Fern Michaels, JoAnn Ross, Mary Burton, and Judy Duarte, Silver Bells

Silver Bells

Fern Michaels, JoAnn Ross, Mary Burton, and Judy Duarte

Zebra, Nov 2008, $7.99

ISBN: 1420103636

'Silver Bells' by Fern Michaels. Although a star, Hollywood has not been fun for Amy Lee, who wants to leave the glitter behind her and just go home. This Christmas she returns to Apple Valley, Pennsylvania where her high-school boyfriend Hank Anders greets her in a way that makes her want to stay forever in his arms.

'Dear Santa' by JoAnn Ross. Mystery writer author Holly Berry has another reason to hate the holidays; a blizzard has left her stranded in Santa's Village, Washington at the lodge owned by Gabriel O'Halloran. He and his young matchmaking daughter give her a Christmas that makes her wish for more of their loving magic.

'Christmas Past' by Mary Burton. The letter she receives provides hints to the identity of a killer. Having had a violent abusive husband, photographer Nicole Piper knows she cannot pursue this alone so she turns to homicide detective David Ayden for help. The widow and the widower face danger to their lives and to their hearts as both find a second chance at love if they survive their sleuthing ordeal.

'A Mulberry Park Christmas' by Judy Duarte. Sugar Plum Lane residents know how to enliven the community for the Christmas season. However, this year Alyssa Ridgeway still reels from an ugly breakup and is not in the holiday mood until she runs into her first sweetheart, James MacGregor, who reminds her of the Christmas kiss past, present and future.

These four heartwarming holiday romances each contain strong lead characters, a sense of the season, and entertaining storylines.

Harriet Klausner