by: Lenora Worth
Series: Sweet Inspirational Christmas
Genre: Contemporary Christmas Romance
Release Date: October 24, 2022
Publisher: Tule Publishing
Christmas is a time for miracles…
After a tragic traffic accident several years ago, Veronica Cearley has avoided all socializing and celebrating—especially during Christmas. Her daughter wants her mother back and finally gives her an ultimatum: this year, she’s spending Christmas with her fiancé’s family, and if Veronica doesn’t rediscover the joy in life, she won’t be involved in planning her spring wedding. When Veronica finds a flyer inviting people to attend a “Not a Christmas Club” on her daily walk, she wonders if fate has played into her hand.
Cullen Murdock doesn’t want to spend Christmas alone. He’s back in Hidden Mountain, Georgia, on business, and while he and the town have a history, he’d prefer to keep it locked in the past. He puts a plan in motion to ensure he has company for the holiday, hoping that the other lonely people he’s invited are willing to accept his mysterious invitation and make a few positive life changes.
Forced together with three other lonesome people, Veronica and Cullen fall hard and fast, but will Cullen’s secret steal their newfound Christmas spirit?
Age: Mid-forties
Date of birth: October 20, 1978
Physical Description: Rugged, shaggy dark hair, blue-black eyes
Occupation: Commercial developer
3 likes in no particular order: Cooking, work, being with special people
3 dislikes in no particular order: Being alone during Christmas, Veronica Cearley’s deceased mother-in-law, the town of Hidden Mountain, GA
Drink of choice: Bourbon
Favorite food: White chocolate crème brulee
Favorite song: I’ll Be Home for Christmas
Choice of transportation: Black Jeep
Favorite way to spend an evening: By the fire with good food and good company, especially Veronica’s company.
Favorite holiday tradition: I’ve avoided traditions most of my life; I’m a loner who only wants to have someone with me during Christmas because of a childhood tragedy.
Best memory to date: The day I literally ran into Veronica and her dog Lulu on the street, just after I’d witnessed Veronica having a meltdown in her SUV.
If you could have a do-over, what would you do differently? If I had a do-over, I would save my dying mother on Christmas Day, but as a child I couldn’t do that. It was tough, seeing her die. If I could change that, I wouldn’t feel so alone during the holidays.
What’s something you’ve said you would never do, but in fact have done? Return to Hidden Mountain because I was treated so badly by the elite society there. But I’m back and I have the power to change the town, or maybe change myself.
Most romantic gesture (done or received): When I brought Italian food and wine to Veronica, and she was in her PJs and looked adorable. Lulu the dog liked me, so I was hoping Veronica would, too. But I have a big secret (or two) and that could ruin everything.
Words to live by: I believe in fate meeting faith. That has to explain why I accidentally invited Veronica to my holiday pity party.
“Let’s go,” she told the dog after she’d put the leash on Lulu. “A quick walk while I try to get over the embarrassment of buying a purse I didn’t need, to make another woman mad and to get my point across. I need to find my Christmas spirit again, don’t I?”
As they walked, Veronica thought about the handsome stranger who’d caught her in a sobbing fit. New in town? Did she care? The way he’d looked at her indicated he might need to get away from it all too. Elle kept telling her to make some new friends—male-type friends. But each time Veronica thought about that option, she got all jittery and weepy and guilt poured over her like fake snow. He was probably just passing through; another tourist who’d heard about the spectacular Christmas decorations all over town, especially on the street where she lived. She’d never see him again.
But she couldn’t get those eyes out of her thoughts.
Blue black. Like midnight chasing the moon.
Stopping at the corner underneath a gaslight streetlamp with a wobbly, anemic-yellow twenty-four-hour flame, Veronica debated walking toward the historical section of downtown Hidden Mountain, where the Christmas decorations harkened back to the days of Dickens with all the zest and flare of a fireworks warehouse.
Glancing around to make sure she wouldn’t have to make small talk with anyone, she did a double take when she saw the tall man in the black peacoat again, his hair almost as black as the coat. He stood on the other side of the street, his hands in his pockets, his gaze on Veronica, looking as out-of-place as a pitchfork in a candy cane display.
Was he following her?
As they walked, Veronica thought about the handsome stranger who’d caught her in a sobbing fit. New in town? Did she care? The way he’d looked at her indicated he might need to get away from it all too. Elle kept telling her to make some new friends—male-type friends. But each time Veronica thought about that option, she got all jittery and weepy and guilt poured over her like fake snow. He was probably just passing through; another tourist who’d heard about the spectacular Christmas decorations all over town, especially on the street where she lived. She’d never see him again.
But she couldn’t get those eyes out of her thoughts.
Blue black. Like midnight chasing the moon.
Stopping at the corner underneath a gaslight streetlamp with a wobbly, anemic-yellow twenty-four-hour flame, Veronica debated walking toward the historical section of downtown Hidden Mountain, where the Christmas decorations harkened back to the days of Dickens with all the zest and flare of a fireworks warehouse.
Glancing around to make sure she wouldn’t have to make small talk with anyone, she did a double take when she saw the tall man in the black peacoat again, his hair almost as black as the coat. He stood on the other side of the street, his hands in his pockets, his gaze on Veronica, looking as out-of-place as a pitchfork in a candy cane display.
Was he following her?
Purchase The X-Mas Club from:
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The Sweet Inspirational Christmas Series:
A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Honor Roll, Lenora Worth writes romance and romantic suspense for Love Inspired and sweet romance for Tule Publishing. She also writes for Kensington Books. Her books have finaled in the ACFW Carol Awards. She also received the Romantic Times Pioneer Award for Inspirational Fiction. Lenora is a New York Times, USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling writer and a 2019 RWA RITA® Finalist. With one-hundred-plus books published and over three million books in print, she enjoys adventures with her retired husband and loves reading, baking, and shopping … especially shoe shopping.
Places to find Lenora Worth:
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My favorite holiday tradition is making cookies with my sons.
ReplyDeleteThe X-mas Club sounds like a wonderful holiday read and I love Cullen's profile! Our holiday tradition is to open presents on Christmas Eve, wake up to Santa and cooking, then head to my mom's for more presents and dinner!
ReplyDeleteWe have a yummy dinner and then a WII bowling contest.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite holiday tradition is driving around looking at lights on houses.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite holiday tradition is to order Chinese take-out on Christmas Eve and share the meal and cocktails with my children while we wrap the presents after my grandkids have gone to sleep
ReplyDeleteChinese takeout on Christmas Eve sounds good.
DeleteOur tradition is to go to Santa land to go see all the Christmas lights and decorations
ReplyDeletebaking cookies, looking at Christmas lights, and candlelight service
ReplyDeleteDecorating the tree while listening to Dean Martin. Advent calendar with the kiddo.
ReplyDeleteWatching Christmas movies with my kids, driving around looking at Christmas lights, and taking them to see Santa.
ReplyDeleteOur Christmas tradition is hosting a gathering of family and friends on Christmas Eve.
ReplyDelete