“But why did that sign say HOME OF CHRISTMASVILLE?” Emily persisted. “But it’s still late autumn, Emily.” She pointed to where some orange and gold leaves still clung to a large tree, vibrating in the afternoon breeze. But are we near the North Pole now? You said it snowed a lot here.” Emily peered eagerly out the window, almost as if she expected to see snowflakes flying. “What do you think?” Krista grimaced at the plywood Christmas tree alongside the welcome sign. “That sign says HOME OF CHRISTMASVILLE-what does that mean? Does Santa Claus live here?” Emily giggled like she knew better.

“Look, Mama!” Emily pointed to the WELCOME TO WINTER HILL billboard. And what about her daughter’s new school? With less than two hundred students, what if its academic standards were disappointing? Why hadn’t Krista given this whole thing more consideration? Was this new job a mistake? Should she have researched this move more carefully? Had she agreed to the contract too easily? Too hastily? Being hired as a city manager would definitely improve her résumé, but the small-town salary was a letdown. Krista Galloway didn’t usually second-guess herself, but as she slowed down the U-Haul truck on the outskirts of Winter Hill, she was assaulted with some serious doubts. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means-for example, electronic, photocopy, recording-without the prior written permission of the publisher. “Carlson’s latest holiday offering is sure to become a fan favorite! Full of hope, it embodies all that is beloved about the Christmas season.”Īll rights reserved. “Novelist Melody Carlson has written a deftly crafted, consistently entertaining, and ultimately inspiring story of love, hardship, and reconciliation that will leave readers filled with Christmas joy.” “Delightful prose and an affirming resolution will please readers.” “A Christmas story that will warm your heart and have you dreaming of your own enchanted seaside holiday.” “This breezy, entertaining read provides the perfect afternoon getaway during a busy holiday season.” “With a sweet ending that neatly wraps up this Christmas novel, Carlson explores second chances through the touch-ups of a small beach house, a budding romance, and a renewal of faith in God.”

The Christmas Cat by Melody Carlson