Showing posts with label Crimson Romance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Crimson Romance. Show all posts

Monday, April 27, 2015

[Book Release] Love at Bat by Elley Arden #BoxSet #Sale @Crimson_Romance



It's root, root, root for the home team as these sexy boys of summer take their turns at bat. The Kemmons brothers have it all - the money, the moves, the connections - but they haven't hit home runs in love. Until now.
  • Save My Soul: Baseball agent Jordon Kemmons has a problem the usual experts can't fix: his star pitcher is too depressed to throw strikes. If desperate times call for desperate measures, then cynical Jordon has made the most desperate move of all. He's hoping sexy psychotherapist Maggie Collins is the answer to all his prayers.
  • Change My Mind: Centerfielder Grey Kemmons is spending the off-season renovating the house he inherited from his father. When spitfire Nel Parker shows up wanting to list the house, their strictly business relationship soon gets very personal.
  • Heal My Heart: Dr. Tag Howard wants nothing to do with the Kemmons. He's made his own way as an MLB team doctor, and is determined to steer clear of the family that abandoned him . . . until female footballer MJ Rooney crashes into his life with a concussion and a fresh perspective.
  • Trade Off: Traded and jaded, catcher Ben Border is considering stepping out from behind the plate. Then he runs into former flame Scarlett Dare. The sexy marketing executive still sends him into a fever pitch, but is she willing to trade Fortune 500 success for a happily ever after?
Short Excerpt from Save My Soul: Kemmons Bros. 1

Jordon didn’t stop at the end of the cart. He came around and grabbed her by the hips. “We’re done with this conversation. I’m not going to let you push me away because of your misguided notions and over analysis.”
Her mouth opened at his absurd insults. Before she could say a word, his fingers rested on her chin and he closed her jaw.
“Maggie, transference is bull shit. Freud was a flake. You shrinks like to wield power over weak-minded patients. I’m not weak, and I’m not your patient.” He slid his thumb across her bottom lip. “I do…feel exactly the way I said I do, but I won’t say it again until I’m damn sure you’re going to say it back. Until then, keep your shrink wrap away from my head. There’s enough going on in there without you digging around.”
Despite the hypnotic sensation of his thumb stroking her lip, she couldn’t keep quiet anymore. “I find you offensive.”
“No you don’t.”
Jordon leaned his face closer, and she swallowed. Her tongue reflexively brushed over her lip, tasting the tip of his thumb. He stepped into her, and she swallowed again, knowing his mouth would be covering hers in the middle of a busy supermarket. But the minute his arm wound around her waist, she didn’t care where they were. She wanted him to take what he wanted and leave her begging for more.

Buy it now! 

Thursday, April 23, 2015

[Book Spotlight] The White Carnation by Susanne Matthews

The last person disgraced reporter Faye Lewis wants back in her life is Detective Rob Halliday, the man she blames for ruining her career and breaking her heart. But when she finds an old friend murdered, he’s the one she calls.
 For the past year, Rob and his team have been hunting the Harvester, a serial killer who ritualistically murders new mothers and vanishes with their infants. What Rob doesn’t need is another case, especially one involving his ex-fiancée.

 Then Faye is assaulted, and Rob realizes the cases are connected. She may hold the answers he needs to find the elusive killer. But the more they investigate, the more complex the situation becomes. Can they set the past aside and work together, or will the Harvester and his followers reap another prize?

The White Carnation will be available April 20, 2015. For buy links, please visit http://www.mhsusannematthews.ca/





Excerpt:
Twenty minutes later, the unmarked police sedan pulled up behind the black and white outside the brownstone. The paramedics were parked farther along the street, just ahead of the police car, reducing traffic to a single lane. The coroner’s van pulled up behind them. Rob got out and approached the coroner.
“Amos, I didn’t expect to see you here so soon. I called for a bus, not the meat wagon.”
“Paramedics were nearby so Logan got here quickly. He radioed in—exsanguination due to a lacerated throat. He’s still up there. Nothing he can do for the victim, but your fiancée is taking it hard.”
“The victim was like a second mother to her.”
Your fiancée—Amos’s words were true once, but never again. There was no way Rob would hitch his wagon to a woman who could believe he’d betray her like that, a woman who’d put her job so far ahead of him, he’d barely been on her radar at times. The sex had been great, but love was supposed to be more than that. Still, she’d reached out to him. He took the stairs to the brownstone two at a time, his lean, muscular body having no problem with the climb. He flashed his badge at the officer who stood guarding the door. “Anyone showing any interest?”
“No, Detective. According to the concierge, the people in number five are in Europe, and I don’t think the rest of the residents are home from work yet. Looks like a robbery—the place has been tossed pretty good—and there’s no damage to the door, so she must have let them in. Logan says her throat’s been slit from behind.”
“Where’s Ms. Lewis?”
“In the living room with Logan. He wanted to take her to the ER—claims she’s in shock. I told him she had to stay put until you arrived. He’s pissed at me. Says I’m interfering with his job. He seems pretty friendly with her. I heard she’s some big shot investigative reporter.” He chuckled. “Some crime reporter—she’s puked a couple of times already.” He continued to laugh. Rob’s face must have reflected the anger moving to the surface because the guard choked it off.
“Rick Logan is one of the best paramedics we have. For the record, McMillan,” Rob read the nameplate on the policeman’s uniform, “the next time he says someone has to go the ER, you’d better damn well listen to him. And as for Ms. Lewis, the victim was a personal friend. It’s different when the victim’s someone you know.” His voice was clipped, his displeasure obvious.
Rob turned and entered the apartment. He’d learned the need to remain objective in order to do the job properly, but as he’d told the young officer, it was different when it was personal. Not only had the victim been an acquaintance, Faye was in there. He swallowed and tried to find the emotional distance he needed.
The place was a mess, just as the officer had said. He looked around quickly, his trained eye taking in everything in an instant—the wallet on the table, money on the floor mixed with the victim’s blood, the take-out bag, Faye’s purse and its scattered contents. Whatever this had been, it hadn’t been a routine robbery. Someone had been looking for something other than the usual snatch and grab items, so what were they after? What could Mrs. Green have that was worth dying for?
He found Faye sitting on the living-room sofa with Logan. Her face was red and blotchy, her blue-green eyes mascara-rimmed from her tears, and her clothing disheveled and covered in blood. She stood and moved forward, stopping before she reached him. Wrapping her arms around herself, she looked young and vulnerable, not a bit like the bitter, angry woman she’d been the last time he’d seen her.

About the author:
Susanne Matthews was born and raised in Cornwall, Ontario, Canada. She’s always been an avid reader of all types of books, but always with a penchant for happily ever after romances. In her imagination, she travelled to foreign lands, past and present, and soared into the future. A retired educator, Susanne spends her time writing and creating adventures for her readers. She loves the ins and outs of romance, and the complex journey it takes to get from the first word to the last period of a novel. As she writes, her characters take on a life of their own, and she shares their fears and agonies on the road to self-discovery and love.
Follow Susanne on her:  Website    Blog    Facebook page    Twitter @jandsmatt

Amazon author page    and    Goodreads author page 

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

[Book Spotlight] The Tycoon's Wager by Olivia Logan


Title:  The Tycoon’s Wager
Publisher- Crimson Romance
Release Date: 23 March 2015

Blurb

To boost ratings and save her radio show, agony aunt CJ Stratt has no choice but to agree to a publicity proposition from London’s renowned playboy Jack Harper. They’ll go on eight dates, which she’ll tweet about to prove he’s not the unreliable wastrel he’s been painted as in the press.

 Jack’s desperate to squelch his irresponsible image to insure that the business deal that could make or break his career goes smoothly. He’s willing to do anything, including dating this quirky DJ with pastel-colored hair and a sassy mouth.
Jack knows seduction, but he has no idea how to love. Love is CJ’s business, yet she has never been seduced.

 Somehow, this business just got personal …

Buy Links
Amazon US

Amazon UK

Barnes and Noble

iTunes

Kobo
Goodreads
Author Information
Olivia Logan lives in the ever sunny UK where if she’s not writing her latest romance, she’s planning the next one.
Olivia loves to hear from her readers. Contact her on:
Or follow her on twitter @Olivia_Logan_ 


Excerpt
Clearing her throat, CJ  pushed her glasses further up her nose, swiveling around to face her guest. “So, Mr. Harper ...”
            “Jack, and you, I take it from your show’s introduction, are CJ. Short for ...?”
            Short for none of your business, but she pasted a saccharine smile on her face. “Well it’s nice to meet you, Jack, and it’s just CJ. So are you telling us, London that is, that Ms. Shoes was wrong and you are a loving, devoted guy after all?”
            Ha! That got him. She smiled victoriously, pleased to see his mouth open then shut firmly again. “And just so I’m not accused of missing some facts, how long did you and Ms. Shoes date?”
            “One month.” This time the smooth drawl belied his tightening jaw.
            “So let’s say four weeks in a month, average that to about one date a week ... that is a reasonable enough time to get to know someone.”
Her heart skipped in her chest as his eyes, a deep navy she could see now, narrowed.
“In this busy, modern world of dating, I believe that is the only time people have available. In addition to which, Ms. Stratt, in that one sentence, you have solved the dilemma for anyone wondering if they should get married or not.”
            “And by that you mean?”
            “If they don’t know them after four dates, they never will.”
            “I never meant that,” she replied. Grrr. If she could, she’d give her whole monthly paycheck to wipe that smirk off his face!
            “So what did you mean? Just for the clarification of your listeners,” he prodded, moving forward. The rough softness of his trousers grazed the bare skin of her knee through the ripped denim, sending sparks of electricity shooting through her, and she pushed the creaking chair back, its soft clunk against the desk mobilising her thoughts out of the physical and into action.
            She knew what he was trying to do. He was trying to discredit her on air. She could feel the blood thunder through her body at the victorious look on his patrician features.
            “People can fall in love after four dates as well as they can after forty,” she began, hurrying on quickly at his raised sandy blond eyebrow. “Depending on the individuals involved. Don’t you agree?”
            “No.” She pressed her lips together tightly at his laconic answer. “However, let’s run with your idea of knowing true love after four dates. What then is your professional opinion of passing judgement on an individual based on a 140-character tweet from a third party and, in your own words, based on roughly an average of one date per week for a total of one month, each date lasting only a few hours?”
            Grrr! Darn him and his quick comeback. She was going to have to be quicker than she thought with this one.



Monday, March 16, 2015

[Release Day] Her Soldier's Touch by J.M. Stewart

Title: Her Soldier’s Touch

Author: J.M. Stewart

Genre: contemporary romance
Publisher: Crimson Romance
Word Count: 70, 000
ISBN: 978-1-4405-8137-3
ISBN-10: 1-4405-8137-1


Blurb

Experience has taught single mother Rachel Madison that the only person she can truly rely on is herself. But what she wants most in the world—to give her son the life she never had growing up—means she must put her faith in a man who once walked out on her.

Retired from the service, U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Colton Taylor makes a detour to Phoenix to bury his brother. Nobody is more surprised than he is to see Rachel waiting for him at the airport. He regrets the morning he walked away from her, but coming from an abusive home taught Colt to put limits on all his relationships—especially this one.

So when he discovers he has a son, Colt knows this is a chance to prove to himself he’s not a chip off the old block. Turning his life around doesn’t come naturally, though. Then a drug dealer crops up from his brother’s dark past, threatening their son and forcing Colt and Rachel to face their demons … and each other.

Sensuality Level: Sensual

EXCERPT:


“Maybe I do it to protect you. Did you ever think of that? I don’t do relationships, Rach. You’re better off finding someone who can give you what you need, because I’m not that man.”

That damn stony wall made her want to hit him just to see him react.

She clenched her fists. “Coward.”

Colt’s head jerked in her direction. His gaze seared into her as he studied her.

“I don’t need your protection.” She glared at him. “I’m perfectly capable of looking out for myself.”

He turned his body fully toward her and copied her stance, folding his arms across his chest. “All right. You really want to know what I’m thinking? Telling me you want me because our son needs his father wasn’t what I hoped you’d say. I wanted you to tell me you wanted me. But, I know damn well I have no right to want that, for exactly that reason … I walked out. And, for the record, I didn’t tell you all that stuff that night to scare you. I was being honest.”

His body heat radiated against her side as he closed the distance between them, stepping into her personal space then taking another step, until his scent of soap and man washed over her and his firm body brushed hers. His voice lowered to a husky murmur, his breath whispering across her cheek.

“More than I should have been. Those eyes of yours pull things out of my mouth I shouldn’t say. You’re my ultimate weakness, sweetheart.”

Bio

J.M. Stewart is a coffee and chocolate addict who lives in the Pacific Northwest. She’s a hopeless romantic who believes everybody should have their happily ever after.

Find J.M. Stewart at: http://authorjmstewart.com/, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/authorjmstewart, and on Twitter @JMStewartWriter.






Monday, March 9, 2015

[Release Day] New York Minute by Melinda Dozier #Excerpt #FacebookParty

I'm so happy to present my newest book release! 

NEW YORK MINUTE


Title: New York Minute
Author: Melinda Dozier
Release Day: March 9, 2015
Publisher: Crimson Romance


Blurb:
Shy accountant Veronica Bass is determined to live it up a little before settling down with a perfectly respectable man to live a perfectly respectable life, just the way her mother wants.


So when rock star Diego Diaz flashes his bedroom eyes at her during a wedding reception, Veronica swallows her shyness and leads him to the nearest hotel room. Now this total sex god keeps popping up in her life, and she finds herself telling some not-so-little white lies to keep him interested.


Diego's world evolves around music, women throwing themselves at him, and having fun. His lifestyle hasn't allowed him to find the right girl to settle down with until now, but his own secret stands in the way of forming a lasting relationship with Veronica.


Is their love destined to last for only a New York minute?


Sensuality Level: Sensual


Book Links:


Testimonials:


"They have the connection, physical and emotion … However, they left out some things from each other and that's the real dilemma here. It's all good because it ends nicely!" — Bookaholic Fairies


Every time I was away from this book, I couldn't wait to get back to it. This is an amazing read...” Reader


“Melinda has done it again!!! I absolutely love the way that she makes us all swoon for her characters in her stories and not be able to put it down until we are done.” Reader


Excerpt:

Time to focus on the Cosmo article she read two days before about flirting. She sipped her citrus martini, and as she brought the glass down, she licked her lips and glanced at her target. He actually flinched, the hunger in his eyes darkening. Barely enough for anyone to notice, but she did. She ran her hand up and down her neck, closing her eyes for a minute. When she opened them to look his way again, he had already started to walk in her direction. No, he didn’t walk; he actually strutted like a man on a mission.


She was his mission. Shit. Shit. Shit. Play it cool, Veronica. You’re a strong, sensual woman. You can do this.


She sipped her yellow drink again to calm herself, and if she was lucky, he wouldn’t notice her shaking. Calm. Sensual. Like a boss.


He positioned himself in front of her, one hand in his pocket and the other holding a tumbler of brown liquid, and rocked on the heels of his dark Dolce & Gabbana brogues.


“Hello.” His voice reverberated down to her core.


She gulped her martini to gain more liquid courage, but rather than bravery, the unthinkable happened. She swallowed the cherry that swam in her drink and the tickle in her throat drove her into a coughing frenzy.


She tried to smile through it, to let him know all was fine and she could still be the sexy seductress. As his large, firm hand patted her back, she fanned the air and grabbed his tumbler, downing the thick liquid.


After a last cough, she cleared her throat one more time. “Whoa. What was that?”


“Whiskey. Neat.” He grinned, his gorgeous caramel eyes lit with an inner glow. “You okay?”


A warmth spread over her cheeks. Holy freaking embarrassment. “It was strong.”


“I could’ve warned you, I guess, but you were busy.” He grinned and squeezed her shoulder with his large hand.


Was that an accent? Damn, could he be more perfect? Immediately, she glanced at his hand that revealed several tattoos peeking out of his jacket hem, from his wrist all the way down to his fingers. No ring. Thank God.


“Can we forget that happened? I’m not usually like that.” She waved her hand in the air and winced inwardly.


God, she wanted to erase that doomed first impression. She was confident, dammit. She didn’t want this dreamy man to know she could be less than sophisticated. Her act was more difficult than she imagined.


“It’s a shame. I kind of liked the unusual first encounter. Not that I want you to choke, but I was ready to save you.” He braced his tattooed hand against the wall behind her, moving closer. His manly smell was soapy, with a hint of wood.


Save her he might. “Who are you?”


He squinted his glowing eyes and turned his head to the side. He didn’t say anything for a long time, just studied her and then rolled on the heels of his feet. “Who are you?”


His “r” rolled off his tongue with a Spanish accent of some kind.


“When someone answers a question with a question, it’s one of two things. Either the person doesn’t have anything interesting to say or he’s hiding something. Are you hiding something?”
He lowered his voice and ran a hand up her arm. “I think we all do. Why are you hiding in the corner?”


Damned if the man’s touch sent shivers all the way to her toes. “So someone like you would find me.”


“Like me? How am I?”


“A man with questions … and a devious grin.”


As suspected, his smile grew and his gaze sought hers. “Well, I came over to tell you how stunning you look, but being a woman of such deep insight, you might take that the wrong way, no?”

“I’ll take it any way you want.” Yep. The alcohol had definitely gotten to her.

Trailer:



Author Bio:

Melinda is a multi-published contemporary romance author with books from Crimson Romance, Swoon Romance and The Wild Rose Press represented by Dawn Dowdle of Blue Ridge Literary Agency. She lives in Guatemala, Central America with her husband/college sweetheart who brings "mucho amor" to her life. Melinda enjoys being the queen of her household and dreams of being pampered fully by her three boys once they are grown. Melinda's guilty pleasures include reality t.v., traveling, blogging and playing Farmville.

Author Links:

Sign up for Melinda’s newsletter: http://eepurl.com/vRwpL
Join Melinda’s Street Team, Melinda’s Misfits: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MelindasMisfits/

~~~**~~~**~~~**~~~**~~~**~~~


March 9
6:00 pm - 9:30 EST
Guest Authors, Giveaways, Laughs, Fun!


~**~**~**~**~**~**~

Follow along the Goddess Fish blog and enter my giveaway!

March 9: Underneath the Covers
March 10: Jbiggarblog
March 11: Bea's Book Nook
March 12: Yeah Books!
March 13: Kaisy Daisy's Corner - review
March 16: Dena Garson - Real... Hot... Romance
March 17: Books N Pearls - review
March 18: Marlow Kelly History and other Ponderings
March 18: Long and Short Reviews
March 19: We Love Kink
March 20: The Certifiable Wenches – review






Saturday, February 28, 2015

Unscripted Love by Heather Thurmeier #99cents



Blurb:

Hollywood and romance mix in this delightful trilogy that explores the passion that can develop from friendly rivals on reality television shows. It's a behind-the-scenes dream come true sure to capture fans of The Bachelor, Survivor, The Amazing Race, and American Idol.
  • Falling for You: Newly single Cassidy Quinn is thrilled to be a contestant on the new reality dating show, The One. But her excitement turns to horror when the gorgeous bachelor turns out to be her ex-boyfriend, Brad. Should she reunite with him or take a chance on hunky cameraman Evan?
  • Stuck on You: If being forced to team up with reality TV's favorite bad girl wasn't enough, falling for her partner's brother might just make this treasure-hunting reality show a real nightmare for Paige Anderson. But an alliance with Jack Miles might lead to more than just winning the prize . . .
  • Lost Without You: Reality TV diva Zoe Oliver is used to putting up a good front, but she isn't thrilled to rough it in the woods without indoor plumbing and electricity - and with producer Chip Carmack. When her secrets are revealed on camera, she worries she'll lose everything - including her chance at redemption and the affections of the only man she's ever trusted with her heart.

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Winter Dreams Bundle from @Crimson_Romance

It's a pleasure to host my Crimson sisters here today with the Winter Dreams bundle. Isn't it pretty?

WINTER DREAMS 
7 Heartfelt Holiday Romances
$0.84 on Amazon for a Limited Time (Prices at other e-retailers vary)

Bundle Blurb
Winter's crisp cold is the perfect backdrop for holiday lights, snowball fights, and starry nights by the fire, curled up with hunky heroes. Let these seven couples show you how to find the warmth of red-hot romance.
·         Christmas Dinner: Amanda dreads returning home single for Christmas, but the only available man is her rival for the TV anchor spot. Can the holiday spirit turn animosity into love?
·         The Winter Fairy: Recuperating ballerina Penelope Glazier can enchant the young girls in her class, but will her magic work on Carson Langley, the sexy but straight-laced single father of her most talented student?
·         Holiday Hoopla: Halle is about to lose her gift shop, until banker Blake walks into her life, dangling an offer that could save it all, or cost her everything.
·         Wynter's Journey: Twelve years after tragedy tore Wynter and Sam apart, can another predicament bring them back together?
·         The Winter Promise: War throws Lady Emma and Lord Robert together, where they must decide if they can listen to their hearts - or if they would be wiser never to trust each other.
·         Winter Storms: Daniel's sailing accident cost Carly her shot at Olympic dreams, while his own athletic success was unhindered. Now he's returned and they're stuck in the Cornish village where storms lash them from outside - and within.
·         Old Christmas: Casey needs help from the magic that walks on Old Christmas Eve to find her way back home, and to the love she left behind.
Sensuality Level: Sensual

Purchase Links






Excerpts

Christmas Dinner by Robyn Neeley

“Arrive at destination on left.” The familiar voice of Tate’s GPS echoed throughout his
Jeep, interrupting the soft sounds of Christmas music.

This couldn’t be right. Could it? He pulled onto the side of the road. His navigation
system had taken him down a dark and twisty path for the last fifteen minutes. There
were few homes on either side. He shook Amanda’s shoulder gently. His eyes focused on
the spectacle in front of him.

“What time is it?” She yawned and sat up. “Are we here already?”

“That’s what I would like to know. Amanda, is this your parents’ house?” He leaned over his steering wheel and peered out the window. In front of him, thousands of decorative red and green lights flickered on rows of Christmas trees at the bottom of a hill, showcasing what he could only describe as a cross between Santa’s Village and the middle of Times Square. A blanket of snow stretched at least a quarter of a mile up the hill. At the top was a beautiful two-story mountain log cabin. Glistening white Christmas lights outlined the house.

Amanda sighed. “Yep. We’re here.”

“This is amazing. Amanda, is your dad Santa Claus?” he asked, half joking.

“Not quite.”

“They could land 747 jets on your front yard. That tree in the middle has to be over
thirty feet tall.” He pointed to the west side of the lawn. “Is that a horse and sleigh over
there?”

“The horse is fake. I’d rather not talk about the sleigh.”

“Then we won’t.” He suspected she might have some unpleasant memories of it
involving the infamous ex. Perhaps it was the scene of the aborted proposal.

Amanda sighed. “Good. Did your parents decorate their lawn for the holidays?” She
reached behind her for her bags.

“No. Well, yeah, I guess. But this, well, this . . . wow . . . It’s just really something.”

About Robyn
Robyn Neeley is an East Coaster who loves to explore new places, watches way more reality TV than she cares to admit, can’t live without Recess Peanut Butter Cups and has never met a Christmas cookie she didn’t like. (Her favorite cookie made it into Holiday Wedding!) She writes romantic comedy, sometimes with a hint of magic, but always with a happy ending. Visit her at www.robynneeley.com.

Wynter’s Journey by Jennifer DeCuir

Okay, it was go time. What was the first thing they were supposed to do? Sam looked wildly around the room. He kept his voice calm, and hid the tremors that threatened to rattle his teeth loose. Wynter was counting on him.

He got her into bed and rushed to his desk in the corner. Jerking at the mouse to wake up the screen, Sam brought up the website he’d been studying just a few short hours ago. He thought he’d had more time.

Yeah, he’d been anticipating this. It was Vermont–in the dead of winter. Chances were pretty damned good that a snowstorm would make a routine hospital delivery less and less likely. And he’d been right to assume that Wynter wouldn’t take the contractions seriously until it was too late. She was too stubborn for her own good.

So they were doing this. Another scream from the bed had him yanking the power cord from the laptop and carrying it with him back to the other side of the room. The website hadn’t bothered to explain that hearing his best friend’s gut-wrenching cries of pain would push his own stress levels beyond human endurance.

“Amazing what you can learn from the internet.” That ridiculous statement earned him a glare. Yeah, probably best to keep the chatter to a minimum.

“Sam. Call 9-1-1,” she panted.

He was going to do that. It was next on his list. Really. He reached for the cell phone that he kept on the nightstand charger next to his bed. It wasn’t there. He stared frantically at the empty charger.
Wynter watched him closely, her eyes pleading with him.

“Sam, please!” She clutched at the sheets with a white-knuckled grip, her entire body going rigid. Crap.

“I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere.” Sam spun on his heel and raced for the stairs, taking them two at a time, falling on his butt and sliding down the last few. Not letting it stop his momentum, he ran to his office.

About Jennifer
Jennifer DeCuir grew up in a small town in Maine, which provides the basis for Scallop Shores, the fictional town in Drawn to Jonah. She's busy raising two kids and a husband. She loves including children and babies in her stories, as her own provide endless story ideas. Currently residing in rain-soaked Washington, she can usually be found working on her latest book in a local Starbucks. Visit Jennifer at http://www.jenniferdecuir.com/home.html.

Old Christmas by Kathryn Brocato

Casey blinked and shook her head. “Now I know what’s wrong here. This is a dream. All of you except Granny are dead. I knew there was something weird about this.”

Cynthia tilted one hip forward in imitation of a model’s stance. “You’re the one who believes in all Mom’s nonsense about Old Christmas. And they do say spirits walk on Old Christmas Eve.”
            
“I’m getting out of here.” Casey felt her hair attempting to lift off her scalp. “Come on, Granny.”
            
Alice chuckled. “No one here means you any harm, Casey. We all want the same thing–your happiness.”
            
Casey reached out tentatively to touch Alice. Alice’s skin was warm and solid, not cool and fragile as it had been in the hospital.

Casey swallowed and regarded her grandmother in shock.

Alice smiled. “Don’t try to hold me, Casey. I’m more than ready to go. It’s Old Christmas Eve, you know. I only came to apologize for teaching you to be ashamed of your mother’s actions. I simply didn’t realize how it would affect you.”

Casey squeezed her eyes shut, then opened them again, and forked her hair back to stare wildly around the barn. She couldn’t see two inches in front of her face.

She was alone. 

About Kathryn
Kathryn Brocato writes contemporary romance with a small-town touch. She is a scientist and business owner who lives in Southeast Texas with her husband, dogs, and chickens. Her first published romance was a Kismet Romance, Storm Warning. She also wrote The Cartwright Heritage, writing as Katy King for White Rose Press. Currently, she writes contemporary romance for the Crimson Romance line. Visit Kathryn at http://kathrynbrocato.com/.