Experience the events of the first Christmas night with this stunning board book written in the beloved style of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas." "'Twas the very first Christmas when all through the town, not a creature was stirring--there was not a sound." This beautiful retelling of the birth of Jesus celebrates that fateful night in Bethlehem so long ago. The story begins with Mary and Joseph's arrival in Bethlehem and continues through Christ's birth, the angels' appearance to the shepherds, and the wise men's visit. Simple, elegant verses are brought to life with lush oil paintings, creating an enchanting reading experience for littles and their loved ones.

When Bing Crosby’s "White Christmas" debuted in 1942, no one imagined that a holiday song would top the charts year after year. One of the best-selling singles ever released, it remains on rotation at tree lighting ceremonies across the country, in crowded shopping malls on Black Friday, and at warm diners on lonely Christmas Eve nights. Over the years, other favorites have been added to America’s annual playlist, including Elvis Presley’s "Blue Christmas," the King Cole Trio’s "The Christmas Song," Gene Autry’s "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," Willie Nelson’s "Pretty Paper," and, of course, Elmo & Patsy’s "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer." Viewing American holiday values through the filter of familiar Christmas songs, Ronald Lankford examines popular culture, consumerism, and the dynamics of the traditional American family. He surveys more than seventy-five years of songs and reveals that the “modern American Christmas” has carried a complex and sometimes contradictory set of meanings. Interpreting tunes against the backdrop of the eras in which they were first released, he identifies the repeated themes of nostalgia, commerce, holiday blues, carnival, and travesty that underscore so much beloved music. This first full-length analysis of the lyrics, images, and commercial forces inextricably linked to Yuletide music hits the heart of what many Americans think Christmas is--or should be.

This holiday, e-artnow presents to you this unique collection of the greatest Christmas classics and the most beloved animal tales to warm up your heart and rekindle your holiday sparkle: The Tailor of Gloucester (Beatrix Potter) The Tale of Peter Rabbit (Beatrix Potter) Black Beauty (Anna Sewell) The Wind in the Willows (Kenneth Grahame) The Wonderful Wizard of OZ (L. Frank Baum) The Adventures of Reddy Fox (Thornton Burgess) The Adventures of Johnny Chuck (Thornton Burgess) The Adventures of Peter Cottontail (Thornton Burgess) The Old Mother West Wind (Thornton Burgess) The Story of Doctor Dolittle (Hugh Lofting) The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle (Hugh Lofting) The Story of a Nodding Donkey (Laura Lee Hope) Little Bun Rabbit (L. Frank Baum) The Velveteen Rabbit (Margery Williams) The Nutcracker and the Mouse King (E. T. A. Hoffmann) The Story of a Stuffed Elephant (Laura Lee Hope) Peace on Earth, Good-Will to Dogs (Eleanor Hallowell Abbott) Kittyboy's Christmas (Amy Ella Blanchard) The Naughty Reindeer (Amelia C. Houghton) Miss Muffet's Christmas Party (Samuel McChord Crothers) The Animals' Christmas Tree (John Punnett Peters) The Mouse and the Moonbeam (Eugene Field) The Cricket on the Hearth (Charles Dickens) The Christmas Cuckoo (Frances Browne) The Silver Hen (Mary E. Wilkins Freeman) The Sparrow and the Fairy (Georgianna M. Bishop) The Wonderful Bird (Georgianna M. Bishop) The Little Mud-Sparrows (Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward) The Little Gray Lamb (Archibald Beresford Sullivan) How Freckle Frog Made Herself Pretty (Charlotte B. Herr) Cat and Dog Stories (Walter Crane)

Unexpectedly homeless for the festive season and exhausted from transforming the penthouse of the hotel where she works into a dazzling winter wonderland, chambermaid Evie Anderson secretly sleeps over. Woken by an outrageously sensual kiss, Evie feels her body come alive...until she realises her seducer is Rio Zacarelli, her dangerously attractive new boss! This Christmas, it’s imperative that Rio’s reputation appear spotless — but innocently enticing Evie is a temptation he can’t resist! Their scorching chemistry leads to twelve nights of endless pleasure. But will it last once the decorations come down?

Mystery crime fiction written in the Golden Age of Murder "Like an assortment of presents under a Christmas tree, there's something for everyone in this Yule-themed reprint anthology in the British Library Crime Classics series from Edwards." —Publishers Weekly Christmas is a mysterious, as well as magical, time of year. Strange things can happen, and this helps to explain the hallowed tradition of telling ghost stories around the fireside as the year draws to a close. Christmas tales of crime and detection have a similar appeal. When television becomes tiresome, and party games pall, the prospect of curling up in the warm with a good mystery is enticing—and much better for the digestion than yet another helping of plum pudding. Crime writers are just as susceptible as readers to the countless attractions of Christmas. Over the years, many distinguished practitioners of the genre have given one or more of their stories a Yuletide setting. The most memorable Christmas mysteries blend a lively storyline with an atmospheric evocation of the season. Getting the mixture right is much harder than it looks. This book introduces of readers to some of the finest Christmas detective stories of the past. Martin Edwards' selection blends festive pieces from much-loved authors with one or two stories which are likely to be unfamiliar even to diehard mystery fans. The result is a collection of crime fiction to savor, whatever the season.

A RITA® award finalist for best contemporary romance Have yourself a steamy little Christmas… After three years in prison, freight train engineer Lacey Gallagher doesn't expect this Christmas to be very merry and bright. At least chopping down trees for her brother's Christmas tree farm will help her save money to get her life back on track. All her plans derail, though, when her new job puts her in territory patrolled by the man who haunts her dreams—the forest ranger who sent her to prison. Austin Wilder isn't thrilled about Lacey working in his forest—but he soon realizes he needs her help. His family is depending on him to restore an old steam train for a spectacular Christmas event, and train expert Lacey is his only hope of finishing in time. Working together challenges every assumption Lacey and Austin have about each other, and they discover a desire hot enough to melt even the deepest Montana snow. But will the season of second chances be enough to mend the most hardened broken heart? This steamy Christmas romance novel features a Christmas romance lodge, lots of Christmas trees, and some Christmas humor to bring you good cheer! Please note: This book was originally published in 2015 but has been re-published with no changes to the story.

Christmas wishes… Christmas kisses…. Paris Reid wasn't prepared to settle for less than the best where men were concerned! But the best was Will Brydon. After their affair had ended disastrously three years ago, Paris hadn't so much as looked at another man. Now, holed up in a remote hotel under police guard, Will and Paris were destined to spend Christmas together. They were being hunted by an escaped murderer—a man they'd helped to convict. Things looked pretty dismal…but Paris knew exactly what she wanted for Christmas. It was just a question of whether she would get him! Romantic Times on To Have and To Hold: "Sally Wentworth blends provocative dialogue and an exciting plot into unforgettable reading."

" A Christmas Night's Guests" is written in traditional Xmas design. it is a tale about relations, the troubles of life, taking care of health issues, and the spirit of Xmas. Issue what your personal history is, you'll enjoy this heartwarming tale of Emily and therefore the difficulty she had with being ill throughout Xmas time. Your youngster's ears will cheer up when he becomes conscious of the Xmas preparations, the right Christmas tree, and everyone the members of the family getting together for special time. However, all isn't well, and there's threat lurking nearby. At the last moment one site visitor gets here. He feels the discomfort of the relations, also as his heart crave the girl Susan, whom he's unable to assist himself. He employs the help of a unique friend, who is that the second visitor. This second visitor in is certainly the one which will address the matter also as bring health and wellness and healing to a clingy relation. Despite having all the strain around Christmas season, kids could be closer to the truth than their moms and dads." A Christmas Night's Guests" may be a terrace tale which will offer you an opportunity to travel over truth meaning of Xmas and can be a Xmas tale that your children cherish for several years to seek out. Xmas was right round the corner. Only 3 days up until the Jacob's relations were to possess their most vital household Xmas ever. Not just would the 4 participants of the Jacob's household be there, but Granny & Grandpa, Uncle Jim, Aunt Jeanne, and their 3 children, and also Auntie Karen together with her hubby Bob, with their 3 young boys. What a gift it had been most likely to be to possess the entire relations there for Christmas supper. within the past, the varied families all had their own plans for Xmas, also as also thanks to a misunderstanding that led to a disagreement between the two brothers, Jerry also as Jim variety of years back, therefore the get togethers of the whole relations just didn't occur. However, this Christmas was various ... extremely various! it had been what doctors called, "The last Christmas for small Susan." Susan was the youngest of the Jacob's household, only 6 years of ages, and had fallen victim to a health issue that medical professionals just couldn't cure. Everything that would be done, had been done, and therefore the doctors had little hope that she would also make it right into the New Year. therefore, the whole relations damaged all various other strategies also as made a choice to travel to Susan 's last Xmas. Although Emily was unwell, she was a really satisfied child, and was constantly very joyous and positive. Jerry also as Cora, Susan 's Mother, and father, constantly marveled at her self-confidence, and her faith that day she would improve. Susan despised missing out on supper together with her household, so nightly, Father would bring her right into the dining room. Every now then she had good days and felt solid enough to form it to the table by herself, yet that did not happen extremely often. Her big brother Patrick was her ally, also as they spent hours together, reading, playing games, or simply resting and speaking. Patrick didn't care that his sister was 3 years younger than him. After school, he would run up to Susan 's area to inform her regarding his day, and also, she would definitely share what happened together with her day. Emily was unable to travel to school like other children, so she expected hearing what Chris needed to share a day. Susan 's favored day of the week was Sunday. Sunday was the day that she needs to leave her bed, and her home, also as attend church together with her family. She loved getting to church, albeit she wasn't really feeling well. She would definitely claim," I want to let Jesus know that I’m alright , so he won't bother with me." So, with a lump in their throats, additionally to excellent satisfaction, all of them would get dressed and participate in church. This was extremely crucial to Susan, specifically at Xmas time. The church was all dressed in the foremost lovely decorations she had ever seen, also as alongside the carols that everyone would definitely sing, made it very unique. She really felt good when she was in church. Her face illuminated just like the Christmas tree that decorated the church haven, and the lights from the tree glowed in her attractive blue eyes. This Sunday was additional unique, thanks to the very fact that it had been the day that the household would go also as discover the Christmas tree that might be displayed in their very house, and it had been the right day! it had been chilly, however not also cold. The snow was dropping gently over their little community, also because it was so attractive that it reminded Emily of a Xmas card that she had seen.

Murder Mysteries for the Long Christmas Night is a potently curated anthology that traverses the shadowy realms of suspense, gothic horror, and captivating mystery. Impeccably arranged to reflect the chilling ambiance of Christmas nights, the collection ingeniously weaves together a diverse range of literary stylesfrom the eerie psychological twists of Victorian gothic to the cunning riddles of golden-age detective fiction. Highlighted within this assemblage are narratives that not only stand as hallmarks of their respective authors oeuvre but also collectively redefine the contours of the mystery genre. Each story, with its unique narrative voice and stylistic prowess, contributes to a larger mosaic of suspense and intrigue. The contributing authors, a veritable whos who of 19th and early 20th-century literary giants, bring to the anthology an array of backgrounds that enrich the thematic and narrative diversity of the collection. From Dickens masterful portrayal of human nature to Conan Doyles unrivaled deductive adventures, and from Wilkie Collins intricate plot constructions to the supernatural elegance of M.R. James' tales, these authors collectively embody the historical and cultural shifts of their times. Their contributions not only underscore the evolving landscape of literature but also mirror the societal fascinations and anxieties of their eras, making the anthology a captivating study in the intersection of narrative form, cultural commentary, and entertainment. Murder Mysteries for the Long Christmas Night offers readers an unparalleled opportunity to engage with the seminal works that have shaped and informed the mystery genre. Perfect for both aficionados and newcomers to the genre, this collection promises a riveting exploration of human curiosity, the thrill of the chase, and the eternal allure of the unknown. It invites readers to wrap themselves in the warm glow of storytelling mastery, all the while navigating the chilling twists and turns that lurk within its pagesa seasonal treasure trove of literary gems that both educates and entertains.

Christmas cheer and romance are sweet any time of year! This gift set of eight diverse holiday-themed love stories is loaded with hunks and honeys, cops and crooks, love at first sights and second chances, and a few surprise youngsters out to trick Mommy. Snuggle up and let six of The Authors’ Billboard New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Authors entertain you with romance from sweet to spicy from locations around the world. Mimi Barbour – Loveable Christmas Angel: Christmas in Hawaii! How lucky can a girl get? Or so Leilani thinks... Susanne Matthews – Holiday Magic: Is there enough magic left in Christmas to help them overcome the past? Taylor Lee – Special Ops and Cops Christmas: What could be more perfect than a Christmas wedding? Ask the terrorists who plan to keep ‘Happily Ever After’ from happening? Taylor Lee – Blue Christmas: Even Blue Christmases can be Red HOT! Susan Jean Ricci – Because We’re Snowflakes: After an accidental meeting on Christmas Eve, Rosie and Magoo are about to discover if their mutual attraction supports a future despite their diverse, cultural traditions. Rachelle Ayala – A Father for Christmas: A homeless veteran meets a single mother whose daughter asks Santa for an unusual gift. Rachelle Ayala – Deck the Hearts: Can Holly’s jolly Christmas spirit help Grinchy Gordon Gills save the town of Christmas Creek? Dani Haviland – A Stingray Christmas: Love had nothing to do with it…at first.