Merry Kisses — Valerie Comer

A Christmas Romance!

Fired from her retail position for saying Merry Christmas to a customer, Sonya Simmons chafes at the over-commercialization of the season and the difficulties of finding a new job. If only she'd actually said Merry Christmas instead of Merry Kisses to the tall, good-looking man buying enough toys for at least a dozen children. How embarrassing!

It was fun to fluster the pretty toy store clerk, but Heath Collins, the mall's volunteer Santa Claus, hadn't meant to get her fired. When his elf assistant comes down with a bad cold, Heath offers Sonya a few days' work, only to discover she believes Santa is nothing but a liar and a fraud instead of an opportunity to make a difference in children's lives.

Can Sonya and Heath embrace each other -- opinions, traditions, and all -- in time to share merry kisses for Christmas?

The characters from Secretly Yours, Pinky Promise, and Sweet Serenade are back for a visit in this Christian romance novella!

Welcome to Riverbend!

1. Secretly Yours
2. Pinky Promise
3. Sweet Serenade
4. Team Bride
5. Merry Kisses

Riverbend, BC, is the quaint Canadian town you wish you were from, where everyone knows everyone, seasons are celebrated, and love is in the air.

The Riverbend Romance Novellas are a series of contemporary Christian romance stories. These inspirational romance novellas are heart-warming shorter reads with true-to-life (but fictional) characters who face challenges in finding their one true love.

EXCERPT

“Do you really go to the same church as I do? But that doesn't make sense. You play Santa.”

It was Heath's turn to be confused. “What's that got to do with anything?”

Sonya picked a bit of glaze off the top of her doughnut with a pink fingernail and popped it in her mouth. She eyed him and heaved a sigh. “I don't think it's right to lie to little kids. They have enough trouble keeping fantasy and reality separate.”

His fingers began twirling his coffee cup again. “I see. So you think my job is right up there with the Easter bunny and the tooth fairy.”

She raised her eyebrows. “Isn't it?”

“I don't see it that way.”

“Of course you don't. Just another day at the office, right?”

Heath couldn't help his sardonic laugh. “Right. I work ten hours a week for one month a year as Santa, plus a party here and there. You can't seriously think I'm in this for the money.”

Uncertainty crossed her face. “Okay. But why?”

“Why be Santa?”

“Why pretend to be.”

Heath shook his head. Of course she'd distinguish. “I like making little kids happy. I like their hugs and their shy smiles. I like being a bright spot in their day.”

“But it's a lie.” She picked another fleck of maple off her doughnut.

“Sonya, I am real. I'm the guy who brightens their day.”

“Only because you're in that red suit.” She eyed him. “Must take a lot of padding.”

He twitched a grin that she'd noticed. “I'm sure I'm not the only Santa who hits the gym on a regular basis.”

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