Title: Holiday Queen
Author: Claire Marti
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Holiday Romance/Christmas Romance
Book Blurb:
Can a wrong number be the beginning of everything right?
Camille Taylor needs a partner for a charity scavenger hunt now that her cheating ex is history. When a sexy text from an intriguing stranger leads to a scorching cocktail date, she asks him to step in. Chemistry sizzles between them and Trent Bell is happy to play the hero now that fate sent him the most incredible woman he’s ever met. Can a wrong number be the beginning of everything right?
One-click this festive, steamy holiday romance with all the feels today!
Excerpt
Camille Taylor’s phone buzzed for the thirtieth time in two hours. What would it take for her cheating, lying, arrogant baboon of an ex-boyfriend to catch a hint? After she’d walked in on him and his voluptuous new boss having sex on his slick aluminum desk, she’d flown down the stairs from the fourteenth floor to her own office on the seventh. No need to run into any colleagues in the elevator when her blood was boiling and the top of her head was about to explode.
There was nothing to discuss. Yes, she should have dumped the guy, like everyone she knew had advised. But he was never getting another chance. She was done. She massaged her throbbing temples, willing the sharp pain behind her eyes to subside.
When the phone beeped again, she snatched it off her polished teak desk, ready to hurl it against her office’s floor-to-ceiling windows. She glanced at the screen and lo and behold, it wasn’t Sean the Slimeball. When she opened the text message, a photo popped up on the screen. Her eyes widened and her lips parted.
The most gorgeous man she’d ever seen, holding a tumbler of amber liquid, grinned at her. His jaw was square, twin dimples creased his chiseled face, and sandy brown hair fell carelessly across his broad forehead. Strong dark eyebrows showcased impossibly blue eyes twinkling through a fringe of sinfully long dark lashes. Wow.
She blinked and he didn’t disappear. Maybe the universe had connected her with alcohol ads starring hot guys because no question about it––she needed a stiff drink. The timing was on point. Her brows drew together as she scanned the message asking when she was meeting him for a cocktail.
She typed a response. Sorry, wrong number. I don’t know who you are.
You aren’t Jen?
Nope, I’m Camille.
So sorry to bother you. I guess I got ghosted.
What lunatic would ghost this guy? Unless it was a fake photo he’d borrowed from, say, one of the heroes in the latest blockbuster action flick?
No need to apologize. It’s been a day. I walked in on my now ex-boyfriend cheating on me this afternoon.
Oh, no. You okay?
Camille’s eyes filled and she bit her lip. Of course this handsome stranger was considerate and sweet. But no, she most definitely was not okay. And she wasn’t ready to talk about it with anyone, especially since nobody had liked Sean. She already felt like the sucker of the century.
I’ve been better.
I’ve got a table at Local Edition with an empty seat. Why don’t you come down and I’ll buy you a drink?
Camille blew out a breath. Why not? Recently, Sean had been criticizing her, calling her rigid and boring. Jerk.
When was the last time she’d done something spontaneous? Something not motivated by doing well at her job as a CPA for one of the largest firms in San Francisco? In college, and up until the last few years, she’d worked hard and played hard. When had that changed?
It was 4:30 Friday afternoon, the week before Christmas, and she was locked in her office. She jumped to her feet and squared her shoulders. It wasn’t like she’d get any work done this afternoon––nope, her best bet was a distraction. A distraction like having a drink with a good-looking stranger.
Local Edition was only a ten-minute walk from her office in the Transamerica Pyramid in the Financial District. Why not go?
Be there in 20. Will you please order me a Red Breast 15, neat?
How will I know it’s you?
I’ve seen your photo. I’ll surprise you. What’s your name?
Two can play that game. I’ll tell you when you arrive. See you soon, Camille.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
Grab your free e-copy today!
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/holiday-queen-claire-marti/1142713391?ean=2940185606452
Universal Link: https://books2read.com/holidayqueen
What makes your featured book a must-read?
Holiday Queen is the perfect steamy, short read to get you in the mood for the holidays! What’s especially fun about this story is it was inspired by an actual “wrong text” I received from a cute younger man. It made me ponder what I would have done had I been in my 20s and single…Trent and Camille are a couple you’ll root for!
Giveaway –
Enter to win a $10 Amazon gift card:
Open Internationally.
Runs November 24 – November 29, 2023.
Winner will be drawn on November 30, 2023.
Author Biography:
Claire Marti is an award winning and USA Today Bestselling author of swoonworthy Contemporary Romance novels set in Southern California, including the Pacific Vista Ranch series and the California Suits series. She lives in San Diego with her husband, silly dog, and three clever cats.
Claire started writing stories as soon as she was old enough to pick up pencil and paper. After graduating from the University of Virginia with a BA in English Literature and French, Claire was sidetracked by other careers, including practicing law, selling software for legal publishers, and managing a non-profit animal rescue for a Hollywood actress.
Finally, Claire followed her heart and now focuses on two of her true passions: writing romance and teaching yoga.
Social Media Links:
Website: www.clairemarti.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clairemartiwrites