Meanwhile, Maisie experiences the village Christmas season vicariously through Sidney, and continues writing her Poe-inspired story with only Sidney aware of her secret novel. She soon learns, however, that criticism and praise go hand in hand when he takes issue with her latest chapters, which puts pressure on their friendship, too. But is that what's really the issue between them? Because handsome Gavin has more than ice sculpting in mind when it comes to Maisie's time, which comes as a surprise to no one who's seen them together. As Maisie faces this sudden romantic dilemma, she realizes what she wants most in her life ... and faces a question of what her heart wants most, too.

    When a job comes along requesting the likeness of Mr. and Mrs. Claus, she knows her parents are a shoe-in. But when they arrive in Cedar Crest, along with a dozen other hopefuls, Samantha fears she made her parents a promise she can’t keep. The competition is fierce, but she is determined to secure their rightful Santa spot. Noah Jensen has made a few family promises of his own. If he can’t turn their sleepy, snow-capped hideaway into a booming Christmas destination, their rental log cabins won’t be worth more than the firewood they’re made of. Noah is willing to try anything, even film a festive commercial to draw in potential guests. As casting day approaches, Noah can’t ignore Samantha’s endearing nature, nor his growing feelings toward her. But he worries things may change once she learns the real state of the cabins. And when she calls on her ex-husband and business partner for a favor, Noah wonders if that relationship is truly in the past. Is Christmas romance in the air for Noah and Samantha? Or will the credits roll on their new relationship before it even gets off the ground

    Even if that means inventing a fake girlfriend to take home for the holidays. His best friend, Alex Winters, reluctantly agrees, but it's not easy to keep her long-buried feelings for Justin under wraps when they're sharing a room…a bed…a kiss. Christmas in Catalina is turning out to be hotter than anyone expected, but is theirs a love for all seasons? His Holiday Gift by Reese RyanPleasure Cove's prodigal son just got the ultimate Christmas surprise—Madison, his five-year-old daughter he knew nothing about. Maddie's aunt, Mikayla Mitchell, was once one of Dash Williams's best friends…and his secret admirer. Now, seeing the sexy, ambitious lawyer with his little girl, Mikayla's more smitten than ever. And Dash is starting to realize Mikayla's the only one who could make his days merry and bright, and fill his nights with bliss…

     On stage, rapper KC demanded the attention of his fans. With lyrics that captivated the hardest thug to the nerdiest geek, he mastered the art of appealing to a diverse crowd. Once KC left the stage and recording studios, he became Kellon Cambridge, the devoted family man. While his purpose was to encourage people through his lyrics, his passion was to make sure that his wife, Delilah Cambridge, never went a day without knowing how much he loved her. Celebrating seven years of marriage, the happy couple is determined to show that the seven-year itch was nothing but hocus pocus. But, all that changed the minute a blast from Kellon's past ends up on the couch in their home revealing secrets that Delilah prayed weren't true. Fresh off tour and healing from a devastating loss, Kellon and Delilah are left figuring out if their love was worth fighting for. Will the couple remain standing, or allow past transgressions to rob them of their happily ever after?

    As far as Quin is concerned, Christmas is a giant waste of time. Quin's on the fast track to partnership, and the season of goodwill is just getting in the way of his next big project. But when Quin's boss, Marley, confiscates his phone and makes him take an unscheduled day off, Quin finds himself being forced to confront his regrets, past and present, and think about the sort of future he really wants…and who he wants it with.

    Oh, and the occasional random hook-up she indulges in to pass the time. Love? Eh, not so much. Save that crap for a Katherine Heigl or Natalie Portman movie.Jersey’s seen enough in life (courtesy of her Pops) to realize that undying romance is nothing more than a myth used to sell books and movie tickets. As she knows too well, the only thing inevitable in life is death— love is definitely not promised.That’s why when Jersey meets Isaiah “Zay” Broussard with his soulful gray eyes, quick wit and easy charm, she’s determined to remain aloof. She doesn't have time to get sidetracked by fleeting fantasies, even if she does feel an unexplainable connection to Zay she’s never experienced before. But when his interest in her only seems to intensify, despite her attempts to brush him off, she gets to see a side of him and herself she didn’t expect…

    Leland isn’t just his boss, though. He’s the son of the company’s CEO. And Brian has fallen in love. Hurt by too many stolen kisses and nooners at seedy hotels, Brian finally broke off their secret affair two weeks ago. Leland isn’t ready to let Brian go and he isn’t above seducing Brian — again — to give them both what they really want for Christmas: each other.This free short story was originally written for the Goodreads M/M Romance Group's 2010 holiday event and appears in the event's Stuff My Stocking: M/M Romance Stories that are Nice and… Naughty anthology.

    Annabelle Harrison left her hometown of Wintervale, Vermont at eighteen to pursue her dream of becoming a famous pastry chef, and now she co-owns an up-and-coming bistro in Manhattan. But when she is called home at Christmas to care for her beloved grandmother after an accident, she is forced to confront her past, including her first and only love, James Everley. James, now a widower and single father, runs the most popular restaurant in Wintervale and is doing his best to move on from the tragedy that changed his life forever. Can Belle and James use a bit of Christmas magic to find their way back together? *Contains two holiday-themed recipes inspired by the book!* A Sugar Cookie Christmas is a 63k word, standalone clean holiday romance with a guaranteed happy ending and plenty of Christmas enchantment!

    I like to know what’s coming next. I plan my days, my holidays, my love life.Which is why, when my fiancé, Paul, unplanned our holiday—and our entire future—just before Christmas, it felt like everything was slipping out of my control.But I didn’t panic. Instead? I planned.I figured a trip home to Oregon to see my family for the holidays would help me forget my failed engagement. Or at provide distraction in the form of Mom’s sugar cookies.The only thing is—you can’t plan the weather. And as soon as I checked in for my flight, my plans were screwed again, and instead of going home for Christmas, it looked like I’d be spending Christmas eve snowed in and all alone at the airport.When a tall, rugged Irishman offers to distract me, first with chocolate, and then with a drink, and then with… other things… I realize that maybe it’s okay to leave things a little unplanned now and then.Let it Snow is a standalone holiday novella that was first published as A Holiday Delay. It has been rewritten and re-edited.

    What was supposed to be a memorable holiday with his long-time girlfriend goes sour when he learns she cheated on him while he was stationed overseas. At least Nick can rely on his usual shift at the family Christmas tree farm with his best friend, Noel Carter, and her endless supply of Christmas tunes to lift his spirits. A night of fun together is just what he needs to forget about his ex.But then they kiss. And it feels...so right.If Noel can turn Nick’s Blue Christmas merry and bright, this might be the last Christmas Nick spends with a broken heart. This year, they’ll be Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree as a couple―as long as Nick’s ex doesn’t go standing under any mistletoe.“Codi Hall brings all the feels.”—Monica Murphy, New York Times bestselling author

    He finds his best friend in need of a fake fiancé. The engagement is fake, but his feelings for Jo Cassidy aren't. If only she weren't in love with his brother.

    (Return to Welcome)Max Whyte moves to Welcome WA to live closer to his daughters after their mother remarries. He wants to fix up an old home, settle into his new position at an IT firm, and try not to think about turning forty alone.Burned by a single mother in the past, he vows not to get tangled with another woman with children. When he saves the life of a small boy, he finds himself tangled in more ways than he could imagine.When the boy’s mother turns out to be the perfect person to do his renovations, Max has trouble keeping his personal feelings out of their employer/employee relationship.Kaylin Simpson has returned to Welcome to give her boys the kind of home she wanted as a child. She needs a fresh, stable start and wants to run her own business. Her three-year-old twins keep her hopping, but after she finishes the renovations for Max, she hopes to have her life well in hand.Max is drawn to Kaylin and her adorable twin boys. Her wit and feisty spirit pull at his heartstrings until he realizes being a stepfather is never what he wanted.Christmas in Welcome can be a time to heal and move forward and Max and Kaylin must set aside their old hurts to allow love to blossom.

    Everything was going so well in Kat and Philippe’s life together. Then suddenly it wasn’t. Roman ruins delayed the work on the Villa des Violettes. The Russian drug gang might be back in the neighbourhood. On top of that, Kat had worked herself into what Molly classified as a full blown “Christmas conundrum.” Kat wanted the holidays to work perfectly as she blended a Canadian Christmas with a Provençal Fête de Noêl for the first time in their new home. Now she’d lost her confidence and, with it, the holiday spirit. Philippe hoped a weekend trip to the famous Christmas markets of Strasbourg would solve everything. As it happened, things were about to get worse.

    She also adores Christmas, so all her dreams are about to come true when she and her fiancé Ben plan to tie the knot in the Eternal City on Christmas Eve. Yet things start to go wrong from the moment of their arrival - her Italian wedding planner is more laid back about the arrangements than she’d hoped, and seems more interested in Molly's best friend than her wedding. Bridesmaid Caroline has never been to Italy but she’s heard all the rumours about swarthy Italian men and their charms. So when she happens across a handsome native who seems intent on showing her the best of everything the city has to offer, she wonders if romance is truly blossoming, or if it’s just a fleeting encounter. The wedding ceremony is set to take place on Christmas Eve in a small Italian church near the Trevi Fountain, after which the happy couple and their guests plan to celebrate by throwing coins in the fountain as per the famous legend. But with so many ups and downs during their short stay in Rome over Christmas, will any of Molly and Ben's wedding party want to return? Or will the picturesque magic of the Eternal City over the holiday season ensure they never want to leave.... ESCAPE TO ITALY All stories are standalone and can be read in any order. SPRING IN SICILY SUMMER IN SORRENTO AUTUMN IN VERONA WINTER IN VENICE CHRISTMAS IN ROME

    The combination of a velvet mask and a Mrs. Claus-meets-dominatrix costume gives Holly the courage to approach the hot-bodied man across the room who is as lickable as a candy cane. Detective Nick West is working undercover to find the sexy vixen who supposedly robbed his buddy at Sugar Plums. His interest in the pole dancers vanishes faster than a flying sleigh upon his introduction to Mistress Christmas—a leggy brunette with smoky eyes and a lush mouth that begs for hours beneath the mistletoe. One lap dance and their attraction flares hotter than a fireplace on a cold winter evening. And Nick is only too happy to oblige when Holly blurts out her secret Christmas wish…a night filled with sweet and dirty carnal pleasures that will land them both on the naughty list.