(Scroll to the free stuff if you don't care about my Grinch to Merrymaker story)

Hello !

I have 'a dirty secret' about Christmas. Well, people in my family know it's not a secret—but they agree about the dirty description.

It's my author friends who don't think I should admit this truth... but, since I've experienced a not-so-subtle shift in my attitude this year, I thought I'd share something, which apparently, should not be spoken aloud...

In years past, I have not been a fan of the whole Christmas thing. 😲

Yup. I was the resident Scrooge, grumping around, turning off holiday music, resisting putting up decorations until the last minute, refusing to watch holiday specials—most of which I've seen a dozen times anyway since I wasn't always like this.

And my crankiness was reserved for inside my home. In our community, I've been an enthusiastic supporter of all things holiday.

In fact, Mr. Bloom and I have been Santa and Mrs. Claus for the local fire department's Meet and Greet with the Big Guy for the last six years.

That annual event, driving around town on the fire truck, waving at all the people, stopping for quick visits with the elders, giving fifty or more children-under-six a gift chosen specifically for them—that was my favorite day in December.

That, to me, is what Christmas is about: community coming together and enjoying each other's friendship.

The reasons my attitude and patience with all the holly-jolly nonsense fun became so unjolly is irrelevant. What matters is that this year, something has changed. Ms. Grinch, it would appear, has left the house.

And you know what I think caused her to stuff her sack and hit the road? Reading two dozen holiday romances as research for my own second chance romance, since I knew Josh and Paige's second chance romance had to be set around Christmas festivities. (It was Nana who insisted on it—and I don't argue with Nana).

Now I have the holiday spirit... but precious few people to share it with

Planning for a holiday season this year has been equal parts sad (because I won't see any family, other than the ones who live in my house) and freeing (since I won't see any family, other than the ones who live in my house). Does that make sense?

Santa and I will still tour our small town and give gifts to the kids, and poinsettias to the elders—but we'll be leaving them at the foot of their driveways—no hugs, no handshakes and certainly, no Santa snuggles.

What's keeping me cheerful is my Kindle Unlimited subscription and the holiday books I'm reading this month. Oh—and the lovely, all-natural bath-bombs that I soak in while I read each night.

A holiday tip for you

In the spirit of sharing goodness—and a bunch of joy-filled holiday stories—here's a tip.

If you're in the United States or the United Kingdom, you can join Kindle Unlimited for free for two full months, read all of the lovely holiday stories for free, and then, decide if you want to keep the subscription or not in January.

If you're in Canada or Australia, you can get one month free.

My pro-tip: Make an entry in your calendar three days before your free trial runs out so you have time to cancel without being billed if you don't want to pay for the subscription. 🎄 😲

Here are 14 days of Christmas to try out in KU

Check out these holiday stories, many by Amazon best selling authors.

Still not sure you're ready for Santa stories?

Like I said, I feel you! Or I did until very recently. These books will warm your heart without giving you sugar cookie diabetes. Check them out—like literally, on Kindle Unlimited, for free!

Do you love or hate the holidays or feel just kind of meh about them? How are you having to adjust your holiday plans this season?

For us, instead of a 20-pound turkey and all the fixings, a simple turkey breast will still leave us with left-overs this year. It will be quiet... but I'll be joyful about all the love that's still in my life, even if it's in other cities and countries this year.

If you have a holiday story to share, email me. I reply to every email and love hearing from readers.

love&joyfulstuff,

Danika

PS — If you feel like stuffing my stocking with a wee gift, giving Third Party a vote in the AllAuthors Cover Contest would bring me—and my books' designer—great joy. 🥰