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?

    She had a face of feral sweetness, its color yellow; her eyes were long and dark, her mouth a taut bow, her nostrils upturned as if she were scenting the wind."In "How Shall I Know You?," a melancholic and ailing writer reluctantly travels east of London to give a lecture before a literary society. Mr. Simister, the organization's secretary, lures the world-weary novelist turned biographer with promises of a modest stipend and lodging at a charming bed-and-breakfast for her trouble. Nevertheless, on that rainy day she meets Mr. Simister at the train station, she wonders why she ever agreed to come in the first place. Driving past steel-shuttered windows and Day-Glo banners, Mr. Simister takes the writer to her hotel for the evening, which turns out to be crumbling and isolated rather than picturesque. As she crosses the threshold into the dank stench of Eccles House she is faced with the feral porter, Louise, and suffers through an evening that may be more than she bargained for.From Hilary Mantel's brilliant and darkly comic collection of contemporary stories, The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher, comes a tale told with her distinctive blend of subversive wit and gimlet-eyed characterization. "How Shall I Know You?" showcases the extraordinary genius of Hilary Mantel, called one of our "greatest living novelists" (NPR).

    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?

    The trauma of the attack has haunted her for years, making it hard to live a “normal” life. Her favorite coping mechanism is to escape into research books and romance novels about medieval Scotland, the subject of her graduate studies, but she pours every moment of her free time into running a support group for survivors of sexual assault. The work is rewarding, but it’s made her enemies—predators who don’t want their victims to receive help. Still troubled by the car accident that claimed his mother’s life, Nate Patterson has devoted his life to saving people. He finds his work as a firefighter and EMT rewarding, but he feels emotionally distant from the people he saves…until he pulls Lauren Grant out of a burning building. There’s an instant connection between them—one that only grows—but the fire was no accident. Someone’s out to destroy Lauren, and he may be the only one who can help her unmask them. Lauren can tell Nate’s her modern-day Highlander, noble and protective, but the danger she’s in seems impossible to surmount. Can two wounded people defeat the odds and find a real-life happily ever after? Trigger Warning: Rape in heroine's past

    After all, it’s just a bit of harmless flirting, right?And when she calls to ask for my help one night, I can’t resist having a little fun with her. She thinks I’m a player, and I can’t deny it, but I want to show her there’s more to me than that.I never thought it would happen, but flirting soon turns to burning desire. The more time I spend with her, the more I take a long, hard look at myself, and the harder I’m falling under her captivating spell. Now, I need to convince her my feelings are real.And I can’t even begin to think how I’m going to tell my best friend about us—aka, her country music superstar brother. He warned me to stay away, and he’ll kill me, I’m sure.SiobhanI had it all planned out. It should have all been so simple.Go to LA, see my brother, then get back to my quiet life in Ireland. Love and romance were not in the picture at all, until he picks me up from the airport. I can’t deny I’m attracted to him, but it’s not happening. No way could we ever work.He’s a player.He’s older than me.We live an ocean apart.And, duh… for the love of Mary, he’s my brother’s best friend.But when I find myself stranded, he’s the only one I can call. He’s more than happy to help me out—and even more happy to remind me I owe him for coming to my rescue—but I tell myself not to fall for his charms.I’m only there for a week, so the last thing I expect is to wake up in his bed.Irish Love is the second book in The Claddagh Trilogy. A contemporary short story of love, friendship and family life that can be read as a standalone, though you may want to read Irish Affair first to familiarize yourself with the characters. This book ends on a mild cliffhanger / happy-for-now, and the conclusion to Ben and Siobhan’s steamy romance will be in the third book, Irish Heart, out March 2018.

    Here is the first book in the ‘Nasty’ Series by Lucia Jordan, written in her signature style of high passion and emotion. Amber will soon find out what it means to fall in love at first sight. Will she let down the wall she hides behind? Amber is a no nonsense businesswoman who doesn’t have time for a personal life. But when she returns from a successful business trip, only to grab the wrong luggage from the baggage area, her whole life is turned upside down. The worst part is, Amber’s luggage contains a vital contract that needs to be processed by Monday, so she organizes to meet the man who’s name is on the bag. The only problem is that Jack McCoy lives out on a small island, and with a storm forecast, Amber will be lucky to make it out there in one piece, let alone back again. The moment Jack opens the door to greet Amber, she freezes, unable to articulate her words as she stares at the sexiest man she’d ever laid eyes on. And when the storm hits early, the pair find themselves trapped together on the island. Now, alone with Jack, Amber will have to face her fears being stranded with a man she can’t seem to take her eyes off. It’s not long before the pair gets hot and bothered, indulging in a steamy island tryst…Only mature readers should download this book.

    And the ones that pretend to be Mr. Nice Guy are secretly Tasmanian Devils in disguise. When I get an offer for a six-month working holiday visa to Australia I jump like a kangaroo at the chance. I just want to enjoy some fun in the sun and see a few cuddly koalas. But when my surf lesson goes terribly wrong I find myself face to face with another kind of trouble. “Crocodile” Dan D. He’s tall, rugged, and his voice booms like thunder causing me to glow when he drops his Vegemite sandwich just before saving me with his masculine display of might. Now all I want is to bond at Bondi but his big muscles and carefree way try to tempt me for more when his swim trunks show that he’s clearly from the land of plenty. I want him to take me out back and show me his knife for some dirty deeds done dirt cheap, but he says I’m too young and it’s too much of a great barrier to overcome even though I’m doing everything I can to bridge the gap. I know if he shakes me all night long I’ll be harboring desires that he puts a ring on my finger the size of Ayers Rock. He displays the focus of a man at work when he shows me the real meaning of down under, but as my time in Sydney comes to a close I’m left wondering if I’ll be the one down in the dumps, singling the blues outside the Opera House in a fried-out combie that’s on the highway to hell. I’ve got a stiff upper lip but as the end nears it’s clear he’s not coming back in black board shorts before the pilot prepares for take-off with a flick of the switch. Just like in Western Australia I’ll be forced to wait awhile for my heart to mend…but when it comes to our high voltage relationship I just hope a while doesn’t translate to forever. Because forever is exactly how long I thought we were going to be together, before everything we had exploded like T.N.T. *Crocodile Dan D is an insta-everything standalone romance with an HEA, no cheating, and no cliffhanger. **A special thank you to all the friendly and fun-loving Aussies I've met over the years. Your easy-going ways have led to lots of laughs, good times with gregarious people, and unforgettable memories. Appreciate you "taking the piss" (not what it sounds like to the uninitiated) so many times when I deserved it...not that I was ever trying to be a tall poppy. ;)

    Written in the author's wry and masterful voice, these evocative stories are infused with all the peculiar customs, ironies and humor so special to the South.The twelve stories in this collection include "Red Clay," which won an Edgar Allen Poe Award, in which a local girl from Thermopylae becomes a movie star who moves back to her sleepy North Carolina home town and is tried for murdering her unfaithful husband. Her trial causes the town and one man in particular to look back with longing and nostalgia at this exquisite Southern belle who captivated-and sometimes manipulated-every man she met."Fast Love," the recipient of an O. Henry Award, is the story of a man who chases down his future wife after seeing her jog past. As he gets closer to his quarry, he also gains the courage to stand up for what he wants and to champion what he believes.In "Blue Cadillac," Marie, blonde and beautiful, shares dinner and her love of Elvis with a high-tech sales rep on his way home to Memphis. Along the way and on the road, they have exquisite sex and decide to part, Marie in her blue Cadillac. As he rings the bell at his mother's house, the young man discovers that he has been robbed of his wallet and his whole life on cards.Self-contained masterpieces, each of these short stories has the impact and power of a full-length novel.Stella : red clay --Marie : blue Cadillac --Precious : winners and losers --Charmain : white trash noir --Lucy : maniac loose --Flonnie : the rising of the South and Flonnie Rogers --Patty : love and other crimes --Meredith : fast love --Angie : the power --Mona : Miss mona's bank --Betty : a deer on the lawn --Mattie : invitation to the ball

    She’s a Christmas miracle, but she’s also his best friends little sister. Can he earn her trust or will he be left waiting under the mistletoe?NoelSpending my time indulging in all things Christmas brings joy to my world.I never thought I’d move back to my small town, but an offer to turn my blog into a holiday baking show is one I can’t refuse.When my older brother’s best friend turns out to be the production manager, all is merry and bright.He’s tall, handsome, and I want to deck his halls.But can I learn to trust him?NickAfter losing my mom, I’ve always been a bit of a grinch during the holidays.But producing a holiday baking show means playing Santa and hiring new talent.When my best friend’s little sister finds her way onto my lap, I’m sure to be on the naughty list.Noel is curvy, sexy, and makes me believe in holiday magic.But can I convince her that my love is real or will she leave me waiting under the mistletoe?

    However, meeting one shop keeper changes his perspective and complicates his work even further. Grab a copy and take a trip through Christmas Town today!

    Both are sweet, "clean" romances, and are prequels to the first full-length novel in the series - LOVE AT FIRST CLICK. HEARTS OVER BELLHAM - Hillary Johnson secretly admired handsome fellow firefighter, Tim Jacobs, for years. When the fire chief asks for volunteers to hang Valentine’s decorations over Main Street, Hillary’s hand shoots up immediately after Tim’s. Why pass up a golden opportunity to spend time with the guy she’s crushing on, just because she’s afraid of heights? Hillary battles her fear to prove to Tim, and to herself, that she can conquer it. After observing Hillary’s courage, Tim notices her – really notices her – for the first time. VALENTINE'S MAGIC After a dozen years of marriage, financial woes, and the possibility of losing their alpaca ranch, the honeymoon is over for Carol and Christopher Ridge. But the couple reconnects on Valentine’s Day, rediscovering their love for one another under the magical glow of the lighted hearts strung over Bellham’s Main Street. Could this be the launch of a new honeymoon phase for Carol and Christopher?

    It has become a feature of the designer's job to define the problems that exist in his network, choose and analyse several optimization parameters during the analysis process, and then prioritize and evaluate these parameters in the architecture and design of the system.

    Or the groom's brother and best man, Jamie. The wealthy, charming Jamie is everything Sadie tries to avoid. But the best man has a secret that will change everybody's Christmas.In the snow-kissed Cotswolds, will Sadie have a happy holiday after all?

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

    Will she find the strength to manage operations and a new relationship? Nestled in the hills of the Lake Michigan shoreline, the ranch overlooks open fields and rich oak, maple and beech tree groves. It has been owned by the Katzen family for generations. Once a working ranch producing cattle and milking cows, it has now turned into a therapy ranch for a multitude of special populations. Living River Ranch is in turmoil with the sudden death of the patriarchal grandfather. Margaret is left as heir to keep the therapy ranch afloat for the many that depend on it for treatment and jobs. Having the responsibility of her brother weighs on her, yet provides strength in what she feels is God’s mission for the ranch. Noah, the ranch manager has known Margaret for years but only through a looking glass relationship that has until this point never crossed the friend boundary. Now having to work together on new ranch challenges, Margaret and Noah find themselves working much closer in other ways. A Time To Be Born and A Time To Die is the first book in the Living River Ranch contemporary Christian romance series. All books written in this series follow Ecclesiastes 3:18 “A Time For Everything” If you like a cleanly written romance series with fully developed characters that move through a series of books, you will love the A Time For Everything Series.