North Pole, Alaska

Welcome to North Pole, Alaska, where the Christmas Spirit lives all year long. Lots of kids write letters to Santa. But those delivered to North Pole are actually answered by a group of dedicated volunteers who call themselves "the Elves." JD Baxter's letter to St. Nick asks for just one thing: His father didn't make it back from Afghanistan, and JD wants Daddy home again. Saints can do miracles, right? But since last year's letter went astray, JD decides to stow away to North Pole and ask for his miracle in person. In North Pole, he encounters a postmistress who looks exactly like Mrs. Claus, a man named Rudolph with a red nose and a herd of reindeer, as well as enough toys, candy and Christmas cheer to make anyone feel good. He just can't find St. Nick. Abby Baxter has spent the year since her husband's death trying to hold on. When she discovers her son is missing, her entire world trembles- until her husband's best friend appears at her door, offering a steadying hand. Frank Machado couldn't save David Baxter's life in combat. Worse, for years he's been secretly in love with David's wife. Now that their son is missing, Frank is determined to see the child back in Abby's arms. But during their unpredictable, impulsive trip into the wilds to search for JD, the problem becomes staying out of those arms himself. Sparks fly, hearts warm, love-and Christmas-are in the air. Should they Blame it on Mistletoe? Lori Handeland is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author with more than 60 published works of fiction to her credit. Her novels, novellas, and short stories span genres from paranormal and urban fantasy to historical romance. After a quarter-century of success and accolades, she began a new chapter in her career. Marking her women's fiction debut, Just Once (Severn House, January 2019) is a richly layered novel about two women who love the same man, how their lives intertwine, and their journeys of loss, grief, sacrifice, and forgiveness.While student teaching, Lori started reading a life-changing book, How to Write a Romance and Get It Published. Within its pages. the author, Kathryn Falk, mentioned Romance Writers of America. There was a local chapter; Lori joined it, dived into learning all about the craft and business, and got busy writing a romance novel. With only five pages completed, she entered a contest where the prize was having an editor at Harlequin read her first chapter. She won.Lori sold her first novel, a western historical romance, in 1993. In the years since then, she has written eleven novels in the popular Nightcreature series, five installments in the Phoenix Chronicles, six works of spicy contemporary romance about the Luchettis, a duet of Shakespeare Undead novels, and many more books. Her fiction has won critical acclaim and coveted awards, including two RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America for Best Paranormal Romance (Blue Moon) and Best Long Contemporary Category Romance (The Mommy Quest), a Romantic Times Award for Best Harlequin Superromance (A Soldier's Quest), and a National Reader's Choice Award for Best Paranormal (Hunter's Moon).Lori Handeland lives in Southern Wisconsin with her husband. In between writing and reading, she enjoys long walks with their rescue mutt, Arnold, and occasional visits from her two grown sons and her perfectly adorable grandson.