Holiday in the Heart

Christmas Wonderland by Leanne Burroughs. Set in the USA, 1944. Most of the men are overseas, fighting in the war. Samantha Noelle has one month to find a new place to live. Her day job is not enough for a deposit. Luckily, she is hired at a department store as Santa's elf. Sam loves dealing with the children. But she sure does not like the elf costume and her boss. The Power of Love by Kemberlee Shortland. Set in Ireland, present day. Elaine and Ethan O'Donovan are devastated when the hospital doctor informs them that Elaine's heart is too weak to survive the birth of their unborn child. Sometime within the next few weeks, Elaine would die in labor. On Christmas Eve, though, anything is possible. Sempre by Aleka Nakis. Set in New York, present day. Amanda Law's teen son is in Colorado, spending Christmas with his father. So Amanda is resigned to being alone in New York for the holiday. But while viewing the city from atop the Empire State Building, Amanda meets an Italian man from her past. Christmas Masquerade by Michele Ann Young. Set in England, 1813. Clarissa Trevethon has long heard tales of people being lost on the moors at night. Yet when her carriage turns over and the post-boy is knocked unconscious, she must go looking for help. The only one nearly turns out to be a sullen man in a gate house. Ballou's Christmas Wish by Keelia Greer. Set in Texas, present day. Melody Barton and her West Highland white terrier, Ballou, are picking up some "Woofies" dog cookies when they meet Jorin Griffin. Melody and Jorin are not the only two attracted to each other. Jorin also has a "Westie" named Bonnie. More than anything, Ballou wants the two humans together so he can be with Bonnie. Problem is that Jorin is having problems with a female ex-employee who is obsessed with him. The Christmas Curse by Rachel Michaels. Set in the present time. Jenna Malone totally believes she is cursed to have a horrible Christmas every year of her life. Something awful always happens. Today is Christmas Eve. Her boyfriend broke up with her, via email, this morning. The right heel on her expensive boots broke. Her car is in the shop so she has to take the bus home from work. The bus splashes slush all over her hair and coat. Her slushy hair has frozen. What else could possibly go wrong? I will tell you! She can (and does) slip on ice and get knocked unconscious. Maggie at Christmas by Diane Davis White. Set in the present time. Professor Ethan Spencer cannot find a vacant room in town, due to multiple conventions in the area. Luckily, Maggie Donaldson agrees to let him stay in her spare room for awhile. But Maggie never expected to be attracted to the man; especially since she has only been a widow for two short years. Rachel's Light by Victoria Houseman. Set in Charleston, South Carolina, 1783. Rachel Levine has been the governess of Eve and Joshua Stein for six months now. This will be the first holiday season for the children without their mothe

CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND by Leanne Burroughs - When Samantha Noelle was talked into replacing her friend Monique as one of Santa's helpers at Nickels Department store she was less than thrilled with the divinely handsome store manager who laughed at her in her green elf costume. Sam thought Mr. Giovanni should have been called Mr. Grumpy and would have liked to just stay out of his way but his precocious young daughter was going to show them both how much they all needed one another. *** Burroughs has an incredible voice whether writing a Scottish historical or a contemporary love story. THE POWER OF LOVE by Kemberlee Shortland - Life was pretty much perfect for Elaine (Lany) and Ethan and even though they hadn't planned to start a family right away their love was strong enough to sustain anything as long as they would be together. They would discover that love is the most powerful gift of all especially when St. Nicholas is around on Christmas eve to help miracles happen. *** Shortland writes a powerfully emotional story that moved me to tears with an intensity that took my breath away. SEMPRE by Aleka Nakis - When you're young you often make unwise choices and Amanda, standing all alone on Christmas Eve had reason today to regret the choice that changed her life. Not all of it, after all she had her son Jason just not the man who captured and still held her heart today. Yet, when Marco appeared on the observation deck with her perhaps miracles could happen and she would have a second chance at love. *** A lovely sweet story that proves once again that love is the best miracle of all -- any time of the year. CHRISTMAS MASQUERADE by Michele Ann Young - The Earl of Dart had no use for Christmas so buried himself chopping firewood at his gamekeepers cottage. Seeing a vision coming thru the blowing snow he first thought he'd died and went to heaven, but more likely she was just another damsel looking to ensnare him in a parson's mousetrap. Well, she'd find out he wasn't about to succumb to her feminine wiles, but then again, maybe she really didn't know who he was. On the other hand wouldn't he be surprised to learn who she was as well? *** Ms. Young writes a lovely tale of two people fate was kind enough to bring together on a snowy Christmas Eve. Well done and a sweetly sensual tale to take the chill off a cold and snowy night. BALLOU'S CHRISTMAS WISH by Keelia Greer - Not only will you be rooting for Melody to have her Christmas wish come true in this charming dog-lovers story but even her West Highland terrier Ballou gets his wish too! *** This was a totally delightful story that put a smile on my face from beginning to end. THE CHRISTMAS CURSE by Rachel Michaels - All her life it seemed Jenna was a walking disaster around the Christmas holidays. Just once - one time - could she have a pleasant Christmas? Well, it was worth a shot to wish on a star, just this one time and maybe magic could happen. *** This was a very cu