Spotlight: The Christmas Spirit by Alexandrea Weis

Publication date: October 27th 2020
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

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.

Excerpt

The blue wasn’t as brilliant in his eyes before. She wasn’t sure if it was his boots, or how he hunched his shoulders, but he appeared shorter, too. The lines across his brow and around his mouth were deeper, his jaw wasn’t quite as square, and the ruggedness of his features had faded. 

“Why are you here, Peter? I could have gotten my own wood.” He went to the opposite side of the sofa, keeping his distance. “You worried me. Coming to this remote cabin the way you did for the holidays … well, it’s not something happy people do.” “Happy people?” Her irritation flared. “So you came out here to make sure I didn’t kill myself? I guess that could hurt your lodge’s reputation.” 

He sat and let out a long breath. “No, I came because I sensed you needed someone to lean on. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. 

Everyone needs help now and then.” 

She raised her eyebrows. “I don’t. I’ve overcome a lot of odds to make my way in the world. I’m a successful executive and a burgeoning author, and I’ve accomplished everything without anyone’s help.” 

Peter tapped the arm of the sofa with a tapered finger, his gaze never wavering. “And that would explain why you’re here—alone in an isolated cabin. You refuse to let anyone help you.” He stopped tapping and leaned in closer. “It’s all right to talk about what’s bothering you. Emotions don’t make you weak; they make you human.” 

She was about to argue with him, defend her reclusive lifestyle, and then the fight in her fizzled. He was right—a wound couldn’t heal without being tended, and all Courtney had done since getting dumped was ignore her injury. But many people she tried to talk to grew tired of listening. 

“No one wants to hear about someone else’s problems.” 

“But I want to hear yours.” He sat back, dropping his voice to a gentle murmur. “I want to know what brought you here.” 

The icy wall that had sprouted around her heart slowly thawed. He might not have been the same kind and considerate man who’d driven her to the cabin, but something was soothing about him. Perhaps the time had come to address the real reason she embraced coming to the cabin. 

Her tension retreated as she raised her head to the ceiling, attempting to find the right words. 

“When your world falls apart, sometimes all you can register is the destruction and how your feelings gut you. You don’t see or hear others when they try to help. It’s just noise. But your being here, your kindness, it’s made things better. I’m not sure how you did that, but I’m grateful you came out in the cold night to check on me.” She wiped her face and stood, uncomfortable with all she’d said. “I’m sure you have other guests to see to.” 

Peter reclined on the sofa, draping his arm over the back. 

“What was his name?” 

For weeks, she’d refused to say it. Now, she feared speaking his name might give him some power over her. 

She sank onto the sofa, twisting her hands. 

“Kyle,” came out in a long, sad breath.  

“And why did you let him break your heart?” 

She tossed up her hand. “I caught him with another woman.” 

“No, that’s how your relationship ended.” Peter eased closer. “What I want to know is why you let him in? You profess to be strong and not need anyone. What did he have you felt you lacked?” 

The question washed over her, creating a funny quiver in her stomach. “I’m not sure how to answer that.” 

Peter adjusted his coat, getting comfortable. “Try.”  

She took in his relaxed air, which contradicted his formal attire, and questioned if confiding any more was a wise move. She vacillated between showing him the door and sharing what was on her mind. 

“I’m not here to judge, Courtney. Only to listen.” 

Hearing her name in his smooth, deep voice settled her debate. Perhaps what she needed was an objective opinion. 

“When I first met Kyle, he was everything I thought I wanted—intelligent, funny, a man who could make me better.” She took a loose lock of her brown hair and twirled it nervously around her finger. “I guess that’s what I was looking for—someone who would tell me I was good enough.”  

He rubbed the golden stubble on his chin. “And did he do that?” 

She let the hair fall from her hand. “I thought he did, but then little things changed my mind. He tore me down most of the time. When we fought, he blamed everything on me. Soon, I became the problem in his life, not the solution. No one was surprised when we ended—not even me.” 

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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

Connect:
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Spotlight: Declan by Anna Castor

Series Lucky Irish Series #4

Release Date: December 4, 2020

“I… yes, I love you.

But not in that way, I’m sorry, Squirt.”

With these words, Declan Mills broke Bree’s heart, and his own. By trying to save their friendship, Declan did something he’d never done before: he lied to Bree.

Bree picked herself up and tried hard to move on from her infatuation that had lasted nearly two decades. About time, right? Wrong. One night, the former best friends gravitate together, binding their lives forever.

Declan made a mistake by choosing friendship over love. But can he win over Bree’s heart again?

Declan is book four in the Lucky Irish series about the ups and downs of several Irish families in Austin, Texas. Each book is an interconnected standalone. As we read a new sexy romance, we can also catch up with favorite characters throughout the series.

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About the Author

Anna loves to write heartfelt and steamy romance series. She falls in love with her characters as they go through their ups and downs. Anna laughs out loud behind her laptop as she writes the banter between siblings. Sometimes she cries as a result from the real talk that comes with family. There's no hiding from a nosy Pops ;-) Her books are for mature readers only because of their steamy content.

Author of the Lucky Irish series. A series about several large and close-knit Irish families in Austin, TX with strong heroines, quirky family banter and steamy alphas.

Anna is a former wedding photographer turned author. While photographing weddings, Anna loved being a part of the couple's special day to tell their (love) story through her pictures. Each wedding had a different story to tell: the histories of the bride and groom, their family dynamics, their challenges in life, and of course, how they met and fell in love.

And now Anna takes her readers through the troubles and hardships her characters may come across on their journey to a happily ever after.

Connect:

Website: https://www.annacastor.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnnaCastorAuthor/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annacastor_author/ 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19388808.Anna_Castor 

Spotlight: For This Christmas Only by Caro Carson

Published by: Harlequin
Publication date: December 1st 2020
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Holiday, Romance

He was successful in business but not in love in this great romance by USA TODAY bestselling author Caro Carson

His book changed her life…

But he no longer believes his own advice.

After nearly dying in a plane crash, business icon Eli Taylor has become a recluse, until a chance encounter at a small town’s Yule log lighting leads to an evening spent as the fake boyfriend of his superfan Mallory Ames. When she finds herself homeless for the holidays, he invites her to stay with him—if she’ll return the favor and be his fake girlfriend, so he can show his siblings what a loving partnership should look like. Their arrangement will end when the new year begins…or will it?

From Harlequin Special Edition: Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.

Excerpt

Harlequin Special Edition, December 1, 2020

Contemporary Romance

# # #

Mallory returned the intimidating man’s scoff with one of her own. “That’s an incredibly high opinion you have of yourself. You’re certain that being seen just standing next to you is enough for a woman to make any man jealous.”

Finished straightening his cuff, he crossed his arms over his chest once more.

Mallory crossed her arms over her chest, too, but not to imitate him. She just wanted to tuck her hands under her arms for warmth. The Yule log burned brightly, but it was too far away to warm the night. “It’s more likely a man would feel sorry for the woman standing next to you, with the way you’re giving her the silent treatment.”

“I’m not giving you anything.”

“I noticed.”

“You walked up to me for a reason,” he said, still watching the fire. He had yet to spare a glance for the peon beside him. “It wasn’t because you had a sudden desire to talk about the weather. Then you leaned on me instead of a hay bale to get the sand out of your boots, yet you didn’t take them off. You barely bothered to brush off one. It’s obvious that you wanted someone to see you touching me. Once he did, you stopped. We’re done. Take your sandy boots elsewhere.”

Her mouth fell open at his rudeness.

After a moment of silence, he spoke again, sounding weary. “Did you think you were the first woman to try this with me?”

She didn’t bother trying to hide her frustration. “You know, if I could help out another woman just by letting her stand next to me for a few minutes, I would. I have, more times than most men seem to believe is possible. All you had to do was say, ‘Nice weather. Not too chilly.’ That was all that was being asked of you.” She raked her gaze over his oh-so-casual, oh-so-expensive clothing, from his shoulders to his boots. “Would it have hurt you to spare so little?”

At last, a reaction: he clenched his jaw. “You want someone to think you have a male protector?”

She blinked. “That’s kind of a medieval way to put it, but yes.”

He finally looked down at her. His eyes were silver, startling—a mirror that reflected the flames. In one smooth motion, he uncrossed his arms, placed his hands on her waist and picked her up high enough that her head and shoulders were above his. She squeaked in surprise and grabbed his shoulders for stability, but he dropped her onto the stack of hay bales, leaving her sitting five feet off the ground with hay poking her rear right through her jeans.

Oh, she didn’t have to fake an argument now. “What are you doing?”

“You wanted safety. Done.” His gaze dropped to her feet as they dangled above the ground like a child’s. “And your boots won’t get any sandier.”

She threw her hands up. “Now I’m sitting up here where anyone I’m trying to avoid can see me. All you had to do was act like I’m your girlfriend, not a bale of hay. Really, was that so difficult for you? Really?”

The fire framed him from behind. It gave him a dark-angel kind of appeal, a sinfully handsome Lucifer with striking eyes. She glanced toward the last spot she’d seen the annoying trio of guys—they'd stopped and were huddled over one glowing cell phone screen—and back at him.

He turned around. She thought he was going to walk away, but instead, he leaned back against the hay bales. Her stack of hay bales—so she wriggled back and pulled her right knee out of his way. He rested against the hay bale, its edge just below his shoulder blades, which meant she now was sitting with a man’s shoulders between her knees.

Mallory gaped at the back of his head.

“But—” she started.

She stopped. But what, really? With his shoulders between her knees, it certainly looked as if they knew each other well.

Fine, then. She rested her forearms on top of his head, like he was that executive desk she’d have someday.

“What,” her desk asked, sounding furious, “are you doing?”

“I’m acting like you’re my boyfriend.”

“You’ve never had a boyfriend, have you?”

She stuck out her tongue at the top of his head. “You’ve never been one, have you? You seem to think sticking me on a pile of hay bales and turning your back on me is a normal thing to do on a date, but let me tell you, it’s not.”

He spoke through gritted teeth. “There wasn’t time to buy you flowers. How much longer is this date going to last? It’s like having a large bird nesting on my head.”

# # #

Copyright ©2020 by Caro Carson

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About the Author

Despite a no-nonsense background as a West Point graduate and U.S. Army officer, Caro Carson has always treasured the happily-ever-after of a good romance novel. After her military service, she worked in the healthcare industry with a Fortune 100 company, talking science with doctors who were rarely handsome bachelor Texans like the doctors in her books. Now a USA Today bestselling author and RITA™ award winner, Caro is delighted to be living her own happily-ever-after with her husband (who actually is a handsome Texan) and their two children. They live in the great state of Florida, a location which has saved the coaster-loving theme park fanatics a fortune on plane tickets.

Connect:

https://twitter.com/TheCaroCarson

https://www.carocarson.com/

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https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6984425.Caro_Carson

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https://www.amazon.com/Caro-Carson/e/B00GSGRZ62

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Spotlight: The Lucky Ones by Cassie Cross

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

 Kendall Moore’s professional life has never been better. She’s an in-demand video editor who’s just started her own business, and that business is booming. She rarely has a moment to relax and has completely thrown herself into her work, which is just the way that she likes it. There’s just one tiny issue in her pursuit of professional and personal happiness: she’s getting burned out. 

Of course, it doesn’t help that she’s hopelessly and secretly in love with her totally off-limits business partner, Jordan.

Jordan Murphy is an aspiring filmmaker with a past that he’s desperate to put behind him. When an opportunity arises to go to Vegas and film for a project he’s working on, he gets Kendall to agree to come along with him. After he makes a lucky bet that leads to a weekend full of fun, unexpected confessions, and a visit to a wedding chapel that neither one of them can remember, Kendall and Jordan head home wondering if what happened in Vegas should stay in Vegas… 

Exclusive Excerpt

“I have an idea.” He says it slowly, like he’s trying to reason with a small, frightened animal and doesn’t want to scare it away. 

“I’m not gonna like this, am I?” 

He laughs. “I’m hoping that you will if you hear me out.” 

I take a deep breath. “Okay, I’m listening.” There may be a nervous ringing in my ears, but I can hear him over that. 

“You know that film I’ve been working on forever?” 

A Robin Hood-esque heist movie that’s been his creative baby for almost as long as I’ve known him? “Yes.”

“I have the chance to get some arial shots for it this weekend,” he explains. “You know my friend, Danny? The one with the helicopter business in Vegas?” 

I nod. “Yeah.” 

“He has a slot open on Friday night, and he offered to take me up so I can film. I’m flying to Vegas Friday morning so I can take him up on the offer.” 

“That’s great,” I say, squeezing his hand. “But how does it involve me?” 

The question hangs in the air as he stares at me meaningfully. “I want you to come with me.” 

“No,” I say reflexively. 

“Why not?” 

“I’m not going to Vegas.” 

“That’s not an answer. You’ll be done with the commercial by then, and our next project doesn’t start until next week. You haven’t been out of LA in a hundred years, Ken. It’s time.” 

I playfully kick him in the shin. “It’s only been, like, a year. Maybe two.” 

Yeah, okay. Still not great. 

“It’ll be fun,” he says, really putting on the full-court press to sell me on this. “We’ll fly in and spend the night, have dinner and gamble a little. I’ll pay for the plane ticket.” 

I love a night of debauchery as much as anyone, and I’m having a harder time saying no than I thought I would. 

“Jordan…” 

“You have an editor’s eye,” he argues. “It’ll be nice to have someone there to tell me what to shoot so I’ll have the best final product.” 

Yes, this much is true. 

“Please,” he says. He’s gone full puppy-dog eyes and I can never say no to those. 

“No,” I reply, but it’s weak. A slight breeze could knock it over. 

He reaches in his pocket and pulls out those dice. “You roll an odd, you come home with me. Even? You can edit all weekend and I won’t say a thing.” 

I grab a die and inspect it to make sure it actually has evens and odds. 

I’ve never let dice make a decision for me. The prospect is oddly freeing. 

I start to roll, but he gently grabs my wrist and pulls my hand to his mouth, giving it a quick kiss. 

“For good luck,” he says with a playful wink. 

I roll my eyes, trying not to think too hard about how soft his lips are. 

“Good luck for you or good luck for me?” 

A full-on grin. “For me, of course.” 

I toss the die on the hood of the car. I come up with a three. 

“Better start packing,” he says, looking like he just hit the jackpot. 

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About Cassie Cross

 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.

Connect with Cassie: Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook 

Cover Reveal: The Engagement Embargo by Samantha Chase

Series: Meet Me at the Altar #1

Release Date: March 9, 2021

Four failed engagements. One year-long hiatus on women.

Elliott Sullivan loves being in love, but after his latest romantic disaster, his friends and family finally put their foot down—no relationships or proposals for at least a year. Ready for his heart not to be squashed under another sexy high-heel, he agrees to fully embrace life as a perpetual bachelor. Which should be easy—especially when he recruits his sister’s best friend for help. Surely he won’t fall for her, no matter how perfect she seems…

Skylar isn’t sorry to see Elliott’s latest relationship go up in flames. She’s had a crush on him for as long as she remembers—not that anything can ever happen there. So when Elliott asks for her help to stop him from breaking his dating embargo, she jumps at the chance. They’ve spent time together before and nothing has come of it. So what could possibly go wrong this time?

Sticking to his embargo would be fine if all this time with Skye wasn’t making Elliott wonder if maybe the perfect girl had been in front of him all along.

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Samantha Chase is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller of contemporary romance. She released her debut novel in 2011 and currently has more than forty titles under her belt! When she’s not working on a new story, she spends her time reading romances, playing way too many games of Scrabble or Solitaire on Facebook, wearing a tiara while playing with her sassy pug Maylene…oh, and spending time with her husband of 25 years and their two sons in North Carolina.

Connect:

Website: https://www.chasing-romance.com/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SamanthaChase3 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SamanthaChaseFanClub/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samanthachaseromance/ 

Newsletter: https://www.chasing-romance.com/newsletter 

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/samantha-chase

Spotlight: Something New by B. Ivy Woods

After being left at the altar, Nicole Ford heads to Holiday Springs Resort to spend her honeymoon alone, and Barrett Pierce is in desperate need of a timeout in a hideout away from home. They weren’t expecting to fall for each other while on an adventure of a lifetime. Readers will fall in love with this jilted bride romance by B. Ivy Woods. The Holiday Springs Resort series wraps up with SOMETHING NEW, which is now live!       

Only on Amazon + Read for FREE on Kindle Unlimited 

Amazon ➝ https://amzn.to/2IaagGf

A jilted bride and an overwhelmed banker from New York are about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime that neither of them saw coming. Sometimes love happens at the most unexpected times and places.

Romance writer, Nicole Ford, always believed in happy endings. Until her own groom left her standing at the altar. Determined to make her own happiness, she sets off for their romantic honeymoon at Holiday Springs, alone.

Barrett Pierce, an investment banker from the Big Apple, may have gotten himself in a little hot water and needs to take a break before he's in too deep. Fleeing to the mountains, he has one plan - clearing his head and figuring out a way to fix his mistakes.

Neither of them were looking for romance but they sure found each other and discovered a passion they couldn’t ignore. Forget something old, and something blue...this time these two love birds have found something brand new.

Excerpt 

Copyright @B. Ivy Woods 2020

Based on the way her eyes were moving, I assumed that Nicole was tossing the idea back and forth in her mind like a tennis match. She looked down at her feet, and I had a feeling she was going to say no.

“I like this idea.”

I did a double take. She liked the idea of having a fling?

“Are you sure?” I asked, waiting with bated breath for her to confirm.

“Yeah, I mean, it’s not something I normally do. But when in Rome, right? I’ve lived my life carefully planned for so long, and there is nothing wrong with a little spontaneity and living life on the edge a bit, if that makes sense.”

I just stared at her. I didn’t expect this conversation to go as well as it was.

“This sounds like a deal. Do we shake hands to seal it?”

I shook my head. “I was thinking more along the lines of a kiss, like the one we shared last night.”

“I’m not opposed to that.” Her voice was still lower than normal, and the tone was sending the blood away from my brain.

I stood up and sat next to her. I surveyed the room quickly, making sure that our server had no intention of coming back to interrupt us. I placed my hand on her cheek and leaned in to touch her lips to mine. When our lips met, my tongue made its way into her mouth, and I could taste the hot chocolate she had just consumed, but it was also mixed with a taste that I was quickly beginning to realize was all her own. I felt her hands move up my chest, and her fingers grasped my cashmere sweater as if she were trying to draw us even closer together. I just knew she had to be feeling how hard my heart was pounding because of her touch.

The kiss ended naturally on its own, and we broke apart. I looked down at her and still found her eyes closed, as if she were remembering the touch we just shared. I watched her eyes float back open.

“Well that was lovely,” she said and touched her fingers to her lips.

“I don’t know if lovely can adequately describe what I’m feeling right now.” I raked a hand through my hair and took a deep breath, trying to calm my erratically beating heart. “How could that be better than the kiss from last night?”

“I-I don’t know.” I found her staring down at the hot chocolate. Perhaps she was wondering the same thing I was. How did every time we touch just keep getting better and better?

About B. Ivy Woods

B. Ivy Woods has been writing for as long as she can remember. After getting her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Environmental Policy and a Master in Energy Policy and Law degree and working in the environmental field for several years, she decided to become a stay-at-home mom. That is when thoughts of a writing career really took off. Although she competed in NaNoWriMo multiple times, 2019 was the first year that she won. This win inspired her to make writing a career. She self-published her debut novel in 2020.

Although she is originally from New York City, she currently lives in the DMV (Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia) with her husband, daughter, dog, and cat.

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