It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! So in honor of the season, I'm sharing an excerpt from CHRISTMAS AT SOLACE LAKE that I call "We Meet Again." Drew and Celeste met briefly three years previously, but didn't spend any time together. When they meet again, neither of them expects the argument that blows up between Drew and his younger sister Carrie. I hope you enjoy this snippet!
Celeste hummed as she worked. Baking and decorating cakes was one of her favorite things to do and working in the kitchen of the Solace Lake Lodge gave her ample opportunity to indulge her passion.
The kitchen door suddenly fIew open. Carrie ran toward her, crying. Her tears shocked Celeste. She was usually such a happy, even-tempered girl. ”What's wrong? What happened?"
Carrie gulped a shuddering breath. ”Drew's here. He--"
Drew Barnes burst into the kitchen. Celeste hadn't seen Carrie's brother since Christmas three years ago, her first at the lodge, when he'd come here with his family. He looked different than he had back then. More polished, more mature.
And more handsome. But it was definitely him.
”Carrie, talk to me," he pleaded. ”If you like this guy, it shouldn't make you so unhappy."
Carrie shook her head. ”You won't understand."
”I have no idea if I'll understand. You won't tell me anything!"
Drew's raised voice only made Carrie turn away and hide her face against Celeste's shoulder.
”I think you should go," Celeste said, putting her arm around the younger woman. ”Maybe later, when both of you have calmed down some, you can talk. But for now, please leave my kitchen."
He turned the full force of his intense scrutiny on her. Celeste lifted her chin and returned his stare, refusing to be intimidated. He was tall, probably over six feet, with broad shoulders and a lean build. With his dark brown hair and eyes, he resembled his uncles, yet there was something about him that was completely unique. Carrie had told her that her brother was six years older than she was, so that made him twenty-four. She did a quick calculation in her head. Nine years younger than her thirty-three.
Why the hell do I care how old Drew Barnes is?
Blurb:
Widow Celeste Bishop has made a comfortable life for herself and her nine-year-old daughter in the three years she's worked, and lived, at Solace Lake Lodge. But this Christmas, Celeste is unsettled by a series of thefts that has staff suspecting one another. Then Drew Barnes arrives and totally upends her comfort, making her feel things she never thought she’d feel again.
An emergency brings Drew to Solace Lake Lodge. He’s sure that’s the only reason his uncle asked him to fill in as bookkeeper. No one in his family has believed in him since his mistake got him fired from his previous job.
As Drew gets to know Celeste, the pieces of his life tumble into place. He doesn’t care that she’s nine years older. But while he's falling in love, she's pulling away. She’s afraid to risk loving and losing again.
As Christmas approaches, the thefts increase. Drew is determined to stop the thief and redeem himself in his family’s eyes—and his own. But can he convince Celeste they deserve the gift of a happily-ever-after this Christmas?
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Hi,
You caught me attention immediately! I look forward to reading it.
This sounds like a great story--holiday, romance, and mystery!
love the premise of this book - I married a younger man myself. I'm 3 days older. ;)