These stories made my December feel magical
Dec 16, 2025 2:06 pm
Hi friends,
I hope your December is treating you kindly, whether that means a house full of chaos, quiet snow, or somewhere in between. I’m taking a little time to enjoy family, a cup of something warm, and of course, a stack of good books.
Speaking of… here are a couple of stories I’ve been loving lately:
There All Along [Malory Ford] – A small-town, best friends to lovers, Christian romance with a touch of suspense. Mountain Pass book 1.
Dead As A Dodo [Jeannie Wycherley] – An audiobook experience worth a listen. A cozy witch (Harry Potter in London vibe) mystery. No romance yet, but a promising series start.
And if you’re looking for something a little closer to home, my audiobook of ELLIE VS THE NEW YEAR'S KISS is out now! It’s ideal for walks, wrapping presents, or just drifting into a cozy story while everything else waits.
I’ll be keeping my head down, writing the next book, and stealing little moments to savor the season. Whatever your December looks like, I hope you find a little time for yourself—and maybe a story that makes you feel a bit lighter, a bit braver, or a bit warmer.
With quiet joy,
River Ford
More book shares:
Thawing Doctor Ice is a sweet, clean romance that melts even the iciest of hearts.
Dr. Steven Mallory, a talented yet emotionally distant ER doctor, has earned the nickname ‘Doctor Ice’ for his frosty attitude—especially toward women. But when ex-Army nurse Ginger Tolliver comes to the hospital, sparks fly in all the wrong ways. Steven immediately dislikes her … until he finds out she’s his best friend’s sister-in-law and needs his help. Ginger’s fresh start is complicated by an unwelcome shadow from her past—her ex-fiancé, set on winning her back. The last person she expects to come to her rescue is the arrogant doctor who hates her. As walls start to crumble, Steven and Ginger realize that sometimes the most unexpected people can become your biggest support.
A Jane Austen inspired, enemies to lovers romance
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single woman of good judgment can totally trust her first impressions. So when craft brewer Ellis Bourne overhears a handsome winery owner insulting her and her work, she dismisses him as the human equivalent of a skunky beer. Ellis’s business partner wants to retire, so she’s too busy looking for a new one to care what an arrogant wine snob thinks—even if he is gorgeous. Vintner Dean Pembrook has turned avoiding love into an art. He’s only at Bourne Wilde Brewery to ensure his friend doesn’t make a bad business deal—it has nothing to do with a pair of fine eyes. Unfortunately, the more time he spends around Ellis, the more he’s drawn to her. After Dean’s interference leaves Ellis back at square one, she’ll have to find a way to get past her first impressions before she loses more than just a chance at love.
Of Love & Beer is a closed door, contemporary retelling of Pride and Prejudice (no prior knowledge of the book is required) with Hallmark movie vibes and a PG rating for language. Expect a grump with trust issues, a meddlesome family, fiery disagreements, shocking insults, and some satisfying comeuppances, and of course, a HEA.