Book picks similar to
Once Upon a Christmas: Holiday Stories to Warm the Heart by Alice Gray
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christmas-stories
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A Real Christmas
Christie Logan - 2017
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)
Meet Me at Fir Tree Lodge
Rachel Dove - 2020
But when an accident on the slopes brings her crashing down in the snow with a catastrophic thud, everything changes. Her career is over, and her fiancé turns out to be, well, not so perfect.With the chance to start afresh, Rebecca does what anyone else in her position would do… She turns to baking and manages the Alpine Bites café, nestled in the French Alps.But when handsome stranger Luke Sommersby becomes Rebecca’s unexpected lodger, her plan to completely forget about love is thrown into jeopardy. Guarding her heart since the accident, Fir Tree Lodge is strictly a man-free-zone.Luke is kind, caring and gorgeous, but the emotional scars from her fall still run deep, and she fights to keep the sparks catching her heart at bay.Will Rebecca be able to find a second chance in the snow and step into a bright new future with Luke by her side?
Remembering Christmas
Dan Walsh - 2011
He works hard, plays hard, and answers to no one. So when his mother calls on Thanksgiving weekend begging him to come home after his stepfather has a stroke, Rick is more than a little reluctant. He's never liked Art and resents the man's presence in his life, despite the fact that his own father abandoned the family when Rick was just twelve. When what was supposed to be just a couple days helping out at the family bookstore turns into weeks of cashing out old ladies and running off the homeless man who keep hanging about, Rick's attitude sours even more.Still, slowly but surely, the little bookstore and its quirky patrons--as well as the lovely young woman who works at his side each day--work their magic on him, revealing to Rick the truth about his family, his own life, and the true meaning of Christmas. With skillful storytelling, Dan Walsh creates a Christmas story will have readers remembering every good and perfect gift of Christmas.
Prairie Christmas
Catherine Palmer - 2000
Each new story by these favorite authors celebrates faith, love, and the joy of Christmas. Each story is followed by a letter from the author and a favorite Christmas recipe. Readers of the Town Called Hope series will love Palmer's novella "A Rose for Lucy."The Christmas Bridem by Catherine PalmerReforming Seneca Jones by Elizabeth WhiteWishful Thinking by Peggy Stoks
Next Christmas in Girouette (Adventures in Girouette Book 1)
Michael Welch - 2011
This book will appeal to people of all ages—nine to ninety-nine—who want to share a classic, heart-warming literary adventure at Christmastime. Next Christmas in Girouette is the story of a brother and sister—Autry and Oxana Quinn—who find themselves stranded in a Girouette, a virtual ghost town, from Thanksgiving through Christmas when their father is taken seriously ill. Their grandfather, a Marine Captain long retired, plus an eccentric old café proprietress, a Blackfeet Indian horse trader who once served as the town’s mayor, a couple who published the local newspaper and an ancient deaf-mute trapper are the only remaining inhabitants of Girouette. These self-styled, “diehards” all seem to have one thing in common. Thanks to a mysterious event 60 years earlier, they still believe in Santa Claus. Girouette features something for everyone: carefree cowboys who race their horses over snow covered country road, a team of wolves trained to pull a dogsled, a stroll that nearly turns tragic on a buffalo jump, a serialized newspaper story titled “The Adventures of Rocky Mountain Santa,” a desperate attempt to escape from an abandoned copper mine, a night-time journey through the mountains on a frozen river and the miracle that delivers wayfaring strangers to Girouette during a storm on Christmas Eve. The book revels in the solitary beauty of winter in Big Sky Country, the enduring wisdom of the elderly citizens of Girouette, the excitement of frontier history coming to life, the inspiration of a family healing itself and the magic of an old-fashioned western Christmas. Read Next Christmas in Girouette with your family this year, and you’ll want to revisit it for years to come at holiday time.
Biscotti & the Bad Boy
Krysta Fox - 2021
Owning the bake shop my parents always dreamed of means everything to me. And when opening day happens, I think I've finally got everything I've ever wanted. Until he walks in and reminds me of what used to be. Tall, dark and dangerous - that's what Caleb has always been. For my heart, at least. But when he places a special, sweet holiday order for his mother, I can feel my defenses crumbling just like the biscotti I'm teaching him to make. Can I save myself this time? Or will my heart be broken all over again?CALEBAn unexpected trip home turns my holiday plans upside down - especially when the girl I can't forget has come home too.I should have known my mom was setting me up, but I walked right into her sweet little trap. When I see Melissa standing behind the counter of the brand new bakery in town, I can't help but remember that she's the one that got away. Her curves are still as delicious as they used to be and I can't deny I want a taste. Can I convince her to give our love another try? Or will she get away one more time?Sugar & Spice Nights is a multi-author series of holiday inspired instalove stories with curvy women and their hot guys. Come find out how steamy and sweet the nights can get today!Don't forget to meet ALL the hunky sweeties!
A Christmas Ghost Story: A traditional short story
Tony Walker - 2016
His wife has left him. He thinks his father won't notice if he doesn't arrive. Waiting for the last train, alone on the platform, a chance encounter with a stranger changes his life forever. Intended for those seeking a traditional short ghost story to read, or to be read to, by the fire on those dark winter nights.
The Menu
Steven Manchester - 2020
With heaven’s memories erased, his romantic quest teaches him that the heart often sees clearer than the eyes—and that not everyone has ordered the same items from The Menu. Evidence that love stories come in many different forms, The Menu is a spiritual journey involving more than just a man and a woman; it is a modern-day tale that reaches far beyond the boundaries of reason.
The Twelve Wishes of Christmas
Ruby Basu - 2021
Arriving in Pineford, it’s everything she’d ever hoped for and more.But she’s in for another surprise, because Thomas has left her with one last request: if she completes his Christmas wish list of festive activities, her chosen charity will receive a big donation. Or so Sharmila thinks.…He’s there to reclaim his family’s legacyLittle does she know, she’s set to inherit Thomas’s estate too, much to his nephew Zach’s disbelief. Determined not to see his family’s legacy left to a stranger, he’s come to Pineford to do whatever it takes to stop Sharmila from fulfilling that list.When Sharmila and Zach meet, neither are prepared for sparks to fly. For Sharmila’s sworn off love, and Zach doesn’t trust her. But with every passing wish they find themselves growing closer. And amongst the twinkling town lights and fallen snow, Sharmila can feel her heart opening up to Zach. But when she learns he’s been keeping a secret from her, can Sharmila forgive him and get the happy-ever-after she’s always wished for this Christmas?
Christmas Inn Love
Kelly Collins - 2019
She has a wonderful son and a business she loves. Though challenged to make ends meet, she’s come a long way from the tough times she endured as a teenage mom. With the busy Christmas season ahead, things are looking up, until Scrooge himself arrives intent on putting a huge resort next to her inn—a resort destined to put her out of business. Wealthy business developer Rob McKenna is coming back home to the tiny town of Pinetop, Colorado to tie up loose ends. After the death of his mother, he’s inherited her Victorian home, her dog, and hundreds of acres of land he plans to develop into a resort and sell. It all seems so simple until he runs into Celia Roberts. In high school, she was the “it” girl, and he was nobody. She dated the bully, and he was the target. Now he’s back, and she’s single, and as beautiful as ever. However, she’s the only thing standing between him and his plan to get in, get rich, and get out of town. He wants to move the small town into the future. She wants to preserve the past. Can the magic of Christmas leave them both with full hearts and bright futures or will one of them end up with nothing under the tree?
The Christmas Quilt
Thomas J. Davis - 2000
It will endear you not only to its storyline, but to the pictures it paints of Sunday dinners, of picking blackberries, of running train tracks, of a revival meeting, and of Granny creating a quilt for her long-absent son."
Merry, Merry
Fern Michaels - 2012
Well, if cosmetic king Peter King thinks he's going to buy struggling veterinarian Andi Evans's family property out from under her, he's got another thing coming. This Christmas, Andi is not in a giving mood…but is she ready to receive something her heart never expected?
Praise for Fern Michaels and her novels
“Heartbreaking, suspenseful, and tender.”—Booklist on Return to Sender“Fast-moving…entertaining…a roller-coaster ride of serendipitous fun.”—Publishers Weekly on Mr. and Miss Anonymous33,500 Words.
A Child's Christmas Wish
Erica Vetsch - 2017
And when his neighbor's house burns down, he's willing to open his home to pregnant and widowed Kate Amaker and her in-laws--but not his heart. Even if his little girl's convinced Kate's unborn child is the answer to her wish.Kate quickly sees the generous but aloof Oscar has little interest in growing closer to his houseguests. Still, she intends to make the coming Christmas a season to remember for his daughter. And as Oscar starts to open up to her, Kate can't help picturing just how wonderful the holidays--and a future together--might be.
A Christmas of Hope
Danyelle Ferguson - 2015
Throw away the candy canes. Christmas is going all wrong this year. Struggling through her first Christmas as a single mother, Holly can't decide if she should use the little energy she has left to clean the kitchen or wrap holiday gifts. Especially when all she wants to do is sink into bed and embrace the oblivion of sleep. When her friends from the local autism support group arrive full of holiday cheer, Holly pastes on a smile and tries to fake the fa-la-la. Can the power of laughter, ribbons and bows pull Holly out of Grinch mode? Or is Christmas doomed to end up like a plate of misshapen Santa cookies? BONUS CONTENT Enjoy the first five chapters of Sweet Confections - winner of the 2015 RONE Award for Best Contemporary Sweet Romance Novel. Plus a sneak peek at the 1st chapter of Love Under Construction, coming out in 2016.
The Christkindl's Gift
Kathleen Morgan - 2004
Christian charity moves the Hannack family to help the injured man, but the young widow Anna keeps her distance. The tragedies of life have shattered her trust, and she's determined not to let another stranger threaten her family. Could it be, though, that this rugged Scotsman is actually the gift Anna's young children have asked of the Christ child this Christmas?