Holidays
Category
'Christmas at Mistletoe Lodge' Release Day!
It’s release day for Christmas at Mistletoe Lodge, which includes a holiday novella featuring characters from my Impossible Mission series. Get your 99¢ box set today and read Mission: Impossible to Wed along with 9 other holiday romances. A portion of royalties will benefit St. Judes Hospital.
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10 NEW HOLIDAY ROMANCES From NY Times, USA Today, & Award-Winning Romance Authors, To Warm Your Heart And Curl Your Toes!
Each Sweet and/or Steamy Story takes place at a unique magical Mistletoe Lodge. Curl up in your favorite chair and treat yourself to a Christmassy-Happily-Ever-After full of jingle bells, mistletoe and JOY, celebrating the spirit of the season.
Jacki Delecki – Mission: Impossible to Wed — A wedding designer and a Special Ops soldier are thrown together for a country wedding that has them both thinking they’ll never get married.
Sabrina York – Cooped Up For Christmas — It was supposed to be an easy gig—working as a concierge at a luxury lodge for the super rich over Christmas—but then he had to show up. The boy who broke my heart all those years ago. But former Navy SEAL Cameron Cooper isn’t exactly a boy anymore.Tamara Ferguson – A Kiss Under A Blue Christmas Moon — Blue Moon’s band leader, Noah’s been crazy about Mia since the moment they met at a magical beach concert, but Mia’s father sabotages their romance before Noah goes to war. Six years after escaping her controlling father, Mia’s returned to Crystal Rock to find Lieutenant Noah Erikson’s never stopped loving her.
Jen Talty – Alaskan Christmas – Flynn Wagner sets off to the frozen tundra and the Mistletoe Lodge, prepared for endless stories about her mother. However, nothing can prepare her for coming face to face with the one man she couldn’t get out from under her skin. At the lodge, Colton Granger never expected to find the woman who had changed his life forever in high-heeled boots, a winter coat that wouldn’t keep a person warm, and a killer smile that would soon melt his heart.
Natalie Ann – Christmas Love – Former model, Noelle Bennett has decided she wants to be behind the camera instead of in front of it. Just her and the woods around her little home, snapping pictures of the winter landscape and historic Inns. Then how did sexy veterinarian Dr. Chase Martin talk her into adopting a puppy and wondering if the peaceful life wasn’t what she wanted all along?
Pam Binder – Christmas Makeover — Mistaken as a wedding and events planner, the out-of-work dog walker, is hired to transform a rundown inn into a Medieval themed-wedding destination. But the owner’s handsome son, Owen, has other plans for the Inn.
Tammy L. Grace – Christmas in Snow Valley — Fifteen years ago, he broke her heart. She never moved on. Will a little Christmas magic bring them back together?
Joanne Jaytanie – Christmas Chemistry — It’s nothing but an old tavern. But to the Jamersons and Brocks, it’s a treasured history, a precious legacy. Can Gina Jamerson and Owen Brock meet in the middle or will their families ruin any chance of compromise?
Kim Hornsby – The Christmas Challenge–A hermit blogger attends a destination wedding as part of a Christmas challenge and meets someone who gets her heart racing again only to discover he has a game-changing secret—about her.
Lauren Gayle – A Southern Lights Christmas–When a rare winter storm covers their Christmas getaway with bone-chilling snow and ice, two strangers are challenged with the reality of winter in a southern town.
She’s the family peacemaker…
Fashion designer, Lauren Harrison, dreads nothing more than yet another wedding—particularly one she has “agreed” to design the dress for her half-sister during the Christmas season.
He’s her sister’s ex…
Gabe Griffin, the best man to his multimillionaire scientist brother Gavin, would rather return to the field as an elite Delta Force soldier than think about marriage—especially between his brother and some self-absorbed, status-seeking woman like Tiffany. But the task of delivering the dress and the designer has fallen into his hands.
Alongside Lauren’s bridezilla sister, the country wedding only gets worse when she is forced to interact with Gabe, her secret crush, as he transports the dress and her to the venue, due to the raging blizzard. Sparks fly, but will the close proximity change their minds about love? Or will Gabe’s mission to prevent his brother’s wedding with her help thwart Lauren’s high school fantasies?
Enjoy this contemporary romance of holiday fun, set against the backdrop of the remote Eastern Washington countryside!
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Brainstorming with my Editor
Reader response to my recent Regency romantic suspense release, A Code of Wonder, has been absolutely heartwarming. This story is part of the Snowed in with a Rogue multi-author Regency romance holiday anthology, which is now available.
“This is a great read with many twist and turns. Be sure and get your copy, something hot to drink and be ready not to move till finished.” – Nanna, Amazon
“It has a little suspense, a little humour, and an HEA.” – lq, Amazon
“…enjoy my favorite by Jacki Delecki where Eliza is fleeing her kidnappers. Nash comes to her rescue and plays the white Knight. This is is a fun and quick novella. It continues the Code Breakers it Jacki Delecki’s wonderful style and wit.” – Simatsu, Amazon
If you’d like a “behind the desk” peek at the writing process that led to the creation of this story, visit my editor Matrice Hussey’s blog and read Brainstorming with an author.
You can read A Code of Wonder and six other romantic stories for just $0.99.
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Airport Pickup ~ Excerpt from 'Mission: Impossible to Wed'
“Why can’t the half-sister bring the dress? She isn’t an adult?”
Gabe recognized the misdirection. Gabe flashed on a memory of Tiffany’s younger sister, tall, thin, with big green eyes and red hair and very quiet when around Tiffany. But then no one got to talk when Tiffany was holding court.
“It’s more of a courtesy kind of thing. I guess its bulky and she has a lot of luggage. My brother asked since we’re both on the same fight.”
“What are you going to do now that your flight is cancelled? Not drive. You’ll need four-wheel drive to get over the mountain passes. The roads will be treacherous.”
“Man, what have you done with my kick-ass buddy? This wedding stuff is making you soft. Driving in a heated SUV versus horseback over mountain passes without being shot at by the Taliban sounds like a slam dunk.
“But smartass, you’ve never been in charge of a wedding dress.” Aiden chuckled and then in low rumble, said, “Later.”
Gabe stuck his phone back into his jean’s pocket, and he walked toward the main terminal. He searched for a kiosk since he was unfamiliar with Seattle’s airport. He needed a rental car, a haircut, and a shave in that order. And since he had at least two hours, he had time for mission prep. And plenty of time to think of a way to sabotage his brother’s wedding.
Mission: Impossible to Wed coming 10.22.19 as part of the 10-author holiday anthology Christmas at Mistletoe Lodge. You can preorder a copy for just 99¢.
Preorder for just 99¢
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You can download the Christmas at Mistletoe Lodge Cookbook for FREE!
Why writing 'Mission: Impossible to Wed' was a challenge
Mission: Impossible to Wed is my contribution to the 99¢ multi-author box set, Christmas at Mistletoe Lodge (releasing 10.22.19). When I set out to write this holiday novella, I never anticipated the challenge I had created for myself.
I’ve been writing for a while. I released An Inner Fire, my first contemporary romantic suspense, in 2014. Since then, I’ve released 7 other contemporary military romantic suspense titles.
My newest story in the Impossible Mission series, Mission: Impossible to Wed, is a little different. It’s about a wedding designer and a Special Ops soldier who are thrown together for a country wedding that has them both thinking they’ll never get married. It’s pure romance–no suspense or intrigue or action-adventure.
Writing a contemporary romance without any elements of suspense was much harder than I anticipated. I had to think and plan and create outside my comfort zone. I had to construct the story using different plot devices. I had to come up with other obstacles to keep Gabe and Lauren from their HEA.
The process of writing this book was uncomfortable and laborious. It reminded me what writing romantic suspense fiction felt like when I was just starting out as a writer. I struggled for each word, writing and rewriting. Doing something for the first time makes you very aware of the process and the work. But it also makes you proud that you put in the extra effort.
My editor told me she’s very pleased with the story. I hope you’ll download a copy of this new box set to read Mission: Impossible to Wed and let me know what you think!
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And here’s wishing you good luck with the next new project you tackle!
Snowed in with a Rogue Release Day!
It’s release day for Snowed in with a Rogue, the multi-author Regency romance holiday anthology which includes an all-new Code Breakers holiday novella. Read Chapter One from A CODE OF WONDER and then download the box set.
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Chapter One
December,1803
Rural England
Nicholas Balthasar Trentham, Earl of Wessex, sprawled in the rickety chair, propped his feet on the table, and took another swig of ale, the best the Dragon and Cock had to offer. Peering through the soiled window, he watched the clouds blowing across the sky. A winter storm was brewing. If he didn’t leave immediately, he’d be forced to spend the night. He had stayed in worse places, but, at those times, he had always been deep in his cups.
Anger and resentment swirled in his gut like the beginning snow flurries outside. The ale wasn’t dimming the memories. It had been over a year since his father, the old earl died, and he still hadn’t gone home, if you could call Wemberly Abbey a home. It hadn’t been home since his mother had died in childbirth, trying to bear a spare heir for his father.
He had impulsively decided to return to his estate after becoming thoroughly bored with the holiday parties. Bored with his last mistress, bored with his drunken friends, bored with society; he didn’t need to affect ennui to be fashionable. None of his usual pursuits piqued his interest.
What half-witted reason drove him to want to be at the estate for the holidays? Refusing any form of introspection, he sat upright, yearning for action. If any of his disreputable friends got wind that the rogue Nash longed for the holiday spirit of his childhood he’d be ridiculed out of his clubs.
Disgusted by his self-pitying thoughts, he resolved to return to town. He’d spend the holidays staggering from party to party. It was better than being alone during the holidays with no siblings, no family but distant cousins. Lady Stafford had been hinting for months, and perhaps he’d succumb to her advances since it had been a month since he ended his affair with Genevieve.
As he scanned the darkening sky, motion from a window at the adjacent inn caught his attention.
Someone was trying to escape without paying his bill.
An arse molded into tight riding breeches backed out of the open window. His rake’s eyes rapidly recognized the shape, firmness, and the perfect size for a man’s hands. If his tastes were anything to be trusted, this was not a man’s arse.
He watched her slow, slithering descent down the building, her blond curls swirling around her shoulders. His blood stirred, and his mind raced with possibilities.
This trip had just got interesting. Why was this sweet thing in breeches attempting an escape? He stood and reached for his box coat.
Despite his debauched ways, he remained a gentleman. And the little vixen needed further exploration. He needed to uncover the reasons for the lady’s hasty departure…not a lady by her costume, though. Ladies were so boring, whereas…
Swinging his coat over his shoulders, he watched her as she cautiously lowered her feet to the ground. His blood heated with the arousing sway of her hips. The vision of him peeling her out of the breeches and anything she might be wearing underneath, had him hardening.
Loud shouts shocked him out of his carnal daydream as two men rushed from the back of the inn. Like a trapped animal, she froze with her hands on the first-floor windowsill. A burly bearded man grabbed her, jerking her from the sill before backhanding her. His short wiry companion smiled as she staggered from the force of his impact.
Nash dropped his coat and ran to intervene. His need to bloody the brute who touched her beat through him in a deadly rhythm. They were dragging her by her arms toward the stable as he rounded the corner. Her head hung between her slumped shoulders. Every muscle tightened into killing mode. They would pay a painful price for hurting her.
“Stop!” His voice echoed in the narrow alley between the two buildings.
The men turned toward him, dropping their victim. She pushed herself upright, giving him a view of her pale, heart-shaped face bruised by the violence. Corkscrew curls hung over one eye. She and the men stared at him, creating a strange tableau in the whirling flurries. And his protective instinct roared in defense of this beautiful, fragile creature.
Her attacker spat French out of the side of his mouth as he slowly moved forward. The skinny one reached into his boot for his dagger. A little knife play with two against one. Now the fun would begin. Too bad none of his cronies were here to bet on who would be the victor. Watching the men spread out to attack from both sides, Nash rolled onto his toes and waited. This was child’s play. His fighting skills were well-honed from boxing at Oxford to brawling in the alleys of the East End.
Pea-brain sans front teeth waited, knife in hand, while his heavy-breathing partner stepped within striking distance, his ham-sized fists clenching and unclenching as he swore in French. Nash smiled to hear himself called an English “putain.” He had been called a lot worse than an “English whore.”
Nash’s wide grin stopped the man momentarily. In the thug’s brief hesitation, Nash punched him in the face, shattering his broad nose. The man raised his hands to stop the spurting blood, giving Nash the perfect opening. Nash delivered the full strength of his fourteen stone behind his fist to the soft gut. With the idiot bent over, Nash raised his knee to finish him off. Screaming, the bastard dropped to the ground, grabbing his balls as he fell into a curled heap.
The partner lurched forward, his blade raised high to reach Nash. In one quick swirl, Nash twisted to confront him, but not quick enough to stop the fast slash across his arm. The sight of blood and a long tear in his linen shirt infuriated Nash. He charged the smaller man, wrenched his arm and twisted it with all his force to hear the brittle sound of the break.
Nash raised an eyebrow and asked in French, “Do you wish to end up like your friend?”
Cradling his broken forearm, the man shook his head.
Nash, maintaining his focus on the man, bent and picked up the knife.
Blood lust roared through him. He knew the perfect solution for this manly ailment, and it involved a sweet derriere and blond curls. He scanned the alley for the damsel in distress.
He strode toward the stable, ignoring the pain in his arm, and envisioned her ministering to all his pressing needs.
The sound of beating hooves echoed in the narrow lane behind the inn.
Skirting around the corner, Nash froze.
The woman was on his mount, racing toward the road. The bloody woman had stolen his horse.
Too impatient to wait for the stablemaster, Nash jumped on an unsaddled gray-speckled gelding and gave chase. No one was able to handle the skittish Ace of Spades except for him. She wouldn’t make it out of the village without Ace shaking her off. And he’d be there to rescue her. Again.
She was racing east on the road out of the town, bent over Ace’s neck, with no saddle or bridle, clinging to his mane. He wasn’t sure what was more shocking—that she had remained on the stallion as long as she had, or that Ace was tolerating her on his back.
What trouble had this tiny woman gotten herself into that forced her to steal his horse with no cloak or jacket, in the middle of an approaching storm? There was nothing ahead for miles except his estate and the small village of Wemberly. His friends would never let him forget that he had to chase a woman, weighing less than seven stone, to retrieve his horse.
The absurdity that she had the nerve to steal the Earl of Wessex’s stallion would be entertaining if not for her desperation.
Nash spurred his mount needing answers to the riddle of the woman who rode furiously ahead of him. He couldn’t close the distance. The gelding was no match for Ace’s strength and power and endurance. It was time to end this farce. And get answers he demanded.
Ace would halt with Nash’s whistle.
Get Snowed in with a Rogue to keep reading!
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