#MFRWhooks Blog Hop - Excerpt from CHRISTMAS AT SOLACE LAKE - Meeting my Sister's Boyfriend
- 10 hours ago
- 3 min read
Happy Wednesday! Today I have an excerpt from CHRISTMAS AT SOLACE LAKE. Drew is meeting his sister Carrie's new boyfriend and he's in for a surprise.
CHRISTMAS AT SOLACE LAKE is on sale for .99 cents at Smashwords until January 1, 2026: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1881612
Check out all my books #onsale at Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/JanaRichards8396
Excerpt:
Carrie reached for Drew’s hand. “Ryan’s here, and I want you to meet him. He’s looking forward to meeting you.”
Carrie looked apprehensive, and again he wondered why everyone felt they had to protect Ryan from him. Though the idea rankled, Drew smiled to reassure his sister.
“I’m looking forward to meeting him, too.”
“Come on. I’ll introduce you.”
She led the way to the staff lounge and the small office next to it. Carrie opened the door and Drew followed her inside. A man with dark blonde wavy hair sat at a desk in front of a laptop. He turned to look at him, a tentative smile on his face. Drew returned the smile. And then he realized the man was in a wheelchair.
“Drew, I’d like to introduce you to my friend Ryan Walters.” Carrie stepped closer to Ryan and put her hand on his shoulder. “Ryan, this is my brother, Drew Barnes.”
Drew did his best to hide his shock. He put a polite smile on his face and extended his hand. “Good to meet you, Ryan.”
“I’m happy to meet you, too. I’ve heard a lot about you and your parents.” Ryan shook Drew’s hand, then looked up at Carrie. “You didn’t tell him, did you?”
She shook her head. “I wanted Drew to meet you and get to know you first. I’m sorry.”
Ryan grasped her hand. “It’s okay, sweetheart. But I don’t think it was fair to your brother not to give him a heads-up about Ole Faithful here.” He patted the arm of the wheelchair.
Drew stared at the chair. Suddenly, the way everyone kept telling him to keep an open mind made sense.
“I’m sorry, Drew,” Carrie said. “I know I should have told you, but I didn’t want you to make up your mind about Ryan before you met him.”
“I get it.” But he was disappointed Carrie felt she couldn’t trust him with the truth.
CHRISTMAS AT SOLACE LAKE is participating in the Christmas and Holiday Book Festival and Giveaway. Read about my Christmas traditions and enter the giveaway for a chance to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card! The festival runs until December 31.
OR
Blurb:
Widow Celeste Bishop has made a comfortable life for herself and her nine-year-old daughter in the three years she's worked, and lived, at Solace Lake Lodge. But this Christmas, Celeste is unsettled by a series of thefts that has staff suspecting one another.
Then Drew Barnes arrives, making her feel things she never thought she’d feel again.
An emergency brings Drew to Solace Lake Lodge. He’s sure that’s the only reason his uncle asked him to fill in as bookkeeper. No one in his family has believed in him since his mistake got him fired from his previous job.
As Drew gets to know Celeste, his feelings for her grow, and the pieces of his life tumble into place. He doesn’t care that she’s nine years older. But while he's falling in love, she's pulling away. She can’t risk loving and losing again.
Christmas approaches and the thefts increase. Drew is determined to stop the thief and redeem himself in his family’s eyes—and his own. But can he convince Celeste they deserve the gift of a happily-ever-after this Christmas?
Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/Christmas-at-Solace-Lake
CHRISTMAS AT SOLACE LAKE is #onsale at Smashwords for #.99cents until January 1, 2026: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1881612
I'm taking part in a contemporary romance promotion with Crave Books until the end of December. Three lucky winners will receive eight ebooks as their prize, including my book, HER BEST MAN. The first place winner will also receive a hardcover collection of five bestselling contemporary romance novels. Enter today for your chance to win!
For more excerpts, check out the #MFRWhooks Blog Hop!