boyfriend Rafe Collier, and their friend, homicide detective Tamara Grimaldi, busy looking for Manny’s murderer, it’s up to Savannah to juggle buyers and adulterers and vandals and lawyers, and come out on top... without losing her Southern Belle poise or her life in the process. PAST DUE - #8 The sins of the past are coming due, and someone has to pay... Savannah Martin’s high school reunion is supposed to be a fun weekend of catching up with old friends and parading her boyfriend—Sweetwater bad boy Rafael Collier—in front of everyone who used to sneer at him back in the day. Not even the daily battle she’s waging with morning sickness can douse Savannah’s anticipation. But when Rafe won’t come to Sweetwater, Savannah has to face her old schoolmates without his support. And her best friend Charlotte isn’t as happy for Savannah’s new relationship as Savannah had hoped. And when a dead body turns up in the Colliers’ old mobile home in the Bog, Savannah is thankful to be on her own. The sheriff is always looking for a reason to shove Rafe back behind bars, and a fresh homicide is just the excuse he needs. But when another murder takes place at the reunion, even the threat of jail can’t keep Rafe away. Soon old classmates are dropping like bowling pins, and Rafe and Savannah are scrambling to catch up with a killer hell bent on making sure old enemies pay for old sins... all while trying to stay one step ahead of Sheriff Satterfield and the Columbia PD. DIRTY DEEDS - #9 With hotels in downtown filled to capacity months in advance, real estate agent Savannah Martin decides to pick up some extra money renting out her empty East Nashville apartment. She’s living with her boyfriend, and the place is just sitting there, begging to be put to use. But when her latest tenant ends up dead—strangled in Savannah’s bed by what might have been a paying customer—the promise of easy money quickly turns sour. As the hunt for the killer leads to their shared hometown of Sweetwater, Tennessee, Savannah’s boyfriend, TBI agent Rafe Collier, is tapped to help with the investigation.

Stuck Together for Christmas


Layla Valentine - 2021
    It was supposed to be my getaway Christmas,Now, I’m stuck sharing with my brother’s best friend,This has just turned into the holiday from hell!For the first time in years, I was excited about the holidays,A week of sun, sea and luxury, curtesy of my newly loaded brother.I should have known there’d be a sting in the tail…The moment I arrive in Hawaii, I realize there’s an intruder in the house,And it’s no burglar—no, it’s far worse than that,Because Ryan Finch—my brother’s business partner, and the same man my mother’s been trying to hook me up with for years—is apparently here for the holidays as well.The longer we spend together, the harder it is to remember all the reasons why I told myself that going there would be a terrible idea,And my relaxing Christmas getaway has just turned into the ultimate exercise in restraint.Will I give in to temptation and find that he’s more than his reputation, or will the truth that I’m trying to ignore leave me crushed?

All Is Calm


Leah Atwood - 2016
    When his mentor suggested he find a wife, only one woman’s name came to mind. Lisbeth Stanfield cut herself off from the world when her husband passed away three years ago. She secluded herself on her farm, but her money ran out and she needed to find a new livelihood. Hours after she prayed for direction, Erich Samuelson appeared at her door and proposed a marriage of conveniences. As they come together for the sake of two young children, will love be the greatest gift this Christmas? In this heartwarming, historical Christmas novelette, USA Today Bestselling author Leah Atwood delivers an inspirational story of triumph over tragedy through faith, love, and Christmas joy. All Is Calm is a shorter story, just the right length to inject hope and cheer into your busy holiday schedule.

A Cup of Shadows (Devecheaux Antiques & Haunted Things Book 1)


M.L. Bullock - 2020
    

Christmas on the Anvil


Michael Penmore - 2021
    Everyone but the spaceship’s grumpy XO/navigator. When mysterious Christmas-themed things start happening, can the jaded second-in-command debunk the myth, or will she start to believe in the magic of Santa and the sleigh? Warning: Filled to bursting with humour and Christmas songs you know and love to hate. Get into the spirit of Christmas with the Anvil’s crew in this light-hearted seasonal romp from the author of the Jane Poole Genesis.

All We Have


Sean Patrick Little - 2018
    There are crops to plant and harvest, and animals to feed. There is the daily grind of life after a viral apocalypse where things they used to take for granted, like food, water, and safety, are no longer a given, especially with predators prowling at the perimeter of the farm. It is two against the world, and all they have is each other.

A Christmas Caper (Sugar Martin Vintage Cozy Mysteries Book 3)


Shéa MacLeod - 2019
    When the festivities are interrupted by an urgent call from her employer, she heads straight to London with Tippy in tow only to discover that her great-great-aunt Euphegenia has left her a final bequest—and a mysterious mission. Christmas is a time for magic and miracles and Sugar will need both if she’s to succeed in her quest. This charming Christmas cozy mystery is the third book in the Sugar Martin Vintage Cozy Mysteries set in post-WW2 England.

Private Eyes


Rene Fomby - 2017
    In less than 48 hours, his best friend has a date with the needle, the kind of date you don’t walk away from with a kiss. Moose has to find out who framed his pit bull buddy for the savage slaying of a French poodle — and then convince the humans that he’s nailed the right guy. But with no leads and little evidence to go on, there’s only one person in Chicago that has a prayer of hunting down the real killer in time: Antonio Gattogrosso, legendary proprietor of the Feline Detective Agency. Fat Tony. The rave reviews are pouring in: "It's a great summer read. Just like me, you'll want to keep an eye out for it!" - Fisheye Martinez "I predict it will be a smashing success, dahlinks!" - Madame LuLu, astrologer to the stars "Buy dis book if you knows what's good for youse." - Fat Tony Gattogrosso

The Worst Noel


Amy M. Reade - 2017
     As a single mom, small business owner, and president of the local Chamber of Commerce, the last thing she needs is to find a dead body on the floor of her jewelry shop on the busiest shopping day of the year. And as if that isn't enough, Lilly has to deal with a deadbeat ex-husband, a mother with declining mental health, and two teenagers. But when a second body turns up, Lilly finds herself squarely in the crosshairs of suspicion. Can she figure out who killed the victims before she becomes one herself? And will her family's Christmas be merry...or scary?

A Family For Christmas


Linda Finlay - 2015
    Lost and alone, she struggles across the snowy moors before collapsing on the doorstep of the reclusive Fay, who slowly nurses her back to health.Eliza soon falls in love with the wilderness of her surroundings, discovering an unexpected talent for making medicines and perfumes from the abundant local flowers. Yet more than anything she longs for a real home - so when Fay urges her to take an apprenticeship as a perfumer in a distant town, Eliza is devastated. Especially when the position brings misery and puts her life in danger.But when a handsome young man invites Eliza into his heart, and his home, it looks like there might be a chance for Eliza to finally find a happy ending - and a family for Christmas.

Christmas, Spies & Dead Guys


Jennifer Fischetto - 2015
    Having to spend the holiday in another state may have Gianna a bit blue, but when Claudia runs off the night before her nuptials, Gianna is determined to find her.To complicate things Gianna has a rare gift...she sees dead people. Reluctantly teaming up with gorgeous, P.I. Julian Reed, and her cranky dead Aunt Stella, Gianna sets out to catch her runaway bride cousin, find the sender of a cryptic love note, and track down a list of Claudia's ex-boyfriend—the "ghosts" of her love life past, present, and possibly future.**This is a short story of approximately 12,000 words/25pages**Note: This work was previously published under the title A Christmas Ghost & Zero Regrets.

Holiday Heist


A.A. Albright - 2019
    It can be enjoyed without having read the Wayfair Witches series. A holiday heist, a powerful child, and a parolee Melissa can't stand the sight of? It sounds like a recipe for a very Merry Solstice. The Nemo Foundation's kids are planning some Solstice shenanigans, but Melissa has no idea what their hijinks might entail. She's far too busy figuring out why an emaciated wizard was drained by a harpy, and trying to keep a young weredog out of jail. Plus, the Queen of the Faeries has promised three miracles this holiday season - and in order for those three miracles to pass, Melissa must learn to trust someone she hates ...

My Christmas Romance


S.J. Crabb - 2020
    True love comes once in a lifetime.A heart-warming and uplifting story about finding love at Christmas.Polly Proudlock was in a rut. Working at the cracker factory was beginning to lose its attraction and having just been dumped by her boyfriend, she had reached an all-time low.The fact he was still her boss added to her problems, not to mention having to work alongside her replacement was a step too far.A chance meeting changed everything, and Polly found herself agreeing to be a stranger’s fake girlfriend for Christmas to their mutual benefit.Miles Carlton was the perfect boyfriend. He took her to places she never thought she’d see, and Christmas soon took on a new meaning. Suddenly, she was seeing it through fresh eyes and she liked it—a lot.As the snow falls and the magic of Christmas captures her heart, Polly discovers that she’s no longer faking something that will only end in tears.Then an opportunity presents itself that could change her life. But Christmas is fast approaching and she is running out of time.Fate works in mysterious ways and their worlds are set on a collision course. Soon they are fighting for more than their own Happy Ever After and when the snow melts, who or what will be left standing?Discover the joy of Christmas in this gorgeous novel, celebrating the importance of friendship, the magic of love, and finding happiness by being true to yourself.