A little girl's search for Santa brings two lonely people the gift of love. Reporter Amanda Donnelly hates Christmas - and she's not that fond of kids, either. So when she's assigned a story about kids visiting Santa Claus at the mall, she wants it over with as fast as possible. But when Virginia, the cute little girl she features, becomes a hit, Amanda's producer wants Virginia to visit more mall Santas and pick the best one by Christmas Eve. Unfortunately, Virginia's busy single dad, Kirk, is that rare parent who isn't impressed by the opportunity to have his daughter on TV. Amanda quickly learns if she wants to guarantee that Virginia shows up for a taping, she'll have to drive her. They spend a lot of time together and in spite of herself, Amanda grows fond of the little girl. After Kirk unexpectedly joins them one Saturday, she finds herself drawn to him - and the feeling is mutual. But a workaholic father and a lonely little girl who wants a mommy do not fit in Amanda's life plan. She works crazy hours - once the story is over, she won't have time to spend with them. Christmas approaches and Kirk says he loves her. But does he love Amanda for herself, or is he looking for a mother for Virginia?
Author
Heather W. MacAllister lives in Texas and is married to her high-school sweetheart. Following the instructions in How to Get a Teen-Age Boy, and What to Do with Him When You Get Him by Ellen Peck, one of her all-time favorite books, she expressed an interest in his hobby—ham radio. He challenged her—learn Morse code and get her license, and he’d take her to the senior prom. She did, and currently sports her call sign, WB5RMA, on her car license plate. Heather became addicted to romance novels in college, yet still managed to graduate and become a music teacher. And then her sons were born. Within seven months, nine baby-sitters quit, so she took pity on the childcare industry, quit teaching, and began avoiding housework by writing during her sons’ nap time. Before she was published, Heather won the Romance Writer's of America Golden Heart Award. She published as Heather Allison and as Heather MacAllister. Her published novels have been nominated for the RWA RITA award three times, and eHarlequin.com readers voted LONE STAR SANTA favorite Laugh-Out-Loud book of 2006. In addition to awards for best Harlequin Romance and best Harlequin Temptation, Romantic Times Book Reviews has twice nominated Heather for a Career Achievement Award in Series Love and Laughter. She has published over 40 books with Harlequin. Her award-winning romantic comedies have been translated into 25 languages and published in dozens of countries. When she's not writing, Heather spends her time collecting vintage jewelry, watching fireworks displays, and killing plants.
