The Christmas Spirit

A woman heals from heartbreak with the help of some unusual strangers in this enjoyable, supernaturally tinged Christmas romance from Weis (the Magnus Blackwell series). Nashville accountant and novelist Courtney Winston needs a secluded spot to overhaul her latest book for an eager but exacting publisher. After getting out of her mother’s extravagant holiday plans, she rents a rustic cabin in which to write, ignoring warnings about the cabin’s quirks from its owner, Peter Morris. As Courtney, who’s still recovering from a painful breakup, settles in to work on her novel, she’s surprised by the arrival of Mrs. Finn, who announces herself as the cabin’s housekeeper. Mrs. Finn’s abrupt comings and goings startle Courtney, as do the frequent visits from Peter, who wears glaringly old-fashioned clothes and offers to do chores and lend an ear to Courtney’s troubles. Their relationship deepens as Courtney learns more about Peter’s own tragic love life, but Courtney’s retreat grows ever stranger, until Courtney realizes that Peter and Mrs. Finn are not what they appear. While the mystery of Courtney’s helpers’ identities is a bit obvious, the genuine emotion driving the plot makes up for it. A touch of magic sets this holiday romance apart. Agent: Italia Gandolfo, Gandolfo Helin & Fountain Literary. (Nov.)