Welcome to the 11th Annual
Five Fall Favorites
2026
The Blessings of Life
Day 6
Top Books of 2026
These are my picks (of the books I have read-to-date) for
my top reads for 2026.
Nvani Lachnen has a secret, one that she refuses to share out of fear. Fear that her family will be injured if the truth is ever discovered. Fear that she will be viewed as a monster. But she cannot refuse to use the gift she was given. A gift that allows her to protect her kingdom. And the new guard hired to keep her safe is more than a problem.
I loved how this story included elements of the Twelve Dancing Princesses but was so much more than a simple retelling. No, this story took everything one would expect and crafted and molded it into something new and unique.
And there are dragons! Yes, dragons in the castle. Cute baby dragons! The dragons alone should make you want to read/listen to this book. Add in that it is a clean romance and yes, war, but absent excessive and graphic violence.
The narrator was excellent and presented the story in an engaging manner. Well worth the time and experience.
I highly recommend this book and am looking forward to the second book.
About the Book:
He's a deaf soldier.
She's a princess whose voice could destroy kingdoms.
What good is a soldier who can't hear orders? War left its mark on Finn Akkand...and his hearing. Now thrust into an unanticipated role of bodyguard, Finn thinks all he'll need to do is keep the five princesses out of trouble. But his new job proves to be far from easy when he is assigned to find a mysterious creature rumored to be causing havoc on Lachnen’s shores.
Nvani Lachnen is a princess by day and a guardian by night. Carrying a royal gift that not only allows her to protect her kingdom, but must also remain hidden, Nvani works in the shadows to keep the enemy at bay…until her efforts are branded as dangerous and a price is unknowingly put on her head. As inside forces threaten not only her kingdom, but her family’s safety, Nvani is forced to accept help from unlikely allies while facing increased attacks that threaten her life.
Finn and Nvani soon find themselves navigating mischievous siblings, miscreant dragons, and enemies masquerading as allies. As the storms rise and another war threatens to erupt, two guarded hearts must learn whom to trust before it is too late.
Her husband is the toast of the town following the release of A Christmas Carol. But for Catherine she's lost the joy of the season, viewing it as a tedious obligation to entertain, to decorate their home, to pay more, the added workload. Where Charles sees another year of traditions to celebrate, she feels loss.
But this Christmas finds Catherine being visited by herself from Christmases past. Instead of ghosts showing her the deeds and hardness that has taken root like Scrooge, she is taken by her younger self into memories of past Christmases to rediscover the joys of the day and season in the little things. By the end of the party, she has found her heart rejoicing and celebrating along with her husband and children. She understands that the very things that she viewed as tedium are initially drew her to Charles, that the things that were done yearly were traditions of joy and family something beyond the extra work she had come to view it as.
I personally enjoyed this book in audio as I commuted to work. The narrator, Evelyn McCauley, did an excellent job bringing Catherine Dickens to life, eliciting this readers empathy as she confronted the sadness that had stolen her joy, her love.
About the book:
Catherine Dickens, wife of Charles Dickens,
experiences her own Christmas Eve transformation
as she magically travels through her cherished memories
to rediscover her lost love of Christmas.
By 1851, all of London has fallen in love with A Christmas Carol, heralding Charles Dickens as “the man who invented Christmas.” But for his wife, Catherine, Christmas is less of a reason for celebration and more of a burden. Between hosting lavish parties, decorating her home, and caring for her eight children—with one more on the way—she feels more like Scrooge than herself this year.
But everything changes after a chance encounter with a kitchen cook, who reminds her that Christmas can be a time of miracles and magic, if she is willing to open her heart.
Armed with a magical sprig of holly, Kate embarks on three transformative journeys into her past, hoping to reconnect with the love she once felt for the holiday—and with herself. But can these memories be enough to reignite her Christmas spirit? Or are such miraculous transformations only meant for the characters in her husband’s beloved tales?
Inspired by real individuals, A Carol for Mrs. Dickens reminds us that the true spirit of the holiday lies in love, faith, and the joy of giving.
This was such a fun read as the surprising number of books ordered for Christmas nearly overwhelms a small publishing company. With a coming together the staff manages to fulfill every order that comes pouring in. While at the same time a young woman - Tatiana Eliasdottir, who is secretly a writer, connects with Anders Johannsson - a fellow writer (and her editor - she knows who he is, but he's in the dark) over her young niece and the scurry of making Iceland's readers happy with a book-filled Christmas during the trying days under the threat of war (WW2 - 1944).
In this story, the publisher Tatiana and Anders work for is a small, self-contained community of co-workers who pull together to ensure no reader is disappointed during the Christmas season. Along the way new friendships are forged and the seeds for romance are planted, sprout, and bloom.
About the Book:
In this charming World War II historical romance novella
inspired by Iceland’s Christmas Book Flood,
an author falls in love with a man who
doesn’t know he is her editor.
Iceland. December 1944. Tatiana Eliasdottir is looking forward to welcoming her niece Elea for Christmas. She’s determined to give the little girl a joyful holiday and take her mind off troubles at home. Soon, however, the publishing house where Tatiana works is flooded with orders thanks to the first issue of a seasonal book catalog. With the war causing so many shortages, Icelanders are eager to give their loved ones something that isn’t rationed, and books are the perfect solution to their dilemma.
Anders Johannsson is an editor who shares Tatiana’s love for stories. While he wishes to know her better, he’s never dared pursue more than friendship. They are first and foremost colleagues. But when Tatiana’s attempts to cheer Elea fail, Tatiana recruits him to help, a plea he can’t refuse. He is, after all, not only an editor but a beloved children’s book author and devoted uncle to his adoring nieces and nephews.
As the two creatively bring Icelandic Christmas traditions to life for Elea and frantically work to meet the demands of the publisher’s holiday rush, Tatiana finds herself increasingly drawn to kind, thoughtful Anders. But if a love is to grow between them, she will need to reveal her closely held she is the mysterious author of a popular new novel . . . and Anders is her editor.
This time we are introduced to Evangeline (Eva) Whitaker, whose older brother needs to be away over Christmas. Now Eva is known for her kind heart, and Evan doesn't trust her not to get in trouble because of this compassionate quality. So he has their old family friend escort her to another home, to strangers, to spend the holiday in their company.
Evangeline doesn't mind that Gideon Lundgren will be escorting her. Nope, she secretly had a childhood crush on him. But it's been years since they have seen one another. Of course, in the few minutes between Evan's train leaving and Gideon's arriving, Eva does exactly what Evan feared she would do. She helps out a stranger and finds herself tangled up in a robbery!
Now with a winter storm threatening their travel, Gideon outside of his deputy jurisdiction, and the robber desperate to retrieve the money he stole, Evangeline is about to have a Christmas unlike any she has ever experienced. And maybe she'll get the Christmas gift she is wishing for.
Yes, this was a sweet historical romantic mystery. Perfect for readers who want their romance and mystery closer to a G rating than an R. If you want romance that doesn't cross any lines and mysteries that don't rely on profane language or graphic violence, you will want to experience this newest addition to the Christmas Cabin series. Highly recommended and appropriate for the youngest romance reader.
About the Book:
Christmas … a time of reunions and unexpected surprises.
A simple favor, a best friend's promise, and the end of the line.
Wisconsin, 1931—When Gideon Lundgren agrees to escort his best friend's sister to Manitowish Waters, plans go awry when she witnesses a robbery. He thinks he's merely escorting the girl he once knew, but she's grown into a charming beauty.
Evangeline Whitaker's older brother always warned that her kind heart would be the death of her. It might at that. First, when she's an unwitting accomplice to a robber. Second, when her childhood crush becomes her bodyguard.
With a robber on their trail and a tangle of emotions between them, Evangeline and Gideon detour to his boss's cabin to wait out the ensuing manhunt. However, Evangeline's Christmas spirit might be the death of them both.
One cabin in the Northwoods … a decade of Christmas miracles.
A 1930s Historical Romantic Mystery
This page-turning novella offers a slow-burn romance mixed with cozy suspense. Set during a December 1931 manhunt, it unfolds against the backdrop of a secluded Wisconsin cabin. Perfect for fans of Laura Frantz and Rhys Bowen looking for an inspirational read.
Christmas … a time of reunions and unexpected surprises.
Okay full disclosure here, when I'm not reading books for enjoyment or to post my opinion about them or writing them, I work in a library and have for many years. So, I had to read Bookmarked for Love when given the opportunity, because Hello? Library! Publisher! Wanna-be-published Writers! I am so in.
This is not my normal genre; I'm not against it or anything, but it was such a cute idea that it caught my attention. It also kept shouting, "Read me, read me!" I liked the idea of a publishing heir who needs help making the children's imprint viable and a children's librarian on a mission to save the library's children's department working together to help one another out. Well, as this book is a Rom-Com you know what's going to happen in the end or have a really good chance of having a rough idea. But it's the getting of here to there that will have you turning the pages.
But it isn't all fun as the stress of trying to get his dad to slow down and step back starts to get to Julien King. It's up to Martha Aldridge to help Julien see stress and fear are turning him into someone he doesn't want to be. But how to get him to listen is the issue with time a major factor in Julien succeeding and for Martha to get the money the library so desperately needs.
Delightful blend of humor, levity, honesty, and romance and perfect for your Fall TBR.
About the Book:
Can a jeopardized children's library program
spark a partnership that saves their careers
but costs them their hearts?
When children's librarian Martha Aldridge learns about budget cuts that will not only put her out of a job but also shut down the library's children's programs, she's determined to raise the funds needed to save both. The good news is, she knows just who to ask for a large donation on the library's behalf. The bad news? She swore she'd never step foot in his office again.
Julien King has been groomed to one day run his family's publishing empire, and now he must prove he's ready to take the helm by turning around the company's languishing children's imprint. That wouldn't be a problem, except he doesn't know the first thing about children's literature. So when Martha waltzes into his office, he sees an opportunity and makes her an offer she can't refuse. He'll give her the money she needs for the library in exchange for her help in acquiring a bestselling manuscript that will resurrect the dying imprint. The longer they're forced to work together, however, the more they come to realize their jobs may not be the only thing on the line.
In her charming rom-com style, Sarah Monzon delivers a bookish novel brimming with forced proximity, workplace romance, a curvy and plus-size heroine, the silver fox trope, and middle-age romance. For fans of Pepper Basham, Courtney Walsh, and Becky Wade.
Be sure to visit all of the
Team Mouse sites
Meagan @ Blooming With Books (you are here)
and the FFF hosts for daily freebies
Katja @ littleblossomforjesus.wordpress.com
and
Kate @ onceuponanordinary.wordpress.com
Be sure to enter the giveaway and visit all the sites daily for bonus entries when you comment.
Comments must be made under or signed off with the same name people use to enter the giveaway; otherwise bonus entries are null & void because they cannot be matched to a giveaway entry.
Giveaway runs September 21 to 26, 2026 (11:59 pm est)
The winners will be selected using a random name picker;
Katja and Kate will reach out by email to each after the party.
The prizes:
One international and one U.S. prize.
The U.S. prize is a copy of A Dream of Flight by Kate Willis (paperback for the continuous U.S. only) and either a $15 USD cash prize via PayPal or an Amazon gift card (winner’s choice).
The international prize is a copy of A Noble Comfort by Katja H. Labonté (paperback for a Canadian address, ebook otherwise) and a $15 USD cash prize via PayPal or an Amazon gift card (winner’s choice).
