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Dashing Through the Mall
Presents three novels about the gift of love on Christmas, including "Santa Baby," in which a harried single mother is rescued by a police officer dressed as Santa, as well as works by Darlene Gardner and Holly Jacobs.
403 pages, Hardcover
First published November 7, 2006
About the author
Sherryl Woods
557 books4,635 followersWith two other careers to her credit before becoming a novelist and four states in which she's lived for extended periods of time, Sherryl Woods has collected friends and memories, along with way too much unnecessary junk.
"The friends are the only things I've brought with me through the years that really matter," she says. "I could probably live without one more chintz teacup, another tin-litho sandpail or another snowglobe, but I need those friends."
The theme of enduring friendships and families is always central to Sherryl's books, including her latest Chesapeake Shores series — THE INN AT EAGLE POINT, FLOWERS ON MAIN and HARBOR LIGHTS.
Author of more than 100 romance and mystery novels, Sherryl Woods grew up in Virginia. Over the years she had lived in Ohio and Florida, as well as California. Currently she divides her time between Key Biscayne, Florida and Colonial Beach, Virginia, the small, river-front town where she spent her childhood summers.
A graduate of Ohio State University School of Journalism, Sherryl spent more than ten years as a journalist, most of them as a television critic for newspapers in Ohio and Florida. For several years she also coordinated a motivational program for the more than 8,000 employees at the University of Miami-Jackson Memorial Medical Center.
Her first book, RESTORING LOVE, was published in 1982 by Dell Candlelight Ecstasy under the pseudonym of Suzanne Sherrill. Her second book, SAND CASTLES, under the pseudonym of Alexandra Kirk, was published later that same year by Bantam. She began using her own name when she moved to the Second Chance at Love line at Berkley Publishing. In 1986, she began writing full-time and also began her long career at Silhouette Books with the Desire title NOT AT EIGHT, DARLING, set in the world of television which she covered for so many years.
In addition to her more than 75 romances for Silhouette Desire and Special Edition, she has written thirteen mysteries — nine in the Amanda Roberts series and four in the Molly DeWitt series.
When she's not writing or reading, Sherryl loves to garden, though she's not at her best on a riding lawn mower. She also loves tennis, theater, and ballet, even though her top spin has long since vanished, she's never set foot on a stage, and she's way too uncoordinated to dance. She also loves baseball and claims anyone who's ever seen Kevin Costner in "Bull Durham" can understand why.
"The friends are the only things I've brought with me through the years that really matter," she says. "I could probably live without one more chintz teacup, another tin-litho sandpail or another snowglobe, but I need those friends."
The theme of enduring friendships and families is always central to Sherryl's books, including her latest Chesapeake Shores series — THE INN AT EAGLE POINT, FLOWERS ON MAIN and HARBOR LIGHTS.
Author of more than 100 romance and mystery novels, Sherryl Woods grew up in Virginia. Over the years she had lived in Ohio and Florida, as well as California. Currently she divides her time between Key Biscayne, Florida and Colonial Beach, Virginia, the small, river-front town where she spent her childhood summers.
A graduate of Ohio State University School of Journalism, Sherryl spent more than ten years as a journalist, most of them as a television critic for newspapers in Ohio and Florida. For several years she also coordinated a motivational program for the more than 8,000 employees at the University of Miami-Jackson Memorial Medical Center.
Her first book, RESTORING LOVE, was published in 1982 by Dell Candlelight Ecstasy under the pseudonym of Suzanne Sherrill. Her second book, SAND CASTLES, under the pseudonym of Alexandra Kirk, was published later that same year by Bantam. She began using her own name when she moved to the Second Chance at Love line at Berkley Publishing. In 1986, she began writing full-time and also began her long career at Silhouette Books with the Desire title NOT AT EIGHT, DARLING, set in the world of television which she covered for so many years.
In addition to her more than 75 romances for Silhouette Desire and Special Edition, she has written thirteen mysteries — nine in the Amanda Roberts series and four in the Molly DeWitt series.
When she's not writing or reading, Sherryl loves to garden, though she's not at her best on a riding lawn mower. She also loves tennis, theater, and ballet, even though her top spin has long since vanished, she's never set foot on a stage, and she's way too uncoordinated to dance. She also loves baseball and claims anyone who's ever seen Kevin Costner in "Bull Durham" can understand why.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 27, 2021
Sweet Christmas Romance
5 stars
SANTA BABY by Sherryl Woods
Single mum Amy Riley isn't looking forward to taking her young son and baby to see Santa at the local shopping centre but it's a Christmas tradition. When her son goes missing in the mall, Santa - who is actually police officer Nick DiCaprio - comes to the rescue. Who ever said that Santa wasn't sexy?
This was a sweet Christmas story that dealt well with what could have been some difficult themes without making the story too serious. I thought Nick was the perfect hero - sexy and brooding while Amy was a sweet single mum who really needed a strong man in her life. A fun tale for Christmas.
ASSIGNMENT HUMBUG by Darlene Gardner
TV Reporter Merry Deluca is determined to film her piece on the commercialisation of Christmas at the local mall during the Christmas Eve last minute rush. But her story is about to get a new twist as she realises her cameraman is her recently ex-fiancé Patrick MacFarland - and he is determined to win her back.
I absolutely adored this festive story although I admit that I'm a sucker for second chance love! Well written, wonderful characters, love, snow and Christmas cheer - what more could you need?
DECK THE HALLS by Holly Jacobs
Retail manager Joy O'Connell is having a bad Christmas season. She's all alone, the store have been playing Christmas carols since October and now she has to become a personal shopper for a dad and his three tearaway teenagers! Ed Hall is trying to keep cheery while shopping in the store on Christmas Eve but it's difficult. But then he meets their personal shopper and suddenly his Christmas begins to look up.
This was my least favourite of the three stories simply because I felt I couldn't really identify with either of the main characters as I don't have any teenagers of my own. I'm sure those who have been Christmas shopping with three enthusiastic, video game mad, teenage boys will identify (and sympathise) with Ed and Joy. The romance was sweet and the festive touches were nicely Christmassy making this a cute story.
All three stories will get you into the Christmas spirit as the characters spend Christmas Eve shopping at the local mall. It's nice that each story happened at the same time although they weren't linked in any other way. Each story was sweet, romantic, Christmassy and perfect to read on a cold winter's night. Recommended.
* This book was also published in 2008 as Christmas Eve Kisses. The individual story names were different but the stories themselves remain the same *
January 28, 2024
I enjoyed the fast paced tension driving Santa Baby forward and characters through the dash through the mall on the search for kid however what I found harder to associate with was the romance between the single mom and police/santa on this mad search for the lost boy because I didn’t comprehend how the mother could even contemplate anything other than finding her child…yet she finds herself falling for the police/santa!?
September 14, 2015
Don't waste your time. I've skimmed through the stories. Find another book.
December 5, 2025
When I realized the three novellas in this book were actually interrelated, I decided to review the book as a whole. It's a clever idea, have one setting, one day, and have 3 novellas that essentially take place concurrently.
It was only ok though. The first book was kind of strange, I liked it ok but the whole falling for someone while you're in the middle of an emergency thing was weird. And once the MMC's family members started showing up everyone seemed to forget to keep the Santa magic for the kid and it got messy.
The second book was my favorite. Good character development and a conflict that really made a lot of sense from both points of view. If I had come across it as a standalone I'd probably give it 5 stars.
The third book was extremely boring until the last couple chapters. Very heartfelt ending.
I'm curious about the process of making this book. I think only the first story exists as a standalone so did the other authors read it and then write theirs to fit the same day? Or were they stories that they had already written that they adapted? Or did they all write Christmas Eve Novellas that take place in the Mall in Charlotte and go, "oh wow, we should make a book"? I kinda doubt that one but it's possible.
It was only ok though. The first book was kind of strange, I liked it ok but the whole falling for someone while you're in the middle of an emergency thing was weird. And once the MMC's family members started showing up everyone seemed to forget to keep the Santa magic for the kid and it got messy.
The second book was my favorite. Good character development and a conflict that really made a lot of sense from both points of view. If I had come across it as a standalone I'd probably give it 5 stars.
The third book was extremely boring until the last couple chapters. Very heartfelt ending.
I'm curious about the process of making this book. I think only the first story exists as a standalone so did the other authors read it and then write theirs to fit the same day? Or were they stories that they had already written that they adapted? Or did they all write Christmas Eve Novellas that take place in the Mall in Charlotte and go, "oh wow, we should make a book"? I kinda doubt that one but it's possible.
December 20, 2020
I’m sure that others would think this was a cute story but not my cup of tea. That being said, I did finish it as I wanted a holiday book for the season. Off my shelf now though.
January 1, 2021
Relaxing short stories
December 11, 2022
3 lovely Christmas stories by 3 wonderful authors wrapped up in one great book
March 30, 2023
3 novellas
Santa Baby was my favorite
Santa Baby was my favorite
January 3, 2024
Fun trilogy of short stories
October 22, 2025
Santa, Baby. 3 stars
The other two novellas DNF.
The other two novellas DNF.
March 2, 2008
I am so glad I read this book during the days leading up to Christmas! I loved the way that the 3 stories happened at the same time, but told in a way that they were seperate at the same time. It was a very heart-warming and fun read. Thank you to noumena12 for sending it to me as a surprise RABCK!
May 5, 2010
Okay, so I'm a sucker for Christmas stories and anthologies. This is a fun read by three gifted authors. All three stories are set on Christmas Eve in the same shopping mall. although there are a couple of related incidents, the three novellas stand alone well. Charming characters, fun plots, and well-written stories are always a plus, and this collection has all of them. A delightful read.
November 30, 2011
Three different tales of romance on Christmas Eve in the Mall at Charlotte NC. A single mom and a cop both find hope for the future. A reporter learns the meaning of Christmas spirit and love. A department store manager finds life is full of surprises. They'll all get you in the mood for shopping at the mall.
August 15, 2010
This was fine for a fun, light read. A couple of the stories were pretty unbelievable or insipid, but nothing horrid. Some of the writing was sucky, which was distracting. I did appreciate the fact that the characters didn't all get married at the end. I hate that. So, yes, this was ok.
October 13, 2010
These were three cute christmas stories. The stories are set in the same mall. All are softly romantic and charming without being interconnected to each other. There's mention of a certain incident but that's about it. The stories hold up well individually.
August 8, 2012
Three fun stories set on Christmas Eve. You can't help but smile....two of them are "meet-cute" stories with the future up to the reader....this reader likes happy endings especially on a gloomy weekend.
November 30, 2010
3 1/2 stars
December 16, 2011
Only read the first book because I had to return the book :( will pick this up again!!
December 21, 2011
Oh, what great stories for the Christmas season. A fun read.
December 19, 2013
Very cute quick reads for Christmas.
January 2, 2015
A fun filled book with three cute novellas.
November 29, 2016
I love Christmas stories. Unfortunately, this book was less exciting than Christmas eve toy assembly instructions. No excitement, no chemistry, no thrills. Try a different Christmas story collection.
December 21, 2012
a favorite reread...
December 10, 2015
Sweet cute three story read. Just right for the holidays.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews