Celebrate the season with fantastic authors, cozy holiday reads and fun giveaways.
As our holiday extravaganza continues, please help me welcome Jennifer Snow!
The Trouble With Mistletoe is the first book in my Brookhollow Series releasing through Harlequin Heartwarming. Book two-What A Girl Wants will be available in Feb 2014.
Victoria’s gaze fell to
his left hand. No wedding band. Her relief both irritated and confused her.
“Well, we’re not actually interested in owning this store,” she explained. “My
company’s client ran into complications obtaining a permit to build one of
their own, with Legend’s still doing business nearby.”
“Well, I guess they’re out of luck. I just bought the
place and I plan on keeping it.” Luke collected the discarded packing paper
from the new stock boxes. He crumpled the sheets and tossed them into a
wastebasket near the counter.
She
narrowed her eyes. “I’m surprised you’re interested in owning a run-down
sporting goods store.” The Luke she used to know would rather remodel the
old-fashioned buildings in the downtown core, not own a retail store in one of
them. He’d always had a talent for designing and building things. When they
were kids, his derby cars were always the best in the race and she remembered
the lemonade stand he’d made for her from the wood left over from building his
sister’s treehouse.
“We haven’t spoken in a long time. Maybe I’m not the same
guy you remember.” Pulling a Swiss Army knife out of his jeans, he tore into
the remaining cardboard boxes, breaking them down.
Victoria
had noticed the changes in him, despite her best efforts. Time had been good to
him. He was bigger now, muscular and slightly wider around the waist. No longer
the physique of a struggling, young, architectural student. His face showed
signs of maturity, but the fine lines around his mouth and eyes only enhanced
his looks.
Luke
straightened and his gaze met hers. “Besides, this store has a history in the
community. That means something to most of us.”
Of course. Luke had worked in the store every summer when
they were teenagers. His interest in preserving it made sense. “Okay, well I
guess we should get to work.” She faked a smile, forcing her professionalism.
She didn’t need or want any more time to get to know this man over again. What
she wanted was for him to sign her contract so she could get out of
Brookhollow. “I’ll have an offer by Wednesday, but we should go over the
preliminary paperwork as soon as possible.” She scanned the store for a place
to lay out her documents. “The major chain store interested in purchasing
Legend’s…”
Luke
turned off the lights and unplugged the strand of multicolored Christmas lights
draped across the window. Only the glow from the pole lamp outside illuminated
them.
“Do you prefer we do this in the dark?” she
asked sarcastically.
He
slipped his coat on and wrapped his scarf around his neck. “I have dinner
plans.” He stood next to the door.
The
familiar scent of his musky cologne made her pulse race. She suddenly
remembered the nights she’d fallen asleep in his T-shirt, when he’d been away
at college. “Tomorrow, then.” She stepped out into the frigid air. “I’ll come
by in the morning,” she said through the icy burst of wind and snow. Reaching
into her purse, she pulled out a silver monogrammed cardholder. She popped it open with her freshly manicured
fingernails and slid one of her cards free. Her hand shook as she handed it to
Luke.
“Your
card?” he asked.
“It has my cell number on it.” Victoria’s
teeth chattered.
“Victoria,
this is Brookhollow.” He laughed. “I could stand in the center and call to you,
and wherever you are, you’d hear me.”
The
rich, deep sound of his laughter caught her off guard. Not at all the boyish
laugh she remembered.
“What?”
He asked, giving her a puzzled look.
Her
cheeks heated and she looked away. “Anyway, let’s not test that theory. Use the
cell number.”
GIVEAWAY
Please leave a comment below for a chance to win a copy of The Trouble With Mistletoe and a copy of one of my previous holiday titles. Happy Holidays:)
Winners will be announced on December 24, 2013. You'll be contacted by the author. Please remember to leave an email address.
Great giveaway!
ReplyDeleteHappy holidays :) thank you for the chance at this fantastic giveaway :) Alukalulu@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThanks ladies! And thank you Ella for hosting me today!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfect Christmas Giveaway!!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to your giveaway!
ReplyDeleteOh, I loved that excerpt! Thank you for the giveaway! kbinmich AT yahoo DOT com
ReplyDeleteThe winner of this drawing is Amy Lukowski. Congrats! The author will contact you soon. Thanks!
ReplyDelete