Huge family gatherings, lots of presents beneath the tree, and food spilling from the dining room and kitchen tables. But this year she was a thousand miles from home in a city full of strangers. If that wasn’t bad enough, everywhere she looked there were couples.Couples shopping together; couples going out to parties; couples kissing beneath the mistletoe.Blah, blah, blah, blah, blahIt brought home to her what she was missing. Someone very special to share all the festivities.She wanted a man of her own. She wanted a family.She wanted a chance to be a little bit naughty. She’d resigned herself to spending the holidays all alone until her interfering older brother sent her a Christmas surprise.Nick Strong knew agreeing to do this favor for his best friend might end their friendship forever. But when he was asked to make sure Zoey Wilson didn’t spend Christmas all alone, he couldn’t say no. He’d lusted after the woman for years, her plus sized figure kicking his libido into overdrive every time she got near.Trouble was he didn’t think his best friend would approve of how Nick planned on making sure the curvaceous black haired beauty didn’t wake up all alone on Christmas morning.This is a short erotic story of approximately 9,500 wordsWARNING: This material is intended for mature audiences only. It contains explicit language, holiday romance and a happy-ever-after.EXCERPT:It was four days before Christmas and he had accomplished what David wanted – Zoey would not be alone for the Christmas holidays. He just hoped his best friend would understand when he found out how Nick planned on fulfilling his promise.On his way to her apartment, he’d stopped and bought another bouquet of roses along with a bottle of wine. He didn’t know what they’d be having for dinner, but he knew for a fact what he planned on having for dessert.Zoey spread out before him with the wine running in rivulets across her breasts and down her mound. He wanted nothing more than to lick her from head to toe and taste all those sweet places in between.She greeted him at the door dressed in a tight pair of jeans clinging to her bottom like a loving hand. Her sweater was made of a light weight knit with a layered collar and a neckline that plunged down the middle of her chest, revealing the sides of her breasts. If she had on a bra, he could detect no sign of it.“So are you ready for this pity date?”Nick stepped across the threshold and backed her against the wall before the words left her mouth. “Let me make one thing perfectly clear. This is not a pity date. This is a date with a man who finds you very, very attractive. Understand?”He moved closer, allowing her to feel the affect she was having on him. He’d spent every day since David had asked him to look up his baby sister in a constant state of arousal.Her eyes widened and he almost rethought his whole plan. This was David’s little sister. A woman who was almost ten years his junior. A woman who probably had very limited experience in the bedroom. He knew she hadn’t dated much before college, and he’d only ever heard of one serious relationship during college. Granted, he’d tried not to listen to the details about her life, but he was pretty certain David, being the overprotective big brother that he was, would have told him all about it.“Any more questions?” Looking at her flushed face and beautiful brown eyes he realized he’d been a stupid, stupid man not to have pursued this attraction years ago.

    If she succeeds, her catering business, Fantasy Feasts, will flourish. If she fails, she may go bankrupt. But a lot can go wrong in one day: car accidents, spilled dip, crushed cakes...and the distraction posed by Ned Wyatt, sexy bachelor brother of the party’s shrewish hostess. Once he gets a taste of Claudia’s homemade chocolate kisses, he wants Claudia catering only to him.Story originally appeared in the Harlequin Valentine Anthology My Valentine 1993

    A long-term guy. One who does dates and romance and emotional strings…I’m just an asshole who wants to tie you up, make you come, and walk away.” Samuel Bradshaw is a man with a reputation—the kind of reputation that should have me running the other way. Instead, it has me searching for the shortest distance to his bed. I won’t be the starry-eyed girl who thinks she can change a man like Sam, and despite what he thinks, forever is not what I need. I need the things he makes me feel, the way he turns me on, and the promise of pleasure in his eyes. I need SOMETHING WILD.The Reckless and Real Series includes:SOMETHING WILD (Liz and Sam’s story begins - novella)SOMETHING RECKLESS (Liz and Sam’s story continues)SOMETHING REAL (Liz and Sam’s story concludes)

    When her best friend Callie suggests that she try a different approach, forcing men to get to know her personality before they ever see what she looks like, she reluctantly agrees, allowing herself to venture into the exciting world of online dating.Ryan Marshall is a successful single with a competitive streak that leaves him very little time for dating. Sick of gold digging bimbo's he's looking for something new - different - genuine so when he stumbles across the profile of a new user in his area he decides there's no harm in sending her off a quick email.Susie has the unfair advantage - she knows what Ryan looks like and he's hotter than any man she's ever seen before. But what will happen when it's time to meet in person and he finally sees that she's anything but thin? Will Ryan still find himself attracted to Susie and not only accept, but appreciate her big-girl curves?WARNING: This is an erotic romance story featuring sexual content of adult nature.

    Perfect for fans of Lauren Blakely, Sophie Kinsella, and Julia Kent!In SNOWED IN WITH THE BILLIONAIRE, an event planner finds that a sexy rockstar client plus an unexpected blizzard equals a very private party... for two!In CHRISTMAS WITH THE BILLIONAIRE, wannabe-actress Jill winds up playing girlfriend when she's stranded with arrogantly hot producer Oliver. But will their romance last when the snow starts melting?

    She had been butting heads with straight-laced John McBride since they were kids.John McBride only takes one week of vacation a year, and there isn’t any way he’s driving down a mountain back to Raleigh just because Kelsie Cole is already standing on the porch staking her claim when he arrives.The cabin has two rooms, and they are adults. They can share a space for seven days. It’s not like they’re attracted to each other or anything, right? Kelsie grits her teeth, but assures herself she can handle it.

    If his poor fiancée had not died, he would now be wed to her instead of Abigail. But then Abigail begins uncovering some of the secrets that are a part of her husband’s life and wonders if perhaps there is hope for their marriage after all.Derek, Lord Westdale, wasn’t sure why Abigail married him; she obviously despised him. On the other hand, he knew exactly why he was marrying her: she was the only woman he would ever love, despite his having offered marriage to another. Unfortunately, he can’t seem to convince Abigail that he never really betrayed her after all.Can their decoding of a secret Christmas cipher bring an end to their misunderstandings and help them create their own special Christmas tradition?

    Riding to the rescue—literally—is Dillon Craig, a reclusive doctor who insists she weather the storm in his cabin. Since returning from Afghanistan where he treated wounded soldiers on the front lines, Dillon's made it a point to avoid any emotional involvement. But his unexpected guest has him dangerously close to breaking his own rules. Brenna has a plan for her life—until she's stranded for three days with Dillon. Soon, the chemistry sizzling between them forces her to reexamine her priorities. The man is gorgeous, if taciturn, and a true hero in every sense of the word. No woman in her right mind could resist him, and so Brenna doesn't—even though she can't stay...From anthology "Holiday Kisses"

    When he’s reunited with Will—his best mate from sixth-form college and last summer’s fling—Jago’s feelings for him are rekindled and impossible to ignore.Over the short winter break, Jago can't resist taking whatever Will’s offering. But will the New Year bring new beginnings? Or will Jago be left with more bittersweet memories and a heart that needs to heal again?

    When I accidentally mistook a gorgeous man resting outside my building for a homeless person in need of lunch, we got into it. I’d only been trying to do a good deed around the holidays, but he called me righteous. I called him something far worse. If only I didn’t have to see him again. But fate had other plans.Finding Perfect by Colleen HooverA short story that brings back several of Colleen’s most beloved characters. Told from the point of view of Daniel from Finding Cinderella, readers will finally get the story they’ve been begging for more of. For the best reading experience, make sure you’ve read all three books that come together to make up this heartwarming and fun holiday short story; Finding Cinderella, Hopeless and All Your Perfects.A Rock Chick Christmas by Kristen AshleyWhat's Christmas with the Starks like? Get a peek into the Rock Chick world and how Luke copes with Ava going Christmas gaga and just what he will, and won't, do for his girls during the holidays.Just Say When by Jill ShalvisWhen the one you want …Is the one you can’t seem to have…Can love conquer all?The Pact by Elle KennedyThanks to my hectic schedule as a pro hockey player, my girl and I are spending more time apart than together. Luckily, I have a solution—a romantic New Year’s Eve getaway in the mountains, just me and Grace and plenty of sexytimes. Except this blizzard has other ideas...The Package by K. BrombergChristmas week can’t get any worse for Jules Jilliland. Dumped by her boyfriend, rear-ended on the freeway, and fired from her job, she finds herself stuck in an elevator with a handsome stranger. When their packages are accidentally swapped, will it end up being a misfortunate accident that suddenly brightens her holidays?

    Unfortunately, he was also the man that she had secretly adored for over a year. What chance did an overweight pastry chef have with a hunk like Jake Rawlins?Jake Rawlins wants Maggie Jones, but he can't get her to take his advances seriously. He's been hinting around for a year. Now he's ready to take drastic measures to get Maggie to notice him.Will Maggie realize that her Prince Charming has finally arrived at the ball, or will she miss out on having a man who truly wants her exactly the way she is just because of her insecurities?This is a short story erotic romance.18+ Only. This story contains graphic sex, graphic language and other subjects for mature audiences only.

    Why, the latest on-dit is that rakish Viscount Sheffield is canceling the fête of the year because he hasn't time for silly soirees. He doesn't need time—he needs her! When a flash of lightning destroys the venue for his family's annual Christmas ball, Lord Benedict Sheffield intends to enjoy a relaxing holiday for once. But after twelve days of beguiling Lady Amelia's guerrilla tactics, he's up to his cravat with tinsel . . . and tumbling head over heels in love.

    Cheerful Elf #6 at Burke's Department store. It's not exactly a dream come true, but she's determined to make ends meet at her favorite time of year. However, little does Holly know, a Christmas miracle is about to cross her path when she least suspects it. His name is Anthony. And as luck would have it, Holly is exactly what he wants for Christmas. **This sexy Christmas romance contains no cheating, no cliffhanger, and is sure to give you lots of warm fuzzies in all the right places.

    Owen is disconcerted to realize he's still attracted to Caleb Black but refuses to pursue him. Caleb left him once, and Owen's not going down that road again.Caleb is ready for a second chance with Owen and gets it when fate and the matchmaking McKenzies conspire to strand the two men in a rustic cabin during a snowstorm on Christmas Eve. Can Caleb convince Owen to rekindle their romance so they can stop spending their holidays apart?Nine Lights Over Edinburgh By Harper FoxDetective Inspector James McBride is riding high on the belief that he's about to bust a human-trafficking ring. But just five days before Christmas, his unorthodox methods catch up with him and his world comes crashing down.McBride tries to concentrate on his new day job as security for the visiting Israeli ambassador. He even starts to feel a renewed sense of self-worth when the leader of the Israeli team, the aristocratic Tobias Leitner, takes a bullet for him in the line of duty. But he can't forget the trafficking case, especially when his investigations result in the kidnapping of his own daughter! McBride has no one to turn to for help-no one, except Toby.Can these two very different men work together to bring about a holiday miracle-and heal one another's heart in the process?I Heard Him Exclaim By Z.A. MaxfieldWho Likes a Skinny Santa?Steve Adams's heart hasn't been in the Christmas spirit ever since doctors put a stent in it and ordered him to clean up his act. No longer filling out his Santa suit or allowed to make merry, he's forgoing the holidays this year and heading to Vegas to indulge in the few vices left to him: gambling and anonymous sex.His road trip takes a detour when he encounters Chandler Tracey, who's just inherited guardianship of his five-year-old niece. Overwhelmed, Chandler's on his way to deliver Poppy to his parents. But fate has other plans and, after car trouble, Chandler and Poppy accept a ride home with Steve. Though the heat between the two men is obvious, they put it on simmer while they band together to make Poppy's Christmas as perfect as possible.Steve soon comes to believe that while Chandler is the right person to look after Poppy, someone needs to look after Chandler. Fortunately, Steve knows just the man for the job.Icecapade By Josh LanyonOn the eve of the new millennium, diamond thief Noel Snow seduced FBI special agent Robert Cuffe, then fled into the dawn. Now a successful novelist, Noel uses his capers as fodder for his books, and has modeled his hero's nemesis (and potential love interest) on Cuffe. Though he leaves Robert a drunken phone message every New Year's Eve, Noel hasn't seen or heard from him in a decade.So he's thrilled when his former lover shows up at his upstate farm one Christmas Eve. Elation quickly turns to alarm when Robert accuses Noel of being responsible for a recent rash of diamond heists. Robert is all business and as cold as ice: it seems his only interest in Noel is to put him behind bars.Innocent of the crimes, and still as attracted as ever to the oh-so-serious lawman, Noel plans a second seduction-providing he can stay out of jail long enough!

    After having a teenage crush on him for years, she thought she was finally over him. After all, why keep fantasizing about someone you can never have? But when Chase makes it clear he’s ready to claim her for his own, Sarah finds it hard to believe him. Can he convince her they were made for each other? Excerpt: His finger stroked the curve of her cheek. “Remember the rodeo just before you left for college?” An image flashed in her mind. Chase smiling, holding his trophy, their eyes interlocking. “Yes,” she whispered, her eyes searching his in the near darkness. “I was going to come over to you, but when I looked again, you’d disappeared.” “I thought you’d be too pre-occupied with your rodeo groupies.” She pulled back slightly, pleased her voice sounded almost normal. Just the thought of those stick-thin, bleached blond Barbie dolls annoyed her. If Chase liked that kind of woman, then why was he here now, with her? He snorted. “By the time I got out of their clutches, you’d gone.” “I didn’t think you were interested,” she admitted in a small voice. “I’ve noticed you since you were a senior in high school, Sarah Grant.” His lips snared hers in a seductive kiss until she found herself clinging to him once more, her arms wrapped around his neck. This is a sexy contemporary romance novelette of approximately 7,000 words.