Today is my stop on the Goddess Fish Book Tour for Christmas Comes to Dickens, a Christmas anthology. Specifically, I’m highlighting Caroline Clemmons’ Holiday Heart. There’s lots of fun goodies below, including a cookie recipe book, digital jigsaw puzzel, excert, and more!
Let’s get started.
Welcome to Dickens—a quaint New England town bustling with excitement and anticipation for the upcoming Christmas holiday. We have the annual tree lighting in the town square, a snowman building competition, ice skating on Grosvenor’s Pond, and horse-drawn sleigh rides. You’re welcome to cut down your own Christmas tree at Gridley Meadows, or join in the caroling on the Common.
Dickens offers an abundance of heartfelt wishes, a few much needed miracles, and—quite possibly—a touch of magic! Families reunite, new friends are made, and old flames take a second chance at happiness. All while celebrating this most joyful time of the year.
Join us as our best selling and award-winning authors fill your holiday stocking with ten brand new novellas ranging from sweet to sassy.
Digital Jigsaw Puzzle of Anthology Cover
But we’re here to talk also specifically about Holliday Hearts!
Blurb
Laura Jordan plans a quiet holiday at home except for the time she serves dinner at the homeless shelter on Christmas Day. She loves her job at Callahan Group advertising agency and doesn’t want anything to jeopardize her position there. She’s aware of how quickly office gossip could ruin her reputation and career.
Ward Callahan is a wunderkind who started earning money online trading when he was in high school. At thirty-two, he owns a successful ad agency and is gaining industry recognition. He hasn’t had time for a relationship. When Laura starts working for him, he can’t get her off his mind.
When vicious remarks cause Laura to threaten a halt to their budding relationship, Ward is determined to set things right.
Excerpt:
Ward took the vase of flowers and set it on the counter then turned her to face him. “Thank you for taking care of Mom. You’ve been exceptionally kind. And Helen, too. I appreciate all you’ve done.”
She stared at the V of his collarbone. “Doris is a nice woman.”
“She counts you as a good friend.”
“I hope so because I count her as one.”
His grip tightened and he stepped toward her. “Please, don’t think less of me because I wasn’t here when she needed me. If she’d told me she was injured I’d have come home immediately.”
They stood so close she had only to lean a few inches to kiss him. She forced herself to meet his gaze. “That’s why she didn’t tell you. You have a business to manage and people depending on you. She knows you can’t be here all the time. Hopefully this was once-in-a-lifetime.”
“You’ve splashed water on your jacket. I hope it won’t ruin the fabric.”
“It’ll be all right.” She removed the jacket, revealing that the dress left her back bare to the waist.
He pretended to stagger and put his hand on his heart. “You mean that dress has hidden under that jacket whenever I’ve seen you at work? I’ll never be able to look at that ensemble without picturing the secret it hides.”
She was able to smile. “I like versatile clothes.” She put the jacket over her arm.
“You’ve messed with my mind.” He shook his head as if trying to clear his mind. “I have a huge favor to ask of you. It’s important that Vince and Helen go a few places together. If you’ll go along with me, I’ll explain later. Will you trust me?”
“I do trust you, Ward. But if I’d known you and Eddie were the same person, I don’t think I would have come tonight.”
“Why? You’ve made Mom happy.”
“You’re my boss. It’s not appropriate.” She couldn’t be like Celia and plot a trap.
“There’s nothing wrong with having dinner with a group of friends, even if one of them is your boss. The only conniving here has to do with Vince. I promise I’ll explain his story later.”
“If you’re sure.”
He took her hand. “Shall we join the others?”
Author Bio
Through a crazy twist of fate, Caroline Clemmons was not born on a Texas ranch. To compensate for this illogical error, she writes about handsome cowboys, feisty ranch women, and scheming villains in a tiny office her family calls her pink cave. She and her Hero live in North Central Texas cowboy country where they ride herd on their rescued pets: a dog and two indoor cats.
The over sixty titles she has created in her pink cave have made her a bestselling author and won several awards. She writes sweet to sensual romances about the West, both historical and contemporary as well as time travel and mystery. When she’s not writing, she loves spending time with her family, reading her friends’ books, lunching with friends, browsing antique malls, checking Facebook, and taking the occasional nap.
Author Media Links:
