Welcome back to Romance Sweet Reads. This week and next we’ll be featuring the nine individual stories from the holiday anthology, Hearts, Homes and Holidays. The anthology is a currently available to pre-order for just 99¢ on all major ebook retailers. All proceeds from the sale of Hearts, Homes, and Holidays will benefit Reece’s Rainbow, an organization that assists with the adoption of special-needs children.
Today, we’ll look at the second of our nine stories, Just Like Christmas Morning by author Michele Brouder, including exclusive excerpts available only on Romance Sweet Reads.
So, sit back and enjoy a look at the fabulous collection of heartfelt holiday romances by some of your favorite authors.
Family Ever After
Longing hearts, loving homes, and lively holidays
combine in this Romantique Treasury with new contributions from nine
bestselling and award-winning authors. This warm-hearted romance anthology
combines friends, families, and faith as hope blossoms in the lives of orphaned
children.
JUST LIKE CHRISTMAS MORNING by Michele Brouder
Anna Beckett has a soulless job as an accountant for Gallagher Industries. It’s a job that pays well but one that sucks the life out of her. At work, she runs a tight ship and is known for her no nonsense, dour attitude. Quite by accident, she becomes a volunteer cuddler at the hospital across the street. As she spends her lunch hour holding the sickest babies in the neonatal unit, she begins to realize there’s more to life than work.
Jack Gallagher is the second son of the Gallagher family. His older brother runs the company while Jack’s position is less defined, which makes him feel like he’s drifting. When he’s thrust into the position of dressing as Santa Claus to visit the children’s hospital, he realizes how useless he really is in the family business. But then he recognizes the accountant from work, the one woman who doesn’t succumb to his charms, the only one who puts him in his place, and he begins to see her in a different light.
Can they overcome their differences and wronged perceptions of each other to form a lasting bond?
Enjoy an Excerpt
Anna hadn’t recognized Jack underneath the Santa Claus costume. If she had, she wouldn’t be talking to him now and he was enjoying himself too much with her to reveal his identity.
“So, if I understand this correctly,” Anna said, “you are inviting me out for drinks or maybe even dinner, but I have to pay?”
She didn’t sound offended, wasn’t using her office-Anna voice. She seemed intrigued and unless he missed his guess, Jack suspected she was actually flirting with him.
He chuckled warmly. “It did rather sound like that, didn’t it?” At her nod, he explained, “Not my intention. But yes, that was a poorly done request for a date.”
Tilting her head playfully, Anna said, “I don’t know. I’ve never gone out with a holiday figure before.”
When he laughed again, she said, “Well, not since that debacle with the leprechaun.”
“Let me guess—a not-so-fun drinker?”
Straight-faced, she told him, “No, he was on the wagon at the time. The problem was his puns—‘Irish you would marry me’ and, ‘if it ain’t brogue, don’t fix it.’ Jeez, all night long with those.”
Jack’s shoulders shook with his laughter. But he still wanted an answer.
“So, I have to promise no puns, perhaps leave the red suit at home . . . then you’ll go to dinner with me?”
The answering slow smile she gave him told him she was about to say yes.
And then Jenna McAllister came bouncing up to them, planting herself to Jack’s right and Anna’s left.
Jack’s eyes widened, hoping she wouldn’t give up his identity, which he couldn’t believe Anna hadn’t figured out yet. He tried to warn Jenna with a glance, but he suspected she couldn’t see his expression beneath the disguise.
She wagged her finger at him. “Why Jack Gallagher, who knew that you liked dressing up as Santa Claus so much!”
~ ~ ~
Meet the Author
Michele Brouder writes sweet romance and
is the author of the Escape to Ireland series and The Happy Holidays series.
She’s originally from western New York but now makes her home in the west of
Ireland with her husband, sons, and a dog named Rover. The beach is her go to
place: any beach, any weather, any time.
Michele's Website ~ Amazon Author Page
~ ~ ~
Adoption is another word for love, and proceeds from
this collection of inspiring stories will benefit special-needs adoption grants
through Reece’s Rainbow.
Available on Your Favorite Retailer
Join the Readers Group on Facebook
(While you’re there, be sure to download your free
activity book!)
Please come back again tomorrow when we’ll be featuring an excerpt from T.C. Hester’s story, Long to Belong.
Blessings,
Nancy
No comments:
Post a Comment