A Carolina Christmas

Book excerpt: Maybe this Christmas they'll see each other in a brand-new light… Schoolteacher Bella Hart and her neighbor Sam Anderson are both newcomers to Magnolia, North Carolina, yet they’ve grown to be good friends. But lately she’s noticed a distinct charge in the air when they’re together. Still, from what Bella can see, the attractive and popular firefighter may be more of a good-time playboy than stable-relationship material. Hopefully her plans to spend Christmas back home in Colorado will give the attraction between them time to cool down. Then Bella's puppy, Tater, is injured days before Christmas, and she decides to stay in town to take care of him. Sam insists that Bella come with him to his Blue Ridge Mountain hometown for Christmas, hoping that Bella might see him in a new light there. But his hopes are dashed as soon as she meets his older brother. On paper, responsible and even-keeled Kyle is perfect for Bella—the exact opposite of a man like Sam. Good thing Bella doesn’t give a Christmas fig about what looks good on paper. All she wants for Christmas is Sam. And in this season of joy and giving, could her wish possibly be about to come true?