But things are starting to look up when my catering business finally gets local recognition.When my oven overheats in the middle of baking cookies for the annual gingerbread house decorating contest, the smokin’ hot guy next door offers to help with my goodies.Drake is a steamy cup of hot cocoa and I’d love to dip my cookie in his cream.But can I trust my heart to a guy with a notorious reputation and bachelorhood emblazoned across his chest?DrakeVoted Cranberry Corner’s most eligible bachelor is an honor, but it’s not who I aspire to be.Full disclosure: I’m tired of serial dating and one night stands. I want the deluxe relationship package with all the sprinkles and cream filling.Problem is I’ve found the red-headed woman of my dreams, but she thinks I’m nothing more than a smooth talking player.Hope is a curvy swirl of cinnamon and sugar and I’d love to taste her candied ginger center.Can I convince her there’s more to me than what greets the naked eye?Sugar & Spice Nights is a multi-author series of holiday inspired instalove, curvy woman and hot guys stories. Come find out how hot and sweet the nights can get today!Don't forget to meet ALL the hunky sweeties!Sugar Cookies & the Single Dad by Brynn HaleShortbread & the Scotsman by Lana DashGingerbread & the Guy Next Door by Piper CookEggnog & the Engineer by Elsie JamesCupcakes & the Cowboy by Scarlett WoodsPeanut Brittle & the Prince by Kate TilneyMacarons & the Mountain Man by Tarin LexBiscotti & the Bad Boy by Krysta FoxLemon Bars & the Lawyer by Layne DanielsFudge & the Firefighter by Sadie KingBrownies & the Billionaire by R.K. CovenXOX Piper

     Bree Phelts is shy, enjoys reading, and spends her free time helping her mom. Her biggest worry is figuring out a grand prize for the summer reading program. Her black and white life is splashed with color when Owen Mattox, a professional football player, asks her to step out from behind the refreshment table and dance. He’s wrong for her on so many levels but just what her heart needed to wake up. Devastated when he’s dumped by the only woman he ever imagined marrying, Owen Mattox pulls his heart in tight and doesn’t let go. He’s worked so hard to isolate himself from love—and the pain that comes when it’s lost—that he practically a recluse. He doesn’t even hang with the other Texas Titans players and builds his home outside of Dallas for privacy. The fewer people in his life, the fewer chances of getting hurt. But he can’t deny his interest in the quiet librarian and once they dance, he’s hooked. But Owen doesn’t open his heart easily which means Bree will have to overcome her shyness and be her own hero—instead of reading about one—in order to save the love that’s budding between them.

    He was praying for an actual merry Christmas for his daughter.Beckett Caden has one wish this year: that his daughter’s Christmas would be as magical as childrens' holidays were supposed to be. After two bittersweet December twenty-fifths without his wife, Beckett knows he needs to do something different this year, for his daughter. Listening to his parents’ advice, he takes a break from his executive position at their family-run bookstore chain and books a trip for Holly and himself. Beckett hopes that a few weeks in a charming lodge, with a laundry list of fun activities, will help to restore the smile that used to light up his little girl's eyes.Through snowman building, city sightseeing, and a constant theme of Christ in the season, Beckett begins to think this was the right decision. The only downside? The sarcastic and irritating elf of a woman with hair as boisterous as Santa Claus, himself.When an unexpected snowstorm traps them all inside, it’s either work alongside The Elf or watch chaos overtake the understaffed inn. Surviving on the aid of caffeine and prayer, Beckett has a feeling this Christmas will turn out to be one of the most memorable he's had.Elise McKenzie needs a social life. At least, that's been the constant mantra from her family for the past, oh, all her adult years.With her freelancing graphic design work and the volunteering she does at her grandparents’ lodge, Elise seems to be the only one happy with her life. Even if the male she most frequently has deep conversations with is her cat.For Elise, this Christmastime brings a flurry of unsanctioned blind dates, questions about the future, and a snowfall that will keep her toe-to-toe with the single father whose dimples remind her of the infuriating enjoyment he receives from pushing her buttons.Elise’s Christmas wish? Survive this season and try not to bonk the obnoxious guest over the head with a gingerbread house.

    Sure, maybe part of the reason he agreed to go was because it got him out of court mandated therapy for a week. Still, he was trying to focus on relaxing. He was trying to focus on having fun. He was trying not to look at the reports that came everyday from the private investigator’s he’d been hiring and firing for the past year to bring justice to the man who killed his wife. Isabel Kind was only on this Christmas cruise for one reason—to heal. After tragically losing her husband and son five years ago, she’d been stuck. And she and her therapist thought doing the list of excursions they’d planned to do as a family—might help her move on. When she sprains her ankle and Cameron Cruz offers to help her, she finds herself accepting. After reluctantly getting piggy backed around by the amazingly strong and handsome man, swimming with the sting rays, and zip lining through the Honduran jungles, she is more and more mystified by this troubled man. Even more mystified that he’s not only helping her physically but he’s also trying to help her emotionally—even if, as he says, he can’t heal himself. When bad news comes to light and Cameron has to face the past, they are left with a choice—walk away or let the power of grace make them whole.

    Luckily Candice Cane has a whole shop full...Candice Cane is not proud of the way she acted after her last encounter with Jackson Frost. Sure revenge was fun, but it’s left Jackson standing, angry and looking for answers, on the welcome mat in her chocolate shop. Now he’s after some revenge of his own. Jackson returned to his small hometown for one reason and one reason only...so he’s not sure how he’s ended up in a Santa suit in the middle of a chocolate shop, at the behest of its beautiful owner, instead of high-tailing it back to the city as fast as he can. Jackson wants nothing to do with his small town past, but Candice shows him what he didn’t even know he’d been missing. Can a bit of Christmas magic heal old wounds and offer up a future neither saw coming?

    Much better to see it for what it is than to be perennially disappointed.With a hefty new mortgage, a frustrating career as a newspaper columnist and a flailing relationship with a married co-worker, Jo Liddell is resigned to living a less-than-perfect life.That is, until she crosses paths with Joe Bannister – a celebrated foreign correspondent returning home to care for his dying father. Against all her natural instincts, Jo finds herself falling for Joe, and with his help begins to realise that she might deserve to be happy after all. But when she decides to take the plunge and give love a chance, the results are catastrophic. And so Jo must fight hard for everything she never believed in – success, self-acceptance, and above all, real love.

    Sparks started to fly and living so conveniently next door made it too easy to slip into each other’s bed at night, but she also slipped into my life in ways I never expected.She’s got a kid and serious second thoughts about having a bad boy in her life. Just when she decided they’d be better off without me, her worst nightmare came true. She needs me now, and time is running out.  I’ll hunt down anyone who threatens her or her child.DISCLAIMER: This is a novella with elements of domestic abuse. They are not detailed or graphic. Instead, they are overshadowed by themes of inner strength, hope, love, and courage.

    Together they journey to an unintended destination -- and share an unforgettable Christmas Eve.

    Coerced onto the show by her sister, a producer, Anna is a reluctant fill in. Anna dreams of owning her own dessert café; a dream that has taken years of hard work and strict saving. She knows reality TV is a big, manipulated lie — and gorgeous leading man Luke Westwood can’t possibly be for real. Can he?Olympian snowboarder Luke Westwood thought he had retired from competition. Now he’s starring in the cutthroat world of Love Elimination, with twelve beautiful women vying for his attention against the backdrop of a tropical paradise.  With cameras in every corner, why is it only Anna — careful Anna with her bills and budgets — who Luke feels he can be himself with, at long last?All Anna wants is a quick elimination, but with each date she is more reluctant to relinquish Luke to the conniving contestants — or even to the women who are starting to become friends. It doesn’t help when Luke insists on using the limitless television budget to indulge her heart’s desires. Or that the moments they’ve stolen, alone and away from the cameras, have sizzled with passion. As the dates wear on the evictions become more brutal and the contestants’ secrets are exposed. Will the pressure get too much? Or will love close in on Luke and Anna?

    But the small town of Timberton, Montana, hasn't been the same since resident chef and artist, Mist, arrived, bringing a unique new age flavor to the old western town. When guests check in for the holidays, they bring along worries, fears and broken hearts, unaware that Mist has a way of working magic in people's lives. Old-fashioned time spent together, exquisite food, conversation and a snowball or two offer guests a chance to trade sadness for hope. One thing is certain: no matter how cold winter's grip is on each guest, no one leaves Timberton without a warmer heart.

    His Christmas wish is to marry the woman he loves. But where has she gone? Andrew Roberts hasn’t felt such anticipation for Christmas day since he was five years old. This year he has plans, life-changing plans. He is going to propose to Allyson Flanders, the woman of his dreams. He’d lived his first thirty years as a confirmed bachelor, contented with dating, managing the family’s fleet of ships, fishing, and sailing anywhere he wanted, whenever he wanted.Until . . .One date with Allyson, and Andy was hopelessly caught by the smartest, kindest, most beautiful woman he’d ever met. He had no complaints. Life with Allyson was better than anything he’d ever imagined. They spent hours of every day together, casting lines into the waters off the shore of Martha’s Vineyard, talking, laughing, and dreaming. He hadn’t spent a day without being in Allyson’s company.Until . . . Something happened after Thanksgiving. Something he can’t figure out. Something he can’t name. But that something has created more distance than a two-month sail from Vineyard Haven Harbor to Sri Lanka. Allyson had no time for him, barely spoke to him, and made secret plans without him.The diamond and sapphire ring resting in the black velvet box looked lonely, but not as lonely as Andy felt. Where was she spending her time? Why didn’t she return his phone calls? Had she found someone else? Was there any hope his Christmas wish might still come true? A Vineyard RomanceRomance, Faith, and Adventure on the Island of Martha’s Vineyard

    She plans to keep to herself - but when she uncovers a hidden box of wartime love letters, she realises she's not thefirst person living in this cottage to hide secrets and pain.FOUNDIvy's quiet life in Rosella Cove is tainted by the events of World War II, with ramifications felt for many years to come. But one night a drifter appears and changes everything. Perhaps his is the soul she's meant to save.FORGOTTENCharlie is too afraid of his past to form any lasting ties in the cove. He knows he must make amends for his tragic deeds long ago, but he can't do it alone. Maybe the new tenant in the cottage will help him fulfil a promise and find the redemption he isn't sure he deserves.Welcome to the cottage at Rosella Cove, where three damaged souls meet and have the chance to rewrite their futures.

    This year she will stop at nothing to ensure that she and the Woodlea community have the best holiday season ever. But from the moment Freya hangs the first piece of mistletoe, her plans unravel faster than red Christmas ribbon...Home For Christmas – Fiona Greene [FIRST TIME IN PRINT]When Sergeant Tate McAuliffe, stationed in Afghanistan, opens his Christmas care package from Australia, he is stunned by both its contents and the sender, Layla Preston. Little could Layla know that this impersonal-but-cheerful holiday gift is set to be the start of something big…The Kissing Season – Rachael Johns A wild past, a secret pregnancy and a disastrous marriage: every family has a black sheep...and Hannah Elliot is it. But when she returns to her home town of Wildwood Point, she is determined to stay on the straight and narrow. Then gorgeous Italian Matteo Della-Bosca walks into her life and Hannah’s resolve starts to slip…12 Daves Of Christmas – Juliet Madison [FIRST TIME IN PRINT]Can love transcend time and space? An uplifting story of a lonely writer, her grandmother’s ghost and a Christmas road trip to visit 12 different Daves.Christmas At Remarkable Bay – Victoria Purman [BRAND NEW STORY]Prickly Sofia has hit a crossroads and is hoping a Christmas alone in idyllic Remarkable Bay will help. Police officer George is also alone at Christmas. Drawn together unwillingly, they try and stay out of each other’s way. But Remarkable Bay is a small place…

    Pursued by the demons left by her ex-boyfriend, she takes refuge in quiet Crickleford, a sleepy town in Dartmoor, where she can lay low.Life in Crickleford is quiet and peaceful, but it won’t be for long if people discover the truth about Emma’s past. Not wanting to make too much of a fuss, she ends up lying about why she's there - she's looking after some cats, she says - then suddenly the town’s new ‘pet-sitter’ is in high demand!While looking after an Alsatian, Emma finds all attention is on her, and the handsome young reporter from the local paper takes an interest in her story...Note: this is part one of a four-part serialised novel. The full length paperback will be available in April 2018

    . . what could go wrong?Your ‘presents’ is requested at Champs, for the infamous Northwood High Mistletoe Mixer.There will be hot cocoa, Christmas Carol-oke and all your favorite Tomboys.The snuggle is real as Alex, Casey, Marissa, Nicole and their swoon-worthy boys return home from college to catch up at their annual Christmas Eve party.From the outside it seems they’re all living the dream, but when a snowstorm traps the crew at Champs everyone starts feeling a little ‘Claus-trophobic’ and secrets are revealed. Could it be some of our lovebirds are holding on for ‘deer’ life?Sleigh, it isn’t so!With more than one romance on thin ice, it quickly becomes apparent the only way to save Christmas is for the Tomboys to join forces again to pull off some Mistletoe Miracles. They form a surprising alliance with Lexy, the queen of resting Grinch-face herself. Has love finally thawed the mean queen’s icy heart or is she up to snow good?Find out who’s singing “All the jingle ladies”, who’s “Sleigh-in It” and who’s suffering from “Love at frost sight.”Buckle up for a night of snow much fun!A sweet stand-alone high school Christmas sports romance.Have you read the other Tomboy Books?Tomboys Don't Wear PinkTomboys Don't Kiss the QuarterbackTomboys Don't Crush on the Captain