UNDER THE CHRISTMAS TREE sets the scene as hairdresser Annie detours to drive through Virgin River and checks out their Christmas tree. Her parents live near the next town over and being a farm girl, she knows how to care for a box of abandoned puppies she finds under the big tree. Expecting the crusty old veterinarian to respond to a call, she isn't prepared for the best-looking guy she's seen in a while to walk through the door of the bar where she's feeding the tiny pups. Nate is the new vet. Annie cut his hair once, but maybe they have something more in common.

MIDNIGHT CONFESSIONS shows Sunny Archer resisting efforts to make her attend a New Year's party in town. Last year she had a fiancé, this year she's been dumped. She doesn't feel like partying - actually, she wants to burn reminders of the time she wasted with the jerk - but her uncle Nate persuades her. At twenty-five Sunny has her own photography business, and should be looking forward to life. Drew, finding that she's single, doesn't understand why she rejects his company. Who wouldn't want a handsome doctor by her side at midnight? Maybe confessing his past to her would help unite them.

BACKWARD GLANCE shows John, a builder and landscaper, and brings Leigh, a divorcee with kids, into his life - again. He still fancies her more than a little and she's back in town, coming home permanently. Would it be fair of Leigh to look for a man just as a father to her boys? Leigh's mother hasn't been well, and she isn't telling her daughter how serious her heart condition is. Leigh has enough on her mind without seeing her mom's hunky landscaper.

Lots to love in this finely-judged tale of very real people and issues from Robyn Carr. I think that 'TIS THE SEASON could be enjoyed by anyone who likes adult romance in which the bedroom is understated and commitment is essential. With wise reminders about the care required by young pets as well as people, this collection would be a great present for the lady in your life.

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