penguin book of christmas stories

Arianna Smith. A very talented and easy-going twenty-three years old beautiful young lady. But despite her beauty, her life wasn't easy. Things were hard and life was tough. Two weeks before Christmas, Arianna went to sleep feeling very sad about her life. She had a beautiful dream. A fairy appeared in her dream and asked her what she wanted for Christmas and Arianna asked the Fairy for “An Unexpected And Extraordinary Gift.” On Christmas morning, Arianna got the most shocking news of her life. “She was pregnant! "She was supposed to be a virgin! How did she get pregnant? Whose baby was she carrying? Was this baby the answer to her prayers? What good will the baby bring her way? Find out In this beautiful romance novel. Join Arianna on her journey to Love and Happiness.

" How about we help each other?" He says and I look up at him, eyes still wet from the tears streaming down my cheeks, heart freshly broken from the public humiliation and betrayal that was Lucas's breakup. I can faintly make out the first droppings of snow floating magically under the light of the street lamps. It's that time of the year, a time for wool coats, a time for relaxing, none of which I'll be doing. "I'm an orphan with a wicked aunt and a boyfriend who left her because she has nothing to her name, how could I possibly help you?" I say another sob escaping my lips. "Marry me" he replies and my eyes widen in anger. Is he mocking me?. I look into the eyes of this stranger and see he's dead serious. "I need a wife, you need a home, marry me and you'll have all you want". I nod.

Every year, the whole family went on a two-weeks vacation during Christmas, where they celebrated wedding anniversaries, a birthday, and the memory of the late Madam Li Sun. This year, they had chosen a special place for their vacation and the couples seemed especially happy. But what happens to the single people? Li Hoy— who prefers to work rather than go on dates— Your typical CEO who runs G–GLOBAL ENTERTAINMENT. Luo Joreen— a successful actress and model under G–GLOBAL who is looking forward to turning eighteen and having a boyfriend. She also wants nothing more than to stop being the CEO's guardian. Li Heya— who is still hung up on her ex and has accepted the fact that she is going to die single especially when she heard he is getting married. ***** "Once I turn 18 in a few weeks, I'll start doing everything I want to do without anyone's permission—" She eyed him, "Including yours."  He folded his hands across his chest and nodded. "Normally, that should happen..." He answered, making her almost smile until he continued, "But it won't happen." He smirked at her and began to walk ahead, leaving her fuming with anger. DISCLAIMER: Cover photo isn't mine. I am willing to take it down if the owner wants me to. PS: This is a very light romance with only a 100+ chapters.

As in previous years, in the month of Christmas, more precisely on Christmas Day, a Christmas Ball event will always be held which has always been the hallmark of the city. The event was held in the magnificent Buckingham Palace, of a Prince named Theodoric. Usually, the event is just to commemorate the following years. But this time, it will be different. Prince held special conditions in this Christmas Ball event. He will look for a woman to be his wife among the women who dance and look elegant in his eyes. There was a woman named Ivy, the duke but was not considered by her father's family, namely King Idriz, because she was born to a woman who came from a lower class and she has a magic that only Idriz and Ivy's trusted people know. She also gave magic to Ivy so she can use it for her entire life and protect her from bad things. When Ivy heard that, she came with the hope that her Christmas gift was to change her life and live happily. She also hoped that the Prince would choose her to be his wife. Ivy's life then becomes fantastic and it is filled with magic that she uses for her needs, even she starts to like Prince Mason, Theodoric's cousin. [END]

>>Before you read further, this is a dark reverse harem R-18 novel.>Imagine dying. Not naturally or anything but because a male like you, and you just wanted to experience life. The first is so traumatic to you that it is vague, while the second.... ahh...that one you didn't have a body left. In the third life, you somehow became a mother, have four husbands from the beginning, and later realised the world you are in you are labeled as a beast, and the other species; humans, elves, and fairies can summon you or your young at any time. what would you do? ~ ~ >>Join Du-Gooder Xiala on her journey to experience life, raise her young, and bond with her mates. -- Side note: there should be 7-8 males at the end. >>Dark fantasy >>Blood gore and descriptive violence. >>Sexual content. PLEASE READ WITH CAUTION!!!

Theresa Oliver is an author of clean contemporary romance, clean historical romance, young adult, middle grades, and children's picture books. Theresa is the author of the Christmas Cove series, the Whiskey River Brides series with Hot Tree Publishing, and much more. She lives in Florida with her husband, children, a persnickety cat, and a very bossy dog. In the depths of winter, Christmas calls to weary travelers and leads lonely hearts home. Jocelyn Taylor is no stranger to a weary heart. Having fallen in love much too young with her sister’s old high school boyfriend has left her with mixed emotions about the possibility of true love. Now successful and the manager of a jewelry shop, Jocelyn spends her days dreaming of the perfect man and the perfect ring to match. Caden Scott is less than thrilled at the thought of spending the holidays back home where memories of his youth still haunt him. Not interested in the kitschy hometown feel of a town known for Christmas, Caden still dwells on the thought of seeing his old high school love again. His time abroad serving his country has changed him in many ways, but could it have altered his heart as well? As the winds of change bring more than just the magic of the holiday season, can two hearts let go of the past to find new romance? Or will true love pass them by? In the small town of Christmas Cove, the reason for the season may just be the spark they need to make this the best Christmas yet.

After she found her fiance in bed with her stepsister, she ends up at a bar where his brother is hanging out with friends. Confiding in him she shows him the video she took, explaining her reason for the engagement. Their journey starts at that moment as he agrees to help her avoid getting married to his cheating brother.

Clement Archibald Felix Leonard Benjamin Constantine is the Crown Prince of Oswington. He also owns Beaumont Department Store, which has multiple locations all over the world. After the betrayal of his ex-boyfriend, he leaves Oswington for several days to take a breather from the paparazzi.<br><br>Kyle Ross Lee is a struggling actor living in New York. He rarely gets any chance to act on stage, so he works at Beaumont Department Store to earn a living. He also takes in review requests from various companies and posts them on his website. He earns a bit of extra cash and acquires free products at the same time.<br><br>The two men meet and start dating soon after. There’s only one tiny issue. Kyle has no idea who Clement truly is.<br><br>What happens when Clement’s real identity is exposed? Will they have their fairy tale ending? Or will that spell the end of their happily ever after?

Alex is a cocky and proud slut. Since he's been hurt by love, he avoids it at all costs. He comes up with a new challenge for his popular blog: to hook up on Christmas Day by midnight. However, the hookup has to be with a guy so unforgettable that Alex will remember him forever.<br><br>Juanito is Alex's best friend with benefits who's a well-known porn star. They've had feelings for each other for years, but Juanito avoids love for the same reason. Alex tries to move on and focuses on the challenge.<br><br>Enter Miguel, a guy Alex's mom introduces him to in church. Miguel isn't just religious, he's beautiful too, and Alex sees him as the perfect candidate for the challenge. Since Miguel is into romance and not hookups, Alex is willing to accept the extra challenge.<br><br>As Alex gets to know Miguel more, he learns Miguel has a naughty side. They start developing feelings for each other, putting Alex's challenge at risk. He seeks help from Juanito, who comes up with an idea that could help Alex win the challenge and still date Miguel.<br><br>What Alex doesn’t realize is he isn’t the only one interested in Miguel, too. What's more, Miguel reveals his own feelings for Juanito. Can this bring the three closer and change everything forever?

"S-Save me!" Roxanne ran desperately, pushing her body to its limits as she feared for her life. Her eyes darted across the vast woods, searching for the apparition she had seen before she took to her heels. Then she saw it, the thing which relentlessly pursued her. The shadow resembled something she had never seen before, a man, a beast, she had no idea. The only certainty she had left was the fact that it was after her. "Someone... Someone help me!" She cried. Her voice was lost in the large expanse of dried barks and wilted branches. The snowy field of thorns and the cold winds of winter seemed to swallow her entire being, almost like it choked her. Her breathing became uneven as she panted due to exhaustion, yet she couldn't stop running. Doing so would mean her end. As she dashed through the cold and snowy path, she could hear it getting closer. "Grrrrrrrrrrrr"   The sound sent shivers down her spine. She willed herself with every fiber of her being not to look behind her for the fear of what she might see. She could feel it's gaze on her, she could hear the sound of it's growl. Roxanne could sense her pursuer's nearing proximity as she fled for her life. Many questions raced through her mind, but she didn't have the luxury to answer any of them. The only thing at the forefront of her mind was survival. Fortunately for her, the falling snow had ceased, else she would have been in a much more awry state. She just had to keep her legs moving until she reached the road intersection where she would get help. Yes, help would come! She heard creaking sounds above her, from the branches of the trees behind and beside her.  The monster was pouncing on them, keeping pace with her desperate sprint. She looked around her, but the creature moved too fast for her eyes to clearly capture its movements. It was as though the beast was toying with her, playing a game it knew it would win. ~ Coming to her grandma's in the woods for Christmas after an heated arg