Veteran inspirational romance author Calhoune cranks up the Christmas charm in the enchanting launch of her Mistletoe, Maine series featuring a delightful cast of multicultural characters. Head Librarian Lucy Marshall loves her small town, especially during the holidays, but this could be the worst Christmas ever as everyone gathers to celebrate their returning hometown hero, action-flick superstar Dante West, aka "Lucy's ex." Dante broke Lucy's heart when he fled Mistletoe for L.A. almost a decade ago, and now he's back to film a movie, and he wants to make amends. But he has a tough hill to climb to earn his redemption and recapture Lucy's heart. The magic of the holidays is infused throughout this chaste second-chance romance with a tree-lighting ceremony, Dante filling in as Old Saint Nick, and endless mugs of hot peppermint cocoa. Fans of the Hallmark Channel's holiday movies will rejoice over this heartwarming tale.

Calhoune (Hiding in Alaska) serves up a charming Christmastime story of small-town society and second chances in her Mistletoe, Maine, series launch. Lobster-loving librarian Lucy Marshall is happy in her hometown--but when the town's famous son, who also happens to be her ex-boyfriend, returns to film his latest movie, her equilibrium is knocked askew. Dante West has found international success as an action hero, but he's always felt guilty about how he left town--and who he left behind--eight and a half years earlier. He forges a tentative truce with Lucy by donating to the library and using it as a shooting location. Seeing each other every day on set, feelings reignite--until a misunderstanding lands Dante in the hot seat and threatens to derail their rekindled romance. Calhoune's pitch-perfect hero and heroine will have readers rooting for a happily-ever-after, and endearing secondary characters--especially Lucy's younger sister, Tess, and Dante's mother, Mimi--add appealing depth. Given Calhoune's storytelling skill and snappy dialogue, readers will be thrilled with the promise of visiting Mistletoe for many books to come. Agent: Jessica Alvarez, BookEnds Literary. (Oct.)