Molly O'Keefe

"When Annie McKay hears a mysterious phone ringing in the trailer she just moved into, the last thing she expected was to be tempted--awakened--by the low, deep voice on the other end. The stranger was was looking for someone else. Instead he found her. And she's unable to resist. Fleeing a dangerous marriage--alone, on the run, and with her husband looking for her--Annie is reluctant to trust anyone. But the stranger on the other end of the line somehow makes her feel safe and alive in a hot, secret world of their own creation. And Annie can tell he wants to help her. Maybe it's the thrill, maybe it's the promise, maybe it's him. She doesn't know anything about the man--except that he's seducing her and she's falling under his spell. But one thing is certain: if Annie lets him get any closer, she won't be able to hide anymore. And that's the most dangerous thing of all"--

The first story is by Victoria Alexander is "Promises to Keep". Katherine is a lonely 70 year old who sees Santa at a department store. She is 70 years old and has many regrets in her life, including the loss of her soul mate in 1942. Suddenly she finds herself swept back to that very point in her life that she always wished to change. She gets a real second chance to make things right this time. But is it too late? Is he still there? Sandra Hill’s story is called "Naughty or Nice". It's a journey through Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, following a young woman, Jessica, through her 'Christmas Curse'. Jessica is dressed as Santa and is about to commit a crime, when she takes a hostage who coicidentally looks just like Brad Pitt who is also dressed like Santa. The two find themselves experiencing 'love at first sight'. The third story, by Dara Joy, is called "Santa Reads Romance". A female romance writer, May, goes to Maine and rents a cabin in the middle of nowhere to work on her book in peace. A blizzard begins and a man dressed as Santa shows up at her door. (He is a publisher doing a favour for a friend, while trying to find a mystery author and his overdue manuscript.) May knocks him out, thinking he is dangerous. Then they are stuck together, because of the howling blizzard. The last story is by Nelle McFather. It's called "A Gift for Santa". This is a tale of a single mother who finds true love and happiness on Christmas from a stranger named Nick.

How do you have a life when everyone in America thinks you gave the president-elect a fatal heart attack during an illicit sex romp?Emma Jamison never thought she'd have to answer that question, but here she is, smack dab in the middle of a political scandal that would make Monica Lewinsky blush. Trouble is, nobody believes that Emma wasn't the call-girl who killed the president-to-be with her, uh, carnal skills.So Emma packs up and moves to small-town Chartreuse, LA, to escape her infamy and to start over. But when her grandmother starts dating the grandfather of district attorney Max Duval, the quiet life she was seeking blows up in smoke.

Taking over her birthright, the Crooked Creek ranch, Tori Baker, the penniless widow of a disgraced financier, meets opposition in the form of too-handsome cowboy Eli Turnbull, who wants the land just as badly and will fight dirty to get it.

A girl from the wrong side of the tracks, Tara Jean Sweet knows that opportunity will never knock; she'll have to seize it. Elderly Texas rancher Lyle Baker has a dying request: He will give Tara Jean a stake in his leather business in exchange for a little family subterfuge. All Tara Jean has to do is play the part of a gold-digging fiancée to lure Lyle's estranged children home. The mission is soon accomplished. Now Lyle's gone - and his ridiculously handsome son, Luc, an ice hockey superstar sidelined by injuries, is the new owner of Crooked Creek ranch. He's also Tara Jean's new boss. But being so close to sinfully sweet Tara Jean does crazy things to Luc's priorities, like make him want to pry her deepest secrets from those irresistible lips. But when Tara Jeans' past demands a dirty showdown, will Luc stay and fight?

Delia Dupuis has found the perfect place to take cover. The secluded inn on the banks of the Hudson River is the last place her ex would think to look for her. Here she can plan her next step, then move on with no ties. Too bad the inn's handyman, Max Mitchell, is making her rethink leaving. His steady ways and his indulgent treatment of her daughter tempt her to stay, to explore this heat between them. But can she risk endangering him with the secrets she carries? When those secrets catch up with her, Delia discovers Max is a good man worth trusting with her daughter, her life...and her love.

Simon The only thing that stands in the way of my revenge is her. The lying scheming daughter of the man who killed my parents. She has the secrets I need to bring down her father. And I’ll do anything to get them. I will lie to her. Steal from her. Use her. Ruin her. It helps that our chemistry is explosive. What I’m not expecting is for her to be so sweet. And so strong. So…irresistible. Penny After so many years of lying and hiding, I finally have a place to call home. With people I can call a family. The Paintbrush Inn is my life now, and I won’t let anyone ruin it. When sexy and world-weary Simon checks in to the Inn, I never expect him to glance my way. I’ve spent my whole life blending into the background. Being overlooked and ignored. It’s been helpful, even though it’s lonely. And he’s way out of my league. But our attraction is powerful. Undeniable. Dangerous. Because I can’t let anyone close. If the secrets I keep were to be revealed, my whole life would be destroyed. But something about Simon makes me break all my own rules. I’m letting him in to my home, my body, my life, never expecting he has his own secrets. His own lies.

This is one reunion Jonah Closky wants no part of. If not for his mother's wishes, he wouldn't even be meeting his estranged father and brothers. The real surprise about being at this inn, however, is Daphne Larson, an outspoken organic farmer who gives as good as she gets. Most remarkable of all, the smart, sassy single mother is making him yearn for things he doesn't even know he needs. But taking their relationship further means coming to terms with his complicated feelings toward these men--his father and brothers. It means forgiving the past so he can build a future with Daphne...and finally have the family he's always wanted.

Jack McKibbon knows the score when he offers to marry his best friend Mia Alatore. He's fixing a bad situation for her—that's all—they aren't making a real life together. She wants to stay on the ranch and he's got his studies and inventions elsewhere. Still, this arrangement is a good deal for both of them. Until that one night… A sexy interlude with Mia makes Jack rethink their relationship…and their future. But all his plans grind to a halt when she asks for a divorce. Once upon a time, Jack might have agreed. But now that he knows the chemistry they share, he's not giving up a second chance to be with his wife.