Santa's Crew

Fun, friendship and romance are on board as four lifelong friends embark on a holiday singles cruise in a heartwarming new novel by #1 New York Times bestselling author, Fern Michaels. At Ridgewood High, Amy, Frankie, Rachael, and Nina formed a deep bond. Now, fifteen years after leaving school behind, they're back for a reunion, laughing, reminiscing, and chatting how much has changed-and how much hasn't. Nina, once the star of every school play, moved to Hollywood and landed a recurring role on a sitcom. Amy, fondly known as "the brains of the operation," is now a Silicon Valley bioengineer. Outgoing and compassionate, Frankie works for a New York publishing house. Rachael, always the most boy-crazy of the crew, married-mostly to please her parents-but is now divorced. All four are strong, successful, and somehow, still looking for the right partner. But Frankie has an idea to help solve that: a singles cruise for the holidays. In late December, Amy, Rachael, Frankie, and Nina gather in Miami, ready to board their state-of-the-art cruise ship. The entertainment options are endless, the food is to die for, and the passenger list includes hundreds of eligible men. The highlight of the week will be a magnificent New Year's Eve celebration with multiple theme parties, dancing, and fireworks. The ladies are, happy to give Cupid a helping hand here and there, hanging mistletoe in elevators and cheering each other on through speed-dating events and shore excursions. Holidays, like the path of love itself, don't always go exactly as planned, but over the course of one festive, unforgettable week, all four will set sail on surprising new adventures.

Friends since high school, four 30-something women reunite for a Christmas ski trip filled with a few unexpected bumps-and lots of laughter – in this humorous, heartwarming celebration of female friendship from #1 New York Times bestselling author Fern Michaels… When longtime friends Amy, Frankie, Rachael and Nina reunited for a holiday singles cruise, it not only deepened their bond, it changed their lives. Now they're getting together for another adventure, and what better winter setting than a fabulous ski lodge? Crisp snow and fresh air by day, cozy fires and delicious food by night, capped off by meeting up with their significant others for a New Year's Eve celebration-it's perfect. At least, it's perfect until Frankie decides to go snowshoeing alone. When she twists her ankle right after losing her phone in the snow, Frankie wonders how she'll be able to summon help-only to be rescued by a reclusive Grizzly Adams lookalike who lives nearby and introduces himself as Troy Manchester. Troy saves the day by helping the injured Frankie back to the ski lodge, but in the process, encounters a part of the L.A. life he's tried to leave behind. Nina, visiting the gift shop to buy magazines for a recuperating Frankie, is similarly shocked to glimpse someone to whom she was once connected. Even in this unlikely spot, it seems there's no way to avoid their pasts. And as the mischievous Rachael and her sidekick Amy go to great lengths to patch up old friendships and spread the spirit of the season, the New Year may contain all kinds of new beginnings. . .

Fern Michaels' sparkling Christmas novels have become a holiday tradition in their own right, and fans will love the chance to spend the holidays in Italy with four high school friends and their loved ones in a tale perfect for those who love Mary Kay Andrews, Debbie Macomber, and RaeAnne Thayne. Christmas is filled with beloved and long-kept traditions, but sometimes, there's nothing better than creating brand-new ones. That's why Francesca and her high school friends Amy, Rachael, and Nina are traveling to Italy to spend the holidays with Frankie's boyfriend, Giovanni, and his family. Giovanni and his brother, Marco, run a small Italian restaurant in Manhattan, where cherished family recipes delight tourists and locals alike. But there's one recipe that eludes the brothers. Their mama refuses to divulge the special ingredient in her coveted panettone, claiming it is "Santa's secret." While Frankie joins Giovanni and Marco in the kitchen, hoping to uncover the mystery of Mrs. Lombardi's mouthwatering panettone, Amy, Nina, and Rachael are on their own quests. Amy wants to see the statue of David in Florence, Nina needs career inspiration, and Rachael longs to meet some eligible Italian men. Can one trip provide the answers everyone seeks? With a stunning Italian backdrop and a sprinkling of holiday magic in the mix, there may be all kinds of sweet surprises in store…

In an adventure-filled holiday treat from New York Times bestselling author Fern Michaels, Frankie, Amy, Rachael and Nina-aka Santa's Crew-reunite to put a stop to some real-life Grinches, with a little help from their new friends in the Sisterhood . . . Christmas is so much more than tinsel, lights, and mistletoe. For onetime high school pals Amy, Frankie, Rachael and Nina, being together for the holidays has become a cherished tradition, whether they're taking a trip or staying close to home. There's something special about giving back during the holiday season too, which is why Frankie is so dismayed when she learns that Salvation Army buckets are being pilfered all over town. Amy, Rachael, and Nina quickly agree to help her track down the thieves. It might not be their usual gathering, but it promises to be an adventure, especially when they bump into two women on a very similar quest . . . Annie and Myra have learned that a shipment of children's toys they sent to a charity event in New York City has been stolen. It looks like the thefts are connected, and it's the kind of injustice that the ladies of the Sisterhood simply can't abide. On a madcap spree through the city, the two groups join forces to find the bandits, save Christmas, and along the way, make this a holiday to remember for all the right reasons . . .