Tuesday, October 13, 2026

A Date with Santa by Debbie Macombe

A Date with Santa

Book Summary

Romance blooms when an unlikely couple plans to surprise a child in need of some Christmas magic in this sparkling holiday romance from #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber.

For single career woman Sage Madison, Christmas means premade cookies and artificial trees. But when her sister needs her help, Sage volunteers to care for her five-year-old nephew, Ricky.

Determined to give Ricky a memorable Christmas, Sage enlists help from her assistant and close friend, Erica, who loves kids, and her colleague Ethan, who agrees to dress up as Santa—if Sage and Ricky join him in holiday fun to get in the spirit.

As Sage navigates the challenges of caring for her nephew and the prospect of romance with Ethan, she begins to discover the true magic of the season. Ethan’s bond with Ricky and his kindness toward Sage bring unexpected joy and new adventures—filled with ice skating, baking, and a sense of fulfillment she never expected.

But when her old life threatens to interfere with the festivities, Sage must decide what she truly wants before the season’s magic slips away.

My Thoughts

Pour the cocoa, cue the carols, and get ready for a cozy holiday treat with A Date with Santa by Debbie Macomber! Macomber has a wonderful way of drawing readers into a story through her engaging writing style, vivid descriptions, relatable characters, and charming small-town setting. I especially enjoyed Clare’s nephew, Ricky, whose visit gives Clare the chance to truly experience the holidays for the first time in years.

It was delightful that Ricky wanted everything done a certain way—and, of course, the easy way simply would not do! The humor sprinkled throughout added to the fun, and I got a good chuckle out of the fire scene because I use my oven for a similar purpose. A Date with Santa is an uplifting, feel-good story that left me ready to deck the halls, decorate my Christmas tree, and hum carols all the way to Christmas!

Watching for Santa

Santa’s making a special delivery to your reading list! You can pick up Debbie Macomber’s A Date with Santa from Amazon. If sweet, clean romance makes your season merry and bright, be sure to explore her other holiday tales as well as her beloved Blossom Street series. I’ll be back tomorrow, October 14, with Dockside Secrets by Terry Overton, the first book in The Finley Burke Mysteries. To make the visit even more exciting, there will be a giveaway for an Amazon gift card! Until then, may your day be delightful, your cocoa be warm, and your next great read be wrapped in holiday cheer!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book. I am not required to leave a review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Friday, October 9, 2026

Murder on 34th Street by Mariah Fredericks

Murder on 34th Street

Book Summary

From the author of The Girl in the Green Dress comes a delightful and captivating novel about a fictional murder mystery at the iconic Macy's parade leading up to the holidays in historic New York City.

New York, 1932. Grace Verlander is the secret beating heart of Macy’s. She’s the “assistant to the assistant to the someone who’s in charge”, the go-to person for keeping everything running smoothly behind-the-scenes at the famous, bustling store.

It’s not every day you get a letter from Santa Claus, but three days before the Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Day Parade, Grace arrives at work to find a note from the store Santa Claus in her locker: someone has sent him a death threat. Shocked, Grace promises to look into it and speaks to the store detective about the parade’s security, confident that they’ve found a solution that will keep everyone safe. But on the day of the parade, despite all their precautions, a dead body is found on one of the floats.

Using her wits and deep knowledge of the ways of the place, Grace is determined to find the killer and seek justice—not just for the dead man, but to save the reputation of this iconic store from ruin.

Steeped in glittering glamor and nostalgic wonder, this is a remarkable, unpredictable mystery set in the evocative world of one of New York’s most memorable institutions.

My Thoughts

Murder on 34th Street by Mariah Fredericks is a delightful holiday mystery where festive sparkle, sharp sleuthing, and danger meet beneath the lights of an iconic department store. Set in the early twentieth century, the novel blends historical atmosphere, humor, suspense, and seasonal warmth, while the bustling retail setting reveals the era’s social dynamics and the limitations placed on women.

Catherine is a clever, determined heroine whose perspective gives the investigation energy and heart. Fredericks’ accessible prose, vivid period details, and well-drawn supporting cast create an engaging mystery for readers who enjoy spirited heroines and seasonal intrigue with a touch of darkness. For a mystery wrapped in history and tied with a festive bow, Murder on 34th Street is a gift worth unwrapping.

Ready to add a little mystery to your reading list? Murder on 34th Street is available from Amazon, and you can discover Mariah Fredericks’s The Girl in the Green Dress along with her other novels on her Amazon author page. I’ll be back on Tuesday, October 13, to feature Debbie Macomber’s latest holiday tale, A Date with Santa. Until next week, may your weekend be cozy, cheerful, and filled with plenty of delightful chapters!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book. I am not required to leave a review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Thursday, October 8, 2026

Coordinates of Death by Darlene L. Turner

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Coordinates of Death by Darlene L. Turner, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Coordinates of Death
Series: Arctic Protectors #2
Author: Darlene L. Turner
Publisher: Love Inspired Trade
Release Date: October 6, 2026
Genre: Romantic Thriller

A police officer will do anything to catch the serial killer that got away—even if it means playing a deadly game in the icy wilderness.

Sweetwood Falls, Yukon, has seen too much terror for one small town. Corporal Aurora Hunt still blames herself for not catching the Shadow Box Killer before five women lost their lives. The killings stopped two years ago, and her colleagues believe the murderer is dead. But Aurora isn’t convinced.

A chilling discovery on a winter’s morning confirms her fears. The crime scene is all too familiar—a woman’s mutilated body, and beneath it, a box containing a gruesome souvenir. But this time, there’s a special message, daring Aurora to play a game that will lead her into the wilderness to try and save the next victim.

Canadian Watcher Squad survivalist Kordell Greene is part of the past that Aurora has tried to put behind her. He’s also the only person equipped to guide her through this deadly terrain. But somehow, the killer knows all their secrets. Solving cryptic clues as they battle the elements, Aurora and Kordell must confront dark truths they’ve withheld, even from each other. And always, the Shadow Box Killer is one step ahead, drawing them deeper into a twisted game where the slightest mistake may be their last.

About the Author

Darlene L. Turner is a New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestselling author known for her high-octane stories and riveting twists. Sparked by Nancy Drew, she’s turned her love of solving mysteries into her writing, believing readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message. Dubbed “the plaid queen” for her love of everything plaid, Darlene resides with her husband Jeff in Ontario, Canada. You can connect with Darlene at www.darlenelturner.com where there’s suspense beyond borders.

My Thoughts

Some thrillers keep you guessing—Coordinates of Death kept me reading long past bedtime, with only my very insistent cat able to break the spell. Darlene Turner delivers a riveting blend of fast-paced investigation, emotional depth, cryptic puzzles, nail-biting suspense, and just the right touch of romance. Corporal Aurora Hunt is a strong, relatable heroine carrying the weight of past mistakes, and her partnership with survivalist Kordell Greene adds both tension and heart as they learn how much they must trust each other to survive. I especially enjoyed watching the characters grow as the danger intensified. Cleverly plotted and richly layered, the story balances chilling suspense with warmth, faith, and hope woven gently throughout. If you love a suspense novel with heart, danger, and a puzzle that pulls you in, this one is well worth losing sleep over.

Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a $25 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 6, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 13, 2026. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Let’s wrap up the week with a thrilling stack of mysteries and a little giveaway fun! Coordinates of Death is available from Amazon, along with Echoes of Darkness. Looking ahead, Darlene L. Turner’s Missing in the Mountains, featuring a female smoke jumper, arrives April 27, 2027. On Friday, October 9, I’ll be featuring Mariah Fredericks’s merry mystery, Murder on 34th Street. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway for your chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card—because every great reading week deserves a prize-worthy final chapter!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book. I am not required to leave a review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Wednesday, October 7, 2026

Belle's Christmas Carol by Michelle Griep

Belle's Christmas Carol

About the Book

Book: Belle’s Christmas Carol

Author: Michelle Griep

Genre: Inspirational Historical Romance

Release Date: September 1, 2026

While all of London waits for snow, an orphanage in need holds holiday cheer, sparks of love, and secrets waiting to be discovered.

When Ebeneezer Scrooge’s former fiancée, Belle Beaumont, unexpectedly inherits a struggling London orphanage, she dreams of giving the children of Haven House the most splendid Christmas they’ve ever known. But her vision of snowflakes and merriment quickly collides with reality: Fire damage has rendered part of the building unsafe, and the paperwork is years behind.

Barrister Rafe Munro is fighting to clear an innocent man and searching for a child, who may be his relative. His pursuit leads him to Haven House, where Rafe offers to help Belle sort through the chaotic records that might lead to the missing child. Amid the mayhem of running an orphanage full of mischievous children and eccentric staff, will Belle and Rafe find love and the answers they seek this holiday season?

With characters from Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, this festive historical romance Christmas novella of family and second chances from Michelle Griep is set in Victorian England and perfect for fans of Julie Klassen and Mimi Matthews.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Michelle Griep is an award-winning author known for her captivating historical romances. With a keen eye for detail, she pens tales that transport readers to the past where they’ll experience romance, adventure, and unforgettable characters. When she’s not writing, you can find her in her garden scaring away armadillos.

More from Michelle

Why I Gave Scrooge’s Belle Her Own Christmas Carol

Guest post by Michelle Griep

I’ve always been suspicious of characters who appear just long enough to break your heart and then vanish without so much as a forwarding address. Belle from A Christmas Carol is one of those.

Scrooge, of course, gets the full treatment. Ghosts. Doom. Moral terror. A dramatic overnight transformation. Turkey delivery. The works. And yes, yes, it’s all very moving. But Belle? Come on. All she gets is one aching goodbye and then is shoved neatly into Scrooge’s past. So, excuse me, Mr. Dickens, but I have questions.

What became of the woman who loved Ebenezer before greed got to him? Did she regret walking away? Did Christmas ever sting? Did she build a fine, sensible life or did some little corner of her heart still ache for him or not? That wondering became Belle's Christmas Carol.

In my story, Belle Beaumont unexpectedly inherits Haven House, a struggling London orphanage with fire damage, muddled ledgers, eccentric staff, and children who are more than rambunctious. Naturally, Belle decides she will set everything to rights and give the children the most splendid Christmas imaginable because—like me—apparently the woman has never heard of pacing herself.

Then along comes Rafe Munro, a handsome barrister searching for a missing child, and Belle’s tidy plans start to change. Oh, did I mention he’s single? That’s because I wanted Belle to be more than Scrooge’s lost love. I wanted her to have grit, flaws, hope, purpose, and a future all her own.

Because sometimes the story doesn’t end with goodbye. Sometimes that’s where the real story begins.

My Thoughts

Ring the bells and settle in for a story sparkling with Christmas charm! Belle’s Christmas Carol by Michelle Griep is an endearing novella that captures the warmth and wonder of a Dickensian Christmas while exploring love, faith, and human resilience. Griep fills the tale with memorable, multidimensional characters—from mischievous Cricket and swoon-worthy Rafe to the delightfully eccentric caretakers—whose humor and tenderness enrich every scene. Belle Beaumont shines at the center of the tale, her compassion, resilience, and unwavering integrity giving the story its heart. I especially enjoyed seeing Griep reimagine Belle’s life beyond Scrooge while retaining the story’s Dickensian charm and giving Belle the joyful ending she deserves. With its winning blend of comedy, romance, faith, Victorian flair, and holiday cheer, this heartwarming tale is a merry little gift for the Christmas season!

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Michelle is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of the book!! Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click here to enter. Good Luck!

Deck the shelves with a little holiday reading cheer! Michelle Griep’s Belle’s Christmas Carol is available from Amazon. If you enjoy historical novels, be sure to explore the author’s other delightful tales as well. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway! I’ll be back on Thursday, October 8, to feature Darlene L. Turner’s Coordinates of Death—and there will be another giveaway. Until then, may your days be merry, bright, and filled with wonderful books!

Kris

The Avid Reader