Toymaker, Deacon Stone, needs a wife. If he isn't married in less than a week his grandmother will sell her shares of the family business, and everything Deacon has worked his entire life for will be taken from him. He isn't the husband type but he'll do whatever it takes to keep control of the family business. Single mother, Claire Brooks, dreamed of being an actress, not a maid to the wealthy. But with an eviction notice, an empty bank account, and Christmas just around the corner, she's barely making ends meet. When her daughter accidentally breaks a priceless statue belonging to her employer - the gorgeous and aloof toymaker - Claire has no choice but to accept Deacon Stone's proposal. Marry him for thirty days, convince his grandmother that they're in love, and he'll give her a hundred grand and the chance to finally give her daughter the life she deserves. Claire's determined to give the performance of her life. But when Deacon's kisses ignite a scorching hot chemistry between them, the line between make-believe and the truth starts to blur.

Afraid to spend the Christmas holiday alone, an aging widower hires a woman to keep him company...when these two lonely souls meet, the result is a heartwarming and redeeming weekend that will change both of their lives forever. In this and other stories in The Christmas Wife, distinguished author and four-time recipient of the prestigious O. Henry Award Helen Norris expertly blends the poignant and bittersweet in moments that quietly resonate beyond the page. Emotional and moving, Norris's stories masterfully celebrate the heart and soul's triumph over loss, regret, and the nameless longings common to all. With a new introduction by Kaye Gibbons, author of Ellen Foster, A Virtuous Woman, and more, this edition also includes the DVD of the film The Christmas Wife, starring Academy Award-winning actor Jason Robards and Tony Award-winning actress Julie Harris. Book jacket.

A family Christmas! Charli McKenna runs a business that specializes in organizing all those annoying domestic details of life, from dinner parties to laundry. Christmas is her specialty! Max Taylor wants a full-time wife. A wife will also get him a seat on the board. That last thing he wants is messy emotional ties. He'd even prefer a make-believe wife—and Charli is the ideal candidate. Charli can't exactly say why she has agreed to pretend to be Max's wife—his smile, perhaps? But since she has agreed, she's going to make a go of it. She's determined to have a real tree, a real turkey and…a real husband!

After years of dreaming, Jessica is finally getting married, but the marriage isn't exactly what she thought. Daniel is her best friend, and she's known him all her life, but he's never gotten over losing his wife two years ago. His dream is to become the pastor of the church in their hometown, but the small-town congregation keeps balking over calling an unmarried minister. Since Daniel needs a wife and Jessica wants a husband and family, she proposes an arrangement that benefits both of them. They can get married. They can build a life together. They can celebrate Christmas as a couple. It's fine that he doesn't love her. And it's fine that she's not exactly suited to be a small-town pastor's wife. And it's fine that she's more attracted to her sexy, brooding husband every day. Jessica can be practical about this marriage. She knows what she's getting into, after all... (This book includes fully-developed sex scenes between a husband and wife.)

This book is 100% created by the author. No AI was used. Notice: This book is a western historical romance, but not a Christian, sweet story. He desperately wants to marry her off and out of his life, but why does no one seem to suit? Guthrie, Oklahoma, 1906 ~ History teacher Ellie Henderson, has been a thorn in High School Principal Max Colbert’s side ever since he took over three months ago.When she’s not flying by his office, late for her class, with books and papers jumbled in her arms, she’s attending Suffragettes meetings against his orders. Because of her family connections, Max can’t fire her, but he can certainly find someone to marry her, and keep her busy in the kitchen–and far away from his school. Max soon finds that what seemed like a good idea can turn into disaster when Miss Ellie Henderson is involved. The woman is a master at getting into trouble. With the Christmas season in full swing, he has many opportunities to introduce her to prospective husbands. However, he gets the uncomfortable feeling that no one is worthy of the minx…

Will marriage save her family? Christmas with the North Country Amish