Holiday Bonanza Challenge

2023 Holiday Bonanza Challenge

January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023

 
Are your shelves full of holiday romance books that you never quite seem to have time to read during that particular event? Do you add more every year?
 
The goal for this challenge is to sit down with a holiday romance regardless of the date or season. While the most prolific holiday romances tend to be Christmas-themed, there are plenty of others as well! Dust off that TBR shelf or discover something new.
 
Here are the rules:
* Books must have a romance in them.
* Books must have a holiday in them.
* Books must be novella or novel length.
* Books can be any format (ebook, physical, or audio).
* Books must fall into one of the five categories below.
* Books can only be listed in one category below.
 
Holiday-specific notes:
* The plot does not have to revolve around the holiday, but the holiday should be mentioned/celebrated/acknowledged.
* Holidays can be invented by an author (i.e.: a holiday called "Winterfest" in a fantasy world, etc).
* Real-world holidays not listed below also count! Just put them in the category you believe they fit best.
 
Just-For-Fun Goal Titles
* Lucky Laird: 1–5 Holiday Romances Read
* Haunted Thane: 6–10 Holiday Romances Read
* Candy Castellan: 11–15 Holiday Romances Read
* Firecracker Count/Countess: 16–20 Holiday Romances Read
* Midnight Margrave: 21–25 Holiday Romances Read
* Gingerbread Jarl: 26–30 Holiday Romances Read
* Duke/Duchess of Harvests: 31–40 Holiday Romances Read
* Prince/Princess of Hearts: 41–50 Holiday Romances Read
* The Bacchanal King/Queen: 51–75 Holiday Romances Read
* The Festive Emperor/Empress: 76+ Holiday Romances Read

41/25 
 
== THE CATEGORIES ==
 
Spring Fling: Valentine's Day, Mardi Gras, Holi, St. Patricks Day, April Fools, Easter, Passover, Cinco De Mayo

1. The Valentine's Do-Over - Michelle Lindo-Rice (HSE #2962 - Feb 2023) (Valentine's Day) - Jan 23 

2. Valentines for the Rancher - Kathy Douglass (HSE #2963 -Feb 2023) (Valentine's Day) - Jan 28

3. Irish Knit Murder - Peggy Ehrhart (Kensington - Feb 2023) (St. Patrick's Day) - Feb 21

4. Colton's Ultimate Test - Beth Cornelison (HRS #2211 - Jan 2023) (Valentine's Day) - Mar 22

5. New Beginnings in the Little Irish Village - Michelle Vernal (Bookouture - May 2023) (St. Patrick's Day) - May 4

6. French Quarter Fatale - Joanna Wayne (HI #2131 - Feb 2023) (Mardi Gras) - May 17

7. The Warrior's Reluctant Wife - Lissa Morgan (HH #1747 - Sept 2023) (Easter) - Aug 23

 
Summer Sizzle: Beltane, Mother's/Father's Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Midsummer, Canada Day, Independence Day, Neptunalia, Labor Day

1. Three Woofs for the Dead, White and Blue - Laura Quinn (Laura Quinn - June 2019) (Independence Day) - Jan 19

2. Sticking to Her Guns - B.J. Daniels (HI #2073 - June 2022) (Independence Day) - Apr 3

3. One Hot Cowboy Wedding - Carolyn Brown (Sourcebooks Casablanca - Apr 2023) (Independence Day) - Apr 16

4. The Mavericks Surprise Son - Christine Rimmer (HSE #2989 - July 2023) (Independence Day) - June 20

5. The Lucky Shamrock - Carolyn Brown (Montlake - July 2023) (Independence Day) - July 9

6. Forever in Honeymoon Harbor - JoAnn Ross (HQN - Sept 2023) (Independence Day) - Aug 29

7. Their Sweet Coastal Reunion - Kaylie Newell (HSE #2957 - Jan 2023) (Independence Day) - Dec 1

 
Autumn Breeze: Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur, Oktoberfest, Diwali, Samhain/Halloween, Die de los Muertos, Bonfire Night, St. Martin's Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving

1. Montana Freedom - Josie Jade, Janie Crouch (Calamittie Jane Pub - Mar 2023) (Halloween) - Mar 12

2. Thankful for the Maverick - Rochelle Alers (HSE #2942 - Nov 2022) (Thanksgiving) - Apr 2

3. Home for the Challah Days - Jennifer Wilck (HSE #3003 - Sept 2023) (Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur) - Aug 17

4. Daddy Warlock - Jacqueline Diamond (HAR #687 - July 1997) (Halloween) - Aug 17

5. A Wasp in the Woods - Geri Krotow (Tule Pub - Sept 2023) (Halloween) - A

6. Riding Shotgun - Barb Han (HI #2139 - May 2023) (Thanksgiving) - Dec 27

 
 
Winter Flurry: Hanukkah, Los Posadas, Yule, Christmas, Boxing Day, Kwanzaa, New Year's Eve/Day

1. The Marine's Christmas Wish - Joanna Sims (HSE #2939 - Oct 2022) (Christmas) - Apr 11

2. Patriot Games - Tom Clancy (Putnam - Aug 1987) (Christmas) - Apr 16 

3. A Santa Stabbing - Geri Krotow (Tule - Nov 2022) (Christmas) - Apr 19

4. Ever After - Elswyth Thane (Hawthorn Books - Jan 1945) (Christmas) - Apr 20

5. The Maverick's Christmas Secret - Brenda Harlen (HSE #2947 - Dec 2022) (Christmas) - Apr 30

6. One Christmas Night - Jules Bennett (HD #2911 - Dec 2022) (Christmas) - May 2

7. Rancher After Midnight - Karen Booth (HD #2917 - Jan 2023) (New Year's) - May 7

8. An Alliance with His Enemy Princess - Lissa Morgan (HH #1700 - Jan 2023) (Christmas/New Year) - May 8

9. Their Royal Baby Gift - Kandy Shepherd (HR #4735 - Nov 2020) (Christmas) - July 10

10. Hunted at Christmas - Dana R. Lynn (LIS #1061 - Oct 2023) (Christmas) - Sept 14

11. A Christmas Miracle in the Little Irish Village - Michelle Vernal (Bookouture - Oct 2023) (Christmas) - Oct 13

12. Mistletoe Magic in Tahiti - Kandy Shepherd (HR #4875 - Nov 2023) (Christmas) - Oct 31

13. The Nurse's Holiday Swap - Ann McIntosh (HMED #1351 - Nov 2023) (Christmas) - Oct 31

14. The Rancher's Christmas Star - Stella Bagwell (HSE #3015 - Nov 2023) (Christmas) - Oct 31

15. Never Wager With a Wallflower - Virginia Heath (St. Martin's - Nov 2023) (Christmas) - Nov 7

16. The Lyon's Redemption - Sandra Sookoo (Dragonblade Pub - Nov 2023) (Christmas) - Nov 10

17. Cinderella's Costa Rican Adventure - Scarlet Wilson (HR #4876 - Nov 2023) (Christmas) - Nov 16

18. Her Best Friend's Wedding - Christine Rimmer (HSE #3020 - Dec 2023) (Christmas) - Nov 20

19. Marry and Bright - Teri Wilson (HSE #3021 - Dec 2023) (Christmas) - Nov 30

20. Holiday Heroes - Janie Crouch, Regan Black (Calamitte Jane Pub - Dec 2023) (Christmas) - Dec 8
 
 
Holiday Special: Holiday celebrations created by an author that are typically unique to their story's world-building

1. The Yard Rose - Carolyn Brown (Montlake - July 2013) (Watermelon Festival) - Aug 4