A Fool's Gold Christmas. Susan Mallery
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A classic heartwarming tale for the holidays from New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery
The cheer in Fool’s Gold, California, is bringing out the humbug in dancer Evie Stryker. An injury has forced her to return home to her estranged family. So she won’t add to the awkward scenario by falling for the charms of her brother’s best friend, no matter how tempting he is. When she’s recruited to stage the winter festival, she vows to do as promised, then move on, anywhere but here.
Jaded lawyer Dante Jefferson is getting used to the town he now calls home, but the pounding of little dancers’ feet above his office is more than he can take. When he confronts their gorgeous teacher, he’s unprepared for their searing attraction. Evie is his best friend’s sister—off-limits unless he’s willing to risk his heart. Dante has always believed that love is dangerous, but that was before he had to reckon with the magic of a certain small town, where miracles do seem to happen….
Praise for New York Times bestselling author
“This sweet Christmas treat is a pleasant introduction to Mallery’s popular series.”
—Publishers Weekly on A Fool’s Gold Christmas
“Mallery does her usual excellent job of giving readers a funny, warm-hearted story that is edged with cutting emotion!”
—RT Book Reviews on All Summer Long
“The wildly popular and prolific Mallery can always be counted on to tell an engaging story of modern romance.”
—Booklist on Summer Nights
“Mallery infuses her story with eccentricity, gentle humor, and smalltown shenanigans, and readers...will enjoy the connection between Heidi and Rafe.”
—Publishers Weekly on Summer Days
“Romance novels don’t get much better than Mallery’s expert blend of emotional nuance, humor and superb storytelling.”
—Booklist
“Susan Mallery is one of my favorites.”
—#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber
A Fool’s Gold Christmas
Susan Mallery
MILLS & BOON
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Dear Reader,
’Tis the season in Fool’s Gold, a time of sparkly lights, warm holiday greetings and, of course, romance. Although reading may seem like a solitary activity, we romance readers are as much a community as the small town of Fool’s Gold. Our first reaction when reading a great love story is to tell a friend about it. We want to share that happy feeling.
I’ve been blessed with the most enthusiastic readers a writer could ever hope for. Last year, I invited my fans to try out for the Fool’s Gold Varsity Cheerleading Squad, to earn prizes simply for telling people about Fool’s Gold and the books they love. The women selected for the team took my breath away. They drove to their local bookstores with Fool’s Gold car magnets, wearing Fool’s Gold T-shirts, hats and pins, and handed out bookmarks, placed the books in readers’ hands and said, “You will love this!” Yes, they won lots of prizes along the way—including the dedication in this book—but I could never thank them enough for their generosity.
This book is for those of you who love romance, love to read and then tell your friends about the latest, greatest book you just finished. It is also for my wonderful cheerleaders.
If being a Fool’s Gold Varsity Cheerleader sounds like fun to you, be sure to join the Members Only area at www.susanmallery.com so I can email you the next time we hold cheerleader tryouts.
In the meantime, from my heart to yours, Merry Christmas! May all your dreams come true.
Susan
To the 2011 Head Cheerleader, Char, who has such an amazing heart that she wanted to share this dedication with the entire Fool’s Gold Varsity Cheerleading squad in the spirit of Christmas. This one is for you.
Contents
ONE
THE SOUND OF eight tiny reindeer had nothing on a half-dozen eight-year-olds clog