From the moment Julie sees her best friend, Gavin, in the airport, it’s like no time at all has gone by. No matter how long they’ve been apart, their relationship has always been steady, comfortable, and decidedly “just friends.” Of course, that’s not stopping their meddling parents from hanging unlimited amounts of mistletoe everywhere she goes this holiday season. Gavin is all too aware of their family’s matchmaking intentions. Still, he’s been happy to keep things in the friend zone. As the new starting quarterback for the San Antonio Mustangs, he’s got enough on his plate without adding romance to the mix. But somewhere between dressing up as elves, nights watching com-coms, and heating things up in the town’s hot springs, Julie and Gavin wonder if they’ve landed right in the middle of a “reverse parent trap.” But falling for their parents’ scheming might involve one trap too many... Each book in the Heart in the Game series is STANDALONE: * The Wedding Deal * The Mistletoe Trap
A spicy-hot story of a heroine with a flair for enterprising embroidery and a botanist single father hero. Can a scandal that compromises Amelia's reputation give their love a second chance? Robert Danbury wants the mistletoe kiss Amelia denied him years ago, but nothing more. After losing his wife, and with a daughter to protect, love is an unthinkable risk. He just wants to make Christmas merry for his ailing mother and get back to growing pineapples in his glasshouse. After her heart was broken, Amelia made a new life in London and a business helping ladies fake embroidery skills. She's not going to let Christmas spoil that or make the mistake of falling for Robert again. Passion flares under the mistletoe, but they can't change the past. Especially when Robert's daughter is a constant reminder. Then they're caught innocently in bed together and Robert has an instant to choose: Amelia's reputation, their lost love, or his conscience. Tropes: second chance enemies-to-lovers scandal compromised Heat level: medium-high. Length: 30,000 words Content Notes can be found before the Contents page. Note: this novella was first published in the Love Rekindled at Christmas anthology with the title, A Pineapple in a Pine Tree. Read with Confidence: Happily Ever After ending
"Fresh, fun and romantic."—SARAH MORGAN, USA Today bestselling author of A Wedding in December How the moose (almost) stole Christmas. Lana Montgomery is everything the quirky small town of Moose Springs, Alaska can't stand: a rich socialite with dreams of changing things for the better. But Lana's determined to prove that she belongs...even if it means trading her stilettos for snow boots and tracking one of the town's hairiest Christmas mysteries: the Santa Moose, an antlered Grinch hell-bent on destroying every bit of holiday cheer (and tinsel) it can sink its teeth into. And really...how hard could it be? The last few years have been tough on Rick Harding, and it's not getting any easier now that his dream girl's back in town. When Lana accidentally tranquilizes him instead of the Santa Moose, it's clear she needs help, fast...and this could be his chance to finally catch her eye. It's an all-out Christmas war, but if they can nab that darn moose before it destroys the town, Rick and Lana might finally find a place where they both belong...together. Readers are falling in love with The Tourist Attraction: "Utterly charming—a delightful debut."—LAUREN LAYNE, New York Times bestselling author of the Central Park Pact series "An enchanting romcom debut! I loved it." —TERI WILSON, award-winning author of The Accidental Beauty Queen "After reading Sarah Morgenthaler's darling debut, I wanted to hop a plane to Alaska and find my own grumpy cinnamon roll hero!"—MELONIE JOHNSON, award-winning author of Smitten by the Brit "Prediction: Readers will stampede to Alaska looking for The Tourist Trap and their own Graham after they read the first chapter of The Tourist Attraction. Sarah Morgenthaler's Alaska is so vivid and amusing that it really should be a real place in the world!"—SARINA BOWEN, USA Today bestselling author of the True North series
Former quarterback Lance Quaid just inherited the most losing team in the NFL. He’s got only a few weeks until draft day to turn things around, and after firing more than half his staff, he can’t do it alone. Thankfully, his HR manager is more than capable, if only she’d stop focusing on “due diligence” and stop looking so sexy while she’s yelling at him. Charlotte James has made a life out of following the rules. But nothing could have prepared her for Lance Quaid—he’s a human resources nightmare. The man is brash, has no filter, and, as her new boss, is constantly relying on her to cover his ass. Which is admittedly quite nice. When Lance begs her to join him on a trip down the coast for his brother’s wedding so they can finalize details—on a strictly business basis—she agrees...after they fill out the necessary forms, of course. Away from the office, though, sparks start flying as the team starts coming together. But both of them know anything more than the weekend would be a colossally bad idea—after all, the extra paperwork would be a nightmare. Each book in the Heart in the Game series is STANDALONE: * The Wedding Deal * The Mistletoe Trap
The award-winning author of The Tourist Attraction turns up the charm with this sweet, laugh-out-loud story about: A grouchy mountaineer A determined Hollywood starlet A love-sick marmot A gorgeous Alaskan wilderness And a journey neither will ever forget. Former Hollywood darling River Lane's acting career is tanking fast. Determined to start fresh behind the camera, she agrees to film a documentary about the picturesque small town of Moose Springs, Alaska. The assignment should have been easy, but the quirky locals want nothing to do with River. Well, too bad: River's going to make this film and prove herself, no matter what it takes. Or what (literal) mountain she has to climb. Easton Lockett may be a gentle giant, but he knows a thing or two about survival. If he can keep everyone in line, he should be able to get River and her crew up and down Mount Veil in one piece. Turns out that's a big if. The wildlife's wilder than usual, the camera crew's determined to wander off a cliff, and the gorgeous actress is fearless. Falling for River only makes Easton's job tougher, but there's only so long he can hold out against her brilliant smile. When bad weather strikes, putting everyone at risk, it'll take all of Easton's skill to get them back home safely...and convince River she should stay in his arms for good. "Fresh, fun and romantic."—SARAH MORGAN, USA Today bestselling author for The Tourist Attraction
The old folks at the Greenbrier Nursing Home seem to have suddenly grown younger and happier thanks to the newest resident at the Paradise Trailer Park. Mildred Blessing sets out to investigate, even as the wedding to end all weddings is being planned.
Two best friends torn apart by a life-altering secret. One summer to set the record straight. When twelve-year-olds Kat Steiner and Blake O’Neill meet at Camp Chickawah, they have an instant connection. But everything falls apart when they learn they’re not just best friends—they’re also half sisters. Confused and betrayed, the girls break off all contact. Fifteen years later, when their father dies suddenly, Kat and Blake discover he’s left them a joint inheritance: the family beach house in Destin, Florida. The two sisters are immediately at odds. Blake, who has recently been demoted from regular nanny to dog nanny, wants to sell the house, while social media influencer Kat is desperate to hold on to the place where she lived so many happy memories. Kat and Blake reluctantly join forces to renovate the dilapidated house, with the understanding that Kat will try to buy Blake out at the end of the summer. The women clash as Blake’s renovation plans conflict with Kat’s creative vision; meanwhile, each sister finds herself drawn into a summer romance. As the weeks pass, the two women realize the most difficult project they face this summer will be coming to grips with their shared past—and learning how to become sisters.
In the early 20th century, postcards were one of the most important and popular expressions of holiday sentiment in American culture. Millions of such postcards circulated among networks of community and kin as part of a larger American postcard craze. However, their uses and meanings were far from universal. This book argues that holiday postcards circulated primarily among rural and small town, Northern, white women with Anglo-Saxon and Germanic heritages. Through analysis of a broad range of sources, Daniel Gifford recreates the history of postcards to account for these specific audiences, and reconsiders the postcard phenomenon as an image-based conversation among exclusive groups of Americans. A variety of narratives are thus revealed: the debates generated by the Country Life Movement; the empowering manifestations of the New Woman; the civic privileges of whiteness; and the role of emerging technologies. From Santa Claus to Easter bunnies, flag-waving turkeys to gun-toting cupids, holiday postcards at first seem to be amusing expressions of a halcyon past. Yet with knowledge of audience and historical conflicts, this book demonstrates how the postcard images reveal deep divides at the height of the Progressive Era.
From sweet kisses under the mistletoe to passionate encounters at holiday house parties, secret identities to second chances, find your Christmas cheer in these twelve different historical romance tales from bestselling and award-winning authors! The lord you've been looking for might be just a story away... ONCE UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR (**medium) - Ava Stone Only a duke will do for Lady Ivy Dallimore. If her unhappily married sisters have taught her anything, it’s that love is fleeting but a title lasts forever, which is all well and good in theory until she finds herself falling for the scandalous third son of a marquess who is bound and determined to make his fortune in trade! THE VISCOUNT’S TEMPTING MINX (*mild) - Erica Ridley He's an unbendable lord. She's an unstoppable force. When these two clash, their winter nights will never be the same! THE CHRISTMAS CONQUEST (***hot) - Claire Delacroix Love was not part of the plan when this marriage was arranged… Can a matchmaking courtesan in disguise save this match before the new year dawns? LADY, IT’S COLD OUTSIDE (*mild) - Deb Marlowe Neither Lord Ellesworth nor Miss Glenna Bolton have much Christmas spirit this year. Neither have much desire to travel during the season, either, but a Star in the East, an abandoned child and a quest for holiday cheer might just convince these two that love is the best gift of the Season. A WINTER WISH (*mild) - Nadine Millard Mariah Bolton is as headstrong as she is clever, as strong-willed as she is beautiful. She enjoys her life and, apart from a rather snobbish mama, she is happy with her lot. Imagine her consternation then when her world is turned upside down by the brooding and aloof Mr. Brandon Haverton! LYING BENEATH THE MISTLETOE (***hot) - Sadie Bosque Matilda needs a miracle. She left Henry, her first and only love, over a decade ago. Now she’s back and determined to piece his heart back together. But she only has one night to do it. A VERY MERRY VISCOUNT (*mild) - Jane Charles The thought of spending Christmas at Danby Castle with her matchmaking great-uncle fills Lady Tabitha Storm’s heart with dread, until she spies the handsome horseman from Hyde Park. Would Andrew Delaney, Viscount Straffan, receive more this holiday than he ever dreamed, or would his Irish heritage stand in his way? THE LADY’S GUIDE TO A HIGHLANDER’S HEART (***hot) - Emmanuelle de Maupassant Meet a young bride in disguise and a battle-hardened Highland warrior in this passionate 'enemies to lovers' medieval romance. MASKED LOVE (*mild) - Nicole Zoltack An evening of enchantment has a maid wishing a lord might look past his station this Christmas season. THE MISTLETOE TEMPTATION (***hot) - Eve Pendle She deliberately steps on his toes to avoid marriage and he retaliates by proposing a fake engagement. A Regency enemies to friends to lovers romance, with a touch of brother’s best friend, and a whole lot of banter and steamy scenes. A SNOWLIT CHRISTMAS KISS (**medium) - Larissa Lyons When a mischievous feline nudges two lonely souls together on a wretched, snowy night, a few Christmas kisses might be all they need. But he’s engaged, and she’s decided to never marry, so in the morning they go their separate ways, leaving pieces of their hearts behind...until a Twelfth Night Ball brings misunderstandings to light and merry tidings to one and all. A DUKE FOR MIDWINTER (*mild) - Anthea Lawson After a gentleman rescues her from a winter storm, Miss Selene Banning finds herself snowbound with Sir Jared Kendrick, who is not precisely who he claims to be… Scoop up the first collection, Twelve Lords for Christmas, for more heartwarming tales of the holidays!
A groundbreaking, witty, and eloquent exploration of slime that will leave you appreciating the nebulous and neglected sticky stuff that covers our world, inside and out. Slime. The very word seems to ooze oily menace, conjuring up a variety of unpleasant associations: mucous, toxins, reptiles, pollutants, and other unsavory viscous semi-liquid substances. Yet without slime, the natural world would be completely unrecognizable; in fact, life itself as we know it would be impossible In this deft and fascinating book, journalist Susanne Wedlich takes us on a tour of all things slimy, from the most unctuous of science fiction monsters to the biochemical compounds that are the very building blocks of life. Along the way she shows us what slime really means, and why lime is not something to fear, but rather something to ... embrace.
