There are always books with Christmas-related themes from romance to feel-good stories. Here are a few of this year's releases.

A Christmas Home

By Greg Kincaid

Crown, $14.95

This is the third book by Kincaid about a young man named Todd whose challenges don't hold him back.

His love of animals, especially a dog named Christmas, and faith in humanity keep him moving forward even as his parents have to face the fact that he wants more independence.

All three of these books are wonderful, but you don't have to have read the first two to enjoy this volume.

A Christmas Hope

By Joseph Pittman

Kensington, $13

The author returns to Linden Corners, the locale of his book "Tilting at Windmills," to revisit his characters and bring some new ones to town.

Nora Connor Rainer comes back to town with her son, Travis, to help her mother, and try to regroup after a separation from her husband. She decides to open a consignment store called "A Doll's Attic," and soon finds herself on the hunt for a special version of "The Night Before Christmas" for Thomas Van Diver, an older gentleman who lives in a local retirement center.

As the seasons pass, the loneliness Nora feels is eased as the people of Linden Corners embrace her and her son, and the Christmas season turns out to be particularly good.

Together at Christmas

By Lisa Plumley

Zebra, $6.99

Casey Jackson, who has made a career out of keeping the stars (Hollywood-types) on track, takes on the job of trying to keep a TV Christmas special on budget and on time. The star is filming the show in Kismet, Mich., her hometown. She enlists the help of her sister, Kristen, who owns the local cafe, to keep Casey out of her hair. What better way to do that than to involve him in Christmas preparations? Did I mention he hates the holiday?

I've followed Lisa Plumley's career since her early novels, and have enjoyed every one. They are filled with humor along with the romance.

What Happens at Christmas

By Victoria Alexander

Kensington, $16.95

Celebrate a Victorian Christmas with Camille, Lady Lydingham, who, in order to impress a prince, has hired a family for the holidays. (Her real family is rather unconventional, and they are all supposed to be out of town, so nobody will be the wiser.)

The return of Grayson Elliott, a former romantic involvement, puts a kink in the plans until he agrees to go along. And the return of family members, who are just crazy enough to play the game, makes for a lively holiday season.

His Mistletoe Bride

By Vanessa Kelly

Zebra, $6.99

Phoebe Linville heads to England to meet the grandfather she has never known, leaving behind her brother and his family in America.

Upon her arrival, she is told of her grandfather's death, but the remainder of the family encourages her to stay. Phoebe, who has been brought up in the Quaker religion, is stunned to realize just how society in London operates. Since her grandfather's earldom was inherited by Major Lucas Stanton, he feels responsible for Phoebe, but it's pretty obvious, at least to everyone else's amusement, that it's more than responsibility he feels.

Season for Surrender

By Theresa Romain

Zebra, $6.99

Lord Xavier agrees to a wager proposed by his cousin: He must persuade a young woman (a proper young lady) to attend his Christmas house party, which in the past has had the reputation of being rather off-color.

Xavier gets around this by reworking the guest list to include ladies and gentlemen of quality, at least for the most part, which aggravates his cousin to no end. His cousin does everything he can do make Louisa Oliver want to leave, but Lord Xavier finds that he enjoys her company, so he's doing all in his power to make her stay.

Contact Faye Dasen at fdasen@thepilot.com.