On
The 12th
Date of Christmas Cover Reveal
By Nikki Lynn Barrett
Contemporary holiday romance
Expected release date: November 8, 2013
After
being mugged, Robin Sorenson is left shaken and her spirit in
humanity broken. Worse, she’s not sure how to deal with the new
anxieties or who to confide in since she’s always preached to pick
oneself up and move on. Yeah, she’s been the go to girl when
anyone’s had problems.
Christmas is coming, and her belief in magic and miracles has faded.
Then Jonas comes back.
Jonas Aimes made a mistake. A big one, when he walked away from Robin a year earlier. He’d loved her, always had and still does, but his desire to please his aging and strict parents took precedence. Back from the overseas internship they’d struggled to get him in, he plans on winning Robin back. What he didn’t count on was discovering the shell of the vivacious woman he’d loved.
Broken.
Remembering her love of Christmas, Jonas pulls the holiday heartstrings. What? All is fair and love and war. Right?
Twelve days, Twelve Dates.
Robin is speechless when Jonas not only refuses to leave her alone, but dares her to accept his cheesy holiday themed challenge. Twelve dates to give him a chance to prove he loves her and is never leaving her again.
But in the season known for miracles can Robin find the magic needed to open her heart and faith once more...or will she forever wonder about the ghost of the Christmas past that could have been?
Christmas is coming, and her belief in magic and miracles has faded.
Then Jonas comes back.
Jonas Aimes made a mistake. A big one, when he walked away from Robin a year earlier. He’d loved her, always had and still does, but his desire to please his aging and strict parents took precedence. Back from the overseas internship they’d struggled to get him in, he plans on winning Robin back. What he didn’t count on was discovering the shell of the vivacious woman he’d loved.
Broken.
Remembering her love of Christmas, Jonas pulls the holiday heartstrings. What? All is fair and love and war. Right?
Twelve days, Twelve Dates.
Robin is speechless when Jonas not only refuses to leave her alone, but dares her to accept his cheesy holiday themed challenge. Twelve dates to give him a chance to prove he loves her and is never leaving her again.
But in the season known for miracles can Robin find the magic needed to open her heart and faith once more...or will she forever wonder about the ghost of the Christmas past that could have been?
Excerpt
He took her hand in
his as he reached for the keys with his other hand.
“Why are we at a
closed ice skating rink, Jonas?” He heard the wonder in her voice.
“Because we're
going skating, silly.” He shot a smile at her.
“How did you-”
“Hey. I'm in with
Santa now, remember? I can't divulge all my secrets.”
Her soft laughter
and a squeeze to his hand warmed his heart, despite the icy chill
around him. “I haven't been ice skating in years.”
“Hmm. Out of
practice? So if we were to race, I'd have a chance?” Jonas fingered
the edge of her scarf, twirling the fringed ends with two fingers.
“Oh please, you
don't skate.” Robin scoffed. “Do you?”
He laughed. “I
love how you were so certain, then all of a sudden you had to
question it. Maybe we should go in, lace up and I'll show you some
moves.”
“This I have to
see!” Robin raised a perfectly arched brow.
“Let's get to it,
little lady.” Jonas closed and locked the door behind him. The
lights buzzed as they came on, lighting up the place. With a flick of
a few switches, everything would be ready for them soon. He hadn't
been in here for quite some time, let alone when it was empty. This
would be fun. He couldn't wait to get out on that ice. Hopefully, he
wouldn't be leaving here with any sprained parts. He wasn't about to
let on to Robin that he was very rusty at this. He stifled a laugh.
Anticipation shot through his veins. He'd take this challenge.
Robin was the first
to get on the ice. As he finished lacing up, Jonas watched her
gracefully move around. She went slow and steady at first, obviously
testing out her balance. She did a small spin and as he caught sight
of her face, he noticed the way her eyes lit up and her smile reached
them. It would take more than these fun moments to show her who he'd
become, and they would get to that. Communication definitely was a
key. There were so many things unsaid, and while he knew they had to
be spoken, he wondered how much of it would ruin the moments they
shared.
Doesn't matter.
It all has to be done. The good and the bad.
“Are you
stalling?” She teased, making another loop. She seemed at ease.
Jonas pointed to
himself in mock horror. “You did not just accuse me of stalling.”
“Oh, but I did.
So come on out here and strut your stuff, before I accuse you of all
talk and no action.” Another loop, faster this time. That woman
taunted him.
Jonas growled and
tightened the last of the laces and eased himself onto the ice. “All
talk and no action, huh? Watch this.” Gathering momentum and
hoping for no epic fails, Jonas sped across the rink. Okay so far, so
good. A little wobbly, but this wasn't as hard as he imagined. Then
he got stupid, turned his head to flash her a smile and came crashing
into the wall. “Ooph!” he shouted, landing on his ass.
Robin covered her
mouth with her hand. She tried her hardest not to let the laugh out,
and failing miserably. She skated over to him and held a hand out.
“It's not that
funny.” He grumbled, rubbing his sore backside. The corners of his
lips twitched. He couldn't keep the smile away.
“Not a bad start,
until you got cocky.” She teased. She helped him to his feet and he
towered over her. He slid his arms around her waist and pulled her
closer.
“Your fault for
showing off.” He teased, leaning in closer. He wanted to kiss her
senseless and steal her breath away. That would get her to quit
laughing at his attempts at being cool when it came to skating.
“I think not. I
won't take the blame for this one.” She said quietly. He cupped her
face, loving the way she smiled at him. He ran a finger along her
jaw, loving the sensations he felt while having her near.
“Then take the
blame for this.” Jonas closed the gap between them and kissed her.
Though
it's not a series, and On the 12th
Date of Christmas is a standalone book, Robin makes her first
appearance in The Secret Santa Wishing Well. Readers have been
asking for her story and of course, more of Cheyenne, Jacob and the
kids.
The
Secret Santa Wishing Well Blurb:
The
magic of Christmas has been lost to Jacob Winston. At the suggestion
of his ill sister, Jacob takes a job as a Secret Santa at the mall,
hoping to restore his Christmas spirit. Even that doesn’t seem to
work, until a special little boy ambles up to make a very special
wish... Cheyenne Jensen is struggling to raise her two kids without
the help of her ex-husband who refuses to acknowledge his daughter’s
existence and doesn’t provide for the son he does. This Christmas
is shaping up to be as heartbreaking as the last, until her son Ben’s
kind actions lead a stranger to them. Ah, but it’s Christmas time
and the magic has begun. When Jacob and Cheyenne meet, neither can
deny their immediate attraction to one another. As situations arise
that require they spend more time together, their feelings grow
stronger and stronger. With Christmas fast approaching, the pair
learn what matters most in life. Now, if only they could ditch the
ghost of Christmases past. Maybe this holiday will bring some wishes
come true- for everyone after all.
Giveaway: 3 e-copies
of The Secret Santa Wishing Well