Once Upon a Christmas
Read Once Upon a Christmas Online
Authors: Lisa Plumley
Tags: #christmas, #lisaplumley, #lisa plumly, #lisa plumely, #lisa plumbley, #contemporary romance, #Holidays, #romance, #lisa plumley, #Anthology
Praise for the novels of Lisa Plumley
SO
IRRESISTIBLE
“Plumley
delivers yet another witty romance with this fun read featuring likable
characters and plenty of steamy scenes.”
—
Booklist
“
Lisa Plumley tells amazing romance stories and like the
title, her latest is irresistible. I loved every moment of this book.
”
—
Eye on Romance
THE
HONOR-BOUND GAMBLER
“Welcome
to Morrow Creek, Plumley’s little slice of the West and a romance with heart
and grit. Lively storytelling and a cast of engaging, delightful characters—from
a rapscallion little boy to a conniving reverend to a hardened gambler and a
preacher’s daughter—are simply perfect for this tale. Love and redemption are
the soul of this heart-tugging charmer.”
—Romantic Times (4 stars! +
K.I.S.S. hero)
TOGETHER
FOR CHRISTMAS
“Plumley
makes her third trip to Kismet, Mich. (after Home for the Holidays) in this
laugh-out-loud Christmas romp. This sweet romance tugs at the heartstrings from
the beginning and doesn’t let up until the final page.”
—Publishers
Weekly
“This
is a genuinely fun story, with complex, engaging characters and a thoroughly
charming holiday atmosphere. No matter what, Lisa Plumley knows how to craft a
terrific, heart-warming story with deliciously happy endings, and I definitely
plan to go back and read her other books set in Kismet. At least that will give
me something to do until her next book comes out!”
—The Romance Reviews
MELT
INTO YOU
“Plumley
(Holiday Affair, 2010) has written another delightful story filled with
everything her fans expect—likable characters, a great romance, humorous
situations, witty dialogue, and a heartwarming story. ”
—Booklist
(starred review!)
“This
is a delightful story with a hero who could easily be a real jerk, but is quite
a sweetheart, and a heroine determined to not be hurt by love again, yet can’t
help herself. Her mistrust of the hero is quite understandable, and his
struggle to learn how to be good is entertaining. ”
—Romantic Times (4
stars!)
THE
BRIDE RAFFLE
“Ms.
Plumley knows how to make her characters real and relatable. We know these
people. We have friends like this. This ability to create realistic characters
makes Ms. Plumley’s novels even more compelling. I loved every page of this
book and found it hard to put down. I can’t wait to see what Ms. Plumley
produces next! ”
—Historical Romance Writers
“Lisa
Plumley has penned a really cute, delightful tale with The Bride Raffle.
Looking for something that is lighthearted and fun? Something that combines
romance and humor? The Bride Raffle by Lisa Plumley is perfect for you! ”
—CataRomance
(4 stars!)
MAIL-ORDER
GROOM
“Everyone
has a secret in this delightful tale from the Old West. The concept of the
mail-order groom, rather than bride, is an entertaining twist on a standard
plot. There’s plenty of gun-slinging, bloodshed, and lovemaking going on from
start to finish, which will keep readers turning pages until the very end.
”
—Romantic Times (4 stars!)
“Lisa
Plumley has written a charming romance between two very appealing characters.
An engaging novel with a heroine you won’t soon forget. ”
—Love Western
Romances (4 spurs!)
HOLIDAY
AFFAIR
“Secrets and subterfuge add complexity and
zing to this well-crafted, heartwarming story that features a wealth of
engaging characters, including five remarkable, memorable children, and great
sexual tension. A deliciously satisfying, cocoa-worthy holiday read.”
—Library
Journal
“Lisa
Plumley’s latest holiday novel delivers. It has warm gooey holiday moments
complete with happy children, Christmas traditions such as caroling and
decorating Christmas cookies and, oh yeah, hot and steamy romance. Loaded with
fun pop-culture references and witty dialogue,
Holiday Affair
delivers
on entertainment!”
—The Romance Reader (Five Hearts!)
MY
FAVORITE WITCH
“In keeping with Plumley’s tradition of
lively romantic comedy (
Home for the Holidays
), her first foray into the
paranormal witch world subgenre is quirky, sexy, creative, and hilarious.”
—Library Journal
“Humorous adventures and unexpected romance
with a sprinkling of heartwarming moments will keep the reader well entertained
in this delightful tale, skillfully crafted by the clever Plumley.”
—Booklist
HOME
FOR THE HOLIDAYS
“Lisa
Plumley once again gifts readers with a Yuletide story sure to put you in a
holiday mood. This is vintage Plumley. She’s created a cast of characters that
are a bit eccentric, quirky, and likeable and spun a story that will make you
smile.” —
Lezlie Patterson, McClatchy-Tribune News Service
“A
delightful secondary romance adds to the fun in this upbeat romp that is
touching, hilarious, and lightly dusted with seasonal charm.” —
Library
Journal
LET’S
MISBEHAVE
“Once
again, Plumley shows her fine flair for comedy as Marisol learns that there is
life beyond Rodeo Drive, and the Connelly triplets discover that they can
’
t scare away every nanny. Full of witty dialogue
and hilarious situations, this romp with a heart is certain to please
readers.” —
Booklist (starred review; named one of the Top Ten Romances
of 2007)
“Plumley
not only delivers a fun-filled premise, clever dialogue and a delightfully sexy
sports-loving hero, she brings to life a memorable, hilarious and utterly
unique heroine readers will adore. This is pure romantic fantasy and an
absolutely entertaining novel from start to finish.” —
Romantic Times
(4½ stars Top Pick!)
MAD
ABOUT MAX
“A
cool cast of secondary characters adds much to the story as clever Plumley, who
is already known for her entertaining romantic comedies, presents another
winner in this humorous and engaging tale about a man who literally loses his
shirt, but finds his heart.” —
Booklist (starred review)
“
Mad
About Max
kept me laughing from beginning to end. What great characters!
Very highly recommended, especially for fans of romantic comedy.” —
Romance
Junkies
JOSIE
DAY IS COMING HOME
“
Turning not-so-perfect, unlikely characters into romance
heroes and heroines is Lisa Plumley’s forte, and she once again delivers a zany
cast who will make you laugh
!” —
The State newspaper
“
In this heartwarming, often humorous story, the feisty
Josie proves that you can go home again—if you’ve got the right stuff. And once
again, the talented Plumley, whose books include
Perfect Switch
, proves
that when it comes to writing romantic comedy, few do it better
.” —
Booklist
by
Lisa Plumley
* * * * *
previously published by Kensington Publishing
This Christmas, chill out and cuddle up with these
enchanting holiday stories…
Mistletoe and Holly
Accountant Holly Aldridge scrupulously plans everything
in her life—until her boyfriend gets spontaneous by dumping her right before
Thanksgiving. Still, Holly’s sure he’ll reconsider, given a little time…and a
reason to be jealous. That reason, all six-feet-plus of him, is her new
roommate, Sam McKenzie. If Sam has his way, Holly will have a sizzling new
romance by Christmastime…
Christmas Honeymoon
Some women would consider it the perfect Christmas
gift: an all-expenses-paid Vegas honeymoon. But Stacy Ames isn’t some women.
Actually, she’s supposed to be posing as her cousin Janie. Too bad Stacy’s faux
hubby turns out to be her infuriatingly sexy ex, Dylan. Fortunately, mistletoe
and free champagne have a way of turning “too bad” into very, very
good…
A Baby for Christmas
Kahlúa, coffee, and sympathy—it’s amazing the trouble
they can get a girl into. Chloe Carmichal was only trying to help her best pal
(and secret crush), Nick, drown his sorrows. She never expected they’d end up
having a hot-and-heavy tryst that Nick’s hangover would make him forget, but
that Chloe will always remember…since she’ll have his baby as a Christmas
memento…
* * * * *
Copyright © 2012 by
Lisa Plumley
This ebook is licensed for your personal
enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold or given away to other people. If
you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an
additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not
purchase it, then please respect the hard work of this author by purchasing
your own copy. Thank you!
* * * * *
USA
TODAY best-selling author Lisa Plumley
has delighted readers worldwide with
more than three dozen popular novels. Her work has been translated into
multiple languages and editions, and includes contemporary romances, western
historical romances, paranormal romances, and a variety of stories in romance
anthologies. Her fresh, funny style has been likened to such reader favorites
as Rachel Gibson, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, LaVyrle Spencer, and Jennifer
Crusie, but her unique characterization is all her own.
Lisa lives in sunny
Arizona with her husband and two children. In her free time she reads romances
and research books by the dozen, practices yoga, and spends time with her
family—hiking in the mountains and deserts of Arizona, visiting ghost towns and
historical sites, traveling, reading, and watching classic movies.
Visit with Lisa at
her website,
www.lisaplumley.com
,
follow her on Twitter
@LisaPlumley
,
connect with her official Facebook page at
www.facebook.com/lisaplumleybooks
,
or circle her on Google+ at
www.google.com/+Lisaplumley
today!
“I’m thrilled to
share these stories with you!
Once
Upon a Christmas
is a special edition of my first three romances, which I
spiffed up, revamped, and Christmasified for the holiday season. The originals
are out of print, so if you missed these stories (
Surrender
,
The Honeymoon Hoax
, and
My Best Friend’s Baby
) the
first time around—when they were in limited release—please be sure to check out
this mega-collection.”
—Lisa
Contemporary Romances
All He Wants For
Christmas (2014)
So Irresistible (2013)
Together for Christmas
(2012)
Melt Into You (2012)
Holiday Affair (2010)
Home For The Holidays
(2008)
Let’s Misbehave (2007)
Mad About Max (2006)
I Shaved my Legs for This?!
(2006)
(anthology w/Theresa Alan, Holly Chamberlin, and Marcia Evanick)
Once Upon a Christmas (2005)
Josie Day is Coming Home
(2005)
Perfect Switch (2004)
Perfect Together (2003)
Reconsidering Riley (2002)
Santa Baby (2002)
(anthology w/Kylie Adams, Elaine Coffman, and Lisa Jackson)
Falling For April (2002)
Making Over Mike (2001)
Her Best Man (2000)
Man Of The Year (2000)
My Best Friend’s Baby (1999)
The Honeymoon Hoax (1998)
Surrender (1997)
Historical Romances
Notorious in the West
(2014)
The Honor-Bound Gambler
(2013)
Weddings Under a Western
Sky (2012)
(anthology w/Elizabeth Lane and Kate Welsh)
The Bride Raffle (2011)
Wanton in the West
(2011)
Mail-Order Groom (2010)
Hallowe’en Husbands
(2008)
(anthology w/Denise Lynn and Christine Merrill)
The Rascal (2006)
The Scoundrel (2006)
The Matchmaker (2003)
The Drifter (2002)
Lawman (1999)
Outlaw (1999)
Paranormal Romance
My Favorite Witch (2009)
Time-Travel
Romances
Timeless Winter (1999)
(anthology w/Sandra Davidson and Kathryn
Hockett)
Timeless Spring (1999)
(anthology w/Sandra Davidson and Cynthia
Thomason)
Table of Contents
Praise for the novels of Lisa Plumley
by
Lisa Plumley
Chapter One
It should have been a perfectly romantic evening. The
lighting was soft, the music was seductive, the wine was cold. Even the weather
had cooperated, in the form of a late-autumn Arizona rainstorm that thrummed on
the roof with a hypnotic rhythm. It was the kind of night that invited
snuggling up together and forgetting the rest of the world existed.
And it would have been that kind of night, had everything
gone according to Holly Aldridge’s plan. Instead, things had started going
downhill from the moment her boyfriend Brad came home to the cozy
Craftsman-style bungalow they shared, swearing and dripping rainwater on the
foyer tile. He stripped off his wet suit jacket and, tugging at his tie, came
toward her in the darkness.
“Power go out?”
“Nooo.”