Book picks similar to
An Informal Christmas by Heather Gray


christmas
romance
christian-fiction
contemporary

A Heart Is A Home: Christmas in Texas


K.E. Saxon - 2012
    Then he meets Joy Pettigrew. The uptight real estate broker isn’t what she seems.Freaky and Joy Pettigrew no longer mix. She’s a corporate girl now. She plans to make the sale, get the commission, and never look back. So how does she keep the truth from Adam Taylor long enough to get him to sign on the dotted line? He swears he wants to sell his grandfather’s house and move on. She knows he’s lying to himself. He insists she throw off the façade she’s hiding behind. She knows she’s lying to herself. She also knows he’s going back to Houston. Nothing she does will change his mind…and even their shared passion won’t convince her to go with him.She’s already home. After all, Christmas is just around the corner and everyone knows you spend Christmas at home.

Secondhand Secrets


Angela C. Castillo - 2017
    Darcy’s have been locked up inside her since that last summer when she left Wimber, Texas, and the boy she loved, for a glitzy life in Los Angeles. Seven years later, her gran’s passed away. Darcy’s been named as the sole owner of the Tangled in Time antique store. Darcy can’t wait to get back to the place where she’s always felt she belonged. But owning a business isn’t as easy as it seems. And sometimes the past is better left alone. But Darcy is determined to push forward, despite the obstacles that cross her path. And maybe even have another chance to be with the man who stayed behind.

Her Sweetest Christmas


Holly Blair - 2016
    Too bad he’s the enemy, back in her life to buy her grandmother’s chocolate company right from under her nose. Cooper King will stop at nothing to acquire LeClair’s Chocolate Shop and its famed recipe. There’s only one wrinkle. Natalie is standing in his way, and he wants nothing more than to rekindle their romance. Cooper longs to return to just business as usual, but Natalie may be the sweetest distraction he’s ever imagined. Novella-length romance, approximately 17,000 words.

Friends & Enemies


Terri Wangard - 2016
    Never a supporter of National Socialism, she takes pleasure in passive resistance, but must exercise caution around neighbors who delight in reporting to the Gestapo. Flying cadet Paul Braedel's wife dies while he trains for the U.S. Army Air Corps. Following bereavement leave, he returns to B-17 "Flying Fortress" Bomber navigator training but he's lost his zest for life and heads to England, not caring if he lives or dies. When he and his crew are shot down over Germany, he evades capture and, for the first time since Rachel's death, hears the voice of God whisper guidance: Find Heidi. When Heidi stumbles into a man she recognizes, she is shocked to realize he is a friend from her high school days in the United States, and the husband of her best friend Rachel. Aiding an enemy downed airman is punishable by execution, but she agrees to help. Then they're betrayed. A war-time adventure with romantic second chances.

A Christmas Surprise


Kimberly Rose Johnson - 2013
     After showing up to a blind date to find he left before she arrived, Keira is reminded why she doesn’t date. She had true love once but a tragic accident ripped him from her and their son, who’s now four and only wants a puppy for Christmas this year. Although off limits since she’s a single mom, Pete determines to help Keira find the perfect puppy for her son. Keira wonders about Pete. He says he doesn’t date women with children, yet she can’t help but notice he behaves like a man who has more on mind than finding a puppy. Will love break down Pete’s walls and bring more than a puppy for Christmas? A Christmas Surprise was originally published in 2013 as The Christmas Promise.

Up in Smoke


Hannah R. Conway - 2017
    Her dreams of a high profile law career are reduced to rubble when she returns home to assume custody of her sister, Brie. Without the financial means to take legal custody of her sister—or a binding will to place her safely in her arms—Leanna’s future becomes more uncertain than ever. Already prepared for a blazing custody battle, with less than capable relatives, Leanna’s world is set ablaze when her ex-fiancé complicates matters in an attempt to destroy her future and her faith. US Army, SSG Garrison Burke has spent the last few years alone—balancing flag and fatherhood since the tragic death of his wife. Facing deployment, Garrison is desperate to find a safe caretaker for his son, Ezra—preferably anywhere but the abusive home he grew up in. So, when Leanna Wilson walks unexpectedly back into his life, he’s not sure if she’s a blessing or a curse. More importantly, Garrison cannot seem to forget how he betrayed Leanna many years ago. Yet, as Leanna and Garrison begin to run out of time, they start to see that the solution to their problems might lie within each other, but will they forget the past and allow their broken hearts to mend? As sparks begin to fly and their love is rekindled, a marriage of convenience will either make their wildest dreams come true or cause their best-laid plans to go up in smoke.

Our Totally, Ridiculous, Made-up Christmas Relationship


Brittainy C. Cherry - 2013
    Deciding not to follow in her family's Oscar-winning footsteps, Jules chooses to take a more behind-the-scenes career in one of the Top 10 Talent Agencies in Chicago. After being dumped five hours before spending Christmas with her dysfunctional family, she needs a plan to avoid their judgmental eyes. Enter: Kayden Reece.Kayden is the black sheep of his family, being the one actor drowning in a world of doctors and lawyers. Never really getting a jumpstart at his acting career or landing a big time role, he can feel his dad’s disappointment soaking into his spirit. When Kayden gets a chance to meet and sign with a big name agent at Walter and Jacks Talent Agency, he’s ready to prove everyone wrong. Jules stumbles into the building in shambles, ugly crying, and begging to pay an actor a big sum of money to be her made-up boyfriend for five days, Kayden jumps at the opportunity—finally able to say he landed a role. When secrets start to unravel, Kayden and Jules must learn that all families have their baggage, sometimes co-stars fall in lust, and it’s important to always have invisible mistletoe hanging around. This holiday season join the two fake lovebirds as they partake in the role of a lifetime.

Second Chance at Christmas Inn


Anne-Marie Meyer - 2019
    In fact, she’s renounced the holiday and all the cheer that comes with it. So returning her grandmother’s Christmas Inn was not something she wanted to do. Until she found out that in order to sell the inn, she needed to spend one last Christmas there. Stephen Jones has two goals this holiday season: run Christmas Inn for one last holiday season and take care of his sister and nephew. Helping the girl he once loved sell the only place he’s ever called home was not in his job description. Especially when she’s acting like she’s forgotten everything she once loved about the inn and maybe...him.Holly is persistent to sell even when Stephen refuses to respect her wishes. Or his adorable nephew pulls at her heart strings. Add the mysterious notes from her grandmother, and Holly’s frozen heart begins to melt. Does the magic of Christmas Inn hold enough power to bring these two wandering souls together?  Find out in Anne-Marie’s Second Chance at Christmas Inn. A sweet, swoon-worthy Christmas romance with toe-curling kisses and all the holiday cheer you could ever want.

Roadtrip to Redemption


Laurie Larsen - 2014
    it's your turn! It started as a trip to lose old memories. It became a journey to find her heart. Leslie Malone faces an empty, lonely summer. Her marriage is over. Her daughter is overseas, living her dream. Her students are enjoying a carefree summer break. What's the purpose of her life if she's not a wife, mother and teacher? The idea of a roadtrip beckons her. Aimless wandering? Or inspired discovery? A woman of faith, she asks God for His guidance, then does her best to follow His direction. Hank Harrison is a quiet man, good with his hands, but short on words. He's paid a heavy price for not forgiving his son for horrible mistakes made years ago, mistakes with vast consequences. Hank recognizes Leslie as an answer to his prayers, and together, they begin to mend their futures. Neither of them plans to fall in love. Will the worst summer of Leslie's life become the season that redeems them both? Want more Pawleys Island? Roadtrip to Redemption (Book 1) Tide to Atonement (Book 2) Journey to Fulfillment (Book 3) Bridge to Fruition (Book 4) Pawleys Island Paradise Books 1 - 3 boxset including the author's exclusive "Pawleys Island: Then and Now" photo album ˃˃˃ Yours free TODAY. From the author of the Best Spiritual Romance of 2010, Laurie Larsen Christian romance grounded in today's modern world. Scroll up and grab a copy today. You'll be so glad you did!

The Ultimate Guide to Darcy Carter


Teresa Slack - 2006
    Regardless, she doubts she can guide herself out of a brown paper bag. When her editor suggests she write The Ultimate Guide to Finding Mr. Right, she wants no part of it. To avoid Mr. Right--since she's pretty sure he doesn't exist--and hopefully figure out where the discontentment with her life is coming from, she heads south to research one last ultimate guidebook. The questions and doubts swirling around in her head follow. If she's no longer America's Ultimate Guide Girl, who is she? Would she recognize Mr. Right if he was standing right in front of her? Where does an Ultimate Guide Girl turn for guidance? Her heavenly father who gives wisdom to all who seek it? Or can she rely on herself, the woman with all the answers? This clean contemporary Christian romance is a feel-good, laugh-out-loud story that reminds us sometimes the things we work so hard for don't bring the fulfillment and happiness we're looking for.

The Christmas Star


Diane Darcy - 2011
    A manipulative angel and a zany Christmas season are exactly what it takes to get Jason and Elise in the same vicinity again. But can they forgive each other and forget old resentments and hurts? Well, Christmas is a perfect time for miracles. Throw in the hunt for the perfect tree, a sledding competition and a desperate-for-grandchildren mother, and you have the perfect recipe for...love? # OF PAGESApproximately 80 pages.OTHER BOOKS BY DIANE DARCY:Serendipity, She’s Just Right, Once in a Blue Moon, The Christmas Star, A Penny for Your Thoughts.

The Forever Stone


Gloria Repp - 2012
    . .A beautiful glass paperweight . . .Escape to the wilderness."Don't bury yourself in that wilderness!" her relatives say. "Even though you're a widow, you're still young." No matter what they think, Madeleine decides to go. She'll help her aunt restore the old house; she'll sign up for an online baking course; and she'll bury--yes, bury--those terrible memories. ''From now on," she tells herself, "I'm going to be strong and independent." Her plan seems to be working, except for the panic attacks, until she has to deflect the attentions of two men.The doctor, who has a fire-scarred past, is not upset by her panic attacks and knows he can help her to heal. The writer, who conceals more than one secret, admires her spirit and is certain that she needs him.God uses both men and her father's gift of a floral paperweight to remind her of His enduring "forever love," and as she yields to Him, she finds the courage to take a new and challenging path.

This Time Forever


Rachel Ann Nunes - 2001
    Her husband's epilepsy has caused him to become cynical and verbally abusive, but with love in her heart and strength from her Heavenly Father, Mickelle is determined to make her marriage work. Then the worst happens, Can she ever pick up the shattered pieces of her life? Doing so seems impossible.Meanwhile, Rebekka Massoni arrives in America to work for handsome widower Damon Wolfe, leaving all her hopes and dreams back in her beloved France. She has loved and idolized Marc Perrault since she was five years old, but he can offer only her friendship in return.Can Rebekka forget Marc and learn to love another man? Both Damon and Samuel Bjornenburg, successful CEO of Corban International, hope to win a place in her heart, but Damon's daughter doesn't like Rebekka, and Samuel doesn't share her faith. To make matters worse, Rebekka's heart is still breaking over Marc. Suddenly she must make the most important decision of her entire life. Will it be the right one?Join Mickelle and Rebekka as they search for love and self-discovery. This tender story of heartbreak, healing, and faith is one you will not soon forget.

Home for Christmas


Stephanie Wilson - 2013
    She finds herself at a crossroads with Christmas just around the corner. Austin Douglass, a self-made technology mogul, is getting ready to offer an IPO for his company that is gaining worldwide attention. He needs to attract investors, and the old-monied Seattle families are interested. Growing up on a wheat farm in Eastern Washington has little prepared him for the rigors of entertaining the Seattle elite. Through his P.R. person, he meets someone who is. Savannah is a traditionalist, Austin is a minimalist. They are polar opposites. She is losing her family estate, he is gaining one. As the holidays brighten up the city and snow falls in the mountains around them; as the time-honored Christmas traditions are celebrated; can these two find a path that will lead them ... Home for Christmas?

Summer Unplugged


Amy Sparling - 2013
    After catching her sending a less than lady-like photo to a boy who barely knows her, Bayleigh's mom sends her away to her grandparent's house for the summer--sans cell phone, laptop and Ipod. Bayleigh thinks the summer will be torture without social media...that is until she meets the boy next door.