Humiliated, Tamar Johnson changed her name and disappeared behind the embarrassing video that captured her losing her virginity on prom night. But who was the guy? NFL Running Back Stephen Pierce is football’s darling. He’s spent his entire career doing community service work with at-risk kids, and endeared fans as a devoted Christian, even claiming celibacy. It’s time for his high school reunion. Stephen is determined to get his EX, Tamar, to come out of hiding, even going as far as posting their prom picture on Instagram in hopes that she would accept the challenge to show up. Tamar isn’t interested in the reunion, but her boss is. She writes for a small magazine. Stephen Pierce is a BIG story. With reunion activity in full swing, the tension between Tamar and Stephen reaches an unbearable level. Before it’s over will the world find out who the real Stephen Pierce is? And will Tamar survive spending time with the only man who’s ever had her heart?

    For seven years, she has raised her daughter without a father.Scott Lamar never meant to abandon his daughter and pregnant girlfriend, but life happened, and college provided a means of escape. All that changed when he found faith in God, and now he wants to make up for his past mistakes. Is it ever too late to do the right thing?Mistletoe and Mochas by Lynnette BonnerChelsea Tan looks up from the mocha she's making to see Cannon Jones. She nearly drops the cup. He hasn't contacted her once in the past several weeks. She'd gotten his message loud and clear. But now he wants to spend time with her? Well, he'll just see how gullible she is this time! Cannon hopes Chelsea will understand the reasons he hasn't been in contact. But she's as frosty as the Seattle air the week before Christmas. He'd better put on all his charm. Maybe with the help of a few mochas and some mistletoe all will not be lost.Cephalopod Cupid by Kathleen FreemanLacey McDowell has the best job in the world. She's a Marine biologist at the Seattle Aquarium. Her favorite "exhibit," an octopus escape artist named Gabriel, should make the coming Christmas merry enough. But with her friend marrying her ex-boyfriend, it may be time for a change. The N.O.A.A. research vessel in port is looking for a marine biologist. But how can Lacey leave Gabriel? And what about the boy who loves her favorite cephalopod, or his father, a handsome executive who's moving to Seattle?Christmas Bells are Ringing by Lesley Ann McDanielHaving recently relocated to Seattle, Shelby longs for someone special in her life. When a handsome green-eyed stranger walks into the coffee shop where she works, her interest is piqued. Later, she finds a bag containing five beautiful hand-painted Christmas bells on the cream and sugar table. No one comes back to claim it, so she decides to do a little detective work. Does she dare hope that it will lead her to the stranger with the magnetic green eyes?Seattle Rayne by Sylvia StewartLoneliness has hovered over Rayne DeMarco's life. Frequent infusions of coffee have neither enlivened her flagging business as a freelance writer nor her social life. Seattle's gray winter skies seem to mirror her life. Then a mama cat with three rambunctious kittens finds a home in her above-the-garage apartment, and a handsome Montana cowboy, Matt Hayes, walks back into her life. Add a puppy who needs a little love and you have a Seattle romance that is as sure to warm your heart as the hot coffee Seattleites crave.All I Want for Christmas by Janalyn VoigtWhen Corey broke Hailey's heart, her best friend Matt picked up the pieces. If Matt wasn't a cubicle worker moonlighting as a Seattle street musician, this would be easy. But never mind that he stirs her emotions, Hailey can't afford a drag on her ambitions. She needs to climb the career ladder to keep her childhood home. Matt isn't about to tell Hailey that the 'fiddle' he carries is a Stradivarius or that he owns a tuxedo, not after his fiancé ditched him for a man with more money.

    Candy Canes & Murder is a festive boxed set of twelve (12) cozy Christmas mysteries. A limited edition of never-before-published holiday whodunnits written by WSJ, USA Today and best selling authors. Fun, short stories that will put you in the mood for everyone's favorite time of the year. Pre-order your copy today! Abby L. Vandiver Sonia Parin Dianne Harman Tonya Kappes Kathryn Dionne Sylvia & Leigh Selfman Jenna St. James Constance Barker Mona Marple Ani Gonzalez Zanna Mackenzie Tricia L. Sanders

    

    Not only does she train search and rescue dogs, but she’s a bestselling suspense author who has waterfront property in the beautiful mountain town of Grand Lake, Colorado. All is well until she receives a call to bring her dog Max and her snowmobile to help rescue a man who is lost in a blizzard up on Gravel Mountain. That man is the one person she never wants to see again—Ryker Anderson—the man who broke her heart the day he called three months before their wedding to say goodbye with no explanation as to why.After being gone for eighteen months, Ryker Anderson is back in Grand Lake where he hopes to win back the woman he loves. He only hopes Shelby understands why he left. Will he be able to convince Shelby that she can trust him with her heart again even though he broke it before?

    She’s a lonely widow with a son. Will their relationship move beyond friendship this Christmas season? After graduation, Melody Clarke said goodbye to her high school crush, Grant Brooks, believing she would never see him again. She was moving to the east coast for college, and he planned to remain in Hillcrest, California, to pursue his dream of becoming a police officer. Ten years later, Melody returned to Hillcrest to raise her son after her husband died. She didn’t count on seeing Grant again, thinking he’d probably moved out of town by now. When Grant pulled Melody over for a safety violation, he asked her to join him for coffee. Melody had always kept them firmly in the friendzone, but after being reacquainted again, she was ready to reconsider. Meanwhile, a thief was loose in their hometown, and when Melody’s home was broken into, Grant determined to bring the thief to justice. No one stole presents from children and got away with it as long as Grant Brooks was around. If catching a thief was difficult, convincing Melody that they were destined to be more than friends might be even harder. Or maybe it wasn’t so hard after all.

    Noel Livingston wouldn’t learn that about Nicholas St. Clair until much later. Who she met was the owner of the Villa St. Clair. What happened is that two souls, stranded in a snowstorm, fell into each other’s arms when the power went out. It was a silent night, but not for Noel and Nicholas.This is a standalone that ends with a HFN. The continuation of Noel and Nicholas' story will appear in The Men of Mafia St. Clair series.

    Get five feel-good, satisfying, and uplifting cowboy romances in this Christian holiday collection. You'll get lost in ranch life, with sexy and sweet cowboys, swoon-worthy, faith-filled romance, and the perfect love story to curl up with as you sip a cup of hot cocoa in front of the fireplace! Her Cowboy Billionaire Best Friend: A cowboy returning to his hometown—and the best friend he left a dozen years before. This Christmas, can they build a family and find their happily-ever-after? #1 bestseller in Clean & Wholesome Romance, #1 bestseller in Christian Romance, #1 bestseller in Christian Westerns Cheering the Cowboy: A cowboy with anger management issues, the woman whose ranch he "stole," and their chance to get everything they want for Christmas...including each other. Her Last Cowboy Christmas: She's tired of having her heart broken by cowboys. He waited too long to ask her out. Can Lance fix things quickly, or will Amber leave Last Chance Ranch before he can tell her how he feels? The Sleigh on Seventeenth Street: A cowboy with skills as an electrician tries a relationship with a down-on-her luck plumber. Can Dylan and Camila make water and electricity play nicely together this Christmas season? Falling for His Next-Door Neighbor: Two next-door neighbors vying for the same job this Christmas...who will win? And who will lose their heart?

    As a teen, he was teased and bullied for his skin condition which only gave him the fuel to come out on top. Roles are reversed and his presence alone will put fear in your heart. His rudeness and blatant disrespect will make you think twice about crossing him. When The Murphy’s come to Tendaji for help he doesn’t hesitate to offer his hand. It’s time to pay up and the games begin. Not being the one to play about his money, Tendaji confiscate’s the family’s business and their most prized possession, their beautiful daughter I’Kenna. I’Kenna might be young but doesn’t possess the fear everyone else seems to have for Tendaji. Her slick mouth just keeps them going back and forth like cats and dogs. Tendaji has a secret from his past that draws him to I’Kenna in a desirable way, but does I’Kenna feel the same? With the both of them going through the motions, can Tendaji take I’Kenna from hostage to Mrs. or will I’Kenna finally see the beast everyone says Tendaji is?

    

    Window boxes overflow with evergreens and sea stars, as the sleepy town welcomes visitors for the annual Christmas Lights Festival.But things are not as perfect as they seem. On the eve of the tree lighting in the town square, police find a runaway in trouble. Residents of the community gather to help, but complications arise, and unraveling the boy's past is harder than they imagine. As a blustery Pacific Northwest Christmas draws near, can they find a way to give a boy with a shattered past a chance at happiness? Can they give him a home for the holidays?A Light in the Window is a heartwarming tale of community, family, and second chances.

    Why not? The rugged man who just shoveled off her cabin roof is sure to deter whoever is harassing her. But she’s surprised when Cole accepts her proposition. Cole is surprised, too, but he’s convinced Cady isn’t telling him everything. Then again, he isn’t telling her everything about himself, either.  When Cole and Cady head to New York as husband-and-wife-to-be, their attraction to each other becomes impossible to ignore. But is it the right time for romance? All they know is they are ringing in a new year…and anything can happen.  Available for the first time for your e-reader! Refreshed and updated from the original, published in a multi-author paperback anthology.

    All hope seems lost…until one afternoon fate steps in and Sarah learns that sometimes, with a little magic, winter wishes can come true.A Rake in WinterNo one is more shocked than Lady Emma herself when she drinks a bit too much wine…and wakes up in bed beside Lord William Prescott, England’s most notorious rake! Emma wants to forget the entire night ever happened, but Will isn’t about to let her go that easily...Risqué ResolutionDue to a clause in her father’s will, Lily has until Christmas to find a husband. Having yet to find a single man she would ever consider marrying after six failed seasons, she fears all hope is lost… until she meets the mysterious, insufferable, and oh so handsome Captain James Rigby.Natalie’s Christmas RogueLord Benjamin Hawthorne has never met a woman he couldn’t charm…until Natalie Rigby. The sad-eyed beauty wants nothing to do with him, or any man for that matter. But at the Christmas Eve Ball, anything is possible. Even falling in love…Marquess Under the MistletoeEvery single Appleton sister has met her husband at their parent’s annual Christmas ball. Every sister except for Honora, that is. When sparks unexpectedly begin to fly with a devilishly charming marquess, will she be the first in her family to break tradition…or follow in her sister’s footsteps and run towards the nearest mistletoe?The Christmas WidowKnown as “Mad Lady Bea” by the townspeople of Blooming Glen, Lady Beatrice Tumbley has not left her estate since the tragic death of her husband on Christmas Eve. Terrified of the outside world, she lives in complete seclusion, determined never to fall in love again. Until one cold, snowy night, when a handsome stranger comes knocking at her door…The Winter DuchessAs cold winds howl outside the manor, inside of it a duke’s frozen heart is finally starting to melt as he finds himself falling for the one woman he was never supposed to love…his wife. But can she love him in return? Publisher’s Note: These novellas range from sweet to spicy and have been previously published individually. This is the first time they’re being offered in one must-read collection!

    Who does this Marine recruiter think he is? Her brother is a boy and is not ready to be sacrificed on the altar of “service to your country.” No. Thank you. When trying to talk sense into Max doesn’t work, she does the only thing she can think of. Take it to the top.Gareth Hudson has an exemplary record as a Marine recruiter and knows a good man when he sees one. So when Maxton McCollum starts asking questions in a diner one afternoon, it was obvious. This was a match made in military heaven. One young man anxious to serve his country. One country ready to train him to be the best version of himself.So when Avalon walks into Gareth’s recruiting office, all the wrong kinds of fireworks explode. In a peacekeeping move unlike him, Gareth asks for four Saturdays to change her mind. If he can’t, he’ll suggest that Max wait six months before signing up.Romance wasn’t part of the bargain, and with their age difference, Gareth knows it still shouldn’t be, but how do you resist the pull of love at Christmas?♥ Most Wonderful Time by Toni ShilohGabe Lewis loves Christmas, just not as much as his eccentric mother who gave him and his siblings Christmas names. When he discovers that his new co-worker Shanée Mitchell wants nothing to do with the season, he makes it his mission to show her the true meaning. But he never expected feelings to develop for the Air Force veteran. Can he take a chance that she feels the same way or miss the best gift of all?♥ The Road Home by Cathe SwansonTally has tried to leave her military history far in the past, but she's not ready to go back to her former life, either. Can an old army buddy help her find a new road home?♥ Now and Forever Christmas by Jaycee WeaverRomance ruined their friendship. This could be the Christmas they repair it?CJ Sinclair never imagined trading her chef’s toque for the domestic life but her pregnant sister needs help over the holidays, and the timing couldn’t be better. A breakup and a bad case of burnout are just two on a list of things out of her control these days. Then there’s Tobin, her once best friend who she hasn’t spoken to in years. Now he’s everywhere all the time and sparking feelings she thought she got over ages ago.The past eight years as a professional musician for the US Army prepared Tobin McGhee for his new job as high school band teacher. They didn’t prepare him for how he’d feel seeing CJ again. This time, though, he won’t make the same mistakes. He’s determined to rebuild the friendship they lost. Maybe even rediscover those feelings they had back in high school before everything went wrong.Can they make holiday music together and rekindle the friendship they once had, or will romance ruin everything again?

    ***** FREE ON KINDLE UNLIMITED ***** The stories in this collection, because they all happen in Upper Nettlefold, have things which happen, that influence the other stories. So the order in which they are presented here aligns with the timeline in which events in the stories happen (although many are in parallel). Read through this collection in order, and you will find that each story builds on the ones before, weaving the magic of community and interconnection between characters. There is also a map of Upper Nettlefold to help you visualise everything as you read. Although each story can stand alone, we’re sure that you’ll love finding the linkages as you go. This is our second visit to Upper Nettlefold, but it won’t be our last. (Our first was the collection ‘Love, One Regency Summer’ which will only be available for a limited time, so, if you like these stories, you’ll want to grab it before its gone!) You may see other collections based here, or you may see individual books from the various authors, but we will keep expanding the stories about the people you’ll meet in this collection. We have also each given you a short preview of another of our books. This collection includes: To Dance with the Dangerous Duke by Arietta Richmond A Duke sworn never to love again, a Lady trapped by one past mistake, a Christmas Ball, a blackmailing cad, an impossible choice, a last minute reprieve, a miraculous love. Merry Christmas My Love by Rose Pearson A Lady whose heart is broken, an Earl whose life needs to change, an accidental meeting, the interference of well-meaning friends, a confrontation, a new love that heals old hurts. >Miss Modesty’s Mistletoe by Grace Austen An Earl with a scandalous reputation, a young woman whose parents hope to see marry a respectable man, a not so accidental meeting, a dramatic rescue on the way to the Ball, a love long held declared.< The Compromised Lady’s Christmas Wish by Regina Darcy A Lady deceived, abandoned and robbed, a gentleman rescuer who has lost all that he loves, a murderer unveiled, a love that restores two reputations and heals broken hearts. A Christmas Secret by Kelly Anne Bruce A widow whose days are lonely, even surrounded by family, a military man who brings news of her husband’s last days, and unexpected attraction, an identity revealed, a new love for Christmas. The Earl’s Christmas Love by Sophia Wilson A widowed Earl, avoiding society, a Lady who hopes for love, a past acquaintance with designs on the Earl, a trap set and sprung, a misunderstanding resolved, a love saved from despair. Miss Fitzwilliam’s Christmas Redemption by Lydia Pembroke A young woman, bitter about her own bad choices, and a love lost, a change in circumstances, a charitable action which leads to a meeting with a man of the merchant class, a love that redeems. The Christmas Fortune by Isabella Thorne A Knight who hopes to marry, a Lady whose place in society is newly restored, and threatened by past scandal, the villain who could ruin her, a plan to trap a wrongdoer, a love saved by royalty.