HOLIDAY HEARTS, a contemporary Christmas Romance from Caroline Clemmons

We have the pleasure of welcoming Caroline Clemmons to the blog this week. Caroline Clemmons is here today to share her contribution, HOLIDAY HEARTS, to the CHRISTMAS COMES TO DICKENS anthology. Welcome, Caroline! We are all excited to hear more about the anthology, the cookie recipes, and HOLIDAY HEARTS.

Thanks to Madison Michaels for having me as her guest today. Maddie thought readers might like to get to know me. Here are a few questions she had:

What is my favorite place to write?
I prefer to write in my tiny office that is off our bedroom. It was probably intended as a sitting room. My husband (who I call Hero) gave me a wonderful corner computer station and matching desk in faux cherry. I’ve decorated my office with some of my favorite prints and photos, knick knacks, my research books, and a lot of junk good stuff I enjoy.

What inspires me to write as an author?
Almost anything can inspire an idea for a story. Most things I read or hear make me think “what if” the story went my way instead of the way that I heard or read? My husband and I share an interest in history and have visited many places that ignited my imagination. Especially inspiring were a couple of tours of Palo Pinto County, Texas sponsored by their historical society. Our trip to the Mayan Dude Ranch at Bandera, Texas was inspiring as well.

Why do I write romance and why my genre of romance?
This is such a great question! Nothing offers hope and inspiration like a romance novel or novella. Especially in difficult times, readers need the escape of reading a story in which every obstacle is conquered and the main characters live happily-ever-after. If I want to be depressed, I can watch the news. For entertainment and relaxation, I want a happy ending!

I write primarily western historical and contemporary romance because I love the West, particularly Texas. I’m sure this is because of my dad. At our house, at supper we talked to one another—sadly missing in many homes today. My favorite time was when Dad would tell a story about his family from the time they arrived in Texas in 1876 forward. He was an especially good storyteller and I never tired of listening to his tales.

Do I listen to music when I write?
Definitely. While writing a novel/novella, I listen to classical music from Pandora. I’ve read that listening to classical music while writing gives the text better rhythm and flow. I don’t know if that’s true, but I do enjoy listening to music. Instrumental only—lyrics distract me when I’m writing.

When I’m reading email and on Facebook, etc., I listen to popular music. My favorites include Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, Carole King, James Taylor, Pentatonix, and too many more to list.

What am I working on next and when can you expect to see it?
I’m so glad Maddie asked. I just completed HOLIDAY HEARTS, a Christmas novella that is included in the CHRISTMAS COMES TO DICKENS anthology of ten all new contemporary stories available on October 26. You can preorder it now at Amazon  https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Comes-Dickens-Romance-Anthology-ebook/dp/B08JQPSK3G and at other vendors. It’s only 99 cents!

You can also download for FREE (my favorite price) the accompanying IT’S A DICKENS OF A COOKIE book that includes twenty cookie recipes plus details about contributing authors and our books in the anthology, https://www.amazon.com/Its-Dickens-Cookie-Companion-Christmas-ebook/dp/B08KFQXCJ3

Currently I’m writing MEG, book 20 in the Angel Creek Christmas Brides historical series. MEG will be released on December 18 but is available for preorder now. I love preorder. Often when I read about an upcoming book, I think I’ll remember it—but I forget unless I preorder it. Voila! On release day it magically appears on my e-reader. At least, it seems like magic to me.

About HOLIDAY HEARTS:

The book I have for you today is HOLIDAY HEARTS, my contribution to the CHRISTMAS COMES TO DICKENS anthology. Dickens is a small New England town you might see in a popular channel’s Christmas movies. They have a community tree lighting on the Common, a snowman building contest, ice skating, a Christmas tree farm, and more –all the things that create the proper holiday atmosphere.

HOLIDAY HEARTS BLURB:

Laura Jordan plans a quiet holiday at home except for time she might decide to spend serving dinner at the homeless shelter on Christmas Day. She loves her job at Callahan Group advertising agency and doesn’t want anything to jeopardize her position there. She’s aware of how quickly office gossip could ruin her reputation and career.

Ward Callahan is a wunderkind who started earning money online trading when he was in high school. At thirty-two, he owns a successful ad agency and is gaining industry recognition. He hasn’t had time for a serious relationship. When Laura starts working for him, he can’t get her off his mind.

Vicious remarks cause Laura to threaten a halt to their budding relationship. Ward is determined to set things right.

Amazon Buy Link for CHRISTMAS COMES TO DICKENS Anthology:

• https://amzn.to/3lDRJjx

EXCERPT FROM HOLIDAY HEARTS:

Ward took the vase of flowers and set it on the counter then turned her to face him. “Thank you for taking care of Mom. You’ve been exceptionally kind. And Helen, too. I appreciate all you’ve done.”

She stared at the V of his collarbone. “Doris is a nice woman.”

“She counts you as a good friend.”

“I hope so because I count her as one.”

His grip tightened and he stepped toward her. “Please, don’t think less of me because I wasn’t here when she needed me. If she’d told me she was injured I’d have come home immediately.”

They stood so close she had only to lean a few inches to kiss him. She forced herself to meet his gaze. “That’s why she didn’t tell you. You have a business to manage and people depending on you. She knows you can’t be here all the time. Hopefully this was once-in-a-lifetime.”

“You’ve splashed water on your jacket. I hope it won’t ruin the fabric.”

“It’ll be all right.” She removed the jacket, revealing that the halter dress left her back bare to the waist.

He pretended to stagger and put his hand on his heart. “You mean that dress has hidden under that jacket whenever I’ve seen you at work? I’ll never be able to look at that ensemble without picturing the secret it hides.”

She was able to smile. “I like versatile clothes.” She put the jacket over her arm.

“You’ve messed with my mind.” He shook his head as if trying to clear his mind. “I have a huge favor to ask of you. It’s important that Vince and Helen go a few places together. If you’ll go along with me, I’ll explain later. Will you trust me?”

“I do trust you, Ward. But if I’d known you and Eddie were the same person, I don’t think I would have come tonight.”

“Why? You’ve made Mom happy.”

“You’re my boss. It’s not appropriate.” She couldn’t be like Celia the piranha and plot a trap.

“There’s nothing wrong with having dinner with a group of friends, even if one of them is your boss. The only conniving here has to do with Vince. I promise I’ll explain his story later.”

“If you’re sure.”

He took her hand. “Shall we join the others?”

In case you want to know more about me, here’s my bio:

Through a crazy twist of fate, Caroline Clemmons was not born on a Texas ranch. To compensate for this illogical error, she writes about handsome cowboys, feisty ranch women, and scheming villains in a tiny office her family calls her pink cave. She and her Hero live in North Central Texas cowboy country where they ride herd on their two rescued indoor cats and dog as well as providing nourishment outdoors for squirrels, birds, and other critters.

The books she creates in her pink cave have made her a Top 100 historical author, a bestselling author, and won awards. She writes sweet to sensual romances about the West, both historical and contemporary as well as time travel and mystery. In addition to her series she has written single titles and contributed to multi-author series and anthologies. When she’s not writing, she loves spending time with her family, reading her friends’ books, lunching with friends, browsing antique malls, delving into genealogy, checking Facebook, and taking the occasional nap.

Find her on her blog, website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and Pinterest.

Join her and other readers at Caroline’s Cuties, a Facebook readers group for special excerpts, exchanging ideas, contests, giveaways, recipes, and talking to like-minded people about books and other fun things.

Click on her Amazon Author Page for a complete list of her books and follow her there.

Follow her on BookBub.

To stay up-to-date with her releases and contests, subscribe to Caroline’s newsletter here and receive a FREE novella of HAPPY IS THE BRIDE, a humorous historical wedding disaster that ends happily—but you knew it would, didn’t you?

Thanks again to Madison Michaels for having me as her guest.