Missing Before Christmas

by June Woods

He disappeared the night before their perfect Christmas began.

For the first time in 10 years, all three of Tanya Hartman's children are coming home for Christmas. The farmhouse is decorated, the cookies are baked, and 40 years of love have never felt stronger.

Then her husband Greg steps outside into the December snow—and never comes back.

His truck is gone. His phone goes straight to voicemail. The only trace of him is a set of footprints disappearing into the night.

In the small town of Cedar Hollow, where everyone knows everyone's business, the whispers start immediately. But Tanya knows the Greg would never leave her. Not willingly.

As she races to find answers before her children arrive, she uncovers strange clues, mysterious phone calls and orders placed without her knowledge.

With only days until Christmas and a sheriff who's running out of leads, Tanya must confront an impossible

Her husband is missing. And now his secrets are beginning to surface.
Start reading to find out what happens in Book 1 of 3 in this gripping holiday series!

Genres: Fiction

123 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 29, 2025

About the author

June Woods is a coffee-loving beach bum who has spent the last decade traveling the states and meeting interesting people.

She was born and raised in Florida but has called everywhere home for a little while.

She’s been obsessed with reading ever since she learned how to, and has been writing short stories for as long as she can remember.

Her first love will always be mysteries, but she also dabbles in romantic suspense and comedy.

You can expect her books to be light, fluffy, and full of emotion. June loves making her readers feel something, even if it's just laughter.

Follow her on Amazon to be notified when new books are released:
https://www.amazon.com/June-Woods/e/B...

Reviews

[Cathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Warning : This is not a stand alone book, so if you want to find out what happens you have to purchase books 2 and 3 also. Book one lays out the beginning, but for me it was too much of the same descriptions over and over. Smells and items that bring up memories for the main character, but very little to add context to the actual story. It could have been written in one book if 90% of the fluff had been left out. It wasn’t necessary. Also, what woman wouldn’t inform her adult children that their father was missing for several days? That was just odd. I’m not bothering to read the next two parts.

[Jessica Marie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank goodness it was short… Incredibly repetitive, same descriptions used over and over… how many times can one say “smells faintly..”. The story started out with a good premise, but the descriptive repetition was annoying, and the lady wasn’t doing anything to find her husband who “would never just disappear”… except that he did, so something obviously happened, start searching through his belongings, search his clothes and the garage, do something other than just get lost in memories and telling yourself “he wouldn’t do this”. Like is the lady senile that she can’t be more proactive? And then after 3 day, continuing to lie to her children and tell them “dads out in the garage, you know how he is”, that’s just dumb, no mother would lie to their children if their dad was still kissing after 3 days. The only reason I’m moving on to book 2, is because I’m invested in learning what happened to hubby, but as far as literature goes, this book is boring and annoying.

[Judy Hardwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story

I read all three books within 24 hours, because, really it could have been one good book. The story of the missing husband kept me guessing while at the same I was disturbed that this woman had multiple conversations with her a dult children and never once shared that daddy didn't come home last night... what the what? AND what was up with going into a convenience store and getting a few supplies and NOT CALLING HIS WIFE after he'd been missing a few days? That threw me off... still friendships were renewed and kindled... sweet ending, if a bit implausible.

[Renate Deutsche Oma · Rating 3 out of 5]

June Woods is a new to me author. The title was intriguing. This avid reader dislikes cliff hanging stories, where I need to buy the next book to find out what is happening. WARNING: not a stand alone book - did purchase book 3 to find out what happens. Stories are repetitive. Same descriptions over and over - faltering on when do give up search for missing husband, when to notify authorities and tell adult children.

[Marjorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read a review from a person who just raved about this book so I thought I would try it. I read the first book and won’t be reading the others. Just did not like the storyline or maybe it was the repetitive way it was written.

[Loraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book #1 covered three days. Every day was the same. Worry about her husband, which is natural, but the same thoughts every page.
I don't like that it has to be continued in the next two books. They're not always available at the library, and I don't want to purchase them.

[Kathy Dryden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tanya and Greg will hook you from the very start of this mystery, making it impossible to put down. I loved how quickly the story flowed, and I had no idea how it would end. I can’t wait for Book 2.

[Beverly Kee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoa what a storyline!

What a story this was! I'm not sure what is going to happen in the next book but what a ending!