When I'd decided to write Shayla's story, a younger secondary character from Miner in Petticoats, I thought about that yearning to be home for Christmas. She was asked, not invited, by her older brother to return home to Sumpter when he and his wife and children were returning. But she refused because she always did the opposite of what her brother wanted just to be contrary. However, when her friend suggested they could arrive by Christmas and he would ask for her hand in marriage, she jumped at the adventure of traveling with her friend and surprising her family.
Final Novella in the Halsey Homecoming and Halsey
Brothers Series
Shayla Halsey wanted to be home for
Christmas, but never imagined her travels would include spending the night in a
brooding stranger’s cabin. Snowballing events cause her to look inside herself
and recognize maybe it wasn’t being home she wanted as much as it was to have a
home.
Mace Walker has his life in order
and doesn’t want it disrupted again. Yet, when he discovers a woman stranded in
the snow, he has to help her—despite her overbearing and reckless fiancé. In a
matter of days, Shayla turns his life upside down and forces him to decide if
he should leave town or face the consequences.
Excerpt:
Mace started at
the top, grasping the button and pushing it through the hole.
“Thank you,”
Shayla said, more breathy than she’d wanted. His intense stare at each button
as he fastened her clothing had started her heart pumping like she’d ran all
the way from Baker City.
“Get your hands
off her!” Randal took three steps toward them.
Mace glared at him
and Randal stopped.
“Y-you shouldn’t
be touching her like that,” Randal said, staying on the other side of the
table.
“She can’t do it.”
Mace continued buttoning her shirtwaist.
“I should be the
one helping her. I’m her fiancé.” Randal took another step forward.
Mace glared at him
and glanced down at Shayla.
“You plan to marry
him?” Mace asked.
Under his scrutiny
and sitting with her top only half-fastened, she cleared her throat. “I haven’t
said yes.”
Randal charged
forward. “You agreed to come here as a way for me to ask your father for your
hand.”
Shayla trailed her
gaze over Randal’s familiar mouth that stayed in a perpetual smile. It was
turned down at the corners now. His usually twinkling eyes were wide with
surprise. He was the boy who made England not so lonely and glum.
Mace leaned back.
“Are you going to marry him?”
Shayla turned her
gaze on Mace. His full mouth didn’t turn up at the corners, and she’d yet to
see a smile. His eyes peered into hers. Her stomach fluttered. Looking at
Randal never gave her the thrill that staring into Mace’s eyes did.
“I don’t know.”
Buy Links
Windtree Press - http://windtreepress.com/portfolio/a-husband-for-christmas
Hi, Paty! I love the excerpt and the cover is outstanding. Many congratulations for this new book.
ReplyDeletePaty, I love Christmas and romantic Christmas stories. Congrats on your new release.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great book! I wish you all the best!!
ReplyDeleteI love this cover and the excerpt is most tempting. Congratulations on the release!!
ReplyDelete