It’s time to get those ugly Christmas sweaters out of the closet and onto your body, as December 19th is Ugly Sweater Day. This Friday is the perfect time to break out these unfortunate holiday garments. It’s also a great day to check out some new book releases from the authors below.
The Prince of Prophecy by Kristen Kandibo (The Serenfawr Saga Series)
Odessa Banuette has spent years living a life filled with purpose, traveling the kingdom to help those in need while relying on her seer’s cards and the shadowy spirit who warns her of danger. With her best friend Eryx and a found family of fellow orphans, she believes she is protected from harm. That belief shatters when the Cold Moon rises and everything she loves is torn apart.
Forced to act, Odessa must journey to the capital city of Awrymor without drawing the notice of a ruthless king. With Eryx at her side and her spirit guide watching closely, hope feels possible until a troubling prophecy changes everything. Saving a friend imprisoned in a tower may cost her more than she expects. In The Prince of Prophecy by Kristen Kandibo, courage, destiny, and the heart collide in a journey where survival is never guaranteed.
River, Wild by Erin Trejo
In River, Wild by Erin Trejo, an underground fighter struggling to survive for the sake of his younger sister makes a desperate mistake that changes everything. What begins as a risky kidnapping scheme involving the governor’s daughter quickly unravels when she reveals she is no innocent victim and refuses to leave. Drawn into his violent world, she becomes someone he must protect, forcing him to question loyalty, survival, and whether love can exist in a life built on danger.
Civil War by Max Lamirande (Civil War Series)
History takes a dramatic turn in an alternate vision of the American Civil War in Civil War by Max Lamirande. After Southern states secede and Fort Sumter falls, Lincoln’s call to arms triggers deeper division and open war. A crushing Union defeat at Bull Run sets the stage for the unthinkable as General Robert E. Lee rallies Confederate forces and launches a bold strike on Washington itself. Told through the perspectives of famous leaders and ordinary soldiers on both sides, the novel explores how strategy, chance, and human resolve could have reshaped a nation’s fate.
Murder at Lalor Station by Penny Fields-Schneider (A Tilly Whitewood Bush Nurse Mystery Series)
Set in rural Australia in 1912, Murder at Lalor Station by Penny Fields-Schneider follows community nurse Tilly Whitewood as she seeks a fresh start in the township of Bongala. Her hopes for a quiet life unravel when she is called to treat a man with a gunshot wound whose story makes little sense. As Tilly and her friend Louise investigate, they uncover a long-buried disappearance, missing treasure, and a scandal that still grips the town. To uncover the truth, Tilly must also confront secrets from her own past.
Here is a list of all of the new books releasing today:
New Book Releases for December 19th, 2025
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vince is the Entertainment Editor at Book Notification. His first book was Green Eggs & Ham by Dr. Seuss, and his passion for reading took off from there. He'll read just about anything, but can usually be found re-reading his favorite Pynchon novels and Seattle Mariners box scores.