Love for the Holidays — Lisa Y. Watson

Stefania Lassister and Marcus Dresden are licensed private investigators at a security consulting firm in Chicago, Illinois. Their work is exciting, dangerous and full of risk and that's just the way they like it. Stefania has never run from a good challenge, but the hardest one she's ever faced is getting her partner to lighten up and partake in a little holiday cheer.

Marcus has no use for the holidays. They only remind him of what he's never truly had; a caring environment with a loving mother and father. Marcus' father left when he was born, and his mother drowned her sorrows in alcohol. When she dies suddenly, Marcus is left an orphan with no next of kin. Bounced around from family to family, he's had a hard time believing in happy endings. His growing attraction to Stefania gives him hope for the future, but first he must loosen the grip of his past.

When a night of passion causes Stefania and Marcus to acknowledge their feelings for one another, Marcus realizes the time is right to confront his demons so he can pursue a passionate relationship with Stefania. He goes to his hometown of Saginaw, Michigan to visit his uncle, and confront the foster family that made his childhood a living hell. Marcus soon finds himself in mortal danger from an unknown source.

Stefania drops everything and rushes to help the man she loves, but soon finds herself embroiled in hidden agendas, old feuds and a family secret that will change Marcus' life forever.