This column was submitted by Evangeline Cessna, Local History Librarian at the Warren County-Vicksburg Public Library.

Melody Carlson demonstrates that Christmas is the perfect time for reminiscing, starting over, and second chances in her latest “The Christmas Tree Farm.” Madison McDowell has spent the last several years teaching abroad and is eager to return to her family’s Christmas tree farm in Oregon. Unfortunately, both her sister Addie’s neglect and recent wildfire damage have left the farm in bad shape. Addie is adamant about selling the farm and her former high school flame, Gavin Thompson, is determined to build a dusty, noisy dirt bike track right next door. Madison decides to double down on her dream and work extra hard to whip the farm she dearly loves back into shape. She gets help from an unlikely ally, but it may take a Christmas miracle to restore her relationship with her sister.

“Scrooge and the Girls Next Door” is by Melanie Jacobson. Paige Redmond is a twenty-something single mom who has found the perfect fixer-upper for her and her daughter, Evie. The cottage may take more fixing than she planned, but Paige is no slacker. Her sunny personality and can-do spirit has endeared her to almost everyone in town. Everyone, that is except her grumpy, but handsome neighbor, Professor Henry Hill. With Christmas just around the corner, Paige turns into a regular Clark Griswold and amuses the entire town, but Henry seems to be a Scrooge through and through. With the help of friends and found family—plus a feral cat and a pancake snowman—Paige and Evie are determined to cure this cranky professor of his Christmas “bah humbugs.”

Melinda Curtis proves that Christmas will come to even the most reluctant cowboy in her book “A Cowboy Christmas Carol.” Ryan Oakley is a rodeo roper in need of a miracle. He needs a new horse, but the only person who sells elite competition horses his Jo Pierce, his former high school nemesis. Ryan makes the single mom a bargain: he’ll set Jo up with is twin brother, her longtime crush. It appears to be the perfect holiday plan…until the no-nonsense working cowgirl finds herself falling for Ryan instead.

“The Twelve Dogs of Christmas” is the latest from best-selling author Susan Wiggs. Brenda Malloy is fed up with Christmas. Last year, Brenda and her husband had to rush their beloved dog to the vet. The good news was the vet cleared the obstruction, but the bad news was the obstruction was a pair of women’s lace underwear—that did not belong to Brenda. It has taken her almost a year to put her life back together. She has trained for a marathon, is writing a children’s novel, and she has found new purpose and healing as a volunteer with a dog rescue in Houston, Texas. The rescue group partners with a program in Avalon, New York. This year, Brenda is arranging a transport of rescue dogs from Houston to Avalon just in time for their forever families to have a merry Christmas. She will be transporting twelve dogs in crates two thousand miles by herself. Her friends are worried about her doing this alone, but Brenda knows the way and she’s looking forward to getting away from the Christmas overload. However, as she drops each loveable pooch at their new homes, the joy of the season begins to creep into Brenda’s heart.

Jodi Thomas’s latest is titled “Christmas in Winter Valley.” Cooper Holloway would take nature over people any day, especially visiting relatives. That’s why he’s decided to head for a rustic cabin in Winter Valley. He’s going to take care of a herd of wild mustangs in the remote area. Cooper’s plans are thwarted by the arrival of two unexpected guests—one, a stranger in need of help, and the other, an attractive young veterinarian. Meanwhile, Elliott Holloway is busy keeping Maverick Ranch running smoothly with Cooper gone and relatives visiting. When his long-lost love reappears in his life, Elliot has one more thing on his plate for Christmas. It seems the Holloway men will have to make some big choices about their futures—just in time for the holidays.