About this product: For the Elm Creek Quilters, the day after Thanksgiving marks the start of the quilting season, a time to gather at Elm Creek Manor and spend the day stitching holiday gifts for loved ones. This year, in keeping with the season's spirit of gratitude, Master Quilter Sylvia Bergstrom Compson Cooper is eager to revive a cherished family tradition. A recent remodeling of the manor's kitchen unearthed a cornucopia that once served as the centerpiece of the Bergstrom family's holiday table. Into it, each Bergstrom would place an object that symbolized something he or she was especially thankful for that year. On this quilter's holiday, Sylvia has invited her friends to continue the tradition by sewing quilt blocks that represent their thankfulness and gratitude.
As each quilter explains the significance of her carefully chosen block, stories of love and longing for family and friends emerge -- feelings that are also expressed in the gifts they work on throughout the day. Diane is thankful for her two sons, who've outgrown their youthful troubles to become fine young men, but she wishes they revered their family's traditions as much as she does. Anna, in her first holiday season as an Elm Creek Quilter, creates a quilt for her best friend even as she begins to question her feelings for him, which may have grown beyond friendship. Sylvia reflects upon holidays past spent with her beloved, long-lost cousin Elizabeth and wonders whatever became of her. Sarah, pregnant with twins, determinedly sews a Christmas gift for her father-in-law, whose persistent suggestions that her husband, Matt, come to work for his construction company have created tension in their marriage. And as Gretchen pieces a quilt for a charity she has not yet chosen and Gwen completes a project begun by her graduate school mentor, both women lend their talents to those in need.
As an early winter storm blankets Elm Creek Manor in heavy snow, the quilters find new meanings in their best-loved traditions and new reasons to be thankful. A Quilter's Holiday is a story of holiday spirit, in its truest, most generous sense.
About this product: Holidays on Ice is a collection of three previously published stories matched with three newer ones, all, of course, on a Christmas theme. David Sedaris's darkly playful humor is another common thread through the book, worming its way through "Seasons Greetings to Our Friends and Family!!!" a chipper suburban Christmas letter that spirals dizzily out of control, and "Front Row Center with Thaddeus Bristol," a vicious theatrical review of children's Christmas pageants. As always, Sedaris's best work is his sharply observed nonfiction, notably in "Dinah, the Christmas Whore," the tale of a memorable Christmas during which the young Sedaris learns to see his family in a new light. Worth the price of the book alone is the hilarious "SantaLand Diaries," Sedaris's chronicle of his time working as an elf at Macy's, covering everything from the preliminary group lectures ("You are not a dancer. If you were a real dancer you wouldn't be here. You're an elf and you're going to wear panties like an elf.") to the perils of inter-elf flirtation. Along the way, he paints a funny and sad portrait of the way the countless parents who pass through SantaLand are too busy creating an Experience to really pay attention to their children. In a sly way, it carries a holiday message all its own. Read it aloud to the adults after the kids have gone to bed. --Ali Davis
About this product: Featuring four all-new novellas of sensual surprises and seasonal spirits, this collection includes a new tale of the Breeds from Lora Leigh and a return to the world of the Mageverse from Angela Knight.
About this product: There's nothing cozier than a winter evening in Greenwich Village. Streetlights shimmer through icy flakes, cafés glow with welcoming warmth, and a layer of snow dusts historic townhouses like powdered sugar on holiday confections. Murder has no place in such a pretty picture, until now...
Coffeehouse manager Clare Cosi has grown very fond of Alfred Glockner, the part-time comic and genuinely jolly charity Santa who's been using her Village Blend as a place to warm his mittens. When she finds him brutally gunned down in a nearby alley, a few subtle clues convince her that Alfred's death was something more than the tragic result of a random mugging--the conclusion of the police. With Clare's boyfriend, NYPD Detective Mike Quinn, distracted by a cold case of his own, and ex-husband Matt investigating this year's holiday lingerie catalogs (an annual event), Clare charges ahead solo to solve her beloved Santa's slaying. Then someone tries to ice Clare, and she really gets steamed. But she'd better watch out, because if she fails to stop this stone cold killer, she may just get the biggest chill of her life.
This very special holiday entry in Cleo Coyle's nationally bestselling mystery series includes a bonus section of delicious holiday recipes as well as a glossary of coffeehouse terms, instructions on making espressos and lattes without an expensive machine, and tips for creating tasty coffeehouse syrups at home.
About this product: Silver Bells by Debbie Macomber
In this classic story, Debbie brings those Manning men and Manning sisters home for a mistletoe marriage when a single dad finally says "I do."
The Perfect Holiday by Sherryl Woods
Will bachelor Trace Franklin become a groom-to-be by Christmastime? He sure will…if Savannah Holiday's aunt Mae has anything to do with it.
Under the Christmas Tree by Robyn Carr
When the folks of Virgin River discover a box of adorable puppies under the town's Christmas tree they call on local vet Nathaniel Jensen for help. But it's his budding romance with Annie McCarty that really has tongues—and tails—wagging!
About this product: In the seventh of J.D. Robb's futuristic romance thrillers, NYPD Lieutenant Eve Dallas is on the trail of a serial killer terrorizing the city during the holidays. The only link between the victims--all are patrons of an exclusive dating service, Personally Yours. Working with her aide Officer Peabody, Peabody's nemesis Ian McNab, and her own intriguing husband, Roarke, Eve uncovers secrets that link the victims: secrets that involve both the owners and the clients of Personally Yours and which might be worth killing for. Whether she's writing as Nora Roberts or as J.D. Robb, Roberts weaves a taut and powerful story with lush sensuality and masterful characterization. This murder mystery combines elements of romance, science fiction, and police procedural genres in an entertaining mix that will keep readers turning the pages. --Lisa Wanttaja
The winter holidays are a wonderful time of the year, especially for families. Everything’s magical, and kids can really get involved in the festivities with these fabulous games, activities, decorations, treats, and complete party plans. There’s something special for Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, along with time-saving tips and plenty of photographs to guide children and parents. The clever projects range from simple pipe cleaner and bead ornaments to a Family Tree Skirt that’s sure to become a keepsake and part of the celebration for years to come. And because the holidays are always busy, the crafts require minimal prep time and are guaranteed to get your family in the holiday spirit.
About this product: Make your holidays merry with more addictive puzzles from the editors of People! Sharpen your pencils - and your wits - and nestle under the mistletoe with Puzzler!
About this product: The creators of the "Mo's Nose" series, author, Margaret Hyde and illustrator, Amanda Giacomini, have released Mo Smells the Holidays, their highly anticipated third book in the series of collectible books. Mo, based on a real life rescued dog, takes readers of all ages on a "scentsational" adventure through vibrant holiday scents and hues from the first leaves of fall to the fireworks of New Year's Eve! Mo's journey through the holiday season emphasizes giving rather than receiving as Mo brings Halloween treats to his friends at the animal shelter and lends a paw at a local soup kitchen. Mo and his new-found four- and two-legged friends sniff their way through a kaleidoscope of festive aromas and discover the true spirit of holiday giving. In this full-sized picture book, readers interactively experience seven classic holiday scents including deliciously chewy caramels, regal pine, rich gingerbread, dark chocolate, cotton candy, green apple and freshly baked pumpkin pies through a Hint of Scent feature. Other titles in the 'Mo's Nose' series: Mo Smells Red: 978-0-9816255-0-8 Mo Smells Green: 978-0-9816255-2-2
With more than 19 million copies in print worldwide, the best-selling phenomenon continues with fabulous all new recipes for healthy, delicious
South Beach Diet-friendly entertaining
The famed Miami Beach cardiologist who has helped millions of people worldwide to lose weight and eat healthier with his best-selling South Beach Diet books now addresses the special challenge that can undermine anyone’s willpower—the irresistible lure of diet-busting dishes at festive occasions.
As the more than 20 menus and 150 easy, all-new recipes in this cookbook prove, there’s no need to give up favorite holiday and party dishes to stay on the South Beach Diet. Dr. Agatston explains that healthy entertaining is not a matter of deprivation, but of "simply making as many good choices as possible." His new book provides those choices, putting a healthy twist on favorite entertaining meals for every occasion, whether it’s a family Christimas Eve dinner, a Thanksgiving feast, a Passover seder, a football fest in front of the TV, or a backyard barbeque with the neighbors. Readers will also find:
• practical tips and helpful (and healthful) hints throughout—including make-ahead suggestions, ideas for nonalcoholic cocktails (mocktails), ways to use leftovers, and more
• 55 full-page color photographs that illustrate the finished dishes along with ideas for stylish table settings and centerpieces