But not this year. This year, I’m stuck at a ski resort where I know no one and I have to explain to every bell boy and waiter that I’m there alone because my fiancé is a jerk and I’m not actually celebrating my honeymoon and I’ve taken a vow of celibacy for life. I’d rather be at home with my hot chocolate and my fire, but it seemed stupid to let the resort go to waste. I plan on holing up in my suite with a bottle of wine and my suitcase full of books. No trips to the bar where my vow could be at risk. But when the eye candy in the suite next to me shows up at my door half dressed looking for his dog, my vow might have to go out the window.

    From the horrors of childhood to the vagaries of old age, from confused people to humiliated animals, we're all just trying - and often failing - to keep it together. How carefully should you answer when asked what you'd take to a desert island? What do you do if your parents are reading your diary? How useful is a Swiss Army Knife? And what's A Brief History of Time really about?Armed with a sharp eye for the absurd and an overwhelming sense of doom, Simon Rich explores the ridiculousness of our everyday lives, from the most minute of anxieties to one of life's biggest questions: Does God really have a plan for us? Yes, it turns out. Now if only He could remember what it was ...'Simon Rich is very much laugh-out-loud funny. He can conjure authentic, from-the-abdomen laughter on almost every page. He stacks surrealism on top of slick satire on top of pure childish silliness in such a brilliant and condensed way, there are sometimes three laugh-out-loud moments within the same paragraph ... He is exactly the right kind of writer for the internet: funny, high-concept, accessible, short, sharable, a James Thurber for the Twitter age' Matt Haig

     Brand is the youngest bodyguard to ever protect the king, but he may never grow any older. A horde of mankind’s ancient enemies lays siege to Cardoroth city. During the day, the clang of blades, the mad shrieks of the foe and the hiss of swift-flighted arrows cuts the air. At night, the sorcerous chanting begins. Brand ignores it all. His one duty is to guard the king. But the realm teeters on the brink of destruction and the king knows that his bodyguard, touched by fate in ways that neither of them understand, is the only man with the skills to save it. He asks Brand to undertake a last-chance quest to save all that they love. Brand accepts the mission. Soon, enemies track him across strange lands, beasts of foul magic stalk him and an emissary of evil hunts him. Amid it all, he meets a beautiful but deadly girl who aids him – for reasons of her own. She knows secrets that she will not tell, but she does reveal that more is at play than just the fate of kings and realms. Ancient forces, drenched in long-forgotten blood, seek to plunge the world into the dark. The odds pile against him, but not for nothing was he the king’s last hope. This boxed set contains the entire Durlindrath trilogy.

    Rose - who had the added disadvantage of being young and pretty - found she had to cope with elderly male prejudice from those above her, and apathetic ignorance and poverty from those she was trying to help.

    

    I’ve tried hard to go straight, and this time I thought I’d got it, thought things would work out for a change. I didn’t reckon on Tony Rossi and his gang…. Why did I have to get myself involved with such low-life again? And then I saw her, and my life would never be the same again. I knew I wanted her there and then, even though I knew I was committing a crime against her. That’s the moment I knew it all had to change, that I had to change if I was ever going to deserve a woman like Janine. Her dad, on the other hand, has different plans for his daughter’s future, plans that don’t involve me. Times running out to save her, but I have no job, no money… no hope. Even if I did, what happens when the past catches up to me and she finds out all about me? It’s bound to happen… I can’t build a relationship on a web of lies. Can she ever love a man like me? Janine I’m scared, scared as hell of a future that dad has already planned for me, but what can I do? When I meet Ed, I wish things could be different, he’s everything I want in a man… even if he is older than me. He’s strong and handsome, and someone to protect me from men like Tony Rossi… but it all seems so hopeless. I hate Tony Rossi with a passion, I hate any form of violence, and could never love a man like him… a bully and a small-time gangster. I felt a strong attachment to Ed from our first meeting… maybe it’s love at first sight, I don’t know… but I know nothing about him. With my dad forever watching me, how will I ever meet up with Ed to find out? They say that love will find a way, but I don’t see how. Can Ed save me? Is he the one? *Taken By The Thief is a short, standalone romance with an HEA, no cheating, and no cliffhanger.

    That resolve destroyed Mary's last relationship, but she doubles down on what she does best: taxes and charity work. Since Mary inexplicably enjoys interpreting the inner workings of the tax code, she’s content with her life. Mary doesn’t need a boyfriend. Which is why, when a strikingly handsome electrician doggedly pursues her, she refuses to go out with him. But Luke doesn’t give up easily, and Mary surprises herself by agreeing to a first date. He puts a snap and crackle in her step that she's never had before. Mary giggles over texts like a teenager and counts the minutes until she gets to see him next. Until an issue with her charity sends Mary to the front door of a travel-trailer... and hunky Luke answers her knock. Mary's excitement fizzles when Luke’s adorable children peek out from behind his legs. Luke's a widower, and Mary won’t go out with him now that she knows. After all, with her family tree, she has no hope of being a decent mother. And Amy and Chase deserve the best. Only, Luke won’t let her walk away. He’s only working in Atlanta for a few more weeks, and he wants to spend them all with her. Can Mary find the faith in herself to enjoy the time they have? Or will her wounded heart send her running too soon? Book Two: Finding Cupid There are two things event planner Geo Polson will not do. She won't plan weddings, and she will not date. No exceptions. Billionaire venture capitalist Trig Thornton doesn't live by hard and fast rules. After all, you don't finish first by staying in your lane. But when his best friend forces him to help plan a bachelor party, he doesn't expect to be smitten by the feisty wedding planner. Geo's already broken one cardinal rule at the behest of her bestie. There's no way she's going to so much as bend another. But Trig isn't easily dissuaded, and he's made it his business to help Geo relax and have some fun. Will he heal Geo's wounded heart, or are her rules the only thing keeping her safe? AND! Book Three: Finding Spring Trudy’s life is a wreck. She has no job, no husband, no college degree, a sick son, and a stack of medical bills. Her family and friends keep trying to set her up, but Trudy turns them down flat. She’s got a foolproof plan this time around. She won't go out for so much as a latte until she graduates, finds steady work, and pays off all her debt. Mr. Perfect will have to wait, because Trudy has no time for nonsense. After weeks of looking, she finally lands a paying job. It’s only an interim assistant position, but it comes with medical insurance. Everything is going exactly according to plan. Until she meets her new boss. He’s hotter than an August day in Atlanta, and his expert flirting melts Trudy’s resolve. But can her boss really be Mr. Right if she meets him at the wrong time and in the wrong place?

     Jeremiah Scott was returning to Weatherton, Wyoming after a six-year absence While in Cheyenne, arranging business deals and outfitting his ranch, he decided to find an impromptu bride. But when the bride was more than he bargained for, will it destroy his plans for marriage?" TO LOVE AND TO HONOR By Heather Blanton Joel Chapman feels like a failure. Losing a leg in battle, he failed to fulfill his duty as a captain. According to his wife, without two good legs, he’s failed as a husband and provider. Along with his self-respect, his spirit is dying a slow, painful death. Angela Fairbanks is the daughter of a tyrant—a cattle baron known for his iron fist and cold heart. She has no doubt once he learns she is carrying an illegitimate child, he will banish her from the ranch. Compassion and honor overtaking his good sense, Joel offers a noble lie to protect Angela and secure a home for her and the baby: one day as her husband, and then he’ll “abandon” her. Will the noble lie become simple deceit? Or is he man enough to resist his heart and keep his vows? A GROOM FOR CHRISTMAS By Tina Dee Addie Langford is desperate. Christmas is just around the corner and she’d love nothing more than a holiday break from the constant meddling of her family and their determination to find her a husband. Just when she thinks she’d gotten rid of one poor fellow, she lands right on top of another—literally. When he looks past her physical imperfection, will she also learn to look past it and find love? Rhett Marshall just wants to make his way in the world. He’s looking for a job as a ranch hand, but after a shotgun wedding he finds he’s gained a wife instead. The problem is that Addie was so much more than what she seemed, like no girl he’d ever met. After getting to know her, the big question is whether he’ll stay or go when the choice finally arrives. THE COWBOY’S CHRISTMAS PRAYERS By Laura J. Marshall 1905, South Dakota Stone Tyler Wayne, the man with three first names is just a simple cowboy. He has little to show for his hard-working ways other than the calluses on his hands, yet he folds these hands in consistent prayer to the One who sees his heart. Nan Kinsey is the boss’ daughter. Her father plans to marry her off to the ranch owner’s son next door. The problem is, she is drawn instead to Stone. Will their Christmas prayers be answered? MISTLETOE MISTAKE By Lynette Sowell Matthew Thomas cooked up the idea of helping the crumbling town of Angel Vale, Wyoming by arranging for mail order brides from the East--including a bride for himself until his feet get colder than a Wyoming blizzard. Widowed Sophia Webster tries to make a new start in Wyoming by staying true to her word and helping Matthew establish his newspaper, but come spring, it’ll be back East for her--unless Matthew’s change of heart can convince her otherwise. HUSBAND OF THE BRIDE By USA TODAY BESTSELLING Susette Williams Widowed for years, Ma has been the matriarch of the family, facing the challenges of raising four boys who are now men. With the arrival of her first grandchild imminent, Ma finds herself face-to-face with the town doctor who has very differing views than her own.