In this standalone holiday novella, USA Today bestselling author Tess Thompson weaves a tale of winter wonder for two lonely hearts at the expense of a common criminal who just might be the real Santa Claus.Neither Ryan nor Rena is thrilled to be called for jury duty. He’s a widower with a small daughter who needs him. She’s a struggling single woman who can’t afford to miss a day’s pay. But when … miss a day’s pay. But when the two spot each other across the courtroom, suddenly jury duty doesn’t seem like such a burden after all.
Together with their fellow jurors, they must decide the fate of a defendant who believes that he’s Santa. It’s a seemingly unromantic task for two infatuated strangers, but love could find a way with a little help from the magic of Christmas.
Like a stocking stuffed with all the special treats of the season, this novella is as sweet as sugar plums and as satisfying as a batch of cookies fresh from the oven.
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If you don’t believe in Santa you will after reading this book. It’s such a sweet, loving book. About finding love when you have given up. About a child’s wish for her daddy to find true love. A very unselfish wish to Santa that ultimately comes true.
I enjoyed this book from start to finish. The beginning brought tears to my eyes as did the letter. Happy tears. It has such likable characters and is truly a very heartlifting story of wishes, trials, love and everlasting happiness. I fell for Morgan. She’s a very caring little girl no doubt.
It’s a big 5 stars and worth many more. A quick read that will have you thinking about life and Christmas in a whole new way.
What an awesomely inspiring story that shows love can be found any place or anytime, that when you know-you just know, and that being good really does pay off sometimes. At one point the three main characters are driving to get a tree…singing Christmas songs at the top of their lungs in the car…this THIS is the start of Christmas spirit to me!
The perfect heart warming sort of read for a cold winter`s eve.
A man is on trial, not for stealing gifts but for leaving the RIGHT presents for children.
As the jury is being selected we meet two people who have their own concerns at this time of year.
One is a single father, a business owner, with a young daughter who believes in Santa.
The other, an adult (still young) woman who is barely scraping by on her salary but has dreams of owning her own business. She has seen the man before but he has never noticed her.
Will they find their mutual attraction and fulfill needs in this season of love?
A heart felt story perfect to get you in the Holiday Spirits. A story of hope, love and a little girls wish to Santa.
This is absolutely the best and most unique Christmas Short ever! Tess Thompson pulls you into this book and genuinely makes you feel for these characters.
Ryan and Rena are both battling their own internal struggles as the holidays approach and to add to the stress they have been selected for Jury Duty. Could this be the blessing the both have been looking for?
When you need a story that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, author Tess Thompson writes it!
Ryan is a widow and a single father. Since the death of his wife, he has focused on his daughter and his work, and little else. He’s a good man, a hard worker, a devoted son, supportive brother, and doting daddy. But, he’s a sad and lonely man despite the good and wonderful things that he has in his life.
Rena is an underpaid, overworked assistant in Ryan’s company. She lives in a run down apartment that offers little heat in the winter and little cooling in the summer. Unbeknownst to Ryan, Rena has fantasized about being his girlfriend for quite sometime, but he doesn’t even know that she exists….well at least not until the two end up serving on jury duty together.
Along with their peers, the two must decide the fate of Santa! It is clear from the start, that this Santa is unlike any “mall Santa” the jury has ever encountered. Is he guilty of stealing Christmas? It appears that this case isn’t as black as coal or white as snow!
The only thing that is clear is that there is something between Ryan and Rena, and neither want the case to end…
This story starts out in the sweetest way. A little girl, Morgan, making a video asking Santa for a new mommy…and a wife for her daddy. This is a Hallmark/Miracle on 34th Street aura novelette that captures the spirit of Christmas. Giving, caring, love, hope, magic and believing in miracles. This is a story that will be enjoyed as a Christmas tradition year after year for me.
The story is magical and with the sparkling glitter of Tess Thompson’s story telling talent this book brings the holiday spirit to life. Never stop believing in your hopes and dreams. The letter Santa writes back to Morgan made my heart warm and spoke to me about love and how God made us to be love. The message in this book is so meaningful and a reminder of what Christmas is all about.
I have loved every single book of Tess Thompson’s that I’ve read. This is no exception and I know I look forward to future books with excitement and joy like on a Christmas morning!
Tess Thompson, thank you for a truly heartwarming story that touched my heart in more ways than I can say. It’s beautiful! I believe!
Cute fast read. Especially at Christmas time.
I wish my stint on jury had had this type of ending! Rena and Ryan, whose only connection before that is working in the same building and getting their morning coffees at the same place, end up serving on a jury that will decide the fate of a man accused of taking gifts from a children’s shelter – and replacing them with the gifts the children actually wanted.
During the course of the trial, Rena and Ryan get to know each other. She has a heart of gold and he is a single father with an adorable little girl named Morgan.
This is a wonderful novella from one of my favorite authors. Yes, I can see this being made into a Hallmark Christmas movie next year since it is too late for this year.
Thank you to the author for a complimentary copy of this sweet Christmas short story
Assigned to jury duty near Christmas Rena “ juror 7” always looks for a positive side. She is serving with “Six” her pretend boyfriend. Sparks begin to fly and the
Two strike up A conversation. Even though Rena struggles to make ends meet she discovers a spark with single dad Ryan.
Will Santa Clause he found guilty? Will Ryan and Rena find a connection once the trial ends.
Maybe there really is a Santa Clause
A heart warming Christmas novella with sweet beginnings, believing and the magic of Christmas.
Rena and Ryan work in the same building. They visit Starbucks daily. She sure has noticed him, but he hasn’t noticed her. They are both selected as jurors on an unusual case. They strike up a friendship and then a relationship. His daughter loves Rena too. Can they make a life together?
I enjoyed this book very much. Overall, its a clean, sweet love story. I recommend it.
This book is so joyful!!! A heart-warming magical story!!
Great story. Rena is a young woman with the heart of a child. Ryan is a young widower with a young daughter. Morgaon is the young daughter in want of a mom. Christmas miracles.
Base on the version in Romancing the Holidays: Twelve Christmas Romances
A heartwarming book reminding you of the magic of Christmas.
Ryan was a widower and a single father. Despite having a very successful business and having a good life, he is a sad, lonely man.
Rena was an underpaid, overworked assistant who could barely pay her rent and feed herself. Although Rena had seen Ryan every day at the coffee shop, he had not noticed her. Until they were on jury duty together.
Along with their peers, they must decide the fate of Santa! It was clear from the start, that this Santa was nothing like a typical “mall Santa”. Was he guilty of stealing Christmas? This case was not as simple as it sounded.
The only clear thing was that there was something between Ryan and Rena, and neither wanted the case to end.
This quick read will leave you filled with joy and a smile on your face.
A modern day version of Miracle on 34th Street. Loved it!
This is a great novella for the Christmas season. Since it is short, it can be fit into the busy season. Also, since it is short, it does not have the conflict between the couple, as is the usual romance novel.
I enjoyed this story about finding the one meant for you and the true meaning of Christmas (Love).
I loved the characters and would like to read about their life after becoming a family.
The Santa Trial by Tess Thompson is a very cute and quick holiday read. This was a heartwarming story about love and second chances. This was a easy quick read I read it in on sitting. This is a story that has you believing in miracles again. Definitely the makings of a Hallmark Movie.
Santa is good at getting just the right present. This was unique and checked all the boxes for the perfect Christmas romance story.
A wonderful, heartfelt book of faith, love and family!
Just a perfect short story that will put the spirit of Christmas in your heart!
You will want to read this! Excellent