Recommended Christmas Reading

While my short story, “A Yukon Christmas,” is still FREE until the end of the month, I wanted to point out that Kristine Kathryn Rusch recommends two of my other Christmas shorts on her web site: https://kriswrites.com/2022/11/25/special-holiday-recommended-reading-list-2/

A Yukon Christmas: https://books2read.com/u/bPdDrb

After her 20-year marriage collapses from inertia, Beatrice Talsma sets off on a year-long, cross-Canada journey to discover where she truly belongs. When she reaches the Yukon, however, her short pause turns into a decision to settle down in this strange new place.

In a complete break with the past, she rents out a cabin in the Yukon wilderness. It’s a wonderful spot, except that her closest neighbor, Henry Pekarik, also her landlord, seems determined to help Beatrice out, whether she wants it or not.

McKell’s Christmas: https://books2read.com/u/brWJ8w

Deputy Chief Rob McKell doesn’t trust Christmas. Bad guys don’t take time off during the holidays so why should he? Then the lovely Jillian, a gemologist with an independent streak, invites him to dinner on Christmas Eve for the all-important meeting of her friends. Soon, he starts to revise his feelings about the holiday—and his fear of long-term commitment. But before the evening ends, Jillian’s dangerous past will rear up to prove that Christmas is no time to let his guard down.

Running Away from Christmas: https://books2read.com/u/b6Z7LZ

When Faith decides to escape Christmas and her friends’ matchmaking efforts by spending the holiday alone in the big city, she never expects to find Christmas waiting there for her.

Praise for Marcelle Dubé mystery short stories

Oh, be still my foolish heart. Kristine Kathryn Rusch named two of my mystery shorts in her November recommended reading list:

Lincoln City BluesLincoln City Blues (amazon | kobo | smashwords)

“Marcelle is one of the most charming mystery writers I know. She writes deceptively quiet stories that have a real bite to them. I first read this story in a workshop, and still remember it years later. It’s a classic mystery, which starts with a woman walking into an office, and one you’ll remember for a long time as well.”

McKell's Christmas coverMcKell’s Christmas (amazon | kobo | smashwords)

“McKell, a cop in Manitoba, finally gets a Christmas Eve off. He has dinner with his girlfriend’s friends. One friend brings a new boyfriend, and tensions rise—just not in the way you’d expect. The Canadian setting is real, the mystery is fascinating, and the characters excellent. Pick this one up.”

These recommendations are especially thrilling for me as I am such a fan of Kristine Rusch’s stories. If you haven’t read her in her various incarnations (Kris DeLake, Kristine Dexter, Kristine Grayson, Kris Nelscott), you are in for a treat. She writes everything from the Retrieval Artist series (science fiction) to the Smokey Dalton series (historical mystery).