Wish You Joy by Jan Thompson

Have you ever disliked your co-worker or business partner? If so, what did you do about it?

Cyrus owns 51 percent of Christmastown, a company that provides Christmas decoration services. Amy, who owns 49 percent of the company, must work with Chris.

She can’t stand him. They start off on the wrong foot, and it’s hard for them to get along. But, Amy has a photography business, and she’s out of the country a lot. She has to time to spend running the business with Cyrus.

But, Amy discovers that her past is not what it seems. She finds she needs to overcome pain from the past before she can move forward with her life.

Overall, a light, good read.

So, have you ever disliked your co-worker or business partner? What did you do to improve your business relationship?

Calm And Bright by Autumn Macarthur

Have you ever had a workaholic spouse?

Maddie Hughes is highly upset with her husband, Brad. Recently divorced, she’s never been able to forgive her ex for upsetting her “perfect” life. She’s left her home and followed him to the city. She was unhappy with her new environment – unhappy and alone. A new mom, she felt Brad had failed her since he spent ALL of his time at work. Now he wants to reunite this Christmas. Is there hope for them?

Brad only worked long hours so that he could provide a nice life for his family. Why can’t Maddie understand that? His father has convinced Brad that making lots of money, moving up the corporate ladder, is what he needs to do to be successful in life.

But, why can’t he have both, a successful career and his family, too?

I really enjoyed this story. I thought it was highly realistic. It’s a nice, sweet Christmas story.

Have you ever been upset with your spouse, because he was a workaholic? Did you divorce or were you able to work out your differences? Did you pray for guidance?

The Wonder Of His Love by Kimberly Rae Jordan

Did you ever have negative experiences with finances when you were growing up?

Abandoned by her mom, Noella Crawford is sent to a foster home. Her mom was terrible with their finances, and she’s seen her mother be taken advantage of, financially, by men. Noella is determined not to repeat her mother’s mistakes. When she meets Scotsman Finlay Kinnaird she’s attracted to him. However, Finlay is only a mechanic, plus he lives in a trailer park, and Noella is the successful owner of a bakery. No way does she want to lose her heart to a financially unstable man, but, there’s just something warm and caring about Finlay…what should she do?

This is a nice, engaging Christmas read. I loved reading how Noella struggled with her issues with finances and romance.

So, have you ever have negative experiences with finances when you were growing up? How did you cope? Did your experience affect your romantic relationships?

A Second Chance by Alexis Goring

Have you ever kept a secret from your significant other?

Traci Hightower is still paying the bills for her wedding – a wedding that never happened. When she meets Marc Roberts, she’s deeply attracted to him. When Marc spots Traci in a restaurant, he’s smitten with her good looks. He hesitates about asking her out – after all, he leads a busy life, helping to take care of his widowed sister’s children takes a lot of his time and energy. He’s not sure if he’s ready and able to give love another chance.

But Traci has a secret and she’s afraid to tell Marc. How will he react?

Marc has been burned by women in the past. How can he move past his negative experiences and learn to give Traci a chance?

A Second Chance is a light, sweet entertaining novella. If you like clean and wholesome stories, then you should give this one a try.

So, have you ever had a secret that you kept from your significant other? Did he/she ever find out? If so, how did they react?

The Manning Grooms by Debbie Macomber

This was a nice, refreshing book. I really enjoyed these sweet wonderful stories. There were two romances included in The Manning Grooms collection:

1. Bride On The Loose

Have you ever had trouble dating after a bitter divorce?

Jason Manning is content with his life as a bachelor veterinarian. He is also the owner/superintendent of an apartment complex. Charlotte Weston lives in one of the apartments with her nosy daughter, Carrie. Carrie is determined to set her mom up with Jason – her mom has been single for a long time and it’s time for her to date again. Jason is reluctant to pursue Charlotte. However, as he gets to know shy, pretty Charlotte, he finds himself intrigued.

Charlotte is attracted to Jason, but, knows that there can be no romance between them. She harbors a deep secret – a secret which she believes may have contributed to her bitter divorce years ago.

I liked the characters in this book. Jason was a great guy and he really stuck by Charlotte and he was a perfect gentleman. Charlotte was a sweet lady who’d had her heart broken – and her soul had been broken too, that’s why she never dated after her divorce.

So, have you ever found it hard to date after a bitter divorce? What happened? Were you able to start dating and find true love again?

2. Same Time, Next Year

When James Wilkens literally runs into Summer Lawton in Vegas on New Year’s Eve, she’s in tears. Eager to help her, they share dinner. She tells of her fiancé’s recent betrayal and James predicts that she will be over her pain in one year. They make a deal to meet in one year at the same place – just so that James can prove his point about getting over a lost love.

James and Summer keep in touch during their year apart. When they meet again, their attraction kindles, but, would they make a good couple?

Summer is much younger than James, and James is trying to get a political position. Would his potential voters accept his marriage to a much younger, attractive woman who is an actress at Disneyland?

I loved this sweet, endearing story. It’s not too deep, just simple and fun.

So, have you ever fallen in love with someone via letters or via the internet? What happened when you met in person?