Show Me A Family For Christmas

Zac never had a family of his own, but Rudy has enough to share. Shy, inexperienced Rudy has a crush on Zac from the moment his new colleague walks through the door. On an office night out before Christmas, Rudy finds the courage to make a move, and they form a tentative bond. When he discovers Zac will be alone at Christmas, he invites Zac to come home with him. Zac prefers to keep people at arm's length. Yet when Rudy offers him a family Christmas it's impossible to resist. With no parents of his own, Zac is pleasantly surprised to be welcomed by Rudy's. The only drawback is that everyone assumes they're a couple. Unwilling to disappoint Rudy's mum and make Christmas awkward, they decide not to deny it. It's not a chore for Zac to pose as Rudy's boyfriend, but the pretence makes him want things that scare him-things like a real relationship with Rudy. Zac's suffered enough rejection in his life already and is afraid to risk his heart. If he can get over his past rejection and let Rudy inside his armour, he might get more for Christmas than he ever imagined.

When foster carer Maggie Hartley meets Sean and Sheila, they're facing every parent's worst nightmare. A split-second decision to leave toddler Edward alone for a few short minutes results in a tragic accident, and Edward is left fighting for his life. He survives, but is tragically left severely brain damaged. Wracked with guilt, destroyed by blame and struggling to accept that their perfect toddler has gone, Sean and Sheila go to pieces. Maggie steps in to foster Edward while his parents battle with the unspoken fear that he may have to be adopted permanently if they cannot cope with their son's needs. Will Maggie be able to help this family grieve for the son they've lost and learn to love the little boy he is now? And will Edward have a family to go home to at Christmas? A true story of hope from Sunday Times bestselling author Maggie Hartley, a foster carer for over 20 years. 'A lovely, heartwarming story' 5* Amazon reader review

Luca meets Bella and have a one nightstand. In the morning she disappears and he has no memory of her or the night. Four years later he runs into her...and his twins.December 2012Luca:It's morning. I'm in a strange hotel room. I vaguely remember returning last night after hitting the bar downstairs, but there's something else prickling at the recesses of my mind.***Four Years LaterI see a figure off in the distance, it sparks something in my mind I don't know what, I don't know this person; do I?As I draw closer my breath speeds up, my skin prickles and the hairs on my arm stand on end. I grow light headed, you turn around, your eyes grow round and then you try to hide behind your golden brown hair."Mommy there..."Wait you have a kid, who are you, why do you seem so familiar...the kid, why does he look...I stop in my tracks, I know that face I see it every morning in the mirror."Momma..."I turn my head to this new interruption, there's another one, a little girl...I look at you as the pieces start to fall into place.It all comes flooding back, that night I wasn't too sure of, that night that has haunted me for nearly four years almost to the day. The dream I've been chasing. But it wasn't a dream, it was real, you are real."Who are you?"

CARING - COMPASSION - KINDNESSFIVE TENDER STORIES ABOUT YOUNGSTERS REACHING OUT TO OTHERS AS THEY SHARE THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS A Family for Christmas - Fran and Bessie, two twelve-year-old orphan girls, wish for a family for Christmas. When a wealthy widow comes to the orphanage to choose two girls to spend the week before Christmas with her, the girls hope for a miracle. Will their fondest wishes come true? Will the kindly widow want them as a family for Christmas - and not just for the week? Eveleen - Eveleen, a young ten-year-old girl moves from Ohio with her family to a small town out West. She is the only girl in her class who does not belong to the predominant religion of the town, and she feels very alone -- until another girl asks her to be her friend. Will Eveleen find the Christmas Spirit in this town of strangers because of her new friend? Carol's Gift - Carol, a twelve-year-old deaf girl comes home from Deaf School for the holidays. She wants to go caroling with her older sister and her friends, but her older sister doesn't want her along. She tells her deaf sister, "We are singing - and you are deaf and only sing with your hands. Who will hear you?" Carol answers, "Jesus." Will her sister let her come along? Paper Wishes - Sandy, a six-year-old girl comes up with the idea for a unique Christmas present for her family. She offers to draw their Christmas wishes -- calling them Paper Wishes. She tells them that if they believe hard enough, their wishes will come true. Will her busy, doubting family give her a chance to prove that if you believe, even paper wishes can come true? Looks Like an Angel - Emily, a thirteen-year-old girl wants to spend the evening Christmas shopping with her friend and her friend's grownup sister-in-law, but her mother tells her she needs to babysit for a woman with four wild, active children to give the mother a much-needed break. Will Emily find the Christmas Spirit as she babysits the adorable, but active children?

The wish book has been pored over. The letters to Santa have been sent. The nine children of a coal miner's family in Benham, Kentucky, eagerly await Christmas morning. But when the holiday dawns, they will find that the most precious gifts are sometimes the most unexpected--and that the best gifts are those that come from the heart.

Christmas is a time for celebrating family, but there are many traditions that make Christmas special. Critical thinking questions paired with back matter photos help young readers learn all about Christmas in this engaging story.

From the founding member of Grammy Award-winning country music band Little Big Town, discover the heartwarming true story of a family's Christmas miracle. Cover includes sparkly Christmas glitter! All Daisy wants for Christmas is a little brother or sister. Her parents have tried everything to make her dream come true, but nothing is working. So Daisy takes matters into her own hands, praying every day and writing a letter to Santa Claus about her one and only wish. Daisy's parents are touched by her strong belief and grateful for her help, but as they explain, sometimes you have to wait. God will give you the perfect gift when the time is right. In this heartwarming holiday tale, Kimberly Schlapman shares the true story of the Christmas when her family became whole.

An inauspicious beginning for Emily, a video producer, who is seeking family and trying to learn what Christmas means and what it's all about. Emily has grown up alone without family and on her own. She meets a little girl who has lost her family in the park and when Emily helps her find her father she is initially intimidated by his size and his anger toward her. Their paths cross again when it turns out that Emily is the producer making the programs for his arena football team. Emily's world tuns upside down meeting the football team and getting to know three hometown players. Together, they show her the meaning of Christmas and help Emily find a family for Christmas.