Tales Post – Christmas and December Reads

It’s December the 1st already?!  Where has the year gone?  Still so much Christmas shopping to be done!  I thought I would take 5 minutes to share with you the Christmas books I will be (trying) to read over December and the Christmas period and are guaranteed to put me in the Christmas spirit.  I may be being a teeny weeny bit ambitious here as I have some review books to also read in December, but you can’t blame a girl for trying.  Plus I have two weeks off from work over Christmas so I’m sure I can fit in many a Christmas read over this time.  As always reviews will follow.  Also there is a special Christmas Tree feature towards the bottom on the page.

An ill-timed storm on Christmas Eve buries the residents of Gracetown under multiple feet of snow and causes quite a bit of chaos. One brave soul ventures out into the storm from her stranded train and sets off a chain of events that will change quite a few lives. Over the next three days one girl takes a risky shortcut with an adorable stranger, three friends set out to win a race to the Waffle House (and the hash brown spoils), and the fate of a teacup pig falls into the hands of a lovesick barista.

A trio of today’s bestselling authors – John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle – brings all the magic of holidays to life in three hilarious and charming interconnected tales of love, romance, and kisses that will steal your breath away.

A beautiful story about the magic of childhood Christmas memories, the strength of family and falling in love when you least expect it. Fans of Carole Matthews, Susan Wiggs and Scarlett Bailey – and anyone who loves the sound of Christmas songs and the sparkle of decorations on the tree – will adore this festive holiday treat! Everyone loves Christmas – don’t they? Carrie Blake loves her job as a nanny but, while her friends are settling down, all of Carrie’s spare time is spent with other people’s families. Though it breaks her heart, her New Year’s resolution is to embark on a new career and fix her love life. As Carrie starts her last job, she’s sure she’ll be going out on a high – the house is amazing, the kids are adorable, and she’s in charge of decorating the tree! The only problem could be her boss… single-dad, Adam Fletcher might be both handsome and successful, but he’s always working. Doesn’t he realise he’s missing out on precious moments with his son and daughter? As Adam’s family arrive for Christmas including his sensitive sister, Sharon, and his fun-loving, elderly Grandpa, Walter, Carrie realises that she might just have found the perfect allies in her quest to persuade Adam to loosen up. There’s still time for Carrie to make this the best Christmas ever… after all, Christmas is the time for miracles, isn’t it? Let the festivities begin!

A collection of joyful festive stories that will keep you warm during the cold winter months

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me . . .

This beautiful collection features twelve gorgeously romantic stories set during the festive period, by some of the most talented and exciting YA authors writing today. The stories are filled with the magic of first love and the magic of the holidays.

Check out my review here

Or my Q&A with one of the authors from the book Matt de la Pena here

Brenna’s not dreaming of a white Christmas… As a professional skier she’s already had too many to count!

Brenna’s more concerned about finally spending the season with the man she’s loved as long as she can remember – her best friend Tyler.

Single dad Tyler is determined to make sure his daughter, Jess, has the best Christmas ever. He can’t afford to be distracted by Brenna moving into his family’s snow-capped ski resort. Especially as that mistletoe magic has him looking at Brenna in a whole new light.

Until a surprise kiss means the relationship Brenna’s always dreamed of feels so close she could almost touch it.

Could this be the Christmas her dreams of a happy-ever-after finally come true?

‘The horror on the train, great though it may turn out to be, will not compare with the horror that exists here, in this house.’ On Christmas Eve, heavy snowfall brings a train to a halt near the village of Hemmersby. Several passengers take shelter in a deserted country house, where the fire has been lit and the table laid for tea – but no one is at home. Trapped together for Christmas, the passengers are seeking to unravel the secrets of the empty house when a murderer strikes in their midst.

The first short story in the fun & flirty #LoveLondon series from exciting new chick lit author Nikki Moore!

There’s nothing Holly Winterlake loves more than Christmas and skating, so working as an Ice Marshall at London’s Somerset House is a dream come true.

Noel Summerford hates the festive season and is a disaster on the ice, so taking his godson to Somerset House is his idea of the nightmare before Christmas!

Things are bound to get interesting when these two collide…

With a forty foot Christmas tree, an assortment of well meaning friends and relatives, and a mad chocolate Labrador, will this festive season be one to remember … or forget?

In our house we now have our Christmas tree (s) up (3 trees this year!) and all of our decorations.  The Christmas tree is in the window sparkling in all of its glory and my son, Corey, couldn’t be more proud.

However since seeing wonderful author Robin Stevens Christmas tree and decorations the hunt is definitely on for the best ever Christmas Bauble!  Check out Robin’s tree and decorations which are super cool!  I’m definitely on the look out for some of these!

Also please don’t forget Jim from YA Yeah Yeah ‘s #indieadvent !  Join in the conversation using the hashtag and look out for daily guest posts on Jim’s blog from fabulous bloggers celebrating independent bookshops this Christmas.

Have a wonderful Christmas guys!