by: Michele Arris
Series: Haven Creek
Genre: Contemporary Interracial Christmas Romance
Release Date: November 3, 2022
Publisher: Tule Publishing
Sometimes, it takes more than mistletoe to find true love.
Reyna Star, owner of North Star Private Car, is drawn to Hawk Swan’s rugged good looks when she picks him up for his holiday party weekend, but she knows his type, and she’s not interested. However, she does pocket more than a generous tip from her passenger—when one of Hawk’s companions mentions the Berkshires as the perfect place to go skiing, Reyna decides to spend Christmas there with her teenage daughter, Lily, and rebuild their bond.
Custom woodcrafter, Julian “Hawk” Swan is tired of the single life and wants to settle down. When Reyna arrives in Haven Creek, he seizes the chance to fix her first impression of him. Attraction burns bright between them, but there are those not warming up to their relationship—Lily is acting out, Hawk’s cousin worries about potential hardships in their romance, and even Reyna’s ex is too close for comfort. Plus there’s Reyna’s business, firmly entrenched in Miami.
This Christmas, can Reyna and Hawk rise above these holiday hurdles and build a lasting future?
Age: 29
Date of birth: April 18, 1993
Physical Description: African American woman - brown eyes, brown skin tone, dark curly hair, tall, slender build
Occupation: Owner of North Star Private Car Service
3 likes in no particular order:
- Enjoys making Christmas tree ornaments
- Loves being a mom
- Likes to play board games
- Dislikes feeling vulnerable
- Dislikes being considered the boring parent by my daughter
- Dislikes tardiness
Favorite food: Eggplant Parmigiana
Favorite song: NSYNC Christmas songs
Choice of transportation: Black Bentley
Favorite way to spend an evening: Watching old black-and-white movies
Favorite holiday tradition: Making Christmas tree ornaments
Best memory to date: The birth of my daughter, Lily
If you could have a do-over, what would you do differently? I would accept Hawk’s first request for a date.
What’s something you’ve said you would never do, but in fact have done? Made a wish to Santa that I meet the perfect man.
Most romantic gesture (done or received): Received a book of romantic sonnets from Hawk.
Words to live by: The only way to really appreciate the world is to explore it unencumbered.
“I really don’t have space in my life for problems and complexities a relationship tends to bring with it.”
“Are you searching for a reason to reject me? Look at me, Reyna.”
She met and held his intense gaze through several rapid heartbeats, then returned her attention to the road ahead. “I’m trying to figure out what’s wrong with you.”
His brow furrowed once more. “Pardon?”
“Look at you. You’re gorgeous. You help people in need. You spend time with your niece, making gingerbread houses. Yet, you claim you’re not involved with anyone. There must be something I’m missing.”
“Why can’t it be that I haven’t met the right woman yet?”
“Oh, let us not forget you allowed your brother to borrow your vehicle simply so he could see his girlfriend when you needed it to transport items to the veterans’ center. It wouldn’t be much of a surprise if you sing to the elderly at nursing homes too.”
“I do.”
Reyna’s head swiveled.
“I’m joking.” He sported a grin. “Make a left at the intersection. Have you gone skiing yet?”
“No. I don’t know how. I’ve been putting it off. Lily will want to do it soon, I’m sure.”
“I’ll teach you. We can go now if you like.”
“I can’t tonight. How about tomorrow? Same time? I’m taking Lily snow tubing in the afternoon, then she has already said the kids are coming by the inn to hang out, play video games. I’ll be free then. I can pick you up at your store if you’re still without your truck.”
“That’ll work. I should be back from the nursing home by then.”
Reyna tried but couldn’t suppress her grin. His was simply contagious. Her heart was treading on dangerous ground. He was wrong for her in so many ways.
Though she had yet to determine what they were.
“Are you searching for a reason to reject me? Look at me, Reyna.”
She met and held his intense gaze through several rapid heartbeats, then returned her attention to the road ahead. “I’m trying to figure out what’s wrong with you.”
His brow furrowed once more. “Pardon?”
“Look at you. You’re gorgeous. You help people in need. You spend time with your niece, making gingerbread houses. Yet, you claim you’re not involved with anyone. There must be something I’m missing.”
“Why can’t it be that I haven’t met the right woman yet?”
“Oh, let us not forget you allowed your brother to borrow your vehicle simply so he could see his girlfriend when you needed it to transport items to the veterans’ center. It wouldn’t be much of a surprise if you sing to the elderly at nursing homes too.”
“I do.”
Reyna’s head swiveled.
“I’m joking.” He sported a grin. “Make a left at the intersection. Have you gone skiing yet?”
“No. I don’t know how. I’ve been putting it off. Lily will want to do it soon, I’m sure.”
“I’ll teach you. We can go now if you like.”
“I can’t tonight. How about tomorrow? Same time? I’m taking Lily snow tubing in the afternoon, then she has already said the kids are coming by the inn to hang out, play video games. I’ll be free then. I can pick you up at your store if you’re still without your truck.”
“That’ll work. I should be back from the nursing home by then.”
Reyna tried but couldn’t suppress her grin. His was simply contagious. Her heart was treading on dangerous ground. He was wrong for her in so many ways.
Though she had yet to determine what they were.
Purchase Above the Mistletoe from:
You can read my review of Above the Mistletoe here.
Michele grew up in the south and currently lives in the northeast. When she isn’t stationed in front of her laptop spilling her wayward imagination onto the page, she’s jotting scenes in her head.
“It’s enjoyable to write stories where two people are guaranteed their happy ending.”
Places to find Michele Arris:
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I don't really have a dream car. I would love to have a new Chevy Tahoe or Traverse someday. I have a suburban and would like to go down a size in vehicle.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the release of Above the Mistletoe, Michele, sounds like my kind of book!
ReplyDeleteWhat's my dream car? Since this is a dream, my dream car is Bumble Bee the Transformer!
Thanks for sharing your book with me and have a magical holiday season!
I don't have a dream car. I like my minivan. Yep, I said minivan. Wouldn't mind a new one, but I'm not in the market for one.
ReplyDeleted
I would like a mini cooper or a range rover
ReplyDeleteI really don't have a dream car. I just want a new one and to have it paid off. Maybe just a new Honda. Mine is old.
ReplyDeleteRange Rover or a ferrari.
ReplyDeleteI would love a new Jeep Cherokee.
ReplyDelete