But no one saw past her body and while she was growing up she was taunted with the name “plump plum.” She learned to accept her figure and was happy in her own skin. She considered herself fabulous and curvaceous even if no one else could see her beauty she sure as hell could. Mr. Right would come along when he was good and ready, till then she wouldn’t settle for “you’re pretty but if you weren’t so big…” hell no. Christmas came around and her little flower shop was selling poinsettias and holiday bouquets faster than she could make them. Mr. Hollis Wright came into the store with a rush order for a holiday party and showed more interest in her than her flowers. She accepted his dinner date and from the first kiss sparks flew. One minute he was buying arrangements for a party, the next he was dating the sweetest plum in New York City. Hollis didn’t care about her size or gossip. When he kissed Portia made him feel more alive than he felt in a long time. To him she was the most beautiful woman in the world. That doesn’t mean people didn’t talk when the dashing eligible bachelor showed up with her on his arm. From a size two to sixteen, one headline read and it faze him, it was his life and he lived it on his terms. The only thing that mattered to Hollis was the size of her love. While she thought that a holiday fling, Hollis was going to show her he had something more permanent in mind.

    The 2003 edition also offers an expansive focus on the latest and most amazing advances in military technology, from sophisticated subs to the latest robotic vehicles. 600+ photos.

    We have the annual tree lighting in the town square, a snowman building competition, ice skating on Grosvenor’s Pond, and horse-drawn sleigh rides. You’re welcome to cut down your own Christmas tree at Gridley Meadows, or join in the caroling on the Common.Dickens offers an abundance of heartfelt wishes, a few much needed miracles, and—quite possibly—a touch of magic! Families reunite, new friends are made, and old flames take a second chance at happiness. All while celebrating this most joyful time of the year.Join us as our best selling and award winning authors fill your holiday stocking with ten brand new novellas ranging from sweet to sassy, including:Millie’s Awesome Holiday Miracle by Top 100 Author Nancy Fraser ~ She’s an overworked single mom struggling to make ends meet. He’s the handsome CEO who’s come to Dickens to save—or close—the toy factory. Can one precocious little girl bring a couple of much-needed miracles to the people she cares about most?Miracle At Holly Hill Inn by Top 100 Author Maddie James ~ Ariana is looking for the perfect Christmas village. Instead, she finds the town Scrooge. Will two days snowbound together at Holly Hill Inn bring them closer together, or send them each on their merry way?Holiday Hearts by Top 100 Author Caroline Clemmons ~ Laura Jordan’s beauty and sense of humor are more apparent than her sharp mind, soft heart, and strict code of right and wrong. Ward Callahan has avoided romantic complications to throw himself into building his ad agency. Once he meets Laura, he falls hard but must convince her that dating her boss is not inappropriate. Can he convince her he doesn’t want her heart only for the holidays, but forever?The Tinsel Tango by Best Selling Author Bonnie Edwards ~ Brenna needs some R&R over Christmas in Dickens. Tango lessons from mysterious Jett…Smith? may bring her everything her heart desires, but his secrets may kill the love they find.Wisdom of the Heart by USA Today Best Selling Author Liz Flaherty ~ They were best friends who fell in love, but that was high school. Life and families and other loves had happened since that dear and distant time. They're friends again, comfortable with each other and having so much fun at Christmas time in Dickens. They're not still in love, but...wait...could it be happening again?Operation Snowball by Best Selling Author Kathryn Hills ~ Returning to small town life is hard for Army veteran John Gridley. The last thing he expects to find is love with the beautiful widow, Heather Murphy. Can the perfect Christmas tree and a missing cat named Snowball bring them together despite meddling townsfolk?Angel Kisses and Holiday Wishes by Best Selling Author Peggy Jaeger ~ When Sage left town 18 years ago, she left Keith's heart in tatters. Now she's back, and he's wondering if they can put the past behind them and rekindle the love they lost.Holly’s Wish by Top 100 Author Kathleen Lawless ~ What if the girl who got away is actually standing right in front of you? Years earlier, Nico and Holly shared one magical Christmas Eve. She never stopped wishing he’d find where she left her number.When he does, is it too late?Holiday Heart Wishes by Award Winning Author Lucinda Race ~ On her way into Dickens to visit family, Vera picks up Tony, a stranded motorist. Rather than part ways when they arrive, they discover their loved ones are intent on getting married. Can they slow down the older couple's rush to the altar? Or, will holiday heart wishes come true for everyone?Santa’s Wish by Best Selling Author Jan Scarbrough ~ Will Christmas magic help them overcome Roz’s career ambitions and Cooper’s grief, and bring them together for a second chance at love?

    More than 1.5 million books sold worldwide!Description: After one hellish year, Jennifer and Alex decide to take a break from it all and spend the holidays back in Maine with their extended family, only this time they don’t choose their home on the Maine coast. Instead, they rent a mansion at the popular ski resort, Sugarloaf Mountain.And while they’re there, apparently everything that can go wrong does go wrong in ways that are designed to keep you horrified—as well as howling.After all, at Sugarloaf, a motherlode of surprises await Blackwell, Daniella, Alexa, Cutter, Brock and Madison (from “Ignite Me”), and naturally, also Jennifer and Alex.Could there be love in the air for Blackwell? And also for Daniella and Alexa? And if there is for any of them, what fresh hell does that mean for you—the reader?In “Annihilate Him: Holiday”—in which Lisa, Tank, Epifania and Rhoda also are onboard—romance, love, sexy times and hilarity ensue!Note: You must read volumes 1-3 of the “Annihilate Him” series before you read “Annihilate Him: Holiday.”

    Based on the descriptions of her clothing and behavior, Eve is sure the woman has time traveled. She convinces Patrick they must help the woman, as others had helped them during their time travel journeys.In guarded conversations at the police station, they learn that the pretty, 27-year-old Annabelle Palmer did indeed light a lantern and time travel from 1904. They post bail for her and invite her to stay with them while she recovers and adjusts, although Patrick is uncomfortable with the decision.As the days pass, Patrick grows more and more suspicious that Annabelle is not telling the entire truth about her past, sensing there is something dangerous about her. When Annabelle asks if she can use their time travel lantern to return home, they agree, wanting her out of their lives.The morning Annabelle is to light the lantern and disappear into the past, she commits an unthinkable crime and then vanishes. Eve and Patrick are devastated and enraged, and Patrick vows revenge.Once again, the couple must light the lantern and pray it will deliver them to the same time and place as Annabelle. But, as always, the lantern is unpredictable.Eve and Patrick begin a perilous journey into the past, unsure if they will achieve their desperate goal, or even survive in order to return home to the twenty-first century.The Christmas Eve Journey is about the uncertainty of life, the struggle against evil, and the enduring power of hope, persistence, and love.

    But Emma is completely different from every other woman he's met. Suddenly he's the one seemingly doing the chasing.Can he turn this flirtationship into something real?

    That’s how long Angela Donovan hoped to know Mark Shafer before they married. But less than a year later, she still fears repeating the mistakes of her previous failed relationship. As Christmas approaches, she senses Mark’s plans for a proposal and wonders if she can learn to trust again.Mark has learned all there is to know about the Shafer miracle trees—or so he thinks. Papa reveals secrets about the trees’ matchmaking power just as a highway expansion threatens to destroy the family legacy. Mark is determined to save the farm and the promise of love stirring in the branches of the Shafer miracle trees. Heartwarming and engaging, The Tree Keeper’s Promise captures the warmth and wonder of the holiday season.

    In the midst of the annual Christmas festival, an accident forces her to return and manage her mom’s candy business at the Sugar Shop.Grant hasn’t seen her since she left for college, but remembers spending summers at the lake with the skinny, plain girl he and everyone used to know as Sugar. The contemporary advertising executive he encounters now is anything but plain.Will Grant’s kindness, the charm of Silver Falls, and the caring community open Sugar’s heart to all she’s been missing?The best-selling author of A Season for Hope, the tale readers describe as the perfect Christmas story, delivers a touching sequel with the second in her Christmas in Silver Falls series in this new festive novella that pairs perfectly with a cup of cocoa in front of a blazing fire.

    The daily devotional thoughts published in Our Daily Bread help readers spend time each day in God’s Word. This electronic edition of Our Daily Bread allows you to enjoy the same inspiring content found in the print edition of Our Daily Bread, but with many additional digital features: • 90 Digital Daily Devotionals • Includes Scripture Passages and Insights • Links to a Daily Bible Reading Plan • Links to Additional Topical Content Resources from Our Daily Bread Ministries • Our Daily Bread Author Biographies Our Daily Bread is published and distributed worldwide in more than 40 languages by Our Daily Bread Ministries offices around the globe. Our Daily Bread Ministries also produces a variety of other Bible resources, which are available for the asking. Our Daily Bread is distributed via print, large-print, radio, podcast, email, rss, and mobile. For social networking users, find Our Daily Bread on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.

    His Christmas plans include starting a foundation to help kids get out of his old neighborhood. However, quarterback Will Kent throws a wrench in Evan's plans with a bet. A bet for Evan to contact his first love, Anna Jordan, and try to win her back. To his surprise, Anna—now the hottest actress in Hollywood—agrees to help him with his foundation. Anna brings her feisty, ninja-like bodyguard along, and suddenly Evan has a problem. The beautiful and tough, Henley Keaton only wants a drama-free Christmas. When Evan Cook calls Henley's employer, to Milwaukee to help with some foundation, she's overjoyed. She can avoid the yearly family fight and eat deep-fried-cheese-curds and relax for Christmas. But when Anna gets sick and forces Henley to go on a date with Evan Cook in her place, Henley’s plan begins to crumble. When Henley and Evan engage in a spirited duel of Shakespeare quotes, things get...complicated. After tragedy strikes, and it looks like Evan's haunted past is going to catch up with him, he must decide if he's willing to walk away or let Christmas miracles come true.

    She's here for her Christmas holidayBut she might find more than just snow!A baby is not even a part of the deal, If only plans worked all the time! Training the rich to ski and landing hot ski bunnies at every turn is my passionThis season again I am all ready for my next set of girls at AspenBut one look at Bea and I realise, I'm in trouble...Her beautiful looks, and those perfect curves steal my heart;And one hot night of passion, Leads to more than what I bargained for. I am not sure I'm even ready for...this baby. Note from Mia: This is a FULL LENGTH Christmas and New Year Secret Baby Romance with HEA guaranteed!!! Also included with this book are some HOT bonuses to double your pleasure!!!

    A girl shares many experiences with her grandmother over the years, and many times the old woman gives her a small gift to help her remember.