Friday, 30 September 2022

Christmas Romance Anthology – Holiday Kisses #3

 

Hello Friends,


This week I’m delighted to tell you about my romance story which is featured in the Holiday Kisses anthology being published 4 November 2022. In 2021, Gumnut Press located in Perth, Western Australia, put out a call for White Christmas romance short story submissions.

 


I was intrigued by the challenge of writing a Christmas romance, but how would I do it? Now I am a fan of the Wham song, ‘Last Christmas’ which has almost become a classic Christmas song since its release 36 years ago.

 

I imagined a heroine called Gracie who had a heartbreaking last Christmas and she’s not over it yet. She’s definitely not looking forward to the new Christmas day which is tomorrow in the story. She keeps her distance from a special man, Jedd, even though he catches her eye every time and she’s naturally attracted to him. What can Jedd do to make Gracie realize they could get together and make a great couple?

 

How will Gracie ever know that the special man right there with her is the guy she’s been looking for? He’s a man to love.

 

It was going to take a miracle to bring this couple together. So, I called my story, The Now or Never Miracle.

 

How exactly was this miracle going to work? Well, I took Gracie and Jedd away from homes and their normal lives, which is the ‘fish out of water’ trope. I sent them on a holiday to the Southern Highlands of Scotland to find the true spirit of Christmas. Then I enlisted the help of an unusual matchmaker.

 

As I continued writing, I laughed until the last page. The matchmaker is TROUBLE of the 4-legged kind. The romance turned fun, and it was wonderful that Gumnut Press liked the story enough to include it in their anthology. I hope you can read it sometime too.

 

Well, that’s my short description of The Now or Never Miracle.


And now for the official blurb.....


Christmas is a magical time when you choose to believe in love.

After her last Christmas left her heartbroken, Gracie Joyce will do anything to avoid another yuletide disaster. Sidestepping a kiss under the mistletoe is her first safe move at the staff party in Scotland. She must keep resisting her attraction to her charismatic, handsome boss, Jedd Taylor, even when the Christmas Eve party turns to chaos.

Lovely Gracie is a smart and funny woman who captivates Jedd Taylor. If only her smile didn’t fade when she laid eyes on him. How can he convince her not to pigeon-hole him as her boss, and let them get to know each other better?

A miracle unfolds in a picturesque village in the Southern Highlands. The spirit of Christmas comes alive in unexpected ways. When a special matchmaker appears, will they surrender or deny the heart’s desire?

My next excitement is that Gumnut Press have released a video featuring The Now or Never Miracle.


Thank you to author, Carolyn Wren who made the video. Carolyn also wrote a romance story in the anthology. I can’t wait to read her story, and the whole book.

The Holiday Kisses anthology is available for a special-pre-order book price of $ 0.99 (Australia) at Holiday Kisses Universal Book Link


Take care,
stay well,
♥ Ashlyn


Photo Credits: Gumnut Press, Seema Miah and Freestocks R on Unsplash.com

No comments:

Post a Comment