We all know the story of Thanksgiving. Or do we? This uniquely American holiday has a rich and little known history beyond the famous feast of 1621. In Thanksgiving, award-winning author Melanie Kirkpatrick journeys through four centuries of history, giving us a vivid portrait of our nation's best-loved holiday. Drawing on newspaper accounts, private correspondence, historical documents, and cookbooks, Thanksgiving brings to life the full history of the holiday and what it has meant to generations of Americans. Many famous figures walk these pages—Washington, who proclaimed our first Thanksgiving as a nation amid controversy about his Constitutional power to do so; Lincoln, who wanted to heal a divided nation sick of war when he called for all Americans—North and South—to mark a Thanksgiving Day; FDR, who set off a debate on state's rights when he changed the traditional date of Thanksgiving. Ordinary Americans also play key roles in the Thanksgiving story—the New England Indians who boycott Thanksgiving as a Day of Mourning; Sarah Josepha Hale, the nineteenth-century editor and feminist who successfully campaigned for Thanksgiving to be a national holiday; the 92nd Street Y in New York City, which founded Giving Tuesday, an online charity established in the long tradition of Thanksgiving generosity. Kirkpatrick also examines the history of Thanksgiving football and, of course, Thanksgiving dinner. While the rites and rituals of the holiday have evolved over the centuries, its essence remains the same: family and friends feasting together in a spirit of gratitude to God, neighborliness, and hospitality. Thanksgiving is Americans' oldest tradition. Kirkpatrick's enlightening exploration offers a fascinating look at the meaning of the holiday that we gather together to celebrate on the fourth Thursday of November. With Readings for Thanksgiving Day designed to be read aloud around the table.
Celebrate feelings in all their shapes and sizes in this New York Times bestselling picture book from the Growing Hearts series! Happiness, sadness, bravery, anger, shyness . . . our hearts can feel so many feelings! Some make us feel as light as a balloon, others as heavy as an elephant. In My Heart explores a full range of emotions, describing how they feel physically, inside, with language that is lyrical but also direct to empower readers to practice articulating and identifying their own emotions. With whimsical illustrations and an irresistible die-cut heart that extends through each spread, this gorgeously packaged and unique feelings book is sure to become a storytime favorite.
Wheeler presents a collection of tender and inspiring stories to remind readers that only a Christ-filled Christmas has any meaning at all. Illustrations.
Savor the magic of Josie Riviera’s sweet and wholesome contemporary romances—exclusively in one collection! Cozy up with your favorite beverage and lose yourself in these joyful “seasoned romance” stories featuring older couples—charming heroes and heroines over 50 who fall in love. Because men and women of all ages have exciting, romantic tales worth reading. This collection includes 3 books: A CHOCOLATE-BOX SUMMER BREEZE Will Emily and Joe find their happily-ever-after in a forgotten summer breeze? A CHOCOLATE-BOX IRISH WEDDING A woman who wanted more. A man who wanted her. Can they rediscover their love in the seaside town where it all began? 1-800-IRELAND A strong minded Irishwoman pursuing her dream. A disillusioned businessman ready to retire. Can two determined people separated by years find true love at the end of a rainbow?
★ The Christmas Lights Collection is back, and this year's collection is better than ever! ★ Full of love, joy, and hope, this year's collection offers the celebration of freedom, sacrifice, and the greatest Gift ever given. These novellas feature two veterans and two active servicemen and their stories. ♥ The Stars of New Cheltenham by Chautona Havig Christmas in Rockland--battleground or romantic? Avalon is ticked--seriously livid. Who does this Marine recruiter think he is? Her brother is a boy and is not ready to be sacrificed on the altar of "service to your country." No. Thank you. When trying to talk sense into Max doesn't work, she does the only think she can think of. Take it to the top. Gareth Hudson has an exemplary record as a Marine recruiter and knows a good man when he sees one. So when Maxton McCollum starts asking questions in a diner one afternoon, it was obvious. This was a match made in military heaven. One young man anxious to serve his country. One country ready to train him to be the best version of himself. So when Avalon walks into Gareth's recruiting office, all the wrong kinds of fireworks explode. In a peacekeeping move unlike him, Gareth asks for four Saturdays to change her mind. If he can't, he'll suggest that Max wait six months before signing up. Romance wasn't part of the bargain, and with their age difference, Gareth knows it still shouldn't be, but how do you resist the pull of love at Christmas? ♥ Most Wonderful Time by Toni Shiloh Gabe Lewis loves Christmas, just not as much as his eccentric mother who gave him and his siblings Christmas names. When he discovers that his new co-worker Shanée Mitchell wants nothing to do with the season, he makes it his mission to show her the true meaning. But he never expected feelings to develop for the Air Force veteran. Can he take a chance that she feels the same way or miss the best gift of all? ♥ The Road Home by Cathe Swanson Tally has tried to leave her military history far in the past, but she's not ready to go back to her former life, either. Can an old army buddy help her find a new road home? ♥ Now and Forever Christmas by Jaycee Weaver Romance ruined their friendship. Could this be the Christmas they repair it? CJ Sinclair never imagined trading her chef's toque for the domestic life but helping out her pregnant sister lets her regroup after a bad case of burnout. Though, if she'd known it meant spending time with her first ex, or that they'd be almost as awkward as in high school, CJ might've fled to Mexico instead. The past eight years as a professional musician for the US Army prepared Tobin McGhee for his new job as high school band teacher. They didn't prepare him for how he'd feel seeing CJ again. This time, though, he won't make the same mistakes. Can they make holiday music together and rekindle the friendship they once had, or will romance ruin everything again?
Savor the magic of Josie Riviera’s Summer Romances—exclusively in one collection! A sweet, heartwarming story is the hallmark of a romantic holiday season. With this exciting offer exclusively from USA Today bestselling author Josie Riviera, enjoy three emotionally satisfying sweet and inspirational romances, a trio all wrapped up and ready to read! Bundle up and save with captivating stories celebrating the promise of new beginnings and beautiful summers. This set includes three sweet and inspirational romances: 1-800-SUMMER The last thing she can fix is her own life. Until one man’s offer changes everything. A Chocolate-Box Summer Breeze Will Emily and Joe find their happily-ever-after in a forgotten summer breeze? A Summer To Cherish Faith is fragile. Faith takes time. And the best solutions are always painted with love.
Faith is fragile. Faith takes time. And the best solutions are always painted with love. David Fodero followed his artistic vision to a wildly successful career. Now, day by day, that vision is cruelly shrinking, altering his perception, skewing his perspective…and all but destroying his faith. Alone in a mountain cabin near Cherish, North Carolina, David wrestles with his inner critic as he struggles to put brush to canvas. Until he meets a luminous woman who dispels his crippling fear with her warmth and laughter. Ashley Madden is a born fixer. So she’s sure she can be forgiven for going above and beyond to find out what happened to the artist whose gallery sales support her work with handicapped kids—the artist who disappeared from public life with no warning or explanation. Ashley’s optimism is a balm to David’s hurting soul. Yet as their attraction warms, Ashley senses David is holding something back—and that saving her own dream is intimately tied to restoring his faith. But will the truths they finally confess to each other wind up as stumbling blocks too large to overcome?
What do an injured hockey player, a woman dressed as Santa, a house-sitter, a young Jewish woman, two best friends, and a workaholic have in common? Only that their stories have come together in this delightful holiday collection. Six novellas, each different, provide engrossing quick holiday reads with satisfying happily-ever-afters. Laugh, tear up, be on the edge of your seat – each novella is different. Curl up with these cozy tales of holiday romance --heartfelt stories, from sweet to spicy --and get a warm glow and a smile. Christmas Duet Sheriff Don Armstrong can’t believe what he sees when he shines his flashlight on someone breaking and entering –a beautiful woman. What’s a woman wearing expensive suede boots doing climbing in a window? And why is such a fancy perp in Pine Grove altogether? With gun drawn, he gives the orders. “Hold it right there, Ma’am. Step back. Away from the window. Keep your hands where I can see them.” The woman’s eyes widen. Like a deer in the headlights, she freezes. He thinks he’s seen it all, until he meets Traci Ashton. Sure, it’s Christmas Eve, but Don stopped believing in miracles years ago. The Final Slapshot Harry “Deke” Edwards is a Hartford Husky defenseman known to be tricky, fast, and unbreakable. An amazing defensive lunge in a playoff game ends in a life-threatening injury. But Harry’d bounce back. He always did, didn’t he? Kitty, his wife, runs a successful art gallery in Washington, D.C. Over the last three years, the couple agreed to live in different cities and be together whenever they can. Harry swears they make it work. Unwilling to face the truth about the damage he suffered, Harry hides his secret. Hoping for a Christmas miracle, but confronted with the inevitable, he makes a decision that breaks his heart. Is this the end of the road for him with the Huskies and Kitty, too? Hanukkah Hearts Relocated to New York City from the Midwest, Becky Cohen follows her dream by snagging a choice entry level job at Homes and Ralph Publishing. Hanukkah is not a recognized holiday there, so Becky must remain in New York. Squished into a tiny two-bedroom apartment with three young women, Becky misses her family’s home and the rowdy companionship of her brothers. She plans to Skype with her family during their Hanukkah celebration, until her father declares that “Hanukkah’s been cancelled.” Fighting a serious case of pneumonia, Becky’s mother is rushed to the hospital. Devastated to be removed from her loved ones during this trying time, Becky’s amazed to find a new gift appears on her desk every day. Who’s responsible? He signs his name only, “The Hanukkah Elf.” Does she figure out who her benefactor is? Read the story to find out. Santa’s Surprise When Connecticut Kings star football player, Keith Wilson, asks his actress sister, Molly, to sub for him as Santa’s helper at the annual Christmas party for kids, she refuses. Although he manipulates her into agreeing, she turns the tables by extracting a reluctant promise in return. Will she be able to carry off posing as a man? And what happens when Santa turns out to be someone she didn’t expect? A sweet, sexy short holiday romantic comedy. The House-Sitter’s Christmas At Christmas, Laura Fleming lived her fantasy adventure. Paid to house-sit for the fabulously wealthy financier, C.W. Banley, while he traveled, she eagerly headed for New York City. As mistress of his elegant townhouse, she baked cookies and dressed the old gent’s richly-furnished residence for the holidays. As December rolled around, the lonely, lovely writer eagerly anticipated soaking up the Christmas atmosphere in the grand city. With only the cat for company, she’d turn Banley’s elegant home into a wonderland of sparkling lights, fragrant garland, and shiny tinsel. Every year, she wished, in vain, for a happy ending. Will this be the year that Miss Fleming discovers her dreams can come true, even in a big city, like New York? A sweet, New York City Christmas Fairy Tale. THE CHRISTMAS PARTY What do you get for Christmas for your best friend who has everything? A date with her forever-crush, right? Aaron and Patrice have been best friends since high school. This year, instead of a bottle of perfume or a new scarf, he has the supreme surprise in store for her – movie star and high school chum, Damian Wood. Aaron’s bringing him to Patrice’s Christmas party expressly to meet her. Never mind Aaron had once crushed on her. Putting aside your own feelings to make someone else happy is a sign of true friendship, isn’t it? Little does he know Patrice has cooked up a mighty big surprise for him, too. All is revealed at the Christmas party, where things may not be what they seem in this sweet rom-com, feel-good short story.
Sexy, festive and full of Merry and Bright...Pull up a chair and enjoy a snowy Christmas with your favorite Colorado ranchers.It's December in Poplar Falls and the small town is thrumming with activity and alight with festivecheer. Merry Hearts features all your favorite couples coming together in one story to bring you joy, happiness, and a little Christmas hometown joy.Featuring: Sophie & Braxton (Rustic Hearts)Dallas & Myer (Stone Hearts)Elle & Walker (Wicked Hearts)Bellamy & Brandt (Fragile Hearts)A special surprise from Payne & Charlotte, and your favorite Aunts, Doreen & Ri
From our hearts to yours - no matter where you might be - we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! In 2012, we introduced Snowbird Christmas Vol 1, a collection of short holiday stories to warm your heart! Well, we've done it again, because you asked us to! We know that Christmas is all about love and we wish you the kind of Christmas that will make wonderful memories for you and yours. Rated G
