From the famed author of international bestseller Drinking with the Saints, every Christmas tradition explained and celebrated, as well as a glimpse into all the sometimes macabre and always fascinating nooks and crannies of the holiday. Deepen your knowledge of and love for Christmas! The definitive guide to every question you’ve had about the Christmas holiday—and many more you’ve never thought to ask! In Why We Kiss Under the Mistletoe, bestselling author Michael Foley dives deep into the history of Christmas and the customs that surround this beloved holiday. Learn about the fascinating origins of your favorite Christmas food, drink, observances, and songs. Discover how Saint Nicolas, a fourth-century Catholic bishop, became Santa Clause and who Santa’s global competitors are (some of them will shock you). And dig into the forbidden history of the Yuletide season’s dark and ghoulish side. Witty, imaginative, and wholly unique, Why We Kiss Under the Mistletoe is the stocking stuffer that will be revisited every year.

"Plain and mousy"—that was how Emmy Foster saw herself. A receptionist in London's St. Luke's Hospital, Emmy couldn't imagine why the very handsome Professor Ruerd ter Mennolt would take an interest in a girl like her. Ruerd couldn't figure out why, with a beautiful fiancée, he troubled himself with Emmy. Even more puzzling was why he invited her home for Christmas with him in Holland. But after he did, Ruerd couldn't help but wonder—was he engaged to the right girl?

From the Scottish highlands, to the bustle and tussle of London, to a hotel on the outskirts of town, three unforgettable authors bring the joy of Christmas romance in Kissing Under the Mistletoe. Great Scot! by Suzanne Enoch Miss Jane Bansil knows she will never have a fairy-tale moment. Well past the marriageable age, she’s taken a position as a companion and is now stuck in Scotland for Christmas, alone even in the middle of the boisterous MacTaggert family. But when Brennan Andrews, an architect and cousin to the MacTaggerts, arrives to draw up plans for a new family home, Jane must decide if she will take a chance at a happily-ever-after, or settle into her small, safe life for good. Christmas at Dewberry Hollow by Amelia Grey Miss Isabelle Reed has no plans to ever fall in love. She has a perfectly acceptable life with her mother at the Dewberry Hollow Inn, thank you very much. But when Gate, the Duke of Notsgrave’s grandson, appears at Dewberry Hollow searching for a carving on a tree, Isabelle cannot help but get involved. But Gate’s charm and their instant attraction makes Isabelle question if she’s willing to take her chance at love once again. My Mistletoe Beau by Anna Bennett Miss Eva Tiding is determined to cheer her widowed father with the perfect Christmas gift. Even if it means breaking into the home of the rakish Earl of Frostbough who swindled Papa out of his pocket watch. But when the earl, Jack Hardwick, catches her in the act, they strike a deal: she’ll pose as his fiancée in exchange for the watch. Falling in love is not part of the plan—but with a little Christmas magic, anything is possible...

Can just one kiss… …really change her life—forever? When Dr. Elsa McCrae rescues a mortified Dr. Marcus Pierce from a fall into an underground cave, planning the usual Christmas party for her local community has to take a back seat! As she’s forced to accept Marc’s offer of help during the busy holiday season, the charming cardiologist soon has Elsa fighting to protect her heart, knowing he’ll return to the city as soon as the festivities are over… From Harlequin Medical: Life and love in the world of modern medicine.

Get cozy with this heartwarming holiday story! "One little kiss won't hurt anything." Rodeo superstar Geoff Burris is adored by legions of female fans, but life on the road makes him shun commitment. During a rare hometown visit to Bronco for a holiday competition, he’s sidelined by an injury—and meets Stephanie Brandt. She’s a local nurse who is not dazzled by his fame—and prefers to keep out of the spotlight! Geoff is captivated by the no-nonsense introvert. He’d never planned to put down roots, but when Stephanie is in his arms, all this cowboy can think about is forever… From Harlequin Special Edition: Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness. Montana Mavericks: The Real Cowboys of Bronco Heights Book 1: The Rancher's Summer Secret by Christine Rimmer Book 2: For His Daughter's Sake by Stella Bagwell Book 3: The Most Eligible Cowboy by Melissa Senate Book 4: Grand-Prize Cowboy by Heatherly Bell Book 5: A Kiss at the Mistletoe Rodeo by Kathy Douglass Book 6: Dreaming of a Christmas Cowboy by Brenda Harlen

It was only a mistletoe kiss, Miss Preece told herself, stepping out into the icy December evening and locking the library doors behind her. A mistletoe kiss means nothing, everyone knows that; but this did not quench the warm glow inside her. Hetty Gilbert is a canal child with no permanent address, so when she needs to join the library, she cannot do so. Miss Preece dislikes children, but Hetty's longing for books touches a chord and she stretches the rules to allow the girl to read on the premises. Soon, Hetty's chief desire is to become a librarian like her friend. But with war on the horizon, their lives will never be the same. In 1939 Hetty joins in the war effort, for her knowledge of canal boats is desperately needed, whilst Miss Preece can only sit and listen to the dangers her young friend faces, knowing she herself can do nothing to help. But her chance will come, and with it the meaning behind that fragile mistletoe kiss ... Praise for Katie Flynn 'One of the best Liverpool writers...' Liverpool Echo 'If you pick up a Katie Flynn book it's going to be a wrench to put it down again' Holyhead and Anglesea Mail 'A heartwarming story of love and loss' Woman and Home

All I want for Christmas is Mr. McLaren under the mistletoe...Of course, that's all any girl in my senior class wants, but the crazy hot, decidedly grinchy Mr. McLaren is not an option. Not only because he's our teacher, but because he's a real jerk.All year I've kept my head down, turned in good work, and tried my best not to attract Mr. McLaren's attention. I'm comfortable admiring him from a safe distance, but I know better than to get too close. As ridiculous as it is to imagine that my brilliant, arrogant teacher might ever be interested in a student, there's something about the intensity of his gaze when I catch him looking at me in class...I'm sure it's all in my head. At least, I'm sure of that until the day he overhears a classmate asking me out.All of a sudden, I have Mr. McLaren's full attention. His methods of commanding mine are unethical at best, but there's something so enigmatic about this man. I can't stay away.Not that he's giving me much of a choice. I knew I wanted Mr. McLaren, but I didn't know...Maybe he wants me, too.Mistletoe Kisses is the perfect festive winter treat. It is a very steamy student/teacher romance of 47,000 words (a short novel).

The warmth of Katie Fforde and the festive charm of Trisha Ashley – Christmas sparkles with Fiona Harper! This Christmas, ex-WAG Louise Thornton is starting her new life, away from the paparazzi – and her cheating husband. Un-manicured, back on carbs and holding herself together courtesy of some seriously good foundation, Louise will make things perfect for her son, right up until he leaves for his dad's on the big day. Then she'll be free to curl up and cancel Christmas. But it turns out escaping the fame goldfish bowl comes with some perks: peace and quiet, no baying press, plus regular battles with her Mr Darcy-esque new neighbour to keep her edge. And the best thing about a real, country Christmas is that there's always lots of mistletoe to be found...

Regan, skeptical about love after learning that her fiancé is already married, moves with her daughter to Napa for her dream job, but when the scorned wife's brother tries to drive her from town, sparks begin to fly between the two.

"Just because I don't run around with a stupid grin on my face all day every day doesn't mean I'm grumpy." Ryan Sosa, grumpy former corporate accountant, has had it up to here with surprises. He didn't see getting fired coming. And he certainly didn't anticipate flying across the country to the world's hippie-est, happiest, most annoying town to save his great-uncle from some mysterious emergency. Not only is there actual snow on the ground, it also appears that elves on psychedelics have decked Blue Moon's halls. But he doesn't have time to be snarky about the impending Winter Solstice and Multicultural Holiday Celebration-whatever the hell that is. Not when he's got a farm to save, a free-range sheep that he may or may not have nudged with his stupid microscopic rental car, and some small-town veterinarian telling him she can't take the animal off his hands. Dr. Sammy Ames has a practice to manage and a fundraising crisis to attend to. She doesn't have time to deal with a big-city grouch who doesn't remember being her first kiss ever. Especially not since he wants to dump a sheep named Stan on her. So not happening. No matter how cute-and pantless-Ryan is when he's drunk. Besides, as soon as he solves his uncle's problem, he'll be on the first flight out of Blue Moon, never to return again. It will take a Winter Solstice Miracle or perhaps some matchmaking interference from the Beautification Committee to get these two to see eye-to-eye under the mistletoe...unless he's the wrong Ryan after all.