It is with great effort that the busy twosome builds a relationship……and then the villain strikes*A shorter version of this story was published before in the anthology Matches Made in Heaven

    The guy she had a crush on in school is her mother’s best friend’s son who will also be at the party. She got over her school crush years ago, but she knows everyone will be giving her pitiful looks at the party and wedding that follows, which is the main reason for her to want to skip all the events. She can’t believe her luck when she finds out the handsome stranger who offers to give her a ride to the farmhouse is actually willing to attend the party as her boyfriend—her fake boyfriend. What happens when she needs to live the lie for more than just the one pre-wedding event and has to bring the fake boyfriend to the wedding? Is the handsome stranger willing to be part of the charade? Note: Fake Boyfriend is a short, contemporary romance.

    For the special edition slipcase please go here.You know the drill by now. The 2020 Short Story Advent Calendar is a deluxe box set of individually bound short stories from some of the best writers in North America. This year's slipcase is a thing of beauty, too, with electric-yellow lining and spot-glossed lettering. It also comes wrapped in two rubber bands to keep those booklets snug in their beds.

    And is also one of the best African American Urban Fiction novellas available. And now it’s here for your reading satisfaction. In this short story you’ll take an unforgettable ride with the national bestselling author Tiece, another great storyteller under Cole Hart Signature. Her writing is smooth and she know's how to make her characters come to life. **Warning** This is not your typical Urban romance, dope boy, thug love, or kingpin savage book. Heart pounding. Edge of your seat. Women's Fiction. Street literature. Cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Jonas Garcia is living his best life. He’s one of the greatest in his field, along-side his first cousin Dr. Deshawn Diego. Unlike Deshawn who is a happily married man, Jonas is a certified bachelor with thoughts of never settling down. However, an unexpected incident causes him to pause for a moment when he comes face to face with the mysterious Peach Kingston. Will Cupid finally pierce one of his arrows through Jonas’s cold heart? Peach and Jonas have a lot in common, being that neither is willing to give their hearts to another. Peach has her own issues that she has managed to maintain, as much as possible. An unforeseen encounter with Jonas instantly touches something in her soul, which causes her to rethink everything she ever doubted about love. But, Peach has a huge secret that she’s trying to let go of. Will this be the one thing that Jonas isn’t prepared for? Deshawn has any and everything he wants and needs, including the love in his marriage. With a wife like KeeKee, he can’t go wrong. She’s everything he could possibly ever want in a woman, but when infidelity strikes in the worse way, will they be able to weather the storm? Find out if Love prevails or fails in this addictive short story that’s sure to have you all up in your feelings.

    It is a day meant for lovers and the lustful. No need for games or regrets, whatever it will be, will be. Harlem is a feisty chick with a heart as big as the city she’s named after. While she considers herself strong willed, even they can fall weak sometimes. Harlem’s weakness is Saynt Williams, a ruthless drug dealer that’s anything but what his name describes on the streets of Brooklyn. Despite the desperate pleas of her worrisome father, the rebellious Harlem finds herself head over heels and is seemingly willing to risk it all for Saynt. However, a mysterious thug enters the picture and begins vying for Harlem's attention. This may just be what Harlem needs to break free of the captivating hold that Saynt has on her. Seoul Harris is the opposite of Saynt in all the ways that matter and has Harlem questioning everything she thinks she knows. With Valentine’s Day approaching fast and her back against the wall, will Harlem find love with a Saynt? Or will she ultimately find herself 'Seoul' snatched in this gritty, yet sexy hood romance?

    A native of Houston, Texas, Zuriah now lives in Chicago and is in her third year of internship to become an anesthesiologist, and things are going perfect. Great loft, awesome career, and a doctor boyfriend, Zuriah has all she needs and falling for another man is not on her Christmas wish list. Jesiah Bowman is single and content with his lifestyle. He tries to be a family man but, when he finds out that the child he'd claimed isn't his, he has no desire to be in a committed relationship with anyone. Busy with work and maintaining his businesses is satisfying enough for Jesiah, until he sees his best friend Zachory’s baby sister, Zuriah, again after several years. Instantly, he is attracted to her and he doesn’t hesitate to let her know, but not only does she have a man, she lives in an entirely different state. They say love conquers all, but will that be enough to bring these two together, or will the distance and commitment to Zuriah’s doctor boyfriend be the reasons why these two lovers toss in the towel?

    A lonely tree stands in an empty field on Christmas Eve. Will the Christmas star grant his only wish? Written for children, but enjoyed by all.  New for 2012: A fully illustrated version is now available.  Just search "The Lonely Christmas Tree (Illustrated)".

    Having lost faith in the most magical part of the year, her father, Jim, desperately tries to bring back the magic she has lost. When an unforeseen change of events takes over their little family on the morning of Christmas Eve, Jim's faith and spirits are really put to the test. Will the magic of Christmas be enough to bring back the joy to their family once more? Or will they really depend on a Christmas miracle?

    Paradise isn’t paradise when you’re not where you want to be, but this Christmas is anything but uneventful. Three airplanes land on the island and Brooke finds herself in exchanges that cause love, temptation, and HATE to surface. Marcus Thompson has pain in his past, but he’s decided it’s time to try love again. A widowed orphan from a wealthy family, he’s alienated from his grandfather and wants a family of his own. His feelings for Brooke can’t be denied, but she won’t give him a chance to prove he’s not the playboy she thinks he is. Though she finds Marcus tempting, Brooke is determined to get off the island without falling for his charms. The two people she trusted the most betrayed her in the worse way, and she isn’t prepared to risk love again. But when her worst enemy stands on her doorstep needing the generosity that has always been a part of Brooke’s character, she begins to question who she is and what she’s allowed heartbreak to do to her. Will she let anger and hate take over and turn her into someone else? Or will she find that even in her pain, she has the capacity to give?

    

    Throw away the candy canes. Christmas is going all wrong this year. Struggling through her first Christmas as a single mother, Holly can't decide if she should use the little energy she has left to clean the kitchen or wrap holiday gifts. Especially when all she wants to do is sink into bed and embrace the oblivion of sleep. When her friends from the local autism support group arrive full of holiday cheer, Holly pastes on a smile and tries to fake the fa-la-la. Can the power of laughter, ribbons and bows pull Holly out of Grinch mode? Or is Christmas doomed to end up like a plate of misshapen Santa cookies? BONUS CONTENT Enjoy the first five chapters of Sweet Confections - winner of the 2015 RONE Award for Best Contemporary Sweet Romance Novel. Plus a sneak peek at the 1st chapter of Love Under Construction, coming out in 2016.

    A disastrous trip including lost luggage and a body search at security sends him to the variety store to replace his toiletries. All he wants is to relieve the pounding in his head, play a little bluegrass, and find a “plus one” to ward off any matchmaking attempts by his friends. Then Holly Ferguson, the cashier from a local variety store, accuses him of theft, and his bad day gets worse.Can a stolen moment under the summer mistletoe turns everything around? Get a glimpse into the characters and world of Mistletoe Meadows in this complimentary micro-read.

    he hates it with a passion. Holly Helm was born on Christmas Eve. She loves the holidays more than anything, and running her toy store and Hickory House Inn makes Christmas even more fun.When a stranger shows up to stay at Hickory House, she has no idea that he's lying about who he is.Will she find out his plan before it's too late? Or will sparks fly and throw a wrench in both of their plans? Buy it now for a feel-good Christmas story!

    M. Claud's, one of Manhattan's largest department stores. For years they've loathed each other, and the fact that they're vying for the same promotion doesn't help their relationship. But when they accidentally get locked in the store on Christmas Eve, sparks will fly and they'll discover just how perfect they are for each other in this sweet holiday romance.

    Frosty the Snowman. A Christmas Carol.In each generation a story is born that shapes the minds of millions.When Richard Swerlin, The United States only openly Vampire Congressman, receives a letter from a little girl, he really wants to ignore it. After all, five year old kids don't vote, and only a few of the words are legible at all. No one would blame him for setting it aside.Except that the letter has a few things only might recognize. The words "help" for instance as well as, "Greater Demon", and a scent of pure fear.A Vampire is no match for a Greater Demon though, so he has to turn to the one being that might aid him in this task. The Mistress of Souls. The most feared Greater Demon of them all.Now Richard and a ragtag group of unusual characters must seek to not only save little Maci, but Santa Claus himself, and if they fail, it isn't just an orphaned child that dies, but the spirit of the season.