. . that was what Faulkner Scott's young son wanted. The motherless twelve-year-old was determined to appoint Shelly Astor his new mom after she saved his life. Then she met his dad! Who was going to save Shelly's heart from a new accident waiting to happen --- like falling in love with the boy's gorgeous father?The Apartment by Debbie MacomberNo matter that Hilary Sullivan was twenty-four years old, played flute for the Portland Symphony and had her own apartment --- Hilary's mother was overprotective. So how was Hilary going to convince her that mother didn't know best when it came to having a macho army fly-boy for a roommate?A Special Request by Judith DuncanSarah Jeffrie's son didn't want much --- just a dog and a dad. Nat Anderson had the dog --- and he'd be a prime candidate for dadhood, except Nat was just passing through. Sarah refused to fall for a sexy smile, but Nat wasn't leaving till he fulfilled her son's special request.Three touching, romantic stories celebrate the joys and surprises of motherhood, including ""A Special Request,"" in which Sarah Jeffries meets sexy Nat Anderson but thinks that he is too much of a wanderer to be a father to her son.

    Selected from the heartwarming anthology Everlasting Love,these remarkable tales are treasures to cherish -- and reminders that love is always just a heartbeat away.... Jayne Ann Krentz "One of the hottest writers in romance today" (USA Today) continually lends her master touch to tales of grand passion laced with intrigue. Here she again delights readers with her "tremendous talent" (Detroit Free Press), as in modern-day Washington, treachery ignites an unlikely affair of the heart in "Connecting Rooms".... Linda Howard The celebrated author who "knows what romance readers want" (Affaire de Coeur) and whose "unforgettable novels [are] richly flavored with scintillating sensuality and high-voltage suspense" (Romantic Times), now whisks you to a bewitching country "Lake of Dreams," where a woman is lured into a dangerous embrace.... Linda Lael Miller In "Resurrection," the writer whose "talent knows no bounds" (Rendezvous), travels back to 1880s Montana, where an abandoned bride searches for a love she thought forever lost in a story that makes it easy to see that "the sweetest kind of magic comes from the pen of Linda Lael Miller!" (The Literary Times).

    But Kane Courtland is about to give her the greatest gift of all --- love.

    Right is the furthest thing from Beth Davis's mind when the Reno professor takes Thanksgiving break at a colleague's Lake Tahoe cabin. Until Coinneach McFarland arrives to fix a suspicious leak. It looks like somebody's playing matchmaker for two people sworn to stay single. But as things heat up, Beth is astonished to find she has discovered her soul mate just as she'd given up looking."The Christmas Set-Up" by Jill ShalvisCompeting architects Zoe and Jason have two weeks to come up with the design to win a coveted new project. But when a snowstorm strands them together at a secluded cabin, Zoe sees her chance to show Jason how she really feels. With romance blooming under the mistletoe, can she get the gorgeous Scrooge into the true Christmas spirit?"The New Year's Deal" by Julie KennerFive years ago, Cleo Daire and Josh Goodson said goodbye and went their separate ways. But first they made a promise to reunite. Now the ex-lovers are spending New Year's Eve in a romantic cabin, where passion takes them by surprise and long-wished-for dreams can sometimes come true.

    With Christmas approaching, the spark between Dillon and Jessica might light the future, but the evil machinations of those who share his wife's love of the occult may plunge the family into darkness-unless a Christmas miracle occurs....THE TWILIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMASBestselling novelist Kate Drake, one of seven sisters with amazing powers of witchcraft, wants to open a bookstore in a charming but run-down mill in her California hometown. Decorated former U.S. Army Ranger Matt Granite, now a contractor, doesn't mind helping- and getting closer to Kate. But when an earthquake exposes a crypt in the mill's foundation, a centuries-old evil threatens to destroy both Christmas and the gift of soul-searing passion Kate's hometown hero wants her to keep forever....ROCKY MOUNTAIN MIRACLEWhen Cole Steele, a womanizer rumored to have killed his father, meets Maia Armstrong, a veterinarian rumored to practice magic, the sparks that fly could melt all the snow on his Wyoming ranch. And when an injured horse brings them together, Cole can't help but believe that Maia casts spells on animals and men. What else could explain the burning passion he feels for her and the thawing of his heart around the holidays?

    Yet when irresistible redhead Rosie Harrison drops into his life and disrupts his peace, Joshua's desires begin to change. Can he convince her to hang around long enough to meet him under the mistletoe? Snowbound Bride by Shirley JumpA Christmas Eve blizzard leaves Marietta stranded in an airport with Reed Hartstone, the only man to ever break her heart. Perhaps rekindling the past may actually be their perfect Christmas present. Their Christmas Vows by Margaret McDonaghFrazer McIntosh knows exactly what he wants for Christmas--Callie Grogan. Despite his reputation as a fun-loving Romeo, Frazer is serious about his beautiful colleague. Serious enough to love her forever, if only she'll agree to be his Christmas bride....

    First she's kidnapped by Santa, and now she's camping out in an abandoned lighthouse with the most infuriatingly intoxicating cop she's ever met. Is she sleeping with the enemy...or the man destined to make her Mrs. Claus?Meanwhile Jean is abducted to a remote ranch, stuck teaching a handsome Texas Ranger how to enjoy a little sensual Christmas cheer.And Molly? Her nuptials are shot up and her fianc�'s a no-show, but when she arrives at a supposedly private Australian hideaway to recoup, she's not alone... and the heat is enough to melt the mere memory of a white Christmas.Three women, connected by friendship and fate, are taking cover...with men sexy enough to unwrap!

     After watching the man she loves walk down the aisle with her sister, Cathy Thompson needs to get away. Alaska—beautiful, remote, and far from bitter memories—sounds like the perfect place to start over. But a brand-new life comes with brand-new challenges . . . namely Grady Jones, a pilot and single dad who has a solution to both their problems: a marriage of convenience. Grady isn’t looking for love. He tried that once and failed. He just needs a wife, and Cathy is smart, easy on the eyes, and adored by his daughter. But Grady doesn’t count on the way Cathy gets under his skin, the way she makes him want to be a better husband and father. Grady didn’t think he had any more love inside to give, but Cathy proves him wrong. With his wife by his side, this pilot learns to soar on the wings of a future neither of them dreamed possible.

    Instead, a run-in with Santa's most virile helper brings her the best gift of all: a heart full of love. Santa Reads Romance by Dara Joy — During a snowstorm, a romance writer is surprised when a handsome stranger dressed as Jolly Old St. Nick arrives at her isolated cabin—and stirs up a blizzard of desire. A Gift for Santa by Nelle McFather — With a dash of Father Christmas' magic, a generous widow saves her town's holiday celebration—and teaches the man she loves the true meaning of the season.

    Featuring a six-pack of top-notch, bestselling romance writers, Jingle Bell Rock will be the next best thing to eggnog to celebrate Christmas cheer. Skip the mistletoe -- you won't need it after you indulge in these six tempting tales of romance filled with the sort of naughty-but-oh-so-nice men who make the season so bright it's downright hot...He Sees You When You're SleepingLori FosterWhat Booker Dean wants for Christmas isn't under the tree, it's right next door. Frances Kennedy is everything Booker desires...and the gift he has planned for her involves a lot of delicious unwrapping...All She Wants for ChristmasJanelle DenisonWhen sexy pediatrician Matthew Carlton plays Santa, pulling Faith Roberts onto his lap, he has no idea what's on her Christmas wish list...or how much he'll enjoy fulfilling every bit of it...Turning Up the HeatSusan DonovanBeing stood up on Christmas Eve is bad enough, but now Valerie's furnace is broken, too. Good thing that sexy repairman is available to raise the temperature dramatically...Baby, It's Cold OutsideDonna KauffmanIt's been ten years since Susanna York left Jace Morgan. Now, as fate reunites them during a holiday snowstorm, they'll have plenty of time to discover that distance only sharperns certain hungers...A Blue ChristmasAlison KentThomas "Blue" Miller never expected to see Jessie Buchanan on his Christmas tree farm again. But now that she's here, he's ready to show her exactly what she's been missing...The Nutcracker SweetNancy WarrenCo-workers Daniel and Tara couldn't hate each other more. So when they end up as Secret Santa partners, it's a perfect chance for revenge and a dare that just may ignite the steamiest night of their lives...

    No more awkward questions or pitying looks as you face the holidays alone!  MIXED UP But even the best technology has its glitches. When real-life emotions come into play, this trio of twenty-somethings find themselves in a tangle of crossed signals, flying wrapping paper, disastrous Christmas parties…and surprising kisses.  MATCHED UP Yet despite the confusion of their mistletoe misadventures, when the New Year dawns, these very satisfied women just may find themselves waking up with true love beside them.

    The Christmas Stocking by Fern MichaelsPhiladelphia businesswoman Amy Baran is determined to raise money for a new seniors' center by harvesting Christmas trees from the small-town Virginia farm she remembers from her childhood. Trouble is, Gus Moss has come home from California with his own ideas about saving the farm his father has neglected. Neither wants to give up, but when attraction turns to romance, they just might have to give in . 2. The Ghost of Christmas Past by Beverly BartonWounded Special Ops officer Mack MacKinnon doesn't have any reason to look forward to the holidays -- until he rescues pretty widow Katie Hadley from a raging blizzard. Now, in a season of miracles, he's falling as hard and fast as the Christmas Eve snow. 3. The Twelve Desserts of Christmas by Joanne FlukeTake two lovestruck teachers. Add a dollop of conspiring kids. Place in a boarding school over Christmas break. And add a little help -- and eight, great recipes -- from amateur sleuth Hannah Swenson, and you've got a romantic holiday tale that's sweet, delicious, and definitely served warm. 4. Twelve Days by Shirley JumpOf all the luck -- Natalie Harris can't believe she drew Jake Lyons as her Secret Santa pal! The dreamy hunk leaves her completely tongue-tied. But with twelve days of secret gifts, sweet notes, and steamy emails to go, she just may conquer her fear and discover something surprising under the tree.

    They haven’t seen anything yet.After just eight weeks, Levi Spencer is feeling right at home in small-town Nebraska. He loves breakfasts with the old farmers at the diner. Loves learning how to haul wood and birth calves and snow-blow his drive. But he loves something more… or rather someone. And she lives in California. Levi wants Kate to ask him to move to the West Coast with her but if she knows how he feels about Sapphire Falls, she’ll never ask him to leave. So, he’ll have to downplay his feelings for his new hometown…somehow.Kate’s back in Sapphire Falls to surprise Levi on the most romantic day of the year… and with her plan to stay in Sapphire Falls this time. But she soon discovers Levi hasn’t shared everything about his new life. In fact, he almost seems to be trying to scare her off with all the talk of snakes and bugs and bad coffee and worse oatmeal. He even lied about the county’s best muffins being right here in Sapphire Falls. Why would he deny her muffins?! The sex is still off the charts, but if that’s all Levi wants, Kate will have to learn to deal with it…somehow.Warning: A very sweet story ahead, including cheesy quotes about love, candy and chocolate, a town that overdoes everything including construction paper hearts on Valentine’s Day and two people who are crazy in love—with each other and with this quirky town.

     ‘Tis the Season hits the spot with romance readers looking for a light and sweet holiday read. Small Town Rural, Magical Midnight Rides, and First Kisses bringing joy, happiness, and unforgettable romance with this group of award-winning and talented authors.

    With A Southern Touch by Jennifer Blake\Heather Graham\Diana Palmer released on May 24, 2002 is available now for purchase.Adam by Jennifer Blake; A Night in Paradise by Heather Graham; Garden Cop (Long, Tall Texans # 25) by Diana Palmer