It’s actually post holiday bargain hunting season here in California, but I admit I haven’t left the house. There’s something about spending hours looking for a place to park at the mall and then slogging from store to store with herds of one’s fellow primates that makes my courage fail me utterly.

Don’t get me wrong. I like a bargain, but I like shopping on Christmas Eve. I like finding that special something at 70 percent off, and then chatting with my fellow merrymakers while I wait in line to pay for things. By the time the day after Christmas rolls around, I’m tired and I’ve eaten food that’s not good for me for two days and I’m not worth anything more than curling up under a blanket and reading all the books I haven’t had a chance to read during the busy holiday shopping season.

I’m not a reviewer. I don’t suppose I actually know enough about literature to review books. Thank goodness, there are a ton of people out there who can do that. What I can do is steer you toward my favorite authors and the year-end reads that made me happy, the ones I’ve been enjoying as I’ve relaxed with a hot cup of tea at the end of “A Christmas Well Done”.

And HERE’s what’s been on my list:

Comfort and Joy, by Joanna Chambers, and Harper Fox, LB Gregg, and Josh Lanyon. Awesome anthology. Every writer is a star.

The Thirds series by Charlie Cochet. Fun, funny, good plots, great dialogue. I’m waiting for more books and more audio which is also first rate.

The “Diversion” series, by Eden Winters. Awesome characters, well plotted, tight writing. YUM! (these would be awesome on audio, hint, hint)

The Best Corpse for the Job. A contemporary mystery by my beloved Charlie Cochrane. YAY. More please, more, more more.

And as she snoozed off, in her big cozy bed, Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good read!