Holiday Magic

Four holiday (i.e., Christmas) romance novellas offer traditional (i.e., often predictable) heartwarming vibes. In Michaels's "Holiday Magic," single mom Stephanie, finally away from her abusive marriage, works at a Colorado ski lodge for handsome Patrick, who helps her regain her ability to trust. Lamb's funny, feisty Meredith, waitress in a Montana town, finds her aloofness tested by millionaire Taylor Logan in the bittersweet and tender "A Very Merry Christmas." Carter's "A Very Maui Christmas" begins with chef Tara Lane leaving New York and professional failure for Hawaii and her obsessive sister. It looks like Christmas will be another disaster, but a series of comical encounters with attractive maverick Darren prove her wrong. In DuLong's "A Cedar Key Christmas," self-contained, controlling single mom Josie encounters brusque publisher Ben in a quest with an unconvincing resolution. (Nov.)