Claire!Linda Lael Miller delivers a holiday miracle in the bittersweet tale of a young woman who can't hide her broken heart -- or her past -- when she returns to her hometown. But a sexy widower may just help her discover the true meaning of home in "Christmas of the Red Chiefs." Catherine Mulvany spins a fairy tale come true in "Once Upon a Christmas." They flirted as teenagers, but it takes time -- and some divine intervention -- to bring two star-crossed lovers together at last. Julie Leto pairs fire and ice in "Meltdown," the sensual tale of a Cuban-American PR whiz whose job description includes thawing out her CEO boss's frosty image. Will their sparks torch into flames of passion? Roxanne St. Claire unwraps the thrills of Christmas in New York, where a female bodyguard toys with a dangerous desire for a mysterious hunk while protecting his young daughter. It's a risky game with passion as the prize in "You Can Count on Me."

    These are tales that can be read in their entirety in only a handful of minutes. The stories are submitted by dozens of authors who often set them in the larger worlds of their other books.Stories and Authors in the collection:Mistletoe Cowboy by Trish MilburnAn Ugly Sweater Christmas by Heather McGovernClose to Perfect by Suzanne FerrellTo Santa with Love by Lindsey BrookesA Perfect Party by Anna SugdenThe Miracle of the Child by Bridget HodderMistletoe Magic by D.B. SiedersOn This Christmas Day by Natalie J. DamschroderFashionably Late for Christmas by Tanya MichaelsA SEAL’s Proposal by Tawny WeberWhite Christmas Pizza by Donna MacMeansThe Christmas Before Hell Froze Over by Sally KilpatrickSnowflake by Monica McCabeAn Unexpected Guest by Beth PattilloNew Year’s Magic by Jody WallaceGiving Thanks by Jeanette GreyA Holiday Miracle by Michelle MonkouA Bluestone Christmas Homecoming by M.J. FredrickHaintsgiving by Maureen HardegreeAll She Wants for Christmas by Janice LynnThe Solstice Ball by Nancy NorthcottZombie of Good Cheer by Gretchen StullSnow and Ghosts by Nicki SalcedoA Candle in the Window by Dorien KellyIn Which Miss Gardella Receives Three Gifts by Colleen GleasonA Miracle for Molly by Trish Milburn

    With no job or social support, she flees to a small town in hopes of finding a good family for her unborn baby, but instead finds a man who is as broken as she is. Eric Gaylord returns to his home town for a respite after a tragic loss, but when his spitfire mother takes on an unknown woman as a business partner, he is forced to face the nightmare he’d left behind or risk losing the one woman who could heal his heart.

    It is highly recommended that you start with DANE since A CHRISTMAS WISH takes up where that novella ends. The response to the MacKenzie Brothers Novellas has been overwhelming, and I can't tell you how much it warms my heart that you fell in love with this family. I've decided to revisit each of the brothers because of all the wonderful emails I've received over the past couple of years asking, "What happens next?" Back Cover Blurb:Dane MacKenzie has made mistakes, but despite them all, he's reconnected with the woman he's always loved and the son he never knew he had. But things haven't gone the way he hoped. Charlotte still hasn't set a wedding date, and he's a stranger to his son. The only thing Dane wants for Christmas is for them to be a real family. A carefully planned seduction, an old legend, and a family that never gives up on each other will give Dane the chance to get his Christmas wish.

    A celebration is just what they need. It’s four days before Christmas and the town is not only decked out in their holiday best, but looking forward to the wedding of Sheriff Gage Justice and his love, Deputy Bobby Roberts. First Bobby’s lawyer sister, Chloe comes to town looking over her shoulder, which has the quiet deputy, Wes Strong wondering what has her running scared. Then problems start to happen with the wedding plans. Has Chloe brought trouble to Westen? Or does someone in town want to ruin the wedding this close to Christmas?

    When the magic of Christmas Eve tips the star-crossed lovers together year after year, will they be able to make sure this holiday is not their last?

    Unfortunately he doesn't seem to like her much so she's spending the holidays with her disapproving parents, both of whom think she's screwing up her life. Elliott Alexander's security business is booming and he's finally in the position to come home for good. But home brings bittersweet memories and puts him in the path of a woman who makes him feel things he isn't ready for.When Kay's car skids out of control on Christmas Eve, she's forced to reach out to the only man she trusts to save her.THE ALEXANDERS SERIESReading OrderBook 0.5 - Teasing Trent ~ The PrequelBook 1 - One More Day ~ Jackson & RidleyBook 2 - The Things I Do for You ~ Nick & RainaBook 3 - He's the Man ~ Matt & PennyBook 3.5 - Christmas with The Alexanders Book 4 - All I Need is You ~ Elliott & KayleeBook 5 - Say You Will ~ Trent & Mara*Book 6 - Just One Thing ~ Bennett & Katie**coming soon

    So she never would have known that the man who broke her heart at eighteen—causing her to flee to Nashville—was now a widower with a seven-year-old daughter. Riley has ten years of angst-filled hit songs and Grammy awards to prove she doesn't need Ethan Kent. But suddenly, she can't help thinking of all she gave up by running away...Ethan Kent knew Riley had the talent and the drive to make it as a singer. He also knew she wasn't going anywhere if she stayed in their nowhere town for him. Then one night and one huge mistake sent her running on the road to fame. Which doesn't mean he ever stopped loving her...But with so much separating them, can Riley and Ethan find their way back together one magical country Christmas? Book 1 of the Kent Brothers Trilogy 30,000 words

    John Palmer dreads the holiday. For the past year he and Shannon have been getting along like gangbusters, but as the holiday creeps closer tension invades their relationship. He’s at a loss as to how to fix it. Until he makes a risky gamble. Chad doesn’t know why Mercy is having problems at school. Maybe with a little intervention from Santa they can get to the bottom of her situation. Duncan Wilde runs herd on his group, putting out fires as they come along. But maybe a special Christmas present from the group will make him look at life with fresh eyes.

    But Captain Samantha Egan has come back from the war a different woman than the one who left - and she doesn't know if she can love him anymore.But neither of them counted on the determination of a little girl they both call daughter and if Natalie has her wish, her parents may have no idea what's coming for them. It's going to take Christmas miracle to bring these two wounded warriors back from the edge of a broken heart.This story has been featured in Home For Christmas: A Holiday Duet with JoAnn Ross.

    The last time she saw the Ghost of Heartbreaks Past was the night before he left her at the altar. He said he loved her, then didn't even say goodbye. Now Shep claims he's done dashing away at the first sign of forever. The romance of Fool's Gold at Christmas tempts her to have faith—snow glistening on rooftops like great swirls of frosting, twinkle lights in every window—but this time around, she's the one with cold feet. If promises alone aren't enough to sway her, Shep will have to show her the love in his heart. “Susan Mallery never disappoints.” —#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber

    The legend of Lady Winterson’s Christmas ball promises true love and happiness to one lucky couple. Four short tales. 1 1803 - The Seduction of a Duchess by Shana Galen Rowena Harcourt, Duchess of Valère, never forgot the handsome footman who helped her escape the French Revolution. For fourteen years, Gabriel Lamarque has loved Rowena. Now at Lady Winterson’s Christmas ball, has fate finally given him a chance to win her hand?2 1818 - One Kiss for Christmas by Vanessa Kelly Nigel Dash is London’s most reliable gentleman, a reputation he never minded until he fell in love with beautiful Amelia Easton. Amelia sees Nigel as a dependable friend, not a dashing suitor. At Lady Winterson’s Christmas ball, Nigel vows to change Amelia’s mind by sweeping her off her feet.3 1825 - His Christmas Cinderella by Anna Campbell At the season’s most glittering ball, a girl who has never dared to dream of forever after discovers a Christmas miracle.4 1830 - The Last First Kiss by Kate Noble Susannah Westforth always loved Sebastian Beckett, but he only sees her as a friend. When Sebastian takes his Grand Tour, Susannah transforms herself into a woman he must notice. Now Sebastian is back, just in time for Lady Winterson's Christmas ball and to see his little Susie, all grown up.

    I love the way she infuses emotion and eroticism together.” – Romantic Book Affairs I stand very still, holding a pen I shouldn’t be touching, in the office of a man I’ve never met. The man who’s standing behind me now. The man who has his hand on my hip. He’s my new boss. I could fight him, but then he might ask questions. He might find out about my criminal record, the one I didn’t mention on the job application. So I let him make me come, but he wants more. He needs more, and for some reason I want to give it. But if he finds out about my lie, I’ll be out on the streets—or back in jail. **************** His for Christmas is a sexy dark billionaire romance intended for readers over eighteen. Fair warnings: Contains rough sex in the workplace, a tortured hero who doesn't believe himself worthy of love, and a heroine who's going to give him the best Christmas present. Other dark sexy romance books from Skye Warren: Rough On the Way Home The Beauty Series Praise for His for Christmas: "The elevator scene is delicious. You have to read it. If you’re in the mood for a quick, super hot read, with a ton of emotion, this is for you." - Silken Sheets and Seduction "This was my first time reading anything by this author and I can only say 'WOW', I cannot wait to read more. This was one very hot read that kept me reading from page one to the very end." - Karen, Amazon reviewer "Gage and Angel story started out with a BANG that’s for sure. I would defiantly recommend this one! It was a great dark holiday novella! I cant wait to read more by Ms. Warren that’s for sure!" - Dani's Book Reviews

    He’s arrogant. He’s drop-dead sexy. He drives her crazy in every sense of the word. Even worse, he’s her boss. And now they’re stuck together for the holidays. Sofia Vasquez eats determination for breakfast. She’ll do anything to fulfill her dream — and her father’s dying wish — of becoming a doctor. She’s not going to let anything stand in her way. Especially not her ridiculous attraction to Emmett Mallory, a.k.a. Dr. Cocky. Sofia’s here to become a doctor, not play doctor. No matter how much the sexy surgeon turns her on. Emmett shouldn’t want his resident. From her sharp tongue to her even sharper tenacity she’s like a walking, talking off limits sign. But she needs his help to pass her boards and he’s got no plans for the holidays. So what if they argue every time they’re together? So what if it makes him want her even more? But as Christmas draws closer and the passion between them grows hotter Emmett and Sofia begin to realize they’re not explosive because they don’t mix. They’re explosive because they do. From USA Today best-selling author Kimberly Kincaid comes a scorching hot romance featuring a cocky bad-boy hero and the headstrong heroine who’s protective of the heart he wants to steal. This steamy holiday happily-ever-after contains sexy banter, cupcakes, and a complete love story. No cliffhangers, all hotness!

    Sometimes he's hard to forget. When Vanessa Randall appears on "Eye of the Tiger," a popular reality TV show, she isn't prepared to see her Vegas Hunky Hottie from four years earlier. She needs the Chicago Internet mogul's help, but he's the last man she wants back in her life. Oh, Alex recognizes her all right. The long-legged brunette had called herself Vivien Leigh before slipping out before dawn. More than a little ticked off, he becomes Vanessa's mentor to help her ramp up Randall's Whipped Cream Cakes. Revenge can be sweet. When business becomes personal, things get complicated. He wasn't counting on her toddler stealing his heart. His beach house on Lake Michigan doesn't impress her. Will sand castles and cinnamon toast win her trust? No way in hell does he want to be her favorite mistake. Subtle, sexy love scenes. "Her Favorite Mistake" is the first novel in the Windy City Romance series.