​

Happy New Year!🎉

The View From Here:

Well, I wish it looked like this, anyway. I didn't have time to go through my old files for any of a number of my own photos of this view from my college days, so this came from Deposit Photos and wasn't taken this year. Actually, all of Colorado is back in drought with a snowpack averaging 54% of what it should be this time of year. Last week, we had a 70 degree F day (21.1 C)! :-0 While I hate driving in snow, walking dogs in freezing temps, and the other unpleasantries of winter, still, fingers crossed that we get the moisture we need to make up for this dry start to the season.

In book news:

Book two in the Tillacos Ranch Romance series, an "opposites attract" novel, will be coming out April/May 🎉(And if you’re wondering, that’s Till - ah - cos … as in Cos/tco.) Her Colorado Firefighter picks up with Sienna, Kelli's best friend, and Troy, the middle brother at Tillacos Creek Ranch. He's a firefighter and a cowboy, what could be better?!

He’s a firefighter, a cowboy...​
​
​And a whole lot of trouble!​
​
Dispatcher Sienna Herrera can handle almost any emergency—until her best friend announces she’s getting married in just three weeks! Now Sienna’s trying to plan the best wedding their small Colorado town has ever seen with the one person least equipped for the task: the charming best man, firefighter Troy Tyler. He has zero interest in Sienna’s super-organized, color-coded task list, and she has even less in his no-worries attitude. But time is running out, and Troy is on call for the Wildland Fire Team. Will their mismatched differences save the wedding or ruin it completely…along with the spark Sienna and Troy can’t ignore?
​
​From Harlequin Heartwarming: Wholesome stories of love, compassion and belonging.​
​
​A Tillacos Ranch Romance​
​
​Book 1: Her Colorado Cowboy​
Book 2: Her Colorado Firefighter​

And book three — with the oldest brother, Lane? That's been turned in to my editor now and we have a title:

Their Colorado Christmas

YES! A Christmas book for Christmas season 2026! Themes - Forced Proximity (snowed in together), Friends to Lovers, He Falls First 💞 🎄

And in even more fun news: I have a Wrangler's Tales Tillacos Creek Ranch short story coming to Harlequin's Free Online Reads!! (More news on this soon!)

I just love this story from the bunkhouse about one of the ranch hands and the twist of fate that changes two lives when a letter meant for someone else arrives in his mailbox.

While you're waiting for more Tillacos Creek Ranch stories to publish, though, here are some other sweet holiday romance recommendations for you:

His Alaskan Christmas by Beth Carpenter

​https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9780369767684_his-alaskan-christmas.html​

An instant family​
​
​Is a gift he never expected! ​
​
The tiny town of Swan Falls, Alaska, has everything engineer Emily Cooper needs—except a nanny for the holidays. But her Christmas wish could be granted in the most unexpected way! Grounded as he waits for corrective eye surgery, pilot Nick Bernardi needs a place to stay. And helping his best friend’s widow with her two kids is an easy yes. But it’s not long before the dedicated bachelor starts to feel more than he should…especially considering he’s moving far away to Hawaii. Could falling in love change his flight plan?
​
​From Harlequin Heartwarming: Wholesome stories of love, compassion and belonging.​
​
​A Swan Falls, Alaska Novel

Cupid's First Christmas by Tana Jenkins

​https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BZFCPFML​

​
If the cold didn't kill him, nosey Santa Clauses would!

The reserved and pragmatic Dr. Zack Albertson may have returned to small town Mackinac Island, but he's counting down the seconds until he can leave. And the overwhelming cheer that envelops 'America's No. 1 Christmas Town' as soon as Thanksgiving is over makes it feel like his countdown is at a standstill.
​
Meanwhile, light and laughter-loving Melinda Noelle Christianson has returned to the island to help her family with their Christmas tree farm. After a tumultuous marriage in Miami, the yuletide exuberance is just what the doctor ordered.

When fate brings these total opposites together, Melinda quickly writes off her brother's best friend as too young and too focused on work. But the unexpected arrival of a box of adorable puppies at Zack's doorstep sparks a connection neither can ignore.
​
As snow falls, lights twinkle, and Linda's plan to find new homes for the puppies collides with the ghosts of Christmas past, will the pair overcome the barriers of time and intention? Or will they let history hold them back?
​
Set against the charming backdrop of Mackinac Island and filled with quirky characters and unexpected twists, this sweet 'grumpy sunshine' holiday romance is a sleigh ride of laughs, love, and second chances. Perfect for fans of Hallmark-style stories, reverse age gaps, nosy but well-meaning neighbors, and more hot cocoa than you can shake a candy cane at. Unwrap this festive novel and discover if laughter, banter, and a little holiday magic can lead to a happily ever after!
​
What readers are saying about this adorable holiday romance:
"If you enjoy winter/Christmas vibes, cute doggies, small towns, second chances, and older woman/younger man romances then I highly recommend you cozy up with this read... Tana Jenkins, you are a master at making me feel all the beautiful feelings that romance has to offer!" Jas_reads24 Bookstagrammer
​
"If you're looking for a cute, clean holiday romance, this is for you!" Ash//booksta Bookstagrammer

The Cowboy's Christmas Match by Tanya Agler

​https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781335460257_the-cowboys-christmas-match.html​

Will his best friend…
​
Be his happily-ever-after?
​
Accidentally agreeing to speak at the social event of Violet Ridge’s holiday season threatens to ruin quiet introvert and town historian Crosby Virtue’s whole December. His outgoing best friend, Sami Fleming, insists a makeover will cure his public-speaking fear—an extra-special Christmas gift as she’s leaving town to travel the world. Sami’s also sure her beautician skills will help Crosby meet the woman of his dreams. But Crosby already has—her. Now the clock is ticking… Can Crosby find the courage to tell Sami the words she suddenly, secretly, longs to hear?
​
​From Harlequin Heartwarming: Wholesome stories of love, compassion and belonging.​
​
​A Violet Ridge Novel

Wishing everyone warm cocoa (or lemonade if you're in the southern hemisphere!), happy holidays, and a safe, healthy, and wonderful New Year.

Until next time, happy reading!

Thanks for reading Eliza D. Collins - Romance Author, Dog Mom! You can also find me on Instagram, Facebook, or my website at elizadcollins.com​ Newsletter Archives can be viewed HERE​

​