Christmas Romances

When I was a little kid, there was a rule in my house that there would be no Christmas anything until the day after Thanksgiving. No talk of trees or presents, no candy cane shaped cookies, and no Christmas music being played. In the decades since, the world has started to celebrate the holiday (or at least the consumption it brings) earlier and earlier. Now it seems we start the whole process about twenty minutes after Labor Day. Although I confess I have most of my holiday shopping done, I do like to save something to mark the Thanksgiving weekend transition from one holiday to another, so I usually pick out a Christmas themed book to read. If you haven’t yet reached the point of “Bah Humbug” but would still like an escape from the mall and the traffic, try one of these romances:

Nora Roberts seems to have a book for all seasons, and over the years she has published many Christmas themed stories. The MacGregor Brides and The MacGregor Grooms all have at least one holiday story in these interrelated tales of the much loved MacGregor clan. Gabriel’s Angel and The Gift are reprints of some of the author’s most loved Silhouette romances.

Debbie Macomber always provides a heartwarming tale laced with humor. If you are in the mood for a gentle read, pick up The Christmas Letters, Glad Tidings, The Christmas Basket, or There’s Something About Christmas.

If you want to avoid even a mention of the mall, escape to Christmas Past with these historicals: Marry Christmas by Jane Goodger, Christmas Countess by Adrienne Basso, or Seduction at Christmas by Cathy Maxwell.

At busy times of year, it’s nice to be able to finish a story in one sitting, so anthologies are good to have around. Silver Bells and Santa Baby feature contemporary tales by favorite authors including Fern Michaels, JoAnn Ross, Jennifer Crusie and Carly Philips. Snowy Night with a Stranger is a trio of historical romances by Jane Feather, Sabrina Jeffries, and Julia London.

And if you thought that the words “Paranormal” and “Christmas” don’t go together, pick up One Silent Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon, who proves that even Dark Hunters celebrate the holidays.