Dana Corbit

A minister's daughter and unwed teen mother: five years ago Hannah Woods had been the talk of Hickory Ridge. Her little girl was the light of her life, though Hannah was unable to forgive the one who'd loved her––and then left. Todd McBride had left town a boy and returned a man with a quest: to find the woman he still adored and ask for a second chance. But Hannah's secret––a child he'd never known about––threw his plans into a tailspin. With Christmas rapidly approaching, it seemed the time for love and forgiveness was at hand....

Widowed with three young children, Tricia Williams vowed never to get involved with another risk–taking man–ever. Her matchmaking friends thought she needed someone, and the blind dates began. No one could compare with her lost love–until she met Brett Lancaster, the quietly strong, handsome new man in town. Like Tricia's, Brett's emotional scars ran deep, and he too had lost his faith. They shared some quiet evenings, and her children grew to care for him as she did. But their budding relationship became strained once she learned that Brett was a state trooper. Another man with a high–risk job. Could she put her trust in God and find the strength to begin a new life with Brett?

A preacher. A deacon. That was the kind of man nurse Charity Sims planned to marry. Which is why her lovesick behavior around Rick McKinley, the contractor building a family center for her church, so confused her. He refused to go to church, let alone lead one. So what if he was handsome and charming? They couldn't be more different.

Infuriating as Rick was, Charity's mission was clear: Help him see the light of church. As a loner who depended only on himself, he'd be tough to reach. But Charity was determined, even though she knew she risked her own strongly built convictions–about the man who should have her heart.

The only gift Dylan Warren used to want was Jenna Scott's love. But his former childhood best friend broke his heart. Now, their matchmaking mothers insist the Warren and Scott clans celebrate the holiday together. Suddenly he and Jenna are paired on a mission to bring Christmas to a family who lost everything but each other. Jenna's kindness to the displaced little boys reminds Dylan why he loved her. Could joyful jingle bells soon be joined by the chime of wedding bells?

All eyes are on Kyle Lancaster. Recently released from prison, he is greeted in town with unease.But not by everyone. Julia Sims is focused on his good heart, his hard work at the Hickory Ridge Community Church and their unexpected attraction. At first, Kyle thinks he's her new pet project: reform the bad boy. Yet he soon discovers how much firsthand knowledge Julia has of family problems, forgiveness and second chances. Maybe he'll get his own second chance in Hickory Ridge...and find a place to call home.

To: Uncle AlexFrom: ChelseaRe: I think you should ask Miss Fraser on a dateShe's my favorite teacher ever and she definitely likes you, I can tell. Everyone in town knows you're this brave firefighter. So why don't you be the hero of Miss Fraser's life? Maybe you could volunteer together at the Chestnut Grove Youth Center. Uncle Alex, I know you're pretty busy as guardian to my brother and me, but you need a girlfriend. So I came up with a plan. It's my secret, but I know it will be the best thing that ever happened to all of us

To: Meg, Rachel, Anne
From: Pilar
Re: My exciting day

¡Hola, amigas! You'll never guess what I found on my way to work today...a baby! His name is Gabriel, and he is certainly heaven–sent. And so is Zach Fletcher, the dedicated detective assigned to find the mother. This is the first time we've spoken, even though we attend the same church. I'm torn. I want the girl to be found but I also want to keep Gabriel for myself–my biological clock has been ticking like crazy! And I've been fantasizing about Zach rounding out my dream family....