Problem Number One – Getting There Old childhood friends each fly separately to join their families on what’s been an annual holiday themed yacht adventure. Secret ex-lovers, Hannah and James are determined to make the best of things… Problem Number Two – Getting Stuck. When everyone but Hannah and James gets held up in an airport snarl, it leaves them stuck together for four days, making Hannah’s already problematic trip a whole lot harder to face. Especially because she comes bearing more than just gifts… Problem Number Three -- Falling In Love (again) As the former lovers try to make the best of the Christmas snafu, they soon realize that the best things in life can’t be planned and sometimes love is sweeter the second time around.
Weddings are difficult…even without the maid of honor and best man being at odds. Ansley doesn’t believe in love. She believes in fun. Her best friend is heading down the aisle for a second time, and she hopes this union will go better than the first. There’s nothing she wouldn’t do for Kate, including being her maid of honor. There’s only one problem: the best man couldn’t be more stuck up if he tried. Zane has a two-date rule, which makes his love life less complicated. People are fickle, and he’d rather not get attached to anyone who could eventually leave him. But then Ansley enters his life, and suddenly, he’s second-guessing his decision to keep his distance. Ansley’s wedding duties continue to mount, and she has no choice but to accept Zane’s help. As they join forces to give their best friends the perfect ceremony, they stumble upon a romantic connection that could change everything they thought they knew about love. Merry Mistletoe Wedding is a 30k-word novella, book two in the completed Sweet Paradise Resort Christmas series. This clean and wholesome romance is the perfect holiday escape. If you like Christmas ornaments, freshly fallen snow, and crackling fireplaces, then you'll love this kisses-only, happily ever after holiday romance from Hope August. Each book in the series stands alone, but each slow burn story is best enjoyed when read in the following order: Book 1 - Christmas Honeymoon (For One) Book 2 - Merry Mistletoe Wedding Book 3 – Christmas Cookies and Coworkers Book 4 - Maid for Mistletoe Mix-up Book 5 - A Sweet Paradise Holiday Reunion
Film plays a vital role in the celebration of Christmas. For decades, it has taught audiences about what the celebration of the season looks like – from the decorations to the costumes and to the expected snowy weather – as well as mirrors our own festivities back to us. Films like It’s a Wonderful Life and Home Alone have come to play key roles in real-life domestic celebrations: watching such titles has become, for many families, every bit as important as tree-trimming and leaving cookies out for Santa. These films have exported the American take on the holiday far and wide and helped us conjure an image of the perfect holiday. Rather than settling the ‘what is a Christmas film?’ debate – indeed, Die Hard and Lethal Weapon are discussed within – Analyzing Christmas in Film: Santa to the Supernatural focuses on the how Christmas is presented on the deluge of occasions when it appears. While most Christmas films are secular, religion makes many cameos, appearing through Nativity references, storylines involving spiritual rebirth, the framing of Santa as a Christ-like figure and the all-importance of family, be it the Holy family or just those gathered around the dining table. Also explored are popular narratives involving battles with stress and melancholy, single parents and Christmas martyrs, visits from ghosts and angels, big cities and small towns, break-ups and make-ups and the ticking clock of mortality. Nearly 1000 films are analyzed in this volume to determine what the portrayal of Christmas reveals about culture, society and faith as well as sex roles, consumerism, aesthetics and aspiration.
"In Why We Kiss Under the Mistletoe, bestselling author Michael Foley dives deep into the history of Christmas and the customs that surround this beloved holiday. Learn about the fascinating origins of your favorite Christmas food, drink, observances, and songs. Discover how Saint Nicolas, a fourth-century Catholic bishop, became Santa Clause and who Santa's global competitors are (some of them will shock you). And dig into the forbidden history of the Yuletide season's dark and ghoulish side" --
A maid, a billionaire, a little girl, and a mistaken identity… What could go wrong? Mira is a maid, and she’s darn good at it. A few more years, and she might get a promotion that would help her pay for her brother’s college tuition. There’s no room for mix-ups, but they just keep coming. She loses an engagement ring that isn’t hers, breaks a vase, and gets mistaken for a wealthy guest at the resort by none other than Kane Jordan. What else could go wrong? Guilt over working too much finally gets to Kane, and he agrees to visit Sweet Paradise Resort with his parents and his daughter. If this single dad can spend a few extra hours with them, he can get back to work on an important acquisition. Then he bumps into a beautiful woman. What starts as a simple mistake quickly snowballs into a bigger lie. To tell him who she really is would jeopardize not only her job but their budding relationship. Mira battles with the decision until everything comes to a head. Will their new relationship survive when other forces threaten to tear them apart? Maid for Mistletoe Mix-up is a 30k-word novella, book four in the completed Sweet Paradise Resort Christmas series. This clean and wholesome romance is the perfect holiday escape. If you like Christmas ornaments, freshly fallen snow, and crackling fireplaces, then you'll love this kisses-only, happily ever after holiday romance from Hope August. Each book in the series stands alone, but each slow burn story is best enjoyed when read in the following order: Book 1 - Christmas Honeymoon (For One) Book 2 - Merry Mistletoe Wedding Book 3 – Christmas Cookies and Coworkers Book 4 - Maid for Mistletoe Mix-up Book 5 - A Sweet Paradise Holiday Reunion
In this Christmas Pact story by Kandy Shepherd, spending Christmas in paradise takes an unexpected turn when Sienna meets a scorching-hot billionaire and his adorable daughter! Healed… by a mistletoe kiss? After a bitter divorce, Sienna is spending Christmas on a Tahitian beach! First stop on her "new me" journey? Surf lessons with blazing-hot water-sports magnate Kai—and quickly adding fling to her itinerary! But Sienna hadn’t factored in falling headfirst for the cautious single dad and his adorable daughter. She knows she can’t stay, but will she walk away from a magical future—together? From Harlequin Romance: Be swept away by glamorous and heartfelt love stories. The Christmas Pact Book 1: Mistletoe Magic in Tahiti by Kandy Shepherd Book 2: Cinderella's Costa Rican Adventure by Scarlet Wilson Book 3: Snowbound Reunion in Japan by Nina Milne
Could the search for the perfect holiday tree-topper help turn friendship into forever? There is nothing that Emily loves more than Christmas. She eats, sleeps, and breathes holiday spirit. When officials with a local winter festival announce a competition for who will host next year’s festival, Emily is hired to put Sagebrush Dude Ranch on the map. If she helps them win, she’ll be hired permanently as the resort’s holiday decorator. Unfortunately, nothing ever goes according to plan. Seth has always prided himself on being a protector and the one person Emily could count on ever since they were kids. So when Emily enlists his help in finding the perfect Christmas star to mount on the spotlight tree, there’s no chance he’ll turn her down, even if it means taking time off from his ranch hand job. No matter how hard Emily and Seth try to find that star, obstacles thwart their plans. Despite it all, their longtime friendship suddenly evolves into something deeper, which presents problems when Emily’s priorities remain fixed on her personal mission. Can Emily secure the coveted Christmas star, or will the distraction of her growing feelings for her best friend get the better of her? Delve into this uplifting Christmas romance to learn whether wishes can come true under the glow of a magical star.
He’s loved her since the first day they met, but she’s more interested in helping others find their happily ever after. Eve has spent her young adult life playing matchmaker for the guests at Sweet Paradise Resort. Just because she hasn’t found love yet doesn’t mean she’s doomed to live alone, does it? Besides, she has different dreams that come first. One day, she’s going to be the head organizer for the events at the resort, and nothing is going to stop her. Gabriel can’t remember a day when he didn’t have feelings for Eve. She’s always been his bright light in an otherwise dim world. Eve doesn’t know about his feelings, but she will because he’s finally going to do it. He’s going to ask her out. Then everything gets tipped sideways when Eve insists on setting Gabriel up with someone who would be perfect for him. But, there’s a problem. Seeing him with someone does something strange to her heart. Is it possible she’s made the biggest mistake of her life? Can she get up the courage to admit there is no one else she’d rather be with? Christmas Cookies and Coworkers is a 30k-word novella, book three in the completed Sweet Paradise Resort Christmas series. This clean and wholesome romance is the perfect holiday escape. If you like Christmas ornaments, freshly fallen snow, and crackling fireplaces, then you'll love this kisses-only, happily ever after holiday romance from Hope August. Each book in the series stands alone, but each slow burn story is best enjoyed when read in the following order: Book 1 - Christmas Honeymoon (For One) Book 2 - Merry Mistletoe Wedding Book 3 – Christmas Cookies and Coworkers Book 4 - Maid for Mistletoe Mix-up Book 5 - A Sweet Paradise Holiday Reunion
Everything can change in the blink of an eye. Widower Robert Stone has lost everything—and that’s before the tragic news of his son and daughter-in-law's deaths shatters his world, leaving him five grandchildren to raise on top of running a failing ranch. Overwhelmed and on the verge of selling his legacy, Robert can’t focus on love. Not even if the nanny he’s hired is exactly his type. Love was never on the table for Paige Griffin no matter how much she might have wanted it. Too old to have children of her own, she fills that void via her passion for working with children. Paige brings a warmth and understanding that the children desperately need and, at the same time, softens the heart of this hardened cowboy. While Paige’s nurturing presence begins to heal Robert’s soul and strengthen his resolve to save the ranch, her being there could cost them more than either bargained for. Grab the heartrending prequel in the Cornerstone Ranch series to find out if these two are strong enough to mend this cowboy’s tattered heart.
🍰 Love gets a sweet second serving in this heartwarming small-town holiday romance. 🍰 Big-city lawyer Elise Thompson never expected to find herself back in Hollylight for Christmas. But when her career takes an unexpected turn, she returns to her charming hometown—and comes face-to-face with Jake Halpert, the man she left behind. As Elise helps with the town’s annual Christmas gala, she rediscovers the warmth of small-town life and the spark that still flickers with the handsome veteran. But Jake’s hiding a secret that could change everything. With meddling neighbors, viral fruitcakes, and a mischievous pet chinchilla, can Elise and Jake overcome their past and find love again under the mistletoe? This heartwarming holiday romance will have you believing in the magic of second chances.