by: TJ Amberson
Series: Glowing Springs
Genre: Contemporary Christmas Romance
Release Date: September 24, 2022
Publisher: English Trails Publishing
Avery Walsh is a romantic at heart, but her demanding career as a big-city attorney means she doesn’t have time for love. Dane Livingston is a small-town boy who has had his share of heartbreak, and so he vowed never to love again. When a Christmastime snowstorm leaves Avery stranded in Dane’s charming village of Glowing Springs, Avery and Dane team up to save the village’s beloved Huckleberry Inn. With Christmas Day approaching, will Dane and Avery be able to save the inn . . . and dare to take a chance on love?
A sweet (clean) romance told in 3rd-person, dual POV
Up ahead of her, unaware of Avery's presence, Dane was chopping wood. His lumberjack-style coat and forest green sweatshirt were draped over one of the woodshed's fence posts, leaving his chiseled torso covered in nothing but a fitted t-shirt as he worked. Every rippling muscle in Dane's neck, chest, arms, and back were on display as he skillfully and steadily swung the axe. His broad chest was rising and falling with exertion, his heavy breaths were visible against the cold, and a hint of sweat lined his forehead.
Avery started feeling a little lightheaded as a shock-like sensation coursed down her spine. Intense heat filled her body, momentarily displacing the cold. She swallowed hard, still barely able to move or breathe.
This was most definitely not the way to get over her attraction to Dane Livingston.
Dane stopped what he was doing, used his teeth to pull the working gloves off his hands, and wiped his brow with his forearm. He turned his head slightly, doing a double take when he caught sight of Avery staring at him. His eyes got big, and he spun so he was facing her directly.
"Avery," he barked.
"Um, hello," Avery said, her words coming out squeaky. She was suddenly grateful for the freezing temperature, since it made it appear as though her cheeks were only red from the cold. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sneak up on you, but I didn't want to startle you while you were using the axe."
Dane was still breathing hard from exertion as his brows snapped together. "What are you doing out here?"
Avery started clenching and unclenching her hands into fists at her sides, trying to get some feeling back into them. "I'm finished in the kitchen, so I wanted to ask what else I can do to help."
Dane glanced down at Avery's hands, and then his steely stare returned to her face. He exhaled an exasperated-sounding breath. Brow furrowed, he dropped his axe and gloves, strode fast over to the fence, and snatched up his coat. He stomped through the snow toward Avery.
"You shouldn't be out here without a coat," he growled.
Avery didn't have a chance to reply before Dane stopped right in front of her and draped his big, heavy coat over her shoulders. His touch instantly caused her respirations to catch, and she went completely still. He seemed to pause, too, with his strong, sturdy hands resting upon her shoulders. For another moment, neither of them moved. Avery started feeling the intense heat that was radiating from Dane's body, despite the cold, and her own body started quivering in response. Slowly, she raised her eyes. He met her gaze through the falling snow. Her heart pounded feverishly as she watched him search her gaze with his.
Avery started feeling a little lightheaded as a shock-like sensation coursed down her spine. Intense heat filled her body, momentarily displacing the cold. She swallowed hard, still barely able to move or breathe.
This was most definitely not the way to get over her attraction to Dane Livingston.
Dane stopped what he was doing, used his teeth to pull the working gloves off his hands, and wiped his brow with his forearm. He turned his head slightly, doing a double take when he caught sight of Avery staring at him. His eyes got big, and he spun so he was facing her directly.
"Avery," he barked.
"Um, hello," Avery said, her words coming out squeaky. She was suddenly grateful for the freezing temperature, since it made it appear as though her cheeks were only red from the cold. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sneak up on you, but I didn't want to startle you while you were using the axe."
Dane was still breathing hard from exertion as his brows snapped together. "What are you doing out here?"
Avery started clenching and unclenching her hands into fists at her sides, trying to get some feeling back into them. "I'm finished in the kitchen, so I wanted to ask what else I can do to help."
Dane glanced down at Avery's hands, and then his steely stare returned to her face. He exhaled an exasperated-sounding breath. Brow furrowed, he dropped his axe and gloves, strode fast over to the fence, and snatched up his coat. He stomped through the snow toward Avery.
"You shouldn't be out here without a coat," he growled.
Avery didn't have a chance to reply before Dane stopped right in front of her and draped his big, heavy coat over her shoulders. His touch instantly caused her respirations to catch, and she went completely still. He seemed to pause, too, with his strong, sturdy hands resting upon her shoulders. For another moment, neither of them moved. Avery started feeling the intense heat that was radiating from Dane's body, despite the cold, and her own body started quivering in response. Slowly, she raised her eyes. He met her gaze through the falling snow. Her heart pounded feverishly as she watched him search her gaze with his.
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This book cover is gorgeous. I enjoyed the excerpt too.
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