Heather Allison

Retrieving the mail from his old apartment brought more than just letters for Vince Cutler. When he opened the door on the lovely Jolie Wheeler and rooms he hardly recognized, he knew he'd found the person to fix up his bare new bachelor quarters. But behind their banter, he sensed a pain that his friendship couldn't assuage. The warm embrace of Vince's family reminded Jolie achingly of the nephew taken from her, and the sister she refused to see. Vince's embrace made keeping the distance between them all the more difficult. And all the while the spirit of Christmas was working within Jolie's heart to reconnect her with her family...and with Vince suring this very special season...

he sweet smell of success! Hillary Simpson craved it. And for a perfumer, success meant a hit fragrance with international distribution. Paul St. Steven, who was associated with the renowned--and very traditional--French fashion house of St. Etienne, represented her big chance. He was tall, dark and handsome, the epitome of the French romantic hero. And he knew how to act the part, courting her with roses, champagne, diamonds . . . the works. That was the problem. When it came to Hillary, Paul seemed interested only in romance, not business. But when it came to Paul, Hillary wanted both.

Tony Domenico is no Mr. Right! Where Alicia sees happy endings, her boss sees ratings. He's cynical, demanding and antiromantic. Alicia doesn't even like him. But forced to work together, Alicia realizes two things: that Tony Domenico has a smile that makes him look ... well... almost human. And that beneath his heart of stone there's definite husband potential...

Is it true that winning isn't everything? The Hall sisters were no strangers to success. And Ivy, the youngest and shiest sister, had a lot to live up to. So when she started her new job, she was determined to show the world just what she could do. There was one flaw in her plan, though. Rick Scott, her oh-so-handsome co-worker, didn't think she could succeed on her own. Of course, it was only after she resisted his help, demanded he treat her like everyone else and make a big mistake, that she realized she might be the wrong woman for that job. And he might be the right man for her.

The rugged loner Jake Sullivan has finally returned home -- to find a brazen, beautiful trespasser in his bed. Emily Bright intends to stay. But has Jake been saddled with an unwanted intruder... or blessed with a bride?

Whirlwind Weddings Marrying the boss… Parker Laird loves money, business and power—in that order. His brother Jay just loves women: blondes, brunettes, redheads…. Every week Jay seems to be professing his undying love for a different girl. But this time Jay's fallen for Parker's secretary, Abby. Even a self-obsessed oil tycoon like Parker can see the attraction. His new assistant is helpful, friendly, efficient and has great legs! But Parker will do anything to keep Jay's mind on the business and off his secretary in the office…even if that means marrying her himself! Who says you can't hurry love?

A man, a woman, and a haunted house. Normally, architect Jared Rutledge wouldn't be caught dead designing a haunted house-he considered them "frivolous structures." But then he was asked to build one to raise funds for a physical rehabilitation clinic, and he agreed to do it. After all, how hard could it be ? Before long, he realized that building a haunted house could be an absolute nightmare. And when things started to go wrong, Jared was forced to ask for help. That meant calling the Scream Queen, Lizzie Wilcox-a renowned haunted house designer who just happened to be his ex-wife!

Recounts Jack of Hearts' triumph at the tournament despite the plotting of the wicked King of Spades.

A Global celebrity exclusive! The magazine had promised Kate photographs of actress Fiona Ferguson's latest publicity stunt - her wedding to a seventy-three-year-old millionaire. But Kate wanted more. She wanted revenge for the shameless way Fiona had treated her brother, and she was prepared to do anything to get it. She was determined to get another kind of exclusive - Fiona locked in the arms of her latest lover, a photographer quite literally sealed with a kiss! The chase was on and no one was going to stand in her way! Not even a moonlighting Maxwell Hunter! Kate had run into the famous war photographer on the trail of Fiona. He had come to Kate's rescue when she needed him most, but there was no room for sentiment in the newspaper business. And certainly no room at all for the blistering attraction she felt for Max!

"You're getting the hang of this parenting business." Kirk's words startled Amanda. Parenting. It had been years since she'd thought about having a child. She didn't have time for a child. She had goals, plans .... An elf approached them--it was Virginia's turn to see Santa. "Would you two like to get in the picture with your daughter?" "Oh, we're not--" Amanda started to say, but Kirk grabbed her elbow. "Yes. We would like one of us all." He urged her toward Santa. Amanda stared. Why was he doing this? Was he simply caught up in the "spirit of Christmas"? She Was about to argue. Then she looked at Virginia. The little girl was thrilled they were all together. Maybe goals could be changed ....

Jasper Challinor, Marquis of Lensborough, was appalled! Who was this redheaded, badly dressed waif in his aristocratic host's dining room? And why in the world was the proud Marquis so drawn to her? Lord Lensborough was a man well used to getting exactly what he wanted—and he wanted Hester! Convinced that she was a poor relation, the noble lord was about to receive the shock of his life…from a lady who would break all his very proper rules!