Title: Kwanzaa Angel
Author: Shirley Hailstock
Genre: Holiday Romance, Contemporary Romance
Book Blurb:
Erin Scott withstood the humiliation of being abandoned at a high school prom by the man of her dreams. Channeling her personal feelings into work, Erin opened a department store which now flourishes and is about to expand. Just as her family gathers for the Kwanzaa celebration, her nemesis returns to town, opening old wounds and throwing her life in to passionate chaos. Raimi Price regretted his decision almost as soon as he made it, but he couldn’t undo it. Now sixteen years later he’s back, hoping to stay, but reconciling with Erin Scott is a major priority. When he discovers they are both bidding on the same piece of property his romantic plans stall. Then history threatens to repeat itself complicating matters more. Can these two bridge the gap and find a lasting love?
Excerpt:
She crossed her arms over her breasts and turned away. Her face was hot, her ears burned, and her heart pounded in her head. She should leave. Why was she still here?
"This can't be the only place you can build a store," he said.
She whipped around like she'd been spun out of rodeo rope. "Nothing is absolute, Raimi. There's land everywhere, and if I don't get this, I'll certainly find something else—which is exactly what you could do. Your company can find whatever they want. Why did you pick Cranbury? You didn't come here to renew old friendships. You came back for the land. Why don't you go somewhere else?"
Erin regretted the words as soon as she'd said them, but it was too late to take them back. Raimi stiffened. She could see every nerve in his body stand stark still as he stared at her. His hands balled into clenched fists, and he stood cold like a statue.
"You don't just mean the company, do you? You mean why don't I go away?"
Erin stood her ground. She wanted to back down but didn't. She allowed the electrified silence to speak for her.
"This isn't about land, is it, Erin? It's about you and me and that prom."
"This has nothing to do with the prom. It has to do with you trying to steal a plot of land that I had a valid bid on."
"Screw the land! This is about us."
"There is no us. Except for that one date sixteen years ago, I've known you barely twenty-four hours and—"
Raimi moved with lightning speed. Before Erin knew his intentions, he'd banded one arm around her waist and pulled her against him. The other hand he dug into her short hair and pulled her mouth to his. The kiss was hard and fast, but not fast enough to prevent her from going limp in his arms. Every inch of him defined itself in equal places against her outline. Her arms curved around him, and she pulled herself closer if that was possible. His mouth softened, then lifted. He looked at her, his eyes dark and filled with need. Then he kissed her again. This time she had no resistance. Her mouth opened under his. Her heart rate shot up. Heat generated around her, threatening to boil the blood inside her body. And her mind went south. She could think of nothing save the sensations Raimi created in her. Nothing about the prom penetrated her consciousness, nothing of their years apart or of the barbs she'd taken over his treatment of her. The only thing she knew was that she wanted to be in his arms.
Buy Links (including Goodreads):
Free to read on Kindle Unlimited!
What I love most about the holiday season:
The friendliness of all the people and the decorations that make the house and streets so happy looking.
Why is your featured book a must-read to get you in the holiday mood?
Kwanzaa Angel is at its heart a love story. It also uses the principles of Kwanzaa, an African American holiday that celebrates family, community, and understanding. In this age of diversity, it provides a slice of life into another culture.
One lucky reader will win a $75 Amazon (US) gift card.
Open internationally. You must have a valid Amazon US account to win.
Runs July 1 – 31
Drawing will be held on August 2.
Author Biography:
Publisher’s Weekly Bestselling author Shirley Hailstock began her writing life as a lover of reading. She likes nothing better than to find a quiet corner where she can get lost in a book, explore new worlds and visit places she never expected to see. As an author, she can not only visit those places, but she can be the heroine of her own stories. The author of over forty novels and novellas, Shirley has received numerous awards, including the RWA/NYC Lifetime Achievement Award and The Emma Merritt Award from Romance Writers of America. RT Bookclub Reviews awarded her a Career Achievement Award. Shirley's books have appeared on Blackboard, Essence Magazine and Library Journal bestseller lists. She is a past president of Romance Writers of America.
Social Media Links:
Webpage - http://www.shirleyhailstock.net
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Instagram – http://www.instagram.com/shirleyhailstock
Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/shailstock