Book picks similar to
Secret Santa by Kay Stockham


romance
sampled-not-buying
christian-fiction
christmas

Calling You Home (Glen Avich)


Daniela Sacerdoti - 2016
    The love of her life was out of reach, so she walked away and never looked back. Now, visiting the beautiful, snowy village of Glen Avich for Christmas, Viola is shocked to find him here, staying only metres away. Can she risk heartbreak again?Inary Monteith's life is at a turning point - a surprise baby has come to upset her plans and open the door to a whole new world. But as her bump grows, fear trumps over love and Inary feels completely inadequate to her new role. As she and her cousins, Eilidh and Viola, gather for Christmas lunch, no one could expect what lies ahead, least of all the arrival of a mysterious visitor who delivers a gift for them all...

Home to Chestnut Grove


Christy Barritt - 2019
     When Faith Winters returns to Chestnut Grove, Virginia, for the community’s annual Christmas celebration, she’s desperate to get in and out as quickly as possible. She’s failed at making it on Broadway and is certain her hometown will never accept her again after her sudden departure eight years ago. Despite that, she’s vowed to honor a promise and face the heartache she left behind. Jake Whitmire is the sheriff in Chestnut Grove, but keeping the area free of crime is the least of his worries. Most days are filled with trying to keep the community’s spirits up as businesses have closed and jobs disappeared. He never expected to see the woman who broke his heart return home to lead up the town’s Christmas concert, nor is he sure he can ever forgive her. As someone in town begins sabotaging the community’s celebration, Faith and Jake work together to find the person responsible and ensure their friend Aimee’s last request is fulfilled. Can holiday hope heal the broken spirit afflicting Chestnut Grove residents? Or is it time for everyone—including Faith and Jake—to treasure the memories of the past but to move on?

Taken by the Mountain Man


Anna Wild - 2017
    No one knows who I really am, and I like it that way. I don’t need people trashing my world: physically or emotionally. Between the greed and the lies; who needs them? I especially don’t need a woman in my life; but then chance, a storm and a pack of wolves blow HER into mine … However, chance is often a circumstance that can be manipulated… Olivia I was about to be the next meal of the resident wolf pack, because I had tripped and fallen on what I thought was snow, but was really a jagged rock. Now I couldn’t walk – I couldn’t even stand. They are so close now, I can’t help but scream. Suddenly, I hear a rifle go off, and I’m saved – by the most handsome man I’ve ever seen. He doesn’t talk much, but when we finally start making music together (real music, with a piano and guitar) I start to see the REAL him. If only this was the real me… This is a standalone novella with powerful sexy women only - no cheating - hot passionate love - HEA and a Mountain Man who loves all the above xo, Anna

Take Me Home


J.H. Croix - 2015
    Croix, a new contemporary romance series! A sexy Christmas romance set against the wilderness and beauty of small-town Alaska. Gage Hamilton is a smoldering Navy SEAL and a man on a mission. He’s returning to Diamond Creek, Alaska to resurrect his dream of reopening Last Frontier Lodge. Marley Adams moves back home hoping to find a sense of security and safety after it was stolen from her.Gage has spent many years successfully avoiding emotional entanglements. He is looking for nothing more than peace and sanctuary at his family’s old ski lodge. His new neighbor, Marley, was definitely not part of his plans. Marley is a brainy computer whiz and way too sexy for Gage’s own good. A man who prides himself on always being in control, Gage finds that he has little when it comes to Marley.Marley only wants to get her feet back under her after her world was turned upside down in Seattle. She’s been focused on little else beyond her work and is seriously out of practice with anything resembling romance…including the scorching hot attraction that sizzles anytime Gage crosses her path.Gage and Marley are powerless against the magnetic pull between them. Steamy and snowy nights weave a spell around them. While Marley thought she escaped whoever set out to hurt her in Seattle, she finds the threat of danger has followed her to Diamond Creek. Gage must face the depth of his feelings for Marley when he realizes he will do anything to protect her. Can Marley and Gage discover love in time for Christmas? The magic of a white Christmas is right around the corner.*All novels in this series are full-length standalone novels with an HEA.**Take Me Home is an updated title for Chrismas on the Last Frontier

Gifted


Ainsley St. Claire - 2019
    My non-profit has been wildly successful with the kids, but now I'm forty mentors short for the Christmas season. It didn't look like we would be able to find enough help, until Jim Adelson got involved. He may have solved my mentor problem, but he's created another: I can't concentrate with this panty melting God around. Jim: The community has been good to me. I'd built my successful security business with hard work and determination, and when I got approached to help Kate Monroe's non-profit, it seemed a fitting way to give back. I'd offer to spend time with some kids, but it’s Kate that I find myself wanting to spend time with. With beauty obvious to everyone, and a compassionate heart she wears on her sleeve, she has me reevaluating my priorities. When the children's Christmas gifts go missing, Jim and Kate are forced together in the hunt. Can true love fight through the drama to find a happy ending? Gifted is the first book in the holiday series Clear Security Holidays. This is a standalone holiday romance suspense novel, but characters from the Venture Capital series and from Tech Billionaires can be known to make appearances.

When Love Leads You Home


Jami Crumpton - 2019
    After missing the Olympic team because of injury, and being shut out by her ‘winning is everything’ father, she’s built a career as a top notch, award-winning coach. When a serious student injury propels her to the outside of the gymnastics world, she finds herself broke and alone – until a bequest from a mysterious and unknown aunt takes her on an unexpected journey. Who was Aunt Winnie, and what does the equally mysterious and unknown Mr. Boudreaux have to do with it? Army veteran, Cole Boudreaux, has returned home a hero to Cardinal Point, Texas, but a few things went wrong with his homecoming. His fiancée cut him loose, and he lost his position as a police officer because a wartime injury left him nearly deaf. Then, the woman who was like a mother to him dies suddenly. Cole knows God has a plan, and if he could settle Winnie’s estate and grow his budding security business, he just might figure out what it is. Winnie’s niece is not making it easy. She’s rolled into town with a ton of baggage and secrets she’s not willing to share. Why is Jacey so distant, and why is she so determined to not let him in?

Silver Bells


Lyz Kelley - 2020
    She’s stuck there and haunted by memories until she meets Tim, Christmas present. He opens her eyes and heart.If you love small town second chance romances, read this heartwarming novella and fall in love today.

A (kinda) Country Christmas


Krista Phillips - 2015
    Owner of Bethlehem's Boutique in the tourist mountain town of Gatlinburg, TN, she has no room for the bad boys of her past and devotes her whole life to the struggling boutique and her teenage daughter, Maribelle. She's perfectly happy with her country-living life until he walks into her store. Nate Myers travels the globe for his job and has the bank account to prove his success. The former "bad" boy is in town for a short visit with his sister and is determined to not get caught up in all the Christmas hype. But then he falls for the beautiful shopkeeper—quite literally. Will these two (sorta) opposites be able to find a happily-ever-after together?

10 SPICY Novellas by Xyla Turner


Xyla Turner - 2019
    Steamy, sexy, and 'to the point' stories that are available to you now, in one place and at one price. This boxed set is for the New and Original Xyla Turner fan. Most of these stories are no longer available and many were in other sets. This opportunity is not only a first of its kind, but available for a limited time only! If you want to catch up on how Xyla's newest characters came to be, you must read this! What is included: - Undertones - Forbidden Target - Hazard - Company Secrets - The Client - Diego - March - F Student - Judge Me - Strut Plus bonus materials that include samples of Xyla's latest releases and HINT, HINT: Duncan's Pride (2.5) Don't miss this opportunity. It will not last long! You can see more like this book with the following titles: Trent | Duncan | Carter | Declan | BOMBSHELL | Across the Tracks | Take A Knee | Always Right | Cole | 10-80: Line of Duty | 10-99: Line of Duty | Extraction | Power of the Pen | By Chance, No Choice | Undertones

Mistletoe Kisses & Christmas Wishes


Leah Atwood - 2016
    For seven years, she has raised her daughter without a father.Scott Lamar never meant to abandon his daughter and pregnant girlfriend, but life happened, and college provided a means of escape. All that changed when he found faith in God, and now he wants to make up for his past mistakes. Is it ever too late to do the right thing?Mistletoe and Mochas by Lynnette BonnerChelsea Tan looks up from the mocha she's making to see Cannon Jones. She nearly drops the cup. He hasn't contacted her once in the past several weeks. She'd gotten his message loud and clear. But now he wants to spend time with her? Well, he'll just see how gullible she is this time! Cannon hopes Chelsea will understand the reasons he hasn't been in contact. But she's as frosty as the Seattle air the week before Christmas. He'd better put on all his charm. Maybe with the help of a few mochas and some mistletoe all will not be lost.Cephalopod Cupid by Kathleen FreemanLacey McDowell has the best job in the world. She's a Marine biologist at the Seattle Aquarium. Her favorite "exhibit," an octopus escape artist named Gabriel, should make the coming Christmas merry enough. But with her friend marrying her ex-boyfriend, it may be time for a change. The N.O.A.A. research vessel in port is looking for a marine biologist. But how can Lacey leave Gabriel? And what about the boy who loves her favorite cephalopod, or his father, a handsome executive who's moving to Seattle?Christmas Bells are Ringing by Lesley Ann McDanielHaving recently relocated to Seattle, Shelby longs for someone special in her life. When a handsome green-eyed stranger walks into the coffee shop where she works, her interest is piqued. Later, she finds a bag containing five beautiful hand-painted Christmas bells on the cream and sugar table. No one comes back to claim it, so she decides to do a little detective work. Does she dare hope that it will lead her to the stranger with the magnetic green eyes?Seattle Rayne by Sylvia StewartLoneliness has hovered over Rayne DeMarco's life. Frequent infusions of coffee have neither enlivened her flagging business as a freelance writer nor her social life. Seattle's gray winter skies seem to mirror her life. Then a mama cat with three rambunctious kittens finds a home in her above-the-garage apartment, and a handsome Montana cowboy, Matt Hayes, walks back into her life. Add a puppy who needs a little love and you have a Seattle romance that is as sure to warm your heart as the hot coffee Seattleites crave.All I Want for Christmas by Janalyn VoigtWhen Corey broke Hailey's heart, her best friend Matt picked up the pieces. If Matt wasn't a cubicle worker moonlighting as a Seattle street musician, this would be easy. But never mind that he stirs her emotions, Hailey can't afford a drag on her ambitions. She needs to climb the career ladder to keep her childhood home. Matt isn't about to tell Hailey that the 'fiddle' he carries is a Stradivarius or that he owns a tuxedo, not after his fiancé ditched him for a man with more money.

All is Bright (Christmas Lights Collection Book 4)


Kari Trumbo - 2019
    Jacob loves finding the perfect gift for everyone. When Scrooge and Santa volunteer at a local thrift store together, will the mix be Holly Jolly?Toni Shiloh- I'll be Home: What could be worse than being laid off right before the holidays? For Starr Lewis that would include returning home jobless, single, and, oh yeah, just in time to attend her sister's wedding on Christmas Eve... to Starr's ex-boyfriend. In the midst of it all, her brother's best friend soon has her wondering if she can take another chance on love.Cathe Swanson- Season of Change: Charlea’s ready to sell Serenity Hill, but Drew is back in town, 15 years after their dream date ended in disaster, helping her mother and daughter turn the old commune into a commercial Christmas wonderland. Between poinsettias and sleigh rides, angst and romance collide in this Christmas second-chance romance!Chautona Havig- The 12 Dates of Christmas: When Reagan runs into Alex, her high school nemesis, he is stunned to discover that's how she saw him. It'll take twelve dates and a lot of forgiveness on both sides to even hope for a Christmassy-ever-after.Brighten your day with these four lighthearted novellas today!

Ms. Ely's Christmas Wish: A New Life Tabernacle Short Story


LaShonda Bowman - 2017
    Ely, the beloved character from the novel, Taste & See, is back in her very own Christmas story! All Orella Ely ever wanted was for her loved ones to be happy and blessed. But now that they are, it seems they have little time left for her. And with Christmas fast approaching, that fact has become painfully clear. Encouraged by some to retire and restart her life elsewhere, Ms. Ely has a hard decision to make. Is it time to move on? Or does God have other plans in store for her? Find out along with Ms. Ely as she learns how God can turn the dark parts of our lives into something bright and beautiful.

You Thought He Was Yours


Denora M. Boone - 2017
    She has a beautiful home and her bank account is no longer struggling. She knows that the success that she has been blessed with is only because of the God she serves. She just wishes that He would finally send her the husband her heart desires. Unfortunately, that prayer had yet to be answered because the man that holds her heart, is married to someone else. Bless Williams once had a promising professional career in the NFL but an injury in college caused that dream to turn into a nightmare. The one thing that made that defeat bearable was knowing that he had his beautiful wife Trinity by his side. She was there before the fame but once the limelight dimmed, so did the flames that she once had for him. As much as Bless prayed that God return His wife’s heart back to him and heal their marriage, he would soon see that the secrets that are exposed won’t allow it. Both Bless and Anya believe in the sanctity of marriage and wouldn’t dare enter into anything that God frowns upon. But what is a heart to do when it wants what it wants? Could Anya be the one that Bless was meant to be with and if so why had God sent Trinity during one of the most difficult times of his young life? Love is a hard thing to get rid of especially when you thought he was yours.

A Glimmer of Hope


Julia Ridgmont - 2019
    What she doesn’t know is that she is about to become a mail-order bride, too. 1881 Oregon Melissa Eversoll Burgess’s hope of a wonderful life with her first husband went up in smoke the day she married him. Not only was his abuse difficult to take, but she also learned that he was deeply involved in crime—on the very day he died. Now that they’re both widowed, Melissa and her mother are ready to start over in a place called Hope Hollow. When she is introduced to a handsome farmer and informed that she is to be his mail-order bride, she doesn’t know whether to hug him…or slap him. Garret Pearce came to Oregon three years ago to claim land and nurse a broken heart. Though he’s smitten with Melissa from their very first meeting, he’s not about to fall into that trap again. That is, until it becomes obvious she needs his protection. Entering a marriage of convenience may not have been in his plans, but now that he’s got a wife—and a pretty one at that—he realizes that keeping his heart from being torn in two is going to be the challenge of his life. One that he just might lose. Will Melissa and Garret get a second chance at love? Welcome to Hope Hollow, Oregon, a place where hope abounds for the downtrodden and weary, and where peace and love abide amidst life’s trials. ***Warning: sensitive topics such as domestic abuse and familial suicide are mentioned as past experiences for Melissa and her mother in the story, though the author has made every effort to keep the focus on the development of the main characters' relationship with each other in this sweet romance.

Christmas Shoppe Magic


Juliette Hill - 2012
    Now Sophia’s alone, and she can’t help but wonder. Will the magic be gone, or will this year’s love be even stronger? Brew a cup of tea, grab a Christmas cookie, and prepare for a treat. You won’t want to miss this one!