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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Some of the Best Christmas Reads Coming in 2020

by Chautona Havig ·

Look out for some of the best Christmas reads available now and coming this fall... and it's just the tip of the Christmas tree! via @chautonahavig

After several failed attempts to get this episode out all month, it’s here… some of my favorite Christmas books, the books others recommended to me, and some of the exciting new and best Christmas reads coming this fall!

From older books I rarely see people mention, to some people always recommend to me, and especially some of the exciting collections coming this  Christmas (lots of books for a tiny price or “FREE” on Kindle Unlimited–affiliate link), What more can we ask for?

Single books, series, collections–this episode has it all.

Note: some links may be affiliate links that provide me with a commission at no extra expense to you

Some of the Best Christmas Reads Coming in 2020

Some of the Best Christmas Reads Coming in 2020

First up: some of my favorite Christmas books–ones I recommend you read this year!

Contemporary:

Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball

  • Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball— Donita K. Paul
  • Snow Angels & Hope for the Holidays by Cathe Swanson. She writes delightful characters with quirky and eccentric elderly and snarky fun for others.
  •  Love, Laughter, and Luminarias —Jaycee Weaver
  • 12 Days of Snowmen (think I said it wrong in the podcast)—Monzon
  • Gingerbread Treasures by Rebekah Jones
  • Sincerely, Jem by Kate Willis
  • Like a Winter Snow  (a semi-sequel” to Secrets of Paper and Ink)—Lindsay Harrell
  • Christmas at the Red Door Inn with Liz Johnson
  • A Caffeine Conundrum— Angela Strong. Hilarious. Must-read romantic mystery
  • Melody Carlson and Karen Kingsbury both have really sweet Christmas books—fluffy but that’s always a nice thing about Christmas fiction—you can take it fluffy then.

the hope of christmasHistorical:

  • A Very Austen Christmas (If you like Regency and Austen, this is a fun way to have quick reads that way)
  • Michelle Griep’s books, 12 Days at Bleakley Manor and A Tale of Two Hearts (She also wrote The Old Lace Shop, but I found the first-person/present tense jarring for a historical novel)
  • The Hope of Christmas Collection— WWII fiction stories at Christmas time. Jodie Wolfe, Linda Matchett, Teri Wangard

Christmas Books Recommended to Me

  • Tinsel in a Tangle—Laurie Germaine
  • Saving Ebenezer— S. Daniel Smith. This book about Scrooge’s story AFTER the end of A Christmas Carol. I’m so excited because Dan will be on the podcast this fall, so watch for that episode.
  • “Red Boots” by Kate Willis (a FREE short story on Amazon—just 9 pages)
  • Christmas Carol Society and 24 Days before Christmas by Rebekah Jones
  • Once upon a Christmas— last year’s collection with contemporary retellings of such stories as:
    • Little Mermaid
    • Cinderella
    • Snow White
    • Sleeping Beauty etc.
  • Taking Chances— a four-book series by Joanne Markey. Who doesn’t love kids, couples, and puppies?
  • Amanda Tru’s Christmas Card Series—a new one coming in September, too!
  • Heard good things about Catching Christmas by Terri Blackstock and Restoring Christmas by Cynthia Rushti
  • A Wreath of Snow —Liz Curtis Higgs.

melodies of christmas love2020 Christmas Collections to watch for!

  • Hearts Aglow: The FIFTH ANNUAL Christmas Lights Collection —Toni Shiloh, Cathe Swanson, Jaycee Weaver,
  • Melodies of Christmas Love—Lynnette Bonner, Lesley Ann McDaniel, Annette Irby, Dawn Kinzer, Sylvia Stewart, JoAnn Durgin, and myself.
  • Something Borrowed: Christmas Weddings Collection
  • Amish Christmas Miracles: Their WEBSITE
  • Joy to the World (A Regency Collection)  Carolyn Mille,  Amanda Barratt, Erica Vetsch
    Five Golden Rings by the CrossRoads Collection authors: We’ve done a couple of sets before—Under the Christmas Star and When Snowflakes Never Cease.

Those aren’t even a drop in the bucket of the amazing Christmas books coming, but they’ll give you something to get started on until releases start rolling out this fall!  Meanwhile, I guess I’d better finish mine!

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 438: A Chat with Margaret Philbrick
byChautona Havig

 Oh, wow.  When I read the synopsis for House of Honor by Margaret Ann Philbrick, I knew this was going to be a fabulous book.  Forget all the endorsements and starred reviews, listen in to hear just how awesome this book is!  

note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

When Margaret described the story within House of Honor, I not only learned a lot of art history, but I got a taste of Italy (sadly, without pasta and gelato… sniff). I can’t wait to see what she coes up with next.

 House of Honor by Margaret Ann Philbrick

Two Italian sons, one woman, linked by a masterpiece painting, are put to a test of loyalty and honor.

At the heart of this gripping tale is Orazio Bordoni, the wayward son of a construction magnate, living a reckless life like that of his artistic hero Caravaggio. He finds himself befriended by Nicolo Giotto, the devoted son of a powerful Sicilian mafia clan, who wants to uphold the honor of his family.

As the dark underbelly of the art world and the Vatican expose their true character, Orazio finds himself in a world where his loyalty is tested, honor is at stake, and the boundaries between life, love, and art blur. He and Nicolo discover just how far they’re willing to push those boundaries, even if it means sacrificing everything.

House of Honor is a pivotal story that weaves the threads of history, the ruthless allure of the mafia, the enigmatic power of the Vatican, and the timeless brilliance of Caravaggio.

Learn more about Margaret on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

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  • and more!
Episode 438: A Chat with Margaret Philbrick
Episode 438: A Chat with Margaret Philbrick
June 14, 2025
Chautona Havig
Episode 437: A Chat with Kristen Hogrefe Parnell
June 9, 2025
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Episode 436: A Chat with Suzanne Woods Fisher
June 7, 2025
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Episode 435: A Chat with Rachel Keith
June 3, 2025
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Episode 434: A Chat with Lynn U. Watson
May 31, 2025
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Episode 433: A Chat with Megan Soja
May 26, 2025
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Episode 432: A Chat with Crystal Caudill
May 24, 2025
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Episode 431: A Chat with Heidi Gray McGill
May 19, 2025
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Episode 430: A Chat with Amanda Cabot
May 17, 2025
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Episode 429: A Chat with J. A. Webb
May 12, 2025
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Listen to each chapter separately for ease of finding where you are OR the whole book in one video (after Sept 30, 2024).
Also available from most audiobook retailers!

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PLEASE consider subscribing to Christa's YouTube channel. We'd both appreciate it.  https://bit.ly/ChristaDelsorbo
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