Tule’s 2019 Holiday Book Wrap-Up

We had so many wonderful holiday releases this year! Take a look through everything we released this season and see which titles you’ve already read and which need to be added to your TBR list. Happy Holidays from Tule!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED: Winners are Debbie Oxier and Carrie Evans!

 

Royally Abandoned by Sarah Fischer and Kelsey McKnight (American Heart)

Release Date: October 1, 2019

A seat on the throne or a place in her heart?

Greyson Montgomery dreams of a simple life, but as the crown prince of Aldora, simple is not in his future. Before ascending the throne on Christmas Eve, Greyson is given one month to explore how the other half lives. Armed with a few hundred dollars and a fake backstory, Greyson flies to Savannah, Georgia, to see if he has what it takes to chase the American Dream.

Scarlett Calhoun is a Southern Belle with a heart as big as a Georgia peach. When she meets the charming construction worker, Greyson, it isn’t long before she is embracing the holiday cheer. Soon, she’s teaching him how to cook, falling for his exotic accent and soulful eyes, and joining him on picnic lunches where they talk for hours.

With Christmas Eve nearing, Greyson must fly back to Aldora and either abdicate the throne, or take his rightful place as king. Will he ignore his birthright to remain with Scarlett or will she be royally abandoned?

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Holidays in Manhattan by Jennifer Gracen (American Heart)

Release Date: October 3, 2019

The McKinnon Brothers, Book 5

They didn’t believe in holiday magic… until it happens to them.

Anna McKinnon is a free spirit. As a bartender in New York City, she answers to no one, keeps what she calls “vampire hours” – and likes it that way. She secretly wishes to find real love, the forever kind her brothers have all found. But love has not only eluded her, it’s burned her badly. Keeping things light is how Anna copes.

David Beren is a high-powered, intense investment banker in the heart of Manhattan. His 80-hour work weeks took over his life long ago, but now, at 35, he’s ready for something more. But what? And then he meets Anna. She’s unexpected – full of light, color, and laughter. Anna knocks him off his game and his feet, and he’s never been happier.

Can total opposites – a feisty, bold girl from Ireland and a quiet, straight-laced Jewish guy from New Jersey – find love at the holidays? With the double whammy of a Hanukkah miracle and some Christmas magic, they just might.

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Slay Bells Ring by Nancy Robards Thompson (Tule Mystery)

Release Date: October 7, 2019

The Wedding Bell Mysteries, Book 1

It’s one thing to write a mystery, but when your daughter is the suspect — you solve it.

Wedding planner Jenna Bell doesn’t panic when the groom is a no-show to the ceremony – even though he is her former high school sweetheart and this wedding is the small town’s event of the year. However, when he turns up dead and she is falsely accused… well, yeah, now it’s the time to panic.

Jenna’s mother, Maddie, puts her cozy mystery writing skills to use to try to clear her daughter’s name, stepping on by-the-book Chief of Police Jackson Bradley’s toes in the process. No matter how enticing he finds her, he doesn’t want this writer-turned-amateur-sleuth interfering with his murder investigation.

With nearly all of Hemlock, North Carolina, picking sides and the town’s own Gossip Brigade churning out the rumors, Maddie discovers the mystery isn’t very cozy when it hits this close to home.

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Claiming the Cowboy for Christmas by Kadie Scott (Texas Born)

Release Date: October 8, 2019

The Hills of Texas, Book 4

Her thermostat was set to frosty, until her Christmas cowboy cranks up the heat

Ashley Hughes would love to cancel Christmas this year. Instead of holiday plans, she’s back in her Texas hometown planning her twin sister’s wedding — to her ex! Nothing like small town speculation to make her life cheery and bright. No one believes that she’s over the groom, until a certain cowboy secret crush steps in to be her plus one. Ashley’s tried to friend zone Jennings since high school, because she’s always known kissing the casual charmer would lead to a love she’d never forget.

Jennings Hill would be the first to admit that his feelings for his ex-best friend are more likely to land him on the naughty list. When he sees Ashley again, he only wants to help but then a rumor links them romantically and that’s when their lives get complicated.

The more time they spend together, the more Jennings worries she’s not over her ex, but Ashley starts wishing Jennings was her present wrapped under the Christmas tree.

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Christmas Flowers by Sasha Summers (Texas Born)

Release Date: October 10, 2019

The Draegers of Last Stand, Texas, Book 2

The first and only wish on his Christmas List – the One Who Got Away

Macon Draeger has loved Charlotte for as long as he can remember. While he’s thrilled that she’s back in Last Stand, Texas, he suspects she won’t stay long. Charlotte has always had a wandering spirit, with dreams that carry her far from their hometown.

When Charlotte Kraus returns to run her grandmother’s flower shop for the holidays, she never expected to feel so at home and inspired. On a whim, she decides to transform the simple flower shop into a flower cafe. The project quickly spirals out of her control, but Macon, her high school sweet heart – a skilled and in demand handy man – steps in to help. Was he this tall, dark, handsome and tempting when they were teens? Charlotte is wondering about a lot of things by the time they ring in the New Year.

Spending time with Charlotte reminds Macon of what he truly wants in life – love and a family of his own. Can he gain his heart’s desire this Christmas?

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A Christmas Romance by Nancy Holland (American Heart)

Release Date: October 14, 2019

Just when he thought he knew everything, love taught him the ultimate lesson

J.T. Guzman still blames Meredith Hart and her father for his brother’s death. Bitter and grieving, he left the beloved ranch vowing never to return. Now a successful NYC attorney, he’s forced to return home to protect his mother’s financial interests when his step-father dies and divides the ranch between J.T.’s mother and Meredith in trust for her son. Seeing Meredith again hurts more than he imagined.

Meredith has loved J.T. for as long as she can remember. As teens, he barely noticed her clumsy, youthful attempts to get his attention, except to wrongly condemn her on flimsy evidence. Now that her father is dead, she’s willing to do anything including work alongside him, if it means she can hold on to her son’s heritage. Finding forgiveness is a dream she’s also not quite willing to abandon.

Drawn back into an emotional entanglement he thought he’d left behind, J.T. discovers that, far from being the enemy, Meredith may become the woman he loves.

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The Christmas Contest by Scarlet Wilson (American Heart)

Release Date: October 15, 2019

Will their competitive spirits ruin the spirit of Christmas?

When Ben Winters and Lara Cottridge hear that a Vermont radio station is hosting a Christmas contest with a $10,000 prize for a charitable project of the winner’s choice, they seize the challenge. Although strangers, they both are obsessed with all things Christmas and each has their own worthy pet project in mind.

News of the contest creates a lot of buzz, but most participants fall at the first hurdle – a timed online quirky Christmas quiz. The second, a stressful on-air quiz whittles the field down to two – Briarhill Falls residents Lara and Ben who are surprised that they have never met.

As the contest heats up with five further Christmas-themed challenges, the town and state become enthralled by the battle of wits and skill. Soon Lara and Ben realize they have far more in common than a love of Christmas. And far more at stake. Will their competition stand in the way of falling in love?

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Christmas for the Deputy by Nicole Helm (Texas Born)

Release Date: October 17, 2019

Bad Boys of Last Stand, Book 2

Will he face his past or run from his future?

Ethan Thompson has been a part of the Martin family since he was a troubled teen and Susannah Martin saved him. He’s always done everything in his power to help the Martins, especially oldest daughter Penelope. But he’s always made sure to keep himself just separate enough to safeguard his heart against the straight-talking beauty.

Pen Martin-Wakefield moved home to Last Stand, Texas, with her three girls hoping it would give them all a fresh start after her husband’s tragic death. She’s ready to move on, and as she deals with the stresses of a holiday season and a broken arm, she realizes Ethan is always the one she’s leaned on.

Ethan’s determined to resist Pen and her girls. He’s got too many secrets and scars to be any good for them, but as a Christmas in Last Stand works its magic, Ethan begins to find out just how tenacious Pen is and how lonely his heart has been.

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Christmas with the Firefighter by Clare Connelly (American Heart)

Release Date: October 22, 2019

Christmas is a time for family…

A mystery brings Ally Monroe to the idyllic seaside town of Cape Hope, North Carolina. On the quest to find out more about the father who abandoned her, Ally has no intention of getting too involved in the community. Only Cape Hope has a way of drawing people in and, before Ally knows it, she’s falling hard and fast in love with the whole town and its old-fashioned, charming ways – and particularly local single-dad Luke Miller and his adorable daughter Stella.

Volunteer firefighter Luke has been single since his wife died in childbirth six years earlier, making Stella his sole priority. But there’s something compelling about the beautiful out-of-towner and, before long, both Luke and his daughter are welcoming Ally into their home.

She came to Cape Hope looking for family and instead Ally found her way to Luke and Stella – but will they still want her when they realize she’s been lying to them about who she really is and what she’s doing in town?

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Under the Mistletoe by Eve Gaddy (Texas Born)

Release Date: October 24, 2019

Heart of Texas, Book 3

Can a kiss under the mistletoe be the beginning of a beautiful relationship?

Firefighter and paramedic Spencer McBride has never been tempted to change his happy-go-lucky bachelor status – until he literally runs into cute newcomer Georgie under the mistletoe.

Wounded after giving her heart to a man who wouldn’t commit, paramedic Georgie Durant has come to Last Stand, Texas, for a fresh start. Though tempted by the handsome Spencer, she’s too leery of his easy charm and the pitfalls of a workplace relationship to risk one with him.

But as they spend more time together amid the Christmas gaiety and Georgie sees Spencer’s dedication and devotion to the people he helps, she begins to wonder if this beguiling co-worker could be different.

Spencer has always been a man who knows what he wants – and he wants Georgie. But when the man from her past comes to town, determined to win her back, can Spencer convince Georgie to take another chance – with him?

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Jingle Bells and Wedding Vows by Barbara Dunlop (American Heart)

Release Date: October 28, 2019

Can ten-year-old fraternal twins work some Christmas magic to bring their mom and dad back together?

When her ex-husband, ambitious pediatric surgeon Brock Andrews announces he’s remarrying on Christmas Eve at a winter wonderland resort Mountain Mystic Village in Colorado, quirky cooking show host Kate Andrews can’t imagine Christmas without her twins. Worse, his wedding to the dazzling daughter of the chairman of the hospital board has Kate wondering what might have been

Ten-year-old Scarlett and Sam don’t want a stepmother. They definitely don’t want a mean one who monopolizes their father and only pretends to want them around. She’s changed their dad from a fun-loving man into a serious, elegant stranger. Certain the marriage will ruin their lives, the twins conceive a daring plan to derail the wedding and bring their mom and dad back together just in time for Christmas.

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Christmas at Sleigh Bell Farm by Kaylie Newell (Montana Born)

Release Date: October 29, 2019

It’s going to take more than luck to make his Christmas dreams come true

Jim “Lucky” Elliott is the country boy next door – charismatic, handsome and charming. But when he has to drop out of vet school to try and rescue his grandparents’ Marietta-based sleigh ride business and family farm, Lucky faces his hardest struggle yet.

Podcaster Rachel O’Rourke is done with broken hearts, but she can still find joy in other people’s happily-ever-afters. When she holds a contest on her show for the best first kiss story, her bruised heart beats a little faster when she reads Lucky’s submission. He doesn’t have a story, but his grandparents do, and free advertising for the winner is just what he’s looking for.

As they start spending time on the farm, Rachel finds herself not only drawn to the sweet setting, but also to the man. But when a real estate developer sets his sights on the Elliott land, Lucky will have to decide if the money means security for his family, or if he’ll fight for Sleigh Bell with Rachel by his side.

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A Texas Christmas Wish by Alissa Callen (Texas Born)

Release Date: October 30, 2019

To Aggie Harper, every day is Christmas. Even if that means late nights and a non-existent love life to keep her beloved mother’s knitting store that specializes in ugly Christmas sweaters afloat. She loves her small Texas town life and believes she is living her dream until a big city stranger strides through the front door of her store and has her question what she really wants from life.

Since the death of his mother, corporate lawyer Mason Firth lives to work, especially when tinsel adorns storefronts and he can’t escape the aroma of gingerbread. A mysterious unpaid family loan sends him to Last Stand, but instead of discovering any answers he finds himself risking a sugar coma from Christmas baked goods, making barbed wire Christmas wreaths and losing focus whenever around warm hearted Aggie.

Can a woman determined to spread Christmas joy and a man resistant to emotion and all things mistletoe, create their own Christmas miracle?

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Christmas at the Edge of the World by Kate Hewitt (Holiday)

Release Date: November 4, 2019

When Laurel West discovers her estranged sister Abby has checked herself into rehab and wants her to take care of her fourteen-year-old son, she doesn’t hesitate to step in. Abby was there for Laurel a long time ago, and she longs to be able to offer the same. However, as a single woman who still dreams of the fairy tale, Laurel isn’t prepared for teenaged Zac’s sullen moods or silent rage. When he’s expelled from school, she decides to take drastic measures and temporarily relocate them to her great aunt’s cottage on the windswept hills of the Orkney islands north of Scotland… about as far as she can run from their problems, but will it be far enough?

From the moment they step onto the island’s shores, everything seems to go wrong… including a run-in with eccentric sheep farmer Archie MacDougall. When Zac gets in trouble at the village pub and is rescued by Archie, Laurel thinks things are only getting worse. But Archie’s suggestion of putting Zach to work on his farm might be the change he needs, and Laurel strikes up a surprising friendship with a man who is about as far from the fairy tale as she can imagine. Can such an unlikely and impractical love bloom in such a brief moment out of reality? And will two lost and lonely souls find each other at the edge of the world?

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Oh, Christmas Night by Jane Porter (Montana Born)

Release Date: November 5, 2019

Brilliant, but overworked California accountant, Rachel Mills, inherits an old bookstore in Marietta, Montana, just as she’s been passed over for a huge promotion. The smart thing to do would be to buckle down and keep on working. But for the first time in her life, she goes with impulsive and books a flight to Montana to inspect the bookstore, and hopefully have her first white Christmas ever.

Texan lawyer and entrepreneur, Atticus Bowen, has found the perfect location for his next restaurant—the two-story, turn-of-the-century brick building on Marietta’s Main Street. All he has to do is convince the new owner to sell Paradise Books to him. After all, used bookstores aren’t practical or viable businesses, and he’s making Rachel Mills a very generous offer. But instead of jumping on his offer, Rachel decides she’s going to open the bookstore doors for December and ‘explore her options.’

The last thing Rachel expected was to fall in love with the old bookstore, or charming Marietta. She never expected sparks to fly with handsome, arrogant Atticus Bowen, either. Smart, practical Rachel realizes she just might be falling in love with the sexy, opinionated Texan lawyer — something that could prove to be neither smart, nor practical….or the best decision of her life.

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Boyfriends of Christmas Past by Edie Grace (American Heart)

Release Date: November 6, 2019

A magical, modern-day Christmas Carol

Digital designer Emma Wallace is finally poised for her big break: kitchenware giant Johnson Cookware is looking to rebrand – and with Christmas around the corner, Emma’s long-held philosophy of work-before-play may just give her the edge she needs to win the account.

The only peppermint twist in her Scrooge-worthy plan? She’s promised her ever-patient, architect boyfriend Sam Cole that after spending the last three Christmases in her office instead of in his arms, she’ll make this holiday just about the two of them. But as Christmas Eve draws near and the deadline crunch threatens her promise to Sam, Emma finds herself visited by three boyfriend “ghosts” of Christmases past, who come bearing the gift of hindsight.

Will showing Emma her past romantic failures, as well as her early courtship with Sam, help her to see the path to true happiness in time to save her future?

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A Lone Star Christmas by Justine Davis (Texas Born)

Release Date: November 7, 2019

Texas Justice, Book 3

A Christmas in Last Stand brings unexpected gifts to two very different people…

Detective Sean Highwater may be one of the famous Highwaters, but he has always felt a half-step off because of the way his agile mind works. Only learning to focus has enabled him to not just survive, but thrive.

Elena de la Cova is from a respected and highly regarded founding family, brought up with rather stringent expectations, but right now she is a widow trying to raise a son she doesn’t understand.

If Last Stand had royalty, in Sean’s book it would be elegant Elena. He’s willing to help her son as he had been helped, but being that close to Elena scares him to death since he’s been in awe of her for years. Elena is impressed both with the way Sean gets through to her son, and with his appreciation for the Christmas customs of her culture as much as his own.

Their perceptions of each other shift, but will the passion that strikes between them be enough to overcome their perceptions of themselves?

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The Cowboy’s Heart by Jamie K. Schmidt (Texas Born)

Release Date: November 11, 2019

Three Sisters Ranch, Book 3

It would take a Christmas miracle to get these two together

Veterinarian Janice Sullivan has been horse-crazy all her life and only wanted to work on her family’s cattle farm, the Three Sisters Ranch, but her father’s constant criticisms drove her away, forcing her to choose a new career in dressage and leaving her secret crush behind. With the ranch facing possible bankruptcy, Janice has an idea to save it – a woman’s retreat. With Christmas around the corner, Janice is not only hoping for a chance under the mistletoe with the one man she’s been unable to forget, but also to give a few cowgirl wannabes a chance in the saddle.

Bah humbug! The last thing ranch foreman Nate Pierson needs is a bunch of weepy or giggly eggnog-swilling city chicks getting in his way and distracting his men while they’re busting their tails wrangling long horns. His short temper and lack of patience often push people away except the one woman he needs to leave alone. As tempting as she is, Janice, the boss’ daughter, can never be anything more than a fantasy. The only Christmas spirit he wants is 100 proof, especially when he has to matchmake Janice with the ranch’s vet.

Nate knows from experience that Christmas miracles are for suckers, but it doesn’t stop his heart from wishing Janice could wind up under his tree instead of with the man her Daddy wants her to marry.

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Long Lost Christmas by Joan Kilby (Montana Born)

Release Date: November 12, 2019

With Christmas and a family showdown looming, can she find a miracle?

Hoping to reunite her mother with her long-lost brother for Christmas, Interior designer Hayley Stevens travels to Montana to hand-deliver a Christmas card to the uncle she’s never met. Finding her uncle is easier than getting him alone to explain her mission. Reluctantly Hayley hides her identity to learn more her uncle and his family, but it’s his handsome and enigmatic partner who captures her heart and imagination.

Architect and builder Blake Dennison is attracted instantly to the beautiful Hayley, but he’s is suspicious of her curiosity. Can she be a spy for a rival builder? He’s been burned by deceit before, but as he spends time with Hayley, he falls hard.

Hayley knows she has much more at stake than fulfilling her mother’s Christmas dream, and when she confesses to Blake the real reason for her visit, his reaction is what she feared. He wants her gone. But Hayley knows how to fight for what she wants.

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Cupid Claus by Sarah Fischer and Kelsey McKnight (American Heart)

Release Date: November 13, 2019

When mistletoe is not enough…

With her only son still single, Mrs. Claus is rolling up her red sleeves and playing matchmaker. With a little advice from Cupid and a list of potential brides, she’s convinced a dash of magic will get the snowball rolling. There’s just one problem, Nick isn’t looking for love. All he wants to do is fill his father’s boots as he prepares to take over as Santa Claus.

While Mrs. Claus is scheming away, Nick meets Heather, a charming artist with a giving heart and a loving smile. Preparing for her first Christmas alone, Heather is looking for adventure. Nick becomes a kindred spirit as they both remember what it’s like to live in the moment. Just as they think they found a fairytale romance, Nick discovers his mother’s magical meddling.

With Christmas Eve quickly approaching, Nick must decide if his love for Heather was the real magic all along or if it was just the work of Cupid Claus?

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Texas Christmas Tycoon by Katherine Garbera (Texas Born)

Release Date: November 14, 2019

The Dangerous Delaneys, Book 3

Only she could open up his closed-off heart

Lea Dunwoody has always been the classic girl-next-door right down to the tips of her elf booties she wears as a volunteer Santa’s helper. One night her bestie teases her that she should make a play for the handsome bad boy Braden Delaney as she’s always been better with animals than people and Braden is rumored to be a total Scrooge. Braden has always tempted Lea and then the night of the Corbyn Christmas Open House, she sees him make a wish on an evening star. Does she dare make a wish for her own fairytale?

Braden Delaney has had it bad for Lea since…well, forever. As soon as he realized how boys and girls were different, she’d been the only one he had eyes for. But the Delaney men aren’t easy for the women they love so Braden has kept his distance. Until this Christmas. He’s tired of spending the holiday alone.

He normally avoids the holidays, but this year Lea is giving him a reason to celebrate the season.

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Every Time a Bell Rings by Barbara Ankrum (American Heart)

Release Date: November 18, 2019

Once upon a time, he was everything to her, except for one thing: her future 

Christmas sparkles from every bough and window at the cozy Four Winds Ski Resort, where single mother Eden Kendall and her eight-year-old son are spending the holiday. A surprise marriage proposal from her boss’s son wasn’t on her Christmas list, but it’s the perfect excuse to get away and weigh her options. She never imagined her son’s ski instructor/Santa impersonator would be the gorgeous, charismatic dreamer she left behind years ago, the one who still owns a piece of her heart.

Cole Hagan has never stopped loving Eden and he’s spent the last eight years proving her wrong on every count about his potential. While he fights to save the resort that he helped to build by organizing a holiday concert, he decides it’s about time that Eden puts aside her list-making pragmatism so that she and her skeptical son can experience the true magic of Christmas.

Can a not-so-perfect angel help this unlikely pair get a second chance at happily ever after?

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The Christmas Scoop by Mimi Wells (American Heart)

Release Date: November 19, 2019

Helping her would be the way to her heart…and her express ticket out of town

Ivy Macpherson grew up in a family famous for the most embarrassing Christmas tradition of all—fruitcake—so she’s become a bit of a Grinch. Her body may be headed to Dogwood Mountain, North Carolina, to celebrate the holidays with family, but her mind is on moving up the ladder at the online lifestyle brand Scoop.

When Ivy’s chance encounter with an A-list actor reveals he’s headed to her hometown, she knows that scoop is the key to her big break. Earning a promotion should be a piece of cake—but chasing her story puts her face-to-face with the sinfully handsome Rand Cooper, her main high school competition and perennial thorn in her side.

Rand always had a thing for Ivy, but she’s a tough nut to crack. Family and friends hope their flirtation will grow into something more. But will Ivy’s focus on the job of her dreams cost her the man who could help her build a real future?

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The Christmas Sing Off by Sinclair Jayne (Southern Born)

Release Date: November 20, 2019

He’s closed the door on music and Christmas. Can her voice be the key? 

At the height of his fame, pop star Shepard Lake walked away. No one knows why, though rumors are rife. Creatively blocked, he seeks inspiration and a fresh start for his life and career by returning to his Tennessee roots. He finds far more than he bargained for when he is drafted to help with a small town Christmas festival.

Tyler Knight lives and breathes music, but a career as a songwriter remains a distant dream. When her sister asks her to return to their hometown, Sweet Tea, Tennessee, and help her with the town’s Christmas Carol Sing Off, Tyler is thrilled to have a change of scenery and a chance to start over after a series of disappointments. Then she is paired with the infamous Shepard Lake who’s too everything –handsome, confident, talented and way out of her league.

But is he? Will this Christmas be the one where Tyler gathers her courage to pursue her dreams of music and love?

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Christmas with You by Nan Reinhardt (American Heart)

Release Date: November 21, 2019

Four Irish Brothers Winery, Book 3

She’s loved him all her life… but will he be there when she needs him the most? 

Disheartened and adrift after being written out of a hit TV show, actor Aidan Flaherty returns to his family’s historic winery, where he’s invested some of the fortune he’s made. As the holidays approach, Aidan becomes intrigued with the old showboat that’s dry-docked just east of town… and even more intrigued with the daughter of his former mentor, who now owns it. He decides to buy the boat and restore it to its former glory.

Single mom Holly Santos is back in River’s Edge after her divorce and she is over men in general and actors in particular. If she could only get rid of her father’s old showboat, a source of fascination for her son, Mateo. She never expects her old crush to walk into her tea shop or the fireworks that happen every time they’re in the same room.

Can Aidan convince her that he is determined to restore their shared heritage on the showboat and that he’s home to stay?