But no one saw past her body and while she was growing up she was taunted with the name “plump plum.” She learned to accept her figure and was happy in her own skin. She considered herself fabulous and curvaceous even if no one else could see her beauty she sure as hell could. Mr. Right would come along when he was good and ready, till then she wouldn’t settle for “you’re pretty but if you weren’t so big…” hell no. Christmas came around and her little flower shop was selling poinsettias and holiday bouquets faster than she could make them. Mr. Hollis Wright came into the store with a rush order for a holiday party and showed more interest in her than her flowers. She accepted his dinner date and from the first kiss sparks flew. One minute he was buying arrangements for a party, the next he was dating the sweetest plum in New York City. Hollis didn’t care about her size or gossip. When he kissed Portia made him feel more alive than he felt in a long time. To him she was the most beautiful woman in the world. That doesn’t mean people didn’t talk when the dashing eligible bachelor showed up with her on his arm. From a size two to sixteen, one headline read and it faze him, it was his life and he lived it on his terms. The only thing that mattered to Hollis was the size of her love. While she thought that a holiday fling, Hollis was going to show her he had something more permanent in mind.

    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?

    Then Elias meets the young grandson of his former betrothed, Marian Williams, and everything changes for him. Can Elias reemerge into civilization, overcome the mistakes of his past, and win back Marian's love? Sweetwater Springs Scrooge takes place at the same time as Sweetwater Springs Christmas: A Montana Sky Series Short Story Collection. The Montana Sky Series in Chronological Order: 1880s Beneath Montana's Sky Mail-Order Brides of the West: Trudy Mail-Order Brides of the West: Lina Mail-Order Brides of the West: Darcy 1890s Wild Montana Sky Starry Montana Sky Stormy Montana Sky Montana Sky Christmas Glorious Montana Sky Sweetwater Springs Scrooge Sweetwater Springs Christmas

    This is an excellent read for early and beginning readers. Big and bright illustrations for younger readers! Kindle Unlimited and Amazon Prime members can read this book for FREE! These stories are great for quick bedtime stories and cute tales to be read aloud with friends and family! Excellent for early and beginning readers Great for reading aloud with friends and family Christmas stories and adventures about Christmas Funny and Hilarious Christmas jokes & illustrations for kids FREE Christmas coloring book downloads included Story List & Activities: Special Christmas Manners Christmas Morning Fun Christmas Baking Contest Black Boots and the Freezing Cold The Christmas Surprise Christmas Jokes Christmas Coloring Book This books is especially great for traveling, waiting rooms, and read aloud at home. Funny Christmas Jokes for Kids Q: What Christmas carol do parents love the most?A: Silent Night! HAHA! Q: What did the snowman say to his friend?A: I think I smell carrots! LOL! Q: What are Santa’s helpers taught at an early age?A: The elf-abet! HAHA! Q: What was the monkey’s favorite Christmas song?A: Jungle bells! Your child will be entertained for hours! Scroll up and click 'buy' and spend some quality time with your child! MERRY CHRISTMAS! 100% Money Back GuaranteeTags: Christmas, Christmas books, christmas stories, kids christmas stories, christmas stories for kids, childrens christmas stories, christmas stories for children, Christmas, books, ebooks, Santa Claus, Christmas tree, short stories, bedtime stories, gifts, Rudolph, Christmas elf, kids stories, stories for kids, Christmas stories, short stories for kids, short stories, stories for kids, Christmas jokes, kids christmas stories, childrens christmas stories, kids christmas books, childrens christmas books, books for kids, santa claus, reindeer, santa, thanksgiving turkey, bedtime stories, kids books, ebooks, books for kids, jokes, kids, hilarious, children, kid, kids books, childrens books, childrens book, kids book about christmas, elementary, kids book, books for kids, childrens book, book, thankful, kindle book, kindle ebook, comedy, kindle unlimited, kindle unlimited books for kids, kindle unlimited books for children, humor, early reader, beginning reader, kids comedy, bedtime stories, free ebooks, ebooks free, stories for kids, preschool, ages 3-5, ages 6-8, ages 9-12, preteen, beginning readers, beginner reading, kids stories, children stories

    Perfect for young fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Mr Gum and Tom Gates!When Barry discovers that his mum and dad have failed to get him a superhero Future Ratboy costume (the keelest superhero in the WORLD) he is com-per-lee-ter-ly unimpressed to say the least. In fact, Barry has had enough of Christmas - and he's not the only one. Terry Claus, Father Christmas's smelly and disgusting younger brother is out to ruin Christmas for everyone - and he's taking Barry with him!Don't miss the other books in the series: I am not a Loser, I am still not a Loser, I am so over being a Loser, I am sort of a Loser, Barry Loser and the Holiday of Doom and Barry Loser and the case of the crumpled carton

    Not just a little bit, but quite a damn lot. She can’t even stand having a boyfriend over the Christmas period and habitually dumps them just before the season begins.Even the restaurant she co-owns, a French bistro called Carol’s, doesn’t do a Christmas menu and doesn’t do Christmas decorations, either. In short, there is no Christmas at Carol’s.But then she gets some bad news. The bistro is failing. There’s too much local competition, they don’t have enough customers and there’s a risk that the business may need to be sold.As it’s early December, her mother and some of her colleagues suggest that she may like to reconsider her attitude to Christmas. Maybe cook up a Christmas menu for once. Maybe even risk putting up some decorations and a few sprigs of mistletoe.But it’s an uphill struggle. There’s a reason that Carol doesn’t like Christmas and it’s one that she keeps to herself.Eventually, she reluctantly agrees to give it a go, for the sake of the restaurant, her glamorous, eccentric partner Roksana and all its much-loved employees.But the minutes are ticking by. Has she left it too late? Can she catch up and compete with her competitors?Will there be Christmas at Carol’s?

    When Izzy goes to a posh Christmas party at her friend's fabulous home, she winds up doing a favor for the hostess that leads to mayhem, mistletoe and maybe even murder. Plus a dash of romance! & NOTHING BUNDT MURDER: While trying to heal her broken heart, journalist Rosie Kale moves into her Grandma's beach-side guest house and takes a job at the hot new Bundt Baby Bakery. But when she and her boss cater a ritzy bridal shower, murder is on the dessert menu and the Bundt cake is blamed. Rosie tries to find the real killer before she becomes the next victim. But her senior sleuth 'helpers,' Nana and Birdie, are more interested in getting her married off than in the murder case. Unfortunately their prime romantic prospect--handsome real estate mogul Casey Baron--is also her prime murder suspect. "Nothing Bundt Murder" is a fun, clean, cozy mystery with cats, cupcakes and a dash of romance.

    When Grace and Hopes pa dies he asks them to write to two men he has picked out of the paper, and that they must promise to marry them soon. So the sisters part and become mail order brides. Grace ends up on a ranch with Dempsey, a handsome man but somehow there is a wall between them. Maybe it is her grief but she does not know. One night they hear a cry in the storm and find Rose and baby Violet almost frozen in the rain. Rose is a young widow with a troubled past. She was on her way to an orphanage when she took the wrong road. Believing that everyone has abandoned her even God she was ready to give in. Maybe God had plans for her all along. Grant Hawkins works on the ranch and he is taken by baby rose and her ma, but can he break down the barriers of Rose’s past or will it destroy them both? Hope had been married to a miner just like her pa, and just like him he is dying. He makes her promise that she will live life to the full and find love. After his death Hope goes to her sisters house and falls in love with Dempsey’s cousin, only his past is making things difficult. When he lies to her she runs out into a storm and becomes lost. Will he find her in time? Can she forgive him? With Christmas fast approaching is there hope for these three couples. Will they find the faith they need to reclaim their happiness? This is a sweet and clean western romance and is suitable for all ages.

    Her only concern is to get through the holiday without making her family worry while taking in all she can. But when her ex heads home she's forced to feel things she thought she was over. At the top of the things she thought she was over is Ramir Patterson. Ramir Patterson has been successful in every avenue of his life but love. After failing twice at it he's decided to focus on his business and making a legacy that would hopefully out live him. But the more time goes on he's starting to face the fact that the life he dreamed of with the woman he's dreamed of sharing it with may never happen. That's until Valencia crosses his path again. Now that Ramir and Valencia are back on each other's radar can the love they once shared be rekindled or will life end everything where it stands? Find out in The Last Christmas: A Mistletoe Miracle.

    Her lonely boss who hates Christmas. As they rediscover the magic of the holiday, will they also find love?  Christmas hasn't been the same for Allison Voss since losing her husband, but she's determined to make it merry for her daughters' sake. She's between jobs and simply managing day to day is a struggle until she meets Ward Haysgard. His act of kindness and offer of employment just might turn her luck around.Ward is not a fan of Christmas. As a district manager for a large department store, he's seen plenty of greed and selfishness and not much good will toward men. But Allison's plight touches him. As he gets to know her and her girls, they work their way into his heart. A heart he thought had hardened long ago, when he lost the loving grandmother who raised him.As the holiday approaches, an old secret from Ward's past emerges and threatens his closeness to Allison. Will he leave her heartbroken? Or will she and Ward discover together what makes Christmas real? Read all the stories in the Holidays in Applewood series by Christie Logan: A Real Christmas (Holidays in Applewood 1)Dear Acquaintance (Holidays in Applewood 2)A Gentle Heart (Holidays in Applewood 3)

    

    

     THE WINTER WISH Lady Sarah Dawson has one simple wish for Christmas: to gain the attention of Devlin Heathcliff, the handsome viscount who she has loved for as long as she can remember. Unfortunately for Sarah she is plain, quiet, and embarrassingly shy – the exact opposite of the type of woman Devlin is attracted to. All hope seems lost… Until one afternoon fate steps in and Sarah learns that sometimes, with a little magic, winter wishes can come true. THE RISQUE RESOLUTION Due to a clause in her father’s will, Lily has until Christmas to find a husband. She fears all hope is lost… until she meets the mysterious, insufferable, and oh so handsome Captain James Rigby. Recently returned and still recovering from the bloody battlefields of war, James is missing an arm and, it would seem, a heart. The last thing on the embittered soldier’s mind is marriage, especially to Lily Kincaid, a woman who is as infuriatingly stubborn as she is beautiful. With time running out, can Lily convince James – and herself – true love really exists? Or will she lose everything, including her heart? PLEASE NOTE: Both 'The Winter Wish' and 'The Risque Resolution' are previously published novellas and are available for purchase individually.

    Finding her uncle is easier than getting him alone to explain her mission. Reluctantly, Hayley hides her identity to learn more about her uncle and his family, but it’s his handsome and enigmatic partner who captures her heart and imagination.Architect and builder Blake Dennison is attracted instantly to the beautiful Hayley, but he’s suspicious of her curiosity. Can she be a spy for a rival builder? He’s been burned by deceit before, but as he spends time with Hayley, he falls hard.Hayley knows she has much more at stake than fulfilling her mother’s Christmas dream, and when she confesses to Blake the real reason for her visit, his reaction is what she feared. He wants her gone. But Hayley knows how to fight for what she wants.Another heart-warming story set in Sweetheart, Montana, home to The Starr Brothers of Montana series.

    But on the night that I finally plucked up courage to ask him back to my room, he turned me down. Okay, he didn't just turn me down; he crushed my very soul. That was a month ago, and now, at Christmastime, I’m traveling with my family to the Arctic Circle to celebrate Noah’s wedding. Because Stefan and I are the only two singletons left, I just know we’re going to end up sitting together on the plane and in restaurants. I can’t bear to be near him. It hurts too much. And then he tells me he has feelings for me. He says he can’t date me, but refuses to reveal why. He wants me; the heat in his eyes convinces me of that. But what can I possibly do about it in sub-zero temperatures? “That’s it,” Clio says. “We’re commencing Operation Polar Fling.” According to Clio, all men can be seduced. I guess we’re about to find out if she's right.