Desperate to make ends meet, winsome diner waitress Merry Hopper takes a temp job as a Christmas coordinator to a handsome widower, promising to bring Christmas back for his three kids. As the “haves” collide with the “have nots” of this world, Merry finds herself head over heels for the family she’s never had, most of all her new banker boss, not realizing he’s on the way toward a Christmas engagement to his employer’s beautiful daughter.
[br]

What do Brigadoon, saris, epic laser tag games, and Jesus have in common? Hope. She’s a Christian with a passion for life and a fascination with Jay’s heritage. He’s an Indian with a fledgling interest in learning about the Hope within Hope.
[br]

Stuck in sleepy New Smyrna Beach one last summer, Raine socks away her camp pay checks, worries about her druggy brother, and ignores trouble: Cal Koomer. She’s a plane ticket away from teaching orphans in Africa, and not even Cal’s surfer six-pack and the chinks she spies in his rebel armor will derail her.

The artist in Cal begs to paint Raine’s ivory skin, high cheek bones, and internal sparklers behind her eyes, but falling for her would caterwaul him into his parents’ life. No thanks. The girl was self-righteous waiting to happen. Mom served sanctimony like vegetables, three servings a day, and he had a gut full.

Rec Director Drew taunts her with “Rainey” and calls her an enabler. He is so infernally there like a horsefly – till he buzzes back to his ex.

Raine’s brother tweaks. Her dream of Africa dies small deaths. Will she figure out what to fight for and what to free before it’s too late?

For anyone who’s ever wrestled with her dreams.
[br]