All Hearts Come Home for Christmas
by Annalisa Russo
Jillian Magee, a fifth-grade math teacher who loves Christmas, has a freezer filled with Christmas cookies, all her Christmas gifts wrapped, and the red scarves all knitted for her caroling party. Unfortunately, the universe seems bent on depriving her of joy this season, even when it supplies her with a well-intentioned celestial do-gooder—a quirky female version of Jacob Marley. Tristán Solano, famous as Trystan Sol in the rock music world, grew up across the street from Jillian Magee, his first friend at five years old and the woman he left in order to grab the brass ring. After eight years with a popular group, earning more money than he can possibly spend in one lifetime, he longs for his old, uncomplicated life. As Christmas approaches, he leaves the band and heads home with his four-year-old daughter. Will Jillian have her heart broken again, or can she and Tristán overcome the past and keep each other warm this Christmas?