New holiday romance spotlights Downtown Los Angeles landmarks

Lara Scott and Cori Linder’s Main Street and Mistletoe is out now, using real Downtown Los Angeles landmarks as the backdrop for a Christmas romance. The novel arrives as Los Angeles looks ahead to the 2028 Olympic Games and is the first book in the planned Main Street Series trilogy.

Why it matters: - Main Street and Mistletoe turns Downtown Los Angeles into the setting for a holiday romance, giving the city’s landmarks a new cultural spotlight. - The book adds a locally rooted Christmas title to the market at a time when Los Angeles is preparing for the 2028 Olympic Games. - The novel is the first installment in the planned Main Street Series trilogy, so the project is built to continue beyond one book.

What happened: - Los Angeles radio host Lara Scott and USA TODAY bestselling author Cori Linder released Main Street and Mistletoe today. - The novel is a Christmas romance set in Downtown Los Angeles rather than in a fictional holiday town. - The book is published by Morgan James Fiction, an imprint of Morgan James Publishing. - Main Street and Mistletoe is available now wherever books are sold.

The details: - The story features recognizable Downtown LA locations, including the Millennium Biltmore Hotel, Cicada Restaurant and Club, the Los Angeles Central Library and Grand Central Market. - Scott said the goal was to celebrate Downtown Los Angeles landmarks through storytelling and help readers see DTLA differently. - Linder said the setting mattered personally because Southern California was home for most of her life and Downtown Los Angeles has always fascinated her. - Linder’s previous book, The Self-Coached Swimmer's Guide, became a USA TODAY bestseller. - The novel follows a cozy holiday romance about finding love again when life takes an unexpected turn. - The book is described as carrying the warmth and emotional appeal of a Hallmark-style Christmas movie. - Main Street and Mistletoe received a Mom's Choice Awards® GOLD Recipient designation for family-friendly storytelling and positive themes.

Between the lines: - Scott and Linder are using a real urban setting to make the romance feel both familiar and specific to Los Angeles. - The project also works as place-based promotion for Downtown LA, especially for readers who may not know the area well. - The planned trilogy suggests the authors see this as a brand and series, not just a standalone seasonal release.

What's next: - Scott and Linder are already developing additional books in the Main Street Series trilogy. - The Main Street Series website says more information is available at MainStreetSeries.com. - The series is positioned to expand the same Los Angeles-centered formula into future installments.

The bottom line: - Main Street and Mistletoe aims to sell a Christmas love story and a new way of seeing Downtown Los Angeles at the same time.