Book picks similar to
Xmas With A Real One by Tay Mo'Nae


4-stars-really-like-reads
african-american
christmas
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Murder, Mayhem & Madness in Christmas River


Meg Muldoon - 2013
    Oh my! Welcome to Christmas River, a small town in central Oregon where the spirit of Christmas never dies. And where intrigue, romance, danger, and excitement are around every corner. Cinnamon Peters is one tough cookie. Every year at Christmas River’s annual Gingerbread Junction Competition, pie baker extraordinaire Cinnamon aims to win, taking down any competitor who gets in her way. But when she finds a dead body in the woods behind her pie shop just days before the big competition, Cinnamon realizes that there’s much more to worry about than cookies, frosting, and gumdrops. Someone’s out to bring Cinnamon down. And they’re playing dirty. Only Cinnamon and a mysterious stranger who walks into her life one snowy evening can figure out the mystery. But can they solve it before Cinnamon’s chances of gingerbread competition glory crumble? The Christmas River Cozy Mystery Box Set includes the books Murder in Christmas River, Mayhem in Christmas River, and Madness in Christmas River.

Starry, Starry Night


Marcia Willett - 2021
    Praise for Marcia Willett: 'A warm and engaging read.' Trisha Ashley'A beautifully woven tale of families and their secrets...' Liz Fenwick, bestselling author of The Cornish House'Riveting, moving and utterly feel-good.' Daily Mail 'Sweeping powers of description transport her readers to another time and place.' Rosanna Ley

Christmas in Dixie: A Sweet Southern Romantic Comedy


Kaci Lane - 2021
    So I’m relieved when he has to work over the holidays.All I want is a low-key Christmas in Alabama with my family. Well, that and the snow I believe is coming. My perfect holiday is ruined the moment Collins shows up in my mama’s kitchen … escorted by my county sheriff ex-boyfriend.I can honestly say I haven’t been this surprised since my cousin went to jail.Collins might be a successful surgeon in Atlanta, but I doubt he can last a few days in the small town of Wisteria, Alabama. However, if our love can withstand my gun-slinging, hog-killing family, then I’m sure we’re destined to be together.We just have to make it through Christmas.

The Christmas of 1943: Hope for the future


Alex Amit - 2020
    For months now, Monique doesn’t know who she is anymore.Monique is living under a false identity in German-occupied Paris. No one knows that she is Jewish.Since last summer, Monique has been involved with a Nazi officer, and she knows that she will pay with her life if anyone discovers her secret, but she has no other choice.In the days leading to Christmas, Monique and Herr Ernest, the German officer she lives with, are preparing for a German officers’ reception which they plan to attend. Monique ardently continues to hide her secret. Still, she can’t ignore the signs of her past, and as the evening of the reception progresses, Monique finds it increasingly difficult to keep her true identity a secret, fearing that some may suspect her of hiding something.Monique must keep her secret, but can she continue to deny her identity and heritage?With the backdrop of illuminated Christmas trees and Hanukkah candles, Alex Amit’s short story illuminates the simple and extraordinary acts of courage by a young woman, fighting for her life and identity during those dark and dreadful days, and continuing to believe that next year will bring with it winds of change and hope.

Christmas at the Grand Hotel: White Pine Island Novellas #1 and #2


Amie Denman - 2016
    Many residents call the island home year-round, but day visitors and tourists bring plenty of excitement with them. Like other resort islands, there are quaint shops, cool restaurants, and friendly bars. There are several resorts on the island, but the queen of them all is the elegant Grand Hotel on a bluff with an ocean view. Owned by the extensive, multi-generational Phillips family, the Grand Hotel offers elegant service, five course dinners, and plenty of romance. White Pine Island Novella #1: Ned & Bethany Sometimes the heart hits a hole in one… Bethany Hinkle arrives at White Pine Island’s Grand Hotel for her sister’s wedding and to do a little environmental snooping. She snaps pictures of the hotel’s pristine golf course to ensure its compliance with EPA standards. Soon, she realizes that the course’s manager is as attractive as the course he so carefully protects. Ned Phillips feels the weight of family expectations squarely on his broad shoulders. The Phillips Family has owned and operated the Grand Hotel for three generations. For now, he manages the hotel’s golf course and makes plans for its future—plans that could be destroyed by Bethany’s spying. He gets close to the lovely environmentalist to watch for her next move until he gets too close to let her go. ***** White Pine Island Novella #2: Ellen & Pete What happens when you fall in love with your best friend just when it’s too late? All her life, Ellen Phillips has loved working for her family’s Grand Hotel on White Pine Island. Flying the hotel’s airplane and piloting the island ferryboat while knowing someday she will inherit the luxurious resort is a fairy tale existence she has no desire to change. She’s always loved Pete McCormack, too. After all, he’s her best friend, confidante, and playmate. Until she suddenly sees him in a different light just before Christmas. Pete McCormack has made sacrifices for his family’s golf cart rental business on the island, choosing to stay home and run it instead of pursuing his dream of his own career on the mainland. When his parents announce their plans to sell the business so Pete can leave the island, he has to choose between the future he thought he always wanted and his newfound love for the woman he would be leaving behind.

Home for Christmas


Lizzie Lane - 2014
    Robert is the nephew of a Lord, and Lydia a mere doctor’s daughter – and a German doctor at that. While her parentage is no hindrance to their relationship in peacetime, when war is declared Robert’s family makes it clear they no longer approve of the match. With no means of contacting Robert on the Western Front, Lydia volunteers herself, joining the Red Cross. But her love affair with Robert has had more than one consequence…

Socks for Christmas


Andy Andrews - 2005
    In the late 1960s, New York Times bestselling author Andy Andrews thought he was having a very good Christmas… until he got socks from his Aunt Ruth--unarguably a very lousy gift. How could he know that those lousy socks would change Christmas and him forever!Socks for Christmas is great for all ages and will give your family an instant Christmas tradition. This timeless holiday book:Teaches lessons on gratitude, giving, and understanding others during the seasonInspires hearts and brings families togetherStirs nostalgia, tradition, and joy in any heart at Christmas timeSocks for Christmas is a:Safe gift for a boss, co-worker, or employeeThoughtful gift for a family member or loved oneA great option for gift exchangesWhether you read it yourself or listen to Andy on the CD (included with your purchase), Socks for Christmas is a great way to kick off the season.

The Christmas Contest


Theresa Sederholt - 2021
    Hopefully, the enticement of winning his house and the magic of the holidays will lure in just the right person! Holly Kirby was a bit shocked when she read the ad. The winner of the Christmas contest would receive a house! Knowing this might be some sort of scam, she still can’t help but imagine all the wonderful things she could do with a beautiful house on Nantucket. Holly decides to go ahead and enter, hoping that the Christmas angels will bring her a miracle. Jack Anderson immediately knew something was wrong with his grandfather after reading the ad for the Christmas contest. Maybe it was time to take a break from work and pay him a visit. Somebody has to talk some sense into him! Only, when he gets there, he realizes Grandpa’s plan is already in full swing. The clock is ticking but can Jack stop it in time, or will his family home be lost to him forever?

Her Heart & His Crown: A Royal Love Affair


Bianca - 2017
    Pilar thought that life in Florida would be great, since it is nicknamed, The Sunshine State, but little did she know, dark clouds would surround her, after getting involved with Brandon ‘Blizzy’ Lewis, who had his own set of problems; women and gambling. Barak ‘Duke’ Ramses, a native of Egypt, and next in line to be crowned King. At the age of 16, his father, dropped him and his younger brothers off in the United States, as an effort to make them men, and find their own way. Duke made a way for himself, and his brothers, after opening up a chain of pool halls. After Blizzy, one of his faithful customers, and best friends, started stealing money from the company and the customers, putting the Florida location in jeopardy of being shut down. Duke sends one of his brothers to take care of Blizzy, not knowing that Pilar was only inches away and witnesses the murder. After being caught and begging for her life, Duke spares her, but not before putting a strict detail on Pilar, making sure she doesn’t go to the police. Pilar gets fed up with being followed, and ends up moving into Duke’s house, against the wishes of one of his brothers, who also thought that he was not fit to be King. After getting to know Pilar personally, Duke starts to develop feelings for her, but he can’t act on them, due to the secrets that he has. Will Duke risk it all and act on his feelings for Pilar or will he walk away and leave behind an affair that could lead to something special?

The House That Hustle Built


Nisa Santiago - 2015
    Pearla is a born hustler, and Cash was born to steal. Pearla sets her sights on Cash and motivates him to take his petty crimes to the next level.Together, the two get money throughout the tri-state, while friends and family want to be upgraded without putting in work. At first, the couple makes it rain in the hood, taking care of those they love, but a hustler always knows when to draw the line.Suddenly, Pearla proclaims the ATM closed, and a quiet storm begins to brew. When the beggars can't beg anymore and the borrowers can't borrow anymore, friends become enemies. Words and bullets are exchanged, leaving The House that Hustle Built under attack and at risk of collapse.

Caught up in the Rapture of Love


Britt Joni - 2019
    Leaning on each other at every low and celebrating each other at every high. When one needs the other they are always there. So it was no surprise when placed in a position to lose an inheritance, Wellington thought nothing of asking his friend for help. He knew without a shadow of a doubt Olivia would come running, but can their friendship survive something as big as this? Olivia has loved her best friend her entire life but she’s always been afraid to act on it. She’s been content playing in the shadow of being Wellington’s dorky best friend. Even when her heart was telling her to speak up she stayed silent. After her friend asks her to sacrifice her time to help him out of a bind, Olivia jumps at the offer, hoping that eventually he sees her as more. Will she ever speak of her love, or will she suffer in silence forever? Wellington has known he’s loved his best friend since she entered his life. He never wanted to be anything except her man, but he knew she wasn’t ready for the type of love he had to offer, nor did he desire to change their friendship forever. When his longing to make her his became too much, Wellington set a plan in motion to make sure the desires of his heart were made clear. Will lying to his best friend win her heart, or will it ruin their friendship forever?

Six Geese a' Slaying


Kathleen Bacus - 2013
    When her grandma’s nemesis, Abigail Winegardner, plans a living nativity, complete with a camel, Tressa’s competitive grandma won’t be outdone. Gammy is determined to create her own living—and molting—“Twelve Days of Christmas” pageant, but her aviary extravaganza is in jeopardy when the stars go missing, turning this holiday into a wild goose chase that’s bound to ruffle more than a few feathers. Will the plucky Tressa track down the missing cast before the curtain rises?

Christmas Cookies and Kissing Bridge - The Four Book Set


Linda West - 2016
    The inhabitants of Kissing Bridge are adorable. I wish I could give it 10 stars!”S.Stevens - Kindle Good BooksIncludes the first four best selling books of Christmas on Kissing Bridge Mountain. Includes, Christmas Kisses and Cookies, Valentine Wishes and Holiday Kisses, Chocolate Kisses and Heartfelt Wishes and Firework Kisses and Summertime wishes. They all take place in magical Kissing Bridge Mountain. All the books are stand alone love novels about a different woman trying to find love against all odds. It is also suitable for young adults and Christians. Sure to make you light up with Christmas spirit!! Look for the Christmas Kisses and Cookies Complete Box Set coming soon. It features a box Set of all 6 books that weaves all your favorite characters together at the end - due out in October 2017 . “Within a matter of pages I was laughing my socks off and immediately fell in love with the slightly crazy Summer … Linda West has such a knack for the humorous side of characters … Her writing style is so upbeat and unique and most of all inspirational!!! I hope to see more of these characters I’ve come to love - can’t wait to see what happens next in the adorable town of Kissing Bridge!”Debbie Dragna"Funny, unique and charming! I laughed out loud! I want to move to Kissing Bridge and live in their world. I loved both the first two in the series but this might be the best yet!!!!" Cheryl Patchett "I have become a huge fan of Linda West! I LOVE her books! This one did not disappoint! I hope the Kissing Bridge series never ends! Just ordered the newest one Firework Kisses and Summertime Wishes. Can't wait to read it!”BeachluverI read this book in 24 hours. It was great getting to know all the characters. You will not be able to stop reading this book! Diane Price This is the set of four books that are laugh out loud funny and clean wholesome love stories! By popular demand we have put them all together! 5.0 out of 5 starsWhat a great book I started this book at 8:30 one night and finished it at 1:00 the next afternoon. It was a book I just could not put down. Can not wait to read the next book in this series. Published 21 days ago by Deena Folsom 5.0 out of 5 starsTasty Fabulously tasty book. I really enjoyed this book. From beginning to end it was smashing. Christmas miracles really do come true. Published 1 month ago by SNOWFLAKE SNOWFLAKE The series starts when Summer Landers, superstar model, finds herself called back to her hometown of Kissing Bridge Mountain. Once she gets home to the holiday crazy town she gets swept up into the manic cookie contest and the need to defend her family's long time legacy. Once there she runs into her long time love and must deal with the hilarious consequences of their past.THE COMPLETE SET OF KISSING BRIDGE COMEDY LOVE STORIESThese books will make you smile!

Santa Claus: The King of the Elves


B.C. Chase - 2014
    The remarkable reality of this wondrous character is not what you might expect: it is a perilous adventure full of the kinds of frightful and extraordinary things you read about in farfetched novels authored by dusty old professors with extremely vivid imaginations. The difference here is that this is not fantasy. Through an extensive, quite dangerous and very expensive venture I have catalogued all the details; thus it is in the following pages that I am able to present, quite faithfully, an accurate narrative of the birth and marvelous triumph of that indomitable spirit who has, through the ages, been the bearer of gifts and magic for young and old and who will always be the greatest champion of that most miraculous of holidays which happily never fails to fall on the 25th of December. Before I continue, however, I must provide a clear warning: the true story of Santa Claus is perilous, indeed. There are no frolicking reindeer, no jingling elves, no tidy ribbons or bows... Santa was a hero, and as such his tale is epic. So if you want to avoid being frightened nearly out of your wits then do not proceed. But if it is your wish, I respectfully give you the true story of Santa Claus.From internationally bestselling author B.C.CHASE comes an imaginatively fantastical take on the man in red featuring fiery dragons, swashbuckling swords, and of course elves. This not-to-be-missed tale of courage, determination, and selfless love has been critically acclaimed as an instant classic destined to be passed down for generations to come.This tale is allegorical in the spirit of The Chronicles of Narnia.

Melodies of Christmas Love: A Boxed Set Collection of Contemporary Christian Christmas Romance Novellas


Lynnette Bonner - 2020
    What is the star of her favorite TV show doing in their tiny Pacific Coast town? Since Wynn is the only medical help for miles around, she has to stitch up his face—and also maybe his heart—all while protecting her own heart from the worldly charmer.Love on a Mission in Millcreek - JoAnn DurginAngelia Ford wonders if she’ll ever live down her unfortunate outburst at the end of the Millcreek Elementary Christmas program. Sixteen years later, she’s home to care for her grandfather and prays the town’s citizens have finally forgiven her youthful indiscretion.Millcreek’s newest resident, Nicholas Sanders, recognizes the beautiful blonde server at the local diner, but it’s clear Angel doesn’t remember him. What better time than the festive holiday season for Nick to reintroduce himself to the girl he’s never forgotten?The Bells of New Cheltenham - Chautona HavigWhen Justine Driscoll decides to enter a short story contest using a Christmas carol as the inspiration, she discovers love in the carols she investigates, in the story an ex-Army guy tells, and in the little tourist town of New Cheltenham.A Christmas Duet - Annette M. IrbyA breakup steals a cellist’s inspiration. How will she create new compositions for her ensemble’s next album? Perhaps the church’s handsome music director could help. Join Kate Fleming and Zach Tillmon as Christmas music brings them together on Whidbey Island, Washington.A Night Divine - Dawn KinzerOne chilly December night, a tragedy connects successful model Camryn Tate and outreach minister Trace Gardner. As they share a common mission serving the homeless on the streets of Seattle, they provide more than food—they offer hope. But as Christmas Eve approaches, secrets have the potential to break Camryn’s heart.To Hear the Angels Sing - Lesley Ann McDanielBeing guardian of her niece isn’t as easy as Devlin Welsh might hope. When her niece is invited to be in a church show, the free childcare is hard to pass up. But when Devlin admits to knowing how to sew, she’s enlisted as costume designer. How will she find the time?One of Jonah Ryan’s favorite parts of his job as worship leader is working on the kids’ Christmas musical. There’s something about the woman who’s volunteering to design costumes this year that gets him thinking. Could there be more to life than music?Prairie Rose - Sylvia StewartFor many years, Rose Morris has lived alone with her dog, Rusty. Mitch Foster, a handsome, un-married neighbor, brings her a bright red geranium, and insists on helping with chores. But who should drive into Rose’s farmyard? The scoundrel husband who had deserted her and her teenaged son years before. Later, a pre-teen runaway, found in her barn, adds his troubles to her own, so Rose decides to re-capture the peace and serenity of Christmas.