A NOVEL CHRISTMAS

Black romance novelist Saira Wright seeks holiday inspiration and finds love in Santa Claus, Indiana. Portrayed by Charlie L. Wood, Saira, exudes self-confidence and competence as she enjoys Christmas traditions along with the owner of her vacation rental, widower Dorian Black. Tony Roberts's quiet and emotionally controlled narration demonstrates the tightly held grief that Dorian is dealing with. Roberts's precise phrasing for him is an effective foil to Saira's more emotional tones. Wood also matches the steamy intimacy Saira and Dorian develop. She creates a solid contrast between Saira's normally self-contained persona and her longing for Dorian. Wood and Roberts breathe life into this contemporary story with a holiday twist. C.A. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2024]