Thanksgiving and Christmas Seasons @ConstanceBretes #romancegems

 

Of these two holidays, which is your favorite? I happen to love Thanksgiving. I love the late autumn season, and the time for gathering. Thanksgiving is a reminder of family and friends, get togethers and great meals, laughter, joy and football. Yes, I’m a diehard Detroit Lions gal.

This year, I’m cooking Thanksgiving dinner for me, my husband, and our friends, Lisa and Richard. Lisa has to work later in the day, so I like planning something like this for her as she is considered a first-responder, caring for the elderly.

My family is in Michigan, and I miss them a lot, especially around Thanksgiving as we always got together at that time despite our busy schedules.

Another tradition that I miss, my sister and I always took 1 day between Thanksgiving and Christmas to go shopping. We had our Christmas wish list, and hit as many stores as we could. I loved doing that with her, and I miss it, and her.

Christmas the last few years have been a quiet affair with just me and my husband. We spend the day watching television and have a nice ham or turkey meal later. We spend some time in the mornings talking to family and catching up on things. Last year, however, I was pretty sick, and subsequently ended up in the hospital just after Christmas. I was going into kidney failure, and I also ripped the retina in my eye and went blind in my right eye. It was a difficult time, only to be compounded with the coronavirus and the lockdown after the new year. I have much to be thankful for.  I’m still alive, enjoying the holiday season with my husband, and our friends. I have seen a lot of negative things on social media claiming 2020 is the worst year ever, but I refuse to dwell on the bad things that happened and just be glad.

I have 2 holiday books, and 1 book that end on Christmas. They are:  Rekindled Christmas Mystery, The Christmas Ballet, and my favorite book, Book of Love.

Rekindled Christmas Mystery:  Buy Link:  https://books2read.com/u/mBGzwM

Can the cold case murder investigation be solved, and in the process, bring two ex-lovers back together again?

Liz Grey left Sage Brush, Wyoming, and the only man she ever loved, twelve years ago to be a cop in one of the biggest cities in the US. She returned a disgraced cop, and she was lucky to find a position at the county sheriff department. She's kept her head down, staying focused on her work, because she knows if she makes one mistake she'll quickly find herself unemployed.

Aaron Mansfield is a sergeant at the county sheriff substation. When he receives a phone call informing him that a dead body has been discovered on his father's ranch, he has no idea it will change his life.

Just before Christmas Liz and Aaron's lives collide after more than a decade apart. Can they put aside their past to solve a twelve-year-old murder case, and in the process will they find their way back to each other? The spark is still there between them, but Aaron just can't trust, or forgive, the woman who broke his heart without a second thought.

The Christmas Ballet: Buy Link:  http://books2read.com/u/4AY8Ro

Can the joy of Christmas heal the pain of the past?

Laura Hemmingway cut herself off from men and her family when the man she loved married her sister. She moved across the country and was doing just fine until she received a devastating call to return to New York. She had to face the death of her sister, her sister's little girl, Maria, and Maria's father, Stefan—the man she had once loved. She figured she would pay her respects and leave as soon as possible. She never anticipated on the beautiful little girl stealing her heart. And she never expected that seeing Stefan again after twelve years would stir up old feelings.

Stefan's life was complete. He had a successful career as an attorney, a beautiful wife, and an adorable six-year-old daughter. Although him and his wife had been married in name only for the past several years, he cared for her deeply. Then her unexpected death brought him face-to-face with his former lover, and the guilt he'd carried for years.

Stefan is still in love with Laura and wants to give her everything she deserves. He and Maria are racing against time to convince Laura to stay with them in New York.

Can a little girl's love, and the true magic of Christmas, help Stefan convince Laura to stay and give their relationship another chance?

Book of Love:  Buy Link:  http://books2read.com/u/bQBRnd

A librarian, a mechanic, and a psychotic ex. What could go wrong?

When her marriage came to a devastating end, Janice Meyers moved to Montana to try to escape her past and get a fresh start. She's sworn off men, but she didn't anticipate meeting Chris.

After the death of his wife, Chris Jamisen focused all his time and energy on running his auto repair shop and raising his children. He's not looking for love, and when he first meets Janice, the town's new librarian, he never imagines they might embark on a relationship. Sure, he'll admit he finds the smart, sexy blonde attractive, but the frustrating woman expects miracles from him. Her vehicle is practically beyond repair, but she insists he has to keep it running.

As Chris gets to know Janice, he begins to develop feelings for her, but he's reluctant to pursue a relationship. He's Native American, and he worries about the complications of a biracial relationship. He's experienced prejudice first hand, so he knows how difficult it can be.

When Janice's ex-husband shows up seeking revenge, things could reach a horrible end. Will Chris save Janice in time? And will he and Janice be able to set aside their painful pasts and give their relationship a chance?

I hope you all who celebrate the holidays have a wonderful, safe holiday and with this pandemic, be thankful for the little things.

Connie Bretes