The Nine Lives of Christmas (23 page)

ALSO BY SHEILA ROBERTS

The Snow Globe

Small Change

Angel Lane

Love in Bloom

Bikini Season

On Strike for Christmas

ACCLAIM FOR THE NOVELS OF SHEILA ROBERTS

“An absolutely wonderful holiday treat, full of warmth and charm and second chances. It’s the perfect stocking stuffer.”

—Kristin Hannah

“This lighthearted and charming read will appeal to fans of Kristin Hannah’s magical, light romances and readers who enjoyed Roberts’ previous holiday offerings.”

—
Library Journal
(starred review)

“Roberts’ charming holiday-themed contemporary story set in the Seattle area offers hope, comfort, and a second chance for those who believe, and a nudge to change the minds of those who don’t.”

—
Booklist

“Roberts’ witty and effervescently funny novel will warm hearts. Realistic characters populate the pages of this captivating story, which is a great escape from the hustle and bustle.”

—
Romantic Times
(Top Pick)

“Hands down, this has to be the best Christmas book I have read. The characters are so meticulously developed; I had to double-check to see if it really was a work of fiction.”

—J. Kaye’s Book Blog

“Roberts manages to avoid genre clichés and crafts a heartfelt novel with nuggets of life truths.”

—
The Press & Sun-Bulletin

“Sheila Roberts makes me laugh. I read her work and come away inspired, hopeful, and happy.”

—Debbie Macomber,
New York Times
bestselling author

“A fast, fresh, fun, and funny story by a major new talent.”

—Susan Wiggs,
New York Times
bestselling author

“Fans will relish the adventures of the three amigas as all kinds of relationships blossom.”

—
Midwest Book Review

“Sheila Roberts will make you laugh and cry with her latest novel about three women facing life’s trials and tribulations.”

—
The National Examiner

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

THE NINE LIVES OF CHRISTMAS
. Copyright © 2011 by Sheila Rabe. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.

www.stmartins.com

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Roberts, Sheila.

The nine lives of Christmas / Sheila Roberts.—1st ed.

p. cm.

e-ISBN 9781429989466

  1.  Cats—Fiction.   2.  Fire fighters—Fiction.   3.  Man-woman relationships—Fiction.   4.  Christmas stories.   I.  Title.

PS3618.O31625N56 2011

813'.6—dc22

2011025844

First Edition: November 2011