Smith, Karen Rose

This Christmas cozy with Catholic undertones occasionally becomes more preoccupied with the protagonist's chastity than the mystery, making it an optional read.

Prolific series author Smith (Marrying Dr. Maverick) shows her romance chops with her debut cozy mystery set in small-town Pennsylvania. Her mystery plot leaves readers in the dark for a few too many pages, though, leading to a sudden, abrupt ending. That said, the ensemble cast is charming.

Overflowing with babies, family, and characters you'd like to count as friends, this touchingly sensual romance, lightly dusted with holiday charm, brings healing and love to a deserving pair who are finally ready to move on. Smith (From Doctor...to Daddy) is a best-selling author of more than 70 books; she lives in Hanover, PA.