Title:
Once Upon a Montana Christmas
Author:
Alanna Lucas
Genre:
Historical Western Romance
Book Blurb:
Is a promise made…
Eva made a vow to her dying friend that she would deliver CeCe’s infant daughter to her family in Cottonwood, Montana. But when Hunt Strauss, CeCe’s brother, slams the door in her face, Eva realizes she and baby Lily must go it alone. Only, after a hotel fire destroys everything she owns, she’s forced to set her pride aside and go back to the arrogant, handsome Mr. Strauss and ask for a job…
a promise kept?
At first, Hunt is skeptical, certain that Miss Eva Kenward is nothing but a schemer intent on draining his family’s coffers. But once he sees Lily’s likeness to CeCe, and the sincerity in Eva’s beautiful eyes, he defers to his aunt’s suggestion that Eva stay to help out with the Cottonwood Christmas festival. As the days go by and he and Eva grow closer, Hunt’s desire for her grows too. But what about his past and its secrets that weigh heavy upon him? Surely, they’re reason enough for him to fight his feelings and not get involved…
Excerpt:
Eva added rude to his growing list of faults. She was even more nervous than the day when she’d run away from home and embarked on this adventure. What could he possibly say to her that he hadn’t said already? She stood still, waiting as the seconds dragged out. Only when she heard Aunt Carol’s footsteps fade did she dare glance up into those perfect green eyes.
“Why are you here?” Not waiting for her to respond, he jumped into an interrogation instead. “Where is your jacket? What has happened? Is—”
Eva’s patience snapped. “If you would just shut up and listen,” she stopped mid-sentence. “Bloody hell,” she murmured. Losing her temper was not going to help the situation. Rubbing her sore neck, she explained, “The hotel burned to the ground. My trunk—” She swallowed hard. She was trying not to sound desperate, but once the words started to flow, she couldn’t stop herself. “Lily’s clothes, all of our things, my money…everything is gone. I have nowhere to go, and…” She swallowed her pride and uttered the words she never thought would cross her lips. “I would like a job.”
Mr. Strauss stood glaring at her. She could not even guess what he was thinking. But the truth was, she needed him. Her dream of reaching San Francisco by Christmas was shattered. In one night, all her priorities had changed. Surviving the winter was utmost in her mind.
His features softened, and before she knew what had happened, he’d closed the short distance between them, pulled her into him, and kissed her.
The moment their lips touched, she felt powerless to the onslaught of emotion. She did not know what she had done to first enrage him, then encourage this…
However, what had started as a harsh kiss quickly turned into something else, something unfamiliar. Something that thrilled and frightened her all in the same breath. When she felt his tongue flick her lips, she pulled back and slapped him hard across the face.
Hunt knew he deserved that slap. One moment he had been listening to Miss Kenward’s plight, the next, he’d pulled her into his arms and kissed her. She had been taunting him in his dreams for the past two nights and, damn it all, he had given into his impulses. No female had ever affected him so, and he was chagrined at his lack of control.
“How dare you! I did not come here to be treated as such. I am not one of your saloon trollops that you can….”
Cutting her off, his response was quick. “I apologize. It won’t happen again.”
“I should hope not.” The woman stood her ground, carefully delineating her plan. “I want a proper job. As soon as I have saved enough money, Lily and I will leave. You do not have to be concerned that I will try and change your mind or blackmail you, or...” She waved a hand in the air, seemingly uncertain about what to say about what had just happened. “Or any such…”
Hunt admired her courage. The problem was, although he did not want her to leave, he did not want her to stay, either. The easiest solution would be to give her money and be done with it, but for the life of him, he could not. Something deeper kept nagging him and until he figured out what that was, he wanted to keep her close at hand. There was no question in his mind there was more than met the eye with regard to Miss Kenward. He didn’t even have time to answer her before Aunt Carol came strolling back into the room with a very wide-awake, green-eyed Lily.
“I think it is a wonderful idea, Hunt. Miss Kenward can help with the Christmas festival.” Aunt Carol ignored the glare he shot her and instead addressed Eva. “I’m getting too old to do all the decorating myself, and poor Mrs. Walker, the housekeeper, vowed never to stand on a stepladder again, not after last year’s fall. Oh, and the men…” She let out a long, dreary whistle. “The men are utterly hopeless…” Hunt wondered if his aunt would ever come up for air, she went on for so long. After several minutes of rambling, she asked Eva, “Please say you’ll stay, dearie?”
Hunt held his breath, waiting for Miss Kenward to respond, at odds with what he wanted. When she glared at him, and then finally agreed, he exhaled in relief. He didn’t understand his own feelings. He had vowed never to let another woman affect him so, and yet here he was, hoping that a total stranger with a baby in tow would stay. He did not know what it was about Miss Kenward that disrupted him so, but he intended to find out.
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Share a holiday family tradition:
My husband makes lasagna while the kids and I decorate the tree. Now that they’re all grown, these moments together are even more precious.
Why is your featured book perfect to get readers in the holiday mood?
Holiday traditions and family are the central theme of Once Upon a Montana Christmas.
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:
Bestselling, award-winning author, Alanna Lucas pens Regency-set historicals filled with romance, adventure, and of course, happily ever afters. When she is not daydreaming of her next travel destination, Alanna can be found researching, spending time with family, tending to her garden, or going for long walks. She makes her home in California with her husband and children, and too many books to count.
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