Title: Christmas Carole
Author: Nancy Fraser
Genre: Sweet Contemporary Romance
Book Blurb:
When divorced mother of two, Carole Kelley, moves herself and her children to Dickens, she figures the most difficult thing she'll have to face is providing a perfect Christmas for her 7-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son.
What she doesn't count on is Jaxon Matthews, Wil-Bar Toy's attorney and quite possibly the most infuriating man she's ever met.
Jax wants nothing more than to finish up his current workload within the next few weeks so he can pack his bags and leave for his usual solitary Christmas on Grand Cayman Island. His plans are quickly derailed when a big contract falls through, forcing him back to the negotiating table less than a month before the holiday.
His plans are further delayed when he meets Carole Kelley. Despite his best intentions to steer clear of any romantic entanglements, he can’t help but be drawn to the beautiful woman and her infectious holiday spirit... something he hasn’t felt in years.
Once he realizes getting to know Carole means competing with her two children for her attention, he’s ready to give up on furthering their relationship. What he doesn’t count on is the power of family, and the magic of the wish stick.
Exclusive Excerpt:
Jax wiggled his way into the tent. Both Millie and Lila were huddled in the far corner. Jake sat along the opposite side. Suddenly, Jax felt as if he was being put on the witness stand.
“You’re cute,” Lila said. “In a grownup sort of way.”
Jax pursed his lips to keep from laughing outright. “Thank you, Lila. You’re a cutie too, in a little girl sort of way.”
“How do you know Millie’s daddy?” Lila asked.
“I’m his lawyer, and friend. Plus, we went to college together. Years ago.”
“How old are you?” Millie asked.
“Same age as your dad. Thirty-two. How old are you?”
Millie rolled her eyes. “I’m seven-and-three-quarters. You know that.”
“How do you know my mommy?” Jake asked, clearly wanting to be part of the conversation.
“I met her at the toy factory when I was there for a meeting.”
Lila’s gaze narrowed. “I don’t think she likes you very much.”
“Why not? I’m a nice guy.”
Lila leaned forward and lowered her voice. “She doesn’t like too many men any more. Not since her and our daddy got divorced.”
“We’ve got a spare mom now,” Jake added.
“A spare mom? You mean a stepmom?”
Jake nodded his head.
Jax got the sense he was eavesdropping on a private conversation, or sharing gossip when he shouldn’t be.
“I’d better go back and join the adults,” he suggested. “It’ll give you kids more room to play.”
His exit was met by Rick’s deep laugh. “Now there’s a picture for the company newsletter. Our esteemed attorney on all fours, backing out of a cartoon character tent.”
“What can I say? There wasn’t enough room to turn around and exit gracefully.”
“Brandy? Or, would you prefer a beer?”
“I think I’ll hit the road, if you don’t mind.”
“It’s early,” Rick countered. “I was hoping for a game of chess... given I didn’t collect on the lunch you owe me.”
“I offered,” Jax reminded him. “Can I help it if you had to go to work? I’m sure your dad will be happy to play.”
Rick gave a shake of his head. “He’s going out for a while. Cassidy’s putting the baby down, and I’m just plain tired of losing to Carole.”
Jax glanced around the room. The supposed chess master was nowhere to be seen. “She gives you a run for your money, does she?”
“Yep, she does. Not just at the chessboard, but she’s totally revamped the office too. Poor Margaret would be beside herself if she could see the changes.”
“That can’t be all bad. Margaret was definitely the last of a dying breed.”
“Tell me about it. She wouldn’t let me change her job title to administrative assistant, or even office manager. She insisted she was a private secretary. Carole, on the other hand, is pushing progress on us everywhere. She’s already cut my time at my desk in half.”
Jax realized he didn’t want to leave just yet, no matter what he’d said just moments before. He was actually enjoying himself among old friends and, possibly, new ones... a certain new one in particular. “Okay, best two out of three. And, I’ll take that beer.”
“You got it. I’ll go grab the beers while you set up the board.” Rick nodded toward the table in the corner of the room. “It’s in the top drawer.”
“It’s a beautiful set. You don’t keep it out in the open?”
“With three kids and a soon-to-be crawler? Are you crazy?”
Jax’s grin widened. “Not crazy. Also, not domesticated.”
It was half past midnight when Jax finally climbed into the driver’s seat of his Beemer. He and Rick had gone the distance with him taking the third and final game of their best of three. He’d been pretty full of himself.
Then, he promptly lost two in a row to Carole, effectively sticking a pin in whatever ego high he’d felt.
Rick hadn’t been kidding. Carole was definitely a winner. In more ways than one.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
Amazon/Kindle Unlimited: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09DWPCK87
Share a holiday family tradition:
We have many, most of which we’ve accumulated over the years. Most traditions have survived from my parents/grandparents. And, because they weren’t expensive gift givers, those traditions revolved around food ... the ultimate show of love at the holiday. Between my mother and my aunt, every holiday was a banquet fit for a king. I learned all of my more fattening holiday traditions from them. Recipes my own grandchildren still demand today.
Why is your featured book perfect to get readers in the holiday mood?
Christmas Carole has been likened by more than one reviewer as the “perfect Hallmark Holiday” story. It’s a sweet romance that relies on the very foundations of the holiday: family, togetherness, faith and love.
Giveaway –
Enter to win a $75 Amazon (US or Canada) Gift Card.
You must have an active Amazon US or Amazon Canada account to be eligible. Open internationally.
Runs December 1 – 31
Drawing will be held on January 3, 2022.
Author Biography:
NANCY FRASER is an Amazon Top 100 and Award-Winning author who can’t seem to decide which romance genre suits her best. So, she writes them all.
Nancy published her first book in 1996 and hasn’t stopped since. Her 100th book will be released on her birthday in April of 2022.
When not writing (which is almost never), Nancy dotes on her five wonderful grandchildren and looks forward to traveling and reading when time permits. Nancy lives in Atlantic Canada where she enjoys the relaxed pace and colorful people.
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