Monday, December 16, 2024

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? December 16, 2024 #IMWAYR

       

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's an opportunity to visit other blogs and to comment on their reads. And ... you can add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date. And here we are! 

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Thanks for stopping by. I hope you all have a good week. 
Happy reading!

What I'm currently reading

S is for Silence
by Sue Grafton
print from my collection for a challenge and then I'm done!
Published January 2005

So This Is Christmas
by Kay Bratt
e-book from author for review
Pub date ~ December 25

The Time Traveler's Wife
by Audrey Niffenegger
audio-book from my collection ~ one of my all time favorites 
Published January 2003

What I recently finished

Hope Never Dies
by Andrew Shaffer
print from my TBR shelf for a challenge
Published July 2018

Back in the Pack: A Heartwarming Story of the Dogs Who Rescue Us
by Barbara Hinske
e-book for review
Pub date ~ January 1

Hearts Unleashed: Heartwarming Stories of the Dogs Who Rescue Us!
by Tammy L. Grace
e-book for review
Pub date ~ January 1

What I am going to read next

Loyal & True : A Heartwarming Story of the Dogs Who Rescue Us
by Ev Bishop
e-book for review
Pub date ~ January 1

I really love my reading life!

What are you reading this week?

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Be sure to check the sidebar for all of my current giveaways! 

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Book Blitz! It’s Mother-Pucking Christmas! by Alina Jacobs ~ Excerpt and #Giveaway! #MotherPuckingChristmas @AlinaJWrites @XpressoTours

 


It’s Mother-Pucking Christmas! by Alina Jacobs
Publication date: November 21st 2024
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Holiday, Romance

When your grandmother stalks the star hockey player on the rival team because “You need a husband, Dakota—you’re not getting any younger!” it’s Christmas crazy on ice.

It is not, however, the start of our great love story.
I don’t date guys on that team.
He doesn’t do casual, drunken hookups, which is all the captain of the Icebreakers is getting from moi.

I give him the finger and tell him I hope he loses his teeth out there.
He smirks and wins the game because both this Christmas season and this hockey season are a fucking scam.

Then my younger, much dumber brother informs me that he owes his bookie a bunch of money and really needs the Icebreakers to lose their next game, and could I pretty please be an amazing big sis and date their captain then break his heart so he’ll suck and lose the game—otherwise little bro will get killed, or worse, our mom will find out.

As much as I eye roll my overly large, overly loud family, I’d do anything for them.
Including date the captain of the Icebreakers.

Barf.
Ryder is a Boy Scout. He doesn’t swear. He uses words like ma’am and sir. On our date, he opens my door, pulls out my chair, and helps me with my coat. He even volunteers at the local animal shelter and loves handmade sweaters.
No, it is not cute! Three warm, gooey cinnamon rolls dressed up as a six-five, hot AF hockey player are not my type.
At all.
Nope.

Santa better bring me something nice this Christmas for all my pain and suffering!

In bed though?
Let’s just say sleeping with the captain of the Icebreakers… is not going to be a problem.

Goodreads | Amazon

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EXCERPT

“You’re stalking my client,” Hudson yelled at the old woman, who was completely unfazed by his anger.

My teammates’ eyes bugged out like the pugs’, then they all collapsed, howling with laughter, at my feet. Even Coach snickered into his gloves.

“You’re the Crusher?” My mouth dropped open. “You’re the one who’s been stalking me for the last five months?”

“Stalker? Pshaw!” Granny Murray was offended. “I’m not stalking anyone.”

“You’re going to be arrested.” Hudson bore down on the woman.

“Don’t arrest my grandmother,” Dakota snapped at him.

“She’s stalking him.” Hudson made a knife hand in my direction. “Do you know how much goddamn money this woman has cost me?”

“I’m not stalking. I’m leaving him presents and nice notes,” Granny Murray shouted.

Hudson slapped a hand to his forehead. “Notes? They’re fucking pornographic.”

“Now see here.” Granny Murray wagged her finger at the tall man. “I’m just trying to rile him up for Dakota.”

“You frightened him, Gran,” Gracie scolded.

“Oh my god.” Erik gasped at my feet, holding his side. “College Boy is afraid of a little old lady.”

I sputtered, “Shut your mouth, Canada.”

“Are you going to ‘oh heck’ him?” Pete snickered.

“Sonny, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. You seem like a nice boy.” The old woman patted me on the arm.

Hudson slapped her hand away.

“As an apology present”—she grabbed Dakota and pushed her toward me—“I will let you have sex with my granddaughter. She puts out, and her boobs are real.” She squeezed Dakota’s chest.

“Oh, uh…” I rocked back on my skates. “That’s very kind of you, ma’am, but no. No thank you.”

Dakota had the nerve to look offended.

My teammates’ mouths dropped open, then they laid into me.

“Who the hell are you?”

“Fucking Boy Scout.”

“Come on, Ryder!”

“Jesus Christ, College Boy.”

“Dude!”

“Shame! Shame to the family. Shame to the team…” Rick slapped his glove.

“I’m not having relations with her,” I stammered. “I don’t even know her.”

Dakota raised an eyebrow.

Pete muscled up to Dakota. “I’ll take the apology present, beautiful. I have a very nice hotel suite—hot tub, big bed. Expense account.”

“No! No expense accounts,” Coach barked.

Erik shoved Pete aside. “How about a two-for-one deal?”

Dakota looked interested. The pretty brunette put her finger to her lips like she was seriously thinking about it.

I sucker punched Erik.

“Hey!” Coach slapped the back of my head.

I didn’t even feel it.

“You’re not sleeping with her. Certainly not both of you, ingrates,” I snarled.

“Ooh, College Boy is mad!” Rick giggled.

“All of you, shut the fuck up!” Coach yelled. “Shaddap!”

I sniffed.

“Ryder, you’re kind of a prude.” Coach turned on me. “Dial it back. You’re almost thirty, for Chrissake, and for someone who says he wants a family, you’re about as effective as a panda in that department.”

Mike applauded.

“But they’re trying to… you know… with a fan. That’s against the rules,” I argued.

Coach sighed loudly.

“Oh.” Dakota piped up. “I am definitely not a fan. In fact, I hate your team. Arctic Avengers all the way. I’d never date the captain of the motherfucking Icebreakers. I will, however, sleep with you all.” She blew me and my teammates a kiss.

“Fuck that!” My friends refused. “We’re not traitors.”

“Dammit, Dakota!” Granny Murray scolded, “All that work down the toilet.”

“Definitely snatching defeat out of the jaws of victory,” Gracie said.

Dakota scowled.

“Well, that is how the Arctic Avengers do it.” I sneered at her.

Dakota gave me the finger. “I hope you lose all your teeth out there.”

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About the author

If you like steamy romantic comedies with a creative streak, then I'm your girl!

Architect by day, writer by night, I love matcha green tea, chocolate, and books! So many books…

Sign up for my mailing list to get the free novella, AFTER HIS PEONIES, along with special bonus content, giveaways, and more!

http://alinajacobs.com/mailinglist.html

Connect with Alina

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Instagram

X | Newsletter | Bookbub

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Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Release Day! The Good Bride by Jen Marie Wiggins ~ My Thoughts #TheGoodBride @JenMarieWiggin1 @crookedlanebks

Happy Release Day!


Congratulations Jen
on the release today of
The Good Bride!

The Good Bride by Jen Marie Wiggins
Mystery Thriller, 288 pages
Published December 10, 2024 by Crooked Lane Books

The Wedding of the Year turns disastrous in this twisty family drama full of lies and betrayals, perfect for fans of Laura Dave, Lucy Foley, and Ruth Ware.

One year after a devastating hurricane, bride-to-be Ruth Bancroft is marrying her perfect groom in a quaint fishing village on the Gulf Coast. The weekend is carefully curated, with the displays of pomp and social media magic meant to promote an area still struggling to rebuild as well as bring Ruth’s estranged family back together.

Yet as good intentions often go, this road to wed is hell and paved in complications. With tensions rising between the family and the bridal party, long-buried secrets come to light, and accusations start flying. Things officially spiral out of control when the oceanfront rehearsal dinner is rocked by a series of gunshots, and a high-profile guest goes missing. As the investigation gets underway, it turns out that everyone has something to hide.

Big Little Lies meets The Guest List in this gripping page turner that asks the big questions about messy family liaisons, modern media, and the lies we tell the world.


My thoughts about The Good Bride ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first lines.)

First lines—"The world goes red when he appears. A lone silhouette at the foot of the mangled pier. Around him, the bay of Blue Compass churns."

The Good Bride had great potential to be an exciting thriller—a great cast of characters, a beautiful upcoming wedding at a fabulous location, family dynamics like you wouldn't believe, and twists that came at me when I wasn't expecting them. But I found myself not really connecting with any of the characters, they all seemed superficial and unreal to me. Maybe it was just me not being in the right frame of mind for this story at this time. That happens sometimes. I also found the storyline disjointed and confusing, jumping around a lot, maybe needing a little more depth to the scenes to get me fully invested in the story. 

This is the first thriller written by this author and I am looking forward to reading future books by her. I am confident that her next book will be great and I'm willing to give it a chance for a good read. 

I received an ARC of The Good Bride and this is my honest opinion of the book.

About the author

Jen Marie Wiggins's first book, the gifty nonfiction title Married AF: A Funny Guide for the Newlywed or Bride, was published with Sourcebooks in 2022. She has a background in advertising and public relations, and her writing has appeared in Southern Coastal Weddings, Savannah Magazine, Savannah Homes, and elsewhere. The Good Bridedraws much of its inspiration from the devastation and rebuilding struggles of Mexico Beach, Florida, a place near and dear to Jen's heart.

Connect with Jen
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Be sure to check the sidebar for all of my current giveaways!

Monday, December 9, 2024

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? December 9, 2024 #IMWAYR

      

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's an opportunity to visit other blogs and to comment on their reads. And ... you can add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date. And here we are! 

**************************************

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you all have a good week. 
Happy reading!

What I'm currently reading

Hope Never Dies
by Andrew Shaffer
print from my TBR shelf for a challenge
Published July 2018

Hearts Unleashed: Heartwarming Stories of the Dogs Who Rescue Us!
by Tammy L. Grace
Various authors
e-book for review
Pub date ~ January 1

The Time Traveler's Wife
by Audrey Niffenegger
audio-book from my collection ~ one of my all time favorites 
Published January 2003

What I recently finished

The Good Bride
by Jen Marie Wiggins
print ARC for review
Pub date ~ December 10

Collar Me Crazy: Heartwarming Stories of the Dogs Who Rescue Us!
by Kay Bratt
Various authors
e-book for review
Pub date ~ January 1

What I am going to read next

S is for Silence
by Sue Grafton
print from my collection for a challenge and then I'm done!
Published January 2005

I really love my reading life!

What are you reading this week?

*************************

Be sure to check the sidebar for all of my current giveaways! 

Friday, December 6, 2024

Book Blitz! New Beginnings in Twinkle Falls by Freda Ann ~ Excerpt and #Giveaway! #NewBeginningsInTwinkleFalls @FredaAnn1663599 @XpressoTours

   

New Beginnings in Twinkle Falls by Freda Ann
(A Twinkle Falls Novel #5)
Publication date: December 12th 2024
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Holiday, Romance

A sweet, inspirational, small town romance with holiday cheer and a happy ending.

Kylee Croft is a single mom to the sweetest little girl anyone could ask for. Growing up in Paris, the most romantic city in the world, to Kylee it felt like a rite of passage to one day marry the man of her dreams.

Now living in Twinkle Falls, she appreciates the ease of small town life and how people look out for one another, though getting to know the sister and father she never knew existed is the icing on the cake.

Trace Holburg was one happy man after marrying his first love seven years ago. Soon after, his family felt complete with the birth of their twins. But he received a rude awakening when his soon to be ex-wife left him and the boys for a life of alcoholism. After the divorce and getting sole custody of his boys, he swore he’d never marry again.

Kylee has been dating Trace for over a year but worries the man she’s fallen madly in love with is pulling away from her. To complicate things even more her daughter’s biological father shows up in Twinkle Falls.

Can this couple make peace with their past and find a future together, or does their fate lie elsewhere?

Goodreads | Amazon

Barnes & Noble | iBooks

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EXCERPT

“Man, I suck at this,” I blurt out, while on a jog around the perimeter of the Fall Fair with Jesse. We started hanging out years ago after our sisters became BFFs.

“O-kayyy…” He elongates the word, briefly cutting his eyes in my direction. “Do you care to elaborate?”

“Ugh, at romancing a woman. It’s like I forgot how to do it, since I haven’t dated for years. Before Kylee, Roxanne was the only woman I’d ever loved. Actually, now that I think about it, I’m sure Roxanne put the moves on me first. Which means, I have no game. Dang, I’m doomed.”

“I assume you’re talking about romancing Kylee? Tell me what happened before I give my opinion on the situation.

Shaking my head as we run past a seven-foot scarecrow and two smaller ones along the jogging trail, I try explaining. “It’s bad; really bad,” I huff. “One minute, we were sipping wine and cuddling on the sofa after an amazing French meal she made, and the next, something completely different than what I had planned to say came pouring out of my mouth.”

“Oh, gosh, what’d you say?”

“I said something like… if it’s not clear that I want us to have a future together and to, uh, share a house so we can do more stuff like this—”

“Stop!” We quit running as Jesse steps to the side of the trail. “You’re right, you do suck at this.” He chuckles. “That’s the worst thing I’ve ever heard a guy say to the woman he loves. What was her response?”

“It wasn’t great. She didn’t say anything at first, so I added, unless it’s not something you want. Finally, she grabbed my hand and said she’d love for us to live in the same house, but then she looked confused after she said it.”

“Man, I can definitely see why. You need to watch some romance movies or something because you’re right, you have zero game with the woman you want to spend the rest of your life with.”

“Geez, thanks for the vote of confidence, buddy,” I quip. As we resume running, I’m suddenly feeling worse than I did before.”


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About the author

Freda Ann is fondly known for her sweet/clean, HEA RomComs. Her loyal fans and reviewers have compared several of her books to Hallmark movies. Many have hit #1 in multiple categories after release.

She writes relatable, faith and family based love stories which include kids and adorable dogs. Her writing style appeals to people of all ages. Her books will take you on an emotional journey with likable characters, and dreamy settings you'll wish you could visit.

After retiring from a career in the law enforcement field, Freda feels blessed to be able to write and self-publish her stories for everyone to read. She adores her large family, 5 children and 9 grandchildren, and hosts monthly family gatherings.

To hear about new releases, please follow her on Amazon and also on Goodreads.

Connect with Freda

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Instagram | X


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Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Book Blitz! Wedding Bells in Silverwood by Dorothy Dreyer ~ Excerpt and #Giveaway! #WeddingBellsInSilverwood @DorothyDreyer @XpressoTours

 

Wedding Bells in Silverwood by Dorothy Dreyer
(Silverwood Series #2)
Publication date: November 26th 2024
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Holiday, Romance

Silverwood’s most anticipated event of the year is upon us—Holly St. Ives and Nick Mason’s New Year’s Eve wedding. But as one disaster after another strikes in the weeks leading up to their big day, Holly begins to suspect that something is amiss.

Enter Viola Carver, a former culinary prodigy who put her career on hold to care for her disabled mother. Given a last-minute opportunity to cater the event of the season, Viola is determined to prove herself. But she fears she may blow her big chance after several rocky encounters with the dashing venue owner.

With a saboteur on the loose who’s intent on ruining Nick and Holly’s wedding, it might take Nick’s team of Alaskan Malamutes and a New Year’s miracle to save the day.

Goodreads | Purchase


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EXCERPT

Did I really agree to this?

Holly St. Ives shielded her eyes from the August sun and glared at the uphill dirt trail in front of her, half tempted to fake a sudden illness so she could go home and hide under the covers. She’d prefer her nice, warm, cozy bed to a thin sleeping bag on a cold, bumpy tent floor anyway.

Nick Mason, her devoted boyfriend for eight months and counting, closed the SUV’s trunk and roped his arms through the straps of the oversized backpack. “You ready for this?”

Nick’s Alaskan Malamute, Cupid, wagged his tail eagerly, waiting for the green light to charge up the hill.

Holly eyed the steep climb and raised her brow. “Would you be upset if I changed my mind?”

Nick handed Holly her rucksack, which was considerably smaller than his. “I thought you said seeing the Northern Lights is at the top of your bucket list.”

Holly squirmed as she slung the pack over her thin jacket. “I could just watch them online.” She yanked her chestnut brown waves out from the purple, pashmina scarf encompassing her neck, hoping Nick might agree with her.

Nick smirked, rubbing a hand over the scruff on his chiseled jawline. “That’s not the same thing.”

“I know.” Holly shifted, kicking a rock with her hiking boots. “But when you invited me on this trip, I didn’t realize how much we’d be … roughing it.”

Nick placed his hands on her hips and tugged her close. “Look, once we get up there and have everything set up, you’ll love it. I booked a premium spot, one the park assured me was a perfect place to experience the aurora borealis. And if that’s not enough to tempt you, I’ve brought hot chocolate and marshmallows.”

Holly swayed, adjusting the weight she carried. “Like mini marshmallows that go in the hot chocolate or big ones for roasting over a fire?”

“Both.”

Holly squinted at him with a half-smile. “Fine. But only because I’m a sucker for cocoa.” And the company’s not so bad either.

Cupid barked, reminding them he was still waiting for permission to start their adventure. The black and white bundle of fur sniffed at the air and paced around Nick.

“Yeah, go on, boy.” Nick grasped the tent bag handles as Cupid took off and then gave Holly a quick peck before pulling a cap over his short-cropped, dark hair.

With a sigh of defeat, Holly gathered her waves into a quick, messy bun. You can do this. It’ll be worth it. Just think of those magical lights.



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About the author

Dorothy Dreyer is a Philippine-born American living in Germany with her family. She is an award-winning, USA Today Bestselling Author of fantasy, romance, and horror books that usually have some element of magic or the supernatural in them. Aside from reading, she enjoys movies, binge-watching series, chocolate, take-out, traveling, and having fun with friends and family. She tends to sing sometimes, too, so keep her away from your Karaoke bars.

Connect with Dorothy

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Instagram | X


a Rafflecopter giveaway


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Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Release Day! Out of Place: Coming of Age in Cold War West Germany by Mary E. McKnight @MaryEMcKnight @shewritespress

Happy Release Day!


Congratulations Mary
on the release today of
Out of Place!

Out of Place: Coming of Age in Cold War West Germany by Mary E. McKnight
Military Families, 384 pages
Published December 3, 2024 by She Writes Press

For fans of coming-of-age narratives and feminist journeys, an empowering tale of one teen’s quest to establish her own voice as an Army Brat living in Cold War–era West Germany.

Relocated with her family to Cold War–era West Germany, Army Brat and middle sister of three Mary grapples with the torment exacted by her older sister, the high moral expectations of her military father, and societal pressure to conform to traditional gender roles during the rise of the feminism movement. Through the transformative power of place, travel, and the people she encounters, Mary embarks on a journey of self-discovery, learning about social justice and finding her voice in a world still shaped by male dominance.

Rich with historical context, Out of Place is a poignant and compelling exploration of identity, personal growth, and the enduring strength that comes from embracing one’s purpose.


My thoughts about Out of Place ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first lines.)

First lines—"Prologue: Can and will people ever be able to see Germany as "a good guy? I can only answer for myself. I do."

This coming-of-age story gives the reader an idea of what life was like in the 70s in post-war Germany. Mary, the middle daughter of three girls, their military-trained father, and their 'military wife' mother lived in Germany for the three years of their father's assignment. I was growing up at about the same time that this story took place so it was very interesting for me to see the joys and struggles that another girl was going through, even though our circumstances were completely different. 

Life as a young teen is not easy but then to be living in a whole other country would compound the struggles. Mary and her sisters made the best of it and were able to learn so much, about themselves and others, during their time there. The family dynamics were very interesting—the challenging relationship between Mary and her older sister, the rigid husband and the wife, who bends to her husband's wishes. And then, of course, there is the crush on the older neighbor boy. Who hasn't experienced that?

I loved when the family traveled and I was able to go along with them and experience it right along with them. The author does a wonderful job describing their outings, and frankly, I was a little jealous that they were able to go to the places that they did and see the things that they did. 

Out of Place is a lovely memoir that reads like an entertaining fiction work, while also sharing so much of what postwar Germany was like from the eyes of a teenage girl. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the different spin on a historical story was refreshing. 

I received an ARC of Out of Place and this is my honest opinion of the book.

About the author


Mary E. McKnight is an avid observer of people, a teacher of young children, a co-owner of an herb garden (Split Stone Farm LLC), a painter, and a lover of cats. She lives for kindness, creativity, and her amazing daughter. Her writing is the creative expression that feeds her soul, and she enjoys writing in a variety of genres. If she wasn’t her, she would probably be the Lorax. She lives in Ellicott City, Maryland, with her partner and their tortie, Abbey Rhodes.

Connect with Mary

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Monday, December 2, 2024

Book Blitz! Elf Against the Wall by Alina Jacobs ~ Excerpt and #Giveaway! #ElfAgainstTheWall @AlinaJWrites @XpressoTours

 

Elf Against the Wall by Alina Jacobs
(The Wynter Brothers, #2)
Publication date: November 12th 2024
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Holiday, Romance

When you kiss your perfect boyfriend under the mistletoe…only for your cousin to scream to the family that you stole her man, Christmas is OVER.

In my defense, I didn’t know my boss—yup, boss. Buckle up because this is messy—was my cousin’s newly minted and totally lying fiancé. I thought he was the Nutcracker Prince come to finally show my family that I, too, was worthy of putting the star atop the Christmas tree.

I was so wrong.
Now my entire family thinks I’m a ho ho ho.
I’m at the top of the naughty list, not in a fun Elf on the Shelf way, but rather in a snide-comments-at-brunch and sitting-at-the-kids’-table kinda way.

I have to clear my name, or Christmas is ruined. Again.
What better way than to blackmail my family’s number one sworn enemy?
Anderson Wynter is this desperate elf’s last hope. Six-foot-five, ethically challenged, with washboard abs and a death wish, Anderson is the perfect weapon to expose my ex and help me get back in my family’s good graces.
That is, until the weapon massively backfires… and no, not like that.

Anderson goes full Nightmare Before Christmas and shows up at my family’s annual holiday party in nothing but tattoos and a motorcycle helmet and tells everyone we’re dating.
Yep, that kicks me off the naughty list and sends me straight to the Grinch’s garbage dump.

Now I’m chained to a motorcycle-riding bad elf with terrible morals and an even worse attitude—one who sticks his hand down my shirt in the middle of my parents’ posh country club and tells me to ride him like I do his bike.
When I slap him, he just smirks and asks if I fluff my marshmallows while fantasizing about betraying my family with him.
As if.

No way am I sleeping with the man my entire family hates.
Because that won’t just ruin Christmas.
It’ll ruin the rest of my life.

Naughty elves of Christmas checking in! We’re drunk caroling, eating cookies at midnight, surviving family drama, and drooling over hot, unattainable men who are oh so wrong for us. This standalone holiday romantic comedy has all the Christmas cheer you can fit under the tree and a happily ever after guaranteed!

Goodreads | Amazon

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EXCERPT

There was a man—a huge man!—in my father’s study, all in heavy black motorcycle gear, a helmet hiding his face.

Snowball had her needle-sharp teeth latched onto the robber’s pant leg, and he was batting at her roughly, trying to knock her off.

“Don’t you hurt my dog!” I screamed, picking up a priceless wood statue my parents had brought back from their anniversary trip to Japan and racing after the attacker.

He grunted in surprise but raised his arm too late to block the statue from crashing into his motorcycle helmet, shattering the tinted visor.

Eyes like a raging winter storm glared back at me through the broken glass.

I hefted the statue again, and it connected with one of his massive arms.

The hit didn’t even knock him off-balance.

“Oh shit,” I whimpered as he took a step toward me.

The huge arm came up, knocking the statue out of my hands to split on the floor.

I spun to escape but tripped on the corner of the rug and crashed to the floor, yelling unintelligibly as he pounced on me, pinning me on my back. His huge gloved hand covered my mouth and nose so I couldn’t scream. I could barely breathe.

“Shut up,” the deep voice ordered, slightly muffled by the broken motorcycle helmet.

I struggled under the massive male body that had me trapped on the floor, clawing ineffectively at him.

“What the hell?” he growled. “Fuck, I need to do something with you.”

Was he going to hurt me? Or take me with him to be—Gulp—disposed of somewhere else?

Don’t let yourself be taken to a second location!

But I couldn’t budge all the muscle and sinew holding me down.

“Motherfuck—” he roared, snatching his gloved hand back from my mouth as Snowball bit him, her sharp teeth sinking through the gloves into his thumb.

Sucking in shuddering breaths, I pummeled the man’s helmet as he shook his hand, Snowball not letting go as he flapped her around.

Scraping my nails on his neck, I managed to drag his helmet off his head and hoisted it, banging it on his face and shoulders as he cursed, finally shaking the dog and the glove free.

His tattooed hand made a fist and punched the helmet out of my grasp. His knee pinned my hip to the floor. As he raised himself slightly, his face was lit up by passing headlights.

“Oh my god,” I whimpered, eyes bugging out of my head as I took in his chiseled face, strong jaw, black hair, wintery gray eyes, and scars on his cheek and across one eye.

“You’re the… the… the…”

“The… the… the…” he mocked as he catalogued my dawning recognition.

*******************

About the author

If you like steamy romantic comedies with a creative streak, then I'm your girl!

Architect by day, writer by night, I love matcha green tea, chocolate, and books! So many books…

Sign up for my mailing list to get the free novella, AFTER HIS PEONIES, along with special bonus content, giveaways, and more!

http://alinajacobs.com/mailinglist.html

Connect with Alina

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Instagram | BookbubX


a Rafflecopter giveaway


*****************

Be sure to check the sidebar for my current giveaways!  

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