This snowy Christmas, there’s a new matchmaker on Bluestar Island, and she’s working on Project: Mistletoe

Carol Carmichael operates the refresh decor service at Turner Home Furnishings, but business has recently dropped off, putting her job in jeopardy. Misfortune strikes the island, and Bluestar’s annual ten-day Christmas celebration is moved to the new ballroom at the Brass Anchor Inn. Carol is asked to decorate the ballroom for the festivities. Could the high visibility of this project be exactly what she needs to keep her job? There’s just one catch: ­working at the inn will put her in direct contact with the man who broke her heart.

Hotel manager Harvey Coleman is not feeling the holiday spirit. A health scare has him pulling back from life and those who care about him. But when Carol arrives at the inn, she turns his frown upside down with her sunny smiles. There’s no way she’ll give him a second chance”­even if he wants one.

As Christmas approaches, a bit of matchmaking keeps their lives intertwined. Will the spirit of the season heal their hearts and a sprig of mistletoe give their love a second chance?

Includes a recipe for Carol’s Chai Spice Cookies!

HEAT LEVEL: Clean & Wholesome

Read an Excerpt

Prologue
December 9th…

She had a plan.
She just needed a little help.
Josie Turner stepped up to the checkout counter of the Seaside Bookshop. The countertop was decorated with red garland and white twinkle lights. On one end stood the cash register, and on the other end was a small Christmas tree with miniature ornaments. Josie leaned in closer to get a better look at one particular ornament: a penguin with a candy cane. It was so cute.
This all just went to prove what she already knew—she lacked the decorating gene. Sure, the inn was decorated, but it was the same old decorations they used every year. There was nothing special to make anyone ooh and aah over. Luckily, the guests seemed content with her efforts.
There was no one there. “Melinda?”
“I’ll be right there.” Melinda’s voice came from the back of the bookshop.
“Okay. No rush.” Josie took the moment to look around the bookshop.
Her friend definitely had a knack for decorating. The whole bookshop was decked out for the holidays. She inhaled and got the slightest whiff of evergreen from the skinny Christmas tree in the reading area. A smile pulled at the corners of her lips.
“Sorry about that.” Melinda Coleman stepped out from the back room. Her abdomen was rounded with her first baby. “I was finishing inventorying the latest shipment of books.” She paused as she looked at Josie. “Is everything all right?”
“Yes… Um… No.” Josie sighed. “I don’t know.”
Melinda’s brows drew together. “It sounds like this conversation would be best held with a warm drink in hand.” She stepped out from behind the counter and headed over to the area for customers to relax and read a book. There were a couple of other people there. One young man appeared completely immersed in the book he was reading, and the other woman had in earbuds as she typed on her laptop. Neither paid them any attention.
“How are you and the baby doing?” Josie asked.
“Good. I just had a doctor’s appointment, and I was told everything is right on schedule.”
“That’s great. In no time at all, I’ll be babysitting for you.”
Melinda smiled as she moved to the coffee station. “What would you like? I can offer you coffee? Tea? Or hot chocolate?”
“Considering it’s snowing outside and I had coffee not so long ago, I’ll go with the hot chocolate.”
Once they had their drinks, they moved to a corner table. Melinda used a swizzle stick with a snowman at the top to stir her herbal tea. “What’s going on with you? I haven’t seen you much lately.”
Josie took a sip of the creamy, rich chocolate. She licked her lips. “Sorry. I’ve just been focused on getting ready for the holidays. By the way, you did an amazing job decorating this place.”
“Thank you, but I have a feeling you didn’t stop by just to talk about my holiday decorations.” Melinda knew her so well.
Josie wasn’t sure where to start with this conversation. She didn’t want her friend to think she was being meddlesome, even if that was exactly what she was about to do. But she couldn’t stand by without doing something to bring these two people together.