Here in the US, it seems like the last wisps of smoke from the fireworks have barely begun to fade from the July sky when all the craft and hobby stores begin rolling out the fall and Christmas stuff. It never fails, immediately people begin lamenting it coming “earlier every year” and grousing about seeing Christmas trees before the kids have even gone back to school. Annoyed that poor Tom Turkey’s day gets overlooked, sandwiched invisibly between the pumpkins and candy canes.
As a crafter who’s done dozens of craft shows over the years, I usually smile and point out that Hobby Lobby isn’t in the business of tormenting consumers, they’re supplying those of us who have to build a holiday inventory. Those gorgeous wreaths on Etsy aren’t made overnight! But I digress.
I was talking about poor, neglected little American Tom Turkey and his Canadian cousin (who celebrates in October), and the thankful observance that gets overshadowed by all of the holiday hustle and bustle. So for all of you asking the question, “But what about Thanksgiving?!” I have a list of delicious books for you that, while not necessarily Thanksgiving books per se, at least feature Thanksgiving scenes (and probably a dash of family drama).
And for all of you outside the US, my apologies for this very American-centric post. At least I can redeem it by sharing some fun titles that feature themes of thankfulness, something we can all use more of, right?
From our InspyRomance authors, in no particular order:
Merrillee Whren, A Family to Call Ours
Staci Stallings, Dance With Me
Elizabeth Maddrey, Pathway to Peace
Janet Ferguson, Magnolia Storms
Hallee Bridgeman, Courting Calla
Sally Howe Bayless, Love, Lies, and Homemade Pie
Valerie Comer, The Cowboy’s Christmas Reunion
Kimberly Rose Johnson, A Love That Lasts
Jaycee Weaver, each of the books in the Everyday Love series have a Thanksgiving scene (totally unintentional and I JUST realized this! Haha!)
Toni Shiloh, Jaycee Weaver, Angela Ruth Strong, and 2 others, Once Upon a Christmas has Thanksgiving scenes in at least two of the five stories
Hallee Bridgeman, Jaycee Weaver, and 3 others, When Snowflakes Never Cease (Crossroads Collection 6)—Hallee’s story within the collection and mine both feature Thanksgiving. Yes, I’ve noticed a trend for Thanksgiving scenes within my books! LOL!
And here are a few other books that take place over Thanksgiving, late fall, or have themes of thankfulness (side note—while not Inspy endorsed, each describes themselves and/or their books as Christian/Inspirational.):
Melanie Snitker, Finding Grace
JoAnn Durgin, By Grace Draw Near
Crystal Walton, Her Stand-In Cowboy
During my search, I also discovered that Love Inspired has a number of Thanksgiving-themed books, such as A Texas Thanksgiving by Margaret Daley. While I haven’t read this one, I have read several of her others and always enjoy a bit of romantic suspense.
Of course, this list is by no means complete, so please be sure to comment below if you know of any other contemporary Christian or Inspirational romances that feature at least a Thanksgiving scene or theme. I’d love to hear them, and I’m sure our other readers would too!
And since it’s so much fun to read about Thanksgiving (*cough* and apparently write it, Jaycee, ya nerd *cough*), I’ll give away ONE ebook of the winner’s choice of any of my three Everyday Love books to a random commenter. An extra entry if you comment with a contemporary Thanksgiving-ish romance book!
I don’t know of any Thanksgiving themed books…or those mentioning the holiday. I see many more Christmas ones way too early, lol! Definitely the Love Inspired ones are more for Christmas than anything starting in Sept/Oct.
I like each holiday as it comes, not overcrowding the others. 🙂
When my husband and I lived in the US it was interesting to see that none of our American friends would rest until they knew we had Thanksgiving plans. Or they’d invite us to theirs. (Even though we told them repeatedly this tradition was new to us.) We had a different experience every year and it was fun.
One book that comes to mind and is not in your list is A home for Christmas by Kimberly Rae Jordan. Really good CCR. I’m pretty sure Leah Atwood has Thanksgiving scenes but can’t remember the titles.
Ooh, I love both of those authors!! Thanks for your suggestions!
In Australia we have a national day of thanksgiving which is normally the last Sunday in May. It was started by the Australian Christian Lobby and many Churches will dedicate the Sunday to being thankful.
HEre Christmas stuff goes up in Sept and it always feels way to early. I understand the craft stores having materials as it does take time to make things but other shops seems to early. We have a Christmas Parade in our State 2nd Saturday in Nov and then its the start of Christmas season. Its always busy this time of year with Harvesting, Final school exams. End of the School year and all that entails most things at Church wind up early Dec for the summer holidays and then add all the Christmas programs it gets really busy here.
I believe it! I think the Christmas season is chaotic across the globe!
I enjoy thanksgiving and Christmas. I realize the stores are just trying to stay in business. I try to buy fall decor early if I’m going to need it.
Good plan! Thanks for stopping by. 😊
Thanks for sharing the list of great books!
My pleasure! Thanks for commenting and sharing!
I believe Denise Hunter’s Just a Kiss has a Thanksgiving scene, if I remember correctly! And Lynette Eason has a romantic suspense called No Place to Hide that is set at Thanksgiving! 🙂
Awesome, thanks! I’ll have to go check them out!
Thanksgiving is my favorite, since it’s a tad slower than Christmas. If my family gets together, which would be my sisters and their kids and grandkids, there are 36 if everyone is there. That gets noisy!!! Mom and I are happy to come home to a quiet house!! I know I’ve read books with Thanksgiving in them, but I can’t think of the names now!
I also enjoy Thanksgiving quite a bit! Lower key and less pressure!
Glad I’m not the only one that wonders why Thanksgiving gets so overlooked :). I can’t think of any Thanksgiving centric books, but thank you for your list. I think Thanksgiving is important because in a way, it gets our hearts ready for Christmas by helping us to stop and think about all God has given us.
That’s a great perspective!
Hi Jaycee! Thanks for including one of my books!
I just experienced the skipping of Thanksgiving on Saturday when I went to a discount store and my grocery store, hoping to find fall-themed napkins for a party. That’s a majority of the stores to check for such an item in my little town. And I found nothing. At. All. My husband did find solid orange, along with all the other solid colors. But no pretty leaves, no cornucopias, nothing that said fall or Thanksgiving. Bummer!
I will persevere and serve pumpkin soup at the party and read a Thanksgiving book!
Sounds like a great plan!
I adore Thanksgiving and it does get left out! Here is another of Valerie Comer’s Team Bride!
Oh cool! I’m still catching up on her backlist. 😊 Thanks!
Hi Jaycee, No need to apologise – I’m an Aussie who wishes we had an equivalent celebration to American Thanksgiving. I love reading books and watching Hallmark movies that feature Thanksgiving. 😊
😍 Thanks, Narelle! I’m always curious about holidays in other countries!
I ask the same question every year what about thanksgiving. Seems like Christmas stuff as sitting on the shelves even before Halloween now. Christmas decorations don’t go up till day after thanksgiving for me.
I usually make myself wait until the day after as well, unless we’ll be visiting g family. Then I allow myself the weekend before haha!
Hi Jaycee, even though I am not American, I think the idea of taking a whole day to give thanks is a great idea. Thanks for sharing books that celebrate Thanksgiving:)
Blessings:)
😊 It is always good to find blessings we can be thankful for!