Children receive a double dose of Dahl with these two delightfully wicked tales where things are not always as they seem, delivered by the master storyteller himself.

    

    Not a big, mean monster; more of a friendly little one to play with when she comes home from school, and maybe scare away the mice who live in her big old London house.But the old housekeeper, Mrs. Murgatroyd, warns her against wishing for a monster in this house. Exactly one hundred years ago the Christmas Thingy visited this very house and stole away with a load of Christmas presents.As Mrs. Murgatroyd's mum used to say: "Like a rose must bloom and a pig must squeal, a cow must moo and a thingy must steal. It simply must."Be careful what you wish for, Jessica...The Christmas Thingy is a heartwarming story for children (and adults!) of all ages -- and a delightful fantasy for every day of the year!

    Over the course of the year, from January to December, the author takes his inspiration from ten different holidays and explores their meanings in a series of stories of marvelous imagination. The book begins with New Year's Day and "The Meaning of Life as Told Me by an Inebriated Science Fiction Writer in New Jersey." The Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin is represented by "A Random World of Delta Capricorni Aa, Called Scheddi", while "The Parliament of Beasts and Birds" is the story for the Feast of Pentecost. The calendar, and the anthology, culminate on Christmas Eve with "Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus". John C. Wright is not only a deeply religious man, he is a devout Catholic philosopher who regards reason as an intrinsic aspect of his faith. THE BOOK OF FEASTS & SEASONS is an imaginative embodiment of that faith taking many different shapes and forms throughout the vast expanse of God's Creation.

    Mack Cooper as a mail order bride. However, when she arrives, she realizes Mack is not the man she is meant to marry. Instead, he sent for her for a friend, Phillip, who knows nothing of her arrival. But Helen’s troubles have only just begun when a landslide blocks their path, leaving her temporarily staying in Mack’s house and caring for a rescued baby. As the weeks pass, both Helen and Mack begin to care for one another—feelings they both keep secret. And all too soon, the road is cleared and Helen is gone, sent to marry a man she does not know, away from the one she loves. Until a little holiday magic lets love find its way back.

     When Molly was eight, her mother passed away on Christmas Eve. It was on that day that Molly learned that Christmas didn’t bring joy, but heartache. The years drew on in a struggle against hunger and making the rent. When her father passed away, Molly knew her time was running out. She didn’t have two dimes to rub together, it was only a matter of time before she was homeless. When her neighbor, Mrs. Gardner, suggests a way out, she refuses. But a few months later, Mrs. Gardner returns with a sheaf of papers. She had written to a man named Howard Grover on Molly’s behalf. A husband, a home and the promise of a future awaited her, if only she would agree to travel west. About to be evicted, a desperate Molly realizes it’s her only chance at survival. When she meets the humble Howard and his kind sister, Rose, Molly feels at home for the first time. Although Howard is by no means wealthy, he promises Molly she will never go hungry again. When he proposes they get married on Christmas Eve, Molly is hesitant. Christmas Eve was a time of heartache. She agrees, only to awaken on Christmas Eve to deception and a confession. What must Howard confess? Will Molly ever have a Christmas of joy? This is a sweet mail order bride romance that will have you counting your blessings. This Cinderella-like tale tugs at the heart-strings and will have you racing to the last page for an ultimate happily ever after.

    

    The holidays are normally meant to bring everyone together for joy and celebration. Instead, two unfortunate situations force these two to co-exist in the same house together, but after a while, the two of them realize that might not be a bad thing. Join these two as they try to not only piece their lives back together but also find unexpected love along the way. Find out what it means to have Xmas with a real one.

    

     Courting a Spinster for Christmas Investigating a mystery hundreds of years in the making leads to more than Miss Lydia Millpost expects - far more. To Dance with the Dangerous Duke One past mistake seems likely to destroy Lady Isabelle’s future - until the Duke of Dangerfield gets involved. Lady Theodora’s Christmas Wish She didn’t really expect her wishes to come true at the Christmas Ball.... The Marchioness’ Second Chance Having always believed that love wasn’t necessary, Olivia, Lady Hemsbridge finds her opinions changing, as circumstances give her a second chance in life. The Gift of a Christmas Scandal The Duke of Southolton and Lady Selina Brancourt have a problem in common - they are each promised to someone they don’t want to marry. When they meet, scandal seems their best option...

    After spending a few flirty festive nights in this glittering winter wonderland, Christmas will be never the same again. SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER Fiery French chef Élise Phillipe has left behind her troubled past, but then sexy surgeon Sean O’Neil re-enters her life. Last summer, Élise and Sean shared one hazy whirlwind night together in Paris. Elise is looking forward to repeating their last encounter but she knows all too well that with Sean, it can only be one night… MAYBE THIS CHRISTMAS This winter, ex-skiing champion and single dad Tyler O'Neil has only one mission—making sure his daughter, Jess, has the best Christmas ever. When best friend, Brenna, also temporarily moves into his chalet, their easy friendship becomes complicated. One Christmas kiss changes everything…

    From the small hamlet of Eastport in Canada, to the gorgeous landscapes of New Zealand, to Main Street, USA... you'll find the Christmas spirit and warm love stories on every page. And not all of our babies have pudgy little fingers and adorable toes... one of them has hooves and a mane! Inside this year's box set, you'll find Christmas novellas from Kristy Tate, Carol DeVaney, Jill James, E. Ayers, Lizzi Tremayne, Jude Knight, Stephanie Queen, Susan R. Hughes, and Leigh Morgan. Snuggle up with your favorite blanket, grab a cup of hot chocolate, and let the Authors of Main Street help you celebrate the holiday season.

    Recently life started to change for her. Why is she in England, hiding at Saltmarsh Quay, and what is her big secret? David was recently divorced from his wife, who left him for one of his best friends. He should be sad but he isn't as he has another love in his life; the five star hotel he manages in Norfolk. Saltmarsh Cliff is one of the top Hotels in Norfolk but life for the staff and the hotel is going to change forever. Or is it? One actress One hotel Two secrets

    She prays her time away from home will give her the opportunity to heal her grief after losing her sister—and help diminish the plaguing guilt that haunts her. Despite what everyone says, Mary knows she’s responsible for her little sister’s death. But when Mary has to contend with strange and mysterious occurrences that threaten her safety, she fears she should have never come to the Friesen’s farm – until love comes to the door and her life is forever changed.

    Throughout the years, she’s transformed Angel Harbor Books into a place of comfort for her and her daughter, but when her landlord announces the building has been sold, Jane is faced with sudden uncertainty. If the bookstore is gone, what will she do?As a young man, Dan Gallo couldn’t get out of Angel Harbor fast enough. Now a best-selling novelist, Dan returns home after a tragedy derails his career. His first stop is his favorite teenage hangout—the local bookstore. It’s almost exactly how he remembers it. But the girl who once worked there is now a beautiful woman whose smarts and spirit inspire him to write again, and open his heart to new possibilities.With her world threatening to fall apart, Dan hopes that with the help of the town—and some Christmas magic—he can get Jane to see how important she is to the people of Angel Harbor…and him.