I hate Christmas.I don't know who thought every female must love shopping, wrapping, baking and hosting but I missed the memo. On top of that, I manage an upscale department store. Sprinkle in the fact I'll be turning forty during this holiday season, and my life is a Christmas cookie recipe gone wrong.And every year I become a little more Scrooge-ish. But the spirit of the most wonderful time of the year seems to have a plan for me and my midlife-crisis attitude.First, my past returns when I attend a high school reunion happy hour and run into that boy-the one I had a summer fling before I left for college, then promptly ghosted me.The torture continues because that boy is now a man, worldly and wise and sexier than I remember. And he invites me to attend a holiday work party with him.That's where I learn this forty, fine, former NFL quarterback, now fireman has a new role: single father to the sweetest little girl, putting me at risk of falling for both of them. However, I have my reasons not to believe in love and the happiest time of the year. And the first twenty-five days of December tests all my strength.Just what the Dickens is happening? Charles himself might approve of this plot.Even I'm a little curious to see how it all plays out.+ + +With the past behind her and the future uncertain, can Eva Nazar accept that the present is a gift and love is the greatest treasure we receive even if it isn't always wrapped in pretty paper with a perfect bow on top?

I hate Christmas. I don't know who thought every female must love shopping, wrapping, baking, and hosting, but I'm missing the memo. On top of that, I manage a top-end department store. Sprinkle in the fact I'll be turning forty during this holiday season, and my life is a Christmas cookie recipe gone wrong. And every year I become a little more Scrooge-ish. But the spirit of the most wonderful time of the year (insert sarcasm) seems to have a plan for me and my midlife crisis attitude. First, my past returns when I attend a high school reunion happy hour and run into that boy-the one I had a summer fling with after graduation and before college-then promptly ghosted me. The torture continues because that boy is now a man, worldly and wise and sexier than I remember. And he invites me to attend a holiday work party with him. Which leads to my discovery that there is a lot more to this forty, fine, former NFL quarterback, now fireman, like being a single father to the sweetest little girl, putting me at risk of falling for both of them. However, I have my reasons not to believe in love and the happiest time of the year. And the first twenty-five days of December tests all my strength. Just what the Dicken is happening? Charles himself might approve of this plot. Even I'm a little curious to see how it all plays out. + + + With the past behind her and the future uncertain, can Eva Nazar accept that the present is a gift and love is the greatest treasure we receive even if it isn't always wrapped in pretty paper with a perfect bow on top? Find out in L.B. Dunbar's first, over forty, flirty, sexy silver fox, second chance holiday romance.

Film plays a vital role in the celebration of Christmas. For decades, it has taught audiences about what the celebration of the season looks like – from the decorations to the costumes and to the expected snowy weather – as well as mirrors our own festivities back to us. Films like It’s a Wonderful Life and Home Alone have come to play key roles in real-life domestic celebrations: watching such titles has become, for many families, every bit as important as tree-trimming and leaving cookies out for Santa. These films have exported the American take on the holiday far and wide and helped us conjure an image of the perfect holiday. Rather than settling the ‘what is a Christmas film?’ debate – indeed, Die Hard and Lethal Weapon are discussed within – Analyzing Christmas in Film: Santa to the Supernatural focuses on the how Christmas is presented on the deluge of occasions when it appears. While most Christmas films are secular, religion makes many cameos, appearing through Nativity references, storylines involving spiritual rebirth, the framing of Santa as a Christ-like figure and the all-importance of family, be it the Holy family or just those gathered around the dining table. Also explored are popular narratives involving battles with stress and melancholy, single parents and Christmas martyrs, visits from ghosts and angels, big cities and small towns, break-ups and make-ups and the ticking clock of mortality. Nearly 1000 films are analyzed in this volume to determine what the portrayal of Christmas reveals about culture, society and faith as well as sex roles, consumerism, aesthetics and aspiration.

** A New York Times New and Noteworthy Book ** Library of America and Connie Willis present 150 years of diverse, ingenious, and uniquely American Christmas stories Christmas took on its modern cast in America, and over the last 150 years the most magical time of the year has inspired scores of astonishingly diverse and ingenious stories. Library of America joins with acclaimed author Connie Willis to present a unparalleled collection of American stories about Christmas, literary gems that showcase how the holiday became one of the signature aspects of our culture. Spanning from the origins of the American tradition of holiday storytelling in the wake of the Civil War to today, this is the biggest and best anthology of American Christmas stories ever assembled. From ghost stories to the genres of crime, science fiction, fantasy, westerns, humor, and horror, stories of Christmas morning, gifts, wise men, nativities, family, commercialism, and dinners from New York to Texas to outer space, this anthology reveals the evolution of Christmas in America--as well as the surprising ways in which it has remained the same.

What happens when a jilted billionaire heir finds himself alone at Christmas and mourning the loss of his almost-life? Read Rhys Lachlan's story in A BILLIONAIRE FOR CHRISTMAS.

Is redemption possible for Ebenezer Scrooge? Pastor and author Matt Rawle believes so as he discovers the teachings of Jesus in the words of the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol. Rawle dives deep into the dark, sad, greedy world of Scrooge and discovers a man in dire need of a second chance. Along with Scrooge, we meet the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future and in the process learn about living with and for others in a world blessed by Jesus. Rediscover and reinvigorate your Christian faith this Advent and Christmas season and look at this familiar classic through the lens of faith. The Youth Study Book interprets Scrooge, his struggles, and his redemption in a way that youth can relate to and understand, using humor, down-to-earth discussion, and examples from contemporary culture. For young people grades 6-12. Includes leader helps with discussion questions and can be used with the adult-level DVD. Sessions include: Bah! Humbug! The Remembrance of Christmas Past The Life of Christmas Present The Hope of Christmas Future