Tag Archives: Christmas Romance

Release Tour for Bleeding Heart by Tricia T. LaRochelle

Posted on December 11, 2024 by AmyB

Danger lurks in the shadows as Sara and Scott’s idyllic holiday takes a sinister turn. With a violent convict named Randy Meyers on the loose, every moment becomes a battle for survival. Will their love withstand the looming threat, or will it crumble under the weight of uncertainty? Readers who enjoy romantic suspense and strong heroines will devour Bleeding Heart by Tricia T. LaRochelle, the fourth installment of the Sara Browne series.

“Bleeding Heart literally went straight to my heart. This is the fourth book in Sara and Scott’s love story. It is a fast-paced holiday story that could be read as a standalone….but why would you? The first three books were Amazing!”-Reading in the Red Room

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Sara Williams yearns for a tranquil existence as she embraces her new life as a teacher and wife. Her ultimate desire is to cultivate a sense of security and simplicity alongside her husband, Scott.

But the escape of a notorious convict, Randy Meyers, disrupts Sara’s and Scott’s newfound stability, unleashing a wave of fear and uncertainty.

While danger looms, Sara is offered an unforeseen opportunity that threatens her future with Scott. Amidst the chaos of Christmastime, Sara and Scott’s love is put to the ultimate test. With each twist and turn, they must decide: will they let fear dictate their destiny, or will they embrace the unknown with open arms?

The heart that beats the hardest is the one that refuses to bleed out hope. Dive into Sara’s world and witness the true mettle of the Christmas spirit.

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Excerpt

I awoke to the light of the moon filtering in through the plantation blinds, our room quiet as a mouse. The measure of Scott’s breathing told me he was out cold. I turned over to face my clock that flashed 2:33 a.m. with its neon-blue digits. Why was I awake? A dry mouth answered me. Thirst. I did eat a lot of pizza, and I did have two cosmos. I sat up, trying to rouse my mind enough to head to the bathroom to get some water.

All at once, a noise came out of nowhere. What was that?

I froze. Was it the wind hitting the house? The forecast had called for high winds, the enemy of outdoor Christmas decorations. Plus, this house was new, and I needed to get acquainted with its creaks and gentle moans. A nearby oak cast its shadowy branches across my window, and I found myself imagining it waving hello.

I lowered my feet to the floor and stood, my body suddenly cold. After making love, I often slept naked next to Scott, but in the winter, my shoulders had a way of chilling the rest of my body. Realizing this, I shuffled over to my closet and grabbed a nightshirt and pants made of brushed cotton.

Another sound came from … upstairs? I gazed at the ceiling. Was it a scrape or …? I struggled to process.

And then bang.

My heart practically leaped out of my chest.

Okay, that wasn’t the wind. And that wasn’t a tree, either, unless one was coming through our second floor right now. I crept over to Scott and shook his shoulders. “Scott, I heard a noise upstairs.” Terror engulfed my senses, making it difficult to breathe.

All I could think was is it the escaped convict, Randy?

About Tricia T. LaRochelle

Since she was a little girl, award-winning author Tricia T. LaRochelle has been obsessed with tragic love stories. No beach reads for her. Bring on the grit with a double side of turmoil. She likes to feel the character’s anguish as they fight to overcome obstacles to be together. Growing up in central Vermont, she has seen her share of tragedy but remains a hopeful romantic. She now lives in central Virginia, where she continues to foster the possibilities of how love can conquer all.

Flickering Heart, part of her Sara Browne series, won a Gold Medal in the 2023 Readers’ Favorite Contest for New Adult and was a first-place winner in the 2022 Incipere Awards for romance. Revive received an Honorable Mention in the 2022 Incipere Awards for romance in the same series. Her stand-alone contemporary, Sun in My Heart, won second place in the 2024 Bookfest Awards for Romance-Contemporary Romance-New Adult and a Bronze Medal in the 2024 Readers’ Favorite Contest for New Adult Fiction. Her next installment in the Sara Browne Series, Bleeding Heart – A Holiday Romance launches December, 3^rd 2024.

Subscribe to her newsletter at tricialarochelle.com and receive updates and opportunities to win prizes or follow her on X, Threads, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or Pinterest.

This promotional event is brought to you by Indie Pen PR

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Posted in Blog Tour, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Feature, NA, Promo, Romance, Romantic Suspense, Second Chance and tagged Against all odds, Blog Tour, Christmas Romance, Holiday Romance, New Adult, New Release, Romantic Suspense, Sara Browne Series, Second Chance, Self Discovery, Tricia T. LaRochelle. Bookmark the permalink.

Release Blitz for Bleeding Heart by Tricia T. LaRochelle

Posted on December 3, 2024 by AmyB

Blurb

Sara Williams yearns for a tranquil existence as she embraces her new life as a teacher and wife. Her ultimate desire is to cultivate a sense of security and simplicity alongside her husband, Scott.

But the escape of a notorious convict, Randy Meyers, disrupts Sara’s and Scott’s newfound stability, unleashing a wave of fear and uncertainty.

The heart that beats the hardest is the one that refuses to bleed out hope. Dive into Sara’s world and witness the true mettle of the Christmas spirit.

Add to Goodreads Here!

Buy Now or Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!

Excerpt

“Can we have our snacks now, Mrs. Williams?” Trina, my petite student with short, blond hair asked with a hopeful spark in her greenish-blue eyes.

“Sure.” I stood. “Go ahead and grab your snacks and sit at your desks for snack time. But wash your hands first. Knowing the drill, my students made their way to the bathroom to scrub up. Thankfully, they never seemed to mind.

“I’ll continue reading our first Magic Tree House book, Dinosaurs Before Dark.” I made my way to the story corner where a cushy carpet covered the floor, and a small bookcase displayed our class selections. With book in hand, I dragged a stool to the front of the room. “Do you all remember where we left off?” This was always a good way to see how much they had retained from a previous reading.

But before anyone could answer me, my walkie-talkie crackled to life on my desk. I lifted my index finger. “Hold that thought. I’ll be right back.”

Oblivious, the students opened their respective snacks and drinks, chatting with each other about the dodgeball game while I grabbed my walkie-talkie. Giselle hovered near the students in case anyone needed help opening a chip bag or a juice box.

I lifted the walkie-talkie close to my ear and heard what sounded like Principal Robbins say, “Lockdown. This is not a drill. Code 3. Shelter in Place. Follow protocol.” My heart leapt into my throat. Code 3 meant there was a possible threat on campus!

Holy crap!

From within my desk, my cell phone, which remained on vibrate, blew up a moment later. I pulled open the drawer and scanned the warning texts from the school as well. Another protocol. There was no chance I’d misunderstood, though I’d held onto that hope for a brief moment.

Trying to ignore my racing heart, I grabbed my lockdown binder and flung it open to the procedural page. “Giselle, can you read to the students for me?” I rushed over and handed her the book, trying to stay calm.

“What’s going on?” she mumbled, one of her hands half-covering her mouth.

“Lockdown, Code 3. We need to shelter in place.”

Buy Now or Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!

About Tricia T. LaRochelle

Subscribe to her newsletter at tricialarochelle.com and receive updates and opportunities to win prizes or follow her on X, Threads, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or Pinterest.

This promotional event is brought to you by Indie Pen PR

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Posted in Contemporary Romance, NA, Promo, Release Blitz, Romance, Romantic Suspense, Second Chance, Series, Small-Town and tagged Christmas Romance, Holiday Romance, New Release, Romantic Suspense, Sara Browne Series, Second Chance, Self Discovery, Strong Heroine, Tricia T. LaRochelle. Bookmark the permalink.

Pre-Order Blitz for Bleeding Heart by Tricia T. LaRochelle

Posted on November 29, 2024 by AmyB

Danger lurks in the shadows as Sara and Scott’s idyllic holiday takes a sinister turn. With a violent convict named Randy Meyers on the loose, every moment becomes a battle for survival. Will their love withstand the looming threat, or will it crumble under the weight of uncertainty? Pre-order this steamy, holiday, romantic suspense from Tricia T. LaRochelle today!

Title: Bleeding Heart

Author: Tricia T. LaRochelle

Release Date: 12/03/2024

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense

Page Count: 256 pages

Tropes: Second Chance Romance, Strong Heroine, Female Friendships, Self Discovery, Against All Odds, Holiday Romance

Blurb

Sara Williams yearns for a tranquil existence as she embraces her new life as a teacher and wife. Her ultimate desire is to cultivate a sense of security and simplicity alongside her husband, Scott.

But the escape of a notorious convict, Randy Meyers, disrupts Sara’s and Scott’s newfound stability, unleashing a wave of fear and uncertainty.

The heart that beats the hardest is the one that refuses to bleed out hope. Dive into Sara’s world and witness the true mettle of the Christmas spirit.

Pre-Order on Amazon

Add to Goodreads Here!

About Tricia T. LaRochelle

Subscribe to her newsletter at tricialarochelle.com and receive updates and opportunities to win prizes or follow her on X, Threads, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or Pinterest.

This promotional event is brought to you by Indie Pen PR

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Posted in Coming Soon, Contemporary Romance, Feature, NA, Promo, Romance, Romantic Suspense, Second Chance and tagged Against all odds, Christmas Romance, Holiday Romance, Pre-Order, Self Discovery. Bookmark the permalink.

Release Blitz for Like It’s Christmas by Diana A. Hicks

Posted on November 4, 2024 by AmyB

Parker Cruz is determined to save Christmas and keep her promise to her dad and the only thing standing in her way is the town’s Scrooge, the newly appointed Mayor, Rhett Parker. After a series of unlucky events causing residents to start talking about canceling Christmas, Parker does the unthinkable and agrees to fake date her new boss. Readers who enjoy grumpy bosses and fake dating romances will want to sink their teeth into Like It’s Christmas by Diana A. Hicks, a steamy Christmas romance.

Blurb

At Winterstorm Village, a record-breaking blizzard means a wedding before the season is over. This year promises to bring the mother of all snowstorms, and the residents couldn’t be more excited to see who’s next to tie the knot…

Rhett Parker hates Christmas. When the Mayor of Winterstorm has an unfortunate accident and ends up in a coma, Rhett is left hanging with the proverbial Santa Gift Bag. To make matters worse, the only one who can help him save their money-making tourist season is his office nemesis, Ms. Christmas cheer in a bottle, Parker Cruz.

Parker Cruz, the Mayor’s daughter, is determined to save Christmas now that her dad isn’t there to make it all happen. The only person standing in her way is the town’s Scrooge, the newly appointed Mayor, Rhett Parker.

She’s willing to do whatever it takes to make good on her promise to her dad. So, when a series of unlucky events strike, and the residents start talking about canceling Christmas, Parker does the unthinkable. She agrees to a fake date with her new boss.

Love is always in the air during the holidays at Winterstorm Village. So what if this year it’s all pretend? Or is it?

Add to Goodreads Here!

Buy Now or Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!

Excerpt

“Jesus, a date?” Rhett reached over and yanked the pen out of my hand.

“Hey.” I turned to glare at him.

“You need to slow down.” He tossed the pen over his shoulder. “What are you going to do when people want us to kiss?”

“Why would they even ask? That would be creepy. Relax, it’ll never come to that. At most, we’ll have to hold hands.” I stopped to inhale and give him a chance to catch up.

He rubbed the creases on his forehead as he paced to the fireplace and back. Every time, he glanced up at me, his intense gaze would settle on mine. He was really considering all the angles. How about that? We actually made a good team. I was the idea instigator. He was the executor.

“Proximity.” He finally said.

“What does that mean?”

“Can you handle it?” He cocked his head.

“What?”

He prowled toward me as his eyes darkened. Was he mad now? No, that wasn’t it. Rhett was doing the smoldering thing on me. Shit, I swallowed to ease my dry throat. Okay, I could do this. I was a professional. He stopped a mere two inches from me. We’d never been this close before. Oddly enough, I wasn’t repulsed by it. It was nice.

“I’m not nauseous.” I lifted my head to look at him. “You?”

He jaw clenched, then released, his gaze never leaving mine.. “It’s doable.” He nodded then reached behind me.

I glanced over my shoulder and followed his line of sight. “What are you doing?” I asked when he pressed the intercom button.

“Lila, can I see you in my office, please.” He released the button and turned to me. “Getting the ball rolling.”

“Lila is Mrs. Birdwhistle’s God daughter. She’ll be Lila’s first call. And then…”

“And then, the whole town will know.” He brought his hand up to my waist. “Last call to back out, Cruz. It’s now or never.”

“Never.” I placed my hand on his chest just as he leaned in to press his forehead to mine.

My heart drummed so hard, I swore I heard its echo against the walls. Once Lila barged in on us, we would have to follow through on our lie, all the way to New Year’s eve. How hard could it be?

“Omigod.” Lila dropped her iPad. “I’m sorry.” She bent down to retrieve it then fell to her knees while trying to reach for her Mac pen. “I’m sorry. I didn’t meant to…um, the door was opened.”

“It’s fine. I was just leaving.” I tentatively stepped away from Rhett. I hadn’t considered how much touching we needed to do to convey our message. As it was, it already felt like I’d been in Rhett’s arms for a very long time.

For his part, Rhett slowly released my waist and let his fingers skim the length of my arm until they landed in my palm. Our bodies moved with such synchronicity, I didn’t have time to react to the goosebumps fluttering my skin or jerk away from him. I just stood there, spellbound.

Buy Now or Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!

About Diana A. Hicks

Diana A. Hicks is an award-winning author of steamy romantic suspense and science-fiction romance.

When Diana is not writing, she enjoys hot yoga, kickboxing, traveling, and indulging in the simple joys of life like wine and chocolate. She lives in Atlanta and loves spending time with her two children and husband. Connect with Diana on social media to stay up to date on her latest releases.

Praise for Diana A. Hicks:

“Hicks’ first installment of her Desert Monsoon series is confident and assured with strong storytelling, nuanced characters, and a dynamic blend of romance and suspense…A sexy and irresistible tale for fans of contemporary romance.” – Kirkus Reviews

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Posted in Adult, Contemporary Romance, Feature, Promo, Release Blitz, Romance, Small-Town and tagged Christmas Romance, Diana A. Hicks, Fake Dating, Grumpy Boss, Holiday Romance, New Release. Bookmark the permalink.

Cover Reveal: HOW MY NEIGHBOR STOLE CHRISTMAS by Meghan Quinn

Posted on July 18, 2024 by AmyB

From USA Today and Amazon Charts bestselling author Meghan Quinn, comes a new undeniably funny and always spicy winter holiday, enemies-to-lovers romance, HOW MY NEIGHBOR STOLE CHRISTMAS!

Releasing October 15^th in all formats, check out the cover below and pre-order your copy today!

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Want a sneak peek? Check out the excerpt on Cosmo!

https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/books/a61600728/meghan-quinn-how-my-neighbor-stole-christmas-excerpt-cover-reveal/

About HOW MY NEIGHBOR STOLE CHRISTMAS (Coming 10/15/2024):

Every Kringle in Kringletown celebrated Christmas a lot.

But Cole Black on Whistler Lane, unfortunately, did not.

As his fellow citizens decorate their quaint town, brimming with carols and glad tidings, Cole wants nothing more than to hibernate the winter away. But his dreary plans are thwarted when his Christmas nemesis, Storee Taylor, moves in next door to care for her Aunt Cindy. Immediately, the new neighbor turns his life into a real nightmare before Christmas, especially when she decides to enter the town Christmas Kringle contest in honor of Cindy. And better yet, Storee is determined to win.

Over Cole’s dead body, she will. With help from his friend Max, Cole decides to enter the competition as well, to beat Storee at her own game by pretending that this hometown grump’s heart has grown three sizes this season and he’s fallen for the girl next door. And unfortunately for Storee, she has to follow his lead to have a chance at the Christmas Kringle title.

But the competition isn’t the only thing that heats up. Cole and Storee’s fake relationship becomes very real, and before they know it, they’re attempting to hide it from Aunt Cindy. Things get complicated, the competition gets tough, and all it takes is one single night for someone to steal it all…

PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!

♦ Books Are Awesome Signed & Personalized Copies: https://bit.ly/4bAGCRX

♦ Walmart Special Edition: https://bit.ly/4bMLDXM

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Signed & Personalized Copies Alert!

Meghan Quinn has partnered with Books Are Awesome for a special pre-order campaign! Get your signed and personalized copies along with an exclusive NSFW vellum art print today!

♦ Books Are Awesome Signed & Personalized Copies: https://bit.ly/4bAGCRX

Special Edition Alert!

Walmart and Barnes and Noble have special editions of HOW MY NEIGHBOR STOLE CHRISTMAS now available! Each edition has a different color cover variation and include a shiny foil heart on the cover, a bonus epilogue, 8 additional illustrations, and an inside cover design. Choose your favorite and pre-order your copy today!

♦ Walmart Special Edition: https://bit.ly/4bMLDXM

♦ Barnes and Noble Special Edition: https://bit.ly/4cHRIpz

ABOUT MEGHAN QUINN:

USA Today Bestselling Author, wife, adoptive mother, and peanut butter lover. Author of romantic comedies and contemporary romance, Meghan Quinn brings readers the perfect combination of heart, humor, and heat in every book.

Never miss another NEW RELEASE, text READ to 474747.

Connect w/ Meghan:

Website: https://authormeghanquinn.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meghanquinnauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meghanquinnbooks/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorMegQuinn

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Posted in Adult, Coming Soon, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Cover Reveal, Enemies to Lovers, Favorite Author, Feature, Promo, Romance, Romantic Comedy, Small-Town and tagged books, Can't Wait, Christmas Romance, Christmas!, Cover Reveal, Holiday Romance, Meghan Quinn, Romance, Romance Books, SpicyRomance. Bookmark the permalink.

Release Tour for Grinch Girl by Michelle Dayton

Posted on November 14, 2022 by AmyB

Jane Zielinski has her hands full this December. The last thing she needs is to be upstaged by her former childhood BFF, Bella Bradley, who blows into town with handfuls of cash and a sexy business partner, Nate Wright. But a little competition never hurt anyone, and Jane’s ready to do whatever it takes– including flirting with Nate–to get Bella to pack up and leave. Fans of Christina Lauren and Sally Thorne will love Grinch Girl, a spicy and humorous Christmas Romance from Michelle Dayton.

“The love story itself is stirring and emotional, and Emily and Bobby’s second chance feels well-earned.”—Publishers Weekly review for Escape Girl

Read Now On Your Favorite Retailers!

Amazon→ https://amzn.to/3d6N4rP

iBooks→https://apple.co/3U2ZaCK

Kobo → https://bit.ly/3eOf1VW

Barnes & Noble → https://bit.ly/3RFEuz9

Universal Link→ https://bit.ly/3RU4G8Y

Sometimes, the real story isn’t the beautiful city girl returning to her small town to save Christmas—it’s the townie chick who never left.

Jane Zielinski has her hands full this December, working three jobs and directing a homemade reality dating web series, Single Bells, as a stunt to keep her small town competitive with the ritzy resort towns luring tourists. Then the gorgeous Bella Bradley, Jane’s childhood BFF who had no qualms about skipping town when times got tough, returns with handfuls of cash and her smoking-hot business partner Nate Wright on her arm.

Jane can’t believe she’s being upstaged again, especially when Bella uses the Single Bells activities to rekindle a romance with her high school boyfriend—the man Jane had envisioned her future with. So if a little competition could convince Bella to leave town—again—Jane is ready to take the mittens off. And she’s not above sabotage, cheating, or flirting with Nate to win. Let the reindeer games begin…

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Excerpt

Nate’s eyes lowered from the heavens to my face. His expression shifted away from embarrassment as his eyelids lowered a centimeter and his jaw shifted.

Why was my breathing so shallow? Why was I focusing so much on the bottom half of his face?

“Are you familiar with the term ‘competence porn’, Jane?” he asked.

I was so distracted by his use of my actual name and how his night-quiet voice had gotten all roughed up and gravelly that it took me a moment to grasp his actual question. Before I realized I didn’t grasp it at all. “Huh?”

“Competence porn—” he paused to cock his jaw in the opposite direction and take a half step closer to me “—is when a viewer takes great enjoyment in watching someone do something well. Marveling at someone who is insanely good at something.”

I blinked a few times, confused and mesmerized. My lips formed into the shape they needed to make a W sound, but I couldn’t think of the right question to ask him. What does this have to do with me? When did you get so close?

“You fix things and make things and solve situations,” Nate all but whispered. “You order people around, and they do what you say.” He shook his head, as if in bewilderment. “There hasn’t been a problem you couldn’t solve.”

He might have looked frustrated if he didn’t look so…intent. “I’ve always been a bit of a sucker for competence porn, but I’ve never seen it embodied so much in one individual.” Those intense dark eyes became fixated on my parted lips. “So I didn’t know how apt the term actually was.”

“Let me get this straight.” I took a shuddering breath, so warm in my thin coat that I wondered how I could have felt cold earlier. “You’re turned on because I’m so competent?”

This might have been the oddest conversation I’d ever had with a man. A very odd, very hot conversation.

His lips quirked up at the corners. “It surprises me too.”

We were now only separated by inches, and his face was exactly as it had been in the video. Hungry. His gaze made my mouth water, and we were both breathing so hard that our breath made little white clouds around our faces.

I should have been backing away. I should have been rolling my eyes. But his eyes had their own gravity again, and their magnetic force was pulling my mouth to his.

“This is so stupid,” I whispered.

“I know,” he agreed.

About Michelle Dayton

There are only three things Michelle Dayton loves more than sexy and suspenseful novels: her family, the city of Chicago, and Mr. Darcy. Michelle dreams of a year of world travel – as long as the trip would include weeks and weeks of beach time. As a bourbon lover and unabashed wine snob, Michelle thinks heaven is discussing a good book over an adult beverage.

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Posted in Adult, Blog Tour, Contemporary Romance and tagged Christmas Romance, Holiday Romance, Women's Fiction. Bookmark the permalink.

Release Blitz for Grinch Girl by Michelle Dayton

Posted on November 7, 2022 by AmyB

“The love story itself is stirring and emotional, and Emily and Bobby’s second chance feels well-earned.”—Publishers Weekly review for Escape Girl

Blurb

Add to Goodreads Here!

Buy Now On Your Favorite Retailers!

Amazon →https://amzn.to/3d6N4rP

iBooks→https://apple.co/3U2ZaCK

Kobo → https://bit.ly/3eOf1VW

Barnes & Noble → https://bit.ly/3RFEuz9

Universal Link→ https://bit.ly/3RU4G8Y

Excerpt

The stranger had a British accent, dark hair, funky glasses, and wore both an expensive cashmere sweater and a bored expression. He couldn’t have looked less local if he’d tattooed “I’m from away” on his forehead. “Do you know the Wi-Fi password, by any chance?”

Of course I did; I’d installed it. “Nope.”

OK, that was unnecessary. Don’t piss off the tourists, Jane. Jim’s pub couldn’t handle a one-star Yelp review from some asshole.

He threw up his hands. “No sign posted with the Wi-Fi info. Nobody pouring drinks.” He let out an exasperated huff. “No wonder this place is a dying shithole, right? The bar, the whole town.”

Strong words, stranger. Maybe I agreed, but I was allowed to think so because I lived here. He, however, could take his opinion and shove it straight up his ass.

The need for caffeine was real. I stood, put my palms on the bar, and boosted myself over it.

The stranger put his phone on the bar with an angry slap. “Are you kidding? Are you the bartender? You’ve just been sitting there ignoring me the whole time I’ve been here?”

I almost wanted to say yes. Because that haughty, entitled tone in his prettily accented voice made his face a prime candidate for a fist.

“I don’t work here,” I said flatly, although I did pick up shifts in the summers sometimes. “I just know the owner.”

The stranger cocked his head and considered me. Changed tactics. “Do you know him well enough to grab me a beer?” He smiled, and it changed his whole damn face. He went from haughty and bored to…zing! There was a teasing tone in his wry voice now, complimented by curved lips and a flash of white teeth. A knowing, flirtatious glint in his dark eyes.

Hmm. This was a person used to getting everything he wanted.

Too bad for him that I hated people like that.

Maybe I didn’t want a soda after all. Maybe I wanted something else. I slowly took a pint glass from the shelf and pulled a draft of Spotted Cow, all while making extreme eye contact with the stranger’s amused gaze.

But instead of sliding the beer over the bar, I walked around it, grabbed my laptop, and strolled slowly to the back office, enjoying an enormous gulp of the beer on my walk. I ignored his “what the hell” and called over my shoulder, “Enjoy your stay in our shithole town.”