Title: Miracle on 30 Woof Street
Author: Kimberly Hanson
Genre: Sweet Christmas Rom-Com
Book Blurb:
Christmas is forever changed with a spilled Holly Jolly Latte.
Holly
My job was supposed to be easy. In and out. Spend a couple hours in this Christmas-obsessed town, get enough information to write my travel article, and go home to hide away from all the lights and cheer.
But my plans were turned upside down when my car died just as I passed the nauseatingly cheery welcome sign for Candy Cane Creek. Now, I’m stuck in this sickeningly-sweet town with nowhere to go.
That is, until a stranger offers me his guesthouse. But not just any stranger. A handsome one dressed in an ugly Christmas sweater with a Santa-hat wearing dog. Oh, and he also spilled his annoyingly sweet coffee all over my brand new coat. But what are my options with no room left at the inn?
Rex
I love spending Christmas with my best friends. Especially since all they ever ask for is naps, treats, and belly rubs. They also don’t complain when I play my Christmas music on endless repeat. It’s a perk of running the Miracle on 30 Woof Street Pet Rescue.
While out one night to get my daily Holly Jolly Latte, I run into the most attractive woman with a very expensive looking coat. Literally. I spill my latte all over her, and what do I do? I invite her to stay in my guesthouse after her car breaks down, like a Christmas-crazed lunatic.
Taking the opportunity to show all Candy Cane Creek has to offer the week before Christmas, I hope to turn this Christmas-hater into a jolly elf, but along the way I develop feelings I shouldn’t be having. Ones I’m not sure I’m ready to deal with. Especially when the magic of the holidays doesn’t seem to be enough to grow her heart three sizes and make her stay.
Excerpt:
“Trish, you don’t understand. It’s like this town threw up Christmas.” I can’t help the disdain lacing my words as I look up and down the street.
Every pole is wrapped in ribbon and lights. Every tree is wrapped with multi-coloured bulbs and ornaments. Every window is painted. Every bench is covered in ribbon.
It’s as if I landed in the North Pole, not Candy Cane Creek, British Columbia.
Although, I should have figured it would be this bad by the name.
“So, get your car fixed and get out. What’s the problem?” my best friend, Trish, says on the other side of the phone, sounding more than mildly disinterested. I can picture her picking at her perfectly manicured nails, finding that more interesting than my current predicament.
“The mechanic said he can keep it in the shop, but they might not be able to get the parts in and fixed until after Christmas. I could be stuck here until the twenty-seventh.”
“That’s ridiculous. Who makes a client wait that long?”
“This holiday-crazed town,” I mutter under my breath. I readjust the grip on my suitcase as I wheel it behind me, wondering what I did to deserve to get the assignment in this Christmas snow globe of a town. The only thing that made it worse was having my car break down the minute I crossed the nauseating ‘Welcome to Candy Cane Creek’ sign. It even boasted a waving Santa decorated in striped candy.
Just my luck.
“Well, I guess you have to stick it out, then. It’s not like you had plans at home.”
While I don’t enjoy the holiday itself, the stark reminder that I would have been alone doesn’t help my mood. My heart sinks at the thought of the last time I wasn’t alone for the holidays. A time that was longer ago than I care to admit, but still burns a hole in my heart.
I place my phone between my shoulder and cheek, pulling up my falling purse when I’m jolted by someone walking into me and the quick assault of a sickly-sweet aroma mixed with hot liquid running down the front of my coat.
“You have got to be kidding me,” I bark. “Trish, I’ll call you back.”
My gaze lands on a dog wearing a Santa hat. Next to the annoyingly festive fur ball are a pair of black boots. I trail my eyes up to see dark jeans make way to an ugly Christmas sweater partially covered by a black leather jacket. I can’t help the anger that rushes out of me as I look down at my brand-new tan wool coat.
“Do you have any idea how much this coat costs?” I yank my hand off my luggage and pocket my phone with the other.
“I am so sorry. I’ll clean it for you. I mean, get it dry cleaned for you.” His voice is deep and gravelly. Not what I was expecting from someone wearing a knit sweater with elves climbing a ladder up a Christmas tree.
“I don’t think anywhere in this town would be able to clean a Massimo Dutti coat.” I frantically swipe at the coffee, hoping it doesn’t stain.
“I’ll take it to the next town over. There’s a great dry cleaner. Carl can clean anything. Even a Mario Dotti.”
“Massimo Dutti,” I correct.
After deciding that I’ve gotten off all the peppermint sugar monstrosity that I can, I look up into the most striking pair of blue eyes.
“Sure, that’s what I said.” The overly jolly Christmas elf with the nice eyes gives me a smirk. “I am really sorry. I didn’t see you there.”
“Yeah, well, maybe you should be more careful when walking your dog.”
Nope, don’t let those blue eyes and that smirk fool you. He ruined your brand-new jacket. The one you saved for months for.
“Hey, now that’s a little unfair. You didn’t see me either.” Mr. Blue Eyes tilts his head as he looks at me. “I’m sorry, we got off on the wrong foot and this isn’t the impression of Candy Cane Creek I want you to have. I’m Rex Wellington.”
He holds out his hand to me, and all I can do is look at it as if it’s going to bite me. Rex Wellington? A name like that sounds like he should have a number like ‘the third’ behind it while living in a mansion in the city, not standing in the North Pole with Santa Paws’ helper at his feet. “How do you know I’m new here?”
“In this town? I don’t know if you noticed, but it’s not that big. Everyone knows when there’s someone new.” His hand is still reaching out to me, his eyebrow now raised.
I slip my hand in his, feeling the warmth of his palm against mine. I feel a rush pass over me at our connection.
Interesting.
“Holly Day,” I answer, watching to gauge his reaction. It usually goes one of two ways. They either don’t take in the ridiculousness of my first and last name together, or they think it’s the funniest thing in the world.
As a child, I thought it was the best name in the world. Now, not so much.
“Holly Day, huh?” he says with a smile, not letting go of my hand. “How fitting.”
“For?”
“For being here over Christmas.”
“Oh, there’s nothing fitting about that.” I take my hand back from him, once again grabbing my suitcase. “And I didn’t intend to be here over the holidays. I came to do my job and leave. Sadly, my car had other plans.”
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
Share a holiday family tradition:
Every Christmas Eve we gather around the Christmas tree and open Christmas Eve Sacks filled with matching pjs, a snack, and a warm drink.
Why is your featured book perfect to get readers in the holiday mood?
Miracle on 30 Woof Street is a light-hearted holiday rom-com featuring a Christmas-themed town, a Christmas-avoidant travel writer, and a widow with a quirky dog.
Giveaway –
One lucky reader will win a $100 Amazon gift card.
Open internationally.
Runs December 1 – 31, 2024
Drawing will be held on January 2, 2025.
Author Biography:
Kimberly lives in BC, Canada with her husband, two children and adorable German Shepherd. She’s a stay-at-home mom who also homeschools her two children as they explore and learn the world together. Kimberly loves to read, drink coffee, and explore the world around her.
Kimberly writes sweet small-town romance filled with emotion, hope, and love.
Social Media Links:
Website: https://www.kimberlyhanson.ca