"Readers looking for a heart-warming holiday story will enjoy the vibrant small-town setting . . . lovable people, gorgeous horses, and a very cute puppy." —BooklistVanessa Larkin was supposed to be spending Christmas in Paris, France on a business trip she hoped to enjoy as a working vacation. Instead, she's been assigned to Fraser Hills, North Carolina—home of the Best Fruitcake in the USA—to convert her company's property into warehouse space and shut down Porter's, the fruitcake factory. Offering retirement packages and selling locals on new job opportunities may not spread holiday cheer, but Vanessa believes she's helping secure the town's future.Mike Marshall's family founded Porter's. For decades, the factory served as the lifeblood of the community until his grandfather sold the business to a Chicago corporation. The sale cost the town its independence—and the Marshalls their family ties. A horse farmer, Mike was never involved with his grandfather's company, but still felt Fraser Hills lost part of its identity. And as a widower raising a teenage daughter, he's suffered enough losses in one lifetime. News of the factory's closing means losing another piece of the town's legacy.Far from the skyscrapers and rapid pace of the city, Vanessa finds herself enjoying the easygoing rhythms of rural living. With Mike as her guide, she learns to appreciate the simple pleasures found in shared holiday festivities among friends. Fraser Hills is a town she is growing to love—and Mike is someone she is falling in love with. Now all Vanessa needs is a Christmas miracle to give her newfound friends and home a gift they'll cherish for many New Years to come.

All wrapped up . . .One more game. That's all that stands between NHL star Asher Westmore and a major career milestone. But then his brother bashes him against the hockey boards, sidelining him for months. Over Christmas holidays, no less. If staying off the ice doesn't drive him crazy, staying with his family will. The only bright spot amidst the mistletoe and twinkle lights: His best friend, Emma, is a physical therapist. And working out with her improves his body and his spirit.One last time. Emma Callaway was in trouble the minute she and Asher added benefits to their friendship. How is she supposed to resist a funny, caring guy who makes her toes curl? Her heart was safe while he lived in a different state. Now that he's back home recuperating, though, it's only a matter of time before she blurts out her feelings. Emma's only hope is that with a little holiday magic, she'll get the best Christmas gift of all."With the perfect blend of hockey, heart, and heat, Maybe This Time is a winner!" -- USA Today bestselling author Debbie Mason

I needed a job and a place to live, but after getting snowed in with an oil tycoon I have to find a way to cool off first.From Marie Johnston comes a forced proximity romance with an older man and younger woman and a dash of workplace romance. I got laid off and kicked out of the house I was sharing with my ex—on the same day. Faced with moving home and being put back in charge of my five siblings, I jump at a mysterious job interview. The only catch is that I hitch a ride with a local oil tycoon…on his private jet.Gentry King is also the single dad of the guy I’m interviewing with. Dads aren’t supposed to be that sexy in a suit, ooze power, or make me suddenly desire older men. All I have to do is get through one meeting in the middle of nowhere and then I can go my own way.Only a snow storm strands us in a small town. Gentry and I find the last hotel room available, and I’m so relieved when we get into the room I almost don’t freeze solid at the sight of one bed. I don’t need to risk my chances by sleeping with Gentry, but once I wake up next to him I don’t have a snowball’s chance in a fire pit of resisting.King's Crown is a standalone novel in the King's Creek series (formerly published as the Oil Kings series).

Winemaker and single father Conor Flaherty is determined to make this Christmas holiday special for his daughter even though his family’s winery, Four Irish Brothers, is facing some challenges.High-octane Chicago attorney Samantha Hayes is looking forward to some delicious food, fine wine, small town charm, and a break from her hectic big city life when she agrees to do a favor for her boss and help his younger brother with a lawsuit that’s been slapped on his family’s historic winery in River’s Edge. She’s not expecting that her sexy new client will have a smile that will melt her heart and remind her that there’s more to life than work.Sam falls hard for Conor, his daughter and the small, friendly town, but can she trust her instincts and risk her heart? Sam hasn’t seen a lot of happy-ever-afters in her life, but Conor and the magic of Christmas make her want to believe.

Tis the season when sparks fly… ??A new girl in town who lives for Christmas and has everything to prove. A local rival with tousled dark hair and a smirk that spells trouble. Who will win the holiday showdown of the year? Find out in this totally addictive small-town romance! Gilmore Girls + spice = Cassidy is finally opening her dream chocolate shop, inspired by her dear Grandma who made the best cocoa. Now all she wants for Christmas is to win best decorated store and show she belongs in the small town of Maple Falls. But she’ll have to pull out all the stops to beat the handsome, loveable grinch across the street…Liam hates the holidays—they remind him of past heartbreak. But to support his family’s llama sanctuary, he’s determined to deck out his farm shop in holiday cheer and win that prize. Then he sees her—chocolate-smeared cheeks, wide blue eyes and the warmest smile. He’s up against the cutest, most Christmas-obsessed person ever…Their rivalry heats up as the town divides between Team Cassidy and Team Liam. But with the snowflakes falling and their stores looking all merry and bright, will the magic of the season bring them together?Snuggle up under your blanket with a mug of cocoa and get ready for the hottest-ever holiday romance. Lots of steam and a sprinkle of mystery wrapped up in cozy Christmas vibes! Perfect for fans of Laurie Gilmore, Emily Henry, Love Actually and The Holiday.Tropes:SpicyRivalryGrumpy sunshineSecond chance romanceSmall-town vs. city lifeFound familyReaders are loving The Spiced Cocoa Café:"Definitely a 5-star read ??… My favorite Christmas cozy, small-town romance — enemies to lovers, slow burn, full of spice… I’m in love!... Even better than a Hallmark movie … Incredible. Can we please find a real-life Liam? … Perfect" midnightblue.reads, ??????????“Chemistry? Off the charts . The sexual tension sizzles — hotter than the hot cocoa ?… Had me grinning the whole time . I loved watching these two fantasize about each other and struggle to stay away … heart-warming small-town holiday romance ” Goodreads reviewer, ??????????"I loved every minute!… So addictive… I finished it in one day… Totally heart-warming… All the warm holiday feels… Feels exactly like a Hallmark movie with spice… Love this rivals-to-lovers romcom… The spice is spice-ing… warm hug of a story… Addictive" Cozy Puppy Reads, ????????"I loved this so much… their chemistry was everything… Perfection… Adorable… impossible to stop reading. And that ending? Warm, heartfelt, and a little teary… breaks my heart in the best way." knjiska, ??????????“Pure Christmas magic from start to finish! ? everything I want in a holiday read… the perfect mix of grumpy/sunshine banter and heart-melting chemistry… perfectly captures that Gilmore Girls meets The Holiday vibe…I could practically smell the cocoa and hear the snow crunching outside. ???? ” ashlireads52, ??????????“I honestly loved this so much ???????? ??… I honestly couldn't put this down, the tension between Cassidy and Liam was chef’s kiss… sooooo good… loved this.” vs.book.corner, ??????????"I absolutely loved… I was grinning, melting, and overheating… a must-read!” fivewordsorlessbook, ??????????“?????????? Ahhh!… I absolutely loved this so much!… chemistry was off the scale!” book_a_holic_17, ??????????

We had a deal: one night, no names, no strings.CHLOEHe was charming, attentive, and exactly what I needed for one unforgettable night.Then I slipped out before sunrise, sure I’d never see him again.Now I’m in Emerald Creek, a small town full of charm, gossip, and zero anonymity—running my late uncle’s restaurant…the one right next door to his pub.And Justin? He acts like my presence alone is an insult.I don’t know what I did to make him hate me, but I don’t have time to figure it out. This job is all I have.The only problem? It’s hard to ignore the sparks that fly whenever we’re in the same room.JUSTINShe’s the one woman I let past my walls, and the one person I can’t forgive.Chloe doesn’t know what her uncle’s choices cost me. She shouldn’t even be here.But now she’s running the restaurant next door, slipping in my hometown life like she belongs here.Even my dog likes her, which only makes it worse.Every time I see her, I’m torn between protecting my past and risking my heart.The trouble is, I’m not sure I can resist her.THE PROMISE OF YOU is a steamy small-town romance with sizzling chemistry, slow-burn tension, found family, a matchmaking dog, and no third-act breakup. Book 2 in the Emerald Creek series, it can be read as a standalone.Welcome to Emerald Creek—where grudges run deep, but love runs deeper.