CHRISTMAS MUSINGS WITH MIRANDA

Dear readers, it's never too early to start your Christmas reading, IMHO. And is it just me, or is there an absolute plethora of Christmas books flooding the market this year? When I first started doing the Christmas blog there were a few Christmassy books every December. Now, whoa, stand aside before the ho-ho-ho-ing sleighs you into oblivion! (See what I did there?) I made an enormous list of all the titles I wanted to tell you about, but you'd be in Yawnsville instead of the North Pole if I went down that path.

So now - and forgive me, I haven't read all of these books, but definitely will - I've narrowed my ridiculously long list down to my Top Picks. By the time you read this I've hopefully read over half, if not more. Okay, deep breath, hang on and here we ho-ho-go!

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I'll start with the Aussies, yes? Four beloved Aussie authors deliver festive fare in A Country Practice Christmas: a physio (and a cake war, yum), a vet, a psychologist and a nurse. Just, ooh. Take a bow, Stella Quinn, Penelope Janu, Pamela Cook and Renae Black. I love love love this!

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More Aussies! Fan favourites Fiona McArthur, Barbara Hannay and Kelly Hunter have teamed up in a terrific Outback Christmas trilogy. Pictured is Fiona's book The Midwife's Christmas Miracle. Barbara's is called One Starry Christmas Night, and Kelly has The Outback Cowboy's Christmas Baby. This powerhouse trio just keep delivering the best series ever - they are so swoonworthy and so, so tender. With babies. We do need babies at Christmas, don't we? 

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I can't wait to read We Three Kings by Kristen Bailey, a new to me author. It sounds like a festive, feel-good, fun romance, with three geeky work buddies brightening up their IT department head's Christmas (which may or may not involve chasing a donkey on Christmas day). I'm told it's perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella and Beth O'Leary, two other fave authors of mine.

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I've loved Julia London for years (and years and years). While It Was Snowing looks rather special. Single mum Amy's trying to find time to paint for her new exhibition, but time demands on her by everyone (kids, her ex, parents) mean - wow, is she ever going to get everything done? She books into a holiday cottage to 'just' paint but a snafu occurs: professional golfer Harrison is also there recovering from an injury. And they get snowed in. Hmm. And there's a dog, always a plus.

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All Together For Christmas by Sarah Morgan is the Christmas romance you didn't know you needed, with a big dose of family festiveness, chaos and big ol' love. For those headed to US sites, the book retails as A Merry Little Lie. I do enjoy the way Sarah writes relationships. And there's another dog. It wouldn't be Christmas without a new Sarah Morgan! 

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Ditto for a new Trisha Ashley! I cannot tell you how many happy hours I've spent with Trisha at Christmas, and I'm planning on setting aside plenty of time - 'retreating' - for The Christmas Retreat, whisked away to a writer and artist's retreat on a tiny English coastal village for Christmas. Sounds like heaven. If I know Trisha Ashley, there will also be amazing treats to eat, gorgeous people around, and  definitely romance in the (freezing) air. Can't wait.

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Those of you who know me also know it wouldn't be Christmas without another Melody Carlson, who's so written so many books it's dizzying. Bravo! She writes books with a clear faith message that always touches the heart, and I'm expecting Once Upon A Christmas Carol to be full of this same inspiration. This book - excitingly - has Dickens' A Christmas Carol themes. Dear reader, I'm in.

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And speaking of A Christmas Carol themes, I've been sideswiped by Good Spirits by BK Borison. Look at that stunning cover! You all - you all - will fall in love with Nolan, the Ghost of Christmas Past. Including Harriet, an antique shop owner who, well, isn't exactly grumpy old Scrooge. This is a small-town warm fuzzy read that will totally get you into the Christmas spirit. Go on, indulge.

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Another bit of holiday magic happens in our dear friend Debbie Macomber's book A Ferry Merry Christmas. Quick enough to read in an afternoon, this is a story of two siblings unexpectedly counting their blessings when a ferry break-down almost halts their festivities. There is a Christmas miracle, and there is romance. Sigh. 

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I read Love Story by Lindsey Kelk earlier this year, and was highly entertained by the snappy repartee and situations that were poignant but rom-com funny. When I saw Christmas Fling by her I could not resist. It's all about Laura being mistaken for a mystery girlfriend and swept off to the Scottish Highlands with Callum and his whole family (instead of a solo Christmas at home). What could possibly go wrong? Loads, actually. This was merry mayhem!

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Aussie Kandy Shepherd's new Christmas book Second Chance Under the Mistletoe is a stunning second chance at love story, and is absolutely drenched in the romance of London at Christmas. I loved walking the markets with Natalie and Jon (and got a few good tips about gifts, actually). Achingly tender, you'll definitely have high hopes these two find their way back together. And there is a Christmas baby! 

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Another deliciously kissable baby. The Rancher's Mistletoe Baby by Jill Kemerer is perfect for those who enjoy an unexpected baby surprise (me) and a lovely message of faith (also me). Aww, look at that sweet little face. The book's the beginning of a new series set in Wyoming, so lots more specialness to come if (when) you get hooked!

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But wait, where's the Historicals, you say? Ta-da! Winter Rogue by Emma V Leech, a new to me author, looks such fun. Our intrepid heroine proposes a marriage of convenience to an infamous earl. One of my favourite tropes, a marriage of convenience! We all know Christmas will (probably?) work its romantic magic, but still. Sigh.

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The Christmas Book Flood by Roseanna M White (another new to me author) is set in Iceland, December 1944, towards the end of WWII. A publishing house extends itself in the Christmas rush for more books - anything to brighten up the bleakness and rationing of that year. In the middle of it all author Tatiana falls in love with kind editor Anders. This is the origin of Jolobokaflod, Iceland's Christmas book flood - which I totally wish happened here. I could cope with curling up with hot chocolate while I read (and gift) new books every Christmas Eve. I might have to sit under the air con in Oz, but - new books!

Well done, you made it to the end. I hope you find some fab festive reading in the above. 

We at Breathless in the Bush wish all our readers a very merry Christmas and a wonderful new year! Be kind to each other, and may you be blessed, safe and happy.

Signing off until next year with oodles of love (and good reading) from my house to yours, 

Miranda xxx

LOVE TO LOVE: Christmas. Such a wonderful time of year. And Christmas romance is the best.

LOVE TO LAUGH: Well, that's easy. I laugh at all the crazy videos where cats climb the Christmas tree and wreak havoc with baubles batted all over the house. I might have had a cat (cough, looking at you, Tess, miss you heaps) who did exactly that. 

LOVE TO LEARN: Always, always love to learn what you're reading. Let me know in the comments!

Miranda's Christmas Musings!

 Tra la la la la, la la la la...! 

Dearest readers (I've got this mad impulse to say 'Dearest gentle readers', imitating you know who - Lady W I'm looking at you), it's been a while! So here I am to spread a bit of Christmas cheer. 

Somehow or other Life seems to have gotten in the way of my reading this last month, which is when I start glomming everything with words in the title like Christmas, season, holiday, merry, mistletoe, sugar plum, holiday, etc. So - le sigh - I haven't read as much as I normally have. But never fear! I have suggestions on top of suggestions for you, and I suspect I'm going to be reading Christmas books all January... Oh the bliss.

First up in my Christmas suggestions is One Big Happy Family by Susan Mallery. This is gorgeous. The story of widowed mum Julie whose adult children decide to skip Christmas at the family holiday house - and Julie's thrilled. Because unbeknown to said children, she's got a much younger boyfriend she's planning on getting to know away from family eyes. But best laid plans and all that, suddenly everyone decides that they will get together. So what will become of Julie and Heath, still feeling their way? So much Christmas gorgeousness in this one, and some very relatable funny family moments.

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The Christmas Cottage by Sarah Morgan (or in the US, The Holiday Cottage) is a charming book about fairly uptight, work-focused, affection-starved Imogen having a bombshell dropped at her feet. A literal gasp-worthy bombshell. Trust me, it's a lot. But, you know, it's Christmas, and the warm fuzzies of the season plus a very handsome vet (and a dog) do help defrost her. So heart-warming, I loved this book.

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Anne Gracie previously published her novella Wish Upon A Christmas Candle as The Virtuous Widow, but she's revamped it so beautifully I think you need to read it all over again. A lovely story about a widow and her child, and the stranger that changes their lives. Miracles truly happen at Christmas. And just look at that gorgeous cover.

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I always read Debbie Macomber's annual Christmas book, and A Christmas Duet played out beautifully. (See what I did there?) Such a tender story about a woman working out her dream. Delightfully, her sister also has her own romance. Bonus! There's music, hot chocolate, hot guys, and lots of Christmas cosiness here. 

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All I Want For Christmas by Karen Swan was the first I've read by this author. It was actually an impulse borrow from the Christmas display in my local library. Don't know about you, but I adore my local library! Happy to report it won't be my last by Karen Swan. A fab book set in Copenhagen (which is what caught my interest in the first place), with a mystery about a newly discovered painting and a will-they, won't-they romance. And just wow, the stunning cover is what initially caught my eye. So glad it did.

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The Merry Matchmaker by Sheila Roberts takes a leaf out of Jane Austen's Emma. Widowed Frankie can't stop trying to matchmake everyone around her - with, cough, wildly varied results. So many merry mishaps and mistakes! And my goodness, who's waiting patiently for her, right under her nose? A book with a huge heart.

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I know we're all time poor at Christmas, what with extravaganzas to attend, shopping, things to bake, decorations to put up and such. So why not grab an anthology, so you can read a slightly shorter story and still keep that Christmas vibe happening? 

I recommend:

12 Tropes of Christmas is an absolute treasure trove of Aussie authors married with 12 popular romance tropes for your delectation, such as friends to lovers, grumpy/sunshine, jilted bride. You name it, this anthology has got it, plus Christmas. It's just so much fun. I can't pick a favourite, it was fantastic to happily submerse myself - then discover a brand new fave trope I didn't even know I loved with each new story. And, you're welcome. You're going to love these festive romcoms.

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Mistletoe Season has another three short stories to get you into the Christmas spirit. Look, you deserve a break from all your busy-ness. Sit down, grab your beverage (which might well be a iced something for Aussies, or a hot something for the northern hemisphere, or something with a kick in it, um, just because), and have a bliss bomb pick-me-up with this book. The stories are wonderful.

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For those that enjoy an inspirational Christmas romance, Finding Love At Christmas is perfect. 12 Christmas novellas with faith at their hearts, including fan favourite authors Toni Shiloh and Jan Thompson. So very lovely. 

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Last but definitely not least, the Aussie anthology A Country Farm Christmas is just endless delight. Beloved Australian authors Lily Malone, Penelope Janu, Stella Quinn and Pamela Cook have teamed up to bring us Christmas stories from Australian country farms. And if you missed last year's A Country Vet Christmas with the same fab four authors plus Alissa Callen, simply choose both books to discover your new Aussie favourite. Win, win, win, win, win - win, win, win, win...

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What a swoon-worthy line-up of festive fare to keep you going over the holidays. I could go on, I've got - counting - approximately 25 other books to come, including the much-anticipated Must Love Mistletoe by Kelly Hunter. I'm settling down now in my happy place to read, with Christmas lights twinkling in the background, tinsel everywhere, and Christmas cards on display. Quite frankly, I can't think of anything nicer. 

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Happy reading, lovely readers. I wish you a merry Christmas and a safe and wonderful new year filled with books, books, and more books. And chocolate, of course. Be kind to each other and hug your precious ones. See you next year!

With much love from Miranda xxx

Love to Love:

Believe it or not, I love reading cosy crime as well as romance at Christmas. I can happily suggest for your enjoyment: Everyone This Christmas Has A Secret by Benjamin Stevenson, Murder Under the Mistletoe by the Rev. Richard Coles, and The Mistletoe Mystery by Nita Prose.

Love to Laugh:

At little videos of cats climbing the Christmas tree...and the trees 'fainting'. I used to find Christmas tree branches down and baubles all over the house when I had my beloved puss. 

Love to Learn:

What you're reading, especially if it's a festive romance! Please report back! 

CHRISTMAS BOOKS! A wonderful time of year!

Hello, my darlings! It's been too too long! Lovely to be back here on Breathless to bring you my bumper Christmas reading suggestions - and we're spoilt for choice.  

Let's dive into what I've already enjoyed.

I know I'm super-duper predictable, but Debbie Macomber always makes my Top Ten (Top Eleven this year). Her novella Jack Frost was a gorgeous start to Christmas reading with a grumpy/sunshine pairing. When Jack and Lindsay get accidentally locked into their work Christmas party when everyone leaves, Jack is totally a super grump. But only at first... Enjoy!

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I'm sure you read The Christmas Bookshop by the Scottish author Jenny Colgan last year. Did you worry that Carmen's relationship needed a bit more resolution at the end? Fear not, here is the sequel, Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop. It's worth reading both books because they're all about saving Mr McCredie's old bookshop, and that booky story thread is utterly fab and quite funny in parts. Set in snowy Edinburgh, it makes me want to go back there. 

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I was thrilled when I found The Twelve Dogs of Christmas by Susan Wiggs in my library! Who could resist those furry little faces? Christmas-hating Brenda gets roped into driving twelve rescue dogs across the US to their new owners for Christmas. What could possibly go wrong? Unfortunately something does...and hot single dad paramedic Adam comes to the rescue. Can he change Brenda's mind about Christmas? And wow, all those dogs involve some lovely mini stories too. A must for dog lovers and actually, everyone.

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Do you know, so many many lists of favourite Christmas romances include Rosamunde Pilcher's Winter Solstice. It's also continually listed as a comfort read, 'one I reread every Christmas', 'on my keeper shelf' and so on. I decided to read it myself this year, and now I totally get what everyone is talking about. It is gorgeous, my friends, about a group of people who've made some right and wrong choices in their lives, even had tragedy occur, but they bravely struggle on and eventually all end up together one snowy Christmas. Oh my dears, there's so much love in this book it will fill your heart. 

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Back to Sydney, Australia, and beautiful Manly Beach, which features highly in Belinda Williams' new novella The Christmas Escape. It might be a shorter book but it is mighty, tackling the problems of long distance relationships. Do they really work or is it all too hard? Well, cough, if you came all the way from England and met Jaz, professional surfer, single father and cafe owner, you might be inclined to change your mind. 

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We all know and love Mary Jo Putney, and she's given us a kitten for Christmas, in her new novella The Christmas Tart. We so need kittens at Christmas, and also need the very nice new baronet Sir Philip Selbourne. Yes, please (gets stocking ready...). This one's quick enough to read in a sitting, the perfect length in this busy time. 

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Hang in there, five final Christmas books. I haven't read these, but December's looking excellent to do so.

I've just started Kandy Shepherd's Mistletoe Magic in Tahiti, so by the time this post goes live I'll be sitting in a HEA cloud at the end; Kandy is always swoon-worthily romantic. This is part 1 of The Christmas Pact Trilogy featuring three sisters, so go right ahead and indulge in them all: Cinderella's Costa Rican Adventure, and Snowbound Reunion in Japan. Tahiti! Costa Rica! Japan! They all sound fabulous, don't they? Love Christmas 'done' in a different country... 

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We'll Never Have Paris by Adriana Anders. This is described as another grumpy/sunshine book (I cannot get enough of these) when the grump (a Welshman) and the sunshine (an American) get stuck in an elevator on Christmas Eve. But seriously: Paris! On Christmas Eve! Say no more! 

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For those who love a hot Christmas, and vets, this is high on my TBR: A Country Vet Christmas by five - count 'em, five beloved Aussie authors: Lily Malone, Alissa Callen, Penelope Janu, Pamela Cook and Stella Quinn. What a fabulous anthology for a very modest price. 667 pages of great reading ahead, I can't wait. Fellow Breathless blogger Enisa Haines mentioned this in her column last month, but it's such great value I'm going to recommend it again. 

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This definitely has to go on my Christmas list: The Book Club Hotel by Sarah Morgan, which also goes by the title The Christmas Book Club in the UK. I listened to her audiobook Snowed In For Christmas last year, and absolutely loved it, so I'm downloading this one too. I really enjoy a good audiobook, they bring the stories alive.

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Last but definitely not least - and probably not the last (cough) on account of all I can see in my Kindle are more and more and more Christmas books - I found this charming inspirational romance, The Doctor's Christmas Dilemma by a new-to-me author, Danielle Thorne. I'm really looking forward to it: a second chance of love with a bit of faith thrown in. Sounds perfect.

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So that's me, folks. Be kind to each other, be generous, be loving, be safe. And of course read as much as you can. May your Christmas be full of booky goodness and lazy days to enjoy it all. See you in 2024!

With love for a happy Christmas and a wonderful new year,

Miranda xx

Love to Love:

I guess we all know I'm going to say, Christmas romance!

Love to Laugh:

...and cry, through all the delightful Christmas movies now screening. So much Christmas festiveness and hot chocolate and wow, emotion.

Love to Learn:

What is special to you at Christmas. To me it's family, faith, friends, fun, and love. Always love. And food! You?

MIRANDA'S CHRISTMAS MUSINGS

Hello my darlings, it's CHRISTMAS! I just love it: the music, the tree, decorations and lights, the excited faces on the children (and maybe a few adults, eg. me), church, the food, oh my gosh, the food, social get togethers, romantic Christmas movies (definitely addicted), the gifts and cards, oh my. I'm a total Christmas tragic. You?

I always start my Christmas reading early. It gets me in the mood and totally sparks joy, so why not? Here's six of the best festive reads I've found (and there's heaps more waiting on my Kindle).

I truly loved The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber. You all know I love her annual Christmas story, and this one kicked off the spirit of the season for me. Two single friends, Peter - a small town pastor, and Hank - a pub owner, impulsively decide to 'swap jobs' just before Christmas, each convinced they work harder than the other, and maybe a little concerned their busy lives have prevented them from finding romance. Ha! Cue frantic-ness with two lovely romances to enjoy.  

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One Christmas Knight by Kathleen Creighton is a blast from the past, first published in 1997 but making a charming comeback. It's a sweet story about a pregnant woman who - yes, you guessed it - goes into sudden labour when she's driving through a blizzard. A soft-hearted trucker stops to help, and he is totally fabulous the way he copes. All the love here! A baby and Christmas!

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Scrooge and the Girls Next Door by Melanie Jacobson was LOL fun, a wonderful grumpy/sunshine Christmas story. The grump is awful at the beginning, totally uptight, but I'm pleased to report there's much less grump by the end. Imagine my delight when I realised this is a series, I'm totally getting the other stories. Loved this one so big.

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Snowed In For Christmas by Sarah Morgan is an absolute delight. Get a big extended family and various assorted others and snow them into a big Scottish mansion at Christmas, and it's a recipe for disaster. No, wait, a recipe for romance, right? RIGHT? Ha, read it and see. All the feels in this one. I do love Sarah Morgan's ability to make me care so much. Ah, Christmas. 💝

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I promised you six books, but wow, I confess that Life Has Rushed Past and I still have two more I'm absolutely dying to read before Christmas. Think I'll make it? The first is Mistletoe Kisses by Nana Malone, and isn't the cover absolutely divine? A brooding billionaire (nice) gives our heroine a reason to love Christmas after she's been dumped by some loser we don't need to care about. Yes please. 

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I've been hearing a lot of buzz about Viola Shipman, so I've just picked up his book A Wish For Winter. According to the blurb, it's a book for people who love books about books, missed connections and the magic of Christmas. With a mysterious Santa in there somewhere. Tick, tick, tick, tick, wow, can't wait.

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Because I can, I'm going to add one extra. Many of you know Robin Lee Hatcher for her stunning award-winning book The Shepherd's Voice. It's how I discovered her, and I've been a faithful reader ever since. So, ta-da! here's A Carol For Christmas. I'm so looking forward to it.

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Ah, readers. So many books, so little time, but I hope and pray you do have time to sit down and enjoy some festive reading. You deserve it! Give yourself a little Christmas gift: read a book.

Be kind, be careful, be the best you can be. 

Merry Christmas precious people, and may you have a bright, shining Happy New Year!

Love from Miranda xxxx

I love to love:    you guessed it, ALL the Christmas romances. 

I love to laugh:  at unexpected humour in books. Scrooge and the Girls Next Door did that to me.

I love to learn:   what your fave Christmas authors/romances are. Do tell!

MIRANDA'S CHRISTMAS MUSINGS!

 Well, hello my darlings, long time no see! I'm delighted to be back with you and chatting about my absolute favourite thing: CHRISTMAS BOOKS! Christmas is tremendously special for me, and combining the love of the season with romance is a complete winner. I've got ten special books to share, so I'm going to dive straight in.

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DEAR SANTA by Debbie Macomber is a lovely way to kick off your festive reading; I always enjoy her Christmas books. How many of you remember writing letters to Santa when you were little, with a wish list? How many wishes came true? Lindy Carmichael's just had her heart broken - then her mother gives her all her old Santa letters, and Lindy realises sometimes Christmas wishes do come true, with a little help from you-know-who. No, not Voldemort, of course I mean Santa!

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Fancy a cowboy for Christmas? Don't we all! Vicki Lewis Thompson gifts us the scorching novella It's Christmas, Cowboy, and we do need to pop this in our Christmas stocking. With the always-poignant trope of second-chance-at-love, old school friends Tucker and Lacey reconnect. And boy howdy, do they ever! This is fast and furious, so if you've only got a short break, choose this.

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And speaking of cowboys - ranchers - ranch builders - Kelly Hunter's Must Love Christmas is totally fabulous, one of my 5 star reads this year. Seth Casey is such a dream hero, strong and rugged and sexy and capable and, well, also nice. Madeline is the rich girl who owns the ranch he wants to own, and she says no to his offer to buy it. I thought this might degenerate into a fight (sorry Kelly, I should've known better), but they're both so heroic it turns out to be a heart-grabbing romance. The scene on Christmas Day here is enough to move even the stoniest of Christmas scrooges (sniff). 

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Rebecca Raisin is a new-to-me author this year, and I read the two books loosely linked to Flora's Travelling Christmas Shop and loved them: Rosie's Travelling Tea Shop and Aria's Travelling Book Shop. Both were terrific, especially the latter (it's about books!). I couldn't resist the third one, set in the most fairytale of all places at Christmas: Lapland! I'm not kidding. With reindeer and snow and hot chocolate and omigosh the food, and Christmas trees and, cough, Connor, a bit of a Christmas grinch. Flora's about the sort that out, quick smart. This is a gentle romance, and it's sparkly with tinsel and glitter and everything Christmassy.

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From Lapland to Edinburgh! I discovered Jenny Colgan last year, and she combines warm humour and romance with festive fun and food: a complete reader seduction. When you add in the booky setting for The Christmas Bookshop, it's winning all the way. At first I wasn't sure if I was going to like Carmen: she was aimless and a bit thoughtless. When her mother and sister foist her into a pretty hopeless destined-to-fail job at the bookstore, it takes a while for Carmen to shine. But, happily, shine she does, and just in time for Christmas. The romance is a little bit different, and the quirky characters totally capture your heart. 

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Sweet Christmas Secrets is a stunning anthology with ten festive Regency stories written by ten Aussie authors. Kudos to them all! I had a fabulous time reading my way through the lushly romantic stories. Every one is just long enough to sit and enjoy as a mini break in-between all your Christmas busyness. They each feature a letter and/or a secret, and there are many misunderstandings and broken hearts before we get our happy ending. What a Christmas bliss bomb.

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While we're in Regency mode, treat yourself to the charming novella A Christmas Love Redeemed, by fan favourite Alison Stuart. It's a second-chance-at-love story, and it's simply lovely. Another one to enjoy with a quick hot chocolate and a fruit mince pie. Our hero is French (swoon) and the heroine English, so that leads to high tension when the hero is caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. Such a special treat.

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Who can resist the two sweet cherubs on the cover of Their Yuletide Healing? Not I! This is another new-to-me author, Mindy Obenhaus, who writes for Harlequin Love Inspired, a series where faith is a main element in the books. Have to say, faith and Christmas sort of go together, and also reconciliation and forgiveness and healing. Here the town Scrooge suddenly finds his guarded, lonely heart invaded by these two little foster kids and their foster mom. Just. Beautiful. 

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It truly is a pleasure to read another Christmas story from Sarah Morgan, and The Christmas Escape is marvellous. And, again, shock, off we go to Lapland! Is the Universe telling me something? Do I need to book an escape to Lapland? (Yes. The answer is obviously yes.) It's not just snow and the cold and festivities, however. This is a deeply moving story of a little family in crisis, of reconciliation, and a zinger do-I-hate-you-or-love-you? romance. (Spoiler: love. The answer is obviously love.) 

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I've been told the cover of Trisha Ashley's book One More Christmas at the Castle is all glittery and gorgeous, so it almost seemed sacrilegious to read it on my Kindle. I wanted all that razzle dazzle in my hands, sigh. But any which way you read this book you'll love it. You'll also put on weight just reading about the lavish food, oh my. I have no idea how these characters stayed trim. All that walking in the snow? An elderly widow invites a few key people from her family and friends - and the Heavenly Houseparty catering company - to mastermind her last Christmas at the castle (bit sad). The burning question is who will inherit, but I kept getting distracted by the Christmas cake and cheese straws and...never mind. Not one but two romances here, so terrific, and a fabulous cast of characters. And I'm not going to mention decorations or the food any more. Although there was the mulled wine and the mistletoe...no. A wonderful book that happily wallowed in Christmas from beginning to end, and it made me happy. I now want to live in a castle and have Heavenly Houseparties cater for me, forever. Enjoy.

So that's my little list. Happily I have many, many more also ready to go, including my annual reread of the classic A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. If you click on the link you'll see I've indulged in a very special new edition. 

Merry Christmas, dear readers. May your festive time be merry and bright, and I hope Santa brings you some wonderful reading.

Do stay safe and well, and hug your precious ones tight.

Loads of love from Miranda xxx

Love to love: Christmas! Everything and all things Christmassy!

Love to laugh: I'm a bit like Cassandra Samuels, I love funny Christmas movies.

Love to learn: What are you reading? And some last minute hot tips for the Christmas stockings? Please tell? Pop it all in the comments. below.