SUGARPLUMS AND SCANDAL brings together the best of romance and mystery in one delightful collection of Christmas tales. In the expert hands of six of Avon's best storytellers, the holiday season takes on an air of love and scandalous surprises! Filled with Christmas miracles, romance, and suspense, this will make the perfect gift for both romance and mystery fans. Each author brings their own unique voice and characters to the collection, as well as their fan followings.

All I Want For Christmas is My Two Front Teeth – Lori Avocato

The Lords of Misrule – Dana Cameron

The Ghost of Christmas Passed – Mary Daheim

Partners in Crime – Cait London

Holly Go Lightly – Suzanne Macpherson

A Very Vampy Christmas – Kerrelyn Sparks

Sexy Kyle Scanlon has always been a thorn in Rachel Everly's side, and his one goal in life seems to be tormenting her. Years ago, he came riding into town, opened up his mechanic shop, and went on to tempt every woman in Neptune's Landing, including Rachel's own sister, Mallory, whose tragic death Rachel has returned to sleuth out. Who was the monster leading her sister to destruction?

All evidence points to Kyle, the one man Rachel would like to extract from her life. Rachel is certain he is responsible for Mallory's downfall, and she's determined to prove it -- even as she is drawn to the mysterious, dangerous man. But what if she is wrong? What if the secrets Mallory took to her grave, and the surprising clues she seems to give now, are darker than Rachel ever imagined? What if there is a different monster hiding in the shadows waiting to strike again? And could it be that Kyle Scanlon is the man who will save her?

Like everyone else in the small village of Godfrey, Washington, Marlo Malone's peaceful existence was shattered by terrible events that rocked the community: a brutal, unsolved murder ... a series of fatal accidents ... and the strange disappearance of a young boy from the car crash that killed his parents. But unlike everyone else, Marlo can't shake the sickening intuition that these incidents are connected ... and that the men in her life are somehow involved.

Her careful, considerate boyfriend Keith is holding dark secrets. Spence, the missing boy's charismatic uncle, is angry and tormented, and capable of anything. And a terrifying premonition is warning Marlo that unless she can uncover the truth, something horrible is about to happen ... again.

The Heiress and the Hunter

Known as the Somerton heiress, Cameron is wary, because her life has been marred by tragedy. Determined to silence the whispers—and end the nightmares—that haunt her, she must uncover the secrets of her past. . . . And then the heiress meets a stranger. With the air of a hunter, big, hard-looking Hayden Olson moves in next door. Has this man been sent to harm her?

On a mission to clear his father's name, Hayden was once the Somerton gardener's son—and young Cammie's cherished playmate—and now she's the key to the answers he seeks. But Hayden hadn't expected the heiress's fiery sensuality or his fascination with her. In his arms, Cameron finds unexpected safety and a unique challenge. But can she trust him with her body and not her heart?

When the hunter and the heiress become uneasy lovers, a dormant evil stirs—one that believes murder is a small price to pay to keep the secrets of the past buried. But whoever is out to harm Cammie hasn't counted on her strength . . . or Hayden's determination to protect her—at all cost!

The oldest and most powerful of the Aisling triplets, Leona has always been the one most devoted to denying her gift . . . until now. When she begins to see murky visions of the crazed killer who has targeted her sisters, she can't ignore her powers any longer. This evil man not only threatens her family, but is also coming after her.

Yet until she can see him clearly, she realizes that the man dead-set on destroying her could be anyone, even Owen Shaw. But when the handsome, rugged newcomer begs her to use her powers to help his troubled sister, how can she say no? She should stay away from him, but the strong attraction, the undeniable hunger she feels for his body, won't let her escape. Leona will have to summon every ounce of her power—and her passion—if she wants to live to see another day.

Tempest, Claire, and Leona: triplets blessed—or cursed—with a special extra sense they would each deny, given the chance . . .

Tempest was born with the uncanny ability to learn everything about an object—or even a person—just by the touch of her naked hands. But she knows this gift comes at a price, so she protects herself by keeping those she loves at a distance, But when a sinister enemy threatens all that she holds dear, Tempest is forced to reach out to Marcus Greystone, who she once touched willingly . . . and with passionate abandon.

Marcus has never forgotten the sensuous night he and Tempest shared—before she left his bed without a word. Now that she needs his help, Marcus isn't letting her go easily. It's his chance to show Tempest that his touch can also electrify. But a gathering storm of violence is following Tempest, and a killer waits to get his hands on her . . .

Claire, Tempest, and Leona: triplets blessed—or cursed—each with a special extra sense that they would deny, given the chance . . .

Claire, the youngest, finds solitude and escape in rural Montana. The descendant of an ancient Celtic seer, she struggles to conceal her unsettling power to sense what others feel—the good and the evil, the pain and the joy.

When her peace is shattered by her new neighbor, Neil Olafson, Claire's shielded emotions start simmering. He's the opposite of everything she's ever wanted, a man who ignites her latent sensuality. And while her eerie powers have frightened others away, Neil isn't running. And when Claire comes face-to-face with danger, he becomes her protector—as well as her lover.

Now, Claire and Neil must confront the past and save the life of a young innocent. But there is a killer lurking in the background who wants them both dead before they can unravel his dirty secrets. And he's been very busy . . .

Don't Look Back . . .

Maggie Chantel is running from memories too painful -- and frightening -- to acknowledge. And the small, peaceful town of Blanchefleur on the shores of Lake Michigan is where her running stops. Maggie just wants to be left alone to forget, but her new neighbor Nick Alessandro is paying her far too much attention. A survivor of soul-shattering tragedy, Nick is fascinated by this beautiful, secretive woman -- an interest that is slowly turning from attraction to love.

But someone waiting in the shadows is determined that Maggie will love no one ever again. The nightmare she was escaping has found her hiding place, and people in the sleepy Michigan community are starting to die. Maggie knows what her hunter is capable of, and now she must leave behind the man who was bringing her back to life, for his own safety. Nick is determined never to lose the only person who can make his world whole again. And he knows he has to find the killer -- before the killer gets to Maggie.

Michaela Langtry returns home to Wyoming seeking peace, and if she can avoid Harrison Kane II she might succeed in getting it. Harrison's cool composure and frustrating logic challenge Micaela, so she sets out to crack his carefully built shields. After all, Langtry women are known for being as bold as their men and Michaela is as much a Langtry as any of them...

Harrison counted on Michaela coming back to Wyoming where she belongs. She's always fascinated him with her passionate nature, and he enjoys pushing her to the limit. He's prepared to do whatever it takes to keep her where he can get his hands on her. But buried deep in the Rocky Mountains are secrets that are Harrison's alone. Can the powerful past rise to permanently destroy the fragile emotions growing between Harrison and Micaela?