Published: Oct. 19, 2011
Words: 29551 (approximate)
Language: English

Short description

Holly Gordon's estrangement from her family makes loneliness of the Christmas season hit close to home. Volunteering for the annual Ashton Falls Secret Santa Program is more than a comfort, it's a blessing. Just knowing she's able to help another hurting soul experience the joy of a heartfelt Christmas makes her own reality a tiny bit sweeter, that is, until Marcus Jenner ends up on her list.

Extended description

Holly Gordon's estrangement from her family makes loneliness of the Christmas season hit close to home. Volunteering for the annual Ashton Falls Secret Santa Program is more than a comfort, it's a blessing. Just knowing she's able to help another hurting soul experience the joy of a heartfelt Christmas makes her own reality a tiny bit sweeter, that is, until Marcus Jenner ends up on her list.

Marcus Jenner is more than a bronze, muscled looker. This Chickasaw loner isn't happy being placed on the town's Secret Santa list. Suffering from the blow of a devastating loss, he has chosen to withdraw from living almost completely. For the life of him, he can't figure why this pretty little blonde keeps bumping into him, calling him by name, and insisting on giving him presents. Unfortunately for Marcus, every time she does, a billowing cloud of havoc seems to ensue. Why can't this uninvited vixen leave him alone?

They say time and fate have all of the answers. Holly, in all of her innocence... (Read more) Holly Gordon's estrangement from her family makes loneliness of the Christmas season hit close to home. Volunteering for the annual Ashton Falls Secret Santa Program is more than a comfort, it's a blessing. Just knowing she's able to help another hurting soul experience the joy of a heartfelt Christmas makes her own reality a tiny bit sweeter, that is, until Marcus Jenner ends up on her list.

Marcus Jenner is more than a bronze, muscled looker. This Chickasaw loner isn't happy being placed on the town's Secret Santa list. Suffering from the blow of a devastating loss, he has chosen to withdraw from living almost completely. For the life of him, he can't figure why this pretty little blonde keeps bumping into him, calling him by name, and insisting on giving him presents. Unfortunately for Marcus, every time she does, a billowing cloud of havoc seems to ensue. Why can't this uninvited vixen leave him alone?

They say time and fate have all of the answers. Holly, in all of her innocence, is drawn to Marcus like a moth to the flame. But Marcus has no intentions of submitting to the threat of his newfound feelings. A painful exchange pushes their lives into a pendulum chaos. His demand for privacy is granted by Holly's hidden illness. Her sudden absence hits him hard, especially when the arrival of a stranger delivers the rest of his gifts. Right away, he knows something's horribly wrong.

Love and selfless giving can rouse a wounded, sleeping heart. But sometimes a Secret Santa gets a few unexpected gifts of her own.
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Tags

romance, contemporary romance, holiday romance, christmas romance

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Reviews

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Review by: Gillian Joy on Dec. 18, 2011 :
This is a beautifully written heartfelt story that I made the mistake of starting just before I went to bed. Needless to say it ended up being a very late night. I love a story that I really don't want to put down and this was definatly one of those.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: nedma1 on Oct. 27, 2011 : (no rating)
Secret Santa by Kristine Cheney
This was a short story I picked up because of the authors self-promotion. I don’t think I would have bought it otherwise. Secret Santa is the story of Holly Gordon who loves Christmas and playing Secret Santa for some of the folks around town. It is in this capacity that Holly meets Marcus Jenner. Who makes Scrooge look like a softy. The reason I don’t usually get books like this is because they have an unfortunate tendency to be either too saccharine or too maudlin. I must commend Ms. Cheney as this story while being sweet and sentimental never crossed the line.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: katrina whittaker on Oct. 20, 2011 :
Have the tissues ready for this one !! Kristine Cheney has tugged at every possible heart string possible in this read. Its filled with passion and a love story that will not only have you bawling your eyes out but your heart doing sommersaults one moments and other moments feel like it was going to leave your chest.

Secret santa is a well delivered intense and emotional read, that will not only tug at your soul but have your heart missing a few beats. The passion bewtween Marcus and Holly was beautifully crafted, passionate and ** swoony..** waggles eyebrows !!

The storyline was amazing, I was drawn in from the very first pages, and found myself, giggling at the funny antics aka Holly's persistance was amusing and quiet funny at times. Other moments I was wiping the tears away, trying to solider on. A fluent flowing storyline that will only stop you reading to wipe aside the tears - I can guarantee you will read right till the end.

A wonderful array of characters that Im sure you will enjoy, a heartfelt storyline with emotions that are so well portrayed its like poetry. Kristine always portrays her characters emotions so fluently ..... giving us depth into there thoughts and actions and feelings. Her descriptions are well envisaged you can see every detail.

Secret Santa deliver us Holly she has been chosen to be the Secret santa for Marcus Jenner. Marcus prooves to be quiet a handful, not wanting the gifts Holly is leaving, he finds himself torn between the blonde eye beauty and her quest to deliver him gifts. Unbeknown as to why she is gifting him and stalking him - He is not sure if its the calling of his heart that bothers him most, or the persistance of her gifts, but in time he finds his secret santa is needing the most treasured gift of all.

Secret santa is immensely appealing and will linger in your heart long after you've read it. Lose your heart to a magical christmas tale that shows the true beauty of giving but also receiving and the most prescious gift of all. Love and life.
(reviewed the day of purchase)

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