Afraid to spend the Christmas holiday alone, an aging widower hires a woman to keep him company...when these two lonely souls meet, the result is a heartwarming and redeeming weekend that will change both of their lives forever. In this and other stories in The Christmas Wife, distinguished author and four-time recipient of the prestigious O. Henry Award Helen Norris expertly blends the poignant and bittersweet in moments that quietly resonate beyond the page. Emotional and moving, Norris's stories masterfully celebrate the heart and soul's triumph over loss, regret, and the nameless longings common to all. With a new introduction by Kaye Gibbons, author of Ellen Foster, A Virtuous Woman, and more, this edition also includes the DVD of the film The Christmas Wife, starring Academy Award-winning actor Jason Robards and Tony Award-winning actress Julie Harris. Book jacket.

Toymaker, Deacon Stone, needs a wife. If he isn't married in less than a week his grandmother will sell her shares of the family business, and everything Deacon has worked his entire life for will be taken from him. He isn't the husband type but he'll do whatever it takes to keep control of the family business. Single mother, Claire Brooks, dreamed of being an actress, not a maid to the wealthy. But with an eviction notice, an empty bank account, and Christmas just around the corner, she's barely making ends meet. When her daughter accidentally breaks a priceless statue belonging to her employer - the gorgeous and aloof toymaker - Claire has no choice but to accept Deacon Stone's proposal. Marry him for thirty days, convince his grandmother that they're in love, and he'll give her a hundred grand and the chance to finally give her daughter the life she deserves. Claire's determined to give the performance of her life. But when Deacon's kisses ignite a scorching hot chemistry between them, the line between make-believe and the truth starts to blur.

Will marriage save her family? Christmas with the North Country Amish

Christmas was the be-all, end-all celebration on the farm. Pages and pages on the topic appeared in The Farmer’s Wife, and these pages weren’t just about food—although recipes for all the various components of parties and holiday gift baskets certainly abounded. The magazine’s experts expounded on the best and latest ways to decorate home, tree, and parcels and to create homemade gifts for family and friends, as well as games to be played to capture the spirit of the season. In short, The Farmer’s Wife presented its own opinion—both grand and humble, broad and minute, and always, always bearing in mind the idea of community among its readers—about the ways in which Christmas should be celebrated. You’ll find in this book a smattering of that opinion. Here are recipes to see you through the entire Christmas season; gift ideas guaranteed to get your creative juices flowing; tips for decking your halls; and even a few stories to delight both the young and the young at heart.

A convenient bride Can he be the groom she deserves?

One (extremely handsome) grumpy boss needs a wife. One savvy designer needs a job. And both hate that they need each other to make it happen. Hendricks Cole is the prestigious and handsome, billionaire architect that's every prospective home owner's dreams. But he's every Christmas-lover's nightmare. Which is why, when he gets the opportunity to build a house for the renown holiday romance writer and director, Carolyn Wren, he knows he's going to need help to win the job. Ava Brown is talented. She's worked hard building her design company, but she just doesn't have the client list to sustain a full-time job. So, when her best friend and roommate tells her Hendricks Cole is still looking for a new assistant, Ava knows this is her chance. Within a day Ava is employed and Hendricks is irritated and distracted. It's hard for both of them to tell if there are sparks flying, or if those are just the Christmas lights twinkling outside. But either way, Ava and Hendricks find themselves navigating Christmas in a way neither of them thought they would be - as husband and wife. Celebrate Christmas this year with Katie Bachand's laugh-out-loud CHRISTMAS romantic comedy as you fall for Ava and Hendricks in this book that will give you all of those happy Christmas feels. MERRY CHRISTMAS! If you love: Laugh out loud comedy Billionaire romances Grumpy bosses Fake relationships Office romances Christmas romances Happily ever afters Mistletoes ♥

It’s a convenient Christmas arrangement... Until he wants her – forever! After their secret marriage ended in heartbreak, billionaire Travis Sanders never wanted to see Imogen Gantry again. Yet when Imogen faints in the cold New York snow, Travis is called to her very public rescue! To avoid a media scandal, they must agree to a temporary reconciliation – at least until Christmas. But with their intense heat still burning, Travis is tempted to reclaim his wife – for good!