Still hopelessly in love with Simon, she took baby William and buried herself in deepest Yorkshire as nanny to the children of Cory Erskine, a somewhat eccentric scriptwriter.Local tongues were just beginning to wag when a whole host of visitors began to arrive to disrupt Harriet's peaceful routine: first Cory's estranged wife Noel, hellbent on winning Cory back, then Cory's glamorous brother Kit, whose old affair with Noel didn't stop him making passes at Harriet, and finally, of all people, Simon...'The Jane Austen of our time' Harpers'The funniest and sharpest writer there is' Jenny Colgan

    . . but first she’ll have to face her past. Young, vibrant, and willing to confront any obstacle in her path, Bree Yarbrough has spent the last few years traveling the world and learning from the great artists. Only, her work has yet to strike a lasting chord. When her hometown mentor reaches out with an opportunity that will set her on the path to success, she knows she can’t say no. But once back in Silver Creek, she discovers she isn’t the only one who’s returned home. Justin Cory has as well—and he’s living next door. She may have made a fool of herself over him before, but Bree isn't the kind of girl to let past mortification stand in the way of something she wants. The last ten years of Justin Cory’s life has been driven by one focus: go to school, get his physical therapy degree, and return home so he can be there for his mom. But now that he's back, he can't stop thinking about the night that changed his life forever—and the guilt he can't escape. Fun, irresistible, and once-best-friend Bree seems like the perfect distraction. She isn't sticking around past the holidays, so he doesn't have to worry she’ll expect more than he can give. But as they spend the season together, stolen mistletoe kisses start to feel all too right. However, with the future uncertain and the past hanging over them, it may take more than mistletoe to get from Christmas to forever.

    Jake just can't resist a damsel in distress, and Amy certainly doesn't mind Jake's charming sincerity.Then suddenly the job-stealing chicken disappears and Amy is suspected of foul play. Amy and Jake search for clues to prove her innocence. But will Jake be able to prove to Amy that love, too, is a mystery worth solving?

    Where they took that first sentence was completely up to them.Every story is different.No story is related.The only thing these stories have in common is their starting point.All of the authors showcased in this anthology were featured in The Bookworm Box charity during 2019.Each author has graciously donated their story so that 100% of profits from this anthology will be going to the various charities The Bookworm Box is able to support because of you, the readers.

    From the ballrooms of London, to abandoned Scottish castles, to the snowy streets of Gilded Age New York, four bestselling authors whip up some unforgettable romance...with a little help from some enchanted shortbread."Meet Me in Mayfair" by Tessa DareLouisa Ward needs a Christmas miracle. Unless she catches a wealthy husband at the ball tonight, the horrid, heartless Duke of Thorndale will evict her family from their beloved Mayfair home. But when her friend begs to switch dance cards, Louisa finds herself waltzing with the enemy: the horrid, heartless--and unexpectedly handsome--Thorndale himself. Now the duke's holding her future in his hands...and he's not letting go."The Duke of Christmas Present" by Sarah MacLeanRich and ruthless, Eben, Duke of Allryd, has no time for holidays. Holidays are for whimsy and charm--the only two things his money cannot buy. Lady Jacqueline Mosby is full of both, even now, twelve years after she left to see the world. When Jacqueline returns for a single Christmas, Eben can't resist the woman he never stopped loving...or the future that had once been in reach. It will take a miracle to convince her to stay...but if ever there were a time for miracles, it's Christmas..."Heiress Alone" by Sophie JordanWhen Annis Bannister's family leaves her behind in the rush to escape an impending snowstorm, she finds herself stranded in the Highlands, left to fend off brigands terrorizing the countryside, robbing homes locked up for winter. Her only hope falls on her neighbor, a surly hermit duke who unravels her with a look, then a kiss ... until she fears the danger to her heart outweighs the danger of brigands and snowstorms."Christmas in Central Park" by Joanna ShupeWomen all over America devour Mrs. Walker's weekly column for recipes and advice. No one knows Rose, the column's author, can't even boil water. When the paper's owner, Duke Havemeyer, insists she host a Christmas party, Rose must scramble to find a husband, an empty mansion, and a cook. But Duke is not a man easily fooled and she fears her perfect plan is failing--especially when Duke's attentions make her feel anything but professional. To save her career will she give up her chance at love?

    Scott is a player and holds a grudge against her family, and she's determined not to give in to the deep feelings for him she's been hiding.A Christmas Rescue (Silver Bell Falls, Book 4) by Samantha ChaseSaving a litter of puppies right before Christmas was incredibly rewarding for Bailey Walsh. But getting snowed in with her sexy-yet-grinchy veterinarian boss turns out to be rewarding in a whole other way.Love on the Edge of Reason (Pine Harbour, Book 8) by Zoe YorkTom Minelli doesn't know why Chloe Davis has fled Pine Harbour, but she's pregnant with his baby and he wants her back. But a winter storm rolls in just as he finds her, trapping them together in a cabin on the lake.

    Could it be that after so many stormy years, "slick Mitch" Carradine wants to offer an olive branch? Maybe the old man is mellowing, settling down with the new lover he's bringing along. Then Alex realizes the acid truth. This is no warm family visit. His father's new conquest is none other than the woman of Alex's sexual fantasies, meant only to dangle tauntingly in front of his face. At least an unexpected blizzard has frozen his father out of the picture entirely.Angeline Kastakis was looking forward to taking the next step in her relationship with Mitch. Too late, she realizes she's been led into a familial battle zone. Now it's Christmas and she's marooned in a blizzard with an insolent, gorgeous hunk of man whose blazing blue eyes tell her loud and clear he wants her in his bed. Preferably tied to it with a bow. There's no escape in sight. But as Alex stirs her secret longing to be mastered by a man, escape is the last thing on her mind...Warning: This book contains scenes of sensual submission hot enough to make you sweat in a blizzard.

    But just when it looks like her dream might come true, her life gets crazy. From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lisa Mondello, a new contemporary romance The Gift: When Allison Jones finds a small envelope on the ground, CEO Derek Holden accuses her of stealing the money that was supposed to be inside. Knowing what the envelope means for a little girl, Allison is determined to not only fulfill the gift herself, but to prove to Derek that there is more to life than just money. Derek didn't need the simple conventions of life...until he met Allison. He soon learns that a bank account full of money is no match for a heart full of love... From New York Times bestselling author Lenora Worth, a contemporary romance A Palm Tree Christmas: When an overworked, heartbroken Atlanta nurse takes a holiday on the Gulf coast, she meets a widower with two adorable children and rethinks what love really means. Together, Clara and Hank rediscover Christmas and maybe the beginning of something more. From Amazon bestselling author Margaret Daley, a new romantic suspense Deadly Holiday: Tory Caldwell witnesses a hit-and-run, but when the dead victim disappears from the scene, police doubt a crime has been committed. Tory is threatened when she keeps insisting she saw a man killed and the only one who believes her is her neighbor, Jordan Steele. Together, can they solve the mystery of the disappearing body and stay alive?From Carol Winner and CBA Bestselling author Pamela Tracy, a new historical romance Two by Two: In 1880's Arizona Territory, Frank Barlett, a Yuma prison guard, heads to the mining town of Bisbee in order to bury his younger brother Jasper and see that his widow has safe passage home. The widow isn't who or what Frank expected and doesn't have a home to be escorted to. Emmaline Bartlett has a secret or two and every time Frank uncovers one, it's just one more reason he's got to protect her. From award-winning author Camille Elliot, a new Regency romance The Spinster’s Christmas: Spinster Miranda Belmoore and naval Captain Gerard Foremont, old childhood friends, meet again for a large Christmas party at Wintrell Hall. Miranda is making plans to escape a life of drudgery as a poor relation in her cousin’s household, while Gerard battles bitterness that his career was cut short by the injury to his knee. However, an enemy has infiltrated the family party, bent on revenge and determined that Twelfth Night will end in someone’s death ... From fan favorite author Lacy Williams, a new contemporary cowboy romance Mistletoe Cowboy: After suffering a career-ending injury, bull rider Justin Michaels has stalled out. At twenty-seven, he’s back in college to try and find direction for his life. Valri North is a few credits away from completing her pre-med degree. She’s got her life planned out, until a disastrous assignment in class and a distracting cowboy threaten to derail her carefully-ordered plans. From award-winning author Cheryl Wyatt, a new contemporary romance A Refuge Christmas: Refuge police officer Connor Stallings is facing the challenge of his career: new mayor Adrianna White, who wants to restructure his beloved town upside down. Adrianna’s heart is in the right place, but as she and the handsome police officer clash, they grow close enough to glimpse on their horizon a partnership of vows beyond helping the quirky but close-knit town.

    I've been in love with my best friend's uncle since I was eight years old.I'm home from college for the Holidays and I'm ready for a Christmas miracle.Because Ethan Hearst is going to be at the same Christmas Eve party as I am.It's time he finally sees me as a woman and no longer as his niece's goofy friend who was always smiling shyly and giggling around him.We belong together, but he doesn't know it yet.All I want for Christmas is him.I'm ready to give him everything.I'm ready for a Christmas miracle.Because it's time to make him mine.

    Dennis Lehane (Mystic River, The Given Day) has proven himself to be a master of both crime fiction and literary fiction. Here, he extends his literary prowess to that of master curator. In keeping with the Akashic Noir series tradition, each story in Boston Noir is set in a different neighborhood of the city—the impressively diverse collection extends from Roxbury to Cambridge, from Southie to the Boston Harbor, and all stops in between. Lehane’s own contribution—the longest story in the volume—is set in his beloved home neighborhood of Dorchester and showcases his phenomenal ability to grip the heart, soul, and throat of the reader. In 2003, Lehane’s novel Mystic River was adapted into film and quickly garnered six Academy Award nominations (with Sean Penn and Tim Robbins each winning Academy Awards). Boston Noir launches in November 2009 just as Shutter Island, the film based on Lehane’s best-selling 2003 novel of the same title, hits the big screen. Dennis Lehane is the author of The New York Times bestseller Mystic River (also an Academy Award–winning major motion picture); Prayers for Rain; Gone, Baby, Gone (also a major motion picture); Sacred; Darkness, Take My Hand; A Drink Before the War, which won the Shamus Award for Best First Novel; and, most recently, The Given Day. A native of Dorchester, Massachusetts, he splits his time between the Boston area and Florida.PART I: FEAR & LOATHINGLYNNE HEITMANExit InterviewFinancial DistrictDENNIS LEHANEAnimal RescueDorchesterJIM FUSILLIThe Place Where He BelongsBeacon HillPATRICIA POWELLDark WatersWatertownPART II: SKELETONS IN THE CLOSETDANA CAMERONFemme SoleNorth EndBRENDAN DUBOISThe Dark IslandBoston HarborSTEWART O'NANThe RewardBrooklineJOHN DUFRESNEThe Cross-Eyed BearSouthiePART III: VEILS OF DECEITDON LEEThe Oriental Hair PoetsCambridgeITABARI NJERIThe CollarRoxburyRUSS ABORNTurn SpeedNorth Quincy