The Magic of Holiday Second Chances By Merri Maywether

The holiday season is a special time of the year. Homes are illuminated with lovely lights.

Baking and the wonderful fragrances are more prevalent. 

People share an appreciation for the carols I like to listen to all year round.

Events that foster a sense of togetherness compensate for the days that darken sooner.

My family endures my quirky love of matching pajamas.

These moments wrap around us like a warm blanket, building an atmosphere ripe with possibility.

It’s a time when hearts soften, old wounds begin to heal, and the idea of a fresh start feels not just appealing but almost within reach.

My favorite thing about this season is the magic. This magic extends to love, too. The holidays have a way of reminding us what truly matters: connection, shared moments, and the warmth of human companionship. 

It’s a time when forgiveness shines a little brighter, softening the sharp edges of past hurts. This season whispers promises of second chances, of rekindled flames, and of new beginnings born from understanding and grace.

I love writing about the theme of second chances, especially during the holiday season. It’s a comfortable, forced proximity, and the lights and togetherness guide characters to find love during this time of year.

 In Winter Wonderland Inn, childhood friends, separated by outside forces, get a second chance to view their relationship with renewed eyes. 

Christmas Wishes tells the story of Hunter and Susan, college friends who reconnect and find love after a past misunderstanding is cleared up.

And in Frosted Mistletoe Kisses, Lucas and Amelia discover that the spark of friendship can ignite into something more when they reconnect.

Perhaps it’s the spirit of giving, or the nostalgia that fills the air, but the holidays offer a unique opportunity for love to blossom anew. 

So, this season, embrace the second chances. It could be a hug, a phone call, inviting a friend or family member for a cup of cocoa so you have a chance to reconnect....or enjoying a story.

Fresh Starts and Winter Fun by Josie Riviera

 The holidays are past,  2020 is gone, and it's time to welcome January 2021.

This month is a good opportunity for fresh starts and winter fun. I've always enjoyed January for the opportunity to start anew--whether it be a new diet (hah!), learn a new skill, or catch up on my TBR pile of books.

This month also allows us to slow down and "hibernate." Sipping a hot cup of fresh tea or coffee, relaxing by a fire in the fireplace, and reading, is something I look forward to each year.

Of course, when I was younger and lived in upstate New York, snow days off from school were always cause for great celebration. Making snow angels in piles of snow, or going sledding on favorite hills, are fond memories. Now that I live in the Carolinas, snow days are few and far between.

I hope you take time this month to slow down, curl up with a good book, and appreciate the beautiful winter season.

Celebrate with me! Seeking Rachel, my Regency inspirational romance, received a wonderful review in Publishers Weekly!

And, take an armchair trip to Ireland with my newest sweet romance short story, 

A Chocolate-Box Irish Wedding.

Now on pre-order for only 99¢!

Josie Riviera is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary, inspirational, and historical sweet romances that read like Hallmark movies. She lives in the Charlotte, NC, area with her wonderfully supportive husband. They share their home with an adorable shih tzu, who constantly needs grooming, and live in an old house forever needing renovation.

Please "like" her Facebook author page.

And remember to join our Sweet Romance Cafe.