I can't think of a better Christmas gift than A Proposal For Christmas -- a book containing two lovely, heartwarming, passionate and yet tender stories by two wonderfully talented authors, Linda Lael Miller and Lindsay McKenna. Please note each of these are reissues but if you missed them the first time around you are in luck getting two for the price of one.

First at bat is Linda Lael Miller with State Secrets definitely a home run with a strong cast of characters. This is a departure from Miller's usual western themes but just goes to show what a genius she is. David Goddard and Holly Llewellyn are the stars of this story with an amazing supporting cast. Each has taken on a huge responsibility. David as a secret service agent at the White House no less. Holly jumped right in to take care of her nephew Toby when his father disappeared. She reorganized her life as a single woman whose career is in food and unique cook books. Both are well respected in their careers. But things are going to change rather drastically for both Holly and David.

Holly's cousin is now the president elect and unfortunately that puts all family under a microscope. Holly can handle that but her brother Craig, Toby's father, can't pass muster. David's assignment is rather easy -- watch Holly and see what connection she has with her outlaw brother. A real simple task that got complicated right out of the gate.

Get ready for quite a cat and mouse game. As always Linda Lael Miller treats us to a birds-eye view of life in the public eye with great insight and compassion. Her signature is always great memorable characters and in State Secrets you will be introduced to some of her best.

Five Days of Christmas by Lindsay McKenna is a divine story of the magic of the holidays. Fans of McKenna have met the Trayherns in previous books. They head a global paramilitary organization that works at personal peril to themselves and at time their families.

Christmas time is a special time for all these strong heroic men and women and their respective families as the Trayherns go all out with five days of Christmas activities ranging from dinners, dances and of course gift exchange.

Laura Trayhern is in the mood to play matchmaker and has her sights set on newly returned merc Colt and recently widowed teacher Abbie. Colt is sequestered in his cabin unable to recover from his latest assignment. He seems unreachable but Laura has an idea. Abbie has many talents and should be just the person to get through the wall Colt has erected. Abbie's first impression was that Colt reminded her of a snarling bear. But in her heart she realized this man needed help to heal. Abbie wasn't at all concerned about getting involved with this bear of a man. She was very honest in her appraisal of her looks and pretty confident this hunk of a guy wouldn't look at her twice.

Definitely a case of not judging a book by its cover. Beneath his gruff exterior was a man with a big heart and smart enough to appreciate how amazing Abbie was. Five days is a relatively short span of time but is it long enough to lose your heart.

Lindsay McKenna has always treated her characters with respect and in Five Days of Christmas we are invited to see still another side of her heroes. This story is a novella and a decidedly quick read but so enjoyable and heartwarming. The holidays should be a time for family and friends. In this story McKenna reminds us that family comes in all forms.

If you are in the market for a really good holiday book look no further.