There S No Place Like Home At Christmas

This is a collection of new Christmas stories written by well known Irish personalities including Maeve Binchy, Niall Quinn, Cathy Kelly, Eddie Hobbs, Patrick Hickey and Judi Curtin. Describing the true meaning of Christmas, this collection of nearly 30 stories is varied and colourful and will warm the very cockles of your heart.

Fashion designer Mackenzie Grayson has no intention of going home for Christmas ... until his sister calls and guilt-talks him into spending two weeks over the holidays at his family’s home in California. With his best friend Conno, in tow, Mac returns to California, a place he has avoided since a bad breakup. Mac no longer does serious relationships, but maybe some time spent with Connor under the mistletoe will make this a more magical Christmas than either of them dreamed.

'Beautifully written and both heartbreaking and heartwarming' Jessica Redland Isabel, Izzy to her friends, has got nothing left to lose when she makes the bravest decision of her life. A month living under canvas on the Yorkshire Moors with five strangers wouldn’t normally be her idea of a good time, even if there is prize money to be won at the end of it, but she’s all out of options. Joining her in this wild goose chase, being filmed for a TV show, are farmer Seb, whose marriage is creaking but who is desperate not to lose his family. Sheltered Ruth who needs an opportunity to show she can make her own decisions. Glamorous socialite Kanga, who has been living a lie. American Junior who has his own secret that has led him there. And last but not least, mysterious and brooding Mac, who Izzy can’t help but be drawn to. As the fickleness of nature tests them all to their limits, this disparate group come together to face the challenge. But when Izzy finally tells them the truth that has brought her out on the Moors, will that be the end of their adventure, or the beginning of her future? Because what Izzy really needs is a place to call home, and someone to share it with could be even better... Praise for Jane Lovering: 'I adored the dual timeline aspect of this gorgeous story and discovering the secrets from the past. Beautifully written and both heartbreaking and heartwarming' Jessica Redland 'A funny, warm-hearted read, filled with characters you'll love.' Matt Dunn on A Country Escape What readers are saying about Jane Lovering: ‘A heart-warming, entertaining and uplifting book about the importance of human connection, self-acceptance and making the most of any opportunities that come your way! I absolutely loved it and could not fault it.’ ‘I love Jane Lovering’s books, all the quirky lovable characters she creates and the situations she puts them in. I think she is a really talented storyteller and she never fails to make me smile.' ‘Superb writing style, masterful use of the language, witty humour, unforgettable characters. Add suspense, plot twists, a beautiful love story and you have another amazing book by the super talented Jane Lovering. I am repeating myself, but she’s outdone herself. Again.’ ‘Jane Lovering knows exactly how to write the perfect story. Her novels cover a multitude of subjects, some a little more difficult than others, but all are sensitively done with the most perfect endings. ‘Jane Lovering has that ability to choose exactly the right words and images to make you laugh, with a wonderful touch of the ridiculous, then moving seamlessly to a scene of such poignancy that it catches your breath.’ ‘Fall in love with reading all over again with this cracking tale from Jane Lovering. An excellent reminder, if one is needed, of the absolute pleasure of losing yourself in a good book.'

In the 1950’s and 60’s, Kansas farm life meant milking cows, gathering eggs, and butchering hogs and steers. It meant raising a garden, preparing meals from scratch, sewing clothes, and churning butter. It meant living close to the earth. It was a special time when children could wander the pastures and fields without fear and come home dirty after a day of hard play and harder work. Farmers produced much of what they needed to live, and were almost completely self-sufficient. Farm life was basic, simple and sweet, and family was the most important thing. There’s No Place Like Home is the story of a Kansas farm family. It is the unique story of life in a different time and place, before technology and automation changed how things are done on the farm. It was a time when a farm life was a family project, and everyone contributed. A collection of anecdotes and oral histories, this story includes the tales of a childhood on a Kansas farm in the mid 20th century, and the joys and regrets for generations of such a life. It is the story of a life on the Kansas prairie, a celebration of the land and people of Kansas and a re-telling of the histories of one family, recounted around the kitchen table. It tells of the struggles, hopes and disappointments of life in a simpler time and place.

When author and teacher Jane Bedard shifted from working mom to Stay-at-Home Mom, her eyes opened to a brand new world, so different from the one she returned home to each night. With her autopilot control turned off, she was surprised to find a vegetarian, a carnivore, a pescetarian, and two nuggetarians at her kitchen table. When did that happen, and what else awaited her? Join Jane as she addresses daily dilemmas so many of us face, such as: When is it a good idea to tell a stranger to stick a piece of garlic up her ass? Why is Batmom better than Supermom? If you unexpectedly find yourself in a Thai brothel for a massage, how much do you tip? Is it irresponsible parenting if a game of catch accidentally lands your kids at the edge of the Grand Canyon? How do you say goodbye to the people you love? THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME celebrates that most domestic and exotic of all professions: The Stay-at-Home Mom, yet embraces women from all vocations with poignant and hilarious commentary on motherhood & childhood, sisterhood & daughterhood, wifehood & friendshiphood... all from within Toronto’s hood and beyond.

Cathy Blount has a unique gift of being able to communicate her story with heart-wrenching honesty and emotion, yet with God's strength and hope. For anyone who loves someone who is gay, this book is for you. You will go on a rollercoaster journey with Cathy as she shares her feelings of shock, sadness, anger, despair, and finally acceptance with anticipation that nothing is impossible with God. This book is an encouragement to any Christian parent who has faced disappointment and heartache because of their child's unfair suffering or unwise choices. Cathy will inspire you as you read her words of faith, hope, and love. a "Nancy H. Burgess, Director of Heart and Soul Connection"