A Southern Christmas Anthology

by Susan Sands, Sinclair Jayne, Laurie Beach

Tule Publishing (November 14, 2024)

Small Town Romance/Contemporary Romance/Holiday Romance

Blurb(s):

A Georgia Christmas by Susan Sands

Christmas in Moonshine, Georgia is salon owner Merilee Bell’s favorite season. She might still be single in her mid- thirties, but she’s finally content, proud of her business and herself as she’s made strides to make peace with her past. And then just at closing time, a tall, dark and handsome new deputy enters her shop, and everything seems poised to change.

Weeks before Christmas, Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent, Randy Slade arrives in Moonshine posing as Moonshine’s newest deputy for an undercover sting to catch a group of high-tech property thieves. Only the sheriff is aware of his true identity, but from the moment he meets Merilee, who trades a haircut for free parking, he’s smitten by her smile and warm, friendly manner. Unfortunately, she also has a rental property perfectly suited for his undercover operation.

Randy doesn’t want to lie, but he has a duty to keep citizens safe, including Merilee. Can he do his job and still celebrate a small town southern Christmas, and maybe more with his dream girl?

 

A Taste of Christmas Magic by Sinclair Jayne

This Christmas, he just might believe in a little magic…

Rustin Wildish furiously left Belmont North Carolina as a teen to make his reputation in the culinary world. Over twelve years later, he’s back in the town that where the founding family of Mayes once branded him a worthless bad boy.  Intent to show them how wrong they were, he buys the local diner—considered an institution—from his former mentor and boss, Miss Millie Maye and transforms. Success will be his revenge as the Maye’s and other ‘upstanding families,’ are forced to eat their words and so much more. But then the youngest Maye daughter asks him for help, and he inexplicably says yes.

This Christmas Chloe Maye has finally bitten off far more than she can chew. She’s agreed to organize The Maye family’s annual fundraiser–a movable feast where historic downtown homes are open to the public and each serve one course of a lavish meal. Chloe can’t cook so armed with a historic handwritten cookbook she mysteriously finds in a mini library outside her Grandma Millie’s home, she approaches Rustin for help. She’s always crushed on him and is thrilled he’s back.

But when Rustin, who ignored her their entire childhood, takes a bite from the meal she cooks under his exacting supervision, the unthinkable happens. He falls head over heels in love…

A Saltwater Christmas by Laurie Beach

Christmas is a time of miracles–but is it magical enough to change a person’s mind?

Allie Westley’s Christmas will be a bit different this year. She’s taken a big step to move away from Nashville to Goose Island, South Carolina, to pursue her dream of becoming a wine enologist, and she’s not tripping over this chance to make a break from her family, either. She’ll spend December 25 doing her own thing. Although the beach might be cold, it is the perfect place for new traditions.

But she was also counting on her new roommate, Sam Clare, to be a sister she never had. Instead, Sam is an ex-military man now working as a paramedic. Even his dog, Buttercup, is part wolf. Yet he turns out to be the most understanding person in her new world, despite the fact that she’s declared him her enemy.

As the season’s activities bring them together, Allie uncovers several details her new circle of friends weren’t forthcoming about. But will the secret Sam’s keeping break her heart or mend what she didn’t realize was broken?

BUY LINKS

A Southern Christmas – Tule Publishing Group |

 

REVIEW

All three are quick, easy to read novellas set at Christmas time in small towns.

A Georgia Christmas – Easy to read, well written novella. Undercover agent Randy comes to town to catch property thieves. Merilee is a successful salon owner and is making amends from her “mean girl” ways when she was younger. The two hit it off. I liked their chemistry and banter. 4 star

A Taste of Christmas Magic – Chloe is a very different female main character which was a bit refreshing. She’s bit of an oddball, bit of an outcast, and acts randomly. Rustin had a hard childhood and returned to town as a successful restaurant owner/chef. Rustin gives Chloe some cooking tips which in turns gives her self-confidence. Chloe is full of ideas for Rustin’s new restaurant, and she eventually gets him in the Christmas spirit.  3 stars

  A Saltwater Christmas – Not my favorite of the three novellas; did not enjoy the main female character until the very end. Allie has just moved to Goose Island and is determined not to celebrate Christmas. She is hurt over the loss of her father and a recent break up. Her new roommate is not who she was expecting, as he’s a male not a female. Sam is very patient and handles Allies moods perfectly. I really did not enjoy Allie’s character and the way she acted with Sam which took away my enjoyment of the story. Others may enjoy though so worth a read.

Reviewed by Comfy Chair Books/Lisa Reigel (October 29, 2024)

eARC provided by publisher for review

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