Prime Time for Christmas Romances by Caroline Clemmons

Christmas romances are some of my favorite stories to read—and to write—this time of year. There is just something about twinkle lights, cold noses, and warm hearts that makes happily-ever-afters feel even sweeter. Today I want to share three authors whose Christmas romances help make the season bright: Liz Flaherty, Joan Reeves, and, yes, yours truly.


Liz Flaherty writes the kind of small-town holiday romances that feel like stepping into a cozy kitchen where someone’s just pulled sugar cookies from the oven. Her Christmas stories often take place in snowy little towns where everyone knows your name and your business, but they also know when you need an extra dose of kindness. Her characters are usually ordinary folks—widows, shopkeepers, people starting over—who find second chances at love under wreaths and mistletoe, and that gentle hope is exactly what many of us want in December.


Joan Reeves brings a lively, often sassy energy to her Christmas romances that always makes me smile. Her stories tend to blend humor and heart, usually set in contemporary Texas or other welcoming small towns where trouble brews right alongside the hot chocolate. You’ll find heroines who are determined not to fall for the handsome man next door and heroes who have to work hard to earn their happy ending, all while Christmas decorations go up, holiday parties swirl, and love sneaks in when nobody’s looking.

My own Christmas romances usually include at least a touch of Texas—sometimes modern, sometimes straight out of the Old West. Over the years I’ve written stand-alone Christmas stories and novellas featuring everything from guardian angels and mistaken identities to ranchers, teachers, and brave women who think love has passed them by. No matter the setting, I always come back to the same themes: redemption, found family, and the way one December can change a life, whether in a frontier town or a contemporary small community where everyone brings a casserole and an opinion.


What ties all these authors together is the belief that Christmas is a season of second chances. In Liz Flaherty’s snow-dusted streets, Joan Reeves’s witty Texas tangles, or my own cowboys and courageous heroines, love arrives right when it is needed most. If you are looking for stories to curl up with as the days grow shorter, I hope you’ll visit Liz, Joan, and me in our Christmas worlds—and let our characters keep you company by the tree.

Chasing Shadows by Cat Jameson

Chasing Shadows

 by Cat Jameson

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Book Blurb:

Annie O’Toole is a St. Louis Public Defender, passionate about fighting for the underdog and determined to prove herself as the badass trial lawyer she knows she can be.  Getting assigned to defend the kid charged with shooting billionaire businessman, Michael Grayson, is a big step up for her career. At least until the hot guy she seduced at the Justice for All Ball shows up at her office in response to her deposition subpoena. Turns out the sexy stranger who introduced himself only as ‘Mick’, the guy she’s been fantasizing about since slipping away while he slept — is none other than Michael Grayson. 

 

She’s horrified. He’s furious. He thinks she set him up. She thinks he’s an arrogant ass in a Savile Row suit. Sparks, intrigue, and bullets fly in a mix of swoon and suspense as the two battle each other, the bad guys, and an off-limits attraction neither can ignore. When the evidence leads back into Michael’s inner corporate circle, the two are plunged into a world of international intrigue, corporate espionage, and murder — with a side dish of unresolved family drama as Annie is forced to turn to the only expert in corporate intrigue she knows, her own uber-wealthy, estranged grandmother.  Now all she has to do is solve the case, escape her grandmother’s plans to take over her life (again), and save her client, her career, and the man whose lifestyle she despises . . . and whose touch she can’t forget.  

 Excerpt:

“So why are you moping around like somebody killed your dog? I mean Darrow's okay, right?”  

“Darrow is fine. I am fine. Everyone is fine,” Annie snapped. Then unable to stop herself, the rest bubbled out, fast and frustrated. “You want to know why I'm moping around? I’ll tell you why I’m moping around. I met the man of my dreams and had the most spectacular sex of my life.”  

Jonathan choked on his iced coffee.  

Annie plunged on, staring morosely into her latte. “I don’t know his name, where he lives, where he works, or have any way to contact him. He doesn’t know my name, where I live, or have any way to contact me. We're two barges passing on that damn river. One headed upstream, one down. Doomed to never meet again.”  

“Whoa…” Jonathan wheezed, sucking air back into his lungs. “What the hell are you talking about?”  

She dumped the whole spectacular, sordid story. To his credit, he listened without interrupting until she slumped back in her chair and drained the last of her latte.   

Then he said, “So that's it? That's what you've been moping around about for two weeks?” She sighed again and nodded.   

“Okay.”   

She waited for the follow-up, but it never came.   

“That's it? Just, ‘okay?’”  

“What do you want me to say?”  

“I don't know. Something.”  

“Look. You’re not dying, your dog’s not dying, nobody’s dying. You hooked up with some guy, had a great time, and are wishing you could do it again. Postcoital depression. I get it.” He grinned and wiggled his eyebrows. “But if you are in need of… relief… I am willing to sacrifice myself for the cause.”   

She threw a sugar packet at him. “It’s not just about getting laid, asshole—and even if it was, your train left this station years ago and it’s not coming back.”   

He shrugged. “Not my fault you missed your chance.”   

She glared. “And not mine that our one kiss had all the spark of a wet firework.”  

He wagged a finger at her. “I happen to be a great kisser. I can give you a long list of references to back that up.”  

She held up a hand. “Spare me your resume, Romeo. Been there, done that. And that assessment was mutual, if you recall.”  

He shrugged. “Truth. But I’m still willing to help out a friend in a pinch.”   

She rolled her eyes.   

He dropped the teasing. “So, what’s got you so wrapped up about this guy?”  

She stared out the window, mulling the question. Finally, she said, “Remember the Fourth of July fireworks over the Mississippi—that incredible grand finale set to classical music performed by the symphony?”   

One eyebrow lifted. “Yeah…”  

“It was that.”  

“Well, shit.”  

“Exactly.”  

Author Bio:

Why do I write romance? Romance novels got me through law school. Admittedly, they weren’t much help in learning Torts or Tax Law, but when that last exam of each semester was done and I emerged from the law library blinking in the sunlight like Punxsutawny Phil on Groundhog Day, romance novels made me whole.  I’d devour them, one after another, letting my bruised and abused brain cells rest and recoup in the warm bath of a well-written romance. 

 

When I became a criminal defense lawyer and my crazy hours shifted from the law library to jails, prisons, and courtrooms — romance novels balanced the grit of my everydays.  High stakes and suspense make for great stories, but actually living them? Let’s just say I needed those happily-ever-afters more than ever. I owe romance novels for picking me up off the ground more times than I count. So, when I got the chance to actually WRITE them?  How could I not jump at that? 

 

I’ve been writing stories since I was a kid.  (Totally freaked out my mom when she found one of my early creations and mistook it for a diary entry and . . . well obviously, my ‘life’ contained a lot more drama than she’d ever noticed. Ha!) And of course, I’ve spent a lot of years writing legal briefs and law journal articles. (Woot! Or . . . er . . . not.) But the chance to write for FUN?  I’m SOOOOOO in. 

 

So here we are: My Chapter Three.  (Oh, did I forget to mention the whole owning-a-metaphysical-bookstore in there, too?  Yeah, that was Chapter Two. So, murder and magic — my two careers to date! I mean, really. How can there NOT be a novel in there?) 

 

Anyway, I’m so very glad to have you along for the ride and the reads. Whatever stuff is going on in your lives, may my books make your days a little bit brighter, calmer, funnier, sexier, more happily-ever-after-er — like so many of the authors I relied on did for me.  After all, life is all about paying it forward, right?? 

 

Adult Pastimes for Leisure in 1880s Texas by Caroline Clemmons

 When we picture life in 1880s Texas, it’s easy to imagine endless days of chores, cattle work, and tending the homestead. It’s true that work was a defining feature of frontier life, but adults in those days eagerly carved out time for relaxation and fun. After all, even hardworking pioneers needed a way to unwind, make connections, and add a spark of joy to daily routines. 

Social Gatherings and Community Events 

For most adults, leisure time meant gathering with neighbors and friends. Community socials—held at church, the schoolhouse, or someone’s barn—were the highlight of many folks’ weeks. Dances (“frolics” or “hoedowns”) featured lively fiddle music and plenty of home-cooked food, with couples twirling under lanterns until late. Quilting bees or barn raisings doubled as work and fun, offering a chance for conversation and camaraderie. 

Music and Storytelling 

Music was woven into the fabric of leisure life. Many homes had a harmonica, banjo, or fiddle, and impromptu jams were as common as the Texas breeze. Storytelling, too, was a cherished pastime: both tall tales and true accounts of pioneer adventures were shared around the fire, passing wisdom, laughter, and local legends from generation to generation. 

Card Games, Board Games, and Parlor Entertainments 

When work was done, adults enjoyed simple games—playing cards like whist, euchre, or poker; dominoes; or homemade boards for checkers. For more formal occasions, parlor games (such as charades or “blind man’s bluff”) brought neighbors together. Reading aloud from favorite books or newspapers offered relaxation and, sometimes, lively discussion. 

The Great Outdoors: Hunting, Fishing, and Horseback Rides 

Texas adults embraced the outdoors—not just for work, but for pleasure. Hunting, fishing, and horseback rides let pioneers reconnect with nature, test their skills, and find peace in solitude or the company of close friends. Picnics by the creek or “going visiting” to a neighboring ranch often involved a basket of treats and an afternoon enjoying the countryside. 

Clubs, Societies, and Civic Life 

As towns and communities grew, so did opportunities for organized leisure. Men’s fraternal lodges, ladies’ sewing circles, temperance societies, and literary clubs provided intellectual stimulation and a strong sense of belonging. Membership offered adults a chance to contribute, learn, and celebrate together. 

Reflection and Restoration 

Finally, frontier folks were skilled at finding smaller moments of relaxation: sipping coffee on the porch, listening to birds, or simply pausing to admire a sunset. Faith and personal contemplation were important, and many journals from the period mention prayer, reading, or letter writing as restorative pastimes. 

Final Thoughts 

While daily life in 1880s Texas required grit and resilience, adults still made time for fun, friendship, and creativity—and their traditions continue to inspire. As you pause for Thanksgiving this week, remember to take a moment to contemplate your blessings.  Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. 

Christmas Cookies at the Cat Café A Furrever Friends Sweet Romance By Kris Bock

Christmas Cookies at the Cat Café

A Furrever Friends Sweet Romance 

By Kris Bock 

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Book Blurb:

Christmas isn’t the same since Diane’s kids grew up and her husband died – so when her high school sweetheart comes back to town, maybe it’s time for some cozy new holiday traditions. 

Diane had a great marriage and a wonderful life. Now she’s a widow at 53, and her grown children are encouraging her to slow down and do less – but she wants more. She starts planning for a new career by arranging a photo shoot at the cat café her daughters run. Unfortunately, the cats won’t cooperate. 

Rick loved Diane in high school, but he chose to travel the world while she settled down with another man. Now he’s back for a visit, but he’s not planning to stay – even if Diane still tugs at him. He’ll help her get what she wants from life, and then he’ll say goodbye. 

Rick temps Diane to quit her job, sell her house, and travel. But she can’t leave the people she loves so dearly, the family that might still need her just a little bit. Diane tempts Rick to end his wandering ways, but he can’t simply step into the hole left by her husband’s death. As the weeks pass from Thanksgiving to Christmas, the holiday season brings out complicated emotions. 

Can Diane and Rick find a way to make a new life together while holding onto the best parts of the past? They'll need more than attraction and affection. They might even need a Christmas miracle. 

The Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series features the workers and customers at a small-town cat café, and the adorable cats and kittens looking for their forever homes. Each book is a complete story with a happy ending for one couple (and maybe more than one rescued cat). 

Excerpt:

The cat did not want to wear a hat. 

   “Come on, Miles, it’s for your own good,” Diane muttered. “I’m not trying to insult your feline dignity. I’m trying to find you a forever home. Wouldn’t that be nice?” 

   Once again, Diane got the cat settled on a table against the autumn backdrop. Miles seemed perfectly content to sit there and watch the proceedings. But as soon as Diane tried to put the sunflower hat on the cat’s head, he dropped and flailed as if touched by flaming thorns rather than soft felt. Miles wrestled with the hat as Diane rushed to wake up her cell phone. Maybe she could get something cute, with the cat chewing a sunflower petal. 

   Diane aimed the camera. The hat sailed to the floor. 

   Miles leapt off the table, streaked across the room, climbed one of the cat trees, and calmly perched on a platform staring out the window, pointedly ignoring her. 

   “That Cat in the Hat book is nonsense,” Diane said. “I used to get a diaper on a squirming baby in under a minute. You’d think I could get one cat to wear a lousy hat or at least pose nicely.” 

   Diane slumped into a chair and sighed. This had seemed like such a good idea. Many animal rescues reported higher adoption rates after professional photo shoots. Instead of posting pictures of the dirty, matted, cringing creatures they first brought in, they waited until the dog or cat had been groomed and any health issues addressed. They gave the animal time to relax and get used to being around people. Then they took a nice studio portrait of the calm cat or grinning dog.  

   It was basic psychology. It wasn’t that people didn’t care about the animals that suffered the most; they simply wanted to envision their future with a happy, loving pet. Great photos helped potential adopters see what was possible. 

   A series of holiday photo shoots should have been winners. Make the cats extra cute, and they might clear the shelter before New Year’s Day. 

   The cats didn’t seem to appreciate her brilliant idea. 

   She picked up her coffee, which was now lukewarm, and took a sip as she studied the room. She’d already attempted to take pictures of five of their residents, and the rest were getting skittish as they picked up on their companions’ nervousness. Maybe she should quit for the day. She still had to put the paintings back on the walls and clean up her supplies. 

   But getting three of the paintings propped up where she wanted to photograph the cats had been tricky. She hated to waste the morning entirely. She looked around for one more candidate.  

   A tapping came at the window. Diane turned toward it, but with the glare, she could only make out a bulky silhouette. She got the impression of a man with broad shoulders, but with the heavy winter coats everyone was wearing after the cold snap earlier in the week, she couldn’t say for sure. It didn’t look like either of her daughter’s husbands, and they both had keys anyway. 

   She crossed to the window. Would she be able to convey the message that the café didn’t open for another sixteen minutes? 

   As she neared the window, she caught the glare at a different angle. She still couldn’t see the person clearly, but a jolt of recognition hit her like a punch to the gut. 

   She did know this man. Had known him for a long time, or at least had known him well long ago. But she couldn’t yet name him, as her mind hadn’t caught up to what her gut knew. 

   The bright winter sunlight lit up a pom-pom on top of a jaunty knit cap in rainbow colors. It took a certain type of man to wear a hat like that in public, and the prickle of recognition deepened. 

   She shifted and bobbed her head, trying to get a clear view. He leaned closer to the window, grinned, and waved. 

   The breath left her lungs. Of course. Rick. How many years had it been since she’d last seen him? They’d been closest in high school, bonding in a photography class and dating for almost two years, until he graduated a year ahead of her. He’d been her first love. But that was thirty years ago – no, more like thirty-five. When he graduated, he left to see the world. He hadn’t asked her to wait for him. He probably knew then his journeys would take him years to complete, maybe a lifetime. Still, she had waited, optimistically, for six months. 

   Then she met Patrick. They fell in love. They shared the same dreams: family, a home, work in the small town where they’d grown up. They’d had two beautiful daughters and a good life until he died suddenly, far too young. They were coming up on the second anniversary of his death. 

   Memories crashed over her. The grief, the loss, the affection for both men. The dreams lived and the dreams never explored. 

   She gave herself a little shake and blinked to clear her eyes. Diane was good at holding back all the messy feelings and only showing the world what she wanted people to see. She could think about everything later. For now, one thought jumped to the front of her mind. 

   Rick was a professional photographer. He’d had photo essays in National Geographic – people, wildlife. If anyone could help her figure out how to corral a few playful house cats, it was Rick. 

   She smiled, waved back, and went to answer the door. 

Author Bio:

Kris Bock writes romance, mystery, and suspense. Her Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series features the employees and customers at a cat café. Watch as they fall in love with each other and shelter cats. Get a free 30-page story set in the world of the Furrever Friends cat café when you sign up for Kris Bock’s Romance and Mystery newsletter. You’ll also get a printable copy of “22 recipes from the cat café” and a free Accidental Detective mystery short story with bonus material. 

In the Accidental Billionaire Cowboys series, a Texas ranching family wins a billion-dollar lottery. Can they build new dreams and find love amidst the chaos? In the Reluctantly Psychic Mystery series, a quirky loner who can read the history of any object with her touch gets drawn into mysteries at the museum of oddities where she works. In the Accidental Detective humorous mystery series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty. Learn more at KrisBock.com.  

 Kris also writes a series with her brother, scriptwriter Douglas J Eboch, who wrote the original screenplay for the movie Sweet Home Alabama. The Felony Melanie series follows the crazy antics of Melanie, Jake, and their friends a decade before the events of the movie. Find the books on Amazon US or All E-book retailers. 

Website 
Universal Amazon link 
GoodReads Author Page 
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Kris on BlueSky