Melting Frosty - Maggie Shayne
Oswego, New York - Present Day

Holly and Matt are strangers trapped by a blizzard in her family's old home. They find out that each has suffered a similar tragedy in life; Holly lost her parents and sister in a car accident at the same time Matt lost his father. The deaths occurred during the holidays, and each looks upon the season in vastly different ways. Holly finds strength and happiness from the signs the angels of her family send to her. Matt doesn't want to get close to anyone and believes that life is cruel and painful. While Holly decorates for Christmas and plans festive meals, Matt remains aloof and cold. He is confused by her joy and unaccountably attracted to her at the same time. Holly feels that she has been sent home one last time for a reason, but helping Matt find happiness may prove to be an impossible task. The heartache she feels at the prospect of failing Matt is nothing compared to the thought of losing him forever.

Melting Frosty brings together two people who have dealt with tragedy in opposing ways. Holly still feels deep pain but looks for signs from her family to guide her through life. Matt is sure that life is only filled with pain, and getting close to people will bring even more heartache. Excellent back-stories, interesting characters, and a romantic holiday setting give the story a close and intimate feeling. A windblown hat connects the past with the present and provides the inspiration for the rebirth of hope in this terrific tale.

Charlotte's Web - Erin McCarthy
Cuttersville, Ohio - Present Day

Charlotte Murphy does everything in her power to be conservative and boring. She is from a family of witches who are over-the-top and relish their personal powers. Her family assures Charlotte that she, too, is a witch; she just hasn't figured out her own gift yet. Charlotte doesn't believe it until she is alone with Will, the object of her desire. When she is able to make the zipper on his pants go down by concentrating and chanting down, down, down, she is stunned. Deciding that she has waited too many years for Will to make a move on her, Charlotte decides to enlist a little magic to get her man. What she doesn't realize is that Will has been in love with her the entire time and he is ready to make some moves on his own. Charlotte's fear and guilt at forcing him to be attracted to her has her balking. Can the sizzling chemistry and white hot desire they feel for each other create enough magic of it's own to make her see the truth?

Charlotte's Web is a fun story about mixed signals. Charlotte's desire for a 'normal' Christmas, as opposed to her family's desire for the more pagan version, runs to lots of lights and everything tacky. Will has always been able to see below the staid and boring persona Charlotte puts on and is ready to do anything he can to make her his (even let her decorate his house for Christmas!). Funny, quirky characters, snappy dialogue, and magical mishaps are highlights of the story. Be prepared for fireworks and laughs in this bewitching tale.

Beat of Temptation - Nalini Singh
Near San Francisco, California - 2061

Tamsyn and Nate have known that they are mates for four long years. Nate is a soldier in the DarkRiver leopard pack that they both belong to. After the former healer, and her mentor, was slaughtered by a rival pack, Tamsyn had to become the healer at too young an age. Returning from medical school after six months, Tamsyn is looking forward to celebrating Christmas with her family. She is hoping her return will spur Nate to finally claim her as his mate. Tamsyn can no longer bear Nate telling her to wait, that she is too young. Nate remembers his mother's loathing of marriage; she didn't love his father with whom she mated too young. He will do everything in his power to make sure that Tamsyn never feels that kind of pain and anger. Nate wants her with every fiber of his being, but more, he wants their mating to be forever and happy. When the desire and need for Nate become all consuming and overwhelming, and when her seductions go unconsummated, Tamsyn must decide if Nate even loves her. Since Nate keeps telling her to enjoy her freedom and even roam if she feels like it, Tamsyn believes that he isn't attracted to her as a mate. To protect her heart, she must be prepared to leave the pack. How far is Nate willing to let Tamsyn roam before he finally believes that she knows exactly what she wants?

Beat of Temptation is set in a futuristic world filled with a cold unemotional ruling class, isolated shifter packs, and humans. Influences outside the pack, the unavenged slaughter of pack members, and the rebuilding of the pack place a heavy burden on Nate. Wanting to make the future perfect and happy blinds him to the impact he has on Tamsyn. Deep needs and the intimate connection of the pack give an emotional punch to the strong, independent nature of the characters. Solid writing with a well described setting and society adds tension to the story. Desire, territory, and dominance are explored in this taut drama.

The Gift of the Magi - Jean Johnson
Iowa - Present Day

Rachel and Steve are the newest in the long line of Rutherfords who have owned the Bethel Inn. After a tornado damaged the inn and uncovered additional structural problems in the old building, they had to take out a heavy mortgage to make repairs. Mr. Harrod, the banker, makes Scrooge look saintly, and he can't wait to take over the property with the first missed payment. When an unexpected heavy blizzard causes their holiday guests to cancel, and Rachel and Steve are visited by Harrod's local thugs making threats and gloating, they are terrified they will finally lose the family heritage. It looks as if this Christmas is destined to be stressful and unhappy. The arrival of three unexpected guests, Buddhist Cassie, Muslim Mike, and reform Jew Bella, finds Rachel offering them accommodation out of the storm, whether they can pay or not. The guests insist on not only paying, but also insist that the thugs pay for their rooms too. To survive a storm of this magnitude, everyone will need to work together. With restored hope, Steve and Rachel find themselves being thankful for much more than the inn. They have no need to know that they are a planned part of Cassie, Bella, and Mike's long, continuous journey.

The Gift of the Magi is a new take on a traditional tale. Rachel has come to the country from the big city, and she does her best to support her husband. Running an inn and the attached dairy is burdensome. Steve bears as much of the work load as possible, and they have very little time left for each other at the end of the day. Close quarters give everyone the chance to grow, find their inner strengths, and show their true characters. The contrast of well-drawn characters, good, bad, and saintly, gives the story a light-hearted feel. Moral lessons are practical and gentle, rather than righteous, and are often given in humorous doses. Sharp writing and imagination make this a completely enjoyable holiday tale.

AN ENCHANTED SEASON is a wonderful anthology with something to please every paranormal fan. Each story is different and well told with Christmas, love, and connection as the central theme. Fill your holidays with angels, magic, shifters, and spirits. Readers won't want to miss AN ENCHANTED SEASON.

Jennell