Hearts and Crafts

Sometimes all it takes is a leap of faith for Christmas to work its own magic in BLAME IT ON THE MISTLETOE, a charming novella prequel to Nichole Michaels' HEARTS AND CRAFTS series 'Tis the season for small-town Missouri boutique owner Brooke Abbott to get crafty. Much as she adores making art for art's sake-decorating windows, designing ornaments, crafting the perfect present for under the tree-this Christmas she needs the gift of good customers. Lots of them. Sweet Opal Studios will go under if she can't do some serious business before the New Year...and she has no time to lose. What Brooke needs is an honest-to-goodness miracle. Instead, she finds a burglar lurking in the back room of her shop. And here she thought the holidays couldn't get any worse! Or maybe things just got a lot better. Turns out the burglar is none other than Alex Coleman-local bad boy slash legendary heartthrob, childhood best friend to Brooke's older brother, and...future landlord? That is the question. He's come home for the holidays to see his grandmother, make peace with his distant mother, and settle his grandfather's estate, an estate that includes the building that houses Sweet Opal. What he never expected was to bump into a grown-up Brooke, whose spirit, charm, and irresistible good looks give him pause. Should he go back to Oregon as planned, or give small-town life a chance? The only thing Alex knows for sure is that before he walks out that door, he's going to get Brooke beneath the mistletoe, where anything can happen...

SOMETIMES LOVE IS STRONGER Lindsey Morales is a beautiful, talented decorator with a popular lifestyle blog. She always knows just how to make things look perfect. But when it comes to her love life, there's no design trick she can use to cover up the obvious: Her broken heart. THE SECOND TIME AROUND Eight years ago, Derek Walsh just wasn't ready to choose a long-term relationship over his career. But now that the handsome, hot-shot architect has the chance to see Lindsey again-working with her to renovate an old farmhouse-he will do everything he can to repair the damage of the past. But is he finally ready to build a real future...if Lindsey is willing to take him back?

Good things come to those who bake.Grayson used to love baking, but the recipe for running his parents' café changes every day. His dad, overwhelmed by grief, is no help. They can't even talk about Gray's mom, let alone the failing business. Of less help is the crush Gray has on Sporty-a trainer from the local gym. Gray barely has time for his friends, let alone scratching the itch Sporty inspires.Aaron suspects he's not Gray's type, meaning Gray probably isn't into fitness, board games, or redheads. Still, that doesn't stop Aaron visiting the café twice a week. The day Gray finally speaks to him personally could have been the start of something-if Gray hadn't immediately suffered a heart attack.The prescription for Gray's recovery includes exercise, but when Aaron steps in to help, Gray is dubious. He's never been fond of working out. The more he gets to know Aaron, though, the more they seem to have in common, especially when it comes to games. Aaron has been quietly designing his own, and when Gray shows interest, they embark on a quest to complete it together: a hero's journey complicated by family, the demands of their careers, their fledgling relationship, and learning to be honest about what they want out of life.

Two empty-nesters. Two bruised hearts. One chance to make things right.Oliver expected to miss his daughter when she left for college, but he's surprised by the size of the hole she leaves. Or maybe he hadn't expected to spend his days watching grass grow and making sad cookies. Or to lose his job. Meeting Nick-the uncle of his daughter's roommate-is a bright spot in an otherwise gloomy forecast. Nick is focused, talented, and as beautiful as the dollhouses he builds. Being near him might bring light and purpose to Oliver's life.Nick expected to miss his niece when she left for college, but he's still figuring out how to cope with her absence, when his brother reappears after twelve years, complicating the emotional puzzle. Then there's Oliver, the sweet, calm, and competent man who looks at Nick like no one ever has. Spending Sundays in Oliver's company is the balm he needs, though Nick is waiting for Oliver to decide their relationship is too much work.But just as Nick begins to get comfortable, Oliver's need to provide for all of the people he loves threatens to pull them apart. If their relationship is to survive, they will have to learn to let go. For Oliver, this means asking himself what he really wants, this time around. For Nick, it means letting himself grieve the people who can't come back and love the people who always will.