“A Holly Jolly Diwali”
By Sonya Lalli
Niki Randhawa is a data analyst in her late 20s living in Seattle with her mother and father. While her rambunctious older sister ran wild, Niki was the good Indian daughter. After unexpectedly losing her job, Niki decides to finally stop being a wallflower watching life from the sidelines. She books a ticket to attend her best friend Diya’s wedding in Mumbai. The week-long extravaganza and chance to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights, is just the adventure she seeks. Most importantly, she will absolutely, positively NOT have a fling with Sam, the heartthrob musician who can’t stop staring at her and is one of Diya’s oldest friends. While their chemistry is undeniable, Niki is terrified of falling in love and having her heart stomped on once again. Swirling through the mesmerizing sights, delectable foods and traditions of this vibrant country, Niki cannot forgo this opportunity to reimagine her entire future.
Sip some Sweet Mango Lassi while imagining Mumbai in this adorable holiday tale.
“The Matzah Ball”
By Jean Meltzer
Rachel Rubenstein-Goldblatt has a secret life. Having grown up on Long Island as the Rabbi’s daughter, she held enormous responsibility as a role model for the other children. A chronic illness diagnosis in college changed Rachel’s life forever. For the past decade she has given up on finding love even though she has become an expert through her very own words. Rachel is an award-winning, closet Christmas romance novelist. She writes under a pseudonym and no one except her very best friend knows the truth. Her home office is filled with Christmas decorations and memorabilia that would make her family plotz. Even though her shelves are filled with dozens of bestsellers, the publishers have demanded their very first Hanukkah romance. Although she adores her heritage, Rachel does not view Hanukkah in a romantic light, eight candles or not. That is until handsome Jacob Greenberg, her camp nemesis and first kiss, waltzes back into town to throw the Matzah Ball event of the season.
Break out the Manischewitz with this laugh-out-loud Hanukkah rom-com.
“Royal Holiday”
By Jasmine Guillory
Vivian Forest has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to accompany her fashion consultant daughter on a business trip during the Christmas holidays. As she rarely ventures out of her box, this single social worker cannot imagine celebrating the holidays anywhere but with her tight-knit family in California. With great effort to be spontaneous, Vivian surrenders to Maddie’s wishes and they are soon off to an adventure to England. When the lovely ladies arrive at a magnificent castle only imagined in fairy tales, Maddie is immediately whisked away to dress the duchess while Vivian is offered a private tour of the grounds by Malcolm Hudson, the private secretary of the Queen. As innocent flirtation with this handsome, intelligent man turns into something more, Vivian is shocked to find herself completely captivated by this stranger and dreading her departure. With courage and faith, shy Vivian learns that middle-aged romance might just be better the second time around.
A cuppa tea for the lady with some mistletoe on the side
“The Holiday Swap”
By Maggie Knox
Charlie Goodwin has an unexpected accident on the set of her reality baking show in Los Angeles. Busy battling her handsome adversary for next season’s coveted spot, this is not the ideal time for a chef to lose both smell and taste. Identical sister Cass lives a few hours away in their hometown, where she runs the family bakery. With Charlie in the spotlight it’s been easy for Cass to ignore her dreams and fill the role of devoted daughter. The critical ending of the baking competition draws near and the girls conspire to switch places, a la The Parent Trap. Taking over each other’s lives proves more complicated than expected. They can handle the baking logistics, but neither anticipated falling in love. The sweet physician’s assistant Miguel, who follows up with Charlie’s injury falls head over heels for Cass — and Charlie kindles her own flames with hot local firefighter Jake Greenman. Is it a recipe for disaster or happily-ever-after as the twins carry out their scheme?
Whip up some Pumpkin Spiced Latte while devouring this delicious drama
“Mistletoe in Paradise”
By Jill Shavis
As kids, Hannah, James and Jason were the best of friends. Their holiday sailing adventures with both families was the highlight of their year. Daring each other to do things they wouldn’t normally dream of, Hannah would literally jump off a cliff (and did!) for the brothers she adored. But time has passed and they’re no longer children. Hannah’s mother, on the brink of divorce, has sent her to deliver the distressing news to her dad, and James is determined to not get his heart trampled again by the only girl he ever loved. No one ever imagined that Jason wouldn’t be there to join them. The weather is perfect and the sunset as beautiful as ever. As this bittersweet Christmas voyage navigates the Caribbean, Hannah and James search for a way to forget the past and steer a course to love again. Don’t miss the boat with this perfectly sweet novella.
Add lots of rum to your eggnog when you set sail with these two lovebirds.
