It is Christmas Eve and, for the toys in Mr Blossom's shop, it is their last chance to be sold. Holly, a small doll dressed especially for Christmas, wishes hard for her own special child. But the day ends and Holly is left in the window. On Christmas morning a little lost orphan girl finds herself outside the toyshop. Ivy has never had a doll to love, but when she sees Holly, she knows at once that this doll is meant specially for her. But Ivy has no money, and the shop is closed . . . The Story of Holly and Ivy is a Christmas classic by Rumer Godden, beautifully illustrated by Christian Birmingham.

THE GIFT OF FAMILY The flames of memory always seem to glow a little brighter during the holidays. Perhaps that’s why this time of year is so difficult for airline heiress Ivy Macintosh, as she faces thoughts of yet another festive season alone. Since the plane crash that claimed the lives of her husband and two children eight years ago, she’s been submerged in grief. When eleven-year-old Holly Greenwood knocks on her door, lost and frightened after a forbidden visit to her singing teacher, Ivy’s self-imposed exile is shattered. Holly has an extraordinary voice, and wants nothing more than to perform in an upcoming Christmas musical. Holly’s father, Daniel, doesn’t allow music in their home, refusing to give a good reason why. Yet Ivy is drawn to the warmth she senses beneath his gruff exterior. As Christmas nears, their shared concern for Holly begins to draw Ivy back into the world again . . . and toward a family who may need her just as much as she needs them . . . “Bestselling Michaels’ bittersweet Christmas story offers the promise of a better tomorrow.” —Booklist “The storyline is an emotional rollercoaster, so keep a tissue box nearby . . . A great read.” —RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars

In the game of love, someone's about to score. The bare fact is: Ivy Hall isn't good at covering bare facts. Her dream job as a rookie sportswriter for the Austin Globe loses its glitter when a locker room fiasco gets her demoted from a major sports beat. Worse, senior sportswriter Rick Scott witnessed her humiliation. When she regains her mojo by writing a popular sports column about coaching a girls' soccer team, Rick starts coaching a girls' team, too. Is this a challenge? Is he rubbing dirt in her wounds? Trying to make her look bad again and get her fired? Rick's definitely got a game plan, but it's about winning her over. She likes to compete, and so does he. But falling in love is one sport they can both win.

Comprehensive and engaging, this colourful study covers the whole sweep of ritual history from the earliest written records to the present day. From May Day revels and Midsummer fires, to Harvest Home and Hallowe'en, to the twelve days of Christmas, Ronald Hutton takes us on a fascinating journey through the ritual year in Britain. He challenges many common assumptions about the customs of the past, and debunks many myths surrounding festivals of the present, to illuminate the history of the calendar year we live by today.