FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Escaping the rat race and the lure of gold-digging women, wealthy businessman Vance Banning moves to rural Maryland. Posing as an out-of-work carpenter, all he wants is peace and quiet. So the last thing Vance needs is a charitable neighbor -- especially a beautiful and persistent one of the female persuasion. But there's something about Shane Abbot that Vance just can't ignore. BLITHE IMAGES: When small-town girl Hilary Baxter is offered a prestigious six-month modeling contract by Bret Bardoff, the handsome and charming owner and publisher of a prestigious fashion magazine, the sky's the limit. Thrust into a glamorous career in New York City, Hilary knows she has it all except for the one thing she really wants, Bret's love.

Escaping the rat race and the lure of gold-digging women, wealthy businessman Vance Banning moves to a small, rural retreat, telling the townsfolk that he's an out-of-work carpenter. All he wants is peace, quiet, and to keep away from women. So the last thing he needs is a charitable neighbor, especially a beautiful, gracious, and persistent neighbor of the female persuasion, but there's something about Shane Abbott he just can't ignore. Vance is certain his cover story will stop his lovely neighbor from getting too friendly, but Shane is determined to break down his resistance. He has no idea how relentless Shane Abbott can be when it comes to giving a helping hand...or a loving heart.

A wealthy businessman reinvents himself as an out-of-work carpenter in a rural town where he falls in love with his neighbor.

A wealthy businessman reinvents himself as an out-of-work carpenter in a rural town where he falls in love with his neighbor, and a magazine mogul sets his sights on a fashion model who surprises him with her innocence.

Fleeing from the advances of gold-digging women, wealthy businessman Vance Banning reinvents himself as an out-of-work carpenter in a rural town where he finds himself falling under the spell of his beautiful and persistent neighbor, Shane Abbott.

ADULT & CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE. Escaping the rat race and the lure of gold-digging women, wealthy businessman Vance Banning moves to a small, rural retreat, telling the townsfolk that he's an out-of-work carpenter. All he wants is peace, quiet, and to keep away from women. So the last thing he needs is a charitable neighbor, especially a beautiful, gracious, and persistent neighbor of the female persuasion, but there's something about Shane Abbott he just can't ignore. Vance is certain his cover story will stop his lovely neighbor from getting too friendly, but Shane is determined to break down his resistance. He has no idea how relentless Shane Abbott can be when it comes to giving a helping hand...or a loving heart.

First Impressions - Entrepreneur Vance Banning took a residence in rural Maryland to escape business pressures--and relationships with women pursuing his bank account. To the community, he's a moody, out-of-work carpenter with a chip on his shoulder. To next door neighbor Shane Abbott, he's just a man who needs a little kindness in his life. Vance's suspicions of the stunning beauty's intense interest in him start to fade when he realizes Shane's compassion is honest and joyful--giving his heart permission to experience true love.

Two holiday stories that wholly capture the spirit of season.