Stranded in Lake Mistletoe — Amber Kelly

Balancing my career with being a single dad has become a bit of a challenge. According to my daughter, Cobie, I'm a world-traveling workaholic who doesn't spend enough quality time with her. So, this year, I'm whisking her off to Paris for a two week Christmas vacation of a lifetime and leaving work behind, except for a brief stop in Lake Mistletoe, Idaho to snap photos for a travel magazine feature.

Cobie and I are forced to seek refuge in the town's cozy Gingerbread Inn when one of our bags, the one holding our passports, goes missing. As days turn into nights, I start to discover the charm of Lake Mistletoe and its tight-knit community. Along the way, I find myself slowly letting go of my rigid work-focused mindset, and opening up to new experiences and relationships, while Cobie embraces the small town ambiance.

An unlikely bond develops with Sela Prince, a local with a warm heart and a penchant for seeing the beauty in everyday things. I'm attracted to her tenacity and vibrance for life. As we share stories, laughter, and challenges, our connection deepens and I'm finding it hard to remember the reasons why I can't stay.

When the holidays are over and our blissful bubble bursts, I have to decide if I want to return to my fast-paced life or embrace the newfound love and sense of belonging I've found in Lake Mistletoe. With Sela and Cobie by my side, can I take a chance on a different kind of future?