CHRISTMAS ON MAIN STREET contains four seasonal stories, perfect for those who don't have time over Christmas to settle down for a long involved read. The four authors have written novels as well so this dip-into book will give you a flavour of their work.

CHRISTMAS IN SHELTER BAY by JoAnn Ross shows bitter weather on the Oregon coast as Cole Douchett, returned from desert combat, strings lights on his fishing vessel. It's hard to make a living at fishing and tourist charters are suggested to him. Kelli Carpenter who grew up with Cole and is now a teacher, secretly wishes him gone again, for he made it very plain last year that there was no future for them. Kelli's family produces Noble fir Christmas trees and she tells fascinating details about the trade. Can Cole wise up and get back in this lovely girl's good books?

A SEASIDE CHRISTMAS by Susan Donovan is set on the Atlantic coast of Bayberry Island where "sooner or later the tide's bound to wash up someone decent." Annie Parker is a shopkeeper busy typing mermaid romance novels to self- publish during the off-season. Nat Ravelle is sent by his producer to cover a local Mermaid Festival. Ice both sheets the sidewalks and pelts his face, and he can't think of a worse place to be near Christmas. Then Annie finds him in need of help, and his opinions change.

MISTLETOE ON MAIN STREET by LuAnn McLane takes us to Cricket Creek, a southern town reinvigorating itself with new investment and a baseball stadium. Ava Whimsy is as usual dressed as Mrs Claus for a parade when she finds that the customary Santa has sent his son instead. Clint Sully is just back from California and Ava catches him up on local news to avoid mentioning their high-school closeness. Fifteen years is a long time... could it be too long? And what does Clint look like without that fake beard anyway?

THE CHRISTMAS GIFT by Alexis Morgan is set in Snowberry Creek where Bridey Roke runs a coffee shop. One quiet, pleasant customer who is a woodworker has taken to coming in a lot, but she and Seth Kyser aren't even on first-name terms. Perhaps some home-made gingerbread might get a conversation started.... Matters are going well with them, and Seth's artistry has produced the ideal Christmas gift for his new lady, when Bridey's ex-husband comes back into her life, and he's determined to get her back....

Adult romances don't get any more seasonal so if there's a lady you know who'd like to find this in her stocking, or if you fancy an indulgent read this winter, pick up a copy of CHRISTMAS ON MAIN STREET. Then the only question is, which story is your favourite?