A sneak peak at my upcoming holiday romance by Kristin Wallace

Launching a new book never gets old. There is always a buzz of excitement and nerves with each one, even after more than 15 books. This month will see the launch of my latest release, a sweet contemporary holiday romance. It’s part of a holiday box set, Sweet Christmas Kisses 5, which will be here on September 25^th and it's on sale for only 99 cents!

My contribution is SECOND CHANCE CHRISTMAS, which is part of a new trilogy in my Palm Cove Tales series. It’s the follow-up to The Heiress Games trilogy, which launched this spring. This tale features desperate single mom, Mia Reynolds, the cousin of security expert Damon Grant (who appeared in the Heiress Games books). Mia has been hiding a very big secret about her daughter and now the truth is about to be revealed. 

Second Chance Christmas

A Palm Cove Tale

Ten years ago, Mia Reynolds and Winthrop Barrington spent one magical Christmas together. Until lies and manipulation at the hands of Win’s wealthy family tore them apart and left Mia to raise her daughter Riley on her own. Now, both of them have returned to their hometown of Palm Cove, Florida. Once they uncover the truth about what happened, can Mia and Win rediscover the love they once lost and celebrate a Second Chance Christmas with their daughter?

Here’s a fun excerpt giving you a peak at the moment Mia and Win come face to face for the first time…

Mia eventually left Damon and her daughter Riley, who were hanging up posters in her new room, while she went back to get the last box from her car. 

Serena Douglas met her at the bottom of the stairs. “Oh, you haven’t changed yet?”
            Mia frowned. “Why would I change now? I’ve been moving and there’s still a lot to sort out.”

“Yes, but you can’t conduct an interview looking like that.” Serena wrinkled her nose. “Not the best first impression.”

Mia gaped in astonishment. “What interview?”

“For your new job, of course.” Serena smiled as though she’d done the world a favor.

“What new job?” Mia looked over at her sister for an explanation, since Serena seemed to be speaking in code.

Chloe grinned. “She has a great opportunity lined up for you.”

“She does?” Mia swiveled back toward Serena. “You do?”

“An old friend of mine recently moved back to town to take over his family’s company and he’s in need of a new executive assistant,” Serena said. “The previous one who worked for his grandfather retired, too.”

“And he’s willing to hire me, just like that? No interview or anything?” Mia asked, amazed that a job offer was being laid out on the table so easily. Even more amazing, the job offer came courtesy of Serena Douglas. “Why are you so willing to help me anyway?”

“Why shouldn’t I help you?”

Because it was Serena Douglas, and she never went out of her way to do anything nice. 

Her sister seemed to understand what Mia was thinking because Chloe sidled closer. “I know it’s weird, but just go with it.”

Serena looked over at her. “Why is my job offer weird?”

“You’re not exactly known for your charitable nature,” Chloe said, her voice full of sarcasm.

Serena straightened, her “off with their heads” look in full force. “I’m workingon that, all right?”

Chloe grinned and shook her head. “I know, but you’re gonna have to give the rest of us time to catch up to the new you.”

“This is what I get for trying to be nice,” Serena murmured, before turning to Mia. “Listen, the job offer is real, and yes, he’s willing to hire you. Actually, Win said he knew you, and wanted to help out.”

Mia almost fell over. “Win? As in Winthrop Barrington?”

Serena stared at her in confusion. “Yes, that’s right. You know him? Well, of course, you probably do know who he is. The Barringtons are one of the most prominent families in town. His grandmother’s family is just as important.”

Panic gripped her like a vise. Win Barrington was living in Palm Cove again? He was supposed to be working for some big corporation in New York. That was the only reason she’d agreed to move back home. “I can’t work for him.” 

“Well, why not?” Serena began to look insulted. “You have an objection to a regular paycheck?”

Chloe put a hand on Mia’s arm. “Honey, calm down. Win is a pretty decent guy, for a North-sider, and you know Barrington Enterprises is stable. It’s been around forever.”

“No, you don’t understand,” Mia said. “He’s not supposed to be in Palm Cove anymore.”

“Why do you care if Win Barrington lives here?” Chloe asked. 

“Yes, I don’t know why you’re freaking out,” Serena said. “Anyway, it’s a little late to protest now. He’ll be here any minute to discuss the job.”

This could not be happening. In town less than a day and already disaster was striking. “No, no, no, no!”

The bell above the door jingled and a tall, dark-haired man in an expensive-looking suit strolled into the bakery. Familiar blue-green eyes found hers and the room spun.

“You!” she breathed.

He gave a half-smile and a shrug. “Hello Mia.”

Sweet Christmas Kisses 5…9 holiday tales for only 99 cents!

Sweet Christmas Kisses 5 brings you contemporary romances that celebrate the joy of the season around the world, including snowy Maine and the sun-kissed skies of Florida, the mountains of Colorado to small-town Illinois and Virginia, New York to San Francisco, and even the glittering lights of Paris and the old-world charm of Florence. The Sweet Christmas Kisses 5 bundle features all-new, standalone novellas that will make you smile and warm your heart with the Christmas spirit. 

Pre-order your box set for only 99 cents today!

AMAZON     /       ITUNES      /    BARNES & NOBLE      /    KOBO

Kristin Wallaceis a USA Today bestselling author of inspirational and sweet contemporary romance filled with “Love, Laughter and a Leap of Faith”. She is the author of 3 popular series, Covington Falls Chronicles, Shellwater Key Tales and The Heiress Games (Palm Cove Tales). For more info on her books visit Kristin Wallace Author.

The Magic of Time Travel

 by Kristin Holt

I’m one of those lucky (truly, no sarcasm here) kids whose parents moved every couple of years. I attended 5 elementary schools, 2 junior high/middle schools, 1 high school, and 2 universities. I remember Michigan, Florida, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Texas, and California. If I had the awesome opportunity to live in another time or place, I’d choose the TIME option.

My reasons are simple:
1.  I’m enamored of all things pertaining to history of the American West,
2.  …because I write Sweet Victorian Romance set in the American West…
3.  …which means I’m constantly studying, researching, learning all about it.
4.  Wouldn’t it be cool to LIVE the Old West, rather than simply read about it?

 

Reading fiction set in my favorite historical time period in history is the best kind of time machine. I don’t need to leave my climate-controlled home, give up fresh produce in the middle of winter or an Internet connection…and I can escape at will into my favorite era and location. To me, reading fiction is a captivating distraction from anything or everything; when stressed I “hide in fiction”. I fall in, the world disappears, and my mind and soul is fully occupied in another place and another time. Best. Therapy. Ever.

When writing my soon-to-be-released novella, Courting Miss Cartwright (included in Cowboys & Calico, a 5-author novella collection coming 7-30-16 to Amazon), I spent weeks immersed in 1879 Colorado. I enjoyed researching the status of gold and silver mining in Colorado, including the big strike in Leadville, and the impact upon my characters and nearby fictitious town of Mountain Home, Colorado. Given the summer of 1879 is indelibly branded upon my brain this July, I’d set the dial on my time machine for then and there…as long as a return trip to here and now is guaranteed.

Image Courtesy of Hotel Paris Museum.org via Pinterest

 

Exclusively for kindle, only 99 cents!

Kristin Holt, USA Today Bestselling Author writes Sweet Victorian Romance set in the American West. She writes frequent articles about the nineteenth century American west--every subject of possible interest to readers and amateur historians. She contributes monthly to Sweet Americana Sweethearts (first Friday of each month) and Romancing the Genres (third Tuesday of each month).

Sweet Romance Appropriate for All Audiences

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RTG Facebook Party December 15

by Madelle Morgan

Romancing the Genres is hosting a Facebook Party on December 15. Here's the link to the event.

In North America the party starts at 7 p.m. Eastern (EST). That's 4 p.m. Pacific (PST).

I'm excited! This will be my first ever Facebook event. My time slot is 8:30 p.m. EST (5:30 PST).

I understand giveaways are the norm. Oooooh, gifts. Well, it is the season!

I've been waiting for a special occasion to give away a pretty set of faux "diamond" jewelry in honor of my debut romantic suspense Diamond Hunter.

As well, I'll be mailing a paperback copy of Diamond Hunter to another winner. So please join us RTG authors on December 15th on Facebook.

Set at a diamond mine in Canada's isolated sub-Arctic, here's the scene in which headstrong geologist Petra Paris reveals to the undercover cop masquerading as her boyfriend that she's being set up by diamond smugglers.

“Good morning, honey.”

Petra lurched as Seth’s arm swung casually across her shoulders. She’d been too preoccupied with the search to hear his approach along the corridor. Defenses at low ebb, her eyes unaccountably welled with tears.

“You feeling okay?” He attempted to search the face she angled away from him.

“It’s been a long night.”

“What are these yahoos doing?” He frowned at the chaos generated by the diamond mine’s security guards over the previous twenty minutes.

“Searching for diamonds,” she choked, wishing for once that their relationship was real and she had the right to turn into Seth’s arms for a bolstering hug.

As if reading her mind, he pulled her to the other side of the corridor, still in plain sight of the guards, and drew her close to growl under his breath. “Tell me what’s going on.”

“Seth, I’m being set up.” She unwrapped her arms, slid them around his waist and nestled her head into the curve of his shoulder, the better to whisper into his ear, she told herself. Part of the act. “I found three rough diamonds in the coffee tin last night.”

“Where are they?” His arms tightened, pinning her close enough to feel the accelerated heartbeat beneath his navy blue T-shirt.

“Carter got rid of them.” She winced, appalled a fellow geologist had been so cavalier about valuable stones belonging to his employer.

“Lucky break you discovered them before someone alerted security.” His tone roughened. “Any unauthorized visitors yesterday?”

“Seth, this office is Grand Central Station. Anyone could walk in here.”

The shorter, swarthy guard approached. “What are you two doing out there?”

“Spending some time with my girl, sir,” Seth replied. He cupped the back of her head and brushed his mouth over hers. 

She leaned into the kiss, starved for the comfort he offered unaware, glad down to her toes for the opportunity to experience one of Seth’s marvelous kisses. But as his lips captured hers she remembered Kate and pulled away. Seth dragged his mouth across her cheek, rubbed one hand the length of her spine, tangled the other in her hair, caressing, keeping up the pretense.

The guard backed off. “Take five minutes, then I want you in this office.”

“We’re on camera,” she breathed.

“Let’s give them a show.” He nibbled his way toward her earlobe.

As private time to talk, this would have to do. Under the circumstances, she played along, tipping her head to give him better access to her neck. Exquisite tingles rippled down stress-taut nerves. She breathed deep, tried to focus. “As a suspect, Scott won’t allow me to view yesterday’s digital video recording. Can you get access to them?”

“Not without blowing my cover.” Seth quickly sifted through his options. The last thing an undercover cop wanted was to attract attention to himself. By hooking onto Petra, he’d unwittingly stumbled into an entirely different drama. Or perhaps the smugglers had a reason to prevent her from completing her job. Either way, Petra’s situation put him in the spotlight instead of in the background, and he didn’t like it one bit.

Well, he amended, he enjoyed the interaction with this beautiful woman. She trembled in his arms, uncharacteristically compliant. He attuned his senses to her shallow breathing, the fingers digging into his waist, and tension radiating from neck muscles under the soft, soap-fragrant skin beneath his lips.

In short hours word of the early morning search would have spread to the entire camp. He had no business staying on undercover. Procedures dictated he call in for a replacement.

Yet he couldn’t bring himself to abandon Petra to these vultures. Experience taught him that as the perps became more desperate, the danger to those in their way escalated.

“You need to leave this place. Get out fast. Fly to Yellowknife with me this morning.”

“No.” She tilted her heart-shaped face up to him, a stubborn frown marring her clear brow. “I need the cores.”

“Listen, woman.” He wanted to shake sense into her. Instead he crooked his arm to swing her away and down such that his back blocked them from the camera’s view. Mouth grazing her ear, he spoke quickly. “You’re in danger. These guys won’t stop at trying to frame you. They want you gone, one way or another.”

She squirmed, supremely irritated at being rendered off balance. “I can take care of myself.”

He ground his teeth and clutched her firmly against his chest. “I can’t protect you,” he explained with a patience he didn’t feel. “My cover, as you know, is a pilot for Northern Lights Air—a real job. My boss has me booked on three flights today, bringing me back to camp by dinner, if I’m lucky. I have to leave.”

“I never asked you to protect me. You’re using me to get access to the employees here, remember?” she hissed.

“Are the cores worth your life?”

“You’re overreacting. Let me go.” She twisted forcefully from one side to the other until he relented and released her, cursing softly.

“Why are the cores so damn important?”

She cast him defiance spiced with determination. “That’s my business. You attend to yours, and leave me to mine.”

Before Seth could invent a suitable rejoinder to such a hell-bent-for trouble attitude, more trouble erupted behind them.  

****

I hope to connect with you on December 15 on Facebook!

Happy Holidays!

Madelle

Bio:

Madelle writes romantic suspense and contemporary romance novels set in wild, beautiful Canada.

Diamond Hunter is available in ebook format on Amazon and Kobo for $0.99 USD and £0.99 GBP.

Madelle tweets and posts about dogs, Hollywood, film-making, the settings for her stories, and, of course, writing. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to her blog at MadelleMorgan.com .