But even though we may understand the true reason for the season, far too few of us know how to celebrate Christmas as the time of peace that it is meant to be.With a rich, daily devotion for every day of December, Devotions for Christmas offers you a way to unplug and spend some time reconnecting with a childlike sense of wonder and joy at the mystery and blessings of Christmas. Settle in and enjoy peaceful and hope-inspired Devotions for Christmas.

    A lesson in chocolates -- and love! Eight years after her painful divorce, Abby Donovan is passionately devoted to making her little chocolate shop in Heartsprings Valley a delicious success.When widower John Buckley and his two adorable kids sign up for a chocolate class, Abby finds herself surprised by the immediate connection she feels with them -- and by the realization that the little shop of her dreams may no longer be enough to keep her fulfilled.With a gentle push from the Christmas spirit, can Abby overcome her wounded heart and embrace a future filled with love and happiness?The Heartsprings Valley Sweet Romance series celebrates love and romance during the most wonderful time of the year.Christmas to the Rescue! (Book 1)A Very Cookie Christmas (Book 2)Sweet Apple Christmas (Book 3)I Dream of Christmas (Book 4)Chock Full of Christmas (Book 5) It's always Christmas in Heartsprings Valley!

    Having lost faith in the most magical part of the year, her father, Jim, desperately tries to bring back the magic she has lost. When an unforeseen change of events takes over their little family on the morning of Christmas Eve, Jim's faith and spirits are really put to the test. Will the magic of Christmas be enough to bring back the joy to their family once more? Or will they really depend on a Christmas miracle?

    That's why she ditched a frustrating legal career to open her own store in Fool's Gold, California. The Christmas Attic celebrates everything that's magical about her favorite season. Business is booming, and as a bonus, gorgeous army doctor Gabriel Boylan has offered to help out during the holiday rush.Gabriel's memories of Christmas past contain more sour grapes than sugarplums, thanks to a drill sergeant father who ran his home like a boot camp. Spending the holidays with his family while he recuperates from injury sounds as appetizing as last year's eggnog. Still, there are some enjoyable distractions in town, including sunny, sexy Noelle—and the red-hot mistletoe kisses they can't stop sharing.Gabriel didn't think he was made for happily-ever-afters. But when fate hands you a love as sweet and surprising as this, only a fool could refuse....Features the bonus novella Yours for Christmas.

    And holiday kisses...the Season of Magic. Wrap yourself in the holiday spirit with five romantic stories filled with fun and forever after.Noel Noel Noel by Merry Holly (Marian Lanouette)Dumped and lonely, is it possible to find love at the local mall? Noelle thinks not, but a chance encounter with Chase Clayborne has her rethinking her rigid set of rules as sparks flare between them. A Cinderella Christmas by Cara Marsi Jessica Gallo no longer believed in fairy tales or happy endings. And she certainly didn’t believe she’d find her Prince Charming at Saks Fifth Avenue. Her Fairy Godmother thought differently. Matchmaker Matchmaker by Bobbi LermanWith Chanukah around the corner, is there enough magic left for a matchmaker to bring a cynical heart back to life. Holiday Disaster by Vicki BatmanThe week before Christmas and all is in disarray when a librarian experiences horrible plumbing issues and a Mr. Maintenance Man who isn’t nearly as jolly as Santa Clause. This Christmas is a disaster. Yuletide Bride by Gerri BrousseauThe Dowager Duchess’s decree that her grandson must marry before Twelfth Night or relinquish his title and fortune sends him into a tail spin. Without any prospects and with only two weeks until Christmas will Stuart Nelson find himself destitute or will he find The Yuletide Bride.

    After years of saving, she finally put an offer on the old place only to have it beaten by an out of towner whose plans for her childhood home are sketchy, at least in Tara’s mind. When she meets the man, however, nothing about him says villain, but will her disappointment and bitter past allow for a future with the one who stole all her dreams? Justin Hunter gave up his life in Manhattan to give his young sister a childhood free of stress and complications. Fixing up the old farmhouse would give them a chance to bond and build the happy home neither of them ever had. When Justin meets a beautiful artist and loses his heart instantly, “complicated” becomes an understatement. Can he convince her to believe in a new dream, one that includes him and a young girl who needs her? Spend the holidays in Sylvan Hills, North Carolina, where the scenery is beautiful, the people are quirky, and love finds you when you least expect it.

     THE WINTER WISH Lady Sarah Dawson has one simple wish for Christmas: to gain the attention of Devlin Heathcliff, the handsome viscount who she has loved for as long as she can remember. Unfortunately for Sarah she is plain, quiet, and embarrassingly shy – the exact opposite of the type of woman Devlin is attracted to. All hope seems lost… Until one afternoon fate steps in and Sarah learns that sometimes, with a little magic, winter wishes can come true. THE RISQUE RESOLUTION Due to a clause in her father’s will, Lily has until Christmas to find a husband. She fears all hope is lost… until she meets the mysterious, insufferable, and oh so handsome Captain James Rigby. Recently returned and still recovering from the bloody battlefields of war, James is missing an arm and, it would seem, a heart. The last thing on the embittered soldier’s mind is marriage, especially to Lily Kincaid, a woman who is as infuriatingly stubborn as she is beautiful. With time running out, can Lily convince James – and herself – true love really exists? Or will she lose everything, including her heart? PLEASE NOTE: Both 'The Winter Wish' and 'The Risque Resolution' are previously published novellas and are available for purchase individually.

    But in the season of goodwill to all men, will it take a cat to prove that miracles can still happen?

    The mere mention of baking cookies conjures up memories not just of tantalizing aromas and great tastes but of warm kitchens and good times with family and friends. "Joy of Cooking Christmas Cookies" brings together in a single volume 75 indispensable cookie recipes and more than 25 recipes for holiday extras. That's more than 100 recipes, half of which are brand new. This book also offers a sneak preview of the revision of "Joy of Cooking", the first in more than two decades. Written with clarity, humor, and a dedication to detail that has always set the "Joy of Cooking" apart from all other cookbooks, this book will teach anyone from the person who has never baked a single cookie to the experienced home baker how to turn out a perfect cookie every time. A treasure trove of information, this book contains basic instructions on measuring ingredients, handling and shaping cookie doughs, and decorating cookies, supported by helpful line drawings every step of the way. Recipes include the full range of cookies from the simplest one-pan bar cookies like Chocolate-Glazed Toffee Bars and Scottish Shortbread to those that are dropped onto a cookie sheet (don't miss the new Monster Cookies) to Christmas production numbers like Spritz that are piped through a press. On the familiar side are recipes for chocolate chip cookies, brownies, and sugar cookies. Brief but precise directions ensure that the brownies will be fudgey and moist, the chocolate chips chewy, and the sugar cookies meltingly tender. On the novel side are such irresistible new entries as Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars, Tuscan Almond Biscotti, and Chocolate Mint Surprises.Among this Book's unique features:A full-color photograph of every cookieBrand-new recipes for reduced-fat cookies that taste wonderfulAn easy-to-make gingerbread houseStorage suggestions that help you plan your baking time when conipany is comingRecipes for eggnog, mulled cider and wine, and three kinds of homemade hot chocolateA section on extras-a California fruitcake for the 90s made with dried fruits and nuts, a plum pudding Charles Dickens would have loved, Stollen, Chocolate Truffles, Bourbon Balls, Candied Popcorn, and more.For sparkling additions to any weekday or for a splendid display of special party presentations, the new "Joy of Cooking Christmas Cookies" is the only cookie book you'll ever need.

    Arriving in Pineford, it’s everything she’d ever hoped for and more.But she’s in for another surprise, because Thomas has left her with one last request: if she completes his Christmas wish list of festive activities, her chosen charity will receive a big donation. Or so Sharmila thinks.…He’s there to reclaim his family’s legacyLittle does she know, she’s set to inherit Thomas’s estate too, much to his nephew Zach’s disbelief. Determined not to see his family’s legacy left to a stranger, he’s come to Pineford to do whatever it takes to stop Sharmila from fulfilling that list.When Sharmila and Zach meet, neither are prepared for sparks to fly. For Sharmila’s sworn off love, and Zach doesn’t trust her. But with every passing wish they find themselves growing closer. And amongst the twinkling town lights and fallen snow, Sharmila can feel her heart opening up to Zach. But when she learns he’s been keeping a secret from her, can Sharmila forgive him and get the happy-ever-after she’s always wished for this Christmas?

    Every kid on the block had to have the latest cool toy, be it an Easy Bake Oven for pretend baking, a rocket ship for pretend space travel, or a Slinky, just because. At Christmastime, postwar America's dreams and desires were on full display, from shopping mall Santas to shiny aluminum Christmas trees, from the Grinch to Charlie Brown's beloved spindly Christmas tree. Now design maven Sarah Archer tells the story of how Christmastime in America rocketed from the Victorian period into Space Age, thanks to the new technologies and unprecedented prosperity that shaped the era. The book will feature iconic favorites of that time, including:• A visual feast of Christmastime eats and recipes, from magazines and food and appliance makers• Christmas cards from artists and designers of the era, featuring Henry Dreyfuss, Charles Ray Eames, and Alexander Girard• Vintage how-to templates and instructions for holiday decor from Good Housekeeping and the 1960's craft craze• Advice from Popular Mechanics on how to glamorize your holiday dining table• Decorating advice for your new Aluminum Christmas Tree from ALCOA (the Aluminum Company of America)• The first American-made glass ornaments from Corning Glassworks Midcentury Christmas is sure to be on everyone’s most-wanted lists.

    Now beloved writer Warren W. Wiersbe and his son, fellow pastor David W. Wiersbe give adults their very own A to Z Christmas primer, cutting through the wrapping paper and pretty bows to expose and explain the backgrounds and reasons for our various symbols and traditions. From angels and Bethlehem to yuletide and Zechariah, the information in this unique collection is sure to enlighten. Anyone who wants to have a deeper understanding of Christmas will love this insightful resource.

    When Izzy goes to a posh Christmas party at her friend's fabulous home, she winds up doing a favor for the hostess that leads to mayhem, mistletoe and maybe even murder. Plus a dash of romance! & NOTHING BUNDT MURDER: While trying to heal her broken heart, journalist Rosie Kale moves into her Grandma's beach-side guest house and takes a job at the hot new Bundt Baby Bakery. But when she and her boss cater a ritzy bridal shower, murder is on the dessert menu and the Bundt cake is blamed. Rosie tries to find the real killer before she becomes the next victim. But her senior sleuth 'helpers,' Nana and Birdie, are more interested in getting her married off than in the murder case. Unfortunately their prime romantic prospect--handsome real estate mogul Casey Baron--is also her prime murder suspect. "Nothing Bundt Murder" is a fun, clean, cozy mystery with cats, cupcakes and a dash of romance.

    When Grace and Hopes pa dies he asks them to write to two men he has picked out of the paper, and that they must promise to marry them soon. So the sisters part and become mail order brides. Grace ends up on a ranch with Dempsey, a handsome man but somehow there is a wall between them. Maybe it is her grief but she does not know. One night they hear a cry in the storm and find Rose and baby Violet almost frozen in the rain. Rose is a young widow with a troubled past. She was on her way to an orphanage when she took the wrong road. Believing that everyone has abandoned her even God she was ready to give in. Maybe God had plans for her all along. Grant Hawkins works on the ranch and he is taken by baby rose and her ma, but can he break down the barriers of Rose’s past or will it destroy them both? Hope had been married to a miner just like her pa, and just like him he is dying. He makes her promise that she will live life to the full and find love. After his death Hope goes to her sisters house and falls in love with Dempsey’s cousin, only his past is making things difficult. When he lies to her she runs out into a storm and becomes lost. Will he find her in time? Can she forgive him? With Christmas fast approaching is there hope for these three couples. Will they find the faith they need to reclaim their happiness? This is a sweet and clean western romance and is suitable for all ages.

    Her only concern is to get through the holiday without making her family worry while taking in all she can. But when her ex heads home she's forced to feel things she thought she was over. At the top of the things she thought she was over is Ramir Patterson. Ramir Patterson has been successful in every avenue of his life but love. After failing twice at it he's decided to focus on his business and making a legacy that would hopefully out live him. But the more time goes on he's starting to face the fact that the life he dreamed of with the woman he's dreamed of sharing it with may never happen. That's until Valencia crosses his path again. Now that Ramir and Valencia are back on each other's radar can the love they once shared be rekindled or will life end everything where it stands? Find out in The Last Christmas: A Mistletoe Miracle.