Twelve short stories set during the winter holiday season offer up romance in a variety of settings, from a small-town college to a big-city apartment building, a barren little California town to somewhere in Oklahoma four hours from the nearest airport. Whatever the setting, the characters shine, whether it’s a famous singer grasping the chance to be someone unknown; a teen intent on escaping what she thinks of as her nothing life in a nothing town; a besotted boy willing to sneak into a house on Christmas Eve dressed as Santa to deliver a some magic to his boyfriend’s little sister; or a young woman drawing on ancient power to escape a cruel and loveless man. Romance is one common thread to follow through these stories, but most celebrate the love of family and friendship, too, and sometimes this is as moving as the meeting of two hearts. (Age 13 and older)