In dark, wintry Lochdubh, Christmas Cheer is about as welcome as a flat tyre on a deserted road. The Calvinist element in town has always resisted what they view as secular frivolity, so for most of the townsfolk there'll be no carols, feasting, gifts - or even whisky on Christmas Day! And for PC Hamish Macbeth there's no holiday from crime - he finds himself hunting for a missing cat belonging to a lonely spinster. Curt and unfriendly, the woman is convinced her pet has been stolen but once behind her heavily-bolted door, Hamish can spot her true problem - she lives in fear, though of who or what he cannot guess. Then someone steals a Christmas tree and lights from the nearby village of Cnothan. So it is up to Hamish to sort all these problems out - and he had better do it quickly, for the church bells will soon peal on the eve of Christmas. This one-off standalone story is a special Christmas treat for all fans of Hamish Macbeth and can be read at any point in the ongoing series. Also features the first UK publication of a Hamish Macbeth short story, Knock, Knock, You're Dead! Praise for the Hamish Macbeth series: 'First rate ... deft social comedy and wonderfully realized atmosphere.' Booklist 'It's always a treat to return to Lochdubh.' New York Times 'Readers will enjoy the quirks and unique qualities of the cast ... Beaton catches the beauty of the area's natural geography and succinctly describes its distinct flavour.' Library Journal 'Befuddled, earnest and utterly endearing, Hamish makes his triumphs sweetly satisfying.' Publishers Weekly

The beauty of the Scottish Highlands forms the backdrop for a collection of love stories by Jude Devereaux, Jill Barnett, and other romance authors.

Welcome To My World 'Tis the season to be jolly--but Boston antiques dealer Claire MacGregor isn't looking forward to a solo Christmas, or cocoa for one, or trimming the tree by herself. But company's coming. Claire is fooling around with an old puzzle box and when it opens. . .a gorgeous, studly laird appears. Thumbs down: Sir Cameron MacLeod is centuries old. Thumbs up: he doesn't look it. And Cameron is tall, dark, and lusty--very lusty. Come Away To Mine Who is this lovely lass? And where is he? Before awakening in the 21st century in Claire's bedroom, the last thing Sir Cameron MacLeod remembers was readying for war with a rival clan. Despite her strange clothes and odd ways, Claire is bonny and brave. He's about to find out that love is a many-splendored thing indeed. . . "An absolutely delightful, delicious romp!" --Romantic Times on A Thief In A Kilt Award-winning author Sandy Blair was raised in a small New England town and graduated from Northeastern University, Boston. Winner of Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart, the 2004 National Readers Choice Award for Best Paranormal Romance and a 2005 RITA finalist, Sandy fell in love with Scotland's history, people, and beautiful, diverse landscapes on the first of her many visits. She currently resides in Texas with her husband and children.

The Mackenzies gather for a clan Christmas and Hogmanay in Scotland. In the chaos of preparations for the celebration--the first of Hart and Eleanor's married life--one of Ian's Ming bowls gets broken, and the family scrambles to save the day. Daniel busily runs a betting ring for everything from the hour Eleanor's baby will arrive, to whether Mac's former-pugilist valet can win a boxing match, to who will be the first of the many guests to be caught under the mistletoe. Ian begins a new obsession, and Beth fears that the loss of one of his precious bowls has made him withdraw once more into his private world. Revisit the Mackenzies in this heartwarming Christmas tale. Book 4.5 of the New York Times bestselling Mackenzies series.

Six-year-old Martha (great-grandmother of Laura Ingalls Wilder) wants to be ladylike, but it's impossible when her brothers are playing Picts and Scots on the rolling Scottish hills. Will she ever stop getting herself into scrapes?

'Tis the season to find your heart's true home Jess has spent most of her life taking care of herself, no stranger to odd jobs here and there. And given the choice between spending another Christmas alone or spending it in Scotland as the Earl of Kirkshield's housekeeper, her choice is a no-brainer. Stepping into the castle's grounds is like something out of a fairytale, and Jess can't believe her luck. But a cold blast of reality hits when she meets the new earl and realises she's not exactly welcome... When Sebastian makes it clear he wants nothing to do with the crumbling estate or title, Jess takes it upon herself to give him a reason to stay and save her job in the meantime. As they work together to bring the castle back to life, she finds herself growing closer to the brooding earl. Much to her surprise, she's starting to think she actually likes the guy. But they come from different worlds, and she doesn't know the first thing about putting down roots. Could the magic of Christmas be enough to spark romance and make the castle a home? Escape to the Scottish Highlands this Christmas with a cosy and heartwarming romance full of drama and forbidden love! Perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan, Lucy Coleman and Downtown Abbey. What readers are saying about Rachel Barnett: 'Gorgeous comfort reading at its best!! ... Great writing, great personalities, festive reality on a different sphere!!' Reader review, 5 stars 'The perfect escapism that will take you away and get you in the Christmas spirit ... perfect blend of magic and the characters are appealing and the plot is tantalising' Reader review, 5 stars 'Loved the characters and their individual stories and the scenery sounded lovely and so inviting and makes you feel all festive. Would recommend to anyone who likes a good Christmas story with intrigue thrown in' Reader review, 5 stars 'Absolutely loved it! A cosy page-turner and a perfect read for the run-up to Christmas!!' Reader review, 5 stars