A Collection of Christmas Books 

I begin reading Christmas books by November 1. I keep my Kindle editions in a separate file, purchase them throughout the year as they come up for free or drastically discounted, and read them for the holiday season. This year, I have 350 in the collection that covers all holidays. Obviously, I won't read them all now, but I'll choose the ones that appeal to me most and save the others for another year.

But I also have a collection of Christmas books I've written. Many of my books contain Christmas, but here are a few I feel concentrate on the special time most. Three are specifically written for Christmas: A Christmas Snow for Sadie and Lily and Andrea, both in the Christmas Quilt Brides series. By the way, quilts are another special interest of mine. I used to be an avid quilter before my arthritis became worse, and I started writing so prolifically and passionately. I must say, these are three of my favorite holiday books. 

Another good holiday series is the Old-timey Holiday Kitchen. I have five books in it: Walnut Cake by Wylene, Sauerkraut Cake by Sophie, Forget-Me-Not Cookes by Fern, Upside -Down Cakes by Dana, and Fruitcake by Fran. Each one has a family Christmas and includes the recipe of the featured food. Most of these are family recipes handed down from my mother. 

Another book with a Christmas setting I want to mention specifically is Candace in the Runaway Brides of the West series. Although the series isn't oriented toward the holidays, my book takes place during that time of the year when Candace hides out in a mountain man's wagon to escape an unfathomable situation and spends the winter in a cabin high up in the Rockies. It has been a favorite of readers and has received some great reviews. 

In Willa's Woes, Willa becomes a mail-order bride and moves to South Dakota. There she experiences the infamous winter of 1880-81, known as "The Hard Winter" or "The Long Winter," the one chronicled by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Snow piled higher than rooftops, forcing farmers to tunnel through drifts just to reach their barns. Isolated by relentless blizzards, Willa's first Christmas was anything but ordinary.

And last, I'd like to mention my book that publishes on December 5. Annie's Uncle is a wonderful story of a new schoolteacher in North Dakota and the challenges she faces. However, despite an overbearing school board, unruly students, troubled parents, the Dakota weather, and confusing feelings for Annie's uncle, her Christmas turns out to be one of the best in recent memories. Annie's Uncle is available for preorder now. I hope you will take a look at all these books and consider getting a few for your holiday reading.

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