Three new books to look forward to this Christmas in July

I don’t really celebrate Christmas in July (I kind of think if we’re going to do a winter Christmassy celebration here in Australia it should probably be in June, around the solstice, no?) BUT I do love a chance to talk about all things festive, ESPECIALLY Christmas books. I think it’s great to have an eye on these a bit early, because if you wait until December I can guarantee you that your opportunity to get through a few merry reads will pass you by.

Today I’m sharing three upcoming Christmas books that will be hitting shelves in October or November this year that I’m particularly looking forward to reading. I’m sure there will be more by the time we get closer to the end of the year – and I’m always open to recommendations – but these are some that have caught my eye already.

12 Tropes of Christmas – an anthology of festive romcom stories

Hello! How good does this look?! Sandy Barker is the author of one of my favourite ever Christmassy romcom novels, so I was THRILLED when I spotted this on her socials today! It’s an anthology of 12 Christmassy stories by romance authors, each based on a different trope. I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to this – it’s out 1 October and I’ve actually preordered it today ($0.99 for the Kindle Edition!).

Here’s the info from the Amazon page:
A dozen ways to fall in love this Christmas!
12 tropes from 12 amazing authors with 12 brand new romance stories.
Whatever your trope, you’ll find a romantic story in this anthology to keep you merry and bright.
From enemies to lovers, best friend’s brothers, friends to lovers. Once married twice shy or maybe just a jilted bride.
Feel the squeeze of forced proximity and the heart-in-your-mouth nerves of a fake date.
Get your fix of reality tv and sports romance, grumpy/ sunshine or bad boy/ good girl.
There are a dozen ways to fill your stockings, from sweet to sassy to outright shocking.
So forget your excuses and find your reason to fall head over heels this festive season!

And from Sandy’s website a bit about her story:

Battle for the Christmas Bonus (Enemies to Lovers)

Brilliant advertising creative, Sophie Christou, has an excellent idea for Thompson & Co’s annual Christmas advert, and is confident she’s got a shot at pitching the winning campaign. The only potential obstacle? Bad Boy Drew Parker, the sharp and savvy work rival Sophie has been secretly lusting after for years.

Drew, who has been taunting Sophie for years to mask his true feelings, knows his concept for the Christmas ad is a slam-dunk. But how can he convince her to be his ‘second’ on the campaign, when she can barely stand the sight of him?

When the winning campaign goes south due to an unforeseen development, how will the rivals set aside their differences – and ignore their growing attraction – to deliver a world-class Christmas advert in time?

Like I’ve said above, this one is out October 1. If you’re after something lovely and festive in the meantime I absolutely recommend Sandy’s The Christmas Swap, which I love and rave about every year. She also has a new romcom out this week (The One That I Want) and plenty more in her backlist to keep your romance reading heart busy!

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Everyone this Christmas has a Secret by Benjamin Stevenson

I feel like this fun festive murder mystery from the author of Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone and Everyone on This Train is a Suspect is going to be HUGE this Christmas. It’s another one that popped up on social media today and I’m really looking forward to checking out. Here’s the info from the publisher’s website:

My name’s Ernest Cunningham. I used to be a fan of reading Golden Age murder mysteries, until I found myself with a haphazard career getting stuck in the middle of real-life ones. I’d hoped, this Christmas, that any self-respecting murderer would kick their feet up and take it easy over the holidays. I was wrong.

So here I am, backstage at the show of world-famous magician Rylan Blaze, whose benefactor has just been murdered. My suspects are all professional tricksters: masters of the art of misdirection.

THE MAGICIAN
THE ASSISTANT
THE EXECUTIVE
THE HYPNOTIST
THE TWIN
THE COUNSELLOR
THE TECH

My clues are even more abstract: A suspect covered in blood, without a memory of how it got there; A murder committed without setting foot inside the room where it happens; And an advent calendar. Because, you know, it’s Christmas.

If I can see through the illusions, I know I can solve it.

After all, a good murder is just like a magic trick, isn’t it?

Doesn’t that sound fab? Everyone this Christmas has a Secret is out from Penguin books on 22 October.

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I’ll be Home for Mischief by Jacqueline Frost

I really enjoy the Christmas Tree Farm Mysteries by Jacquline Frost so I’m always thrilled when a new one pops up. This year’s offering is I’ll be Home for Mischief, and I have no doubt that it will be full of the same festive cosy mystery vibes as I’ve loved in its predecessors. Here’s the blurb:

It’s Christmastime in Mistletoe, Maine, and the Historical Society has launched a widespread campaign to celebrate the town’s 150th anniversary. Descendants of the founding family, the Snows, have returned for the first time, and Holly is determined to make the family’s visit magical. In an attempt to put Mistletoe on the map, Holly’s mother, a respected local baker, attempts to break a record by baking the world’s largest gingerbread man, but her plans are whisked away when Mr. Snow’s body ends up in the batter. 

When Mr. Moore, the local mistletoe farmer, is accused of the crime, Holly reprises her role as amateur sleuth to protect the sweet older man. Between hosting the inconsolable Mrs. Snow and other guests at the inn, receiving threatening messages telling her to stop her investigation, and preparing for her first wedding anniversary with Sheriff Evan Gray, she might need a Christmas miracle to survive.

When someone breaks into Holly’s office and scratches a warning into her desk, she knows she has little time left. Can Holly uncover the killer before someone else gets burned, or is her involvement a recipe for trouble?

This is the fifth book in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series and is out from Crooked Lane Books (who have kindly provided me a review copy via NetGalley) on 12 November – I’ve reviewed some of the previous installments here:
– ‘Twas the Knife Before Christmas
– Stalking Around the Christmas Tree

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I’d love to know if any of these have caught your eye, or if you’ve picked up some Christmas in July reads this month!

xo Bron