A short story by A.L. Jambor When Meg’s sister dies, she is devastated. The last of three children, Meg misses her siblings and has never felt so alone. She’s an author, but her emotional state hinders her ability to write, and she can’t sit in front of her computer without trembling. A trip to Port Revere, MA recalls memories of the summers spent there with her family when she was a girl, and Meg decides to buy the Christmas Cottage, an abandoned little house on a bluff near town. She refurbishes it, and with the help of her nephew Zack, starts to come out of her shell. But then the holidays, a time for families and celebrations, arrive, and Meg must again face her loneliness, and guilt over something she can't forgive herself for – she wasn’t there when her sister died and never had a chance to say goodbye. With the cottage almost completed, Meg has one last thing to do; she has to find out if her plumbing is up to snuff, and arranges for a plumber to visit the cottage. On Thanksgiving Day, she is sipping a cup of coffee when someone knocks on the door. She looks out the window and sees an old man, an old truck, and an old dog. Lettering on the truck announces that Angus O’Malley, Plumber Extraordinaire, is standing on her doorstep. What she doesn’t know is that Angus is on a mission and that his appearance heralds the beginning of something wonderful, and the best Christmas Meg has ever had. The Little Cottage by the Sea was formerly published as The Christmas Cottage. The content has not changed. It is a short book of 20,000 words.

    The next, his foot slipped and he plunged to his death, leaving behind a young wife and six children—the youngest born four months after his death. Ruth Miller is not alone. Her Amish neighbors help her to make the difficult transition from wife to widow.            But while the community has been generous, raising six growing children, each grieving their father's death, is overwhelming. Devastated by her loss, Ruth isn't sure how she'll make ends meet or restore order to a house full of rambunctious kids. With help from her mother and her energetic, but untidy neighbor, Mamie, Ruth finds a way to start over. Preoccupied with the effort to create a new life and manage her shrinking bank account, Ruth barely notices John King, the handsome newcomer to her community. Besides, how could she—if she had a chance—replace Ben? Does one ever replace a husband?            As Christmas approaches, Ruth knows that she can't afford gifts for her children this year. It's hard enough to find money for groceries each week. But then banana boxes full of food, treats for the children, and even money begin to appear on her front porch. Who is leaving her these generous gifts? Is it a neighbor or a friend? Or, Ruth wonders, could it be John, who keeps unexpectedly appearing when Ruth most needs help?Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Arcade, Yucca, and Good Books imprints, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in fiction—novels, novellas, political and medical thrillers, comedy, satire, historical fiction, romance, erotic and love stories, mystery, classic literature, folklore and mythology, literary classics including Shakespeare, Dumas, Wilde, Cather, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

    

    From the small hamlet of Eastport in Canada, to the gorgeous landscapes of New Zealand, to Main Street, USA... you'll find the Christmas spirit and warm love stories on every page. And not all of our babies have pudgy little fingers and adorable toes... one of them has hooves and a mane! Inside this year's box set, you'll find Christmas novellas from Kristy Tate, Carol DeVaney, Jill James, E. Ayers, Lizzi Tremayne, Jude Knight, Stephanie Queen, Susan R. Hughes, and Leigh Morgan. Snuggle up with your favorite blanket, grab a cup of hot chocolate, and let the Authors of Main Street help you celebrate the holiday season.

    The holidays are normally meant to bring everyone together for joy and celebration. Instead, two unfortunate situations force these two to co-exist in the same house together, but after a while, the two of them realize that might not be a bad thing. Join these two as they try to not only piece their lives back together but also find unexpected love along the way. Find out what it means to have Xmas with a real one.

    It's a place where folks embrace what matters most in life -- love, family, community.... Christmas to the Rescue! Librarian Becca James, on the mend from a tragic loss, finds hope -- and the promise of romance -- when an adorable rescue dog leads her on the Christmas adventure of a lifetime! A Very Cookie Christmas Busy, overworked Clara Cane finds her organizing skills put to the test when her most demanding client shows up in town -- and her high-school crush stirs up feelings she thought she'd long since moved past.... Sweet Apple Christmas Cafe owner Holly Snow makes the best scones in town and accepts her single status -- until a handsome orchard owner walks in and sparks begin to fly.... Christmas Romance in Heartsprings Valley: Holiday Collection, Books 1-3 This special Christmas box set includes the first three books in the Heartsprings Valley Sweet Romance series:Christmas to the Rescue! (Book 1)A Very Cookie Christmas (Book 2)Sweet Apple Christmas (Book 3) It's Always Christmas in Heartsprings Valley!

    She wants a Christmas like the ones she enjoyed as a child. Except she's twenty-four years old and the life she enjoyed as a child no longer exists for her. Her mother has died and her two brothers were killed in the wars against Napoleon. Her father has married a shrew who only wants to see her married to a man who smells like a pig, and her best friend is set to marry a Naval Officer in the the spring and she fears she will never see her again. Her father spends his days holed up in his office and rarely comes out because he can't even stand the woman he's married. And then one day, everything changes. She goes to her favourite reading spot on the sprawling estate of Whitney Park and sits on the bench in the Greek Temple Folly. While there, Edward Rochester, The Duke of Whitney spies her and believes that he has seen his very own Christmas Nymph. He goes out to introduce himself to her and before he knows it he's proposing to her - knowing only one thing - his Christmas will not be happy unless he's married the woman who has besotted him - Caroline, his Christmas Nymph.

    

    

    FALL IN LOVE with SEVEN BRAND-NEW, NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED STEAMY CHRISTMAS STORIES From New York Times & USA Today Bestselling, Award-Winning AuthorsTWO HEARTS’ CHRISTMAS RESCUE: Tamara Ferguson, USA Today Bestselling Author: Christmas has been a time of terrible loss for the two of them, so neither has celebrated for years. Will a gang of needy rescue pets help Kinley and Jake rescue each other’s Christmas, aided by the magic of love?MISTLETOE MAGIC by Natalie Ann, USA Today Bestselling Author: Can the magic of Christmas help Robin and Brian find what is hiding in their hearts?BAYOU CHRISTMAS by Suzanne Jenkins, USA Today bestselling Author: When Maggie Angel makes a discovery under Bayou Cottage it might change her life if she lets it. What does a mother dog, her six pups and a handsome veterinarian have in common? Maggie’s heart will bring them together.CANDY’S CHRISTMAS WISH by Cynthia Cooke, USA Today bestselling Author: On the verge of losing her house, her business, and her dog, Candy needs a Christmas miracle. What she gets is Lincoln, the man who broke her heart, back in her life.MELT MY HEART by Alicia Street, USA Today Bestselling Author: A rescue mutt. A mysterious letter. A secret history shared. Can the challenge that brings Wynter and Caleb together melt the hearts of two people who have given up on love?PLAYING SANTA by Stephanie Queen, USA Today Best1selling Author: Why stop at rescuing a puppy when there’s a struggling beauty who might need Santa to come to her rescue?A SNOWY SEASIDE CHRISTMAS by Traci Hall, USA Today Bestselling Author: Only unconditional love can save Gemma and Bryce from hiding their battered hearts forever – will these two heroes be brave enough to let down their guard?

    You won't want to miss this comedic unraveling. Bonus Material Inside! Spend the holidays with your favorite family, or get to know them for the first time.

    When they finally hook up, her lust turned love consumes her thoughts and all that she can think about is being with him. The dilemma…Keva has a man and doesn’t know how to tell him that she’d rather be with someone else. Damarion Sanders is the ultimate bachelor and in no rush to settle down. He’s been in a situationship for several months but only because he can’t have who he really desires. But after succumbing to his attraction to Keva, his best friend’s sister, making her his forever is the only thing on his mind, except…he promised his best friend that he’d stay away from Keva. Will Keva and Damarion find a way to be together? Will Keva risk her relationship and take a chance on giving Damarion all of her love? Will Damarion break the promise he made to his best friend and risk eighteen years of friendship for the woman he’s come to love?

    Everybody wins! Old Christmas: When professional chef Casey Gray returns to the southeast Texas town where she grew up, she doesn't expect to feel anything for her former lover Kalin McBride. It will take every bit of determination Kalin has, plus a little help from the magical spirit of the holiday, to convince Casey that her future lies with him. Sutherland's Pride: Pride Donovan's former lover, Flynn Sutherland, does not recognize her little boy as his when she returns to the Texas Gulf Coast town of Anahuac. But he definitely wants his Pride back - can their second chance withstand the bombshell she's about to drop into his life? Georgie's Heart: Georgeanne Hartfield, author of the explosive nonfiction book Faking It, never counted on meeting a man like Zane Bryant, who makes her feel like a woman for the first time in her life. But if he ever discovers she's behind the infamous Fritzi Field pen name, how could he possibly believe that her response to him is the real thing? The Counterfeit Cowgirl: Felicity Clayton has carefully cultivated her fashion-house cowgirl image, so she's astonished to find the citizens of Foxe, Texas, dislike her almost before she steps out of her Dodge pickup. Aaron Whitaker, a local rancher, has no use for a flashy, fake cowgirl - so why is he beginning to feel an unwanted attraction to her? The Look-Alike Bride: Leonie Daniel leads a double life, often standing in for her glamorous older sister who works as a government agent. All Leonie has to do this time is spend a few weeks in Zara's lakeside cabin near Hot Springs, Arkansas, behave like Zara, and avoid Adam Silverthorne, the man her sister is interested in. But now Adam is falling for Leonie . . . or is he? Bride by the Book: Small-town Arkansas attorney Garner Holt badly needs an assistant to sort out his cluttered office, but he didn't expect a super-secretary like Miss Angelina Brownwood. She's perfect until an online search reveals a flaw: Angelina isn't a secretary. But does her secret mean she's also not the girl for him? Sensuality Level: Behind Closed Doors

    If it comes back to you, it’s yours. If it doesn’t, then it was never meant to be yours.Because of a misunderstanding, college sweethearts Ryan Rogers and Chrissy Underwood were torn apart. A year later, they reconnect at a Valentine’s Day Masquerade Party. With the lights low, the music humming and their faces hidden underneath a mask, they’re still able to recognize one another. And the love they once felt is still there and strong as ever. As they sway to the music and reminisce, Ryan is able to clear up the misunderstanding that forced Chrissy to leave.However, will Chrissy have the guts to reveal the secret she left town with?

     Jeremy Clovenhoof has spent six years living the quiet life after losing his job as Lord of Hell and now he’s partying hard because it’s the school holidays. Whether it’s his increasingly complex girlfriend situation, his creative attempts at Christmas on a budget or an over-decorated tree that will take things very personally, Clovenhoof will make this a Christmas for everybody to remember. Join Clovenhoof as he continues his year-long journey to tackle the big issues in life.