From historical romance to contemporary cozy mysteries and Christmas wonder, these four "light" reads will warm your heart and ignite your Christmas spirit! The Heart of Joy (Vikki Kestell): Joy Michaels, grieving mother and widow, resides in an aging but remarkable Denver home known locally as Palmer House: a most extraordinary refuge for young women rescued from prostitution. Joy and her mother, Rose Thoresen, share the responsibilities of ministering to and mentoring the young women who live under Palmer House’s roof. But now Joy faces an agonizing decision: Remain true to the memory of her first love or open her heart to the possibility of new love? And she wonders, “Can true, enduring love happen twice in a lifetime?” Snow Angels (Cathe Swanson): When Lisa Marsh is roped into serving Thanksgiving dinner at the local community center, she meets lively teenagers, stubbornly independent veterans, eccentric elderly people, and one particularly rude and scruffy homeless man named Pete. She sets out to find him a decent job and make him respectable—whether he likes it or not—but her small project of helping Pete snowballs into an extraordinary Christmas ministry. And the vagabond can be very charming when he wants to be... Trip the Light Fantastic (April Hayman): Lance “Trip” Devereaux is an FBI agent tasked with the nearly impossible job of tailing and, hopefully, arresting Landry Crawford, the wiliest conman east of the Mississippi River. But during his investigation, things go horribly wrong for the klutzy G-man. Will Trip nab his man in time for Christmas? Or will he be left out in the cold? Christmas Stalkings (Chautona Havig): Wendy Nabity is known for her superfluity of cats and her “seven-tree obsession” every Christmas—but when strange things happen around her house, it appears someone is out to get her! Revel in comedy, suspense, and a garnish of romance.

    Mom is "sick in the head." In an era when speaking of mental illness was taboo, Linda learns from an early age not to talk about her mother's bizarre behavior. Now her mother's escape from a would-be killer threatens to expose the family secret. They are not a normal family. Finally, after her mother's extended stays in mental institutions, Linda accepts that her Mom will never be normal. That, she assumes, makes her abnormal as well. She wrestles against her father's abuse and constant shaming of her and her faith. Will she ever feel normal in an abnormal family? Did God make a mistake? Why is she in a home where she doesn't feel loved or accepted? Is there a way for her to break away from the shame that holds her captive? An Illusion of Normal is the riveting and award-winning memoir of the life of a child whose mother suffers from paranoid schizophrenia. At times shocking and heartbreaking, her story exposes the darkness in a home tormented by a parent's mental illness and the light that shows the way out. "Schoonover's harrowing remembrance is unflinching, remarkable for a level of candor that demands courage. Her spare but moving prose tenderly portrays the terror and isolation she weathered as a child. Yet this is not a scornful lament but rather an inspiring account of personal triumph; the author writes affectingly about the love and sympathy she still has for her mother. This brief memoir is untainted by cloying self pity and full of wise counsel for others who have suffered similarly. An affecting look at childhood trauma." Kirkus Reviews

    Her pa was once a famed Texas Ranger and the list of those who want to see him dead is long. When the Anthony brothers gun him down in a cold-blooded act of revenge, the sixteen-year-old didn’t play the game as well as she could have when the outlaws escape with their lives, and she’s left injured and on her own. Afraid they’ll come back for her, a wounded Randy plans on leaving the New Mexico Territory to head west with her temperamental horse Al, her gun Pearl, and the ashes of her family as her only companions. A Horse Thief with Heart: All Trevor wants is a decent horse. When he sees the best-looking horse he's ever laid eyes on and tries to steal it, he finds himself in an awful predicament when he discovers he wasn’t fighting a boy but a very sick girl with a mean punch. He decides to save her life instead and he is smitten. The Real Journey Begins: Randy has a new traveling companion but finds she is in over her head when they run into an old family friend that knows she’s a great shot, a skilled sharpshooter of the likes of Annie Oakley. He exploits her amazing skill and her name quickly rises to fame as they cross the West. Because no one knows her pa is gone, the mob of outlaws on their tail is growing and they’re dead set on revenge She might be a prodigy with a gun but becoming legendary as Miranda Carter was not what she wanted. Neither was falling in love. What must Randy sacrifice to find the peace she was looking for?

    But when his aunt passes away, she leaves her beautiful Victorian home to Ava and Harper. Inconvenient circumstances force the pair to share the place.Harper is wowed when he sees the woman Ava has become. What the heck happened to that skinny nerd who had a monster-size crush on him? She's a hottie with a boom-boom body. Trouble.Ava, who thinks she's finally overcome her crush on Harper, is hurled back to square one. He's even more handsome than she remembered. Trouble.Harper's matchmaking aunt always hinted that grown-up Ava and Harper belonged together. Both begged to differ.Living together makes their plan to keep things strictly business darn near impossible.Who will fold and turn up the heat first?What a Girl Wants was originally published by St. Martin's Press (2003). The ebook (2016) has been revised.

    She’s not really what her boyfriend David wants any longer; turns out, he’s “outgrown her.”When her friends convince her that a complete makeover is just what she needs to feel more confident about herself and make her ex jealous, Ada Lee reluctantly agrees. This new look brings surprising attention, but the flattery is short lived as Ada realizes that she is really just a pawn in a game. Is it time to re-evaluate her motives for wanting to change?While caught up in her own drama, Ada Lee has missed what was right in front of her the whole time. In a flurry of emotion, she hurts the ones she loves, grasps for ones she has no business pursuing, and just about misses the opportunity of a lifetime. "The New and Improved Ada Lee Bixby" is a story of self-discovery as Ada heals from tragedy on the road to her new and improved self, encountering a few surprises along the way.

    He's been the town's sheriff even during its formative years, and he's developed quite a reputation as it's tough law-enforcing sheriff. Because of his long tenure, and dedication to his job, he's also developed a very unflattering nickname, at least for him. It's a nickname that's best not said to Sheriff Tex's face. They call him “Lonesome” Tex Wilson. During one night, in particular, one of Brimstone's residents makes the mistake of doing just that. He gets a fist in his face for his trouble, from Tex himself. But the incident makes Tex start to think about his life. He's presided over Brimstone for so long. With the advent of the railroad and Brimstone being a booming mining town, his job will only become even more hectic and dangerous. There's bound to be more outlaws and troublemakers who will try to make a quick buck through a bank robbery, or anything of the sort. Tex realizes that he can't keep doing this forever, and he's not getting any younger. He needs to have something for himself. He hesitantly fills out an application for a mail order bride service. He doesn't put much faith in it but does it anyway. After all, he's got to try something. It's kind of like Tex's message in a bottle, for his heart. Fortunately or Unfortunately for Tex, his application works better than he ever expected. Soon enough, he begins to receive letters from a sweet woman. She looks very attractive in her photograph and writes with sincerity and honesty that seems to jump out of the paper. Her name is Annie Portion. After some letters, Tex is smitten by Annie, and he proposes to her through their correspondences. Annie agrees, and she is soon off to Brimstone to get married to Sheriff Tex. They meet up, and Annie is everything that Tex every wanted and more. They get married, and it seems that everything is going just as Tex wanted. It's a storybook dream, and suddenly, “Lonesome” Tex isn't lonesome anymore. But there's a catch, and not everything is what it seems. Annie Portion is real “Redtail Annie” a mysterious and notorious female outlaw. No one has ever seen her face because it's always covered with a large handkerchief. Annie saw the sheriff's application on the Mail Order Bride service, and she saw it as a great opportunity. She figured her gang could strike with a lot more impunity if she were actually married to the sheriff. It's a bold, long-term plan that could work. It's a great idea that would have been perfect except for one thing; Annie is falling in love with Tex. With their time together, Annie begins to develop feelings for Tex. She starts to develop a real liking for her life with him in Brimstone. But her gang doesn't know this, and they're getting itchy, waiting for her signal to rob the town bank, at the most opportune moment. With the stakes so high, what choice will Annie make? Who will prevail? Annie Portion, the woman who loves Tex Wilson, or “Redtail Annie” the outlaw?

    Each short story is about a dog, love and the special bond that can form between dogs and people. Love stories for all ages, almost any of these short stories could be a bedtime story for children, although they run the emotional gamut from absurdity to poignancy. The language is clean, and although the loss of a pet is always sad, the idea of dressing a chihuahua in a red corduroy coat is funny, quickly bringing a smile. Almost every true story in this collection is either about a chihuahua or a mix thereof, and/or the abandoned hound that claimed a family as his own. One is about a lost mother dog who depended on the kindness of strangers after delivering her puppies in a cave on the side of a cliff. Another is about a little dog's grief when her master died; although he was important enough to be mourned by an entire city, Mopsy's sorrow was heartbreaking. Most of the dogs in these stories came from an animal shelter, and the fidelity that each rescue dog demonstrates, from utter loyalty to pure devotion, makes a master humble.Perhaps you will recognize and remember some of the dogs you have loved over the years as you read these stories, and realize how important dogs truly are in the emotional lives of humans

    

    Her life dramatically changes when her mother dies and leaves a will stating that Olivia’s father is alive and she should go find him in Lebanon. When she arrives in Lebanon, she’s surprised to find out that her father is a wealthy sheikh. It angers her to see him living such a good life, and yet she and her mother struggled to make ends meet. Before she can return to the United States, she gets entangled in a crazy situation when she meets the green-eyed, impossibly handsome, tall and muscular Sheikh Joseph Boutros. He comes to her father’s house to choose a bride among his daughters but decides that he wants to marry Olivia instead. Can Olivia unravel the mystery of her birth and fight her emerging feelings for a man who doesn’t take “no” for an answer?

    If you fall into the other 92%, you are probably familiar with the feelings of overwhelm, frustration and being stuck, that accompany the task of trying to reach your goals.After experiencing many common pitfalls himself, Martin Kaye set out to find what prevented him from reach personal success, and what really works. He dove deep into the scientific research field of behavioral psychology and applied psychology, specifically the research done by world leading researchers on the topics of goal setting, motivation, willpower, habits and happiness, to create a complete, step-by-step, blueprint that includes all factors that impact the likelihood of achieving your goal.Regardless of what your particular goal is, this book offers an evidence-based introduction to the world of goal setting and goal achievement, beyond New Thought ideas such as positive thinking, vision boards and affirmations. It will help you get started, and give you advice you can immediately put to practical use.In this book you will learn:- The THREE problems with self-help advice and life coaches- The importance of using your strengths- How to avoid the Rat Race- How Motivation really works- Why Positive Thinking leads to Negative Results- How to use two simple daily routinesYou also get a workbook with the TEN proven steps to creating a plan that leads to real results, to download and print out and use as a tool when setting your goals, as well as a companion on your journey towards your goals.You're about to discover a scientific approach to setting and achieving your goals. Are you ready to take action?Now visit Kindle or your favorite online retailer and instantly get your hands on your FREE copy!

    During the supernatural encounter, God explained the meaning of life, revealed the mysterious truths behind the writings of the Bible, unveiled the secrets of the afterlife and, most importantly, dramatically altered the spiritual course of one young man's life. This odd, irreverent spiritual memoir chronicles Josh's journey with blunt comic undertones, undercutting the lofty gravitas typically associated with the "heaven tourism" genre (including best-sellers like Heaven is for Real, To Heaven and Back and Proof of Heaven). While making no claims regarding "proof" of God, heaven or any particular theological truth, this true story is an entertaining and thought-provoking journey into the psychology of religion and the existence of God.

    The Billionaire's BabySophie has been in love with her best friend Ella's brother, Billionaire Maxwell Van Harkel, for years. However Maxwell has turned into a Dr. Jekkyl and Mr. Hyde character. Some days he is great and other days he treats her like she doesn't exist. When Sophie lies to get her own way, she triggers a domino effect and she doesn't know if her life will ever be the same.2. New Beginnings (Sequel to The Billionaire's Baby)Sophie and Max have been in love with each other for years. But Max thought she was off limits because she was his sisters best friend and much younger than him. When they both realize that they want to be together and are in love, they finally get together to start their new life, happy and excited for their new baby to join them.Ella Van Harkel is Max's sister and Sophie's best friend and she has relationship issues of her own. When she decides to join an online dating service, she has no idea that she is being manipulated by people from Max's past.The path of true love never goes smoothly and when Max's ex Alexis comes back to town with explosive news, Sophie isn't sure how to think or feel. She tells Max she wants to learn more about his dark past and as they go down the path of his troubled history, they begin to unleash secrets so dark that neither of them will ever be the same again.3. A Baby For The MillionaireJenny is a recent college grad who one night drunkenly applies for a job she is not qualified for with a fabricated resume. When she gets the job, she decides to see if she can play it off and due to a mistaken identity finds herself in the CEO's office.Hamilton Verona is rich and handsome and is not looking for any trouble but when Jenny walks into his office, he finds himself propositioning her for a position that could change her life.A position that could would find her doing things she had never ever dreamed of.4. The Billionaire's Unlikely BrideElle is single and living in the City with her best friend Brittany. Brittany has a plan to have them both married off to billionaires and Elle can't help but go along.Peter Branford is the young billionaire that Brittany wants Elle to fall in love with but there are a couple of people who don't want to see that happen: Olivia, Peter's icy mother and Elliott Rosewood, Brittany's dad and a figure from Elle's past.5. How To Catch A BillionaireSarah Smith is a recent college grad with dreams to be a big time actress. The only problem is, she can't find an acting job anywhere. So she decides to accept a job at Zoom Corp and uses her acting position to get an executive position.Sarah thinks she has hit the big time until she meets CEO Harry Green, the only problem is she doesn't realize he is the CEO and makes a fool of herself. It's not long before she's out of a job and into Harry's bed. Before long Sarah finds herself falling in love but Harry lets her know in no uncertain terms that he doesn't play for keeps. So Sarah decides to see if she can figure out how to catch a billionaire with the help of her best friend Jane.6. The Millionaire's Assistant7. The Millionaire's Lover8. The Millionaire's GamesLouise goes to spend the weekend in 'The Hamptons' with the Beekman brothers: Ben, David and Richard. She ends up spending the night with one of them and finds herself falling for the wrong brother.

     Meet Amy, the world's most improbable trophy wife. She has a degree, ambitions and something resembling a mind of her own. The trouble is, she just doesn't use it anymore. Married to handsome aristocrat, Harry Green, Amy’s world is a whirlwind of luxury, labels and lunches. But amidst the peerages and polo of the privileged few lie wolves in minks' clothing. Before she knows it, Amy's perfect existence is plunged into chaos by the poshest of plots. Ominous heiresses, simpering starlets and a terrifying mother-in-law abound as Amy faces up to some harsh realities. Can Amy survive life in the upper crust? Or is high society an all new low?

    your new best friend! With a love of cocktails and wine, a fantastic job in the fashion industry and the world’s greatest best friends, Clara Andrews thought she had it all. That is until a chance meeting introduces her to Oliver, a devastatingly handsome American designer. Trying to keep the focus on her work, Clara finds her heart stolen by Michelin starred restaurants and luxury hotels. As things get flirty, Clara reminds herself that inter-office relationships are against the rules, so when a sudden recollection of a work’s night out leads her to a cheeky, charming and downright gorgeous barman, she decides to see where it goes. Clara soon finds out that dating two men isn't as easy as it seems... Will she be able to play the field without getting played herself? Join Clara as she finds herself landing in and out of trouble, re-affirming friendships, discovering truths and uncovering secrets. Book Two - Clara Meets the Parents Almost a year has passed since Clara found love in the arms of delectable American Oliver Morgan and things are starting to heat up. The nights of tequila shots and bodycon dresses are now a distant memory, but a content Clara couldn't be happier about it. It’s not just Clara things have changed for. Marc is settling in to his new role as Baby Daddy and Lianna is lost in the arms of the hunky Dan once again. When Oliver declares it time to meet the Texan in-laws, Clara is ecstatic and even more so when she discovers that the introduction will take place on the sandy beaches of Mexico! Will Clara be able to win over Oliver’s audacious mother? What secrets will unfold when she finds an ally in the beautiful and captivating Erica? Clara is going to need a little more than sun, sand and margaritas to get through this one...

    Hit and run. By a motorcycle. The victim is an elderly Asian woman. A young witness in a nearby dry cleaner and a truck driver suggest all “accidents” aren’t created equal. Then the Captain drops a new assignment on their desk: an affluent Bay Area lawyer is missing. The man’s wife stomps into their office screaming about a contract she found hidden in the backups of their home computer. A contract with a seven-figure payout, and an incriminating Exhibit A.Following the trail of both the motorcycle rider and the lawyer with Kandy complaining, “We’re homicide detectives, there should be a body,” leads to a vintage motorcycle club called the Ton Up where lips are sealed, a yacht harbor on the coast where riddles run deep, and a midnight roadside confrontation that ends with a splash. As the trails twist they soon find that these people and places have one thing in common:A violist named Mylin. Who plays in an all-female orchestra called The Girls of the Orient. And, unbeknownst to her, is the subject of a fine-art photographer’s latest collection.From San Francisco to Mexico, the treacherous cliffs of the Pacific coast to the desolation of Nevada’s high desert, Tune Up moves like Kandy’s turbocharged Mini through a foggy landscape of false identities, fake romance, and frenzied chases, as Qigiq realizes one picture really can reveal more than 1,000 words.