By: Sarah Dressler
Genre: Holiday Romance
Release Date: November 14, 2023
Publisher: 5 Prince Publishing
With only three weeks left in December, travel editor, America Greene, arrives in the idyllic Christmas Cove to find it... Christmasless! America needs a story, and fast, so she teams up with the town’s good-looking (and eligible) mayor, Leo, to light up Main Street and salvage her chance at being a full-time writer. The connection between them heats up, halls are decked, sleigh bells ring, and lights twinkle. Just when she thinks the holiday is saved, a nearby city threatens the future of Christmas Cove. With her heart, and career, hanging in the balance, she must learn that Christmas is much more than just a place on a map before time runs out.
I grew up in a military family, so our yearly traditions were something that I clung to amidst the turmoil of my life. Now, my family will probably tell you that I’m remembering details wrong, but this is how I choose to recall all the wonderful moments revolving around Christmas.
Christmas Eve: There was always eggnog. My mom had a set of very fancy holly berry dishes with gold rimming, that I am now the steward of, and my dad and I would sip grocery store eggnog while singing carols by the tree. To this day, I’m not sure if I really like the drink, or that I really enjoyed sharing something special with my father. After eggnog, the whole family would sit around the tree and all the kids would select one gift to unwrap. It had to be something from a relative or friend that wasn't in the house. Usually this meant we would go for a gift sent by one of our aunts and uncles. Looking back, all this did was excite us so much that sleep was hard to find that night. The anticipation of waiting til morning, running down the stairs, with a gigantic VHS video recorder staring us down from across the room, was one of the highlights of the whole season.
Now, we can add reading my novel, Christmas Cove, to our list of traditions.
Christmas Eve: There was always eggnog. My mom had a set of very fancy holly berry dishes with gold rimming, that I am now the steward of, and my dad and I would sip grocery store eggnog while singing carols by the tree. To this day, I’m not sure if I really like the drink, or that I really enjoyed sharing something special with my father. After eggnog, the whole family would sit around the tree and all the kids would select one gift to unwrap. It had to be something from a relative or friend that wasn't in the house. Usually this meant we would go for a gift sent by one of our aunts and uncles. Looking back, all this did was excite us so much that sleep was hard to find that night. The anticipation of waiting til morning, running down the stairs, with a gigantic VHS video recorder staring us down from across the room, was one of the highlights of the whole season.
Now, we can add reading my novel, Christmas Cove, to our list of traditions.
“Your honesty is very—”
“Annoying?” she finished.
“No,” Leo said. She sensed the grin on his face but refused to look. “Refreshing. Endearing. I’ve never met anyone like you, America Greene.”
This was too much, she decided. “Are you reading my mind or something?” She looked at him. Her suspicions about his grin’s gauge were confirmed, and only widened with the pause that danced between them. “I’ve never met anyone like you, either.”
Leo didn’t say anything. It was as though they were each sizing the implications of the revelation. She desperately wanted to know what was traversing his mind. Hers, meanwhile, swam with all the silly dreaming of a young woman still in her youth. The version of herself that would doodle his name in her Trapper Keeper, the one that would pass notes to him in biology, and the one who would have begged to switch lockers with a friend just to be nearer to him.
What was happening to her? She had an assignment to do. And crushing on the small-town mayor of Nowheresville was not on the agenda. She looked at his face, with its strong jawline covered in two- or three-day-old stubble, his serious brows, and his red lips, and weighed the harm in enjoying the man’s company.
“Did you say something?” Leo asked with a giggle in his throat that he attempted to disguise as a cough.
“Um . . . I don’t think so.” America scoured her memory. Had she said something aloud that she meant to keep to herself? “Did I say something about a Trapper Keeper or locker?”
Another laugh. “No. But now you have me fully engaged.”
The way he strung out the word engaged made her think that was the word she had accidentally said aloud. It was better for her to ignore it than to address the slip. A sigh escaped her the moment the cabin came into view. And not a moment too soon. She was glad that the inelegant adventure could be over for the night.
“Annoying?” she finished.
“No,” Leo said. She sensed the grin on his face but refused to look. “Refreshing. Endearing. I’ve never met anyone like you, America Greene.”
This was too much, she decided. “Are you reading my mind or something?” She looked at him. Her suspicions about his grin’s gauge were confirmed, and only widened with the pause that danced between them. “I’ve never met anyone like you, either.”
Leo didn’t say anything. It was as though they were each sizing the implications of the revelation. She desperately wanted to know what was traversing his mind. Hers, meanwhile, swam with all the silly dreaming of a young woman still in her youth. The version of herself that would doodle his name in her Trapper Keeper, the one that would pass notes to him in biology, and the one who would have begged to switch lockers with a friend just to be nearer to him.
What was happening to her? She had an assignment to do. And crushing on the small-town mayor of Nowheresville was not on the agenda. She looked at his face, with its strong jawline covered in two- or three-day-old stubble, his serious brows, and his red lips, and weighed the harm in enjoying the man’s company.
“Did you say something?” Leo asked with a giggle in his throat that he attempted to disguise as a cough.
“Um . . . I don’t think so.” America scoured her memory. Had she said something aloud that she meant to keep to herself? “Did I say something about a Trapper Keeper or locker?”
Another laugh. “No. But now you have me fully engaged.”
The way he strung out the word engaged made her think that was the word she had accidentally said aloud. It was better for her to ignore it than to address the slip. A sigh escaped her the moment the cabin came into view. And not a moment too soon. She was glad that the inelegant adventure could be over for the night.
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Sounds like a great holiday story.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'm thrilled to bring America and Leo's story to you this holiday season.
DeleteThank you for featuring this book today.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome.
DeleteWhat do people remember most about meeting you for the first time?
ReplyDeleteI'm very tall and shy, so I use humor to break the awkwardness. I once said in a job interview that I should be hired because I'm funny. I didn't get the job.
DeleteSounds like a good book.
ReplyDeleteI'm thrilled you think so. America and Leo's story is a sweet strangers-to-lovers with a dose of humor and heart.
DeleteI love the synopsis and excerpt, Christmas Cove sounds like a wonderful holiday story, a must read for me. Thank you for sharing your bio and book details and for offering a giveaway
ReplyDeleteThank you. I can't wait for you to read it!!
DeleteThank you for featuring me and my debut novel, Christmas Cove. I hope everyone falls in love with America and Leo, and with the sweet little town.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteLooks like a interesting book and I love the cover.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I like how the couple are standing.
DeleteLove the cover - perfect for hte book.
ReplyDeleteThank you. The couple is so cute.
DeleteHow old are these two? They remind me of my grown children as teens...
ReplyDeleteAmerica and Leo are in their mid-twenties.
DeleteI enjoyed the excerpt. Sounds like a good book
ReplyDeletethis sounds really cute
ReplyDeleteHoliday Romance I love it along with the amazing cover!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this.
Do you read much?
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great story. Having a former military parent (WWII) and a cousin (WWII, Korea, Viet Nam) I know how much they missed while away. Especially my cousin who was in the O.S.S. (explaining the many postings). When ever my mom's cousin came home he'd pick us up and take us to an amazing venue or a great restaurant.
ReplyDeleteI like the cover
ReplyDeleteWhat is your favorite part of this book and why?
ReplyDeleteoh i am excited about this! congratssarah on your debut!
ReplyDeleteHow do you come up with names for the characters?
ReplyDeleteI really like the cover. I like the hand drawn look.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving. Are you spending it with family?
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving. Do you write on holidays?
ReplyDeleteWhat part of the book was the most fun to write?
ReplyDeleteThank you for this giveaway. Wishing you the best holiday season
ReplyDeleteI love the cover! It’s perfect for the holidays.
ReplyDeleteChristmas Cove by Sarah Dressler is a heartwarming holiday tale that will surely put a smile on your face.
ReplyDeleteIt's a delightful read, with captivating characters and a cozy setting.
Highly recommended!"
this book looks really great for holiday read aloud with my partner
ReplyDeleteHave you started a book and not finished it?
ReplyDeleteI so enjoyed reading the excerpt- well done!
ReplyDeleteDo you have a favorite author and/or genre?
ReplyDeleteDid you have any writing education?
ReplyDeleteDoes writing energize or exhaust you?
ReplyDeleteDid you ever write a book that made you cry?
ReplyDeleteWhat advice do you have for writers?
ReplyDeleteHow did you decide on the cover for this book?
ReplyDeleteHow many books have you written and which is your favorite?
ReplyDelete