Don’t Mess with Christmas! #MFRWHooks
It’s time for another MFRW Book Hooks blog hop! I have two Christmas romances filled with love and laughter – Don’t Mess with Christmas is a sweet romance and Perfectly Christmas is sexy. Each is part of a series, but they’re fun stand-alone stories and both are part of Kindle Unlimited. This week Don’t Mess with Christmas is in the spotlight! Despite all the restrictions and uncertainty right now, I hope that you find peace this holiday season and have moments filled with love and laughter.
Parker Roy grew up in the middle of four brothers and has lived with enough testosterone to last her a lifetime. She’s finally moved out and made a life of her own. Between putting the finishing touches on the set for Mapleton’s Christmas play, plowing snow, and transforming her hydroponic greenhouse into a Christmas wonderland, it’s ramping up to be a hectic season.
Dr. Julian Murphy, the only allergist in town, has his eye on the woman behind the set design of the holiday play. He’s volunteering backstage in the hope of getting to know her. There’s a bit of a snag when she’s referred to his clinic for a rash – doctors aren’t allowed to date their patients – but Dr. Brogan Corkie doesn’t see it as an insurmountable problem and steps in to give their romance a nudge. She’d better be right because, if not, it could seriously mess with Christmas.
The allergist or the rash– which itch will Parker scratch?
Buy Link (only 99c!) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L1DHDMS
Enjoy an excerpt from Don’t Mess with Christmas ~
Get a grip. Mary’s Boy Child. Dates are supposed to be fun. Her shoulders sagged. If only.
She blew out a breath. Was this all worth it? She could be in comfy sweats, with a big bowl of buttered popcorn, curled up on her favourite chair watching a movie. Cozy, fun, stress-free.
Her cell phone rang making her jump. “Hello?”
“What are you wearing?”
Parker smiled reluctantly. Hailey Gibson, her best friend since grade two, got right to the point. “Yoga pants and a hoodie.”
“March yourself into that bedroom and change right now. You are going on that date.” Hailey tsked. “I’ll be there in five.”
“No need. I’m kidding.” Parker pursed her lips. “I’m wearing black plants and a blue sweater.”
“The fitted ones that go to your ankle?” Hailey’s voice was suspicious.
“Yes.”
“The cashmere sweater with the low back and pearl buttons?”
“Yes.”
“Jewelry?”
Parker rolled her eyes. “Pink and yellow crystal pendant with the matching earrings – the dangly ones.”
“Perfume?”
“Definitely not.”
“Okay, maybe you’re telling the truth.” Parker imagined the consternation in Hailey’s blue eyes. “Maybe.”
Parker laughed. “I am. I can send you a pic.” She leaned against the bathroom counter. “Oh ye of little faith.”
“Huh. I know you too well, Parker. Any little excuse and you’d be backing out of that date. I’m not going to let that happen. Should I come over to drive you?”
Parker sighed. “How did you know I was having second thoughts?” Her voice was quiet.
Her best friend didn’t even say I told you so. “Twin vibes.” Parker’s eyes filled. “Parker, just relax and try to enjoy yourself. You put too much pressure on yourself. You think every date is an interview for marriage. Don’t. Sometimes people get together to have fun and…enrich their souls.”
Parker harrumphed. “I don’t need my soul enriched.”
“Maybe Julian does. Look, he sounds like a great guy – talented, smart, easy on the eyes. And he’s taking you to Fire and Ice. Not a bad way to spend a Friday night. Pretend he’s one of your brothers. No scratch that. Pretend you’re meeting to discuss the stage set. Just give him a chance – get to know him.”
Parker made a face. “I always seem to say something stupid and blow it.”
“You can’t blow it, Parker. You can’t have a relationship if you have to watch what you say. Your true soul mate will overlook an occasional blunder.”
“Is that supposed to be reassuring?”
“Yes.”
Parker held the phone away from her ear. Ouch.
Hailey continued at a lower volume. “If you don’t jibe, it wasn’t meant to be. No harm, no foul.”
“I suppose.”
“And if you don’t mesh, you can get the rash sorted out. It’s a win-win.”
Parker laughed ruefully. “I guess. In a pique of bravado I told him that all my dates were fantastic. Nothing could be further from the truth.”
“Repeat after me. I am kind and considerate, have a great sense of humour, am a smart, successful businesswoman, and I’m fun to hang out with.”
“I’m a mess.”
Hailey laughed. “No, that you are not. You’ve got your shit together, Parker. You just need to ratchet that confidence up a notch.”
“I’m trying.”
“You go, girl. It’s 6:40. No more stalling. Put on some lipstick so you don’t look anemic, a little blush to cover the pallor, and get ’er done.”
“All right. Will do.”
“Send me deets.”
Parker shook her head with a laugh.
“Have fun.” Hailey had been a cheerleader in high school. Pep talks were her thing.
“I’ll try.”
“That’s the spirit,” Hailey said dryly.
Parker hung up the phone with a chuckle.
She fastened the necklace and earrings, her hands no longer shaking. She looked at herself once last time in the mirror and squared her shoulders. “Here goes nothing.”
Enjoy the next awesome author on the blog hop!
Wednesday, December 23rd 2020 at 7:29 pm |
Love her hesitancy and her friend’s encouragement
Wednesday, December 23rd 2020 at 11:11 pm |
Precursor to an awkward date. haha
Wednesday, December 23rd 2020 at 8:08 pm |
What a cute story for Christmas! “Get a grip. Mary’s Boy Child. Dates are supposed to be fun. Her shoulders sagged. If only.” Great opening!
Wednesday, December 23rd 2020 at 11:10 pm |
Thank you! 😀
Wednesday, December 23rd 2020 at 11:06 pm |
The need for such an extensive pep talk really makes me wonder what this date is going to be like. I expect it’ll be quite an experience.
Wednesday, December 23rd 2020 at 11:11 pm |
It is! 😀