Welcome to the book blitz for REMEMBER ME AT CHRISTMAS, the third book in the adult contemporary holiday romance series, Spirit of Christmas, by Debra Curwen. See below for information on the book and series, buy links, a couple of exclusive teaser quotes, and details on her giveaway.
REMEMBER ME AT CHRISTMAS (Spirit of Christmas Series #3) by Debra Curwen
Synopsis Andi has always loved Christmas. The magic, the surprises, and a precious music box she treasures inspired her to open her own Christmas workshop. Andi’s Antiques is now a thriving business, and she sees a long future ahead.
But she hadn’t counted on Mike who wields his charm like a weapon or his determination to buy out her business and replace her quaint, antique shop with its wonder of Christmas with a bar and gaming tables.
Andi isn’t selling no matter how convincing he may be. Sure, there’s something about the guy that’s magnetic, but it’ll take a lot more than a handsome face to make her give up on her dream. Unlocking her heart, though, may be a different story.
About the Author I am a multi-published author of various genres. I write children’s books under the pseudonym of Jaime McKoy and sensual romances under Tess Manning, although that name is being retired.
The contemporary romances I write under Debra Curwen are sweet and wholesome, much like a Christmas movie you would see on television. My first one, Remember Me At Christmas is a novella, it will release in November 2020 from Vinspire Publishing.
I am also a photographer, a wife of forty-plus years, mother of two, and grandmother of four.
I am addicted to Dancing with the Stars, Days of Our Lives, my maltipoo, Jasper, and Halo ice cream (mint chocolate chip, please).
Author Ivy Nelson is revealing details from her new Christmas at Club Solitaire, an adult contemporary holiday romance series, releasing beginning November 24, 2020. See below for the covers, information on the series, preorder links, and links to add them all to your Goodreads TBR.
COMING HOME (Christmas at Club Solitaire Series #1) by Ivy Nelson
About Book One – Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited Title: COMING HOME Series: Christmas at Club Solitaire Series #1 Author: Ivy Nelson Release Date: November 24, 2020 Genre: Adult Contemporary Holiday Romance Links:Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Amazon DE | Amazon IT | Amazon FR
Synopsis David and Emily Eastman are back! Enjoy this Christmas Romance with the couple that kicked off all the fun and adventure at Club Solitaire.
When David Eastman was declared cancer free, he dove head first into resuming his role as CEO of his company. What he failed to realize is that his wife, Emily felt left behind as she struggled to find her place in the world.
Emily has been taking care of someone her entire adult life. First, her terminally ill brother, and then David. Now that he’s in remission and she’s not in fear of losing him, she is unsure of where she fits in the world. So she throws herself into a graduate degree.
Now the couple are overworked and under-romanced and they just might need an intervention to get them back on the right track.
A trip down memory lane reminds them to cling to the home they made at Solitaire, and a natural disaster just might force them to stay there a little longer than they’d planned this holiday season.
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PAST AND PRESENT (Christmas at Club Solitaire Series #2) by Ivy Nelson
About Book Two – Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited Title: PAST AND PRESENT
Series: Christmas at Club Solitaire Series #2
Author: Ivy Nelson
Release Date: December 1, 2020 Genre: Adult Contemporary Holiday Romance Links:Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Amazon DE | Amazon IT | Amazon FR
Synopsis Five years ago, Lance and Marissa were happily engaged and looking forward to a Christmas wedding. And then their world came crashing down and it ended with Marissa hurling her ring at Lance’s head.
Now, they’re enjoying their first Christmas back together and they plan to stop by Club Solitaire, the elite adults only club they think of as home, for a Christmas party before they head to Phoenix for a small wedding with Marissa’s family.
Mother nature has other ideas and their Christmas wedding is once again at risk.
Now Marissa is wondering if they’re meant to get married at all and Lance is determined to remind her that their past is in the past.With a little help from his friends at club Solitaire, will he be able to pull off a Christmas miracle?
Note from the author: This Christmas romance is best read as a companion to Pressure, also by Ivy Nelson.
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NEW TRADITION (Christmas at Club Solitaire Series #3) by Ivy Nelson
About Book Three – Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited Title: NEW TRADITION Series:Christmas at Club Solitaire Series #3 Author: Ivy Nelson Release Date: December 8, 2020 Genre: Adult Contemporary Holiday Romance Links:Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Amazon DE | Amazon IT | Amazon FR
Synopsis Erin Green is ready for a break after a harrowing campaign with newly elected Senator Ware. And she’s ready to take that break by celebrating her first Christmas with the love of her life, newly retired soldier turned investor, Samuel Carter.
Unfortunately, it turns out they have very different ideas about how Christmas should be celebrated.
They have a spat over which traditions to follow, but one one thing they do agree on is a trip to Club Solitaire for the annual Christmas party where Christmas wishes of a more carnal nature are destined to come true.
When mother nature keeps them from returning home, it looks like the new couple will have to form some new traditions for Christmas.
New Tradition is best read after you’ve read Ice, also by Ivy Nelson.
This is book three in a trilogy of yummy Christmas Romance stories with your favorite cast of characters from Club Solitaire! Grab your copy today!
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Author Ivy Nelson
About The Author Ivy Nelson is an emerging contemporary romance author, hopeful romantic, and passionate advocate who is versed in all things steamy, sultry, and sensual. It all started back when she read her first steamy romance novel at the age of fourteen. From that point forward, it became her favorite genre–one she wanted to write in herself someday. Sylvia Day’s writing style cemented that passion, and gave her just the inspiration she needed to be an author herself. In December of 2018, Ivy published her debut novel, Power Desired at the age of 32.
Most recently, Ivy completed the “D.C. Power Games” series and the prequel to her forthcoming “Diamond Doms series” titled “Hard” (currently available for pre-order). In a not-so-distant past, she was a student affairs professional at a university and earned her political science degree, which explains her politically-driven romance debut.
When she isn’t penning steamy scenes or attending writing conferences, you can find this contest-winning karaoke singer and bookworm passionately supporting human rights or growing her Sims 4 empire. She is also a wine aficionado and certified whiskey taster (no really, she has the certificate to prove it). All that aside, Ivy loves spending quality time with her amazing son and husband of three years at their home in Houston, TX.
Welcome to the blog tour for KISSING LESSONS,the first book in the new adult contemporary romantic comedy series, Kissing Creek, by USA Today bestselling author, Stefanie London. See below for information on the book, buy links, and an exclusive excerpt.
KISSING LESSONS (Kissing Creek Series) by Stefanie London
Synopsis
Welcome to Kissing Creek, where everything has a romance-themed pun for a name and love is lurking around every corner…
Audrey Miller doesn’t believe in happily-ever-after, so she is definitely living in the wrong town. But she’s never getting out of Kissing Creek, because playing pseudo-mom for her younger siblings doesn’t leave time for much else. She’ll do anything to make sure they don’t end up stuck like she is, working as a barista in a college town, serving Pink Passion mochas with Chocolate Smooch donuts.
Then Ronan Walsh, a new young professor and walking cliché, right down to the elbow patches on his blazer, steps in for a coffee and into her life. She knows his type—intelligent and charming, yet sweet as a cinnamon roll, the sort of man she’s inevitably attracted to but is always out of her league. So why does someone like him have any interest in a worker bee with no future?
Her bland-as-oatmeal existence has nothing to offer, but Ronan’s temporary teaching position is only a stepping stone on his way to somewhere else. He isn’t here to put down roots, Audrey’s roots are firmly planted—neither of them is looking for love. And maybe that’s just perfect.
But in a small town called Kissing Creek, sometimes love can be impossible to avoid…
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Excerpt #2 Mistakes had been made.
Mistake number one was stopping to chat to Ronan when he called her name. Not because she didn’t want to talk to him—she definitely did—but because having Deanna beside her added a whole new level of risk.
Mistake number two was wearing a dress she knew was a little on the short side when she sat down. But laundry day had come and gone three days ago, and Audrey hadn’t found a spare moment to do it.
Her thoughts were cut off by the raucous cheer from the hometown fans. The Flames mascot, a guy dressed in an unfortunately tight red skin suit with a wig made to look like flames, was leading Lily around the field to signal that the game would be underway soon.
“That’s a brave man right there,” Ronan said with a shudder. “You could not pay me enough.”
“Because of the suit or the llama?” Audrey bit into her hotdog and chewed, happy for the distraction from more dangerous topics of conversation.
“Both. One, there’s no way I’m getting near that creature again unless absolutely necessary. Two, it would take a lot of money for me to put my junk on display.” He cleared his throat. “Not that I’m ashamed of what God gave me.”
Oh lord. Audrey did not need to be thinking about anything that God gave Ronan Walsh below the belt. Trying to combat the sudden rise in her body temperature, she pressed the Coke cup to her cheek.
Ice cubes, work your magic. Now, please.
But Ronan was clearly determined to backtrack, his cheeks suddenly as red as hers.
“I mean, any man would feel uncomfortable having it all hang out in front of an audience, regardless of size.” He cleared his throat. “I’m going to stop now.”
“Please,” Audrey said, half mortified and half trying not to choke on the laugh she was holding back.
“I usually have better social skills than this,” he muttered. “I swear there’s something about you that turns me into a babbling fool.”
Her heart skipped a beat. She made him turn into a babbling fool? Surely it was the other way around. There was no way Ronan could be attracted to her the way she was attracted to him. And it wasn’t because Audrey didn’t think she was attractive. She had confident days and those where she avoided the mirror, like any other woman.
But this wasn’t anything to do with looks. It was everything else. Why would a professor with his pedigree be interested in an uneducated worker bee with no future?
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Author Stefanie London
About the Author Stefanie London is a multi award-winning, USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romances and romantic comedies.
Stefanie’s books have been called “genuinely entertaining and memorable” by Booklist, and “Elegant, descriptive and delectable” by RT magazine. Her stories have won multiple industry awards, including the HOLT Medallion and OKRWA National Reader’s Choice Award, and she has been nominated for the Romance Writers of America RITA award.
Originally from Australia, Stefanie now lives in Toronto with her very own hero and is currently in the process of doing her best to travel the world. She frequently indulges in her passions for good coffee, lipstick, romance novels and anything zombie-related.
Today is release day for LET IT SNOW, a stand-alone adult contemporary holiday romance, by Cassie Cross. See below for information on the book, buy links, and an exclusive excerpt.
Synopsis Amy Winstead is a twenty something video producer who loves Christmas more than anyone she’s ever known. This year, the holidays are gonna be a lot less happy because she can’t afford the plane ticket home to celebrate with her family, and her best and oldest friend Josh is moving halfway across the country for a new job that he couldn’t turn down.
When Josh asks her to accompany him on his road trip from Texas to Connecticut and offers to pay for her plane ticket back home, how could Amy say no? He’s promised some fun surprises on the trip, and more time with him could never be a bad thing.
One surprise Josh hasn’t planned on is the record-breaking blizzard heading their way. They decide to wait out the storm in the charming town of Holly Hill, where a little holiday magic and a lot of snow combine to help Josh and Amy realize that the something that’s always simmered between them could easily become something more…
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Exclusive Excerpt Fate blessed me the moment Josh Abbott came into my life. It was just before his first birthday, when I was six weeks old. My mom set me down across his lap, posing us for a picture that I keep a copy of on my phone, one that’s framed and displayed on the fireplace mantel at my parents’ house.
In it, Josh is wearing this little yellow and blue striped t-shirt, his blonde hair a cute mess that was his trademark until we graduated from high school. I have on a light pink onesie with a hood that has ears on it. Josh grins down at me as I hold his finger in a white-knuckled grip.
Mom says neither one of us wanted to let go that day, and that’s when she and Josh’s mom, Gloria, knew we’d be best friends forever.
Twenty-six years later, we’re still inseparable…for the next six days, at least. That’s when Josh is loading up his car and making the drive from Austin to Connecticut to start a new job that he just couldn’t turn down. They offered him almost double his current salary; I can’t really blame him for ditching me right before my favorite holiday, honestly.
I’m trying to learn how to deal with it. Most days, I desperately lie to myself about how living without him won’t be as bad as I think. Then I wind up flip-flopping between being irrationally angry at him and unfathomably sad. I’m constantly 100% head-over-heels in love with him.
That’s my little secret, though.
For one brief moment, I had a sliver of hope that we were on the same page. He invited me out to dinner at our favorite place, and I’d gotten swept up in fantasies that he’d take my hands across the table, smile that gorgeous smile of his and say, “Ames, I’m in love with you.”
What he actually said was, “Ames, I’m moving back home. I got a job in New York.”
I can’t blame him for trying to soften the blow with barbecue, but I lost my appetite after that.
I haven’t really gotten it back. It’s worked out in my favor for the most part, since this time of year I’m working a schedule that doesn’t allow much time for eating. I’m an editor/producer for a social media baking star. We’re about four months ahead in the production schedule, so while it’s Christmas in real time, it’s been Easter in my world for the past few weeks. I’ve barely had time for a real meal, so I’ve basically just been inhaling the baked goods after we’ve finished taking pictures of them for Instagram.
Yesterday, I had a handful of almonds and a sizable portion of a bunny’s butt made out of yellow cake, raspberry jam, and the most amazingly fluffy buttercream frosting I’ve ever had.
At this point, my body is screaming, NUTRIENTS, PLEASE!
Josh knows me like the back of his hand, and has some kind of weird internal alarm that sounds whenever I’ve gone a few days without eating a vegetable. I’m positive that’s why he invited me over to eat, and why I gave him a hard time before I said yes.
I know I’m lucky to have a friend like him. He’s smart, he’s fun, he’s funny, and it doesn’t hurt that he’s model-gorgeous and an absolute pleasure to look at, especially when he’s in the kitchen making me dinner.
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Author Cassie Cross
About the Author Cassie Cross is a Maryland native and a romantic at heart, who lives outside of Baltimore with her two dogs and a closet full of shoes. Cassie’s fondness for swoon-worthy men and strong women are the inspiration for most of her stories, and when she’s not busy writing a book, you’ll probably find her eating takeout and indulging in her love of 80’s sitcoms.
Welcome to the blog tour for WHEN THE WIND CHIMES, an adult contemporary holiday romance, by Mary Ting. See below for information on the book, pre-order links, an exclusive interview with the author, and details on her giveaway.
WHEN THE WIND CHIMES by Mary Ting
About the Book – Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited
Title: WHEN THE WIND CHIMES Author: Mary Ting Publisher: Rosewind Books Release Date: November 17, 2020 Genre: Adult Contemporary Holiday Romance
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Amazon DE | Amazon IT
Synopsis Kaitlyn Summers is heartbroken.
When she receives an invitation to spend Christmas with her family on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, she feels it may be the perfect medicine.
She throws herself into helping her sister’s struggling art gallery, even taking a temporary job for extra money by looking after a little girl from her nephew’s school. She also begins to paint again, something she’s been unable to do since her breakup. It’s tempting to stay on Kauai, but she has obligations back in Los Angeles.
Life gets more complicated when circumstances keep putting her close to Leonardo Medici. Not only is he drop-dead gorgeous, he’s a local celebrity. But Kaitlyn can’t shake the feeling he’s hiding something.
Should she believe the rumors that he’s romancing half the island’s single women?
Or is the random sound of wind chimes when he’s close-by a sign that an angel is near and the secret to her happily ever after?
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Exclusive Interview
WHEN THE WIND CHIMES is quite a departure from your recent young adult fantasy novels. What was it like for you to step outside those fantastical worlds and into contemporary? It’s definitely a change of pacing and descriptions, but I had a lot of fun. I enjoy writing all types of genres.
Also, that last sentence of the book blurb makes me wonder if there isn’t a little supernatural twist in there. Is this something you want to share or would you prefer for readers to discover the magic themselves? Well, I think it will depend on the readers, if they believe in fate or not. ☺
What do you most want readers to take away from WHEN THE WIND CHIMES?
Sometimes you just have to take a chance. When one door closes, another will open.
Hawaii is so beautiful, so magical, so breathtaking; the perfect winter escape. I love that you set it on Kauai instead of Maui or Oahu. Any personal stories about a visit there you’d like to share? I’ve been to Kauai twice. I love how the island is lowkey and small. There are pockets of tourist places but it’s not as busy as the other islands. Kauai feels like a second home to me. Once you’re there, it’s like paradise. All your worries go away.
Switching gears, how are you weathering the fires near where you live? Thanks for asking. It’s been horrible. Fire after fire. It just doesn’t seem to end. I didn’t have to evacuate but some of my friends had. Thank God the fire near our homes were put out quickly … thanks to the hard-working firefighters. God bless them for putting their lives on the line.
I spotted a Funko Pop on your Twitter timeline. I love me some of those big-eyed bobble-headed characters. Who is that peeking over your shoulder as you read ISAN?
Those Funko Pops are Ava and Rhett from ISAN. I love them. ☺
Fantasy, scifi, contemporary, done, done, done. What’s one genre you have yet to tackle that you’d love to sink your teeth into? Those are the three genres I enjoy reading and writing. I think I would like to try adult fantasy instead of YA.
What can we expect next from you?
CODE, ISAN book 4 (April 20, 2021, Ronin Witch (YA fantasy September 14, 2021), and Abby, Kaitlyn’s sister from When the Wind Chimes will get her own story.
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Author Mary Ting
About the Author International Bestselling, Award-Winning Author Mary Ting writes soulful, spellbinding stories that excite the imagination and captivate readers all over the world. Her books run a wide range of genres: science fiction, fantasy, and swoon worthy stories. Her storytelling talents have won her a devoted legion of fans and garnered critical praise.
Mary was born in Seoul Korea and resides in Southern California with her husband, two children, and two dogs—Mochi and Mocha. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Becoming an author was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother. After realizing she wanted to become a full-time author, she retired from teaching after twenty years..
Author Cassie Cross is revealing the cover to LET IT SNOW, a stand-alone adult contemporary holiday romance, releasing November 12, 2020. See below for the cover, information on the book, preorder links, and a link to add it to your Goodreads TBR.
Synopsis Amy Winstead is a twenty something video producer who loves Christmas more than anyone she’s ever known. This year, the holidays are gonna be a lot less happy because she can’t afford the plane ticket home to celebrate with her family, and her best and oldest friend Josh is moving halfway across the country for a new job that he couldn’t turn down.
When Josh asks her to accompany him on his road trip from Texas to Connecticut and offers to pay for her plane ticket back home, how could Amy say no? He’s promised some fun surprises on the trip, and more time with him could never be a bad thing.
One surprise Josh hasn’t planned on is the record-breaking blizzard heading their way. They decide to wait out the storm in the charming town of Holly Hill, where a little holiday magic and a lot of snow combine to help Josh and Amy realize that the something that’s always simmered between them could easily become something more…
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Author Cassie Cross
About the Author Cassie Cross is a Maryland native and a romantic at heart, who lives outside of Baltimore with her two dogs and a closet full of shoes. Cassie’s fondness for swoon-worthy men and strong women are the inspiration for most of her stories, and when she’s not busy writing a book, you’ll probably find her eating takeout and indulging in her love of 80’s sitcoms.
Entangled Amara and USA Today bestselling author, Stefanie London, are revealing an excerpt from KISSING LESSONS,the first book in the new adult contemporary romantic comedy series, Kissing Creek, releasing November 9, 2020. See below for information on the book, preorder links, and an exclusive excerpt.
KISSING LESSONS (Kissing Creek Series) by Stefanie London
Synopsis
Welcome to Kissing Creek, where everything has a romance-themed pun for a name and love is lurking around every corner…
Audrey Miller doesn’t believe in happily-ever-after, so she is definitely living in the wrong town. But she’s never getting out of Kissing Creek, because playing pseudo-mom for her younger siblings doesn’t leave time for much else. She’ll do anything to make sure they don’t end up stuck like she is, working as a barista in a college town, serving Pink Passion mochas with Chocolate Smooch donuts.
Then Ronan Walsh, a new young professor and walking cliché, right down to the elbow patches on his blazer, steps in for a coffee and into her life. She knows his type—intelligent and charming, yet sweet as a cinnamon roll, the sort of man she’s inevitably attracted to but is always out of her league. So why does someone like him have any interest in a worker bee with no future?
Her bland-as-oatmeal existence has nothing to offer, but Ronan’s temporary teaching position is only a stepping stone on his way to somewhere else. He isn’t here to put down roots, Audrey’s roots are firmly planted—neither of them is looking for love. And maybe that’s just perfect.
But in a small town called Kissing Creek, sometimes love can be impossible to avoid…
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Exclusive Excerpt Audrey cocked her head. “You know, we’ve been warned about people like you.”
“People posing as professors.” She waggled her finger at him and made a teasing, tutting sound.
“Posing?” Ronan literally studied the very things which made people who they are—the very fiber of their motivations and morals. He would never scam someone. But this wasn’t the first time someone had questioned him because he was younger than average. “I’m a professor at Harrison Beech College. I don’t have my faculty card yet, that’s all.”
“You really thought you could get one past me by trying to look the part?” She shook her head. “The elbow patches were a good attempt, but don’t you think they’re a little cliché?”
Now she was insulting his fashion choices? He blinked. “What’s wrong with elbow patches?”
“It’s like you Googled ‘what do professors wear?’ and then bought the first thing you saw.” She bit down on her lip as if stifling a laugh.
Everyone was looking at him now, but Ronan had always been impervious to embarrassment. Maybe it was years of growing up with his Irish grandmother who was as blunt as a hammer.
Although he had Googled that exact question on his first day as a professor in his late twenties. He’d been more insecure back then, feeling the age gap between him and his colleagues and his lack of life experience like a weight around his neck. These days he’d learned to hold his own, academically and personally.
And he damn well liked his elbow patches.
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Author Stefanie London
About the Author Stefanie London is a multi award-winning, USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romances and romantic comedies.
Stefanie’s books have been called “genuinely entertaining and memorable” by Booklist, and “Elegant, descriptive and delectable” by RT magazine. Her stories have won multiple industry awards, including the HOLT Medallion and OKRWA National Reader’s Choice Award, and she has been nominated for the Romance Writers of America RITA award.
Originally from Australia, Stefanie now lives in Toronto with her very own hero and is currently in the process of doing her best to travel the world. She frequently indulges in her passions for good coffee, lipstick, romance novels and anything zombie-related.
Welcome to the book blitz for A CASE FOR THE TOY MAKER, the third book in the adult cozy mystery series, Ainsley McGregor, by Candace Havens. See below for the for information on the book and series, buy links, an exclusive excerpt, and details on her giveaway.
A CASE FOR THE TOY MAKER, the third book in the adult cozy mystery series, Ainsley McGregor, by Candace Havens
It’s Christmas in Sweet River, Texas, and the whole town is feeling festive apart from Ainsley McGregor. Ainsley has never enjoyed the holidays and would rather ignore them, but with her shop Bless Your Art busier than ever and filled with happy shoppers, even she’s feeling some Christmas spirit. That is, until her Great Dane, George Clooney, sniffs out a dead body in the Santa House at the Christmas Festival.
When one of her favorite crafters becomes the prime suspect, Ainsley is determined to prove his innocence. The case is full of so many twists and turns that even Ainsley begins to fear the truth. Is she protecting a killer?
With help from her friends and some extremely nosey townsfolk, Ainsley and her dog hurry to find the truth––as long as they can outwit and outrun the killer first. Otherwise, this Christmas might just be her last.
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Excerpt #3 “I have a job for you as well.”
Wait. My brother was asking for my help?
The apocalypse is nigh.
“Two things… We have someone who is stealing Christmas decorations from homes and store displays. I need you to keep an eye out.”
“The Christmas thief?”
He nodded. “Probably some kids pulling pranks, but you know how this town feels about its decorations. Just let me know if you see or hear anything.”
“What have they taken so far?”
He flipped open a file on his desk. “A wreath, a small animatronic Santa and a few dozen strings of lights.” “That’s crazy. Who would do that?”
“I have no idea, which is why I need your help. The town leaders are up in arms, even though the grand total of the stolen goods is less than a hundred dollars.
“And then the other thing, and I want you to be careful with this one—as head of the festival committee, I was wondering if you could stop by the vendor booths. Maybe introduce yourself, and see if you hear anything about Davy. Don’t get too nosy asking questions. Just chat with them, and then let me know if you see or hear anything suspicious. Do not get into trouble.”
“Gregory McGregor, are you asking me to snoop? I’m pretty sure hell just froze over.”
He snickered. “You’re going to do it anyway. Just be careful. Don’t ask too many questions. As much as I hate to admit it, you do have sense for finding killers. Unfortunately, not always before they find you. It’s about being careful.”
“Got it.”
I had permission to do my favorite thing.
Would it be as much fun?
Yep. I’m embarrassed to say I hadn’t been that excited in a very long time.
There were many people working the festival and one of them might be a killer.
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Author Candace Havens
About the Author Bestselling author Candace Havens has written more than 35 novels. She has won the Holt Medallion and her books have received nominations for the RITA’s and Write Touch Reader Awards. She is the author of the biography Joss Whedon: The Genius Behind Buffy and a contributor to several anthologies. She is also one of the nation’s leading entertainment journalists and has interviewed countless celebrities including Tom Hanks, Nicolas Cage, Tom Cruise, George Clooney and many more. Candace also runs a free online writing workshop for more than 2000 writers and teaches comprehensive writing classes. She does film reviews for Hawkeye in the morning on 96.3 KSCS, and is a former President of the Television Critics Association.
Welcome to the blog tour for THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT, a stand-alone adult contemporary holiday romance, by Alexandrea Weis. See for information on the book, buy links, an exclusive excerpt, and details on her giveaway.
THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT by Alexandrea Weis
About the Book – Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited Title: THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT Author: Alexandrea Weis Publisher: Rosewind Books Release Date: October 27, 2020 Genre: Adult Contemporary Holiday Romance Links:Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Amazon DE | Amazon IT | Amazon FR
Synopsis SOMETIMES IT TAKES ONE BROKEN HEART TO HEAL ANOTHER.
Courtney Winston is a writer on a deadline. Eager to finish her book and get over a recent break-up, she ditches Christmas with her family and retreats to a secluded cabin in the mountains.
Appliances rarely work, and cell service is spotty, but Courtney senses there is more to her rustic rental—something dark and haunting.
Then Peter, the attractive Stone Mountain Lodge owner, and a meddling cook, Mrs. Finn, keep coming around, shattering her peace and offering advice on how to fix her heavy heart.
Courtney grows closer to Peter, but Mrs. Finn warns her of his troubled past. Undaunted, Courtney sets out to win him over. But being with the brooding stranger may end up costing her more than she ever imagined.
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Excerpt She spotted the bridge and decided crossing it would be faster than fighting the ice. Courtney headed toward the arched structure, wishing she had never come with Peter to the magical place.
She stepped over clumps of brush along the shoreline, her boots sinking into thick patches of snow as she hurried to reach the bridge.
The stonework on the steps was like the mantle in the cabin. The same attention to detail reminded her of Peter. Even when he chopped wood, he had to make everything precise.
Her glove brushed the smooth surface of the wooden railing, wondering how many hours the two young men spent building the bridge. That Peter’s beautiful remembrance of his life with his brother should be hidden away in the woods made her sad. If only others could see what they had done.
Then a funny indentation in the railing stopped her cold.
She rubbed the surface, not sure if the imperfection was intentional or just a play of light on the dark wood.
A portion of the railing had been expertly carved away, leaving a name raised in the wood like a bas-relief. The letters were swirled and decorative. This was professional, even, and expertly done. It wasn’t the work of a lovesick schoolboy, but a man who worshipped the woman whose name he’d forever attached to the bridge—Evelyn.
Courtney’s knees became weak as she traced the name she had no doubt Peter etched there. The love he’d borne for the woman became painfully clear.
Her heart grieved, sinking like an anvil in her chest. No one would carve her name into anything, or pine for her after she went off with another. She wasn’t the kind of woman who lived fairy tales. She only read about them in books.
“You found it.”
He was in the middle of the bridge, a few feet away. So caught up in the testament of one man’s love, Courtney had not heard Peter’s heavy boots or felt the bridge tremble under his weight.
“When did you do this?”
He swung his hands behind his back. “What makes you think it was me?”
She glanced at him and tipped her head. “I didn’t realize how much you loved her.”
The thin line was back on his lips. “Neither did she. I carved this right after she married Lawrence.”
She tapped the carving with her hand. “Has she ever seen this?”
“No. She never came here.”
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Author Alexandrea Weis
About the Author Alexandrea Weis, RN-CS, PhD, is a multi-award-winning author, screenwriter, advanced practice registered nurse, and historian who was born and raised in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Having grown up in the motion picture industry as the daughter of a director, she learned to tell stories from a different perspective. Infusing the rich tapestry of her hometown into her novels, she believes that creating vivid characters makes a story moving and memorable.
Weis writes romance, mystery, suspense, thrillers, supernatural, and young adult fiction and has sold approximately one million books. She lives with her husband and pets in New Orleans where she is a permitted/certified wildlife rehabber with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries and rescues orphaned and injured animals.
She is a member of both the International Thriller Writers Association and the Horror Writers Association. www.AlexandreaWeis.com..
Welcome to the blog tour for THE MAGIC INGREDIENT, the first book in the adult contemporary holiday romance series, Bar Harbor, by Lindy Miller. See below for information on the book, buy links, an exclusive excerpt, and details on her giveaway.
THE MAGIC INGREDIENT (Bar Harbor Holiday Series #1) by Lindy Miller
About the Book – Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited
Title: THE MAGIC INGREDIENT Series: Bar Harbor Holiday Series #1 Author: Lindy Miller Publisher: Rosewind Books Release Date: October 13, 2020 Genre: Adult Contemporary Holiday Romance Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Amazon IT | Amazon DE | Amazon FR
Synopsis The end of summer is approaching, but even at the height of Bar Harbor’s tourist season, Eve Silver is having a hard time keeping enough dough in the bank to sustain the family bakery. Her only hope of paying past due bills is to win the catering bid for the town’s upcoming Harvest Happening festival. Otherwise, it’ll be lights out for Mount Desserts by Christmas.
Widower Jeff Perry is moving with his twelve-year-old daughter, Candy, from Manhattan to Maine with one goal: starting over. When sparks fly between Jeff and Eve as the town readies for the annual harvest festival, Candy wishes she had a love potion to help her dad fall in love again.
Will Eve be able to save Mount Desserts—and open her heart to Jeff—by the most bewitching night of the year?
It’ll take a lot of love, a little bit of luck … and just a pinch of magic.
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Excerpt #1 Part of eating a cupcake was the experience, and in Eve’s opinion, a little extra frosting on your face made it all the more gratifying. Her mouth filled with the taste of vanilla, chocolate, and marshmallow, all of the flavors intermingling just as she’d planned. Still, something seemed off. It wasn’t enough to toss the batch out, but in Eve’s opinion, the recipe hadn’t quite reached perfection.
Eve swallowed, wiping away the frosting from her nose. “It’s not perfect.”
“It’s incredible,” Jeff countered before he shoved the rest of the cupcake into his mouth.
He had a dollop of frosting on his nose, which made Eve smile despite her frustration at the recipe. “I don’t know if I believe your verdict, but at least you didn’t call it glitzy.”
Jeff mumbled something that sounded like idtellinguidperfek around the mouthful of pastry.
“Something is missing. Something small, a flavor that isn’t quite there. It’s not major, but enough that I notice.” Eve wiped her hands on a dishcloth and leaned against the counter, crossing her arms over her chest in frustration. “I don’t know why I can’t get it right. Maybe I’m not as great a baker as I think I am. It shouldn’t take so many tries to get a recipe correct. Not if you know what you’re doing.”
Jeff wiped his face and leveled his gaze at Eve as he stepped closer. “I don’t think that’s true at all. You’re a fantastic baker. You’re a fantastic lot of things.”
He was so close now Eve could smell his scent—musky and warm, with notes of pine and sandalwood. An inviting smell. Eve wondered how she’d never noticed it before. Then again, the more she felt drawn to Jeff the more she’d tried to keep her distance, kind of like reaching her goal—one step forward, two back.
“Really?” she asked, hoping she sounded interested and not incredulous. She didn’t want to offend someone offering her a compliment, even if she didn’t believe it. “I try so hard and I feel like I come up short.”
“Doing everything on your own isn’t easy, and I can see how you might think that you’re failing, but you’re looking at the situation the wrong way.”
Eve shook her head and kept her eyes downcast, even when Jeff’s hand found her shoulder, sliding down to cup her upper arm. His touch sent a tingle down her flesh and she resisted the urge to look up.
“Is there another way?”
“Instead of focusing on what you’re not doing well, think of all the things you are amazing at. Try to see yourself as …”
He paused.
Eve wondered if he’d changed his mind about whatever it was he was going to say.
Jeff cleared his throat and started over. “Try to see yourself the way I see you. Like Candy does, and Doris and Annie. And Bapo, for what it’s worth.”
Eve snickered, despite herself. “You’re never going to get tired of ribbing him, are you?”
“Never.” Jeff’s hand slid further down her arm to rest on her elbow. “My point remains.”
The place where Jeff’s hand rested on her arm pulsed. “How do you all see me?”
“We see someone who works hard every single day, around the clock, never taking any time for herself. Who gives her all to everything she does, even when it seems impossible, and who makes everyone feel needed and wanted when she’s around simply by being there.” Jeff stepped in closer. His heat brushed up against her chest. “It isn’t about finding the perfect recipe for a new confection or keeping the family business around for another generation, Eve. It’s about you. You make Mount Desserts worth saving. And I believe in you. We all do, even if you don’t believe in yourself.”
When Eve finally looked up, she found herself staring into Jeff’s eyes. They were warmer and sweeter than any chocolate ganache she’d ever made.
His free hand found its way to her other elbow and she allowed herself to be drawn from the counter. Jeff pulled her into his embrace, his hands releasing her elbows to slide around the small of her back, holding her close.
There was no denying the butterflies now.
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Author Lindy Miller
About the Author Lindy Miller is an author of feel-good love stories that are full of sweet moments and happy endings. She believes the best time to fall in love is during the holidays, preferably over a cup of warm tea or a delicious vegan pastry – two things she can’t get enough of.
A free spirit, Lindy loves to travel and has a soft spot for Bar Harbor, Maine though she grew up at home in the South. She is married to her childhood sweetheart and bakes as often as she can for her husband, son, and pets – especially her golden retriever, Finn, who has a tendency to show up in her stories (and her Instagram!)
Lindy is represented by Gandolfo Helin & Fountain Literary Management and supported by Smith Publicity.
Welcome to the book blitz for CHRISTMAS CHARMS, a stand-alone adult contemporary holiday romance, based on a Hallmark Channel Original movie, by Teri Wilson. See below for information on the book, buy links, an exclusive excerpt, and details on her giveaway.
CHRISTMAS CHARMS (A Hallmark Channel Original) by Teri Wilson
Synopsis She never dreamed her holiday would include her hometown, a dog, or a firefighter. But a mysterious charm braceletpredicted it all…
Ashley’s supposed to be having the Christmas of her dreams. After four years of working at an upscale jewelry store in Manhattan, she’s finally going to get a little velvet box of her own—from her boyfriend Jeremy, who’s taking her on a romantic trip to Paris. What could go wrong?
Well, everything.
Ashley heads home to Owl Lake instead, falling asleep on the train ride there…and waking up with a beautiful antique charm bracelet on her wrist. Soon, she realizes that each silver charm predicts an event that happens in real life. What does this mean for her and Jeremy…or her and Aidan, her former high school boyfriend, who’s now a local firefighter? Is there still a chance that she could have the perfect Christmas?
This small town Christmas romance includes a free Hallmark original recipe for Spiced Walnut Crust Cookies with Chocolate Ganache and Sea Salt.
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Excerpt #2: When I resume my swift exit, Aidan is hot on my heels, tire chains jangling in his grasp. He sounds like one of the ghosts from A Christmas Carol.
The ghost of my Christmas past, I think. But wait, that’s not right. Aidan is standing right beside me, part of my life again in the present. And as much as I’m afraid to think about it, that means Christmas future is still up for grabs.
“Ashley, wait!” he says once we’re out on the sidewalk.
I spin around so fast that he nearly plows into me. “What?”
He backs up, and his blue irises bore into me, unblinking. I hold the stare, refusing to blink either until tears prick my eyes. “You think I’m like an action figure—plastic and unfeeling?”
“That’s not what I meant at all,” I counter. “I’m just saying that for a man who seems to either be at work or on call twenty-four hours a day, you have a lot of opinions about the fact that my career is important to me.”
He says nothing in return, and I know I should probably drop it, but I can’t.
“I get it. I’ve changed. I’m not the same person I was when I left Owl Lake.” The admission makes me sadder than it should. Changing and growing is part of life, and I’m proud of all that I’ve accomplished since I moved away. But being back in my hometown is making me wonder if leaving everything I knew and loved behind was worth it in the end. Everything…and everyone.
I lift my chin in defiance, because no matter what sort of doubts are swirling through my head, he’s not being fair. “But you’re not the same person either.”
“You’re right,” he says, and there’s an ache in his voice that seems to scrape my insides. “I’m not.”
I bite down hard on my bottom lip to stop it from quivering.
“Did you really think you’d come back after eight years and find the same lovesick boy you left behind?” He gives me a half smile, like he’s trying to downplay the heartbreak behind what he’s just said, but I know better. Those words didn’t come easily for Aidan.
For the first time since I’ve been back in Owl Lake, we’re getting dangerously close to discussing our history together. I almost hope we actually do, just to get it over with. But the sidewalk on Main Street doesn’t seem like the best place to take a painful trip down memory lane.
We’re so close that our breath commingles into a suspended puff of warmth in the frosty air. The angry knot in Aidan’s jaw is back again, and there’s a fire in his eyes that makes me weak in my knees. Then his gaze drops to my mouth, and this huge unspoken thing between us suddenly feels less like history and more like something else—attraction.
My head spins. This feels like the moment in a romcom when the couple kisses in the middle of a huge argument, and the pounding of my heart is a sure sign that at least part of me hopes that’s precisely what’s about to happen. Snow flurries dance around us, and the air smells like crushed candy canes and frosted pine—like Christmas.
Like home.
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Author Teri Wilson
About the Author Teri Wilson is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author of romance, women’s fiction and romantic comedy. Three of Teri’s books have been adapted into Hallmark Channel Original Movies by Crown Media, including UNLEASHING MR. DARCY (plus its sequel MARRYING MR. DARCY), THE ART OF US and NORTHERN LIGHTS OF CHRISTMAS, based on her book SLEIGH BELL SWEETHEARTS. She is also a recipient of the prestigious RITA Award for excellence in romantic fiction for her novel THE BACHELOR’S BABY SURPRISE. Teri has a major weakness for cute animals, pretty dresses and Audrey Hepburn films, and she loves following the British royal family. Visit her at www.teriwilson.net or on Twitter @TeriWilsonauthr.
Welcome to the book blitz for A ROYAL CHRISTMAS QUANDARY, a standalone young adult historical holiday romance, by Samantha Hastings. See below for information on the book, buy links, an exclusive excerpt, and details on her giveaway.
Synopsis Readers looking for a light, fun read full of holiday mischief will be delighted by Samantha Hastings’ A Royal Christmas Quandary, perfect for fans of A Christmas Prince.
When you spend Christmas in a castle, anything is possible.
1860. Lady Alexandrina Gailey is looking forward to a cozy holiday at Windsor Castle with her best friend, Princess Alice, and her long-time crush, Lord George Worthington. But Drina’s plans are all but dashed when Alice’s parents, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, declare that Alice must choose one of two royal princes to become engaged to before Christmas.
There’s just one problem: George, a junior member of the Foreign Office, has accidentally misplaced one of the princes.
Together, Drina and George scour the town of Windsor for the missing prince, desperately hoping to deliver him to the royal dinner party with the queen none the wiser. They might just need a royal Christmas miracle to pull it off.
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Exclusive Excerpt #3 Princess Alice was nearly a head shorter, so Drina hugged her friend’s shoulders and Alice hugged her waist. Drina released her friend and stepped back. Alice’s hair was brown and her blue eyes were the most prominent feature in her face—they were arresting in their earnestness. Her sharp features, paired with her air of intelligence, never ceased to attract attention. And her quiet dignity and poise were the envy of many a young lady.
“Did you get lost on the way to the room that you’ve stayed in over a dozen times?” Alice asked.
Drina shrugged her shoulders. “Not exactly.”
Alice folded her arms across her large chest and sighed. “Not again.”
“What?”
The princess only said one word, but she said it with contempt: “George.”
Drina felt the heat rising to her face as she stammered, “H-h-he needed my help.”
“With what?” Alice asked. Her large, slightly protruding Hanoverian eyes didn’t miss anything.
“His father put him in charge of my cousin, Prince Friedrich, and he couldn’t understand what he was saying.”
“I thought your cousin spoke English very well.”
“He does,” she said, starting to giggle. “George was playing errand boy for his valet.”
If royal princesses could snort, Alice certainly did, before laughing so hard that she cried. Drina laughed, too, and dabbed at her own tears with a handkerchief. It was several moments before they both could control their giggles.
Alice finally stopped laughing, holding a stitch in her side. “Then where is Prince Friedrich?”
Drina’s smile faded. Prince Friedrich had been invited to Windsor Castle as a possible suitor to Princess Alice, along with Prince Louis of Hesse. Drina contemplated making an excuse for her errant cousin, but she didn’t wish to deceive her dearest friend.
“He’s not here,” she said at last. “His valet said he went to the village to drink English beer.”
“Not a very promising start,” Alice huffed in annoyance. “I don’t want a drunkard for a husband.”
“What about Prince Louis?” Drina asked with a fake smile. “This is his second visit, isn’t it? I remember he came with his brother to see the Ascot races in June, and I thought him excessively handsome then.”
“He is very handsome,” Alice admitted with a sigh. “But I don’t feel like I know him at all. I feel true companionship is an impossibility for us—our interests are so different. I don’t think our thoughts will ever meet.”
“Oh,” Drina said, not knowing what else to say. Few people in the world were as clever as Alice; she was a polymath and gifted with languages. “Our thoughts don’t always align and yet we’re the best of friends. Do you remember the first time we met? You’d escaped from your governess and we played hide-and-seek in the chapel.”
She laughed at the memory and Alice even managed a small smile.
“That particular bit of mischief was your idea,” Alice pointed out.
Drina giggled again. “And then you told your mother that we’d only gone into the chapel to sit among the common people so that you could understand their point of view.”
Reluctantly, Alice laughed, too. “I spared us both a strict punishment with that mistruth.”
“It was a bald-faced lie and you know it!” Drina said, and gave her friend a playful shove on the arm. “Maybe you should play hide-and-seek with Prince Louis.”
Her friend blushed rosily. “You know that none of the royal children are allowed to be alone.”
“Your father’s rule, or Baron Stockmar’s?”
“Baron Stockmar thinks Prince Louis shows a decided partiality for me,” Alice said in a flat voice. “Or at least in my family and fortune.”
“Perhaps you just need to get to know him better,” Drina said hopefully.
“Perhaps.” Alice turned away from her as she added, “My parents want me to pick a royal prince by Christmas.”
“But that is only a week away!”
“I know,” Alice said, still not looking at her. “But I’ve received royal suitors the entire year. And my sister was engaged at fourteen and married at seventeen. I suppose I should be happy that I only have to be engaged by seventeen.”
Drina wanted to say something comforting, but she didn’t know what. Instead she put her hands on her friend’s shoulders and gave her a backward embrace, hoping that her friend could feel her love and support through it. They stood there silently for a time before Alice turned and pointed to the crimson dress laid out on the bed. “My mother would never let me wear such a revealing dress,” she said in a teasing voice.
“My mother selected it,” Drina said with a wink. “I’m supposed to catch a husband in it.”
“Oh dear, I don’t think there’s enough material here for two people,” Alice said, and they both laughed.
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Author Samantha Hastings
About the Author Samantha Hastings has degrees from Brigham Young University, the University of Reading (Berkshire, England), and the University of North Texas. She met her husband in a turkey sandwich line. They live in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she spends most of her time reading, eating popcorn, and chasing her kids. She is the author of THE LAST WORD, THE INVENTION OF SOPHIE CARTER, and A ROYAL CHRISTMAS QUANDARY.
Welcome to the book blitz for SNOWBALL’S CHRISTMAS, a stand-alone adult contemporary holiday romance, by Kristen McKanagh. See below for information on the book, buy links, an exclusive excerpt, and details on her giveaway.
Snowball–an aptly named bundle of feline fluff–is thankful to be spending her first Christmas in the comfort of Weber Haus, the Victorian B&B run by Miss Tilly. Emily Diemer, who cooks for the guests, dotes on Snowball, but she’s not thrilled about another new arrival at the B&B: Miss Tilly’s nephew, Lukas. Which is odd, because Snowball’s animal instincts tell her that Lukas and Emily should definitely be friends.
Everything Emily needs is in this quaint community–including, she hopes, the chance to open her own bakery one day. She doesn’t think much of Lukas for leaving his aging aunt to struggle while he jets around the world taking photographs. But now that he’s here, helping to spruce up the property and getting mixed up in Snowball’s antics, she begins to soften a little. Until she learns what he has planned…
Lukas is going to sell Weber Haus so that Miss Tilly can retire. But Snowball is certain that this B&B, and these people, are supposed to be her forever home. Somehow she has to get these stubborn humans to see things through the wisdom of a cat’s eye and a kitten’s loyal, loving heart…
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Excerpt #2 Snowball
I pause in my purring to peer closer at Emily’s face. I know something is wrong because she’s squeezing me tighter. A little too tight.
I give a mewl of protest, and she blinks, her frown morphing to vague confusion as she glances down at me. Emily blinks again, then loosens her grip.
Did she forget she was holding me?
That’s strange. I look over to see what she was frowning at. Only it’s not a what. It’s a who.
That man from the place with all the white stuff and the kids laughing loudly. The one who found me in her purse. I cock my head, studying him. Why is Emily mad at him? Other than ratting me out—such an appropriate phrase I learned recently—he seems like a nice person.
The man reaches out and runs a gentle hand over my fur. I snuggle into his touch and start my motor back up. You can tell a lot from how a person pets. I like him already.
About then, Miss Tilly bustles into the room. “Excellent. You’ve met,” she says.
“Not formally,” the man says. I like his voice, too. There’s kindness and something comforting in the deep tones. I’d like to snuggle under his chin and take a nap.
“Oh,” Miss Tilly says in that floaty way she has sometimes. “Emily, I’d like you to meet my nephew, Lukas.” Tilly is glowing with pride.
I tip my head and stare at the man. This is the Lukas person she’s been talking about?
“Lukas,” Tilly continues. “This is Emily Diemer. Emily helps me run Weber Haus and is a fine baker.”
The Lukas man smiles. He has a nice smile, I decide. It reaches all the way to his eyes.
“A pleasure to formally meet you. Tilly’s told me a lot . . .” He trails off.
I glance up at Emily because she’s squeezing me again.
“You’re Tilly’s nephew?”
Her voice does not sound very pleased. What did this guy do to her? I’m the one he outed by telling her I was in her purse.
Lukas must be thinking the same thing, because his eyebrows scrunch up all funny. “Is that a bad thing?”
Emily opens her mouth, then her gaze strays to Miss Tilly. She seems to rethink her words. “I’m sure Tilly is thrilled to have you home. She’s talked of nothing and no one else for weeks,” she says. Only her smile doesn’t reach her eyes. “How long are you staying? She wasn’t sure.”
Now she sounds too sweet. Not at all Emily-like. Emily is a lovely human, always quick to pet, but she’s also straightforward. At least, that’s what Miss Tilly calls her. Sweet sounds all wrong from her mouth—like too much cream, smothering her words.
I wiggle in her grasp, and she lowers me to the floor. I have instincts for humans. Maybe if I show her Lukas is a nice one, she’ll stop acting so . . . strange. I scoot over to him and wind myself around his ankles. Lukas chuckles. A deep sound that makes me happy. I like it even better when he bends over and runs a hand over my back. I arch up into his touch.
See, Emily. He’s nice.
I glance over to make sure she’s getting the message, only Emily is watching me with her lips pushing forward, kind of pinched.
“Traitor,” she mouths at me.
A snort from Lukas tells both Emily and me that he caught that. Her cheeks go red.
“If you’ll excuse me, I need to get the rest of the groceries before I get started on lunch.”
Emily hurries out of the room, the screen door closing behind her with a bang that makes me jump. Lukas straightens and watches her go, the corners of his mouth lifting.
Is it just me? Or is there something going on between these two? Like a low hum in the air. Two humans I like should like each other, I decide. Maybe they need a little help to figure it out.
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Author Kristen McKanagh
About the Author Sweet contemporary and Amish romance author Kristen McKanagh grew up consuming books and exploring the world through her writing. She attempted to find a practical career by earning a degree in English Rhetoric (Technical Writing) and an MBA. However, she swiftly discovered that writing without imagination is not nearly as fun as writing with it. Kristen also writes award-winning steamy contemporary romance as Kadie Scott, and award-winning paranormal and YA fantasy romance as Abigail Owen. No matter the genre, she loves to write happily-ever-afters that shine with home, heart, and humor. Kristen currently resides in Austin, Texas, with her own swoon-worthy hero husband and their two children, who are growing up way too fast.
Rosewind Books and author Alexandrea Weis are revealing the cover to THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT, a stand-alone adult contemporary holiday romance, releasing October 27, 2020. See below for the cover, information on the book and a link to add it to your Goodreads TBR.
THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT by Alexandrea Weis
About the Book Title: THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT Author: Alexandrea Weis Publisher: Rosewind Books Release Date: October 27, 2020 Genre: Adult Contemporary Holiday Romance Links:Goodreads
Synopsis SOMETIMES IT TAKES ONE BROKEN HEART TO HEAL ANOTHER.
Courtney Winston is a writer on a deadline. Eager to finish her book and get over a recent break-up, she ditches Christmas with her family and retreats to a secluded cabin in the mountains.
Appliances rarely work, and cell service is spotty, but Courtney senses there is more to her rustic rental—something dark and haunting.
Then Peter, the attractive Stone Mountain Lodge owner, and a meddling cook, Mrs. Finn, keep coming around, shattering her peace and offering advice on how to fix her heavy heart.
Courtney grows closer to Peter, but Mrs. Finn warns her of his troubled past. Undaunted, Courtney sets out to win him over. But being with the brooding stranger may end up costing her more than she ever imagined.
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Author Alexandrea Weis
About the Author Alexandrea Weis, RN-CS, PhD, is a multi-award-winning author, screenwriter, advanced practice registered nurse, and historian who was born and raised in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Having grown up in the motion picture industry as the daughter of a director, she learned to tell stories from a different perspective. Infusing the rich tapestry of her hometown into her novels, she believes that creating vivid characters makes a story moving and memorable.
Weis writes romance, mystery, suspense, thrillers, supernatural, and young adult fiction and has sold approximately one million books. She lives with her husband and pets in New Orleans where she is a permitted/certified wildlife rehabber with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries and rescues orphaned and injured animals.
She is a member of both the International Thriller Writers Association and the Horror Writers Association. www.AlexandreaWeis.com..
Welcome to the book blitz for A MAD REED SECURITY CHRISTMAS, the twentieth book in the adult contemporary romance/romantic suspense series, Reed Security, by Giulia Lagomarsino. See below for information on the book, buy links, an exclusive excerpt, and details on her giveaway.
A MAD REED SECURITY CHRISTMAS (Reed Security #20) by Giulia Lagomarsino
About the Book – Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited Title: A MAD REED SECURITY CHRISTMAS Series:Reed Security #20 Author:Giulia Lagomarsino Release Date:December 18, 2019
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance/Romantic Suspense/Holiday Romance
Links: Goodreads | Amazon| Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU
Synopsis Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse
Because Daddy set out traps to catch those f^@kers
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that grenades would soon be in there
The children were nestled, all snug in their beds
While visions of weapons danced in their heads
And Mama in her nightie and I in my boxers
Had just settled down for a fun night together
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter
I sprang from my bed to grab my Sig Sauer
Away to the window I flew like a flash
Covered my junk and threw Mama her pants…
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Excerpt “What’s the plan?” Ice asked.
“That’s up to Chance,” I replied. “You plan to get married out of town, where we don’t have every available resource. But I won’t tell you that we can’t do it. Inevitably, it’s up to you.”
“That’s insane,” Alec spat. “We know this guy is coming for us and we’re going to leave ourselves in the open?”
“Or we use it as an opportunity to draw him out,” Chris suggested.
“You want to start a battle at my wedding?” Chance asked.
“Maybe we should-”
“I like it,” Chance grinned. “I mean, if you tell Morgan I said that, I’ll deny the hell out of it. But that sounds like a very…eventful wedding.”
“You can’t be serious,” I said in shock.
“Why not?” Chance shrugged with a little grin. “I mean, Coop’s been in hiding for how long now? I’m sure Cazzo’s ready to put his father-in-law in the ground, and it gives all of us a chance to have a little fun.”
“Hell yeah,” Cazzo grunted.
“You guys are certifiable,” I said in exasperation. “Do you have any idea what kind of planning is required to pull that off?”
“Cap,” Derek grinned, “isn’t that what we’re trained to do?”
“Well, yeah, but this is at someone’s wedding. Our wives will be there. Some of them are pregnant. Do you really want to put them in that kind of danger? Not to mention our kids!”
“The pregnant ladies have to stay behind,” Sinner said.
“Right, I’ll let you tell Maggie that.”
“Maggie’s pregnant?” The shock in his voice matched the paleness of his skin. “Shit, Cap. Why can’t you just keep it in your pants for five f^@king minutes?”
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Trailer
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Author Giulia Lagomarsino
About the Author I’m a stay at home mom that loves to read. Some of my favorite titles are Pride and Prejudice, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and Horatio Hornblower. I started writing when I was trying to come up with suggestions on ways I could help bring in some extra money. I came up with the idea that I could donate plasma because you could earn an extra $500/month. My husband responded with, “No. Find something else. Write a blog. Write a book.” I didn’t think I had anything to share on blog that a thousand other mothers hadn’t already thought of. I decided to take his challenge seriously and sat down to write my first book, Jack. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed writing. From there, the stories continued to flow and I haven’t been able to stop. I hope my readers enjoy my books as much as I enjoy writing them. Between reading, writing, and taking care of three small kids, my days are quite full.
Welcome to the book blitz for SECRET ADMIRER’S CHRISTMAS WISH No. 2, the second book in the adult contemporary holiday romance series, Secret Admirer’s Christmas, by USA Today bestselling author, Dariel Raye. See below for information on the book and series, buy links, an exclusive excerpt, and details on her giveaway.
SECRET ADMIRER’S CHRISTMAS WISH No. 2 by Dariel Raye
About the Book Title: SECRET ADMIRER’S CHRISTMAS WISH No. 2 Series: Secret Admirer’s Christmas Wish #2 Author: Dariel Raye Release Date: November 10, 2019
Genre: Adult Contemporary Holiday romance
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU
Synopsis When a former ugly duckling and the former class heart-throb come together as adults, they find out they have more in common than they realized.
Glenda Shaw knows firsthand what it’s like to be an ugly duckling, and now, she is roped into helping to organize her tenth-year class reunion. The speaker this year is none other than Hunter Teegs, the object of her dreams since their sophomore year in high school. She’s a dedicated social worker with a heart the size of Texas, but her hectic schedule doesn’t allow much time for dating or entertainment.
Hunter Teegs is a self-made financial powerhouse with a boatload of charisma and a winning sense of humor. He’s also a notorious womanizer and heartbreaker. He has no interest in settling down any time soon, if ever. To make matters worse, he has recently noticed details from his childhood that cause him to question everyone and everything he’s come to believe.
When Glenda and Hunter are brought together again, fireworks nearly knock both of them off their feet, and not necessarily in a good way. Glenda knows more than one secret about Hunter, and sharing the most crucial one could mean the end of their relationship before it even gets started.
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Excerpt #2 Glenda felt the heat from Hunter’s hand on her lower back. The way he’d looked at her! It astounded her. Yes, she had grown up, but she’d never met anyone recently who’d known her back then. Hunter hadn’t really known her either, he’d just looked at her…once.
His small speech about how this would be good for her? She never looked at it like that before. All she had thought was how humiliating it might be. His reaction swayed her. Maybe.
If he, the most popular guy in school, thought she wouldn’t be humiliated, then maybe she should give it a chance. She did need to get over her stigma, leave the past in the past. After all, that was all she had been doing these last ten years – leaving her geek past behind her. Maybe Hunter was right. Face these people head on and look them right in the eye, show them what she was really made of. Not run away like the shy girl she had been back then.
They went in and walked down the halls while Glenda tried to steady her heartbeat, keep her mind focused on the task at hand instead of getting lost in the myriad of physical and emotional responses just being close to Hunter evoked. Even after ten years, not much had changed, and that not only included the appearance of the school, but her feelings for Hunter. The realization made her uneasy, to say the least, and her back radiated heat where he touched her.
The halls were still lined with Scholar’s Bowl trophies and tributes to former students, and to her surprise, her name was among them.
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Author Dariel Raye
About the Author Dariel Raye is an animal lover, animal rights activist, a musician, therapist, and an award-winning, USA Today, and International bestselling author of powerful paranormal romance and dark urban fantasy with IR/MC (Interracial/Multi-cultural) alpha male heroes to die for, and strong heroines with hearts worth winning.
She is a classically trained mezzo-soprano and pianist who started singing with perfect pitch before she could walk, then fell in love with books and started reciting stories at the age of 3. Dariel plays over 11 musical instruments, including piano, organ, brass, and percussion.
Her stories tell of shifters, vamps, angels, demons, and fey (the Vodouin variety). Dariel is currently writing two series: “Dark Sentinels” (wolf shifters), and “Orlosian Warriors” (Vampire-like Nephilim).
For more about Dariel, follow her ‘Musings’ blog or visit her website. She also publishes a VIP Readers’ Club newsletter. If you enjoyed one or more of her books, please post a review on review sites, and of course, click the follow button on Amazon to receive notifications about new releases. Join her VIP book club for updates, insider information, and access to early review copies of her books: https://darielraye.com/VIPbookclub/
Author Giulia Lagomarsino is revealing the cover to A MAD REED SECURITY CHRISTMAS, the twentieth book in her adult contemporary romance/romantic suspense series, Reed Security, releasing December 18, 2019. See below for the cover, information on the book, pre-order links, and a link to add it to your Goodreads TBR.
A MAD REED SECURITY CHRISTMAS (Reed Security #20) by Giulia Lagomarsino
About the Book – Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited Title: A MAD REED SECURITY CHRISTMAS Series:Reed Security #20 Author:Giulia Lagomarsino Release Date:December 18, 2019
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance/Romantic Suspense/Holiday Romance
Links: Goodreads | Amazon| Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU
Synopsis Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse
Because Daddy set out traps to catch those f^@kers
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that grenades would soon be in there
The children were nestled, all snug in their beds
While visions of weapons danced in their heads
And Mama in her nightie and I in my boxers
Had just settled down for a fun night together
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter
I sprang from my bed to grab my Sig Sauer
Away to the window I flew like a flash
Covered my junk and threw Mama her pants…
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Author Giulia Lagomarsino
About the Author I’m a stay at home mom that loves to read. Some of my favorite titles are Pride and Prejudice, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and Horatio Hornblower. I started writing when I was trying to come up with suggestions on ways I could help bring in some extra money. I came up with the idea that I could donate plasma because you could earn an extra $500/month. My husband responded with, “No. Find something else. Write a blog. Write a book.” I didn’t think I had anything to share on blog that a thousand other mothers hadn’t already thought of. I decided to take his challenge seriously and sat down to write my first book, Jack. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed writing. From there, the stories continued to flow and I haven’t been able to stop. I hope my readers enjoy my books as much as I enjoy writing them. Between reading, writing, and taking care of three small kids, my days are quite full.
Welcome to the book blitz for HOME FOR CHRISTMAS, a stand-alone adult contemporary LGBTQ holiday romance, by Ann Grech. See below for information on the book, buy links, an exclusive excerpt, and details on her giveaway.
HOME FOR CHRISTMAS by Ann Grech
About the Book – Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited
Title: HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
Author: Ann Grech Release Date: December 4, 2019 Genre: Adult Contemporary LGBTQ Holiday Romance
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU
Synopsis Fate threw him a wicked twist. Or maybe it was the magic of Christmas. Maybe it was just going home.
T’was the night before Christmas—three actually—and there was nothing quiet about the club Declan found himself at. The superhero-themed masquerade party was the one thing he’d been looking forward to when he’d been summoned home for Christmas. He usually kept a safe distance between him and his family. It was easier to hide his secret that way. Being gay wasn’t the only thing he was hiding. The truth was far worse—he’d fallen for his stepbrother, Ollie.
The night of the masquerade party saw his world was flipped upside down by an enticing stranger. He’d never be the same again. The two men came together when they both needed it most. What followed was one seriously sexy pre-Christmas set of fireworks exploding between them. But he was soon alone again, sitting in an apartment full of beautiful, rich people who only wanted to know him because of his stepfather’s bank account. Declan’s love of the holidays was wavering, and he was regretting his trip home.
Then Ollie walked in, and everything became a whole lot more complicated. Declan was torn—unable to get the sexy, nameless stranger out of his head and Ollie out of his heart.
Going home for Christmas would either break him or… well, Declan didn’t have that quite figured out.
Home For Christmas is a stand-alone, Christmas gay romance by AnnGrech featuring a steamy one night stand, a closeted hero, wrestling stepbrothers, numerous references to Woody and Buzz, singing in the shower and a feel good second chance romance.
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Excerpt #2 I glanced at the text from Dad. Come home for Christmas. A second one lit up my screen. Please. I shook my head and dropped my cell on the bed next to me. I’d deal with it later. The final draft of my honors dissertation lay spread around me in a disorganized mess, and I was frazzled. I was on the cusp of handing it in; this read-through was supposed to be a final one to check for flow before it went to the editor to pick up any spelling and grammar errors. Then, all things going well, I’d be submitting it to my professor after I returned from my sojourn to Turks and Caicos for my Christmas and New Year break. I was so close I could taste it. Except that this draft was a mess. I had to read every sentence, every paragraph, every chapter again to make sure I’d captured all the revisions. I was exhausted, but I needed it done.
I wanted warm sun, sparkling clear blue ocean, hammocks, and cocktails. Music and a good book. Lazy days and nights filled with parties. Not cold wind, rain on a good day or sleet on a cold one, and big wig corporates. I dealt with them every time I returned home to pack in a few weeks of work experience during breaks, so I’d prefer to stay away from them on the one holiday I took a year.
I was just about to pick up my cell and rain on Dad’s parade when he called. The screen lighting up and the buzzing of my muted phone made me jump like a startled jackrabbit, and I scrambled to pick it up. Laughing at my frazzled self, I swiped to answer and greeted my dad.
“Son, how are you?” he asked warmly.
“Good. Tired. Needing a break. Take your pick.” I yawned. It was late, and I’d been at it for hours.
“I thought you were almost finished.”
“I was, but I’ve screwed up something in the document and lost hours of work.” I sighed and scrubbed my hand over my face. I needed another coffee, but if I had more now, I wouldn’t sleep for a week.
“Will you get it done before you fly out?”
I huffed out a laugh. “To where? A beautiful tropical island where I can defrost and relax, or home to weather that’s as cold as New York?”
“We’d love you to come home,” he replied.
“So, this has nothing to do with you trying to make up for last Christmas?” My skepticism was obvious.
Dad hesitated. I had him pegged all right. “Can you blame me?” he asked. I couldn’t. He’d been called into work and had been stuck there most of Christmas Eve and late into the day on Christmas Day. He’d managed to save the few hundred jobs riding on his own, but it had come at the expense of Christmas Day with his wife. At lease Dad was going to make sure it didn’t happen again this year. Even if it did mean that he needed me there rather than where I really wanted to be.
“No, I can’t blame you.” I sighed again. “But I need this break, Dad.”
“Your brother’s coming.” I groaned. If he was going, I couldn’t say no…
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Author Ann Grech
About the Author By day AnnGrech lives in the corporate world and can be found sitting behind a desk typing away at reports and papers or lecturing to a room full of students. She graduated with a PhD in 2016 and is now an over-qualified nerd. Glasses, briefcase, high heels and a pencil skirt, she’s got the librarian look nailed too. If only they knew! She swears like a sailor, so that’s got to be a hint. The other one was “the look” from her tattoo artist when she told him that she wanted her kids initials “B” and “J” tattooed on her foot. It took a second to register that it might be a bad idea.
She’s never entirely fit in and loves escaping into a book–whether it’s reading or writing one. But she’s found her tribe now and loves her MM book world family. She dislikes cooking, but loves eating, can’t figure out technology, but is addicted to it, and her guilty pleasure is Byron Bay Cookies. Oh and shoes. And lingerie. And maybe handbags too. Well, if we’re being honest, we’d probably have to add her library too given the state of her credit card every month (what can she say, she’s a bookworm at heart)!
She also publishes her raunchier short stories under her pen name, Olive Hiscock..
Author Kristie Leigh is revealing the cover to LET IT SNOW, a stand-alone adult contemporary holiday romance novella, releasing December 11, 2019. See below for the cover, information on the book, preorder links, an exclusive teaser, and details on her giveaway.
LET IT SNOW by Kristie Leigh
About the Book – Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited Title:LET IT SNOW Author:Kristie Leigh Genre: Adult Contemporary Holiday Romance Release Date:December 11, 2019 Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU
Synopsis Coming home for the holidays after eight long years to say goodbye, I found myself saying hello.
Melissa—or Missy as I remembered her—had had a crush on me. But being a typical eighteen-year-old, I didn’t pay much attention to the blushing twelve-year-old.
I walked away without so much as a backwards glance. But now? Now I can’t tear my eyes away.
Gone was the girl with braces and pigtails…in her place was a woman who took my breath away.
I just had to prove to her I wasn’t the same guy I was back then. I prayed for a Christmas miracle, but I never expected this.
Her.
Us.
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LET IT SLET IT SNOW by Kristie Leigh (Full Cover)
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Author Kristie Leigh
About the Author I’m a feisty redheaded Canadian/American who fell in love with romance novels when my friend Phil bought me a Kindle that hasn’t left my side since. My favorite books to read are anything taboo and super sick and twisted. I’m not sure I will ever write anything dark, but I would love to give it a shot one day.
I live in South Florida with my high school sweetheart and three kids. I grew up in Burlington, ON, Canada but made the move to South Florida in 2013 and definitely don’t miss the snow.
I’m not sure where this writing journey will take me but either way, I know it will be a fun new adventure, and I’m super excited about it.
Welcome to the blog tour for GIFTED, the first book in the adult contemporary holiday romance series, Clear Security Holidays, by Ainsley St Claire. See below for information on the book and series, buy links, and an exclusive excerpt, and details on her giveaway.
GIFTED (Clear Security Holidays #1) by Ainsley St. Claire
About the Book – Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited Title: GIFTED Series: Clear Security Holidays #1 Author: Ainsley St Claire Genre: Adult Contemporary Holiday Romance Release Date: November 18, 2019 Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU
Synopsis How do things fall apart so easily?
Kate:
As a former teacher, my mission is to keep the disadvantaged youth of our city engaged with school. My non-profit has been wildly successful with the kids, but now I’m forty mentors short for the Christmas season. It didn’t look like we would be able to find enough help, until Jim Adelson got involved. He may have solved my mentor problem, but he’s created another: I can’t concentrate with this panty melting God around.
Jim:
The community has been good to me. I’d built my successful security business with hard work and determination, and when I got approached to help Kate Monroe’s non-profit, it seemed a fitting way to give back. I’d offer to spend time with some kids, but it’s Kate that I find myself wanting to spend time with. With beauty obvious to everyone, and a compassionate heart she wears on her sleeve, she has me reevaluating my priorities.
When the children’s Christmas gifts go missing, Jim and Kate are forced together in the hunt.
Can true love fight through the drama to find a happy ending?
Gifted is the first book in the holiday series Clear Security Holidays. This is a standalone holiday romance suspense novel, but characters from the Venture Capital series and from Tech Billionaires can be known to make appearances.
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Excerpt #1 Kate
Forty kids won’t have a Christmas, and it’s all my fault.
Over two hundred kids from middle schools across the city and county of San Francisco—from some of the most at-risk areas—met the requirements for our contest, and I’m forty donor/mentors short for our upcoming celebration. At two hundred dollars apiece, I don’t know what I’m going to do. How do I break a promise I made to these kids on the first day of school? Go to school for seventy-five days, don’t be absent, don’t be late, and get a passing grade. If you accomplish all that, you’ll get a two-hundred-dollar shopping spree at Bullseye.
Some people think “paying kids to go to school” is a bad thing. But we get paid to come to work, and some people play solitaire on their computers while they sit there. How is that not paying you for just showing up? In a lot of low-income areas—in San Francisco and elsewhere—over half of the students that complete middle school never walk into a high school, and less than ten percent of those who do will go on to graduate. Life isn’t easy for these kids, and going to school every day is not easy with so many distractions. But with some incentive, we see improvement.
To make those incentives happen, I’ve got to figure out how I’m going to fund these last few students and find mentors to spend the day with them while they shop. I’ve tapped my network, and it’s pretty dry. But I can’t disappoint these kids; they’ve had enough disappointment in their lives.
I open the app to my bank account: three hundred dollars. I was going to use that money for my rent next month, and, you know, to feed myself. Right now, there’s no man in my life to make sure I get at least an occasional dinner. I check the account for my Visa card, and I can squeeze out maybe two thousand dollars to cover ten kids. But that still leaves me with thirty more, and still no mentors. Crap! What am I going to do?
Tess walks into my office. “Isn’t this great? We’ve never had this many kids, ever! This could mean we have at least a hundred more kids graduate, and fifteen of those will go on to college, plus sixty more to trade schools. This is amazing. Are we going to be ready?”
I force a smile. “I hope so. We’re short a few donor/mentors.”
“In this town, people spend two hundred dollars on dinner without a second thought. We should be able to find a few that will support a good cause.”
“I hope so. I’ve reached out to our board members and asked them to check with their network.”
“How many donors are we short?”
“Forty. I can leverage my credit card for ten of those, but I’m not sure how we’re going to be able to make this work.”
“Kate, if anyone will get this figured out, it’s you. Last year we had barely one hundred kids complete this project. This year we have over two hundred. You need to celebrate that.”
“I will when I lock down the rest of the people we need.”
“Well, then don’t be shy. Bug those board members.”
“I will.”
But that may not be enough. Somehow, I need to get to the big players in town.
“What about your new board member?” Tess asks.
“That’s Stephanie Paulson, and she does seem pretty well-connected. She must know a few people that can help us.”
I’ve asked her about this a few times during our meetings, but I need to try again in writing. I don’t think my board members realize how tough it is to keep a nonprofit up and running in this city.
I craft a carefully worded email to remind Stephanie of our remaining need and looming deadline, trying to sound just the right amount of desperate. We’re only a five-year-old nonprofit, but we’re making a difference. I can feel it in my bones. However, if we can’t make this happen for all the kids who earned it, we may not recover.
I send my message, and after just a few minutes, an email pops up.
To: Katherine Monroe From: Stephanie Paulson Subject: RE: Brighter Future Christmas Party
I’m sorry I keep forgetting. Thanks for the email reminder. I’ve forwarded your note to everyone in my contact list with your information. We should be able to come up with more than forty donors. We’re only asking them for $200 and a Saturday morning, for goodness sake! The party on Christmas Eve is a bonus! Let me know if you don’t hear from enough and I’ll rattle the cages, but at the very minimum, I’ll send over a check for $5,000 you can use for the party.
Keep up the good work.
XOXO Steph
Suddenly, I can take a deep breath again. This guarantees the needed money, and I’m on the road to having the volunteers as well. That’s probably the most important part. These kids need mentors, and spending the day with adults who’ve accomplished something means a lot.
My phone interrupts my thoughts. “Kate Monroe,” I answer.
“Hello, Miss Monroe? This is Jamal Jenkins.”
“Hey, Jamal. How are you?”
“I’m doin’ real good. I just wanted to make sure you saw that my name was on the list again this year.”
“You better believe I saw your name. I’m very proud of you.”
“Jose made it, too. And we have four other friends who made it this year. Once they learned they could get two hundred dollars of stuff for just going to school, they were joining us.”
“I can’t wait to see you guys on Saturday when you pick out your gifts.”
“I’ve got a list,” he says proudly. “Is it okay if I bring my baby sister to the party on Christmas Eve?”
“Of course, and your grandmother, too.”
“Just make sure the Santa you get this year is a little more realistic.”
I laugh. Last year’s Santa was our CPA, and he’s tall and really skinny. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“Great. See you at Bullseye next Saturday.”
“I can’t wait.”
I worked as a teacher for five years, and it’s the hardest job there is. Not only are you responsible for educating the next generation, but many students have so much going on in their personal life that you end up being their mentor, friend, confidant, and sometimes parent as well. That’s exactly why I decided to start Brighter Future.
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Author Ainsley St. Claire
About the Author AinsleyStClaire is a Romantic Suspense Author and Adventurer on a lifelong mission to craft sultry storylines and steamy love scenes that captivate her readers. To date, she is best known for her series Venture Capitalists.
An avid reader since the age of four, Ainsley’s love of books knew no genre. After reading, came her love of writing, fully immersing herself in the colorful, impassioned world of contemporary romance.
Ainsley’s passion immediately shifted to a vocation when during a night of terrible insomnia, her first book came to her. Ultimately, this is what inspired her to take that next big step. The moment she wrote her first story, the rest was history.
Currently, Ainsley is in the midst of writing a nine-book series called “Venture Capitalist.”
When she isn’t being a bookworm or typing away her next story on her computer, Ainsley enjoys spending quality family time with her loved ones. She is happily married to her amazing soulmate and is a proud mother of two rambunctious boys. She is also a scotch aficionada and lover of good food (especially melt-in-your-mouth, velvety chocolate). Outside of books, family, and food, Ainsley is a professional sports spectator and an equally as terrible golfer and tennis player..
