Welcome to the 12 days of Christmas in Texas Ready to greet you are 9 leapin' lizards, 8 grazin' longhorns, 7 bass a-swimmin', 6 flags a-flyin'... and much more from the Lone Star State.Jos is so excited about his cousin Ashley's visit with him in Texas that he gives her one of these VERY unusual gifts on each of the twelve days of Christmas, and Ashley writes lively letters home to tell her mom and dad all about her trip. Lucky readers are in for a wild Christmas countdown

COULD HE BE HER HERO? Hope, Montana, is no longer home to Andy Granger, who sold his piece of the family ranch to developers. He’s only back to run a cattle drive in his brother’s stead. But the community can’t forgive him for selling out. And Dakota Mason, the beautiful cowgirl he hired, has every reason to hate him… Ranching is in Dakota’s blood. And now the developers have cut off water her neighboring ranch desperately needs. She’s only on the ride for a paycheck—not to turn her back on her community. And definitely not to fall for some overly protective urban cowboy. But Andy may surprise everyone…including himself.

A regimented ex-Army man drives an irresistible wedding planner from Cupid to Twilight in the next Twilight, Texas, novel from New York Times bestselling author Lori Wilde. You are cordially invited to a Twilight, Texas, Christmas Wedding! The town is decorated, the cookies are made, and the stage is set . . . for love. Wedding planner Aria Alzate has one goal: to give her best friend a perfect day. But after a bump on the head, she’s under doctor’s orders not to travel on her own. So she’s stuck on the road to Twilight with upright, uptight Remington Lockhart in the driver’s seat. True, Remy is one long, tall, Texas male, but the ex-military man never saw a rule he didn’t like—making this one long road trip . . . Remy has left the military, but the military lifestyle has not left him. The uncertainty this ex-paratrooper encountered during his tour of duty has convinced him that plans—combined with backup plans—will keep life under control. Aria is undeniably tempting, but her fly-by-the-seat of her pants attitude is never going to work. Then a sudden snowstorm strikes, and these opposites come together in a night of unexpected passion. And suddenly the magic of a Twilight, Texas, Christmas takes hold, proving that sometimes the best plan is to have no plan at all.

Take a trip to beautiful Texas and the fabled St. Nicholas Hotel on Christmas Eve, 1859 where anything can happen—even love—in the story collection fans of Diana Palmer, Linda Lael Miller, and Lori Wilde will fall in love with this holiday season! ONE NIGHT AT THE ST. NICHOLAS New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Jodi Thomas To escape her stepmother’s plot to marry her off, Texas heiress Jacqueline Hartman spends Christmas Eve sharing a hideout with an accused bank robber. After a night in Nathanial Ward’s arms, Jacqueline is certain she has met her match after all. But will his heartfelt promise of love lead to his demise at the hands of the law? BIRDIE’S FLIGHT * Celia Bonaduce Seamstress Birdie Flanagan gets the surprise of her life when she receives a beautiful gown—and a sudden invitation—for the ball of the season! With her flaming red hair, Birdie creates a stir from the moment she arrives, capturing the eye of the dashing Captain Douglas Newcastle. But will a villainous suitor from her past keep her from her long awaited happily-ever-after? TEXAS SPIRIT * Rachael Miles When lovely spinster Eugenie Charpentier makes a trip across the Texas frontier with former Texas Ranger Asher Graham, she gets an unexpected lesson in the ways of rough-and-tumble men. But once Asher is escorting her across the dance floor at the Christmas ball, it’s Jenny’s turn to tutor the rugged lawman in the art of love. . . .

Four Texas Babies by Tina Leonard To save his parents’ ranch from falling into the wrong hands, Sam Johnston must marry. A quickie wedding to Lily Bartholomew brings more than he bargained for—including some shocking news about his new in-laws. But the biggest shock of all is that the baby on the way is actually four babies, set to arrive just in time for Christmas! A Texan Under the Mistletoe by Leah Vale Lori Beth Whittaker comes home looking for tradition—and discovers that for the first time ever, the Hooper Creek Christmas festival has been cancelled. She’s determined the festival will go on, but one man stands in her way—Jackson Hooper, her former high school sweetheart and the man she left behind! Merry Texmas by Linda Warren Mariel Todd-Crandall and Grayson Crandall love their daughter, but since their divorce, it’s hard to find time to spend with Chloe. But Chloe’s sick of being ignored, and she knows her parents still love each other. So this Christmas she has a special plan, including a very special tree, that’s going to make Mom and Dad see that Christmas—and every day—should be spent as a family.

It's Christmas in Twilight, Texas. The Cookie Club is baking, the town is decorated, and Delta Force Operator "Hutch" Hutchinson has finally, reluctantly, returned home . . . . . . only to get pepper sprayed by the delicious- looking stranger who's taken over his house. She says her name is Jane, and she immediately sets down ground rules. Top priority: no touching. For Hutch that isn't easy—he was wounded in action, but one part is still working very well. Then Hutch learns the truth. Jane harbors a frightening secret—she's really Meredith Sommers, on the run from a dangerous ex-husband and desperately in need of the safety Hutch can provide. In that moment, he vows he'd do anything in his power to protect her. And as Christmas approaches, they discover that their love can conquer the past and overcome any obstacle—but what price will they pay?

American Christmas is a new book by photographer Danelle Manthey that examines Christmas displays, and the people behind them, through the lens of American folk art. Through portraits and interviews, the book features the stories of over 40 families and individuals across 12 states. It includes text by Marlene Friis, a foreword from Rebecca Alban Hoffberger, Founder and Director of the American Visionary Art Museum and an introduction by Mark Sloan, Curator and Chief Director of the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art.Over the course of a decade, Manthey photographed, interviewed and spent time with the creators of these displays, quickly coming to recognize them as folk artists. Entirely self-taught, the creators often do not view themselves as artists, yet create visceral, site-specific installations that should be recognized for their transcendent, highly skilled craft. Many of the selected displays feature region-specific motifs as well as handmade decorations. This tendency, coupled with the traditional imagery and decorative nature of the displays, situates the work as a form of contemporary American folk art. Many of the featured individuals and families seem driven to create utopian spaces through their displays, which is a common theme among folk artists. "The truly amazing thing about these American grassroots artists, all of whom became bitten by the pine-scented Christmas bug, lies in the diversity of their motivations," explains Rebecca Alban Hoffberger, Founder and Director of the American Visionary Art Museum. Through the act of photographing the displays, Manthey enshrines them as a distinct art form. Where many would diminish the works as decorative cheer, Manthey looks beyond to reveal the innovation and commitment that grounds all great art. Along with making these themes accessible to a non-art audience, she succeeds in sharing the community and joy these works are founded on-something that is much needed in our current world.