December is that wonderful time of year when we decorate, bake, shop, and think about our childhood, families, and yes, romance. The holidays are a time to celebrate and there's always hope for a bright future. I selected a few of my favorite covers from the 2009 holiday season. During the month of December, visitors voted for their favorite and a few even sent in comments via email. Thank you to everyone who voted for their favorite cover. Congratulations to Loree Lough, Laura Hyde, and Summerside Press on winning Cover Cafe's first Holiday Favorites Poll.

I hope your holiday season was filled with love, family, and friends.
Linnae and Cover Cafe!

"I love this cover, too. It's fresh and full of happiness with the snowman, beautiful sky, and I love the heroine's festive red hat. This cover caught my eye and would make me give it a second or even third glance." Linnae

And Here's What You Thought:

"The holidays to me are family and fun, and the North Pole cover did the best job of conveying that to me. And hey, put me in the "Scotsman in the snowy field with exposed chest" cover is just supremely silly, niceness of chest or not!!!"
Mary Lynne

"North Pole cover did it for me! Holidays are the "warm fuzzies" time, the aahhh isn't that a special time and the cover gave me that feeling. While the other covers are okay, I'm not looking for "sex on a stick" type cover for the holiday and that's coming from someone who LOVES holiday romance books..."
K.L. Kosters

"The background of this cover is based on photographs taken by the mayor pro tem of North Pole, Alaska, who is a professional photographer. He was kind enough to let me use a few of his gorgeous pictures for the book’s back jacket and inside front cover. So kudos to Kevin!" author Loree Lough

"The “North Pole” cover is infinitely more appealing for a Christmas story than the “naked man” motif! Somehow those other covers are not consistent with the emotions and values associated with this beloved holiday—and not because of their rendering, but because the subject matter itself is off-putting." Barbara Durkin

"I really love this cover. I know, I know, the Highlander has to be freezing his pectorals off without a warm jacket or even an open shirt giving him some protection from the elements. However, I love the beautiful castle in the background, the snow covered trees, and yes, did you take a good look at the gorgeous guy in that festive red kilt?" Linnae

And Here's What You Thought:

"I voted for the Highlander because I just cannot resist a good looking man in a kilt (and, yes, a kilt does improve a man's looks). As far as being cold, all those muscles generate a lot of heat (well, in me, at any rate) and besides, Scotsmen are tough! After all, they've been wearing skirts without underwear for a long time in spite of the cold climate in which they live. Great cover!" Karen H. (who is part Scots so really cannot help it)

"LOL, Karen...I agree with you on each issue!!" Marian De Bruyn Clough (who is also part Scots)

"The Highlander is very nice!" Jeanette

"...Definitely love a man in a kilt!!" Mary Ann

"Yes, I love the Highlander, too. LOL" Marian

"...He would be welcome at my Christmas table. LOL" Cindy O.

"...Not only is he sexy, but he is well drawn and not headless!" Lisa B.

"This cover is elegant and mysterious. The tree and fireplace complete with traditional stockings tells you that it's a Christmas story but the focus is on the heroine and she's intriguing." Linnae

And Here's What Voters Thought:

"They are all good, but for me, the one that best represents Christmas is the mystery and the happy feelings from having a tree twinkling in the corner of the room." CJ

"I ended up voting for THE BEST GIFT, LOL. It looked like Christmas to me. I like the BETTER NAUGHTY THAN NICE cover, but it's not one of my all-time favs. Still, I'm honored that you chose it for the contest!" author Vicki Lewis Thompson

"Who wouldn't want to have such a sexy Santa deliver their gifts? I have always seen the month of December as a very romantic time of the year. Back when we were just starting our married life, I wish my dh had dressed up in red pajama bottoms and a sexy hat when he gave me my gifts at Christmas." Linnae

And Here's What You Thought:

"Better Naughty Than Nice was a close second, however. That is a seriously sexy Santa substitute! And he comes bearing gifts!" Karen H.

"The covers are pretty good but I had to look really hard at Better Naughty Than Nice: the ball on the stocking cap looks like a growth on his shoulder. Better Naughty Than Nice could even go into the worst category because of the growth!" John R.

"I can only imagine how many yards of fabric went into making the stocking the hero and heroine find themselves snuggled in by candlelight. I have a little problem with the length of the heroine's upper chest visible above the fur but the rest of the cover made me smile. I don't think there will be a problem accomplishing seduction by Christmas." Linnae

And Here's What You Thought:

(So far, my little stocking stuffer cover isn't generating any positve comments. In fact, someone disagreed with my idea of a cozy stocking.)

"Seduce Me...the material or gauze or whatever looks like she is holding a mermaid." John R.