Solstice, Spice & Everything Nice

Tales from the Tavern #2.5

by T.L. Stone

The longest night brings the warmest hearts—and one missing ostrich.

In the cozy village of Wayside, winter has arrived with a dusting of powdered-sugar snow and the promise of the Winter Solstice Festival. Lira can already smell the cinnamon and cardamom wafting from her kitchen as she prepares spiced shortbread and other treats to celebrate the return of the light. But when a fussy ostrich goes missing during the celebration, the village rallies to bring him home.

Between search parties and baking, hot chai and heartfelt conversations by the fire, Lira is reminded that Wayside isn't just a village—it's a family. From the tireless halfling baker to the protective orc who holds her hand through winter mornings, everyone here has found a place to belong. And on the longest night of the year, that belonging shines brighter than any solstice bonfire.

Perfect for readers who love their fantasy filled with shortbread, sweetness, and the kind of friendships that feel like coming home, this cozy tale will wrap around you like a favorite woolen cardigan. Pour yourself something sweet and hot, settle in by the fire, and let the magic of a snowy winter village remind you what truly matters.

This holiday novella is book 3 in the Tales from the Tavern cozy fantasy series and is best read as part of the series. It includes a recipe in the back of the book!

Genres: Cozy Fantasy

58 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 7, 2025

Reviews

[Kelsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to the author for the gifted copy!

It was so fun to return to the Tusk and Tail Tavern, even for a quick solstice adventure. With entertaining moments and hints at what’s coming next for our group of characters, it was such a joy to read curled up with a mug of chai. I love the family that has formed in these books, and I’ll keep coming back again and again to spend cozy nights with them.

[Jessy · Rating 4 out of 5]

can someone explain the recipe at the back of the book? What is the point of yeast being added to the list of shortbread ingredients?

[Natasha Leighton · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
Cosy and heartwarmingly entertaining! T.L. Stone’s winter themed companion novella was the perfect way kick off my seasonal reading.

The prose is bursting with festive cheer and community spirit, and the hijinks we encounter (involving a certain lavender battle ostrich) was wonderfully entertaining.

But what I loved most was getting to see Lira, Sass and Korl again, and the slight teasing of future events (especially involving Vaskel’s possible romantic prospects) that has me super excited for the next instalment (which I need ASAP!)

Overall, an enjoyable and really quick read (about 50-ish pages) that can easily be finished in a single sitting. Perfect for anyone looking for a cosy, feel good novella to brighten up a cold winter’s evening.

Also thanks to the author for the gifted e-arc.

[A Novel Approach · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 4.25/5. This holiday novella in the Tales from the Tavern cozy fantasy series falls in between books 2 & 3 and offered all the heartfelt and fireside feels I wanted this week. The village is preparing for their Winter Solstice Festival when suddenly Glen the lavender battle ostrich goes missing and the whole town has to pull together to search.

If you’re looking for a cozy fantasy series to read in the new year, you have to give this one a try. And don’t wait, because book 3 comes out on 2/6!

[Ben Savage · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75, No other word for it, a cute little fantasy. Just enough to tide us over until book three. The definitions of " hopepunk" is apparently an ostrich. A lavender ostrich.

And new side characters as well as a great depiction of the Solstice celebration!

[Lacrima Mundi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wish "authors" would stop using AI for their books. It's more than tedious to read the same empty phrases over, and over, and over again.

[Phi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun little cozy short story full of so much holiday cheer! Add in an intoxicated ostrich, and you have a truly unique story, haha This was a wonderful holiday read!

[Margaret lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quirky fun

I love these quirky cosy tales I always feel warm and fuzzy and also I have a big smile on my face a huge 5 stars

[Bianca Damhuis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella takes place after the first 2 books. And just like those it’s heartwarming,cozy, sweet and funny.
It’s a quick read and fun read. With a hilarious twist.

[Sam Yaworski · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short cozy read. Read this as a standalone and there was not much character development. It was a decent short story and the best part was Glen the lavender Ostrich.