An Everlasting Christmas Amour

Book excerpt: Get lost in the holiday season - or anytime during the year - with these enchanting novellas from multi-award winning author, Tabetha Waite! A Promise Beneath the Kissing Bough Cornell Reed is the bastard son of an earl, who was raised as a commoner by his mother, a maid who had been dismissed from service after it was discovered she was carrying an illegitimate child. Because of his modest upbringing, Cornell had never cared to be recognized by his father, Lord Haverton. He is content with his simple life as a cordwainer in London, a skill he’d learned during his years as a sea-faring naval captain. It isn’t until he advertises for an apprentice for the busy Christmas season, does Cornell realize what he’s been missing. Miss Pleasant Hill is a poor, Irish immigrant who moved to London after the death of her cobbler father in Ireland. When she isn’t trying to help raise her three, younger siblings, or toiling as a washerwoman, she assists her ailing stepmother as a seamstress. She always dreamed of something more, but soon realized it was pointless to wish upon stars. However, when she sees the sign in the shopkeeper’s window, she feels it’s the answer to her long-awaited prayers. Pleasant feels that this year, she can finally make a difference and give her family the holiday they had always been denied. But is a Christmas miracle even possible? Twelve Gifts by Christmas When Lady Philomena Wallace, the Countess of Lipscomb, receives a gift from a secret admirer, she has to imagine that it’s a lark. Why would a gentleman court a widow past the first blush of youth? It isn’t until a stranger from her past abruptly returns that she has to make a choice between a mysterious suitor - and a second chance at love. Julian Solomon never forgot Mena, the village girl from his younger days. He left for America to make his fortune, but now he’s back - only to find that he may just have a bit of competition for her affection. Determined to prove how much Mena means to him, Julian may just have to rely on a bit of Christmas spirit to not only win her hand – but her heart as well. Miss Pageant's Christmas Proposal Miss Emary Pageant is a diamond of the first water, one of the most popular debutantes of London society. She could have any man in England that she wanted, but only one appeals to her – the elusive bachelor that everyone is talking about. He would be her ultimate conquest, something to preen about for years to come. The only problem is that he thinks she’s just another empty-headed daughter of a viscount. And try as she might, she can’t convince him otherwise. Thankfully, she has always been quick witted, so she quickly conceives a plan. Donovan Wainwright, Duke of Windwood, is a physically and emotionally battle-scared war hero. He knows his duty to society the way he knew his duty to his country, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to fall prey to the first simpering lady who tries to gain his attention. While he might admit that Emary is appealing, she is far too vain for his tastes and he’s just not interested. It isn’t until Emary boldly offers him a proposal – which he foolishly accepts – that the tide abruptly turns. All at once, the woman Donovan wishes to avoid becomes the one he can’t live without.