Title: Ditching the Turkey (Small-Town Holiday Romance)
Author: Nancy Fraser
Genre: Sweet/Inspirational Contemporary; Later-in-Life
Book Blurb:
Mackenzie Miller, oldest of the Miller family girls, hasn’t had nearly the success in the dating pool as her three younger sisters. They all seem to have found their someone special, their happily-ever-after. All Mackenzie seems to find are duds.
Invited to Thanksgiving dinner with her latest boyfriend’s parents, she’s shocked when he proposes marriage in front of his entire family. In true Mackenzie fashion, she bolts, speeding off without looking back. Did we say speeding?
State trooper, Aaron Patton, springs into action when a flashy red sportscar whizzes past his unmarked cruiser. As soon as the woman produces her ID, he realizes the gorgeous blonde he’s pulled over is good friend and poker buddy’s kid sister.
Can Aaron see past Kenzie’s shell and get to the soft, loving woman inside? Or, will their renewed acquaintance be nothing more than a missed opportunity for them both?
Excerpt:
Aaron climbed behind the wheel of his unmarked patrol car and pulled out of the library parking lot. He’d checked the doors, and walked the perimeter, assuring himself everything was locked up tight. One more swing along the outskirts of town, and he could return to the station and call it a day.
He liked quiet. Sure, there were days he missed the hustle and bustle of a big city police force, but not as much as he appreciated the peace and tranquility of small-town life.
He’d barely drawn to a stop at the end of the feeder road leading onto the highway, when a bright red sports car flew by, doing at least ten—if not more—miles above the speed limit.
Aaron flicked on the dashboard’s blue flashing light, and set out in pursuit. Thankfully, the car wasn’t swerving, so perhaps the driver wasn’t impaired... just an open-road thrill seeker. When it didn’t seem like they’d noticed the lights, he gave one long blast of the siren. The car slowed significantly, and then pulled off to the side before coming to a complete stop.
He slid from behind the wheel and approached the car slowly, making note of the vanity plate, ArtGirl1. When he’d reached the driver’s door, he tapped lightly. “Roll down your window, please.”
The blonde behind the wheel did as he instructed, using her left hand to push the power button, while swiping her cheeks with her right hand. It didn’t take a genius to notice she’d been crying.
“I’m sorry, officer,” she said quickly between hiccups. “I didn’t realize I was speeding until I heard your siren and looked down at my speedometer.”
“License and registration, please.” When she reached into the glovebox, her hands trembled slightly, causing him to ask, “Are you okay, miss?”
She looked up at him and smiled, then shook her head. “Yes, no. I have no idea at the moment.”
A handful of horrible scenarios flashed through his mind. “Did something happen to you?”
“Well, let’s see... I got a marriage proposal.”
“Congratulations,” he responded before glancing down at her license. “Miss Miller. Mackenzie?”
When she met his gaze, hers narrowed as if she were studying his features.
“Aaron? Aaron Patton?”
He nodded, then asked, “So, who’s the lucky fellow?”
“There isn’t one,” she admitted. “I ran. Like a Thanksgiving turkey being chased by a determined butcher.”
As much as he tried to bury it, a laugh trickled out. “Quite the colorful, and holiday specific, analogy.”
She dashed at a single, escaping tear, and told him sincerely, “I truly am sorry about the speeding. My thoughts were churning. I guess the adrenaline got the better of me.”
“I’ll let you off with a warning. However, given the state of your emotions, I think it would be best if I followed you home.”
“It’s really not necessary,” she insisted.
“Are you kidding, your brothers would have my hide if I let their sister drive under the influence of mixed emotions.”
“Alex mentioned at dinner last week that you’d moved back to Brant Mills. I guess I assumed I’d see you again over the dinner table, not out in the middle of nowhere.”
“Why don’t you make a U-turn and head back into town? I’ll follow, but give you some driving space. Just don’t speed.”
“I should probably try and catch dessert at my parents’ place. If you’re going to follow me anyway, you should come in and see who won the war.”
“The war?”
“It’s a holiday competition between our cook, Betty, and Cate’s hubby, Jace. They always try to outdo one another with the fanciest holiday-themed treat.”
“Sounds like an invite I shouldn’t turn down. I haven’t taken my supper break yet, so I can book off for a bit.”
“Great. I’ll race you.” A smirk lit her beautiful face, before she added, “Just kidding.”
Aaron fell in line behind Mackenzie’s fancy car and followed her to the Miller house, radioing in his break just as they pulled into the drive. Cars were parked everywhere, yet there still seemed to be a distinct pathway in case someone needed to get out in a hurry. It was obvious they’d done this before, and often.
“Are you sure your parents won’t mind?” he asked, as they walked up the drive and through the door connecting the garage to the house.
“I’m sure. They thrive in a chaotic atmosphere.”
“Yeah, I remember. There were quite a few crazy Saturday nights when Alex, J.W., and I were in college.”
They weaved their way through the kitchen and into the dining room, Mackenzie first with him right behind.
“Hey everyone,” Kenzie shouted above the usual din of voices. “Look who I dragged home for dessert?”
As one, over a dozen heads lifted. “Aaron,” J.W. called out. Turning in his sister’s direction, he asked, “Where’d you two run into each other? I thought you were dining with Will’s family?”
“I was on my way here when—” she began.
“We were both on the road, and I pulled up behind her just outside of town. It took me a minute to realize who she was, but then we got to talking and, the next thing I know, she’s inviting me to some dessert competition.”
“We’re not quite there yet,” Rebecca, the Miller matriarch explained. “We got started late. However, you can’t eat dessert until you’ve had a decent meal. I’ll have Betty make you a plate.”
“Grab a seat there next to Kenzie,” Jeremy suggested.
Aaron took the offered seat, drawing in his chair at Mackenzie’s side. As big as the dining table was, their chairs were nearly touching. He could feel the warmth of her skin where their arms brushed. The light scent of her perfume seeped into his senses.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
Amazon KU: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMGLYBDP
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/ditching-the-turkey-small-town-holiday-romances-by-nancy-fraser
What makes your featured book a must-read?
Who doesn’t love a holiday? Especially one that revolves around food. Ditching the Turkey is the fifth of seven sweet holiday romances revolving around the seven Miller family siblings. They’re all fighting against falling in love, but there’s something magical about the holidays... all of them. Or, it just could be Gram is slipping something in the drinking water. Either way, as the holiday’s pass, so do their reservations about finding their happily-ever-after.
Giveaway –
Enter to win a $40 Amazon gift card:
Open Internationally.
Runs November 7 – November 16, 2023.
Winner will be drawn on November 17, 2023.
Author Biography:
NANCY FRASER is a bestselling and award-winning author who can’t seem to decide which romance genre suits her best. So, she writes them all.
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.
Social Media Links:
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B09FTH655Z
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