Carly Alexander The Secret Life of Mrs. Claus

The Secret Life of Mrs. Claus

Carly Alexander

Strapless, Oct 2005, $12.95

ISBN: 0758209258

"Prologue". Sales at Rossman's Department Stores are down. At the flagship store in Chicago, family members debate how to improve sales for the key holiday season. Over the objection of Daniel, the Rossman brood pushed by Meredith decide to reuse Mrs. Claus as part of their Christmas display for the rug rats.

"A Little White Trim". In Baltimore, Olivia feels depressed as her broken ankle devastated her dream of becoming a dancer and her boyfriend Bobby ended their six-year relationship once he made it as a California producer of a TV show starring an evil Olivia. She accepts the gig as Mrs. Claus at Rossman's; soon she is offered a New York opportunity and Bobby wants her back while her pal, architect Woody seems so handsome.

"A Tight Leather Belt". The Mrs. Claus suit has moved on to the San Francisco store where the frazzled single mom of Tyler, Cassie accepts the position to insure she does not lose her job at Rossman's. She is attracted to Buchman, but fears this will harm her five year old son. She learns the meaning of the holiday when Tyler vanishes and Buchman with Mistletoe the mouse comes to the rescue.

"This Christmas, You Are What You Wear. The suit moves on to Chicago where family member Meredith darns the costume. The only jingle she cares about is the noise from credit and debit cards, checks, and paper money. She needs to increase sales by fifty percent or Daniel becomes the CEO instead of her. She relearns the magic of Christmas from Nick, the store's Santa.

These three lighthearted holiday romantic romps are fun tales starring likable protagonists who seem so right together especially under the mistletoe.

Harriet Klausner